Next Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

This is the final postcard sent home for Christmas.

This post card was also printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto'. The printed message on the reverse reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

This postcard is addressed to A.G.Adams' eldest brother, A.P. Adams (Arthur Parker Adams), who lived on his sheep farm 'Bidgemia', outside the town of Urana in the Riverina district of New South Wales, Australia.

The front of the postcard depicts a young rubber plantation.

And the reverse reads:

'Hot as Hades and raining a fair amount. Good trip not much excitement. AGA.'

This card was probably written whilst on board the H.M.A.T. Orvieto and then posted on arrival at Egypt.

Another Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

This Christmas postcard is quite similar to the last card.

It was printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and includes the printed message which reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

This post card shows a picture of 'Adams Peak', which no doubt amused A.G. Adams who shared its name.

The reverse shows that the Christmas postcard was sent to A.G. Adams' mother, Mrs Guy Sherwood, who was travelling with her husband in New Zealand.

The hand-written note says: 'Best of luck for Xmas and New Year. AGA.'

I think that the card was written whilst at sea on the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and then posted on arrival at Egypt in early December 1914.

Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

A.G. Adams sent three post cards home for Christmas.

All three postcards were printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto'. Two have a printed message on the reverse which reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

The first of these postcards is addressed to Athol's step-father, Mr Guy Sherwood.

The hand-written note says:

 'Have you ever seen anything like this? AGA'.

I think that the card was written whilst at sea on the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and then posted on arrival at Egypt in early December 1914.

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

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.