Friday, 25 December 2015

Letter - 25 December 1915 - Tel-el-Kebir camp

Athol writes home to Mother on Christmas Day. He has received her Christmas gift parcel and other boxes of supplies for the Christmas feast. In December he was moved from Maadi camp to another camp and then yet another transfer to the Tel-el Kebir camp (see image at bottom of this blog-post). By late December, his transport unit were waiting for the rest of the Anzac Corps to arrive back from Lemnos, Greece. The 5th Battalion would arrive in Tel-el Kebir in early January.

This is the longest letter so far.








Tel-el-Kebir Camp
25-12-15

Dear Mater,

Just a line to hope you have had a good day. I received your Xmas parcel with the leather coat, pipe-pouch, and all the other bonza things quite recently, also two of the regular parcels and also the rug, for all of which many thanks.

The coat is the envy of everyone who has seen it and if we had stayed at Maadi a bit longer I was going to hire a dog-cart to match the rug.

We've had two moves in less than a week. Last Monday we moved from the Southern Camp, Maadi, to the Northern Camp, about half a mile but as it means striking tents packing all gear and taking up horse lines etc and then reversing the process it is a pretty big job. The having worked hard all Tuesday straightening things up, we got orders to leave from here on Wednesday morning about 7pm that night. We cleared out from Maadi about 10:15am, got into Tel-el Kabir siging about 12:45, trucked horses and wagons and left about 4pm arriving here about 7:30pm. We trucked gear and horses, bivouac-ed the night and next morning pitched tents and put down horse lines. I cleared out to Cairo Friday morning to get some things for the mens' Xmas dinner. They had half a chicken, 1/2 lb of potatoes, 1/4 tin pineapple 1/3 tin beans each and as we got a 'billy' each the morning we left Maadi they did pretty well.

I don't know if I thanked you for the two cases of groceries also the ...same. Apart from some chickens everything we had in our mess was out of your boxes. We had tomato soup, whitebait a la pate, sweet corn, boiled chicken with peas, beans and potatoes, then two helpings of p-p, a cigar and a creme-de-menthe jube. We drank your health in tea, it being the strongest drink in camp. We had the other pudding the day before. Altogether I got 6 sixpences, a boomerang and a horseshoe.

When I was in Cairo on Xmas Eve there was a big charity show at Shepheards (see image below), a Xmas tree and various things to buy, there was a very big and bright crowd so I suppose it was a success.

This camp is right alongside the Cairo-Ismailia line, and the site of the battlefield of 1882 is within a short walk. Our fellows have quite a lot of relics already including a George IV sovereign of 1830.

We expect to have the Battalion here any day now. This is an ideal site for a camp and we will have 28 battalions alongside one another in one line. When all the troops are here it will be as big again as Mena was.

I found that I had forgotten to enclose the photo I was talking about so here it is. I'll be sending a good few more soon as the chap that took them has a chance to print them off.

I haven't had any letters for a long time but I suppose they'll come one day. Can't think of anything else.

Love to Pater and Aunt Puff.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

AWM image Ref: C00207
This is Tel el Kebir camp between Cairo and the Suez Canal. Athol arrived here in late December 1915 and awaited the rest of his battalion to which were shipped from Gallipoli/Lemnos
in early January 1916. 

Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo
Kairo , Shepheard's Hotel." by New York Public Library
Athol visited Shepheards a few times in December including Xmas eve 1915 for a charity show.







Sunday, 20 December 2015

All ANZAC troops leave Gallipoli - 20 December 1915

All the Anzac troops had left the Gallipoli peninsular by 20 December - without any loss and without the knowledge of the Turks. The arrangements were planned and carried out by Birdwood and his staff. All the artillery was withdrawn with only a few damaged items remaining on Turkish soil.

The last of the British and French troops were withdrawn from Cape Helles on 8 January.

_______________________

Australian casualties were 8,587 killed and 19,367 wounded during the campaign
(25 April 1915 to 20 December 1915)

The total British and colonial forces (but not including Navy) losses were:
Killed  33,532
Wounded 78,518
Missing 7,689
Total casualty list 119,739

In addition, it is estimated that there were about
100,000 evacuated during the campaign due to sickness.

AWM Image ref: P03717.009
General Sir William Birdwood (in a 1920 portrait)

Thursday, 17 December 2015

Medals

Please note that a new page has been added to the Blog today.

On the main blog page is a grey-shaded with a series of 'tabs' with red text. The new 'tab' is entitled 'Medals'.

17 December 2015 - Shell Green cricket match

On 17 December 1915, a cricket match was held on a flat patch of ground called Shell Green just above Anzac Cove.


Australian War Memorial image: H00345
December 1915


This War Memorial image shows a view of Shell Green looking downhill and to the west. Before the Great War, this small plot of flat-ish ground was used by the Turkish farmers to grow cotton. Apart from the narrow strip of sandy beach, it was the only land suitable for cricket around Anzac cove. Unfortunately it was clearly visible from the Turkish lines. The players decided to go ahead anyway.

The idea was to deceive the Turks into thinking that all was normal. In fact, the evacuation of Allied troops had already begun. The 5th Battalion was already back on Lemnos Island and the last troops were to depart three days later on 20 December 1915. The cricket game ceased when shells landed nearby.

CEW Bean's photograph of the cricket match on Shell Green.
Australian War Memorial image: G01289

Batting at the southern end is Major George Macarthur-Onslow of the Australian 7th Light Horse. You might note his wonderful follow-through,  the close-in fielders, and lack of crowd cheering them on. Apparently the Major was the leading figure in this venture, both as organiser and batsman.

Major Macarthur-Onslow was born in Australia, at 'Camden Park', Menangle. He was a descendant of John Macarthur who arrived in Sydney on the HMS Scarborough with the second fleet. Major Macarthur-Onslow was educated at Rugby school in England and was commissioned in the NSW Mounted Rifles in 1895. He remained a career army officer after the war and later pursued other business and political interests. The Australian Dictionary of Biography notes that according to Sir Harry Chauvel, Major Macarthur-Onslow was 'full of dash and initiative, quite fearless and possessing the entire confidence of his men'.

A cousin of mine (Charlie M) recalls meeting, on a number of occasions, an elderly friend of his grandfather's, a Frank Buckle, who may have played in the famous Shell Green cricket match. Frank was a very capable sportsman scoring 270 for North Sydney against Paddington in the 1920-1 season in the 2nd Grade. He went on to become the 1st captain of the Northern Districts cricket team.

Frank also played two games for the NSW Waratahs (Rugby Union) in 1914 before enlisting.

Corporal Frank Buckle (service number 18373) served with the 7th Field Artillery Brigade. He was a Sydney boy, raised in the suburb of Cremorne. After the war he practiced as an architect.

______________

Today Shell Green is the site of a cemetery containing 429 graves of which 408 are Australian war dead.

One of the men buried here is the brother of A. B. Facey, author of 'A Fortunate Life'. Roy Facey of the 11th Battalion and his mate were killed by the same shell. A.B. Facey (Albert) helped to bury his brother along with the 15 mates all killed on 28 June 1915. A.B. Facey records in his book:
 ‘we put them in a grave side by side on the edge of a clearing we called Shell Green. Roy was in pieces when they found him. We put him together as best we could – I can remember carrying a leg – it was terrible’.
Bodies of 11th Battalion members including AB Facey's brother. They are laid out on Shell Green just as told by AB Facey in his book 'A Fortunate Life'. AWM ref: P02023.002


Shell Green cemetery, Commonwealth War Graves Commission image at:







Friday, 11 December 2015

Unit Diary update - 11 December 1915 - leaving Gallipoli

On 11 December 1915, 5th and 6th battalions of the 2nd Infantry Brigade withdrew from their trenches. In the late afternoon they silently made their way to North Pier. They embarked on lighters and after being on the water for two hours were embarked on HMT Abbassiah. They were shipped back to Lemnos that evening and arrived at Mudros Harbour at about 9am on 12 December. The men were all ashore by lunchtime and marched to Sarpi Camp.

On 13 December the 8th Battalion arrived from Anzac and later on 20 December the 7th Battalion joined them at Sarpi.

So by 20 December the whole 2nd Brigade were together again and joined by the 4th Light Horse and 1st and 2nd Field Ambulance. They commenced training and refitting.

The Brigade remained at Sarpi Camp over Christmas and until the end of December 1915. As a result they did not take part in the famous evacuation of Gallipoli just prior to Christmas.

In December 1915, Athol was still in Egypt.


.
Ah well! We’re gone! We’re out of it now.
We’ve something else to do.
But we all look back from the transport deck to the
land-line far and blue:
Shore and valley are faded; fading are cliff and hill;
The land-line we called ‘Anzac’ …
and we’ll call it ‘Anzac’ still!



Lieutenant Oliver Hogue, 14th Light Horse Regiment, NSW, of Glebe, Sydney, NSW. 

Monday, 30 November 2015

Letter - 1 December 1915 - settling in a Maadi camp

Athol writes home to Mother. He meets up with some of the other expats and servicemen in the area. He starts French lessons with a group of others from Maadi Camp and says he is picking up some Arabic from the locals working around the Camp. They continue with their gardening efforts and he and the vet acquire pet canaries.






Maadi Camp
Cairo
1-12-15

Dear Mater

No letters so far but I've had two lots of chocolate from Webbs. I suppose I'll get a lot in a bunch very soon. I'm sorry I missed last mail but I had to go before a board re some .... for store just when I had got settle down to write and so I only got one or two away.

I had dinner with the Stewarts again last Saturday week. They are at Heliopolis now but came in to Shepheards. Dr Russell from Lockhart was there, also Norman Dale. Our vet was attached to one of the Light Horse Brigades and was here for some time during the first part of the year and so knows a good many people here. He introduced me to a few and also an Italian family at  ...... which is only about 10 mins in the tram from here. They do not speak English as do some of the others. So my French is getting a bit of a polish. Also 4 or 5 of us have French lessons 6 times a week from a Greek lady who lives just outside the camp. We started right from the beginning as some of them knew no French at all but its good practice for me and when we get on a bit it will be alright. We've had 4 lessons so far and she seems pretty good.

I've also met a very nice Greek family in Cairo but they speak fluent English. I think I told you that we have 'walads' or native boys to do odd jobs and water the gardens around our tents. One of our boys (we have two) speaks good English and the other a little and I'm picking up a bit of Arab.

I'm enclosing a photo (I do not have this in my collection) one of the men took one day when I was registering all the natives employed in our lines. The little one in white with his back to the camera is Suliman Labbeh or 'Jack Jones' and the one behind me is Hassaneen. Jack Jones we call the official interpreter and Hassaneen is the Sergeant Walad. Our lines look A.1 now as we have white stones laid round the tents and along the paths, and maize, barley and various native grasses etc between and round the tents. The Vet has a canary and two gold finches and I had two canaries but one got out last night.

It has been quite cold lately but today is alright. I saw a a paper of October 18 today giving the opening of .... Convalescent Hospital. It seems to have been a fine voluntary effort. I can't think of any news.

My love to Aunt Puff and Pater.

Remember me to all enquiring friends

Yours lovingly

Athol.


Thursday, 26 November 2015

Unit Diary update - 26 November - snow

On 26 November the 'silent ruse' commenced. Orders were for no firing, no bomb throwing and no periscope rifles during the evening of 26 November. This was a start of a new pattern of engagement which was designed to set the scene for the withdrawal of allied troops from the Dardanelles.

The 2nd Brigade unit diary records the weather on 26 November in the evening as 'very squally'. Light rain began at about 5pm and as the temperature dropped this turned to sleet and later snow. This weather was very cold for our men. The 5th Battalion were 'well covered' - but essentially still camping, the 8th were in partial dug-outs and the 6th and 7th Battalions were only under waterproof sheets and blankets. Trench boots and capes were not yet issued to the men.


AWM image ref: P00046.040
Gallipoli Peninsular - photograph probably taken during the bad weather of 26-30 November 1915


Around 200 British soldiers froze to death at Suvla Bay during this blizzard. Between 30 November and 8 December, over 15,500 men were evacuated from the Gallipoli peninsular due to illness and medical conditions brought on by the terrible weather. At No 3 Australian General Hospital at Lemnos Island many lost feet and toes due to frostbite and gangrene.

In late November Athol was still stationed in the Maadi camp with the 5th Battalion's transport horses. He was not subjected to these dreadful conditions.

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Socks - a winter necessity

Meanwhile, on the home front, women and girls were busying themselves supporting their men on the Gallipoli peninsular and in Egypt. Huge amounts of money were raised at events, all sorts of necessities and comforts were hand-crafted, boxed up and sent to the men at the front.

Like many mothers in Melbourne, Athol's mother, Adah Emily Sherwood, was active with the Anzac Buffet, the Red Cross, and the Quamby Club. See this post: http://notmentionedindispatches.blogspot.com.au/p/the-home-front-adah-emily-sherwood.html. Funds were raised, comforts created, collected and sent by these organisations. Adah organised many of these efforts.

In November 1915 the northern hemisphere winter was approaching and the men needed socks, balaclavas and scarves. Thousands of these articles were knitted in Australia, bundled up, and sent in parcels across the globe.  Many of these parcels contained personalised notes.

In particular the men appreciated socks. Many of these socks were knitted to the pattern set out in this little booklet 'The Grey Sock'.


This handy little booklet was produced from 1914-1918. It sets out the instructions for knitting socks for soldiers during WW1. This particular copy is held at the Power House museum in Sydney is thought to be from the 1914-15 period.

For the Grey Sock booklet and its full knitting instructions see:

This is an example of a note included with the socks.

Exhibit at the State Library of NSW


This image shows Sydney ladies bundling together socks to be sent to the front. 125,636 pairs were raised in this particular appeal - the 'War Chest Sock Appeal' in 1917. During the course of the war over a million socks were knitted.

Exhibit at the State Library of NSW
Image titled "War Chest" Sock Appeal, May 1917 : 1 of 3 photos of workers handling goods by G. A. Hills

By late November the Gallipoli peninsular was getting quite cold - particularly cold for Australians not used to snow, sleet and freezing rain. The average nighttime temperature averages at 8°C and in December that would fall to an evening temperature average of 5°C. The wettest month of the year is December in that part of Turkey with an average of 118mm. 

Athol mentions receiving a large parcel of socks from his mother in this letter:
In this delivery, there were enough socks for the entire 'C' company with left overs for other men in 'F' and 'H' companies and more left over to be raffled. They were greatly appreciated and that was in Summer.

Another sock recipient was Albert B. Facey (1894-1982). Perhaps you have read his book 'A Fortunate Life' which was published when he was 86 years of age. He was born in Melbourne but having moved to Western Australian as a child he joined the 1st AIF in Perth as an infantryman in the 11th Battalion.



This Anzac soldier, a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign, won two literary awards for the book which was subsequently turned into a play and a TV mini-series. It remains a popular book to this day. One charming story tells of AB Facey receiving a Red Cross parcel whilst on the Peninsular. In the parcel was a pair of socks with a note from the young lady who knitted the socks. After the war he met the sock-knitter, Evelyn Mary Gibson, and married her.

Another recently published book collates the collection of WW1 letters sent by Thomas Rutledge to his mother in the village of Bungendore, NSW. It too mentions socks.


It is a book, not only about receiving hand-knitted socks (crafted mainly by his sister), but records his experiences and impressions of life at the front.

I came across this elegant portrait last week. It follows the sock theme.

'The sock knitter' by Grace Cossington Smith (1892-1984)
Oil on canvas painting of the artist's sister 'Madge' knitting socks for soldiers in 1915. 

I don't know if Adah Sherwood knitted any socks herself. I think it is likely that she did. She was skilled at handicrafts. I have her sampler book which I understand was created by her in Germany. The following images are photographs of the cover and the 'knitting' page of the sampler.

The cover of the sampler.
The elegant monogram (AES) and a swathe of ribbon work and on the right the embroidered
name of the school 'Moravian School, Neuried, Rhein, 1881' (Adah was 25 at the time).
If anyone has information about this school (spelling only approx) please let me know.


Detail of the monogram.


The sampler page of various knitting patterns.


If you do knit one of these socks please let me know. I'd like a photo so I can add it to this page.


Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Post card - 24 November 1915

Athol jots a note on a post card wishing Mother a Happy Christmas. Hopefully it traveled from Cairo to Melbourne in time for the holiday.

The post card is sent from the Maadi Camp. Can you make out the stamps 'L.H. Brigade' and 'British Camp Maadi'?. Athol was stationed at Maadi as he was in charge of the Battalion's transport section which was primarily a job concerning the welfare of the Battalion's horses. None of the these horses were taken to the Gallipoli peninsular. The horses remained in the Maadi camp during 1915. Only mules were used as transports on the steep rocky slopes surrounding Anzac cove.





The post card reads:

Maadi
24-11-15
Xmas Greetings
Best of luck
AGA






Saturday, 14 November 2015

Unit Diary update - 14 November 1915 - return to Anzac Cove

Whilst Athol is in Maadi Camp outside Cairo, the Second Brigade Headquarters and the signal section, together with the 5th and 6th Battalions, embarked on board HMT 'Abassia' for Anzac on the morning of 14 November.

Arrangements were made for the other half of the 2nd Brigade (the 7th and 8th Battalions) to follow on 15 November on HMT 'Osmanieh'.

The weather was too trough for the troops to be landed on the Gallipoli peninsular so they stopped at Imbros Island for the nights of 14 November and 15 November. Eventually the 5th and 6th Battalions were put ashore at Anzac in the evening of 16 November but the other half of the Brigade (the 7th and 8th Battalions) were returned to Sarpi Camp due to this patch of rough Autumn weather.

Upon arrival at Anzac, the 5th and 6th Battalions were immediately moved up to the Northern No.1 section of trenches known as 'Slit Spur'. Here they relieved the 10th Battalion. While they were moving back into the Anzac trenches the Brigade lost one of their men killed.

The 7th and 8th Battalions eventually made it across to Anzac on 21 November.



2nd Infantry Brigade - unit diary

Friday, 13 November 2015

Letter - 13 November 1915 - Maadi Camp, Egypt

Athol writes home to Mother. The letter is written in pencil and not easy to decipher. The reverse of the envelope says has the return address as 'Officers Mess, Second Brigade Transport, AIF (Australian Imperial Force).' Athol is transferred to the transport section of the 5th Battalion. He is placed in charge of 63 horses and 46 men. He builds a garden with the vet and tries to learn some Arabic.






Maadi Camp
Egypt
13.11.15

Dear Mater,

I have to thank you for Nos 23-25-26 (24 and 22 are some where between here and Anzac I suppose). No parcels have come to light lately though I suppose they will also turn up, if the chaps up above don't stick to them.

At present I am in charge of the Transport Section of the Battalion - 63 horses and 46 men when we are up to strength. The chap who had the job before was sent to Hospital and as I was the only one of our Battalion (5th Battalion) in Alexandria. I was sent out to Mex where the camp then was, about 9 miles from Alexandria to take over. Mex was an awful place the only advantage being sea bathing. When I had been there about five days we were moved here.

Maadi is about 9 miles from Cairo and is a very pretty little place; a kind of garden village, where nearly all the people are Europeans. The camp itself is very dusty. Our tents are pitched on some land which was under peanuts and if we scratch around we can get as many as we like. The Vet and I have been putting in a garden round the office tent today and if we stay here we will soon have a fine garden. Besides our batmen we have a couple of 'Walads' or boys and I'm picking up Arabic fast.

I went in to see Colonel Ryan the other day and he was out here the other morning to see his nag which is quite close to my lines. He said he had written to you. Last night I had dinner with Mrs Stewart, xxx, Mrs and Mr Carse also two Duffy boys both of whom are in the Artillary. The Stewarts have taken a flat at Heliopolis and are going there today. Bob xxx is also here, xxx. He came out here the other day and I took him for a ride.

The Turkish prisoners are quite close to this camp but a pass from the G.O.C is necessary if you want to see them.

I had a letter from Bill (Athol's eldest brother, Arthur Parker Adams) dated Sept 6. I got letters from several people but mostly fairly old ones.

Kathleen Knox is at Shepheards and is looking A.1.

I'm still as fat as butter and don't seem to be able to get it off. I don't know how long I'm going to be in this job but its a nice easy job and I'm in sole charge and so I am able to do things in my own way.

There are four other officers, one to each of the 7th, 6th, 8th and the Vet and we get on pretty well and when we get settled a bit more we will be very comfy indeed.

Love to Pater and anyone I know,

Yours lovingly

Athol

NOTES


This map shows the positions of the Australian and New Zealand camps in Egypt. Before the Gallipoli campaign started most of the Australians were stationed at the Mena Camp west of Cairo. After returning from the peninsula Athol was sent to hospital in Alexandria, then Mex Camp (only a few miles from Alexandria along the coast). By early November 1915 he was camped at the Australian Light Horse base at Maadi east of Cairo. On this map Maadi is spelt 'Meadi'.




Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Unit Diary update - 11 November 1915 - Kitchener inspects troops on Lemnos

Lord Kitchener visited Lemnos Island on 11 November. An inspection of the troops was arranged and Generals Birdwood and Maxwell were in attendance. The entire 2nd Brigade was present at this inspection (comprised of Battalions 5,6,7, and 8) as well as a portion of the division's Signal company and a portion of the Division's transport company. The complete 1st and 2nd Field Ambulances were also turned out for this inspection.
2nd Inf. Brigade's unit diary



Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Remembrance Day 2015



"You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears;
your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace."

Kemal Ataturk


"We will remember them...."

Hand knitted poppies by AFCR

10 November 1915 - decision to evacuate Allied troops from Gallipoli

Lord Kitchener in the trenches at Gallipoli

British secretary of war Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener visits the trenches at Gallipoli, in Turkey [Getty Images]


C.E.W. Bean's official war history notes that Lord Kitchener visited Lemnos and the Dardanelles for four days commencing 10 November 1915. He was sent by the Asquith government to assume responsibility for deciding on either evacuation, or retention of the current stalemate, or to continue further assaults against the Turkish forces and what resources would be required for that campaign to be successful.

General Birdwood's advice to Kitchener was that with an additional three to four divisions the Turks could be overcome. However this number of troops and the added support required were not available. The Royal Navy convinced Kitchener that all naval options had already been pursued. An alternative was to assess whether it would be possible to extend the present stalemate through the winter and thereby hold up the Turkish forces and prevent them from being deployed elsewhere.The possible withdrawal of the troops was also explored and the merits of redeployment in another theatre were discussed.

Kitchener spent 13 and 14 November at Anzac Cove and Suvla where he was warmly greeted by the men. He told them that 'The King asked me to tell you how splendidly he thinks you have done - you have done splendidly, ....' He visited Walker's Ridge, Russell's Top, and looked out over towards The Nek. He surveyed Pope's, Quinn's Post and the Lone Pine area. He became convinced that these trenches and positions could be held against the Turks thereby tying down nearly the whole of the Turkish army.

Eventually Kitchener, together with Birdwood and other senior military staff, de Robeck (Royal Navy) and other senior officials agreed that the troops would be evacuated. It was decided that these troops would be more effectively deployed by defending British interests in Egypt by attacking Turkish communications - probably at Ayas, near Alexandretta which was the sole railway line to Palestine and Baghdad.

A key consideration was how to arrange the removal of 80,000 men, 5,000 horses and 200 guns from the peninsular. Bearing in mind the great losses inflicted on our forces during the landing in particular, further large losses of men and equipment during a withdrawal would have made this already failed mission an even greater catastrophe. In mid-October, in a reply to a Kitchener enquiry, Sir Ian Hamilton, Commander-in-chief of the Gallipoli forces, estimated that the loss of troops during a withdrawal may be as high as 50 per cent.  However, Sir Ian was replaced by General Sir Charles Munro on 16 October. Munro would have relied heavily on the senior staff around him including Birdwood at the time of Kitchener's visit in mid-November. Birdwood made the crucial assessment that the Gallipoli troops could be evacuated with fewer losses than was previously estimated. This made the evacuation option more viable.

So whilst Athol was in the Maadi Camp, in command of the 5th Battalion's transport section, the key decision was made to evacuate from Gallipoli. Athol never returned to the peninsular but remained in Egypt for the remainer of his war service.



Follow this link to the AWM full text of CEW Bean's chapter 'Fate of the Expedition', Vol.2, Chapter 22, 'The Story of ANZAC from 4 May, 1915, to the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula' (11th edition, 1941)': https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1069535/
(particularly: pp.790-792).

Statistics from: Staniforth Smith, 'Australian Campaigns in the Great War', Macmillan, 1919. Particularly pp.40-41.


Tuesday, 3 November 2015

3 November 1915 - transferred to Maadi Camp, Cairo

A.G. Adams was transferred from Mex Camp to Maadi Camp on 3 November 1915.

AWM service records.
Note:
Maadi is a south-eastern suburb of Cairo, on the east bank of the Nile river.


This excellent map of the Cairo region shows the location of the Maadi camp.




You will note on the bottom left of the map the Pyramids are shown and nearby is Mena where the Australians camped before embarking for Gallipoli. Mena camp was the location of the Infantry and Maadi Camp (on the opposite side of the Nile) was the camp for the Light Horse regiments.



Friday, 30 October 2015

Unit diary - update - 30 October 1915

Whilst Athol was in Egypt the rest of the 5th Battalion were still at their 'rest camp' on Lemnos Island in Greece. The conditions at this camp together with the men's general state of fatigue and poor condition led to a steady flow of men to the makeshift hospital on the island (the No.3 Australian General Hospital - which was a row of tents). From there many were transferred to hospital ships back to Egypt.

Even if the men recovered from their illnesses and were well enough to rejoin their Battalion it was not always practicle for them to re-join their units. Athol was probably well enough to be transferred back to Lemnos by early November. However, on 30 October the unit diary for the 5th Battalion says:
'...as laid down in Bn order no.127 of today's date, no person except for transmission of messages or other duty will approach closer than 10 paces from the cordon line on either side'.
The battalion was in quarantine due to an outbreak of Diptheria. The quarantine restrictions were not lifted until 10 November.

Athol was probably not transferred back to Lemnos because the Battalion was in quarantine.




Wednesday, 28 October 2015

28 October 1915 - Attached to Transport Section - Mex Camp, Alexandria

A.G. Adams was transferred to the Transport Section, Mex - Alexandria, on 28 October 1915.

AWM service records

Note:
The Mex Camp was located in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. It is not far from the site of the Ancient lighthouse and library. There is a port nearby as well as a fort. Mex camp was used as a transport/holding facility in WW1.


Image of the Mex Camp, Alexandria, Egypt.
Image No: A00454
Photographer: Thomas William Kerr
Dated c.1915
Photograph held at the Australian War Memorial

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Post card - 22 October 1915 - No1 Convalescent Hospital Alexandria, Egypt

Athol sends a post card home to his mother in Melbourne. The picture on the front shows the No.1 Red Cross Convalescent Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt, which was once the property of a German family.



Alexandria
22.10.15

This is the place I've been in for a week. No.1 Red Cross Convalescent Hospital. It is the property of a German family.

Love 

A.G.A.

Sunday, 18 October 2015

Letter - 18 October 1915 - still in hospital

Athol writes home to Mother from a convalescent hospital in Alexandria Egypt. Athol notes that his mate Sperry Hill was recently sent back to Anzac. He has lunch with the Rickards family and makes frequent visits to another injured mate, Les Craig, at the No.19 Australian General Hospital. He takes a tour of the cotton market.



18-10-15

Dear Mater,

Still down here though I'm perfectly fit. I think that the R.A.M.C. (Royal Australian Medical Corps) think that any Australian who has been in the show since the beginning is due for a bit of a spell. I'm in No.1 Convalescent Hospital, a German's place and quite palatial. I've not had any letters but expect there will be a bunch awaiting for me at Anzac. Sperry Hill went back today. He wanted to be remembered to you.

I'm going to try and get down to Cairo for a day or two. I believe Jim Borrowman is still there. He has lost an arm I heard. I had lunch with the Rickards yesterday. I went down and saw the cotton market in operation the other morning with the head of the cotton department of the National Bank of Egypt, a Mr Thomas. It was quite interesting. I go out to No.19 Hospital pretty well every day to see Les Craig (see note below). I don't think you knew him, he used to come up with Boo Watson after tea to Fairlie (see note below) when we were doing junior public. He will be sent to England by the first hospital ship. Love to Pater and all enquiring friends,

Yours lovingly,

Athol

NOTES

Lieutenant Les Craig. I think this is the man referred to in Athol's letter. He was a junior school friend of Athol's. If this is the same Les Craig he served with the 10th Light Horse Regiment. During the August offensive he received gunshot wounds to his left leg and right arm. He was evacuated to Alexandria and whilst his right arm healed his left leg was amputated. He was sent to the UK for further treatment at Wandsworth in 1916 where he met an Irish nurse. They married and returned to Australia where they raised four children. 

Lieutenant Les Craig, 10th Light Horse. AWM image reference: P08414.002


Fairlie House, South Yarra, was divided into a series of apartments. This the accommodation Adah arranged for herself and her four sons after their home 'Almeida' in South Yarra was sold upon her father's death. This image shows the interior decoration of the main entrance foyer. Dame Nellie Melba could have visited her friend Adah at this property. Certainly she addressed one of her cards to Adah at this address. See the blog-post at: http://notmentionedindispatches.blogspot.com.au/p/mother.html

Fairlie House interiors. South Yarra 1880s.
Note the lyre-bird feathers on the pillar and animal skin rugs.

Fairlie House interiors. South Yarra.State Library of Victoria image ref: Image H97.251/4



Monday, 12 October 2015

13 October 1915 - dysentery - Alexandria

A.G. Adams was diagnosed with dysentery on 13 October 1915 and was admitted to the Syrian Convalescent Hospital, in Alexandria.
On 21 October 1915 he was discharged to duty.

AWM service records.

Friday, 2 October 2015

Letter - 2 October 915 - enteritis, admitted - No3 Australian General Hospital, Alexandria

Athol writes home to Mother.

He returns to Alexandria in Egypt after being diagnosed with enteritis (a stomach condition acquired through unsanitary conditions including contaminated food and water) and spending a few days in the No.3 Australian General Hospital in Lemnos. He says there is really nothing the matter except that he is a 'bit run down'. He meets up again with the kind Rickards family.





Union Club
Alexandria, Egypt
2.10.15

Dear Mater,

Once more in Alex. I had a very slight attack of enteritis and after a few days in hospital at Lemnos, in No.3 Australia General Hospital, they shipped me down here for a bit of a change. There's really nothing the matter only a bit run down and as the Battalion is not in the firing line a holiday will not do any harm.

I met Mr Rickards this morning and went out to lunch at his place. They said they had a letter from you. 

I made inquiries for Capt Carter and found that he had been sent to England last week with enteric. Sperry Hill is here having arrived from hospital in Malta a day or two ago. He asked to be remembered to you.

It is pretty hot here since I arrived, last Thursday, though I hear that it is a kind of hot spell as it has been a lot cooler.

I suppose I won't get any letters for a bit though I may be able to stop them here.

I can't think of any news.

Love to Aunt Puff and Pater

Yours lovingly,

Athol.

P.S. excuse writing, first time I've used a pen for nearly 4 months.



Wednesday, 30 September 2015

30 September 1915 - illness, HMSS Karapara

According to the AWM service records, A.G. Adams was admitted to hospital on Lemnos Island on 30 September 1915. He was diagnosed with 'diarrhoea-slight'. He was transferred to HM Hospital Ship 'Karapara'.

After travelling south across the Mediterranean he was transferred on 12 October 1915 to hospital in Alexandria.


Friday, 25 September 2015

Letter - 25 September 1915 - more parcels, a trip to the dentist, wind and rain

Athol writes home to Mother from the No.3 Australian General Hospital on Lemnos Island, Greece.

Athol receives more parcels. He mentions a few people he has come across at Lemnos: Bill and Jack Knox, Dr Stawell and Dr Lockhart-Gibson. He finds the island quite windy and there was been some rain too. He predicts that the winter will be quite harsh on the Peninsular.




                                                                                                                     Lemnos Island
                                                                                                                     25/9/15

Dear Mater,

Nos 20&21 arrived yesterday for which many thanks. Also a parcel which arrived last week and which I think I thanked you for in my last. Please thank Nellie Pateson, whoever she is, for the socks. I had a letter from Miss Adamson enclosing 2 wicks for a cigarette lighter she sent me some time ago. She had quite a lot to say about your state on Australia Day. I'm sorry you were disappointed over the results but you seem to have done pretty well yourself. The parcels of socks arrived safely and 'C' company has had two complete issues so far.

I'm glad you got the photos from the Rickards, I've not seen them myself as Mr R. only took them a day or two before I left. They are an awfully kind couple. She's a good deal younger than he is, and they couldn't do enough for me. They're looking after my suitcase now to save me the trouble of sending it to Cooks.

I saw both Bill and Jack Knox (that would be William Johnstone Knox and possibly his brother Jack Knox - more below) just before leaving the trenches, the former is in the artillery and the latter is in command of one of the Battalions of the 6th Brigade (probably the 23rd Infantry Battalion).

I saw the dentist yesterday, a Sydney man, and my teeth were A1 only two of the amalgam fillings had sworn away a bit so he added a little more to fill the teeth right up and prevent breakages.

I'm going to have my nose cauterized next week. Nothing much the matter but Dr Lockhart-Gibson thought it would be as well to get it done.

Dr Stawell is here in No3 Australian General Hospital as Lieut Col and Chief Physician. He has been laid up but I believe is getting about again now. I had a talk with him the other day.

This is a very windy place and it has rained a fair amount since we came. It won't be too good anywhere about these parts for that matter but I expect we'll find ways of beating the cold as well as the heat etc.

Tell Aunt Puff I didn't get the sox she sent from Colombo, they were probably wrongly addressed also she owes me a letter. Please thank Pater for the papers Australasian and Referee which come each mail.

There is no more news.

Love to all,

Yours Lovingly, Athol.

________________________**__________________________

Some notes about the men mentioned in Athol's letter:

William Johnstone Knox MC, Australian Field Artillery, died of wounds received in France on 20 August 1917. In 1917 he held the rank of major and was awarded the Military Cross. He was a member of the Stock Exchange in Melbourne and attended the Scotch College. His father, Mr William Knox was the member for Kooyong in the new Federal Parliament. William Knox MP was a prominent businessman in Melbourne and generally regarded as one of the key figures behind the success of the early days of  BHP, which became Australia's largest enterprise under his stewardship.  
I have not found anything on William Knox's brother (?), Jack H Knox.

Dr Lockhart Gibson was a Queenslander who joined the 1st AIF on 1 May 1915 (aged 55). He sailed from Circular Quay, Sydney on 15 May 1915 on the Mooltan. He held the rank of Major and being a specialist eye surgeon at the time of enlistment was in charge of the ophthalmic department of the 3rd Australian General Hospital on Lemnos. Equipment for this section of the hospital was paid for by money raised by the Red Cross, Queensland Division. All the eye casualties from the Gallipoli peninsular were treated by Dr Lockhart Gibson and his team. His appointment was terminated in May 1916. After the war he became president of the Ophthalmalogical Society of Australia. He was much involved in the community through the Presbyterian Church, the Brisbane Grammar School, the University of Queensland and the Returned Services League. He died in Brisbane in 1944.