Letter - 25 April 1916 - Anzac Day

Athol writes home to Mother exactly one year after the famous landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli.

Still stationed at Sollum on the far western coast of Egypt, Athol receives more parcels from Adah in Melbourne. He takes a tour with the Armoured Car Corps and meets Captain Mangles the Officer Commanding that unit. Athol encloses an annotated clipping from a magazine, the Windsor.

Sollum
25.4.16

Dear Mater,

Thank you for two parcels and also the one of (Aunt) May's and enclosed clothing and food dated 6.3.16.  All our letters I suppose now go to France so I expect it will be some time before we get any more.

Nothing ever happens here. Our C.O. Lt. Col. Smith VC (image at bottom of this post), came down last Thursday and had a look at us. He didn't say much so I suppose he was satisfied. On Friday I got the armoured car people to take him and me out for a run. We went to Aziza (sp?) about 20 miles. He went away to Matruh that evening to see No.3 Camel Company.

On Saturday I went out in the cars again to try and get some of the Senussi soldiers but we drew blank. We went 52 miles in all, over some very rough country. The cars are wonderful. The armoured cars are Rolls Royce and weigh 5 tons. They have one machine gun. There are also a lot of Fords to act as tenders. The tyres they get through would break the heart of a private owner.

Lieut Goldenstedt went away yesterday on his map-making work. He is away nearly all the time.

Please thank Mrs Price for the socks, I've got them on now. 

The weather has been very patchy here lately. Dust and wind and it looks as if it might rain tonight. We have made ourselves pretty comfy. We four officers live in an EP tent (a marquee) and we have a two-roomed hut for our mess. Another is going up for the sergeants. Each section has three bell tents but as we allow them to build humpies there are only about four men to a tent.

I just trod on my pen and so it doesn't work too well so excuse patchiness.

Capt. Mangles, the O.C. Armoured Cars here is out of the XXth Huzzars and is very interesting. He got shot in the face in France. He's about the best shot with a revolver I've seen. He is talking about moving his camp to near us. Hope he does as he's a fine chap.

My love to Aunt Puff, Pater and also all enquiring friends.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

PS. Enclosed picture I found in an old 'Windsor' magazine. It might interest the Old Melbournians. AGA.

Athol's annotations from top right "Windsor magazine, No240. The others look like Freddy Grimwade, Cleveland and Little Dad Austin." On the left is "Solum 25.4.16" and the bottom three lines read " This group includes Donkey Lloyd, Billy Farming, Little Puss Catani, Clive Currie, Yat Smyth, Wingrove.
"Must have been taken at the P.S. camp at Geelong about '08."

_____________________________________

Lieutenant Colonel Clement Leslie Smith VC

Commanding Officer, Imperial Camel Corps

Image ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Leslie_Smith

Letter - 7 April 1916

Athol writes home to his step-father, Guy Sherwood. Guy was sending Athol sporting magazines regularly and Athol seemed to enjoy this news from home. The weather starts to warm up and parcels still get through to the remote outpost of Sollum with food and clothes - although the singles are too small.

Dear Pater,

Many thanks for your letter of 4.2.16.

We are still sitting here doing practically northing except a couple of patrols daily. Also one officer with a party is making a sketch map of the country round here. It is starting to warm up but I hear that this is the coolest spot in Egypt and so far we have had a nice sea breeze every day. 

Last Monday we had a visit from Henly MP of the Citizens War Chest Fund and he said he would come back as soon as possible with stuff for us all. I saw 1933 in Cairo one day, but he didn't recognise me. 

We have a couple of planes stationed here so perhaps the kid will get out this way. It's fine country for flying. Please let the Mater know I received those parcels of clothing etc. Tell her the singlets are just A1 but too small on the neck as I have to cut them to get may head through. Also I have plenty of thick shirts for the present and don't expect to need any more for some time.
Also the tins of food came which assisted the mess to a great extent. Thank her for me. 

Remember me to anyone I know. 

Love to Mater and aunts.

Yours very sincerely, 

Athol G. Adams

Letter - 9 April 1916 - in garrison at Sollum

Athol writes home to mother. He is in garrison at Sollum but there does not appear to be a great deal of action.

No2 Company
Imperial Camel Corps
Sollum
9-4-16

Dear Mater,

I wrote to Pater a few days ago in which I thanked you for two parcels of clothing and one of food. (I don't have the letters Athol sent to his step-father).

Nothing has happened here at all the last week or two.

One of our officers is at work making a map of the country hereabouts as the ones in use are incorrect all roads.

As expected ....M.P. to arrived today with a cargo of gifts from the war chest funds, but he didn't put in an appearance, perhaps he'll arrive tomorrow. 

Just had supper ... a cake and a mug of tea, cost 5 1/2 PT = 1/3.

It's been dusty all day but its quite still now and quite cold. By the end of this month it will be getting pretty warm I expect.

If we are going to remain here I will try and get leave and get some thin clothes. The only difficulty will be the washing as of course there are only military here and no laundries. There is an Indian Mountain Battery through and I expect they have a 'dhoby' or two. There is nothing to write of so good bye.

Love to Aunt Puff and Pater.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

Unit Diary - 5 April 1916 - Letter to Major Smith

Athol writes to Major Smith with a routine report concerning the activities of 2nd Camel Company.

This letter is not in my collection but forms part of the 2nd Camel Company Unit Diary available at the Australian War Memorial collection at page 12 of this document:

https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1014812.pdf

Sollum

5-4-16

Major Smith,

Since my last letter nothing of any importance has occurred. We .... daily two patrols  each with one NCO and six men. One about 4 miles out on the Barrani Road and the other about 4 miles out on the Tobruk Road. These patrols leave camp at 5:30am and return at 6:30pm. This is the only duty we perform at present.

There seems to be no chance of any fighting at all unless the Senussi make the first move.

The camels appear to be picking up in condition. We exercise for two hours daily and groom three lines a week. They were watered on 29-3-16 and 2-4-16. They get a small period of grazing during exercise and the 14 camels on patrol get a good day grazing so they get about one day’s grazing each week and a pick every day. A few good feeds of … would be just the thing if it can be got.

On Monday last we started Company cooking in conjunction with a new daily routine. Reveille 5am, feed 5:15, parade, 5:45 for foot drill, rifle exercises etc, for two hours. Break for 8. Orderly Room 9, parade ….10, feed 12, Dinner 12:30. Parade 4-6pm. Tea 6pm. Lights out 10pm.

On 30 inst. the …. detachment left and I took over four riding camels and 4 baggage all with saddles etc.

There are 13 men in hospital also one of the natives, Abdullah.

Strength 4-109.

This morning I remanded one man for ….. for insubordination and insolence and …..

If any regimental funds are available, I should like to have some as there is a good canteen and we could vary the men’s food a little from Bully Beef etc. We get a daily issue of good bread.

Yours sincerely,

Athol G. Adams

Athol photo - the selfie

This image is part of my archive. It was either sent home to Adah (Athol's mother) as an enclosure with other correspondence or found with Athol's personal effects which were sent home after his death. It appears to have been created whilst he was serving with Imperial Camel Corps.

There are no annotations on the reverse. It is approximately 8cm long and 6cm wide.

Apparently selfies are not a new idea.

Letter - 1 April 1916 - Sollum and rumours

Athol writes home to mother. The 2nd Camel Company is part of the garrison force at Sollum. He hears a rumour that the 1st and 2nd Division of the AIF (including his old unit the 5th Battalion) are heading to France.

No2 Company
Imperial Camel Corps
Sollum
1-4-16

Dear Mater,

Still here. There is a mail here but it isn't sorted yet so I do't know how I've fared. I got another tin of food stuff dated 5.1.16 but no more letters. 

Captain Parker has gone back to Abbassia and once more I'm doing a fatigue command though perhaps this time I'll be left to it. He made a bit of a mess of things and so for the third time since I've been in the AIF I've got a laugh to sort.

We have done nothing except routine work since we have been here. This Company is .... to be part of the garrison here. Sollum is said to be the coolest places in Egypt in summer which is a blessing though except for the sea it is the only one.

The South Africans are going away a few at a time owing to the difficulty of transport and two regiments Middlesex are coming here to replace them.

Rumour says the 1st and 2nd Div AIF are en route for France.

Love to Pater and Aunt Puff and all enquiring friends.

Just got them to get the mail.

Yours lovingly,

Athol