Letter - undated - probably 30 Nov 1914

This letter is written by A.G. Adams to his mother. There is no envelope (therefore no postmark/stamp) and the date on top right is confusing (12 June is not possible). A.G. Adams refers to the predicted arrival in Port Said the following day. The 5th Battalion Unit Diary (AWM ref. 23/22/1) notes the Battalion arrived in Port Said on 1st December 1914.

A.G. Adams writes about their run ashore to the Globe Hotel, Colombo, getting about in rickshaws, visiting the museum, the cinnamon gardens and a Buddhist temple.

Note the letterhead - Mounted Cadets Melbourne.

Dear Mother,

We got to Colombo at about 6:30a.m. and after breakfast we all went ashore together. We went to the Globe Hotel and from there we started out in carriages. At least all of them except Head, Nicholson, Cleveland and I, who had rickshaws. We went to the Museum, Cinnamon Gardens, and a Buddhist temple. In all we went about 16 miles. All this was before lunch. In the afternoon we went round the town and took a train-ride through the native quarters. Had tea and went on a short rickshaw ride, 22 all in a line, and went down to the boat. After we left Colombo it was fairly rough and when we got into the Red Sea it was hot for one day. Ever since that it has been nice and cool. We got into Suez at about 7 a.m. and having passed the Doctor started up the band. We expect to arrive in Port Said at about 4 a.m. tomorrow (1st December 1914). We have had Church Parade tonight as there was no service this morning. I've been to 8 services since we left. 
There is no more news so good bye.
I remain your lovingly

Athol

Postcard - undated - probably November 1914

This postcard seems to be written from the H.M.A.T. Orvieto on the way to Colombo.

A. G. Adams mentions that the weather is hot and details some of the routine of a soldier's life on board a convoy ship.

Dear Mater,

The fine weather still continues. It has not been so very hot though we have had a following wind. 

Colonel Ryan has been very solicitous of my welfare and always asks how I am getting on. We have not had much work since getting into the hot weather. We work from 9 o'c until 11:30, and from 2 till 3. Then the N.C.Os have a lecture until 4 and drill until 4:30. Sometimes we have the lecture from 8pm to 9. And of course don't get the 3 to 4 .....

We're not allowed to give dates or places or particulars of anything so it is pretty difficult to write anything that has to pass the censor.

 I'm putting on weight fast. In fact I'm as fat as butter. Norm Marshall sends kind regards. I'll send a letter closed but it will be held back a week or so.

Love

Athol.

Letter - 24 November 1914 - Colombo, Ceylon

On 15 November 1914, the convoy arrived in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). At the time, the H.M.A.S. Sydney was carrying the German Navy prisoners rescued from the Emden. On the 16th November, four officers and 48 men of the Emden were transferred from the H.M.A.S. Sydney to the H.M.A.T. Orvieto.

The prisoners were held at the extreme end of the after well-deck. The German Navy officers refused parole and were accommodated in a cabin with sentry attached. These prisoners included Captain von Mueller and the Kaiser's nephew Prince Franz-Jozef von Hohenzollern, a second torpedo Lieutenant.

Leave was not granted to the vast majority of the 28,500 men and women aboard the transport ships. A.G. Adams was allowed ashore. His account of this is in a the 30 November letter.

The convoy departed on 17 November 1914 and headed for the Red Sea.

A.G. Adams wrote this letter as the Ovieto approached Aden, Yemen (at the entrance to the Red Sea).
The letter was written to his mother 'Mater' and refers to the German prisoners from Emden, the collision between the A9 H.M.A.T. Shropshire and the A11 H.M.A.T. Ascanius, Ovieto steaming passed the island of Socotra (off the Horn of Africa) and seeing large schools of porpoises.

A transcription of the letter appears at the end.



The text of the letter reads:

H.M.A.T. 'A3' S.S. Orvieto
24.11.14
Nearing Aden

Dear Mater,

We stayed outside the breakwater at Colombo and only a few of the officers got ashore. They wouldn't allow the natives or any motor boats to come out so it wasn't very exciting. We have 46 prisoners also the Captain and four other officers, including a nephew of the Kaiser all from the Emden on board. The only difference it makes to us is that we have double guard duty. The prisoners, which are nearly all stokers etc, as the gun crews were all killed, are on the main deck right aft. There are three petty officers and these sleep in a cabin but are with the rest during the day time. The officers eat in the ......  and have cabins in the promenade deck. They refused to give their parole so of course we have armed sentries on them all the time.

The seniority list of NCOs is coming out in the course of a few days. I believe, and I am told on good authority that I am the 2nd Colour Sgt on the list. I'm not certain but I believe it's right.

We have been vaccinated and there are a few sore arms. I am not ..... at all so far. I didn't .... last year so I suppose I'm immune. We left Colombo about eleven a.m. on the 17th. A lot of the boats didn't leave till 8:30 that night. We had the Hampshire convoying us whilst the Ibouki looked after the others. The latter caught and passed us and headed for Aden. This morning we put on speed and left the rest and have been doing about 15 or 16 knots.

I believe there is to be an enquiry held to investigate a collision which occurred between the Ascanius  with the West Australians and the Shropshire  with the artillery.

We arrive about 7am tomorrow. I believe we are to pick up another Indian contingent from Bombay somewhere about here or anyway before we reach Port Said.

This morning we passed a transport going the opposite direction. She started turning round and manoeuvring in a funny way. The Hampshire went over and told her to get and she went like a rabbit.

Yesterday we passed along the north coast of Sakotra (the island Socotra, off the Horn of Africa). We have seen thousands of porpoises the last two days in great big schools. We had another pre 'alarm' just now for practice.

There doesn't seem to be any thing else. I've been A1. Remember me to all enquiring friends.

Yours lovingly

Athol

P.S. I'm enclosing some effort by the Col Sgt of 'G' Coy. A.G.A.

Letter - 13 November 1914 - The Emden runs aground

On 13 November 1914 the following letter was sent by A.G. Adams to his mother (Adah Emilie Sherwood) who was staying at the Orient Hotel, Collins Street, Melbourne. The letter is addressed to her as 'Mater'.

This letter is being posted a little earlier than the due date, 13 November 1914, as it refers to the capture of the Emden on 10 November 1914.

The text of the letter reads:

H.M.A.S. A3   S.S. Orvieto
Nearing Colombo 13-11-14

Dear Mater,

I've sent you a P.C. which ought to have reached you about a week or more ago. We have  been steaming about 10 knots since we left Albany. There are 28 Australian troopers and 10 New Zealanders. We have been lying in three columns with the New Zealanders behind and between the outer lines with the Orvieto leading the centre line.

There is a diagram here showing the arrangement of the leading ships in the convoy.

 We started out with the 'Minotaur', 1st class cruiser, the Sydney & Melbourne, and the 'Ibuki' a Japanese pre Dreadnought battleship. About the 6th 'Minotaur' steamed away scouting. Then on the 9th about 6:30am the Cocos Island signal station sent a message 'S.O.S. strange cruiser entering harbour'. Within ten minutes the Sydney had steamed away at 27 knots. A little after nine she was in action with the 'Emden' and chased the latter due north or straight towards us. You should have seen the Melbourne and 'Ibouki', they both got out on our western flank with smoke just pouring out of their funnels. The 'Ibouki' had to steam right across our bows to get there from her station on the other flank and she looked great with the water coming away from her bows in great waves and the smoke belching from her stacks and forming a background. But as it turned out there was no cause for alarm as the Sydney did the job on her own in 20 minutes and forced the Emden to run ashore to save herself from foundering. We were going to have the prisoners on here and had all arrangements made but the Empress of Asia went and got them from the Sydney. Yesterday the Empress of Asia, a new C.P.R boat passed us doing about 25 knots bound for the Cocos Islands to get the guns off the Emden and to repair the cable station. She is a fine boat 17,500 tons, three funnels and cruiser stern. She mounts 4, six-inch guns I believe.

The New Zealanders and a couple of our boats went ahead today doing 12 knots. They will reach Colombo about 3 hours ahead of us. I don't know how long we will be there - probably about 4 days. I'm writing this in my pyjamas and I'm as hot as the deuce. Nothing much happens on board. We have the same routine every day. I don't know anybody's address so I'm posting everything care of you. Please forward same.

The Hampshire joined us today as escort. She is a sister ship to the 'Monmouth' which was sunk. They have inoculated us twice for enteric and we are to be vaccinated this week. There doesn't seem to be anything else. Regards to all.

Yours lovingly, Athol 

NOTES

A list of the convoy of troops ships which left Albany on 1st November 1914 can be found at: https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/25396510/anzac-flotilla-arrives-in-albany/
Follow the link to: Ships in the original Albany convoy

Cape Leeuwin was the last of the visible coast of Australia many of these troops were to see for many years. For some it was to be the last time they ever saw their homeland.

Athol refers to the capture of the Emden in his letter.
Since 2 August, when war was declared by Germany on Russia, the German ship Emden had been operating on the open sea as a lone wolf raider. On 4 August 1914, she took her first prize the Russian passenger ship Rjasan. During the next three months, Emden, under the command of Captain von Muller, sunk 15 English ships. She also took other prizes including the Greek steamer Pontoporos.

On 9 November, HMAS Melbourne received a signal from the Cocos-Keeling Group (Australian) saying 'enemy warship off island'. The convoy carrying the Australian and New Zealand troops was then about 60 miles from Cocos Keeling. HMAS Sydney reached top speed of 27 knots and headed off to capture the enemy raider and protect the troop ships. Emden had 10 guns of 4.1-inch calibre and Sydney had 6-inch guns allowing her to stay outside Emden's range. The battle lasted nearly two hours with Sydney claiming victory and Emden run aground and badly damaged.