On board H.M.S “Seang Bee”

It seems ages since I wrote to you last time. It doesn’t make much difference though, as all our mail has been disorganized. Christmas Eve we received our Billies and Puddings. I got my Billie from Miss Dorothy Andrews, Woodville, and my pudding from Victoria. It was great fun opening the Billies. The fellows were like a lot of children, laughing over the contents. Mine contained raisins, toothpaste, a pocket writing pad, some handkerchiefs, and some Christmas Cards, also Chocolate and Cigarettes. The worst of it was that we had our morning orders – we were to move at 9a.m. on Christmas morning, but at the last moment they were cancelled. Eventually we got off the next morning and came aboard this boat, and are now, we presume, bound for Alexandria. All our last month’s mail is travelling with us on the “Ascanius”.

Best love to all.
Lance.

sport and photos

Today was supposed to have been our Battalion Sports, but all through the night a very nasty dust storm was blowing, and today it has rained like fun. I was only thinking today what a little rain we have had since we have been on this job. I don’t suppose we have had over twenty wet days. I know we have had very few parades dismissed through rain.

I saw Pat Auld and Jim Loudan from the 4th A.M.C. yesterday, also Eric Issacsen from the 5th Field Bakery. Did I tell you we have Ned Joyce, who used to row 5 in the Murray Bridge eight, in my platoon. We haven’t had an argument over rowing yet. Also we have Eric Mitchell in the company. He used to play with Quaker Moffat in the Sturt Lacross team. I didn’t enter for any of the events for today as there were cash prizes – not worth risking my amateur status.

I sent the only spool I had taken on the Peninsular to be developed. I got two of the films back the other day they are very good. One shows DuRieu, Jones, and Beames in a dug out. Jonah is investigating his shirt, and Beames is writing a letter. The other is a photo of Turkish Trenches taken over a parapet. It shows all the interesting land marks round our way. There is the mountain called Pashs Dagh, with its sharp nose called the Razor-back. Nearer is the famous Gun-ridge, then Weir-ridge, and quite close is Pine-ridge. In the near foreground is one of our barbwire. It was a wonder I got anything at all as the 75 degrees and some shrapnel was flying over the trenches at the time, and I can tell you I didn’t waste any time over it.

17 December

Today has been a lovely day. Art Kinnish and I wandered along the shore this afternoon and lazed in the sun. I am getting so fat I can hardly walk about.

There is a big move going on up at the Peninsular – not too good for us either. What our future movements may be, we have no idea. There are a lot of rumours running around. I am going to write an account of them in the back of my notebook, and keep it to see how they turn out, and when I can get them through to you. We heard that some of our mail left Alexandria on the 1st December, and it hasn’t been landed yet. Apparently the Transport has been kept going, and hasn’t had a chance to drop them here. In strenuous times mails go by the board – from what I hear every boat is going full speed. I don’t think I will ever see Gallipoli again, but by the time you get this you will know all that is to be known. I think Australians will keep up the reputation we have made.

no news

I am afraid I must again open with the now white haired excuse of having no news. You read of the stirring life of a soldier etc., and wonder how it is that we never have much to say in our letters. In fact it is not life, it is an existence. Since my last letter very little has happened. We get up at 7a.m. instead of 6.30; go on parade, and finish (as far as the men are concerned) but I have plenty of little odd jobs to do.

A new departure has come into force, the officers and N.C.O.’s parade an hour before general parade, and parade with the companies for two hours. One has to endure the agonies of having the detail work only known imperfectly, and then be pulled to pieces.

On Sunday I managed to get a bath, or rather a wash at a well, and then took my cast off clothing to a village, and had it washed.

Your letters have mentioned sundry articles on the way – hope they turn up soon. Another mail is about due but no word has come through. The trouble is that we never know how much of our mail has gone down.  I know that my letters of about the 14th November have most probably been sunk, and that part of our incoming mail was sunk. In that out-going mail I had quite a number of those impromptu Christmas cards. News is very scarce here concerning both Gallipoli and Bulgaria. What wild rumours we can manage to rake up are the reverse of cheering. We haven’t the slightest idea of our next destination. I have three places in my mind that I wouldn’t be in the slightest bit surprised to hit. One is to the N.W., and the other due N., and the other is S. I suppose you can guess where they are. It has been a disagreeable day today, very cold and dusty – rather an uncommon combination, but very unpleasant.

8 December – football

Everything has become normal again. We have been having good weather for quite a long while now. Not particularly bright, but fairly warm and dry. There is quite a lot of football played. The 10th and 11th played, which the 10th won, and then the 10th and 12th played, and after a very good game the 10th won by 7 points. Today A and B Companies are playing the A.M.C. I haven’t seen any of it yet, let alone played at all. I find I have quite enough to do here with my platoon.

That parcel that the bank made up is here. It hasn’t been handed out yet but I have heard of it. We got a small pay today of 30/- Sergeants and 20/- other ranks. It won’t go far here when the prices are so high.

We have Capt. Redburg in command of A co., and he is much the same as ever. Lieut. Colonel Beavor is in command of the battalion. I am afraid he hasn’t altered much either. By the way if you ever send any goods in tins, send some toothpaste will you please. It is a most useful and also very scarce commodity. I forgot to tell you that the effect of my promotion is that my pay is altered, a whole sixpence a day deferred. Well I am afraid that the news has run out.

Love to all Lance.

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Notes: this entry and the one prior were marked 8 December, but it feels like the dates may have actually been different.

Lemnos Island

Today (8/12/15) has been a momentous day with us here. First of all a whole lot of promotions came out and then there was a very respectable issue of gift stuff from the people of Walkerville. I remember reading of the fete or gift day and today we reaped the benefit. When it was split up into platoons and sections we got a very good showing for 13 men. Our lot was 9 Bootlaces, 17 Pencils, 7 handkerchiefs, 3 pairs Socks, 5 Soap, 4 Tobacco (Plugs), 1 Pipe, 3 Toothbrushes, 1 tin Insect Powder, 6 Face-cloths, 1 Scarf, 1 tin Shaving Powder, 1 Buttons, 3 Towels, 6 Pads, 3 Envelopes (packets), 1 block Chewing Gum, a number of safety pins, and quite a number of Cigarettes. It was mostly a gamble what we got, but I managed to draw pretty well. I got a face-cloth, block Soap, tin of Tobacco, Pad, Toothbrush, and some Chocolate. It was particularly interesting to me as the names showing on the cards were, Mrs.H.P.Wilson, Mr.W.S.Bright, Wm.DeRose, Mrs and Miss Dowling, Miss. Inez Adams, Mrs.G.Brookman, Mrs. Fred Porter, Mrs. R.Brummitt, Mrs.A.A.Scarfe, Mr. Bright, and numerous others who I know by sight, name, or personally. I have no doubt there are dozens of others I know but haven’t run across their cards. No doubt yours is here somewhere.

With reference to the promotions, I will continue with my tale. First of all No.148 was promoted to Sergeant from Lance Sergeant. Jonah is a corporal from temporary cpl., George Beames is a Lance Sergeant, Frank Colbey a full Sergeant, Barker who used to be in my tent at Mena is a Lance Corporal. In my platoon there is a Lance Sergeant (Charlie Long). He is a fine chap – used to be a photographer for the Critic. My Corporal is a chap named Harrison, both he and Long were capsized out of that boat we landed on the 25/4/15. I notice I mentioned it in my letter published in the P.A. Chronicle. They were in the water about half an hour before they were picked up. I have a couple of lance Corporals, W. Pendle and Annis – both very decent chaps. There were promotions galore. About 20 to each Company. They’re bringing us to establishment.

Bill Jose had the stiffest luck of the lot. He has been on the Peninsular all the time, and was a temporary cpl.. Two days ago he went to the hospital with jaundice. As soon as he left the regiment he reverted to the rank of Lance Corporal, and today the promotions came out. He had been hanging out for these too.

I am pretty well stocked with clothes now, the drill etc has been doing wonders with us too towards getting us fit again. I am feeling very well. A trifle short winded perhaps, but still full of life. I am out to get fat here if I can. We get very good meals up at the mess now. Dinner generally consists of Soup, Meat and vegetables, Pudding, Bread and Butter, Jam and Cheese. Not bad eh!

Acting platoon sergeant

Well we are gradually settling down to work again. The general idea seems to be to start from the beginning and go over all the work from squad to brigade drill. I am acting as platoon sergeant for No 2 platoon, and as I am a corporal I have my hands full.

We are having a very rough time from the weather. The sun is shining brightly now for the first time for about four days. We have had snow the last three days, and this morning there was ice on all water left in the open. It strikes us so hard too because our clothes are all threadbare. We are waiting on an issue of new clothing now. Snow is quite a novelty to most of us. It blows in your face, eyes, and ears, but so far there hasn’t been enough to cover the ground.

We have our sergeants mess going now. It is certainly much more comfortable to have a table to sit at, and have the dixies cleaned. It will cost a bit I expect as everything is so expensive here – the Greeks don’t fail to take advantage of their monopoly of stores.

3rd December
The weather has improved greatly in the last few days. We have had quite bright sunshine, and if the wind drops it is quite pleasant. I was pleased to receive your letter of the 10th October with the A.R.C. Report a couple of days ago. I also received two parcels containing chocolate and socks, and “bandages” in the shape of four pipes, and sox. You can bet I was very pleased with them. I will give you a tip for posting pipes – always pull the mouth pieces out. Three of the four pipes had snapped off just in the junction of mouthpiece and bowl. As luck had it the one good one was for me. I don’t think it will make much difference though as I have managed to repair one of them. In the paper line I have Sunday Mail (2) Adelaide Mail (2), Bulletins, Leaders, Magazine, and all sorts and conditions of papers. Another thing was that Kangaroo Card. It is very good isn’t it?

From what I can make out I fancy I was some distance out in front of what is now “Lone Pine”, on the first Sunday. Crowie was well out when he was hit. They retired soon after I was hit, and got out of it. By the way I received the Chronicle all right. Many thanks for that pouch and tobacco. The big periscope you sent got smashed in transit from Anzac to here. Bill Christophers was bringing it over to me and it got crushed on the barge. Have kept the mirrors though, they will do for shaving if nothing else.

We had several photos taken today. Old P.A.C. men who “landed”, O.P.A.C. who were on Gallipoli, and all O.P.A.C. men in the 10th, and the same with Saints. Among the landing party were Capt. Giles, Sgt.W.Hoggarth, Roach, and a few others I can’t recall at present. Those on Gallipoli were Capt. Giles, Lieut. Fowler and Lieut. Hooper, “Streak” Goddard. There were quite a number in the whole crowd, as many came with the reinforcements and joined us here.

There is a football match on this afternoon between the 10th and 11th, I didn’t trouble to go down. Managed to buy half a box of very fair cigars the other day, paid at the rate of 7/6 for 50. They would be 15/- in Adelaide I think. I suppose everyone is getting ready for Christmas now. Am afraid we won’t go in for much preparation.

I ran across Sgt. Bunny of the 11th the other night. You remember I was with him in Alexandria a fair amount. He is a brother to the Artist who toured Australia two or three years ago and sold pictures to nearly all the galleries. He reached 500 pound for some of them. He was with the American Ambulance in France but got blood poisoning and had to toss it. Now he has been commissioned by the French Government to paint a cyclorama of the Battle of the Marne.

Well I have lots of letters to write so must get along.

Lots of love to you all.
From, Lance.

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Notes:
DIXIE Large oval-shaped metal pot with lid and carrying-handle for cooking. The lid was often used for baking (e.g. bacon and biscuit pudding) whilst the pot itself was employed to brew tea, heat porridge, stew, rice etc. From Hindustani degchi, small pot.
http://www.ict.griffith.edu.au/~davidt/z_ww1_slang/index_bak.htm

A.R.C. – Adelaide Rowing Club

P.A.C. – Prince Alfred College (Adelaide)

Saints – Saint Peter’s College (Adelaide)

Cyclorama – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclorama

At Lemnos

Well we have done it at last. We are at Lemnos, and supposed to be having a —– of a good time. We embarked Sunday night after a very trying march through the cold and rain, carrying all our gear. We were put on the Princess Ena, a small cross channel boat. The weather was very rough and cold, we were cooped up for about 36 hours.

On Tuesday morning we landed here. We are living in big marquee tents, about 30 to a tent. So far we have been treated very leniently with drill. Tucker is pretty fair and we are managing to endure the life after the firing line. There are cricket and football grounds etc. There are reinforcements for us too, the 8th, 9th and 10th, they just about double our strength. Gordon Campbell and Colin Smith, also Capt. Redburg are here. The two former in charge of various reinforcements. Capt. R. has been in England since the landing and is in charge of “A” Coy.

We got an issue of a bottle of Guinness Stout each last night. Roars of applause, and loud cries of “encore”.

I received a large mail, letters dated 26/9/15, 30/9/15, 3/10/15, various papers and parcels. The parcels are greatly appreciated, eatables, and smokes, and small articles go best of all. Faulty packing seems to be the greatest cause for the parcels straying. We get some torn to ribbons. Dr John Muirhead sent me a packet of cigarettes the other day. He is at Anzac.

I am platoon Sgt. For no. 2 platoon at present. Plenty of work.

The Olympic and Aquetania are here, sister ships to the Lusitania – big four funnellers, 50,000 tons. The Aquetania is a hospital ship and the Olympic a trooper.

All the boys are quite well. I heard that Edwards from the Port was looking for me – haven’t seen him yet.

Love to all
Lance.

Rain

Here we are again! We have advanced one stage on our way. Yesterday we were relieved of our portion of the trenches and took up our abode on the side of one of the gullies. As usual there was endless confusion and hanging about, and to cap it all, there was more dirt in the air than on Gallipoli. I think every time we move we seem fated to have a bad day.

But the day was nothing to the night. There were very few good dugouts, and they were claimed early in the day. I managed to get one nearly at the foot of the hill – it is more like a grave than a dugout. It is just a hole about 6 feet long by about 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. I turned in early, tied my oil sheet over the top and had a very snug little bunk. I woke up after about an hour’s sleep to hear a slight pattering of rain. I thought “good enough” and turned over again. Next thing I knew was my leg was awfully cold, feeling down I found about two inches of water in my dugout. I hopped up and started to pull my oil sheet off and blankets out. Then the rain started in earnest. It tried to rain this time. My overcoat was rolled up in my pack and before I could get it out I was drenched to the skin. Of course my blankets were wet through too. If I had had a dry dugout I would have enjoyed the situation very much – those who had dry ones did enjoy it. There were fellows running round trying to save their belongings from getting washed away. One chap was in his shirt only, picking his clothes out of a deep stream as they floated by. Others were up to their knees in water in their dugouts. There are a few dugouts just below me in which everything was lost. One chap pulled his equipment out of two feet of mud and water by means of a rope with two of them pulling at it. There was about a cubic foot of soft mud all over the gear. I saw it was no good staying where I was, so just left everything as it stood, and climbed the hill. Near the top I came across Colby in a fairly safe “pozie” so climbed in there. I borrowed a blanket and had a wet overcoat and with these I settled down to one of the most miserable nights of my existence. I was too cold to sleep, and my legs and hips were cramped with the wet.

At daybreak this morning I saw the most miserable crowd of men I have ever seen. Everyone has spent the day cleaning equipment and drying blankets and clothing. On looking back it is only another experience added to many similar, but at the time the gods were called on many times. As far as I can make out the ducking has done me no harm externally or internally, so we will say “nuffsed”! The oldest inhabitant declares that the sea was rougher than it has ever been before in this part (the O.I. dates from 25th April 1915 of course). The whole affair lasted only about half an hour too. Quite a quantity of damage for the time.

Fleas

Well, we are still here. We never seem to move when we expect. Mother’s birthday today – many happy returns, will try and be home for the next one. It has been a perfect day today one worthy of your birthday. The weather has been very unsettled for several days, and today it all blew over. I have never seen the air so clear. There has been plenty of sunshine, but not too much. The atmosphere was so clear that it was possible to see all the islands. To the left was Lemnos, then Imbros, Samothrace, above that was the shores of Turkey, and beyond that what I took to be Bulgaria. To the left of that was, I fancy, the island of Samos. With the glasses I could see a town on the Turkish coast. To add to the beauty of the day there was not so much “strafe” going on.

Fleas are still our greatest enemies, I am sudden death on them now, at first they were able to elude me but now I am far too experienced for them. They aren’t your domestic black flea either, but big red camel-backed ones. I managed to get a tin of Keatings the other day, and have been able to keep them at bay for a while. I managed to get my old rifle back a day of two ago. I had to leave it behind when I went away sick. Dill Jose had it and I swapped the one I had issued to me at Mustapha.

The Bulletin published a letter written from here describing a night attack:- “An assault by night is generally one confused mass of Turks, Australians, bombs, rifles, maxims, flares a —– of a row, and a mixture of voices yelling Allah! Allah!, and take that you——. It licks Ashmead Bartlett and Bean on points of description. It is too dark to write (5.15p.m.) so must say goodnight.