The following useful hint from one of the soldiers at the front appeared in the "Sunday Times":- Advice to makers of patriotic shirts:- Don't use flannel collars, because they shrink. Don't have collar higher than 3/4in, it shows above the tunic. Don't forget to put on a cuff that buttons. Don't have the front opening shorter than 14in. Don't have the yoke (from shoulder to shoulder) wider than 19in. Don't use linen buttons, because they get dirty and break Don't herringbone, because it makes harbors for vermin Don't leave raw edges - they make harbors for vermin Don't have any pleats - they make harbors for vermin Don't put seams on the inside- they make harbors for vermin
A Gawler Boys Experiences
The Bunyip Mr and Mrs W.D. Paterson have received a letter from their son, Corporal Vercoe Paterson, who is a member of the Light Horse in the first contingent that left Australia. To all intents and purposes the letter is from nowhere and undated. He says, inter alia:- " I hope you received my first letter, but there is some talk of them not having been sent. It seems a bit off that we are not able to say anything about our ship or our whereabouts, as I expect you would like to know what we are doing and where we are, but we are not allowed to do it, and I suppose the heads have their reasons. We have boxing contests on board for tight, middleweights, and heavyweights, and, my word there are some good goes. I am thankful I did not enter, as it is no place for anyone to learn. I am going to get Toby Hannam to teach me before I go in for any trophies. "I had toothache one day , and went to the doctor and asked him to extract the offending molar. He went to grab the forceps to have a pull straight away, but I reminded him that he had cocaine on the boat, and he put some in. It was just as well for me that he did, too. We had a great tug of war. I beat him three times, but the fourth time he beat me. He got a good hold, and was pulling for his life, and could not shift it when all of a sudden I felt something shift just below my scalp. He had just started to swear a little, when out it came. It had a root about an inch and a half long! Everyone said it was a beauty. I think I will wait and see a dentist about the other one I want out. "My horse is standing the voyage well, and I have only to go near the stall and call out her name, and she will prick up her ears and make a great fuss until I have petted her a bit. We have church service on Sunday afternoons, and have a concert at night. The adjutant takes the service, but I do not think he relishes the job. Young Daw makes a good organist. The concerts are great. The crew give some of the items, while our boys supply the rest, and the applause that the 'artists' receive would please any prima donna. I have been into the engine room a good deal, but it is rather hot down there just at present." In another communication - a post card - Corporal Paterson says he has hit upon a novel idea for letting his parents know the order in which he writes his letters, for they do not necessarily arrive in order, and they are not allowed to date them. He numbers them consecutively.
The Bunyip 22nd January 1915
A Gawler Boy in Japan Another interesting letter has been received from Mr Jim Paterson by his family. He writes from his ship Craigina at Yokaichi on November 24. He says - We were ten days at Hosaki but was only a small town or to be correct a fisherman's village. It was very pretty walking around the town watching the people working in their shops. I don't think they can have many white people as we are always followed by a crowd of children and some when they saw us let out a howl and rushed away just as if we were wild beasts out loose. The houses are all very clean. They do not paint woodwork but keep it scrubbed. The floors are polished wood and in each room there is matting. The Japs wear wooden clogs something like a sandal. We went into a tea house without our boots and squatted on the floor in true oriental fashion there being no chairs or tables and we got some of the girls to dance. You can always get as many of these as you like but you have to pay them a shilling an hour. You would have laughed if you had seen us trying to eat with two sticks but some of the food we could not tackle. On the Sunday at Itosaki I went by train to Onimichi, a larger town nine miles distant, and visited the temples. The town is built on the side of a hill with steps leading up to it and we had a fine view from the top. Japan seems to be very hilly but the natives manage to cultivate gardens on the hillsides by making terraces. On Leaving Itosaki we went to Moji and filled up our bunkers so were only 24 hours at the port before coming on to Yokaichi. This is a larger port but similar to the others and we go ashore in sanpans. We have just received word that we are to go to San Francisco empty and load there for some port in the United Kingdom whither we will sail via the Panama Canal. We arrive at 'Frisco' about December 20, and all being well arrive home about February. I will leave the ship when she gets back and hope to meet my brother Vercoe.
The Bunyip 26th February 1915
Mr. Philip Lynch of Gawler has received an interesting letter from Private Reg Hall, who is now with the Light Horse, in the Expeditionary Forces in Egypt. In the letter he states that there is an up to date motor bus service between Cairo and the camp. The buses carry only ten persons, and for the ten mile ride from Maadi to Cairo the fare is only a shilling, and they run very smoothly and take half an hour for the journey, whilst the train takes twenty two minutes. The fare for the latter is two piastres first class return. He describes the scenes as magnificent. It is very cold in camp at night, and when they awake in the morning they cannot see ten yards ahead because of the fogs, which keep up till about ten o'clock. The ? ?, is about to be moved to the New Zealand site and the old ground will be left for the 2nd Expeditionary Force. The place they will leave is a nice one and the new comers will only have to walk in as everything is prepared, far different to the experience when the first arrived and had to camp in the open in the rain and cold. The soldiers are very friendly with the Maadi inhabitants and a farewell concert is to be given in the latter by the troops.
The Bunyip 26th February 1915
NEWS FROM EGYPT AUSTRALIANS AT WORK. Pte. Cecil Hincks, son of Mr. H. S. Hincks, of Gawler, writes in a happy strain from Cairo concerning the life of the troops in Egypt. Referring to the receipt of a batch of letters he describes how eagerly they await news from home. In a letter dated January 10th, Pte. Hincks says:— 'We have had a very strenuous week's work, and were glad when noon arrived yesterday and we were dismissed. The first three days we had platoon drill and skirmishing, which is very tiring. From Wednesday morning, at 3 o'clock, I was on guard over ammunition and stores until 5 o'clock on Thursday evening. On Friday we had drill, as usual and stopped out all night on outpost duty. We had a rather wet time, because strong, squally, cold wind blew all night. We were in trenches until about 3a.m., and were then attacked by another company, and had to make a bayonet charge up a steep hill until we met the others, and then had to stop. It was a pity they were not the Germans, as we caught them napping and I think we could have finished them off in no time. On Saturday morning we marched home, and had a lovely time cleaning our clothes and rifles, which were in an awful state. We did not get wet through but the blankets we had and the big coats were very wet. Most of the men have caught colds, but I have escaped so far. I could not help thinking of those who were in the trenches at the front in the cold, but I suppose they would not notice is a much as we did last night, because they have been well trained to it. In don't know, ...... .........,when we are likely to leave here, as the 'heads' still tell us that there is no chance of us going until we are fit. I still think we are here to stop, and only yesterday afternoon in Cairo one of the English officers told me they were going to Khantoum about 100 miles from here, sometime this month. I reckon if they go there we will stop here for a cert. There is not much chance of fighting here, until the Turks cross the Suez Canal, asnd I don't think for a moment they will attempt that, as there are English and Indian troops all along the edge. If by chance we should leave here one can rest assured it will not be before March, and we will not get to the front until June or July at the earliest, and if the war is not finished then I will forfeit you ten shillings.The next letter is dated January 17, and in it Pte. Hincks says he had some gratifying duties to perform, which he was proud of. On the Monday and Tuesday prior to writing he had charge of his session. On Wednesday he was approached and asked if he would like a position in the British army as an officer after special training. To .......... his own words, he say: - "I had too resign when I heard it was necessary to have a private income of £3 a week for at least a year, perhaps two. I was also told." he continues "that I have been recommended for a stripe, and I hear today that it has been approved, but I don't know for sure. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings we had ordinary drill, and were then sent off to Cairo to arrest drunks and stop outs, but am pleased to say there were only very few. I am enclosing you one of the tins we had given us, and I hope you will keep it until I come home. In the tin are a number of buttons used by the Egyptians when in Government service. They are forbidden to wear them now, as Egypt is a British Protectorate. The buttons should make good heads for hat pins. We had some shooting yesterday, and scored 23 out of 23, and have saved several of the first shells, also the lead after hitting the target. There is some talk of censoring our letters on account of some of the chaps writing such ridiculous things. We do not know when we are likely to move, but an officer said yesterday that he did not think we would ever get to the front, because he believed operations would cease about May of June, or as soon as Lord Kitchener gets his new army to work. Of course no one knows when we will go for certain, but I feel sure that if we do not soon leave we shall never have any fighting, because even after we leave we shall have to have some training on decent country to harden our feet, for one thing. They are very soft now, after marching on the sand always, and when we go to Cairo they get very sore in a short time.
The Bunyip 5th March 1915
A GAWLER BOY PROMOTED. Corporal C. C. Hincks writing from the Military Camp. Cairo. Egypt, on the 31st January, states :— According to reports the brave Turks are at last nearing the Canal when, I may say, they will be met with a mighty warm reception from our huge guns mounted along the banks of the Suez, and saying nothing of us Australians should we get in touch with them which is quite possible, but not probable. We are naturally anxious for a fight now after having six months training and feel certain we will give a good account of ourselves if the opportunity occurs. I understand Romania has definitely decided on joining the Allies and Italy is considering whether she will do likewise and declares if she does Germany will be finished with by May next. We have had a very hard week's work the past week, having spent five days on the ranges shooting, which means a ten mile walk daily over soft sand hills, etc., and in addition had a night alarm Monday night and am pleased to say our Company was first out doing the whole performance in twelve or thirteen minutes and beating fifteen other companies. You have to get out of bed, dress, put on all equipment, fold blankets, load transports, and fall in ready to march into a firing line in perfect quietness and without lights. Wednesday night 'D' Company, that is our Company, spent the whole night long in trenches fearing an attack from a supposed enemy. It seems hard, for one to have to suppose so many things but still it has to be done and that's all about it. Saturday I played football for South Australia against the West Australian team, and after a good game on a splendid ground, we came out victors by scoring 8 goals 14 behinds to 2 goals 4 behinds. Next Saturday we will be playing a Victorian team if a match can be arranged. I have been promoted from Private to Corporal and feel pleased as the men seemed very well satisfied with, my appointment. I have had the position of scout instructor offered me but have not decided what to do in the matter yet.
The Bunyip 21st May 1915
NEWS FROM EGYPT The following descriptive letter of matters and places Egyptian has been received from Pte. Fred Garrett, son of Mr. J.H. Garrett of Gawler South: - Heliopolis The modern city of Heliopolis (and it is an oasis, too) was built by the Belgian Government as an Egyptian Monte Carlo. The Whole city was built before anyone was allowed to live in it. There are electric trains as well as electric cars running out from Cairo. The beautiful big casino is being used as a military hospital. Anyway the place did not turn out a success as a gambling resort, and now it is used by the rich (mostly French) as a residential suburb to Cairo. There is a Luna Park, something like the Melbourne one, and modern stores, restaurants, cafes and Boulevards. You can sit on the boulevards at the small tables where you are served with refreshments, and watch moving pictures on some sort of a vaudeville turn. The Egyptians, being mostly Moslem, do not drink intoxicants, and I can't say I have seen a darkie worse for liquor yet. Their drink is coffee, and it comes from Arabia from a place named Mocha. It is drunk from a tiny little cup and saucer, hardly any bigger than the doll's sets children play with. It is brought to you in a small metal cup arrangement with a long handle on it, something like a small saucepan. From this you dilute it in the cup with cold water which always accompanies the tray. I tried it the other day out of curiosity and I thought it the most delicious coffee I had ever tasted. In Cairo you see the boulevards crowded with fezzed Egyptians smoking their hookaha, playing gammon and sipping this Arabian coffee. To go back to Heliopolis, I think is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen, as far as architecture is concerned. Yet I believe, that a good Australian thunderstorm or two would play bad havoc among these structures. They are coated with a creamy colored plaster, which makes them look very flash, but I don't think it could stand much rain. When I get a few more piastres I intend spending some of them at this Heliopolis, but piastres are a species of rara avis. At first the Australians were allowed to draw their full 5s. here but that practice has now been stopped and we are only getting 2s per day, so that we have 4s per diem accumulating in Australia for us. Getting "broke" is quite a common experience, though I am glad to say that I generally manage to make my piastres spread out further than most of them do. Some chaps manage to get through their pay in one night at Cairo. And it is not surprising either. There is unlimited ways to spend money in that cosmopolitan city.
Cold Weather Egyptian nights are the coldest propositions I have ever struck. We have a sort of a black frost every morning. The tents become drenched with dew and as taut as a drumhead - and sometimes there is a heavy fog. On account of the heavy dew it is dangerous to sleep in the open for fear of pnuemonia. There has been a great number of deaths among the Australians from this complaint. I pile up as many clothes as I can get. At present the weather is perfect, just like the Australian spring. We have a lot of New Zealand mounted rifles here at the remount department, and there is no doubt after seeing them that we Australians have a very serviosable and neat uniform. Their rigouts look very shabby in comparison to our.
The Tommies The Tommies here envy us our kits, too. They are all territorials, relieving the permanent garrison troops. Our camp is right against their barracks and these latter are a wonderful sight at night with every window glowing. These Tommies are very little chaps lots of them could use a razor for weeks without needing to strop it. The average pay they draw here is only about 6s per week and their total pay only amounts to somewhere about 1s 6d per day, married men of course have their wives provided for by the British Government while they are on active service. So that the Australians are drawing as much in a day as some of the Tommies get in a week. They are more demonstratively patriotic chaps than we - and are full of loyal sentiment. The Australian is not given to voicing his loyalty very often, although at heart, of course, he equally as loyal. The natives treat us as mabobs compared to the Tommies. Everywhere up in Cairo you hear "Australia verra goot." This order of things would be reversed if it was the Territorials that held cash. They are mostly Lancashire Yeomanry. On the other side of the camp we have the Egyptian soldiery, who look exceptionally smart in their natty uniforms. Being picked ? they are a fine stamp of soldier.
The Way to Deal with Natives I am posting you a package of post views by same mail as this. I got them after extensive negotiations lasting nearly ten minutes from an Arab pedlar for four piastres. The nigger wanted 10 piastres at first, but I made an offer of four and then let him know what trash it was he was trying to palm on to me and Beautiful post cards I could get from some other imaginery dealer for less than I was offering. No! he was obdurate, so I strolled calmly away. As I expected after moving about 100 yards I hear a patter of feet and someone saying" Alri four". I believe now that I made a mistake in not offering three piastres instead of four. All buying and selling is conducted on these lines here and though it seems a great waste of time I believe the niggers expect and enjoy it. Nothing has a fixed price. A couple of niggers, though both of them know very well what the object is worth and what price they will eventually fix for it, will haggle away for almost hours before they strike bedrock. They have absolutely no conscience at all in their dealings. I will describe how they sometimes wash their fruit for market when water is scarce. Everything we buy in the way of fruit has to be carefully washed or there is dysentry to be contended with. Tomatoes and oranges are the most common articles hawked by the ...... Dried figs are sold threaded on string like necklaces.
Australians Raise the Prices ...........say that before the war and before the ........... some things very cheap, but the first lot of Australians spoilt things. The war has probably spoilt things to some extent too. Fruits used to be imported from Turkey in Asia and different parts of the Meditteranean. At Port Said we got some beautiful big Jaffa oranges at 14 for 1s. They were quite equal to the big Renmark navels in size. Before the war they say you got nearly twice as many for the same price. We spoilt things for the poor Tommies too. I suppose they wish we had never set foot in Egypt. You see that owing to the war the tourist traffic ceased and things were very slack in Cairo. So that the Tommy could have a pretty good time on his modest 6d or so a day. But when the first contingent came and money was thrown away like water things soared up to fabulous prices and the Egyptians were reaping a golden harvest.
The Bunyip 11th June 1915
In the Firing Line Mrs Toombs of Gawler South has received a letter from her son, Pte A.V.C. Toombs, who has been wounded. He writes from Egypt in the following strain: - Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and plenty. I got wounded on April 26th, I had not been in the firing line 24 hours before I was hit. My ear was cut and three stitches had to be put in it, then I received a wound just before my right eye and a shrapnel shell struck me on the back but never exploded. It only bruised me. All the wounds were caused by shrapnel. Where we landed was a big hill with bushes all over it and the Turks were on the beach. If we had had the reinforcements and the time the Turks would not have stopped running until they reached Constantinople. It was very funny to see the effect of a bayonet on them. You only had to show them one and they would squeal like rabbits, drop their rifles and off for their lives. The German officers have to drive them with their swords and with cat-of-nine tails to get them to face us all. I am getting all right now and hope to be back in the firing line very soon. I spent my birthday going ashore at the Isalnd of Lemnos, a great place under British protection.
The Bunyip 2nd July 1915
Mrs. D. Plester, of Gawler, has received an interesting letter from Pte. Percy Bell, who was wounded at the Dardanelles. He writes from Tigne Fort Barracks, Malta. In his account of the historical landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula Pte.Bell Bays they left the Island of Lemnos on April 24 at 3 o'clock and arrived near the Peninsula about 12 o'clock. They then had a tea — stew and tea— after which they got ready to land and boarded torpedo boats. These took them to within about 20 yards of the shore. It was then about 4.15 a.m., and nearly daybreak. The fun then began, but not a shot was fired until they were getting into the little life boats to run ashore. Then it was 'ping, ping' for a start, but soon the bullets fell all round like a shower of rain. He himself was nearly hit before he left the boat. A bullet hit the funnel and the paint struck him in the face. Another bullet hit the man next to him behind the ear and soon afterwards the same fellow received another in the chest. He died shortly afterwards. Eventually, Pte. Bell says, he reached dry land amid a hail of shot and shell, and up tbe hill they went after the Turks. The latter all bolted back for about five miles and then counter-attacked. It was fierce fighting then all day. He got wounded at about 5 o'clock the same evening, and was taken on to the hospital ship and later to Malta. The Turks continually fired at the wounded and the Red Cross chaps, quite a number of whom were wounded. He concluded by saying that his injuries were not serious, and that be would probably be back in the firing line by the time his letter reached its destination.
Sgt. F. Garret! (Light Horse) is an excellent correspondent, and his parents at Gawler South were kept well posted with news while he was in Egypt, even after the wounded infantry had reached the hospital base at Alexandria. The following statements by him are extracted from three or four letters written at the beginning of May. He writes inter alia : — 'The Egyptian Government pay us 6d. per man, to be expended in rations in addition to our regulation issue of bread and meat. This benifience is bestowed upon us in recognition of our heroic task of defending Egypt. The puzzle to most of our chaps is why they should go to the trouble of keeping such a God-forsaken place. To them it is no wonder that Moses and his crowd wanted to skedaddle out of it. Just about all we know of the fighting comes first handed from the wounded. One little chap called himself lucky. He had five bullet wounds. The cheerfulness amongst them is wonderful. One fellow, with Turkish mud still spattered over his uniform, informed us that he heard there was war somewhere, and that they say they are firing bullets. Another remark I heard was, 'By cripes, cobber, it's square dinkum ; the — a wouldn't let me take my boot off ; they blew it off.' Here he pointed to a foot swathed in bandages. The South Australians (10th .Battalion) copped it pretty heavily, it appears. When the boys got ashore they waited for nothing, but bogged straight in. A signaller told me that as soon as he saw the others bogging in he exclaimed, _ __ signalling, and he and his fellow flag waggers downed tools, fixed bayonets, and were into them. The Red Cross put up a marquee near the shore, and they say that no sooner was it up than a shell sent it flying, killing several of the Red Cross. The Turks show no mercy to the wounded. One man was saying that as he lay hit behind cover another fellow dropped just near. Presently the bullets began to fly around the prostrate man, and he counted five go through him. Each time a bullet hit the body he could see it jump with the impact. An English officer, who has just returned from the front unwounded, says that he was not certain how the Australians would take the enemy's fire while in the boats, but the coolness with which they received the heavy fire of the enemy was remarkable. As they were going ashore they sang, 'Get out and Get under,' ' Australia will be there,' and Goodbye, Dolly Gray.' One boat was completely annihilated by a shell, which exploded right in the centre. Hundreds were shot before they touched land. All along the shore and under the water were barbed wire entanglements, while from the heights above a murderous fire was poured in by a hidden foe. As soon as the chaps landed they threw off their packs and went at them. You hear the cry, 'Imshi yalla, you ____s which in plain Australian means ' Get '''.
CpL Cecil Hincks, writing to his parents at Gawler from Turkey on May 5, says :— Well, we have landed in Turkey somewhere. We got a pretty hot reception for a day or two, but are having a good time just now. Plenty vegetables, bacon, and goodness knows what, so don't think we ought to complain. I had one narrow escape. A piece of shell entered and went through my water bottle. On May 12 he writes: — 'Just a line to report all well after nearly three weeks. All we Gawler boys are well except Arthur Robinson, and he has not been too well, but is getting all right again. We have been wonderfully lucky so far. We are pretty safe now in our burrows, as we call them. We have not had much fighting recently. I think the Turks consider us a tougher proposition than they anticipated. We are getting plenty of good food— biscuits, bacon, jam, cheese, vegetables, and tea with each meal, in the firing line or not. We also get a little rum or lime- juice of a night. Of tobacco and cigarettes we have plenty. Pipes are what I want.
The Bunyip 9th July 1915
Mr. and Mrs W. D. Paterson of Gawler South have received a short, letter from their son. Cpl. Vercoe Paterson, which was brought to South Australia by a returned soldier. He says— ''Vern Franklin called at the hospital to see me. He is in a convalescent camp near here (Alexandria). He was sent back from the front with a bad lung, but he says he is all right now. I got sent back with a wound in the head -from a shrapnel slug. The Major on the hospital-, boat, who operated on me reckoned I had a devil of a lot of Iuck to come -out as well as I have and a devil of a thick skull that it was not shattered. However. I am getting on tip-top and will soon be fit to go back to the front. When I was wounded I thought I was hit on the head with a pick and remembered nothing more until I came to on the hospital boat out at sea. Everyone tells me I had marvellous luck to get off like I did.
News was received on Wednesday that Mr. Joseph Gilbert, second son of Mr. Wm. Gilbert, of Pewsey Vale, had been killed in action on May 28. In the first week of the war he enlisted as a private in the Lancaster Territorials, together with several fellow-employes in the celebrated Westinghouse works. His regiment was sent to Egypt, and was there for some time before being ordered away, presumably to the Dardanelles. He was 30 years of age. Before going to the other side of the world Mr. Gilbert worked at Messrs. Martin and Co's. Engineering works, Gawler.
The Bunyip 9th July 1915 THE WAR. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDING
One of the most graphic descriptions of the early part of the hostilities on the Gallipoli Peninsula has been written by Pte. C. V. Pinson, of Gawler, in a letter to his mother dated May 18th. In this communication, which was penned in Birmingham, he says : — Our Brigade left Egypt in February, We were to be the landing party for the rest of the Australians and New Zealanders, so they sent us to an Island called Lemnos to train for it. We used to go ashore about, three times a week to practice landing and hill climbing, and sometimes in the night we would go ashore quickly and quietly in little life boats off the ships. Nine weary weeks we spent there and we were glad when we received orders one night to pack up. When everything was ready we sailed in the 'Ionian' as far as the Island of Tenedos. There we transhipped into torpedo boats which were towing the life boats that the sailors rowed us ashore in. Our torpedo boat was towing two life boats alongside her and we were filling them up as we went so as to be ready when it stopped. The front boat was full and the back one which I was in half full and several more waiting to climb in, when the front boat swung out wide and coming in with a terrible rush, hit the torpedo boat and capsized. The dawn was just breaking and all we could see was our poor mates heads bobbing by, the poor beggars were loaded up with packs, ammunition, and equipment, and rifle, so they had no chance of course, and we were on serious business so could not turn round and pick them up. They all belonged to our company, and we all knew each other so well that I can tell you it nearly broke our hearts. Only one was saved and he got jammed between the two boats, but he was nearly dead when they dragged him out. It gave us a nasty feeling, just at the critical moment, too, for no sooner had the boat overturned than the Turks opened fire on us from the mountains. Some never left the boats, shrapnel shells bursting on top of the torpedo boat and laying out a few, but the rest of us pushed off in the boats. Bullets came In showers, but they were very poor shots, thank God, and only a few found their way into the boats. The shells bursting round made me feel very uncomfortable, but I sat in the bottom of the boat as I felt safer there. Our fleet opened up a terrific fire then and that quietened them a great deal. A sailor rowing just in front of me got shot. I looked up and saw that he had it right through the head, then he collapsed on top of me. Our boat then ran aground. It was a deep landing and we jumped out. I don't know how the short fellows got on for I went, up to my neck. All the cover we could see was a little mud bank at the foot of the hills, about 30 yards away, so all that were left floundered out of the water and ran for our lives for it amid a perfect hail of bullets. How I didn't get hit will always remain a mystery to me. Despite our drenched clothing and the big load we had to carry, I am sure there were some untold records broken in that sprint. We got to the bank, took our packs off, crouched down like so many rabbits, and waited for a few more to come up. We were there for 10 minutes when a few more boats came up and we got orders to fix bayonets and charge the hills. So we did charge, and I quite expected to see us all slaughtered, but the Turks have got no time for the bayonet so they ran for their lives, and we mowed them down. We skirmished about catching a few snipers here and there and in a couple of hours had established ourselves. By this time the rest of the Australians and New Zealanders had landed and we thought all the fighting was over. All rifle fire had ceased but the enemy's batteries of big cannon were still going strong. We soon found out our mistake though. Our scouts came in and told us that the Turks were massing about two miles away, so we set out to meet them. They turned around and we followed and they led us into a nice trap, for they went on until they got into their trenches which they had prepared months before. They then opened a terrific fire on us. All we could do was to get down and reply, but we were exposed save for a few bushes, and we hadn't our artillery that day either. Well, I am not a war correspondent and I would not like to horrify you with details of what followed. All I can say is that it put asickening feeling into one's heart to see one's mates getting knocked out by hundreds. I seemed to have a charmed life. It's marvellous how quickly one gets used to the fire. After the first hour you don't take much notice of it, you go a little insane I think. Men got killed with shells not a foot from me and I didn't even get touched. At last night came and we dug trenches, but the fire never ceased. That was Sunday, April 25. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday weren't so bad, but the fire never ceased.- Our artillery landed on Monday, but we had hard work to hold our position. We were, waiting for reinforcements in the shape of English Tommies. All our men are dreadfully tired, going to sleep in the trenches. At last about 7 o'clock on Wednesday night while in the act of firing I got hit in the upper part of the left arm with an explosive bullet by a sniper on the flank. No stretcher bearers could get near the firing line because of the fire. I thought I might find a dressing station down the hill a bit so I crawled out of the trench. The bullets were singing so I had to keep as close to the ground as possible like a snake, a very awkward procedure I can assure you on account of my injured wing. I proceeded in this manner for about 100 yards, then didn't know any more until I woke up. I must have slept a long time for the moon was well up, and it's no wonder after having no sleep, hardly any water and a few dog biscuits. I don't think I would have awakened so soon only my arm was jumping like a kangaroo. I thought it would jump right off, but I felt a lot better for my sleep, only very weak through loss of 'claret.' I thought this crawling business was a bit slow so I got up and ran like, a deer until I got to the top of the hill and then I felt safe. I stumbled across a stretcher bearer who took me to a dressing station and the Dr. dressed my damaged limb. All the stretcher bearers were away and I felt too rotten to walk, so they laid me down and threw a great coat over me. The heavy bombardment brought on rain so I had to lay there in one position, and it made me think of all the rabbits I had shot. At last I said I could walk so with the help of a red cross man I toddled down to the beach. On my way down I saw thousands of Tommies going up to give our fellows a much earned rest. I was put on a boat and taken to a ship where they stitched up my arm.
The Bunyip 16th July 1915
Private S. H. Best in a letter dated May 29th states : — I have been wondering for a long while how I could manage to drop you a few lines, paper and envelopes being unknown articles in this part of the world. At last the idea has struck me to write on the back of your letter, and I think it should work all right. No doubt you have heard long before this of our great doings. We have I think completely wiped out the bad name people seemed so ready to give us while in Egypt. At any rate judging by the fine messages we have had from the King- and Lord Kitchener our achievements have surpassed all expectations. No doubt we have done well, and I am quite sure that there will be still greater things accomplished before we have finished. We had a very hard and trying time at first, but now that we have got a good footing we are having it much easier. I often wondered how I would feel the first time under fire. Well, to tell you the truth, I and I think everyone else, felt a little queer at first, when the bullets started dropping around us as thick as rain and the shells were bursting with terrific roar on all sides ; also seeing one's -mates dropping down all around made one feel rather sick. But one soon gets used to all this: and now we are always happiest when the shells and bullets are thickest. It is a grand sight, especially at night time, to see the flash of the rifles all along the line and the shells bursting and lighting up the ground all around. The worst job of all is burying the dead after battle. One day last week the Turks made a bit of a surprise attack on us, but needless to say, were repulsed. I happened to be one of those told off for a burying party, to bury the dead Turks in front of our trenches. They had been lying there for three days, so there is no need to say any more. It was estimated that there were 3,000 dead. Our losses were very light indeed. The Turks have always had a bad name for barbarism, but they are painted a lot worse than they really are. Of course they come at all sorts of cunning tricks, but as far as can be gathered, our wounded who have fallen into their hands have been treated very well. The Turks have also been branded with not having much pluck as fighters this also is a mistaken notion. By the way they come up time after time when they know it is only to be killed or driven back in disorder, they show that that they must have plenty of courage. The warships work terrible havoc amongst them, time after time whole columns of Turks have been cut to pieces. It is very amusing to see them trying to bring down our aeroplanes. Their shells never go anywhere near the mark, though they must waste tons and tons of shot in this manner. Our aeroplanes generally go up several times a day and give the Turks a lively half-hour with bombs. I suppose you have heard that Colonel Clarke was killed. He was a very fine man. We are being treated very well here as far as food is concerned, in fact, though it seems rather strange, our rations are much better now than they have been at any other time of our service. The weather here is all that could be wished for, the days are generally nice and warm, and the nights never get very cold. We have had one or two wet days, but nothing much. It is now getting on towards midsummer, so that we can expect fine weather for some time yet. I saw Geoff Harris the other day and he said that all the Gawler boys were getting on alright. Will Harris was wounded, but not seriously. I was very much pleased to hear that you have had such good rains in S. A. Let us hope that it is the start of a good season.
Writing from Turkey on May 24. Cpl. Cecil Hincks reports all well: - He says "We had another very big scrap here a few days ago and came off well on top inflicting very heavy loss on the enemy. We thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it great fun, but I am afraid Jack Turk has a very different opinion. We are all being treated wonderfully well in the way of food, clothing, etc. The Gawler boys are well. In another letter, dated June 3, Cpl Hincks writes — 'Your letters and parcel of socks, chocolates, etc., to hand. They were all very acceptable, especially the chocolates, only next time send more. I suppose you hear news of our doings, which, right from the jump I think, have proved the wonderful value of the poor Australian soldier who only a short time ago was being so severely criticised. Since last writing we have had several smaller scraps of not much consequence, although I believe on our left things have been pretty willing during the week. We have been here nearly six weeks now and during that time we have just been kept going nicely — not too much work and not too little. During that time we have seen bombs dropped by aeroplanes, trenches mined and blown up, artillery duels, bayonet fights, Infantry scraps, and goodness knows what else, etc., so you can see that the game is full of interest. One morning in five minutes after an attack the enemy put 65 shells in — not bad going. I suppose they were trying to make up for the failure of their attack just previously. I do not think the Turks wanted the war, but were driven into it. Somehow or other I think that before long they will throw in their lot. If they don't we will soon dish them with ordinary luck. A German officer called out one day to some of our chaps to surrender, but I can't tell you the reply he got — it wasn't printable. Our fellows rushed a trench the other night and bayonetted every man in it but one old chap who was taken prisoner. All the first lot from Gawler are alright but some of the second I haven't seen lately. I have grown a beard now !"
Kapunda Herald 27th August 1915
NURSING THE SICK.
Sister L. M. Tremlett writes a chatty letter to Mrs. W. R. Boucaut, of Kapunda, from the Sports Club, No. 3 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, under date July 17 :— "My experiences have been many and varied in Egypt, and by my address at present you will think I am leading a very gay life, but such is not the case. I started work at Mena House, and for six weeks when we came first nursed measles in the isolation tents. But it was winter time, and the air was bracing. We did not mind so much trudging over the sand, and in spite of hard work we were happy. Several hundreds of men passed through our hands in that time, and with the exception of two deaths from double pneumonia we got them better and sent them on their way. Then some of our men moved off, the tents were closed down, and I, with several other sisters, was sent along to Heliopolis Palace to live there with No. 1 Hospital, and go backward and forward to the Abassia Army Hospital to work with the New Zealanders. Only lately have New Zealand sisters arrived in Egypt, and for many months Australian sisters have given their hospital a willing helping hand. I chose night duty, and for six weeks I had a busy happy time. The motor ambulance took us down at 8 each evening and came for us again at 8 a.m. We had an average number of patients—100 to 120 in the surgical wards, with three R.A.M.C. nursing orderlies, who were very willing, obedient Lancashire Territorials, and made good orderlies under a sister's supervision. The matron was an Imperial sister, and loved by us all, so that the N.Z. boys had a variety of people in charge of them. I am very pleased to meet any of my N .Z. patients for a chat any time. On April 17 I was recalled and asked to take charge of the infectious block, which we started with 120 beds in the skating rink of Luna Park, Heliopolis. In about a fortnight the skating rink was wanted for other purposes (is now No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital), and we were told to move on to the racecourse casino, which we did. We moved 106 patients, of whom 70 were stretcher cases, between 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., and settled down comfortably. It had beautiful balconies, piazza, and roof garden - with a most glorious view, also overlooking the racecourse where our Light Horse regiments were camped. We held sway there from the end of April until the first week in July, when an examination of the Casino foundations by the engineers decided our fate. The place was in a dangerous condition and liable to fall upon us at any moment. Worse dangers than being killed or wounded under fire! The powers that be decided that the family move without delay, and we moved between 8.30 and midday 56 patients and all our hospital belongings and settled at the Sports Club. It is a rather convenient building, open air roof, wide balconies, tennis courts, golf course, &c, a wealth of foliage and trees. We settled. Five days later the 'powers' said we must send 37 of our patients to another hospital. So we sent them, still keeping some ourselves. Then word came this was to be a 1,000-bed hospital. The tennis courts were roofed in, beds prepared, the place stocked, etc. The place is alive with native workmen of all descriptions. We four sisters sleep on the balconies, almost live in the open. The Egyptian nights are glorious and I love just lying awake for a while looking at the blue sky and the stars. The days are hot— almost unbearably so and when the ' Khamseen' season comes along every four or five weeks (lasting for three days) the nights are hot too and the fine sand drifts in everywhere, blown in by a strong hot wind. We are lucky to have water laid on everywhere, good water too ; in fact, all trees demand and must have water, as the whole of Heliopolis would be a desert without it. I have three New Zealand sisters with me— Sisters Scott, Cooke, and Steele, They are Auckland sisters, happy dispositioned girls, keen on their work, and glad to be of use anywhere, even it is only infectious work. At present we are all needed, and there is as much greatness in nursing a man with measles as a man after wounds received in action. May I mention the satisfaction there is among us all when Red Cross boxes are opened. It is so nice to think we have plenty of clean linen, pyjamas, etc., to put our men into. You women at home are doing great work, and if you could only see the piles of linen we are using and need every day! it would do your heart good and encourage all of you in your good work. The Y.M.C.A. have kindly given us several boxes of games for the infectious block; the Red Cross supply us with note paper and envelopes. A Territorial officer (whom I had in hospital for six weeks with scarlet fever) kindly presented me with a good gramaphone, the best in Cairo, last week, and our men have endless enjoyment out of it. Have I told you a little of our life here now ? Not much of the sad side, for sad side there is, and one feels it keenly at times, for many of our boys will never return from the Dardanelles, and many homes in Australia will be desolate. Many thanks for good wishes. I am well, and hope to be able to go through the summer here. Was away in Alexandria for two days recently and had a good sea breeze from the Mediterranean, and felt much better for it, too. There is a Nurses Convalescent Home there at which the Australian Government are giving all nurses a week's rest free of expense. I still have my week to look forward to."
The Bunyip 17th September 1915
Pte. W.J. Wade, B Co. 10th Batt., son of Mr J Wade of Gawler South, took part in the great landing effected by the Australian troops on Gallipoli Peninsular on April 25 and he sends a short account of the event. He says: - When we left Egypt we did not have the slightest idea where we were going but we soon learnt that our destination was to Lemnos Island. When we got there the third brigade had already arrived. It was here that some of us had the opportunity to join the 10th Battalion and I was one of them. No sooner was I transfered than some of the Gawler boys spotted me and I was greeted with "What Ho, Bill". We got to work training in the art of landing from small boats and were told that two companies of the 9th, 10th and 11th Battalions - about 500 in all - were going to act as covering party for the whole of the Australians and New Zealanders. On April 21 orders were received for B and C Companies of the 10th to embark on the H.M.S. ---------------------- immediately we were ordered on board we set sail with two other battleships for Turkey. Then came night and we made it our business to have as much sleep as possible, which is a thing we all look out for now. The time arrived for us to take to our boats; it was about 4a.m. and we were roughly five miles from the shore. We had orders to carry it out in perfect silence and we obeyed. When within about 30 yards of the shore the Turks opened fire and "something got doing. We couldn't get out fast enough. An old Gawlerite and I jumped over the side into about waist deep water. Not one of us had a bullet in his rifle and those who were not struck rallied, fixed bayonets and up the steep hills as fast as our legs could carry us. We became scattered and the Turks started to retire. We took the first ridge and went straight on to the second leaving wounded and killed in our track. After storming the next ridge we discovered that the Turks had fallen back to their trenches. The only cover we had was a little brushwood and we made the best of it. We were only few in number and all we could do was to hold on until reinforcements arrived. We had no big guns and well did Mr Turk know it. They gave us shrapnel for breakfast, and machine guns played round us all the time. Our fellows stuck to it well, however , although the enemy's fire was murderous, it was not long before reinforcements arrived. I am still here alive and well and hope not to be unlucky enough to stop a piece of lead. We have had a chance to get a little of our own back. It was May 19 and the Turks made an advance on our trenches. We gave them pill after pill until they lay in front of us in heaps. One got over the barbed wire entanglements and came straight for me. His career closed by landing on our parapet. The rest fell over the entanglements, but never rose again. My word they are big fellows. This business lasted for some time and then they opened their big guns on to us and we got it right and left. That was continued until about dinner time and then we were able to talk about it. Bad luck comes our way at times but it makes no difference.
The Bunyip 12th November 1915
GAWLER BOYS IN THE TRENCHES The following letter has been received from Pte. Laurie Harris dated September 21st, Gallipoli Peninsula- Well old chap I wonder how you have been getting along. It seems quite a long time since I left old Gawler now and am well in the joke over here. Even whilst I am writing this the Turks are sending over shrapnel, which is bursting unpleasantly near and its hellish stuff all right, and a sort of thing you cannot get accustomed to, it is so very sudden. Geoff Harris came over to see me last Saturday afternoon with one of the Moss's from Smithfield, and considering the poor chap has been here for 21 weeks he doesn't look too bad, though he could well do with a much earned holiday. He was telling me that Arthur Robinson was still going strong and has grown a beard. Cecil Hincks and young Howie have gone away to hospital and appeared to be both very bad. I hope they will soon get well again. Three or four months here of this strenuous life is enough for any man and I can say it is far from a holiday over here. Nothing but solid hard graft, pick annd shovel work principally, mostly in the trenches. Our food here is very good, but although we have enough water for drinking there is not sufficient for a wash and I have certainly been much cleaner than I am at present but I must not grumble as I am keeping in very good health. I notice Gawler did very well on Australia Day. I hope all your people are well and that your luck is still in on the old favourite gee-gees. In another communication from Pte Laurie Harris he mentions that Pte A. Wakeman had been shot in the leg, the wound was a flesh one and not considered to be serious.
The Bunyip 12th May 1916
THE WAR. The following interesting letter has been received by a member of The Bunyip' office staff from Private Len Barkla :-- Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, March 23. 'Having -just read every word in a copy of ' 'The Bunyip' it has made me realize that when at home the average citizen doesn't properly value his local newspaper. Over here, amidst the sand and flies, and other discomforts of this country, I'd give a good deal to have 'The Bunyip' tossed over the garden wall each Friday morning. We had a grand trip across — perfect weather, no casualties, and well looked after. A day ashore at West Australia gave some of us an oppor tunity to have a look around Perth and surroundings. With the aid of a car, we saw a number of interesting places, and some pretty scenery along the Swan and Canning Rivers. As a city, Adelaide is ahead of Perth, but I must admit the Torrens can't compare with the Swan River. We were all pleased to get ashore at Suez, and stretch our legs again. Our trip from Suez to Zeitoun, where we detrained, was not particularly interesting, as most of it occurred during the hours of darkness. One thing we speedily learnt, and that was to bargain with the natives for oranges, cigarettes, etc. Of course some of us were taken down until we learnt the run of their coinage. Our camp in Egypt was at Heliopolis, a city of comparatively recent growth, and containing many very fine public buildings and private residences. There is a large French population here. It is here the No. 1 Australian General Hospital is situated, in a large place originally built for gambling purposes and containing some hundreds of rooms. There is some very fine marble and granite work in this building, the interior being excepitonally fine. A splendid electric tram service runs you in to Cairo in about 20 minutes for ½ piastre (one penny farthing). That's a special price for soldiers, being half the ordinary fare. I can assure you those trams get crowded in the evenings. Cairo is full, of interest to newcomers, as the conditions in all respects are so different from those at home. I think one of the first things that strikes an Australian is the filthy condition of the streets, with the exception of one or two main thorough fares. There is a general smell, peculiar to the country, and it was very noticeable at first. One, however, becomes accustomed to that. The youngsters early learn to beg 'bak- sheesh.' and commence their business careers at about two years of age. They pester the soldiers especially those whom they recognise as newcomers. It is amusing to see them suddenly burst into tears and sobs, in the hope of getting a little sympathy in the shape of money. They are very realistic, but we quickly learn to laugh at them. We spent many interesting hours visiting places of interest, some of the buildings being thousands of years old. They certainly had some good masons in those days. There is beautiful workmanship in some of the old tombs, which cost many thousands of pounds to erect. Had a look at the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Mena. I went in side the Pyramid of Cheops, and pretty tough, work it was. The galleries slope steeply and are very slippery, and only four feet high in places. Boots have to be dispensed with, as they would be impossible, the floors being worn so smooth. We visited several chambers with a guide of course, as a stranger would soon get lost in the windings. The air is very close in there and it is pitch dark, which necessitated each of us carrying a piece of candle. On the outward journey the safest method is to sit down and slide, taking care not to fall in any holes by the way. The guides have a pleasant habit of trying to get more money out of you when they get you so far in that you don't know the way out. That point was soon settled, however, and in a manner entirely satisfactory to ourselves with the aid of a little forcible Australian, and promises of what would happen to him, if he didn't get a move on. We were glad to get out in tho fresh air again, and left the performance of climbing to the top on the outside for another day. This pile is 450 feet high. Photographers do a thriving business at the Pyramids as also do the camel and donkey boys. Recently excavated tombs near the Sphinx show some immense blocks of granite and alabaster. I spent one Saturday afternoon with a couple of friends at the races at Ghezireh, just outside Cairo. They have a very decent little course and the Arab racing ponies are handsome little chaps. The racing was interesting, the more so as our selections were profitable. They have both straight out and place totalizators, and an Egyptian band provided decent music. I noticed the judge always sticks out a board intimating how each race was won, in this manner : — 'Won easily.' or 'Won by half length,' as the case might be. The results of our speculations that day enabled us to dine in Cairo a trifle better than is usually the case on two bob a day, and after a stroll through the bazaars, buying presents for those at home, we returned to our camp after a very enjoyable time. All manner of unusual sights greet one's eyes here. Saw a funeral the other day, and the hearse contained a coffin and a man sitting in beside it. I'm not sure if he was the corpse come to life again, or a guard to prevent anything like that happening. One runs across Gawler boys frequently, and they all look well, though anxious to see home again after their job is done, and quite realizing that South Australia isn't the worst place in the world. Rather an amusing thing happened one morning. A piece of soap was lying outside our lines and a passing nigger evidently mistook it for a piece of cheese. He made a grab and - took a hasty bite. The result was not up to his expectations, and whether the ensuing jabberings were quotations from the Koran, or otherwise, we were left to guess, as he didn't seem to enlighten us. About three weeks ago we shifted our quarters to this camp, which is not far from the scene of the famous battle of Tel-el-Kebir, fought in the early eighties. There are many relics of that scrap still to be found in the shape of old bullets and skeletons. We rode down on open trucks, and for several hours our way lay through the irrigation area, and It proved to be a very interesting trip. The ploughs and other implements used are very old-fashioned, and it seems queer to see an old-style water wheel, worked by oxen, used instead of an up-to-date pumping plant. Labor is very cheap here, and accounts for this no doubt. The crops are chiefly barley,, maize, berseem, and sugar-cane, and vegetables, such as beans, tomatoes, spinach, and leeks. Everything looked very refreshing and green, and the sight of a few gum trees reminded us of home. Yesterday we were visited by the Prince of Wales, and he watched us at work for a while. We were granted a half holiday in Honor of the event. How long we shall remain here, of course, I can't say, but we are all ready to get on and do our bit. I hope the Ladies. Rifle Club still progresses satisfactorily. Kindest regards to everybody, and hope you are A.1
The Bunyip 16th June 1916
THE WAR A LETTER FROM FRANCE. .
Mr. W. R. Ross, formerly of Gawler, and who was well known on the local cricket field has four sons (all Gawler-born) now at the front, and, we take the following from a letter he has received from his son, Private Os. Ross: --
The above address is self explanatory, although it is not very definite, as France is a fairly large place. Still, it is as near as I can possibly give, and I daresay the papers in Australia have already published plenty of news regarding the Australian troops, so you perhaps know all the news. We left Alexandria on March 16, and were fortunate, in being allotted a fine boat to carry us across the Mediterranean Sea. We were on the water for six days, and I can assure you we had a very anxious time, as we were compelled to cross some, rather, dangerous spots, and as enemy submarines were 'suspected', of being seen, you can just imagine we were not feeling too homely. Anyway, thanks to our good luck, combined with skilled seamanship on the part of our captain (a fine old sport), we arrived safely at our destination. We stayed in Marseilles for about 12 hours. From there we entrained for an unknown place, reckoned to be over 500 miles away, so you can see we had about a two-days' train ride ahead of us. While we were Waiting for our train to leave we started a conversation with some German Soldiers who are now prisoners of war. They seemed quite happy and delighted to be away from the firing line. It would have been impossible to have arranged a better time to travel through France, for just at the present time the country is simply great, and the views one obtained are past describing. I have always looked upon South Australia as Nature's best country, but now I am reluctantly compelled to side with Sunny France —and justly does it deserve it. It is far beyond, my ability to describe its beauty, so this will have to wait until some future date. At every stopping place the French people welcomed us and never could they do sufficient to make us happy and comfortable. Too much, praise cannot be given to the French Red Cross workers, who are stationed in small groups at the various stopping places. My word, didn't the boys give them hearty cheers! I also noticed on the way the look of happiness on the faces of the dear old French women, some who must have sons or husbands away.in the firing line, and I feel sure they must have enjoyed the sight of seeing so many soldiers on the way to help their brave men. When looking upon this fine country I realised what it would mean to the French people to have it taken away from them, and I can now understand why their 'boys' are straining every muscle to prevent their country from going into the hands of the common enemy, and you can reckon upon the 'boys from Australia' giving a helping hand in crushing the Huns. You might think that the train journey grew tiresome by the second day, but such was not the case, for the further we went along the more interesting did our trip become, and the last 12 hours of our trip was one never to be forgotten, for it was here that we came in contact with a 'bonza' snowstorm— and wasn't it a sight! At the stopping places, both officers and men would indulge in a Snowball fight, and great fun it was, too. We disentrained at 7.30 p.m. were issued 24 hours rations (in a snowstorm), and then had a five mile march before we reached our camp. You can just imagine we were feeling pretty tired by the end of our march. We awoke early next morning, and within a few hour's we were on our way to our billets. At present we are billeting in a French farmer's home— at least, in his barn, to be more correct- and I can tell you we are very comfortable indeed. It's a treat to have a nice warm soft bed— it's only straw; but it's great. The French people here are very good to us;the mother does everything she possibly can for our comfort. Just at the present moment she is busily engaged in sewing a new set of colours on my tunic. I am sending my old colours home to you by first opportunity, together with a few other souvenirs,- also a couple of silks I bought when last in Egypt, so I do hope they arrive O.K. One of the little boys here is trying to teach me French, but I am afraid I'm a poor scholar, although he says I am doing splendidly. I am persevering, and living in hopes of being able to say at least a couple of words in French before we leave the front.
The Bunyip 18th August 1916
A LETTER FROM FRANCE.
The following extracts were taken from a letter received by Mrs. G. Bosisto from her son, Sgt. Roy Bosisto, in France: — 'I am enjoying the French climate immensely; the weather recently has been really beautiful, just like the best of our own spring. But ,by jove, we have bad some experience of mud, slush, and dark nights. I guess it would be impossible to imagine them. I reckon even old Job would have been liable to lose patience at dealing with mules on the roads here and the dark nights such as we have had; but it is wonderful how matter-of-fact the fellows become, and the training and experience one gets in the field creates a soldierly spirit that makes' them take everything smilingly. Only the other night, when out with a team, the coverer riding on the left had his horse shy and run into the ditch, which ac companies all roads, with the result that it sank right up to the back, and we had a great job getting him out. The drawbacks here are the narrow roads and flat country, which necessitates a deep drain to carry the water off, and, not being fenced, it is a very common occurrence for vehicles to get one or more wheels in, with consequent delay in getting out again, as it is terribly sticky. 'You will be glad to hear they have, commenced granting eight days' leave to each man — according to his service, so he gets the preference. The eight days are calculated from the time of leaving France for London, and that of arriving back again. 'ln the course of a few days I believe I have to attend a school of instruction. I am looking forward to learn all I possibly can about our particular work, as I realize that the more every man knows the stronger our battery, and, indeed, the army is. 'Things have been exceedingly lively round here during the last week. We had four gas attacks during five nights, with terrific bombardments by all the British guns to frustrate the working of the gas and the consequent charges. Not bad going, eh? though, by jabbers, I hope the gas attacks are not to frequent, as the wearing of the helmet is not the most pleasant experience, but is most enervating. I have had the pleasure of firing a gun, or, rather, having charge of the detachment, and guess that more than one poor beggar of the enemy regrets the fact of our gun being near, if he is lucky enough to have any feeling at all. By jove, the experience of working a gun is great. Of course, the enemy were not idle, and we had the pleasure of hearing their shells whistle overhead just like a pigeon flying swiftly, but, except making a hole in the paddock in the rear big enough to stand in and barely be seen, no damage was done. We have very good officers, and I guess the pits we built under their direction will stand a few such ere they go. However, we always have reserve pits in case they find us. I really enjoyed my stay in the pits, and it is surprising how soon one becomes accustomed to the business of war, as in a day or two we thought nothing of it, and used to get up and go to the pits just as though we- were off to business at home, having a shave and cleaning our leggings and boots before going in. I am now at the wagon lines — came down to act as battery sergeant-major during the absence of our S.M., on leave. I was acting likewise at the pits for a fortnight before coming down. A couple of nights before I left things were very lively, and it is estimated the Germans fired 10,000 shells on the trenches in front of us. It was awful to see and hear them burst. It was good work, but I guess an awful waste of ammunition. I would like to be able to say more about it, but censorship rules forbid. After that, it is very quiet down here in the wagon lines, and when one awakes on a lovely bright morning (it is spring), hearing the birds chirping, and looks round on the beautiful surroundings, with all the hedges and fruit trees in full blossom, it is hard to realize there is a war on, and 'tis then the awful sin and wretchedness of it all strikes home. Just where we are all is fresh and lovely, but one has not to walk far to see beautiful towns nothing but a heap of ruins. Australians have a lot to be thankful for. Just think of it, the only country in the world that has been free from war on her own land, and yet many, hesitate to save her. I have been anxiously waiting to hear of certain of my old acquaintances enlisting. So far I think they have still to decide. I hope they don't wait too long. There is one thing I am not in favour of, and that is boys enlisting; the life is too strenuous for anyone under 20, and unless they are above the ordinary as regards stamina. I always feel sorry when I see mere boys here, and wish they had never come. 'At present I am sitting on the floor with a box between my knees in a little loft, where three of we N.C.O.'s sleep. It is about 12 ft. square, and is approached by means of a ladder when we have to pop in through a hole about 3 ft. by 4½ ft. It has a gable roof which means we can only stand upright in the centre, and then touch the top with our heads; a board floor with about 6in. of straw to lie on, which we carted about five miles, and is very precious. It is nice and warm, and is really a happy little home. Am going to hang up some of the pictures from the 'Chronicle, but I guess it won't stand too many. At night, as I lie in my bunk, I can look out of the entrance and plainly see the star shells from both sides go up and light the whole sky just like the most vivid lightning. By the way, I don't think I have mentioned these shells before. They are a most useful shell, and appear something like a big rocket, but are vastly brighter, and are used for the purpose of lighting up the trenches and surrounding spaces to reveal working parties making repairs, etc, and, of course, there are always machine guns ready, and as soon as a party is disclosed they get it hot and strong. It is marvellous the schemes and contrivances they have. War has certainly developed into a science; this. trench warfare often makes one tired and wish a chance would come when a man to man combat is possible. 'We are kept busy nowadays from the fact that we shift camp just on once a week. There's not much fun in it, as it is always done by night, and it means a lot of cleaning up, both when leaving and going into a new billet. At present we are situated in an ideal spot ; a bonza canal within 40 yards of our billet, where the lads can have a dip and water the horses without any trouble. Further, we are quite near the divisional baths, where we get hot baths and clean changes of clothing for old. We are praying that we may be left here. Can you wonder? But I guess it is too good (or one battery to hold very long. I wish I had learned to speak French One would enjoy many an hour's chat with the peasants here, who have now experienced both the enemy and friendly nations in possession of their country, and I guess could tell many a tale worth hearing. Last night I walked about six miles to a half-ruined city, where a few people are still carrying on business, in the hope that I might buy a few suitable souvenirs. They were shelling the town while I was in it, and it makes one's blood boil to see the beautiful buildings going over and the electric car systems all stopped. I saw one beautiful church with holes all over it, and not a single whole window.
The Bunyip 22nd March 1918
RETURNS TO GAWLER
Private Vincent C. Rae, of Queen Street, Gawler South who returned to his home on Wednesday of last week, proved equally as diffident as former Gawler returned warriors when he knew that the press were searching for copy. Pte. Rae was expected to yield good information, as he was one of our unfortunates who fell into the hands of the Germans and spent 10 months within their prison and concentration camps. He managed to avoid the prescient pressman of the city, and it was only through connivance with his wife that we were enabled to get a chat with him. He gave in gracefully when he ascertained that he was cornered, and readily consented to answer questions, for he said he had no story to tell Pte Rae who is a married man with one bright little girl four years old, enlisted from Gawler on 19th March. 1916, he then was doing duty as a porter at the Gawler railway station. On August I2 he sailed from South Australia and went direct to England, entering into training on Salisbury Plain. He only spent one month in England and was sent with a draft to France, making up the 48th Battalion (which consisted of South and Western Australians). He saw five months of active service, and when in one of the stunts on the Somme front (April 1917) he received wounds that, put him out of action. The Germans although they denied using explosive bullets did so on this occasion, for he received an explosive bullet wound on the right elbow and another on the shoulder and also got a peppering with shrapnel on the shoulder and side. The ferocity of the fight was such that there was no possible chance of attending to the wounded and he fell into the hands of the Germans. He received scant treatment at the clearing station and was forced to march in a raw morning through snow, with his wounds exposed, to the German military hospital at Mons. He was in that institution for one month undergoing one operation. The medical treatment was good, but the food was very inferior in quality. The bread was black, and the prisoners got one solid meal a day, but this carried very little meat. They got fish but it was the usual German treatment of pickling it and was not very appetising to a sick man. Whilst in the hospital he had a look at the Crown Prince. "All the prisoners were locked in their wards while the Prince went through among his men but I got a look at him as he hopped in and out of his motor car "Blime me, the cartoons of him flatter him, he "is" fine. A good strong oniony breath would knock him over." After a month Pte. Rae was shifted to the prisoners war camp at Cassel, in the county of Hessan Nacseau, being in there from May 6th till some time in December. From Casse he was removed to the concentration camp at Manheinn where all the prisoners had to go before a board of doctors and be examined to be declared either fit or unfit for military. service. They were made into three parties, one for Switzerland. another for England, and the third to remain in Germany, or as their papers had it "to here abide." He was fortunate in being drafted into the English exchange party, and at the end of December was trained through Germany, Belgium, and Holland to Acchenn and afterwards to Rotterdam, where he war put on board for England. 'And now back in Aussey. I have been in a few countries since I left but Aussey will do me." Pte. Rae does not expect to have the use of his arm again. He does not regret the loss of the limb for as he said he had jolly good experience and saw a lot and the loss was worth the experience. He is to spend a fortnight home, and then enter; the military hospital at North Adelaide for further treatment. Pte.Rae fully intended that he should take his experiences as a soldier should, without any grumbling, but as e spoke his mind, revived the experiences gone through, and his pictures of the camp wherein he spent 10 months do not reflect any credit on the Hun. Cassel camp held about 30,000 prisoners of principally all the Allies engaged in the fight, the Russians predominating. Of the Russians there are two distinct types, one a splendid fellow, the other rejoicing when grovelling in the dirt and covered with it. Throughout his internment the food was bad, being particularly so at the beginning. The medical attention was good considering the convenience of the camp. He could not say enough of the splendid work of the Australian branch of the British Red Cross Society. Only for this body many men would have died in the camp, for they could not have got on with the German food. It was impossible to eat it, and and anEnglishman would have thought twice before giving it to his pig. The routine of the food was, At 8 o'clock, what was termed coffee, being the brew of burnt rye and wheat with an essence added that gave a flavour of coffee. No sugar or milk, and nothing to eat. At 10a.m. the bread ration for the 24 hours was served: This was black bread and sour, and was a hunk 4 inches square by 1½ inches deep. This had to last the 24 hours. At 12 o'clock was soup and this used to vary. One day you would have mangolds and water, the next day water and mangolds. Occasionally they got cabbage water, field peas, horse carrots, and a few times as a delicacy a little potato or mostly potato peelings. There was little meat, perhaps once a week, and this was generally purloined from the French prisoners' parcels. At 3 o'clock more coffee, and at 6 more soup of the same variety and quality. Once a week there was a 6 o'clock solid meal when they got a little sausage like our "fritz" but no extra bread. On three occasions during his stay he got sardines — which had been taken from the French parcels What a difference when the Red Cross parcels began to arrive, these being packed in England and transmitted through the Dutch authorities. Tinned meats, sago, rice and so forth, sugar and condensed milk, and tinned Australian' rabbit (and never did the old fellow, taste better), good quality of .cigarettes and 'tobacco, renewal of uniforms and underclothing, boots and shoes, and shaving necessities. 'The parcels were veritable God-sends, and the Australians lived like lords. They were enabled to pass over the German black bread and other food to the poor type Russians who gladly did the dirty work of the camp for what food they could get. The German guards also appreciated the receiving of the Red Cross parcels, for they generally participated in something and was a change .from the eternally same food supplied by the authorities. On one occasion German civilians broke into a Red Cross truck and removed all the eatables but fortunately the depot was able to make up the loss to the men. The sanitary condition of the camp was very bad, and hospital conveniences were poor. The bed ticking was generally seaweed, paper or wood shavings. The clothing was scanty and dirty. It was due to these conditions that he got 13 abscesses on the wound on his elbow, and crysipelas broke out on his back. The latter disease attacked many in the camp but was finally got over, more to the endeavours of the English Tommies than through German intervention. These Britishers were true soldiers. They accepted their situation with equaminity, and set about to make others as comfortable. Most of these volunteered as orderlies of the hospitals and went on duty in shifts. The Red Cross parcels of medicines comfort. etc, passed through their hands and were only given to those who were low in health or suffering in condition. These men are mostly of that glorious little army "the contemptible army", that so gallantly checked the push at Mors, and are the whitest men that Pte. Rae has come across in his travels. There is more freedom in German hospitals than in English, discipline being rigidly maintained in England. The guards at this prison camp were mostly old men unfit for military service or cripples. The 1917 class of soldiers were also used as guards; these puppets gave the men their bad times. The youngsters strutting around in father's boots and beneath father's hat thought they were second only to the Kaiser and emphasised their directions in such way as to cause much unrest among the prisoners. The men had to do their own washing. But as there is no soap in Germany the clothes were not very clean. Vermin abounded everywhere, and although the men bathed twice a day yet they were not free and generally went hunting not after singles but after droves. As an instance of the fat shortage, Pte. Rae said that the authorities collected all the bully beef tins sent by the Red Cross' Society, and these were boiled down in coppers and the resulting fat carefully collected and sent away to other parts. So careful were the Germans of all goods that would eke out foodstuffs that this soldier is satisfied that the Germans will never starve so long as they have water, grass and wood. They will then make substitutes for everything. Germany, as a whole, is very quiet. The people are thoroughly sick of the war but still go on in the belief that their troops are winning and it will not be long before their trials and hardship are removed. Pte. Rae said that there were 40 Australians in the party of 300 who were transferred to England and every man was glad to get away from the country that had confined them for so long.