Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Walter V. Wright diary, 27 October 1915-11 February 1916
MLMSS 1012/Item 1
[Page 1]
Reg No 2662 [indecipherable] 1662A
Pte W.V.WRIGHT
H.Q. SIG
4th BN
!st Bde
In case of death please forward to
Mrs L.A.Wright
Myall St.
Dubbo
NSWales
Australia
[Page 2]
Lemnos 21/10/15
W...
[Page 3]
THE H.Q. SIGS DR
Id like to tell you all about the H.Q.Sigs. DR.
Theres only twelve of them just now but yes by jove they are the finest lot of sigs you know and capable my word.
They know dot dash from dash damn dot as soon as it is heard upon the buzzing buzzer which doth buzz from noon till night .The thing which when youre dozing wakes you up with such a fright.
Now lets take Sol the corporal we'll put him first cos he is just the man who is in charge and busy as can be He does not take a watch at all well damn it all you know you cant expect it of a man who runs the blooming show.
He gets your tucker and your drink I saw him once bring up an egg and one whole tin of milk and mix them in his sup.
[Page 4]
And then theres Allen that’s the chap who's always very quiet. Who does his cooking long with Sol and know just how to diet for [indecipherable] he getting fat just now yes aint he just a picture of the chap who advertises that John Dewars mixture.
He says he has not had a spell since this damn thing began. The other sigs can't say the same except perhaps one man
Theres Campey next you all know him the man that does not smile unless theres something going on that is just worth his while. I think he's got a temper for hes shown it once or twice and the man who bears the brunt of it don’t think it very nice.
He's really very decent when his liver is in true and you don’t go talking ballyrot and aworrying of him
And then lets on to Bartlett who has one stripe on his arm
[Page 5]
and lets you know it too and yet in him there is no harm. He knows just how to work the "Doc" just now he's on a light diet But to see him eating pips and such you'd perhaps at first deny it But as the things that he gets sent him for instance just take cake A man who's well could not eat that it would make his belly ache.
But we should have mentioned long ago the man who's know as Day. The most important youth that' s here at least that is to say in his own estimation and of course its bally rot.
To think him not a soldier brave I think he fired one shot. And if a gun goes off quite near perhaps just off the hill where he is standing then he'll say – why yes – that’s Beachy Bill.
Theres Wright you know the man whos been far way down [indecipherable] Dolis
[Page 6]
Its quite a pleasure just to sit and watch his glowing smiles.
When he blows off and tells you of those awful horrid sprees he had when down there mongst the nigs the boys and coconut trees Im sure hes lived a wicked life and has a horrid past. But lets hope hell be on top when the Turk has fired his last.
The intelligence man comes next I think that Mr Sig Maybury whose stories of past times are good and always nice & flavoury. Hell come and tell you straight one night "yes" tomorrow boys we charge "
Yes our Bn got the job though our numbers are not large and when you hear next day hes wrong and you are pleased as punch "Pooh" – knew it all the time – he'll say and go on with his trench.
[Page 7]
D—the fleas and D---the flies
D---the heads with all their lies
D—the place and D—the weather
D---Gallipoli altogether
D---the army and D—the track
Damn it all Im going back
There is a happy land far far away
Where you can oysters get at any old time of day
Here were other fish to fry
Learning how to do or die
Blowing Turks up to the sky
In the good old fashioned way
There is a happy land far far away
Where you get up at ten
Or sleep in all the day
Here we get up at four
To give the Turks a little more
Of what they got the day before
In just the same old way
There is a happy land far far away
Where you can get a feed
At any time of day
[Page 8]
Here all the feed you get
Is Biscuit and some Bully wet
They say the cooks have got us set
Because we cannot pay
There is a happy land far far away
Where all is peace & quiet
All the livelong day.
Were you've got to duck like hell
Bowing to the Turkish shell
Busting with a rotten smell
In a rotten Turkish Way
There is a happy land far far away
Where you can get youre beer
By handing out a tray
And well get back there
some day
And we'll pay our little tray
Well join for war again
next day
Oh yes I don’t think
[Page 9]
The Ptes Lament
Now Im going to tell a little tale
About this army Grand
Where the bread and Bully always
Stale
And the cheese it beats the band
Its fixed by cooks who know
The Game
From ABC to Z
The Privates always get the
Same
The good dope for the heads
For the Capt he gets Poultry
The Major he gets duck
The Colonel gets a little wine
With a little bit of luck
The Batman gets the leavings
The Cooks a little ham
While all the poor old Private gets is bread
And [dash] jam
[Page 10]
"My little wet home in the Trench"
To the tune of my little Grey home in the west.
I
I have a little wet home in the trench
Which the rainstorms continually drench
There is a dead Turk close by
With his feet to the sky
And he gives off a beautiful stench
Underneath in the place of a floor
There is a mass of wet mud and some straw
And the Jack Johnsons tear
Through the rain–sodden air
Oer my little wet home in the trench
II
There are snipers who keep on the go
So you must keep your nappers down low
And the star shells at night
Make a deuce of a light
Which causes the language to flow
Then bully and biscuits we'll chew
For tis days since we’ve seen a stew
But with shells dropping there
There's no place to compare
With my little wet home in the Trench
[Page 11]
A RECORD Menu for one day on Active Service. Galipoli Nov 17
MENU
BREAKFAST
TEA A LA DOPE
BACON A LA SCARCE
SAUCE NONEST
DINNER
RICE A LA SOPPY
MEATS NONEATALL
VEGETABLES SAME BRAND
TEA
TEA A LA DOPE
EXTRAS
BISCUITS A LA FLINT
BULLY BEFF
GOD SAVE US
[Menu had a fancy frame drawn around it]
[Page 12]
The Sorrows of the Southan"
Borne on the breezes of the West – Sou – West,
What are these sounds one hears
That break upon my post-meridian rest,
And falling on the ears
Of my beloved ladies of the harem
Scare ‘em
I tell my people ‘tis the conquering heroes
That lit off fires of joy;
But I know better; they are british guns
Intended to destroy
The peace I smoke from my narcotic hubble Bubble.
How can I cope with the accursed [indecipherable]
If once my forts give out?
I miss the usual concert of the powers,
I have no ships about,
Save where the ten knot "Goeben" cracked
with bruises
Cruises
O, how I loathe that vessel! how her name
Stinks in my quivering nose,
Since that infernal juncture when she came
Flying before her foes,
And in my haven dropped her beastly anchor
(Blank her)
(Over leaf.)
[Page 13]
Abdul I would that I had shared your plight
Oer Europe seen my heels,
Before the hour when Allah bound me
tight
To Williams chariot wheels
Before in fact, our two ways , mine & his
Met
Kismet
[Page 14]
Dates worth noting
2nd May - Landed at Galipoli
19th May - Big Turk attack
20th May - Armistice
Aug 1st - First issue of rum prior to attack
Aug 6 - Charge of Lone Pine, rum finished
Aug 10 - Came out of Lone Pine 122 out of 800
Sep - Leave for Lemnos
Oct 30 - return from Lemnos
Nov 2 - Lost my teeth
9/11/15 - Paid 10/-
10/11/15 – Paid 2/-/-
17/11/15 - Rum issue
25/11/15 – Paid £1
25/11/15 - First fall snow
9/12/15 - had a feed
15/12/15 - heard officially that we are going to evacuate
19/12/15 - Evacuated the Anzac Position
24/12/15 - On board SS Simla for unknown destination
25/12/15 - Second I was in the army on board "SS Simla"
25/12/15 - In harbour at Alexandria
30/12/15 - Arrived at Tel-el-Kebir
31/12/15 - Orderly room big lecture
13/1/16 - Went on leave and played up, went gay, and came home
under escort
17/1/16 - awarded 10fPH2 for same
1/2/16 - Got my teeth in very rough
1/3/16 - Arrived at Serapheum
4/3/16 - Arrived Zeutoun
[Page 15]
[Drawing of stone cross with following inscription:-]
IN
MEMORY
OF
JACK
DIED 6.8.15
AT
LONE
PINE
GALIPOLI
DARDANELLES
[Page 16]
[Hand drawn map of Gallipoli]
[Page 17]
Short diary of the second spasm of the war in Galipoli
27/10/15 - Got on board ‘Oxuauich’ for the front a practical illustration of packing sardines or boxing dates
28/10/15 - Still on board too rough to land betting 10 to 1 on Anzac
29/10/15 - Still on board betting 100 to 1 Anzac
30/10/15 - Landed at Anzac started hill climbing the Major leading with a walking stick in one hand and fist full of air in the other we had packs so lost the Major.
31/10/15 to 3/11/15 - Nothing doing, digging dug outs all day for some one else all spare time devoted to swearing and commenting on the wonderful organisation of the army especially the Aus Quota
4/11/15 - Sick as a dog went to Europe and done my ivories
5/11/15 - Installed in my new dug out 2nd I wonder for how long
6/11/15 - Sitting on a phone in the trenches lisping messages and cursing everything & everybody. Had three spoonfuls of cornflower three times a day, and Im hungry
a name="a3661018">
[Page 18]
Just heard got to vacate my dug out we’ll dig no more, Sigs busted up dam the army
7/11/15 - feeling crook, our company goes to reinforce Lighthorse tonight Rumour says were going to take a trench
8/11/15 - Went to the Light Horse outfit last night took what we wanted 18 casualties plenty of bombs, feeling better
9/11/15 - nothing doing. Capt Simpson gone to grass, sick
10/11/15 - 6 o'clock AM, looks wet, chap just told me that Birdwood's been given a week to do the job, I, being the idiot, asked what job "why grow feathers on his tail like any ordinary "birdwould" smart eh.
11/11/15 to 16/11/15 - nothing doing at all
17/11/15 - Went to see the Dr Re my ivories, over a fortnight now, nothing doing Oh he says "hang on", this hanging on racket is up to putty come up "he says and get some light diet " taking into consideration the fact that I have to walk about a mile up a big hill to get it, and when I do I can just see a little bit of
[Page 19]
sticky cornflower adhering to the sides of my dixie I said NO thanks Id rather eat bully and suffer indigestion "well" he said " You eat bully"
Stormy all day, Ive seen some storms but if anyone wants something extra special I can recommend Galipoli, she's a winner sure.
been swearing all day till the dust got down and turned into mud, no water to wash it out with so am digging some out with my handkerchief!
forgive the mark but its and old singlet that I have worn for six weeks or more. and there is some good sport in it.
got a rum issue half an hour ago it was good though it was muddy and had feathers
21/11/15 sent 14/-to Embros to get some scran I hope it comes
24/11/15 "Stood to" at 4.30 AM this morning till 6 AM, Lord it was cold and drizzling rain was falling softly to the earth mostly by way of my back & neck. Trying to kid Abdul were going to vacate this little lot may just as well
[Page 20]
try and kid or suck himself up a tree
25/11/15 Paid a quid tried to buy jam & matches no luck
26/11/15 managed to buy 1lb Margarine 3/- and some chocolate 1/- for [indecipherable] cake "cheap" but not too bad
28/11/15 Snow falling, very cold, started at 1.01 AM this morning still going strong no one seems very pleased about either, Im not, Im just wondering whether I own my own feet or not . Got an idea that they are cold for I cant feel any sensation at all.
1.12.15 Nice day after 3 days severe cold snow started in to thaw
Paraded to OC yesterday about my teeth he is going to see about it and that is just about all about it I think.
Put some biscuits to soak yesterday at dinner time they have been there 24 hours now and they are still as hard as flint
The battalion has been on half rations for over a week now and we will be on ¼ rations next week. Gott Strafe Kaiser Bill and Enver Pasha
The turks gave the beach nothing a few days ago blew our half
[Page 21]
finished condenser to blazes and now we cant get water. I thawed some muddy ice to do me yesterday and xmas will soon be here I wish the parcel from home was here and that there is something to eat in it
4/12/15 Went down to the beach got 4 tins sardines at 1/3 per small tin and 6 milk at 2/0 Jove I had a feed had the lot of sardines at one sitting finished up in fine style with a tin of milk
Abdul been very busy with his big guns I wish he'd chuck it
Smokes all gone reduced to looking for bumpers
6/12/15 Tobacco issue day result 1 pkt cigs and 6 matches for a week . Problem how the hell are we going to do it that’s what the corp said at dinner time when they sent up enough meat to do 4 men for one meal and expected it to do 29 of our platoon. I said make it 28 corp I wont dirty my dixie.
Oh she was a winner.
Ive just smashed some biscuit and boiled them added "some chase me Charlie" cheese bumped a slight sensation of jam in it stewed the lot and shot it down my throat
[Page 22]
There are strong rumours afloat that we are going to have xmas dinner in Egypt I'll make an awful mess of something if we do just heard that there is a mail in so am off to see if Im lucky
7/12/15 The Colonel has returned things may look up a bit they could do with it.
The warships are putting in a bit of overtime handing out "Iron rations’ to "Abdul" in slick time nice music, I hope "Abdul" gets them all
8/12/15 nothing doing, either in the canteen at Embros or here Oh what a lovely system we work under.
9/12/15 Issue of Gift Goods I collected a tin of Tomato Soup and it was good a nice "niff" about it quite distinct from that arising from dead Turks and Bully beef and such like stuff.
We move on Saturday for the Trenches of the 2nd Bn. Did not collect any mail. hard luck
They say old Kaizer Bill is going to dictate terms of peace on Saturday, poor old Bill he must be suffering from some slight hallucination of the brain or over indulgence in the delights of modern warfare.
[Page23]
11/12/15 supposed to move at 6 AM for 2nd Bn trenches, order cancelled, ordered to move at noon for 4th Light horse order cancelled, stop where we are, a little later ordered to move to old H.Q. after due deliberation and many varied comments on the armies administration, all of which, though very lucid and original, I could roll into one and lay out nicely and then add some, we moved.
12/12/15 Installed in old H.Q. looks as if it has lately been occupied by a herd of swine taken all day to clean up.
13/12/15 Tobacco issue again one tin for 4 men for a week.
Q.M.S. Erwin gone to grass, sick , gee he's a fine sport, he looked as though he were going to die nearly made me sick to look at him
14/12/15 Strange rumours afloat, we are going to evacuate one minute the next we are going to charge and the latest is no letters allowed either on or off the island sounds nice and comfy I don’t think
[Page 24]
I went down on the beach and that some big move is about to take place is evident, but what it is is the question. All the ASC and Odinance together Div HQ have gone The ordinance are giving away any amount of clothing I got a pair leggings
15/12/15 Shelled heavily by 75s.Rumour very strong about evacuation and relief etc .
The order re the non posting of letters has been fluctuating on and off all day guess the heads are bit worried.
We have just been issued with a record issue of cigarettes 8 Pkt per man good egg Im going to have a smoke now
16/112/15 We are evacuating the Peninsular at last the notice is official and the great move is about to come off the exact date I do not know
17/12/15 Preparations still going on for the big move have to muffle one feet when the final act is staged
[Page 25]
18/12/15 Still preparing expect to move at any time now by jove if "Jacko" gets wise there will be a mix but he is quite welcome to come if he likes we are not particular whether we carry all our ammunition off or not.
Being fed well lately and plenty of clothes are being issued but will have to be left behind
I wonder if "Abdul" knows "Old Long Tom" the big 4.7" naval gun just below me while I am writing has been rendered hors de combat by having his breech blown off. By our our own people.
Its hard to leave when you come to think of all your pals lying buried here or lying between the trenches and think that we are going to give up what have fought so hard to have and hold guess theres a screw loose in the machinery somewhere previously I just feel tired