Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Thomas Alcock war narrative, 1917-February 1919
MLMSS 1609/Item 3
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[Previous pages are cover and library information]
Experience in Great War
No 5026
Pte. Alcock T H
3rd Battn. A.I.F.
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One would have 2 hours on and 4 hours off. This would continue for day and night. Our duty would be to guard a place say the Quartermasters Tent and give salutes to all officers passing.
When the Orderly officer came round on a tour of inspection the guard would turn out and present arms. Another of the duties would be (to present arms.) Mess Orderly which would consist of washing out dixies and afterwards filling them with water. We would also carry out the duty bringing the dixies to the platoon and distributing equal proportions of the food and tea amongst the mess
When the men had eaten their food dixies and the tea dixies would be taken along
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to a hole and the contents spilt into it.
There was an accident happened one afternoon on the bombing field Some of No 6 platoon were practising bomb throwing One of the bombs was detonated A chap threw along his bomb and called (private) "pin out" It exploded and wounded about six soldiers who were taken away in the motor ambulance
We had a mile and a half race too. The event attracted a lot of attention I was among them we started out gaily I didn’t go the full distance.
One of our chief pleasures was to receive letters from home and to answer same. Although I received such a lot yet I can recall the fact that I never missed answering any.
We didn’t stop
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much longer at Buire.
Starting out one morning about 2 o’clock we boarded troop trains that took us far north, disembarking us at Cassell. It is a very historic town in France. On the top of the Mount is a monument recording the fact of a battle that took place somewhere about the 14th century.
Right at the top too there is a pleasant tea shop patronised in peace by tourists and largely renowned. It is very ancient We were served with different foods The lady proprietor I think took account of the fact that we were soldiers
Making our way to the (top) town we were informed that some of the troops had run amok
Like most of the churches in France this one as very old
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There had been a roof in it some years ago but a great fire had partially demolished the structure The streets were cobbled. There was a stationery shop in the town We purchased several items therein.
Our first billet in the Cassell area was a small outhouse adjoining a farm building. My fiends wouldn’t stop in the shed but went out under the trees. I decided for a particular reason that I would stop in the outhouse. My argument was that I should never be afraid to display my allegiance to the Saviour of men. (It had been my practice to pray nightly in front of them.) I went there and said my prayers there.
Shortly after we were moved
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to the biggest billet I was ever in It was capable I think of holding 2 companies that is somewhere about 500 men. The property was run as a model farm. There was a big field of barley and wheat. In the yard adjoining the shed was a big pond where the ducks would swim
By going round to the kitchen we were able to buy milk A little way away from the farm we found a building where we were able to purchase eggs for a nominal sum. There was also a stream: we had a bath in this. The paddocks adjoining the house we used to do training in – Bomb throwing – bayonet – fighting – organised games. We also went through
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the battle practise formations skirmishing etc. This was all in preparation for the big battles shortly to take place.
I was reading the Christian Herald one night and suddenly the paper was torn from my hands and I was hit hard in the face There in front of me was a chap who had been out getting drunk. I felt for the time that I could not resist the temptation to strike back The weather at this time was fresh of a night we would shut all the doors up to exclude the cold There was no fences around the fields and they present a beautiful picture in the different colours of the field
Moving from here we went to a place in the Vieux Berquin area
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called Sec-Bois. We spent a very happy time in this place. Adjoining was the township of Borre
Whilst in the Berquin area we went for a route march in drill order which means we only wore the skeleton web equipment To the uninitiated skeleton web comprises the equipment only having water bottle, entrenching tool handle and head, bayonet scabbard and haversack.
I was put on guard duty. There was a prisoner drinking wine out of a bottle here. He puts the bottle to his lips to drink when a wasp that had found its way in stung him on the lip. I retorted
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theres always a sting in drink
Close by to Sec Bois was the town of Hazebrouck, a large place One afternoon my friend & I set out to visit it. On the way we called into Borre workshops where some British Engineers were quartered.
At Hazebrouck we entered the church and had a look round. The priest was before the altar intoning prayers. There were several people there too We walked to Borre one Sunday afternoon. Entering the church sitting down just inside the door. The little children were singing [indecipherable] or something to that effect We had a half-holiday on what was the French holy-day
My mate was selected
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to help the farmers on their farms.
We did one of our longest route marches, a distance of 15 miles. F.M.O. – full marching order
Attended the Y.M.C.A. tent frequently whilst here. There was cricketing [indecipherable] here and the chaps would enjoy themselves of an evening. The lice were bad here, as elsewhere. They never liked leaving us at all. We were set to work given an iron and ironed the seams of the trousers with them.
We had periodical inspections of our Gas Helmets to see that they were in good working order We were very partial to French bread but it was very hard to obtain supplies
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here The Y.M.C.A. had a scheme whereby it was possible for us to hire a book upon a deposit of 1 franc (10d) being charged. A little French lad stood for an half hour watching us chewing biscuits – gave him 1/2d "souvenir", first smile.
Just after this we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of the formation of the Battalion It was a beautiful day. Our "Padre" Revd. Daines spoke shortly and feelingly. We sang hymns and psalm 100. Read psalm No 93 prayers. The C.O. Lieut Col Moore also gave us an address which was only a short one He said we should have had
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beer but the Quartermaster had expended all the money in food It was the best meal I think we had in the Army. Roast Beef, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Apricots and custard.
My friend and myself went to Vieux Berquin a town about 3 miles (3 ½ kilos) away. We went through the church and it was indeed a beautiful building Of course we visited the Y.M.C.A. and spoke to the representative there a Mr. Richardson.
There were bombs dropped fairly close to our billet here one on an Imperial Labor Battalion which created a
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good deal of havoc, wounding 52 and killing 14!
We paid a visit to the camp later on The bombs had dropped right close the burst going upward the tents were literally riddled with pieces of bomb.
Planes were over pretty frequently. The buzz of the engines was a distinguishing factor in detecting (distinguishing) the German Machines from our own.
The "Archies" or anti-aircraft guns kept them from coming too close however. We had orders to be ready in case the planes came too close to fire some shots at them The searchlights were very vivid literally a stream of light. These were kept going for the purpose of locating the planes
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It was not an easy matter to pick up a moving object like this but they were successful one night. It was a beautiful sight to see the machine like a huge silver fish trying to avoid the ray of light diving twisting and turning It was also interesting to note the way the lights "passed the plane on" to other lights further afield. I dont know the ultimate ending of the whole affair
Was along with another chap called [indecipherable] Relmock watching a cricket match on the field adjoining the Y.M.C.A. when all of a sudden he was hit in the mouth by a cricket ball which split his lip Went along with him to the A.M.C. and had it dressed
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by the Orderly.
Later we were inspected by General Birdwood and complimented on our marching. If I remember rightly General Plumer was present as well. After the inspection the troops were granted a half holiday.
At the Y.M.C.A. there was a meeting conducted by "Padre" MacKenzie of the 4th Battalion The troops joined in The Anglican Chaplain, attached to the 2nd Battn was holding services in what I believe was the Mairio, a building equivalent in the French for our town hall.
Harvesting at the French farms continued
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We were supplied by the farmer with beer or tea. I preferred tea. We were set to work here hoeing the woods. I was not an expert at this as it was all entirely new experience to me however I did a bit.
One of the features of the Army life to the troops was the pay-day. Upon being paid it was possible if we were out of the line to augment our supplies of food from the Battn Canteen Sometimes too it was possible to secure some little thing from the French people. Bread was one of the items most on request from them At this pay we secured tomatoes, Bread biscuits butter
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coffee.
The Y.M.C.A. was generally our destination when we had times off Here it was possible to secure tea and biscuits. Sometimes fruit in tins & toilet accessories It was usual for the representative to charge for the hero of the mug. Then we would go to work and answer our mail.
Generally it was possible to secure a magazine or a newspaper What prevented the YMCA from catering more extensively was the continual movement of the troops In later times we the 1st Brigade had a "YM" tent with us permanently.
At night it was the
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practise to hold a service when possible once – or on occasions twice a week.
We had of course, to do all our own washing and ironing mending It was generally possible to secure some batchelor buttons – darning I wasn’t too good on However, I did what I could Washing was rather perfunctory
We used to secure a change from the Divisional Laundry when coming out off the line I confess here to have been a constant reader of the New Testament although owing to the noise it was generally a matter of impossibility to carefully fix what one read at the time
We were still at the
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farm I was one of a party selected to lop off the limbs of the trees. Afterward we were put to binding the sheaves.
A band of our chaps met together for the purpose of forming a Bible Study class and for discussions. Owing however to the constant movement referred to previously it was a difficult matter to get the chaps together
I have a note here the farmers wife was very kind. She gave us coffee and pears encore – which of course mean a repeat.
We were desirous of doing some Evangelical work outside the Y.M.C.A. It was
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our intention to ask the Y.M.C.A. Padre to come along we extended the invitation to him We sat out in the open and joined in with some hymns together. We arranged a service at the Labor Battalion However nothing came of it as an aeroplane came and dropped a bomb right amongst the tents.
We experienced some beautiful weather about this time Of course I did not neglect mail – Major MacKenzie addressed a large party of us outside the Y.M.C.A.
We still kept at farming were put on the new work very fatiguing owing to the fact that we were not used to it
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At the farm was a dairy The method of churning was as follows. In a big wheel which was revolved by a dog put inside on the principle of a treadmill This dog was very cunning when he saw the master coming along he would go very fast, if the girl – it would not be so quick His usual method was a regular "government" stroke or tread.
Everyone works in France Horses men women and dogs and children owing I suppose to the great scarcity of men caused by the war.
My friend and I had several hearty talks together He was always dilating
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on the beauties of nature It is a wonderful thing when one thinks of it how the apples and pears become sweet and ripe
We had a service in the open-air Joshua 3:5 Sanctify Yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
At a swimming parade there was a number who did not go into the water These were formed up and marched the long way home. Shortly afterward we set out for Meteren a town that was later the scene of great fighting in March 21st 1918 in the great German offensive
We did the usual thing upon arrival in the town went
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to the church, had a look at the shops and helped some of the women to pick hops off the vines. It was hop-picking at this time
I was sleeping in one of the billets provided – underneath was a well and my tin hat and equipment dropped into the water. My friend asked me to pull them out. I foolishly losing my temper and the result was a row.
From here we went to Ottawa Camp getting closer and closer to the line. Stood the march well We didn’t have much work to do We only stopped here one day. We heard
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a very heavy bombardment going on.
We reached Dickebush our next place. I heard that Arch, my youngest brother at the front, was close-by and I went to get a talk with him before we finally went into action but he had gone to Hospital suffering with a Cold. It was not an easy matter to find my way back to the Dickebush Camp wandered about eventually finding my companions.
From here we moved up one night to what proved to be one of my biggest experiences of front line fighting. From the billets we could both see the guns discharging
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and hear the reports.
Clouds of dust were floating about and the air was close and oppressive. We knew that it would be a great attempt to gain a great victory over the Germans.
We moved up one night to Zonave trench, reaching there a little before dawn. Just on break of day the bombardment started, and it was a bombardment! The 18 pounders were grouped round and one could see the artillery men working for all they could. From dugouts nearby we could see the flashing of the signal lamps one to another
When the time
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came to move off from the front line at Clapham Jctn the shells commenced to fall pretty thickly around us. Some of the chaps experienced their first baptism of shell-fire I too had never been exposed quite so much before except at Bullecourt. However we got to our destination
Lying about us was the wreckage (of) created by the German shells It was possible to look round and see too the effects of a bursting shell amongst some horses Here was a tank stopped in its career by a shell.
At the top of the hill was an iron fortress used I take it as a means of defence
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against the tanks by the Germans. We lost one of our stretcher-bearers hereabouts He was walking round the top when a splinter of shell caught him in the brain.
We stopped in this position till about 20 to 8 when we were told to go forward and relieve the 3rd Brigade in the front line A heavy bombardment was raging and the Germans were replying to it. Shells dropped close but we "carried on" looking for the line It was a difficult task and took 2 hours before we were settled for the night
All around us were the pill-boxes a concrete fortress in the German
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defence scheme. Later on I had the opportunity of getting into one of these. I was on sentry duty that night.
Next morning as I was endeavouring to get some sleep whilst on relief I was ordered to Company headquarters to act as a guide for the troops coming into relieve us. We went out in the daylight and traversed the track that we were to take that night Close besides us were the dead bodies of both our own and German troops who had been killed by German & English shells. Some were frightfully distorted
We finished our work regarding the guiding of the troops into our positions There was a delay in getting them in. I left them in the trench
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and went forward to ascertain if all was well Coming back I had to look round before I was able to find them again I was then detailed to guide our troops out.
It was very dark but it was possible to find Coy H.Q. by the aid of a tall tree trunk standing out of the ground Coming out from here however we followed the wrong tape which led us off the track.
We eventually reached our destination alright Some of the other members of the Battalion however got mixed up with the guns and were in great trouble The Germans were sending over their shells searching for the guns and consequently our chaps were in consid-
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danger of being hit.
The place where we were billetted for the night was called Half wayhouse Here the Artillery Head Quarters were.
The dugouts were like an innumerable warren. They ran in underground tunnels These tunnels were boarded to prevent the earth coming down. A lot of them were oozing water and rather damp. We made ourselves very comfortable however
Next morning was a bright sunny day. We sat on the roof and demolished biscuits and tea together with breakfast. We moved from here back to Ottawa Camp. When we first reached Half wayhouse the Y.M.C.A. were there providing
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us with biscuits cigarettes and cocoa.
Reaching Ottawa Camp as I said we were allowed rest for a kind before moving back further Eventually we reached a place called Steenvorde I went into the town itself although our billetting area was about ¾ of a mile from the place Had my hair cut and a shave here. The old barber had his daughter in the place as assistant and she did the work real well
One thing noticeable in this town were the cobbles which were larger than most. All streets and roads in France are made of these cobbles large round stones – very difficult to walk on.
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We as usual, inspected the principal parts of the town. We were on the look out for bread as usual and succeeded in getting a supply. How we managed here was by assisting some French people to pull the hops from off the vines. They were very careful indeed of their bread.
Our billets were in an open field The way we camped was as follows. Lines were stretched between trees and over these wires were blankets thrown (over) which had been previously knotted together A hayrick in a nearby field loaned the bedding I put it back after we had finished with it.
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There was a beautiful harvest moon showing and the nights were lovely. We had one disadvantage from this however – It showed the landscape up so clearly and "Mr. Fritz" was very active in this time with air raids.
Indeed we were all gathered together in the Y.M.C.A. but when we heard the wank-wank wank of exploding shells or rather bombs, making us put out the light very suddenly a light in a tent is a grand target for a bomb to be aimed at
The cooks at this time were supplying a superior class of food to that usually served. They had been sent for a course of instruction to the Divisional schools, where they
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learnt the art of making potato pie. As one can imagine this was quite an improvement on the stew.
It may be interesting to know that certain men were appointed from the Battalion to mend boots. Also we had a post-corporal whose duty it was to deliver the mail and the Parcels to us. There was the Butcher – in fact we were quite a community in ourselves.
Then the Battalion always had a chaplain who went by the name of "Padre" – to the "Father". As a rule we only had the Official Church Parade on fortunate occasions extra services were held the attend
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at which was voluntary At the church parades the band always supplied the hymn tunes sometimes in a manner too high for the "boys" to sing to. At other times they were afraid to sing before the others.
The church parade was usually a Brigade matter. That is 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Battns would all march from their billets to a certain appointed place and there the services would be held.
Sometimes too there would afterwards be a distribution of awards for bravery. Military Crosses for Officers D.C.M & Military medals for [indecipherable]. Victoria Crosses were
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usually presented to the recipients at a special time appointed by the King at Buckingham Palace.
The other day I heard the Military Medal described as a duckboard. This I take it because of the fact that the ribbon supplied was similar in appearance to one of these very useful articles.
We did more practice work here in the way of Battn manoeuvres and they were all successful.
I have said before when we required water for drinking purposes it was the usual thing to obtain some from the village well. At this place we obtained
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supplies from the pool. This water was rather dark in appearance but is alright when boiled.
So time went on very pleasantly and busily here My friend who had a wife and 3 children used to send them souvenirs from the different places we stopped at
One morning I was told to report at B.O.R. Battalion orderley room and was ordered to stop out of the line for a rest. So when the remainder of the Battalion were marched off for the front line we stopped behind
It was the practice of the higher-command to allow certain men who had seen a good deal of trench work to a rest; and a good and special scheme it
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proved to be.
I was a Battalion Clerk whilst out resting and liked the work very well A clerk has advantages if he desires in that as a rule he has a tent to himself as the orderly-room. Generally the Sergt Major and Quartermaster share it too
When one gets a chance to commence at the beginning and work up the position himself he has a far better idea of the requirements and can do full justice to it. He has not got to work on other mens ideas and structures one finds it impossible to grasp anothers way of working.
We learnt whilst here of the fact that the advance
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was a great success.
A little later we went to rejoin the Battalion at a place called Hell Fire corner going with Capt Elliot to Dickebush. The troops didn’t reach Dickebush until 2 AM and then in a very draggled state hardly able to get along on account of the mud caused by the rain French mud seems to me to be different to the varieties of other mud in other lands
We were allowed transport by motorbuses to a camp situate about ? from a place called Poperinghe a very well know centre to the troops
I now come to another job was detailed for the Lewis Gun section although was not
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long on this work.
There was a big Y.M.C.A. close by and a mixture of "Tommies" and Australians. They sang splendidly. It is a great sight to see such a body of men. A scotch minister remarked to us later it was always possible to get a crowd of Australians to attend services but a great difficulty to get the Scotchman
There was a Military cemetery close to the camp. Many mens graves were visible.
A feature to be remarked was the airman’s graves each of their graves being surmounted by a cross made from the propeller of a machine he had evidently been piloting
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when killed The ends of the propeller had been sawn off.
Our next move was in motors which took us in round about fashion to Chateau Segard. Here we did a forage round for food. Our search was rewarded by finding 4 tins Bully Beef.
We also had a look round for Hessian. This we employed in covering the windows of huts to prevent the light showing out and making a conspicuous target for the German airman who were flying around in the vicinity
We heard that one had spotted a lighted tent in the 2nd Battn on which a number of men were playing
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cards. He dropped a bomb on the tent doing a lot of damage.
Whilst here word came to me that I was to have my leave to England – As will be expected I was filled with anticipation as to the change.
We were whilst on these billets employed on fatigue work at or near a place called Zonnebeke We would be taken up to this in a light railway wearing tin helmets as a protection from shrapnel. It was a dangerous job. Every day there were causalities whilst I was there
One time a German aeroplane flew over the gun pit and dropped 3 Bombs quickly one
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after another on to the position I found the dead body of a corporal whom I buried I took possession of his belongings and said a prayer over his grave in the absence of a padre
The nearest station to catch the train from where we were billetted was Poperinghe. I had a lift most of the way in an army waggon. It was quite a long journey in the train from Poperinghe to Boulogne. We started at 11/10 landing at Boulogne at 7/20. No lights were allowed on the journey for fear of the aeroplanes
The Rest Camp where we were billetted was about 2 miles from the Station and it was most uphill march –
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all the way. I felt very tired when I reached the journeys end. I find not being used to their step that it is harder to march with Imperial men than our own fellows. One would in time become accustomed.
Before leaving next morning for the Cross Channel steamer we were informed that if we took explosives across as souvenirs we would run the risk of losing our leave. They had provision made for us here Tea, Bread, Butter.
Upon arrival at the boat the Australians were marched below deck. We stayed down there on the trip across.
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Eventually we arrived at Folkestone Boarding trains here we came across George Leary who was on what I would call picket duty. He was only a very young soldier when he first enlisted and even then had served 3 years or thereabouts so it was up to the authorities to allow him some relaxed duty.
Upon first arriving we had to report to Horseferry Road Offices Here we drew our leave money and here we left our "gear" in a room provided for the purpose. A soldier on leave takes all his belongings away from the Battalion with him
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Rifle, equipment, steel helmet, and not forgetting his souvenirs I met one of the Battalion at the Entrance. He had been wounded in the eye
My first night’s lodging was at the Warchest Club. This was a big place very largely patronised by members of the A.I.F. I decided I would have photos taken and went to a place on the strand From there to the Anzac Buffet – here wrote a long letter home.
The "Buffet" was run by Aust ladies. The meals were free. I went to a play at night "Damaged Goods" The tickets were provided by the Buffet. The play to me was in the nature of a lecture.
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I had a brother at Codford in Wiltshire so decided I would take a run down and see him. Codford is a matter of 70 miles from London.
During the time I was in England the Railway fares were increased 50% this journey cost me 24/-. As the train was in the station I didn’t have any time to waste I paid and intended to get a refund later on
Stopped with my brother till next day and caught the train to London eventually reaching the Aldwych Street. There I had tea and booked for the night.
Next day I took a trip to Wandsworth and visited there a Mrs. Thompson who had had a
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a son killed in action I picked up a paper that had been addressed to him in France and opening same had found a note in it This I read and answered. I spent a pleasant day with these good folk promising to see them later. I never got there however
Harold Davis my friend had entrusted me with a number of souvenirs for his brother-in-law Fred Higgins who was ammunition making. He was living at Hendon. As I said he had been originally intended for ammunition making but had been transferred to the Aeroplane works at Hendon.
I had been given the add
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ress of a Mr.Philpott as a dispenser of hospitality to Australian soldiers Mr. Philpott was a member of the Croydon Adult School acting as Secretary for them. It was to him then that I phoned to obtain particulars as to hospitality scheme.
He was to send me to a friend of his a Mr. Grace who lived fairly close to him I rang up and was invited to Mr. Philpotts own home where I was received as one of themselves They even had an hot water bottle in bed for me – One can imagine the change of circumstances brought about by their kindness
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to me after 14 months in the trenches.
I visited a Recreation Club in which Mr. Philpott was interested and later went to Hendon where I gave Fred Higgins his souvenirs. To get to Hendon from Croydon entailed a good deal of changing from one train to another However, I reached Fred’s place and delivered the souvenirs safely.
I was introduced to Mrs. Chapman at Hornsey and spent a time there with her Sang hymns and parted. I slept at Freds place that night in a "3/4" bed
The church services were held earlier on account of the
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danger from air-raids. After services we adjourned to the drawing room and sang hymns.
I took Jock the dog for a walk after breakfast next morning. I was in quest of some sugar for the family. Jock was on leash He liked the idea of going out with me. When I entered the grocers shop he "engaged in combat" with a fox terrier belonging to another customer. They fought it out in the shop.
To separate the combatants it was necessary for the doors to be closed. This was alright but as soon as the doors were opened "they were at it again." I pick
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ed them both up in each arm and pulled them apart In my endeavours to stop the fight the leash broke I had to let Jock run along without it Next thing Jock did was to run away from me so I let him find his own way home as best possible.
Whilst in a train journey for the purpose of meeting Mrs. Chapman, I met a Mr. Fyfe who lived at Croydon We entered into conversation and he gave me his card on leaving with a request that I should come and stay with him.
I had often heard of London Bridge and was now on it looking down on to the
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dim coloured waters of the Thames past the Tower a Billingsgate Fish Markets on to St. Pauls Church where a service was being held at 4 o’clock. All around the walls were the flags of different regiments The choristers were there and sang.
Outside the entrance to the Cathedral were flocks of pigeons who were accustomed to being fed liberally by the people. Owing however, to the shortage of food this kindly action was stopped.
Amen Corner, Paternoster Row were noticed from the top of the bus as we rode through. I was told the pigeons were protected by Acts of Parliament
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Now I come to the last day of my leave. Mr. Philpott with a friend of his a Mr. Skeet came and said Good-bye to me Mrs. Blechingden had been knitting a scarf. Mrs. Philpott also did not forget the "miner man" but provided me with a packet of sandwiches.
I spent that night at the War Chest Club after getting all my pack fixed up. Planes were over that night Cries of "take cover." Gases were fired
Left Victoria Station early in the morning eventually reaching Dover after midday. The climate of England is mostly grey This day was not exceptional Dover is a very old town surrounded by cliffs.
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We left the shores of Dover in a mist escorted by destroyers. The sea, I take it was moderate – As on the trip over the Australians were sent below decks and were ordered to put on life belts as in case of a submarine attack
We disembarked from Calais and were sent from No 2 Camp for the night being issued with bread jam tea and 2 blankets making ourselves comfortable for the night.
Next morning setting off for the Railway Station to rejoin our Battalion I found mine just in time to participate in a further trip into the line which was to be my last experience.
We were encamped in under
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underground dugouts dug along the sides of the bank and covered with curved sheets of iron supported by sandbags of earth This was to protect the troops from aeroplanes which were becoming more and more active as the days went by.
I had some money with me the remainder of my leave allotment. This I gave to a sergeant to mind as he was not coming into the line with us. Shortly after we set off for the line
It was a gruelling march and a long one to our destination There had been heavy shelling hereabouts and the ground was all chopped about by
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the Artillery work One part of a shell landed right alongside making a noise but not doing much damage. I kept up with the rest struggling along – towards the close of the march I sat down It was almost in sight of the goal.
Only once have I fallen out like this on a march, and even then I was not knocked right out so used had I become to the hard toil of dragging pack and self along.
In the supports we were apportioned different work. For a time it was aeroplane guard We had a fatigue job carrying timber in the shape of duckboards etc. Also sandbags and curved iron.
Just as we
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left the dump with these articles the German artillery started and shells came round about us. I decided the best thing to be done was to be up and walking as in all likelihood we should just as likely catch a shell lying down as being out in the open
The other chaps, seeing my example followed me and we eventually reached our destination pretty tired, but able to say we had been able to do that which was required of us. We had, I remember a very lazy time in supports.
One night lying asleep – it was about 12 in the night the Sergt H Hill came along and said Gas is being fired over in shells This made us wake up and put our
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helmets on.
I think it was next morning I discovered lying alongside my dugout a huge piece of shell. I dont know whether it had landed there in the night time Certainly had it hit me I would not have had much more to relate, anyway I think so.
The Sergeant later approached me and said owing to the Stretcher Bearer becoming a casualty I was to be detailed as one He said there were bigger men than I but they were afraid of the shells. So I became Stretcher Bearer another addition to the variety of work that I had been put on.
Starting off from Supports to the
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to get to the Front line it was getting very dark. The ground was much ploughed up by the shells sent over by the Germans. To make matters more difficult it came onto rain. I was very well loaded up.
A Stretcher Bearer is not armed. He is provided with equipment belt a couple of water-bottles shell dressings I also had a sandbag full of food etc. also a shovel to dig a decent shelter.
Plodding along, I could see just ahead of me bursting shells. I did not worry much being taken up with my own load but the next minute I heard a roar a shell had exploded just under me blowing a big
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hole. It also got me in the legs and a bit in the arm.
This was "finish" for me as far as "Active Service" was concerned. Immediately I felt I was hit I was put onto a stretcher and turned along back to the dressing station
There were quite a number of chaps came to my assistance. I was dropped twice and it was a great difficulty to find the dressing station. Owing to intense blackness I asked the chaps to hurry and reach the aid-post as I felt myself to be losing a great deal of blood.
All I knew was at the end of my carry I wanted
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my foot and they assured me that it was alright. After being dressed at the Aid-Post I was put out in the open on a stretcher and spent the night there. It rained on and off throughout the night.
Three blankets were put on me and these were pretty well saturated with the drip, developed pneumonia as a result. Gas shells occasionally came over and also the other variety. My great desire was water I suppose on account of loss of blood.
There were other wounded round about. The delay was caused in getting me away through the mud in the first
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place, and then the night was very dark. Otherwise an attempt would probably have been made to carry us down to a dressing station
Early in the morning our own Battalion Red Cross came along. The Orderly of the Red Cross making a remark that it was finish for me. They took me down first. On the way I was handed an apple which I ate.
It was a long carry back as regards myself. I wasn’t worrying much. The weather was beautiful. The air very still. I was left at one of the covered in places some distance say
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2 miles from there and later was transferred to a Red Cross Motor Car.
My first stop was to arrange a splint on my leg. From here put into the car and taken I think to the Clearing Station at Poperinghe Here my clothes were taken off me. The Orderly giving me a shoulder strap as a souvenir Later on in the day I was moved in to be operated on.
The operating theatre was full of cases being repaired. I had a look round before I was made unconscious The orderly I think said kindly not to look and put a handkerchief over my eyes. I was not long left to myself
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without attention as my case was immediate
Whilst inhaling the eather I could hear the band playing in the distance. I think it was a real one. It may however have been an hallucination on my part. The last thing I heard was a tick-tick-tick and I was off …
Coming round was a beautiful sensation I just gently woke up. On looking for the leg it was not there. It had been amputated! My one desire was to get water. There was not much sleep for me for the next 4 or 5 nights.
I was put onto a train next day. I well
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remember the journey The train was very slow and the rails not good owing to the lack of labour available for repairs.
Eventually we arrived at Etaples and there I was put into the 56th General Hospital The train arrived about 2 o’clock in the morning, was left out in a tent previous to admission Sister Chadborn was the Sister in Charge of the hut. Everything possible was done for my comfort. Needless to say I was practically helpless
I remember how the wind howled around the hut One of my chief desires was to see outside the hut but from
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where I lay it was only possible to see a little way through the top part of the door.
The M.O. visited me I was given a smell of eather when the first dressing was removed It was a merciful act as the first dressing would be a most painful one to take off. I felt a pain down the side and knew later that I was suffering from Pneumonia. That only lasted a week however
Had a visit from my mate Harold Davis also Sergeant Hill and Corporal Hooke came along as well Harold brought me some apples. The Battalion was only a matter of 15 kilos away from where I
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I was lying and I believe numbers of men would have been down to see me if they could
There was a Scotch sister in the ward whose name was [indecipherable] Owing to the inhalation of the eather I was not able to eat very much no appetite at all I was given chicken but did not enjoy it
On of my first acts was to borrow 10/- from the sister With this I sent along a cable to Mum telling her I was going on alright This reached them about a week before the official notification I also got the Orderly to write letters and cards and
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then did some myself.
At the start my temperature was 104°. It was very high you must admit Later on it dropped although I was not normal when I left for England
I was visited by a Chaplain who spoke of our Friend to me "The Friend above all friends." Sister Chadborn gave me a book to read It dealt with the American war when Washington was alive
I stopped here for about 3 weeks at the end of this period I was shipped on one of the Channel steamers across to England We were treated to pretty well all comfort
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available
On board the boat the Amputation cases were provided with an orderly to look after their wants The Cabins were on deck so that in the event of a submarine attack we could be quickly transferred to the boats I had no dressing whilst on board The cabin was neatly appointed The walls painted white There were two berths in my cabin we lay at Calais about 12 hours
Upon landing in England German carriers were detailed to carry us from the boat "Brighton" to the waiting Red Cross Trains We soon started for our destination
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arriving there in night time
I dont know the name of the station we were taken off at. It may have been Shooters Hill As the train pulled into the Station men were (taken off put) ready to carry us to the motors We were wrapped in big white woolen blankets I thought how nice they were
Entered into conversation with a young orderly whose name was Kay. She and I met and corresponded with each other on and off till I left England.
What a bright inviting place the Brook War Hospital is after so much travelling! I was very weary They
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told me later that I looked like a little white rat. I was glad to see the other occupants of the ward who had just finished their supper
When I left the 56th Genl. Hospital I was dressed in pyjama trousers, cardigan and cap. These were exchanged when settled down to a night-dress I had a splint on the right leg and the stump was damaged up as well
We had a specialist come every Monday to inspect cases that were bad He advised the use of a [indecipherable] splint for my right leg This was two
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pieces of iron which ran each side of the leg. At the bottom was affixed a piece of wood to which the sole of the foot was glued
The great fault of this splint was that after the glue had been applied and the foot adhered to it when the handle was turned to screw the leg out (on the principle of a rack) the glue wasn’t sufficiently tenacious to prevent the heel of the foot breaking away
When the glue had been applied therefore the M.O. would in addition apply the bandages very tightly winding them round and round the foot. The pain
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naturally was extremely bad I was asked by the M.O. a young American to try and bear it At night it was his intention to apply morphine to let me go to sleep I hung on alright, and didn’t require any morphine at all which was a good thing as I didn’t like the idea of drugs or pain killers
Although marked a bad case I was, owing to the lower beds all having occupants put in one right up the end of the ward There was a nice fire near however Here I lay accustoming myself to my new surroundings. I soon became
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acquainted with the occupants of the ward round about me.
There were I think 3 or 4 Australians in the ward altogether. The most at any time was 7 or 8. The rest were Imperial or Scottish The ward was a fine place. I arrived in November Winter was in, and the fires were in requisition Was not long before visitors came in to see me
The English people are very kind They would do anything possible for Australian soldiers. People with whom I had become acquainted were well to the fire, and tried to entertain me to the best of their ability There was also several of what are termed ward visitors
Sugar as it is at present, was very scarce, they would bring me along some that had
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been collected from the girls at Woolwich Arsenal. They I think, preferred that we should have it – they would do without it themselves that it should be so. Oh there was great sacrifices made One can look back now and think upon them
Christmas Day was of course, spent in bed. The dinner was a feature of the festivities Christmas Day is much more elaborated even than in Australia a whole week of festivities only concluding New Year’s Day.
The ward was specially decorated for the occasion Sister had gone to a great deal of trouble in this matter. She also called into requisition those of the patients who were able to help. They did very well too. Some
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of the bed patients for weeks were busy covering branches with paper affixed by wire. The finished effect was similar to peach-blossoms or almond-blossoms.
Every alternate bed had an electric light Over these were affixed paper-bells. On a table in the centre were coloured glass lights.We had a greeting at the lower end of the ward fixed up by willing hands. Sister even decorated my piece of wood at the bottom of the bed with silvery spires.
When all the preparations were complete we had the matron and the colonel round to visit us. The festivities lasted till the last day of the old year. New Year’s Day in England is "kept up" as in Scotland or Australia?
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With the advent of the New Year things became quiet again settling down into their normality My chief occupation during these times was to write letters and read books Of course I was dressed daily.
After a while I got used to being dressed Although at the start of the dressings I didn’t like it at all My leg was shaved bare of all hair on one occasion and when it started to grow again the itch was bad – just like sitting in a bundle of nettles
One day was practically a repetition of another By degrees I was able to get up more and more. First of all when writing letters home I used to employ the temperature board It was
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quite nice when after a while I was able to sit up and write
It is wonderful when one is sick how little things are magnified into happenings of great importance For instance I used to think how nice it would be to sit at the table and write or wouldn’t it be interesting to be able to get up and have a look at the landscape from the window opposite.
When I got stronger I started in different kinds of work Bead making Teneriffe wheel work and embroidery.
The V.A.D.s as a rule were only too willing to be helpful to the patients. We would, of a night have our letters collected together and when she was going away at night would take them and post them for us.
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The chaps in surrounding beds would get "chummy" and talk Those who were any length of time in the ward would get acquainted Lights out was at 9. In an English Hospital I noticed rules were always carried out
Visitors were frequent and regular Thursdays and Sundays were the days, 2 till 4 after that the Sister would come in and with a "4 o’clock visitors please" notify them of the fact that it was time to go
The food question was a serious problem in England at this time When I first got to England the usual formula was to get into "queues" and wait this
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naturally was very fatiguing
By and by, the rationing system organised by Lord Rhondda was carried into effect. This minimised the unwieldy queue system, and was also the means of ensuring fair and equal distribution.
We in the hospital were well supplied A hot dinner – excellently served was provided in the middle of the day In addition it was a practice of the visitors to bring along extras in their visits.
Our raids were frequent usually they were a long way away from us although occasionally an aeroplane would come fairly close Woolwich Arsenal was not very far off us and it would take the and I take it the Germans were only too glad
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to have been able to blow up this important "supply station" of the guns.
The practice when an air raid was on was to sound the siren at Woolwich. This was a most blood curdling [indecipherable]. I think it caused more alarm than the machines themselves. After that lights were to be put out then the anti aircraft Guns would go off. Also maroons would be fired.
In the ceiling of D2 the ward that I occupied there was the mark where a shell had come through, penetrated our floor and gone to the next without however hurting any one
I had I think, altogether 3 operations in the hospital Also X Rays were
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frequent Didn’t mind the operations so much. It was the after effects of the eather that I didn’t like It takes a long time for it to work out of the system.
My brothers, Bert and Arch were in to see me and it was nice to talk to them Harold Davis paid a visit Frank Gates also came in He was afterwards killed
As I convalesced I used to go round the ward ward in my wheel chair cleaning up the brass in the ward also washing up, cleaning the Kiwi’s forks and spoons, out in the verandah on the rear of the ward.
We had a fine view from
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the back verandah It looked over meadows. In the distance was Sydenham. Intervening was the railway lines.
We had gramophones in the ward as well as a piano. It was the usual thing to set these going just after one o’clock Sister wouldn’t allow it before.
The Imperial hospitals are run on better lines than the Australian That is as regards systems etc The Australian hospitals were better equipped during the war as regards material The food in Imperial hospital was not as plentiful as in the Australian hospitals The meal in the middle of the day was a better one however
Amusement was plentiful
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and frequently parties of ladies would come round the ward to sing to the patients.
The Major was a quiet man He didn’t have much to say beyond the professional duties We had, as I said before a young American just I take it completing his course. At first he was without a commission but later on he secured it
The Red Cross was in the hands of a lady called Mrs Tonzean who used to do all possible for us – I speak now only of the Australian patients in the Imperial Hospital
Toward the latter part of my stay I used to go out for motor trips into the
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surrounding districts
I conducted several meetings of an evangelistic nature with the permission of the Ward sister Used to obtain the hymn books from the Chapel and taking them along to the ward would hand them round the different beds ask the chaps to join in with me Sometimes I was accompanied by a young organist name of Whitehead who also played hymn accompaniments on the piano
Whilst here I attended service in the Anglican Chapel The Chaplain of the hospital was an Anglican Minister. He always treated me very kindly Would come around the different beds of a night talking
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to the various patients – not that we were neglected by the other denominations. They would take it in turn to preach to Nonconformists
Speaking of the English Nursing staff they were speaking generally efficient in their work. It appeared to me that the Australian sisters were more free with the soldiers this would be on account of being fellow country women and the fact they were so far from home Quite a number of different nurses were in charge of my case day and night
The duty of a Charge Sister in the ward was to stand by when an air raid was in progress to I take it steady the patients. Sometimes the assistant staff nurses or sisters would come up as well. All fires
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were surrounded with screens so that no light would show. Stretchers would next be brought up so that in cases of emergency we would be carried away to safe places in the event of bombs dropping on the hospital
The air raid precautions amongst civilians may here be noticed as well. When an alarm was sounded the usual procedure was to take cover by getting in the tubes. They made excellent dugouts. Some of the poorer classes would take shelter there quite early in the daytime
My experience in conclusion as regards the people of Woolwich and surrounding parts was that they were kindness and hospitality personified and whenever I have the opportunity of speaking well of them
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but when we came to change over from one platform to another at Paddington Station I was put on a truck and wheeled across baggage, crutches, and all by the accompanying orderly
Reaching Southall, I climbed up the steps and was then put into a motor ambulance and transferred to a hospital Arriving at the hospital in early mrn. I was taken after particulars and allotted to "I" ward.
Southall Hospital before the war was run (by) under the title of Marlyebone School for boys. These boys I take it when war was declared were shifted to make room for the soldiers. Although a fine
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looking building it was not equal to the Brook War Hospital either in appearance or suitability
I struck trouble as soon as I reached the hospital on account of having somebodys wheel-chair It wasn’t my fault. I found the chair in the ward and in it went for a tour round the ward to see if I could find anyone who had been in the 3rd Battalion
Arriving at "A" Ward where all the double amputation cases were kept somebody taking me unawares that is coming up at the back of the chair laid hands on it. I foolishly lost control of myself.
The front of the schools was nicely laid out
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with grass. Flower beds were also noticeable. Croquet was indulged in by Sisters and patients. A picture show was held occasionally in the dining-hall, later transferred to the recreation room.
I was later on after admittance and upon request allowed to have a course of bootmaking in the Red Cross Workshops. This was a good idea for I was soon able to repair boots fairly well.
We were visited by different people some Australians and officers. I take it belonging to the Administrative Staff Sir Joseph Cook also visited us. We were visited by Mr. Hughes as well who made a speech and shook hands
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with us. He is very restless in his manner, and I think deaf.
I became attached to the Congregational Church here. Took a class also in the Salvation Army. Spoke on the Open Air.
During the week-days I would go and see the Boy-Scouts drills The Girl Guides also had a troup Upon leaving Southall I was given a photo of the Girl Guides and the boy scouts. I visited different people in the locality and was warmly welcomed.
Of a Saturday Afternoon a lady friend would come down and take me out for a walk in the chair. It was beautiful to go to the surrounding parts of Southall, Axbridge, Parish of Norwood, were two
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names that I well remember
One day I gave the boys of Southall Congregational Sunday School class an outing to Mr. Lobjoits meadows. He very kindly gave me the required permission to use them. How the boys enjoyed the outing! Owing to the shortages of foodstuffs I got each one to bring his own luncheon also tea Mrs. Lobjoit very kindly supplied us with the hot water to make tea with. After asking God’s blessing on the meal we set to and enjoyed the meal very much.
Going through the gates we came upon a party of German prisoners of war who were doing the work of Farm labourers They gave us "good day"
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Mrs. Lobjoit also had swings erected in the trees and the boys took it in turn to swing one another. They didn’t forget me either. I organised a game of football as well.
All the time I was in the wheelchair except to sit down on the grass. I brought the crutches too We spent a delightful afternoon The sun was shining practically all the time God blessed the day Coming home the boys sung and trudged along pushing me with them.
At night upon returning went to the Salvation Army Concert, called a "Popular" These were held every saturday night at the Hall, and we used to enjoy them very much
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After a programme refreshments were served The whole concluding with the doxology. Of a Sunday night would be asked to partake too at different homes.
You can see from all this what happy and blessed times these were despite the fact that there were some persecutions to undergo.
Occasionally in holding open air meetings we would see numbers of the soldiers stand around and listen to what was said and next day I would be questioned on the matter.
As I said the ward I was located in was I ward one of a [indecipherable] of 3. We were a very happy lot generally speaking
Underwent a further operations at Christmas time for the purpose
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of trying to straighten the bone of my right leg. It wasn’t a very successful operation. Whilst undergoing the necessary course of bed I was visited by numbers of little friends that I had come in contact with through the Sunday work
About the 8th November word came through that I was put on a boat-roll. This meant that I would expect to soon be back home again. I had a farewell feast at the home of one of the Salvationists and was presented with a little book "Soldier’s Guide" and thanked for (it) my services In reply I made a speech
I was a good deal out in my estimate of the time of leaving however left on Jany 19th!
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I also received a testimonial from the Caplain in regards to my services.
One great event of my stay at the Southall No 2 Hospital was the declaration of the Armistice which took place November 11th at 11 A.M. At this time I was in the Recreation room before Major Lethbridge being passed on my peg.
We were not long left in doubt as regards the fact that the Armistice had been signed for there was a sudden outburst of sirens hooters and whistles In the yard a line of men headed by the piper marched round and round the yard
A noticeable feature that night was the cleaning off of
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the white paint that the lamp glass had been shaded with. All the Motors were got together and the hospital patients were taken round London. That night in our prayers we thanked God for the victory to be.
The Armistice was felt to be a prelude to the final signing of peace. Certainly at times there were misgivings.
At Christmas time (the 2nd Christmas in hospital we had the wards decorated. They looked very pretty. General Birdwood who had not long come over from the front was in to see us thanking us for our part in the struggle. Mrs. McBride, the Agent General’s wife was also in.
We had additional Red Cross gifts Nuts were given
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Nuts in England more extensively used than in (England) Australia
Mrs. Southwell the representative of the Evening News also came in and paid a visit getting particulars of our different doings.
We had a couple of very heavy fogs one night in Southwell. It was hardly possible to push along in the chair.
One night the chaps felt hungry so I said I would go and buy fish for them By the time I got back most of them were asleep. I left the food on a plate and they eat it next morning Why I mention this was because each man gave me
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say a 1/- and when I had finished there must have been a matter of 6 different lots at 1/-!
My stay was drawing to a conclusion in the hospital of England January 19th was the day that I set out along with other troops to Southall Station and we were put into trains and sent away. Major Lethbridge came into the carriage shaking hands. We reached Paddington Station.
From the train I was transferred to what was a luggage room. Counter covered with Zinc. Here I sat until some one was able to put me aboard the train for Devonport. I was given my leg just previous to leaving Southall Station
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I had the calipher on my right leg but didn’t try on the other till I got aboard the "[Ulysses]" the name of the vessel that was to take us to Australia
At Exeter there was a party of volunteers who dispensed a cake and a mug of tea to each soldier In a bag was a card with [indecipherable] "With the Mayoress of Exeters compliments" I appreciated this very much We were in addition served with bread and salmon which had been brought in a bag from the hospital. The patients were in charge of a corporal who had been on the staff of the Southall No 2. Hospital.
Of course, before leaving Southall I visited my friends
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and said goodbye to them.
Was put into the hospital berth of the "Ulysses" This was on the top deck Our first experience of rough weather was on passing through the Bay of Biscay which is as usual very rough On board the vessel I later came on several third battalion men
The Red Cross were well to the fire in supplying clothes, etc – these for the time we put into the end of the bunk Passing through the Bay I had a slight headache but this passed away (thought I was going to be sick but was rit.) A good deal of my time was spent in reading
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Leaving the hospital I had brought a number of books with me to read. In addition I did some Teneriffe wheel work. Writing too was part of my occupation and when in the vicinity of Gibraltar I was able to put some letters in a tug which took them ashore.
The boat unloaded a matter of 25 men who had contracted the influenza after leaving England.
Gibraltar is just a big fortified rock – not a big place either. The vessel reached there at night time so that when we woke up it was to be confronted with the place bathed in the sun.
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Right at the summit was a naval gun painted to represent the colour of the cliff On a lower eminence was a battery of what looked to me like 6" Naval Guns.
As on a previous occasion when in the Meditteranian sea the sun shone brightly. It was quite a picnic day
After reaching Gibraltar we all seemed to be possessed with a feeling of expectancy due I take it to the fact that we were on the way home.
My spiritual experience alternated. Now I felt quite in communion, at other times this communion was broken.
The Officers and nurses
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now started to come out.
Previously they had not put in much of an appearance due I take it to the desire to get acquainted with their new surroundings
As I said we were on the top deck and could see them promenading up and down the deck As is usual one began to make acquaintances and on and off these continued throughout the voyage
The food was not too plentiful: enough for me, but others complained.
A church parade was held about this time to which we were all invited Dont know but think it was compulsory to go below deck
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Along with the other troops were some men who had been prisoners in Germany One of whom was blin] They described their experiences on different occasions saying the food was insufficient and poor.
Tried to get practice on walking around the deck on my wooden leg This was poor on account of the roll of the vessels most times
We had a chap die on the way after leaving Gibraltar He was buried at 8 o’clock The vessel was slowed down whilst the body was cast into the deep He had I believe died of haemorrhage. A bugler played the "last post".
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Of a morning I used to experience trouble in putting on my leg also the calipher.
Liking to have a wash before meals used to have to start some time previous as I was unaccustomed to putting on the what you might say was "harness" With practice however, I improved
Our next place for stopping was Port Said It is a very dry place, little grass to be seen. A native boy could, if money was thrown into the water, dive and securing it with his hand put it into his mouth. It was not long before he had his mouth quite full.
Whilst here we were able
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to get some very nice oranges from the Arabian venders. There were often boats too who would sell curios By about 8 oclock the sides of the vessel were quite lined up. The venders before being allowed to sell their wares were made to produce a licence
The mode of selling was a rope and basket. The men would put the money in this which would then he lowered and the equivalent in money then sent back The articles such as bags etc sold for souvenirs did not appear to me to be worth very much
Leaving Port Said we
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now entered the Suez Canal
It is a truly great piece of work. I am told although I didn’t see it that the statue of the man who did the work is erected at the entrance
The canal is just about wide enough for 2 boats to pass one another although there is not much room to spare Passing a vessel we seemed to go aground we certainly churned up the bottom
One of the sights of the canal is [indecipherable] which is an immense dump for war material
Owing to the sun my face now began to get
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burnt after the experience of the English and French climates
About this time I met a young chap named Sergt. Scarlett. In pre-war days he as my boy at the office I was employed in!
Our next Port of call was Suez a dry and uninteresting place on the other side of the Canal. My friend and I tried to hold a Bible class amongst the men of the vessel without much success however.
My next effort was washing my clothes out These were hung out to dry.
Passed a number of ships The region we were now travelling in was infest-
[Page 114]
ed with sharks.
The bathing accomodation was very limited and it was doubly difficult for me to secure a decent bath on a/c of my disability. We had a library and by depositing 1/- we were able to secure a book
Discussions on various subjects were the rule – one of them being the work of the Y.M.C.A. They did not seem to like the Y.M.C.A. In an argument I tried to point out to them that a balance sheet was provided to show what was done with the collected money. The Salvation Army was more highly spoken of.
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Operations were performed. These would not be carried out unless absolutely necessary. A chap had a small piece of bone taken out of his leg. The M.O. put me to have massage of the leg of a morning. This necessitated a climb down stairs get there
Nearing Colombo wrote more letters so that I could post them to different people in England. Arriving at Colombo we were not allowed to go ashore immediately. The coolies were put to work loading coal to carry us on the rest of our way. Their method is slow and cumbrous – simply handing the bags from
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one to another There appears to be no man in charge of them a great deal of gesticulations and shouting prevails
The next morning orders were given for the troops to go ashore I decided I would make one of them Having dressed I pushed through the other men to the forepart of the vessel. They allowed me through on a/c of disability. Going down the gangway into the lighters was an hazardous enterprise but was accomplished quite safely. Later noticed another chap had fallen into the water.
After landing at the
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jetty and climbing the steps found waiting for us a number of vehicles – gharris Motor cars etc. which had been chartered by Mr. [indecipherable] ([indecipherable] & Co) so was told who is the YMCA representative for the conveyance of the men who found it a difficult matter to walk. In these we reached the Barracks.
This was my second visit to Colombo. As previously the weather was hot and humid The town is well set out the shops are commodious and well built. The roads are well kept. A feature of the place are the Rickshaws pulled by the coolies. I decided that I would have a look round
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the town and hired a rickshaw for the purpose
Before setting out I took care to ascertain from an Imperial man of the garrison what the right charge would be, he said 1/6 for an hour and a half. Trying to get through to inspect the native quarters I was held up by a guard and had to turn back Told the Rickshaw man not to hurry himself as I considered it was not a man’s work but a horse’s work to pull another about. He said it was alright.
Into my mind came the thought that I would increase the amount to 2/-. I didn’t have the full [indecipherable]
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Upon getting out of the vehicle wanted 3/-! Well I told him I was prepared to give 2/- but he stuck out for 3/- Told him that he could take the 2/- or none at all
Getting nearer the Barracks could see some of the natives selling pineapples and bananas. White people probably hear of altercations scuffles etc between natives and members of the A.I.F. let me say that in this instance there could easily have been trouble and it wouldn’t have been altogether the soldier’s fault had it been so.
A soldier purchased some fruit and tendered a 10/- note to the boy. He wanted to take [10/6]
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exchange. The xcange on £1 is only [6d].
The A.I.F. man had a talk about it and the talk soon became heated. However the native became satisfied to take [3d] for 10/-
Another man sold me some little elephants and also postcards There was also a number of walking sticks sold as souvenirs The Y.M.C.A. representative had also arranged that we should be supplied with drivers for a nominal sum, very nice and very clean they were too.
In the afternoon the Congolese Native Band gave a recital for the benefit of the soldiers. Coming back
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to the wharf I noticed an English sergeant kick a coolie very hard because he did not appear to understand what was required of him
The same difficulty was apparent to me in embarking for the return journey The lighters rocked a good deal. Arriving at the ship I was helped up the ladder or pathed gangway and soon settled down for the night
We are taught in the Bible that there are 7 things that God hates One is a shedder of innocent blood The thought came what of Germanys action in this war? According to the papers there has been numberless atrocities alleged to Germanys
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account from time to time
From the start I took the call to "give up all and follow me" as the best means of obeying the command. Why should not this be so?
It was not long after leaving Colombo that we crossed the line. I tried very hard to get the men to put the lights out to the right time and allow me sleep without success. I asked the Orderly Officer to do this too then I had a look for the M.O. The sunsets hereabout were beautiful to watch and were I an (officer) artist I might try and describe the intense beauty of it all. The color changed very rapidly.
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We now began to expect Fremantle very shortly. Fremantle from the distance seems to me to be a very small place. We anchored a good way out from the town itself. The houses in the distance appeared to have tin roofs. We could see bushfires
The Port Surgeon came later and the Red Cross authorities with fruit for the troops. Getting these aboard was a difficult matter but was eventually solved by means of a rope and a pulley.
We lost no time in getting under way. Some men fishing from the side of a vessel caught a shark which was admired although only a small one
In a book that I read about this
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time was a mention of Lloyd George escaping from a Town Hall disguised as a policeman to escape an infuriated mob of men who had become annoyed
We heard that influenza was very prevalent in Sydney at this time
We now came in contact with the Albatrosses. These are graceful birds to whom it seems no effort to fly with the vessels. They soar round in huge circles scarcely moving their wings
The men about this time after continuous interruptions from myself compromised in that they put a blanket at the foot of the bunk so as to shield me from the light
I still continued with my reading of different books
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Shortly we reached Adelaide. Again we were not allowed ashore owing to influenza restrictions as at Fremantle. More Red Cross gifts arrived and we each got a share
The men from the tugs started to throw up fruit from the tugs to the troops. An officer came down and used summary means to prevent the men scrambling after same In addition we were each supplied with papers which beguiled the tedium of the voyage for some time onwards.
Our next port of call Melbourne. Troops were landed in tugs and taken to the Quarantine area along with their baggage I noticed passing a flagstaff on a prominent
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position shorewards that the flag was dipped as the vessel passed
We entered the harbour at Williamstown and proceeded to take in water. One thing to note is the young man who pumped the water wore a suit worth quite £6. It would have been far better for him to have worn a cheaper and kept the better
Our vessel was overdue. The captain of the water boat wanted to get more water. Our captain angrily refused to wait any longer and the water boat steamed away. The captain and others aboard cooeeing to the angry chief
We passed the Heads at Port Phillip in the midst of an angry sea. The waves were
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high, and the pilot who had guided us through the shallows here left. It was an hazardous experience getting down the ladder which ran down the side of the vessel into a small rowing boat but it was accomplished quite safely. The last scene of the pilot steamer was the better boat drawing alongside
We were now well on the way to Tasmania
The next morning broke stormy and grey looking. We passed some rocks which were shaped similarly to a cathedral As we came to the head of the Derwent schools of porpoises approached the boat. The water turns with them.
At the entrance was a light
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house. The Derwent is very deep. It is a beautiful river as we steamed along the intense stillness was very noticeable. The Derwent is like Sydney Harbour only very much smaller
Here we left my friend Webster who lives quite close by. The little launch which took the Tasmanians ashore made 4 trips in all
We only stopped here about 4 hours in all and then started on our journey for Sydney.
We were still accompanied by the Albatrosses and as we got closer to the Australian coast were joined by smaller birds. A feature to be noticed here in regard to the Albatrosses birds who fly long distances out of sight of any land, and
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then the birds, who keep close to the lands and habours, is that the one is strong and graceful the other in comparison small and futile. Is there not a lesson to be learnt by us from this?
We approached Sydney Harbour one Saturday afternoon at 3/30. The Pilot Steamer "Captain Cook" approached and we followed her inside the Sydney Heads for our moorings for quarantine. The vessels all saluting us with calls on the ships sirens. This was continued for some time.
When the Health Officer drew alongside the vessel he was wearing a mask. The men resented this and bombarded the launch with potatoes and also kept talking. I didn’t agree with this at
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all, saying to some that they were only doing their duty – it wouldn’t be nice for us to take the flu home to our own people The Health Officer as the result of this wouldn’t come aboard but deferred the inspection till the morrow
On the next day meetings were held in which it was decided not to go ashore. I held aloof and later when the Sergeant came asking for men to go ashore I was one of the first to go down the gangway. I quite expected that something would happen but not so.
There was a number of others followed me – the rest of the men came over in another party so that it was not long before we were all ashore. Landing we
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were put on motors – that is the ones who found it difficult to get along Our way was uphill
The tents were right on the top of Quarantine Reserve. There was no special accomodation for cripples. We were put into ordinary tents. One man filled me a mattress – another got me tea.
Next day representations were made for a separate marquee for us. This was supplied also wire mattresses with legs on them We slept very well for the rest of the stay in Quarantine. A separate marquee was used for serving the meals.
The War Chest and the Aust Comforts Fund I noticed had a hand in supplying extras for the troops. The Y.M.C.A. was in charge of
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Mr. Davis a returned man who organised different events to while away the stay in quarantine. He asked me to write an account of this for him to send to H.Q. which request I complied with.
Here we could write letters play draughts, and obtain a drink of tea. Whilst here we were taken in a motor car down to the Baths. Of course we received letters from home
Before finally leaving we had a concert (an impromptu) in the tent. Noticed that the rocks down by the baths were marked with the names of different men who had been incarcerated from time to time through sickness etc
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The S S Kurin-Gai took us along to Wooloomooloo Bay. A Band was in attendance to play us off. Motor Cars then took us off along to the Buffet where we were allowed to meet our relatives Just outside I came in contact with Mr. Kelly my old schoolmaster. We were soon put into another car and after a weeks leave was granted proceeded home
Was greatly surprised to see a string of flags flying as a "welcome home". A nice meal was ready. The Pastor came in and had tea too. Later there was a Social Gathering Was not admitted to the hospital at once but became for sometime an outpatient. There was nothing much to be done for me
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as my wounds had all healed up. Later on I broke my artificial limb supplied at Southall and put it in for repairs where it still remains owing to the shortages of material for taking a cast of the stump
This about concludes my experiences in the Great War eventful enough for me.
[Transcribed by Sandra Mutton for the State Library of New South Wales]