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.

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

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.

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.

Ref: http://broachedcommissions.com/commissions/2013/east/curatorial_essay.html

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

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.

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.