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 All the artillery was withdrawn with only a few damaged items remaining on Turkish soil.

The last of the British and French troops were withdrawn from Cape Helles on 8 January.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

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.

Unit diary - 9 September 1915 - pack up and depart Gallipoli

Since early August the 5th Battalion had been on a roster to maintain the captured Turkish trenches at Lone Pine.

The 5th Battalion had been on the Gallipoli since the landing on 25th April. By September, they had endured the Battle of Krithia, the August offensive and the many assaults and counter-attacks in between. Their ranks were depleted not only due to the deaths in battle and the wounded being evacuated, but they were also succumbing to disease and exhaustion. It was decided that the 5th would be evacuated when replacements became available.

In early September, the 23rd Battalion had arrived on the Gallipoli peninsular. They were a new infantry battalion raised in Victoria and their arrival enabled the worn out 5th Battalion to withdraw from the trenches and rest and reorganize on Lemnos Island.

A note in the Battalion diary dated 9 September 1915, at Anzac, says that the 5th Battalion "companies, B, C and D will embark some time after 1930hrs".  The companies were ordered to prepare to depart with specific instructions for the sick and wounded. They were to send a runner to Battalion Headquarters to report no later than 1900 and await instructions. The men planned to rendezvous at the corner of Bridges Road and Monash Gully and then proceed down to Anzac Cove 'in absolute silence'.

The voyage involved boarding barges from the Pier at Anzac Cove. The barges were towed out to the waiting ships. After a 5-hour (approx) voyage the ships arrived in Lemnos harbour and the men were again transferred to a paddleboat and put ashore via a pier. This trip took up most of the evening so the men arrived on the Island in the morning of 10th September. The troops then marched about three miles to their camp-site.

From 11 September the Unit Diary for the 5th Battalion is written at Lemnos.

The weather was not good. It rained on 12th and 15th making the ground around the camp-site muddy.

Interestingly, the Battalion commanders then went about trying to re-establish a more formal type of Army discipline and routine. A lot of the diary is taken up with orders concerning: saluting (to be insisted upon), the use of correct forms of address, prompt attention at parades, punctuality, correct wearing of clothing, care of arms, keeping tents squared up, 'not hanging rifles and clothing off the tent lines', 'discipline tightened up generally'. It gives the impression that the men were used to a different culture entirely at Gallipoli.

A good deal of concern was placed on cleanliness and sanitation as many of the men were suffering from gastrointestinal problems as a result of the unsanitary conditions at Gallipoli. Regular bathing in the sea was encouraged.

According to some accounts there was an opportunity to get some rest and recreation on Lemnos. There were the usual church services on Sundays, as well as lots of cricket (weather permitting) and a camp-fire concert, there was a small library on the Island organised by the men attending to the mail, Football matches were also held.

AWM C02034: The flooded 1st Battalion camp on 

Aegean island of Lemnos

September 1915

Athol mentions the rain on Lemnos in September. This image was taken not long after the 5th Battalion arrived at Lemnos.

Letter - 24 August - supplies from home and enough socks for the whole of 'C' company

Athol writes to his mother to thank her for her letters and a parcel full of useful items. Another parcel also arrives from Athol's mother with enough socks for the entire 'C' company with left overs for other men in 'F' and 'H' companies (men from the initial public schools' company 'F') and more left over to be raffled.

Gallipoli
24/8/15

Dear Mater,

Although it is only a day or two since I last wrote I am sending this along to thank you for '17' and '18' and enclosures. Also by this mail I received a parcel of choc. from J. Webb and Son, London (Thomas Webb was one of the founders of the Huddart Parker company) and 3 parcels from you containing a pair of boots, 2 K.shirts, 2 cotton singlets, 4 handkerchiefs, 4 towels, 6 dozen bootlaces, 1 pipe, 1 set knife etc, 2 pkts tobacco, 1 cake soap, 2 pr sox, 1 set brushes, 1 tin boracic, and the wrist watch, which came at exactly the right moment as my other went out of action yesterday and once they stop we can't get them fixed up.

Everything is A1 and I'm quite a dude today. (In another parcel) ...The socks arrived for 'C' company and everyone got a pair, what were over we gave to the old members of  'F' and 'H' companies. The few left we raffled among the rest of the Company. Everyone that was short got a pair of bootlaces. Also they think no end of the socks.

Yesterday I was sent away down to a place called 'Mule Gully' because the Indian Mule Transport are there, and had to get the Brigade's share of a shipment of stores to start canteens with. First of all the pile was divided into two lots, one for the 1st AIF and one for the A&NZ Division. Then our pile was divided into 4 according to the strength of the Brigades. This was quite a task as you can imagine, though of course we divided by cases as far as possible. Our Brigade got 109 packages containing all kinds of things, from Bovril to underclothing though there was really such a little of everything that when it is divided into 4 Battalions there will be practically nothing for the men to buy.

We got the stuff onto mule carts and I handed over the lot to be unloaded at 8pm having been at work from 7:30am. I sincerely hope I've seen the last of the stuff.

Who put that rot in the paper about me under the heading 'Jewellry'? If they must put things in the daily rags at least they might put true things in. I don't want anything in any of the papers about myself particularly my photo, as I consider that my doings are nothing to do with anyone outside my friends and relations who have probably got a photo and who probably know the facts without any reminder from the press.

The camel group was, I think Jack Melom, Rupert Matthews, Keith McIlwraith and I think Sperry Hill. Melom is missing, McIlwraith killed, Rupert Matthews has a commission in the 4th Battalion.

Hope Pater passed his exams, I suppose he'll get a company of cadets, perhaps my old company 'C' in 49A.

All the boys are very grateful for the sox etc.

Love to Aunt Puff and Pater. Remember me to anyone I know, also Norman Bayles.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

AWM image A03809

Indian Mule Teams in Mule Gully, being loaded supplies for the troops.

Lines of mules are tethered in the background. This image was taken in May 1915.

Athol visited Mule Gully on 23 August, 1915.

Letter - 23 August 1915 - weather cooler, gravel-rash from a 'pipsqueak' bomb

Athol writes home to his mother. The weather is getting cooler and some of the men wear great coats whilst on look-out. Athol sustains a few scratches and cuts from a 3 pound shell sent over by the Turks as they try to knock-out a machine gun post. Athol takes his superiors on an inspection tour of his section of trenches - about 500 yards and the additional network of communications and support trenches.

Gallipoli
23/8/15

Dear Mater,

It appears I was lucky to get your last letter, '16', as a lot of mail was sunk in one of the barges en route from the ship to the beach owing to an accident, and our Battalion lost 5 bags. We were luckier than some, as one battalion lost 17.

We are still in the same place but things in our part are a lot quieter, though of course the troops in the recently captured trenches in front of us (the Lone Pine trenches) get a pretty willing time. Really one does not know how much more one can say so we cannot of course give away any of our movements and we don't know till long afterwards what the press has been given.

The weather is getting cooler and the nights are lengthening rapidly. Whereas we used to 'stand-to' from 3 to 4am we now do so at 4.20-5am, and it is quite dark at 7.30pm. I have written letters in the trenches up to 8.45 when I first go back here. Sometimes towards dawn it is quite cold and quite a lot of the men wear their great coats when on observation. I got nicely gravel-rashed a couple of days ago by a little 3lb shell which Abdul sent to try and knockout one of our machine guns. No harm done, only a few cuts and scratches. Abdul uses these little guns quite a lot and brings them right up into his forward trenches, fires a few shots and then clears away somewhere else. I believe in France our troops call these things 'pipsqueaks', our boys have a much more impolite name.

I saw Bob Salmon yesterday. He is in the 4th Light Horse now and told me he had had a letter from you. I believe Gregor Knox has been sent away sick. Quite a lot get sick as the monotony of the life seems to get one everybody's nerves and I think that is responsible for a lot of it.

My luck was out yesterday. They started the idea of Trench Section Orderly Officer and I had to start. As the section comprises 5 sub-sections and is about 500 yards long and there are simply miles of communication and support trenches, all of which had to be inspected it was no ..... Having done my tour and duly sent in my report, the next man was informed that it had been decided to cancel the idea, and so I was the lamb.

I don't suppose we'll get a mail this week though one must be due, anyway we all hope for the best.

There is simply nothing else to say so I'll ring off.

Love to Aunt Puff, Pater and all enquiring friends,

Yours lovingly,

Athol

Letter - 13 August 1915 - acting second in command 'D' company - 'the scrap'

Athol writes home to his mother on 13 August after the battle of Lone Pine. He is now acting as second in command of 'D' company. He has received more letters from home. He briefly describes the hard work during the Battle of Lone Pine. You might note his description of the August offensive as 'the scrap'?

He enlisted on 17 August 1914, so he has been in uniform for about a year at this stage.

Gallipoli

13 August

Dear Mater

Just a wee line this time as we're pretty busy. Thanks very much for '16' which I got yesterday evening.

We shifted out of our old trenches last Thursday and came over here to fill the place of the men who were here before us. The latter attacked the Turkish trenches in front and they did wonderfully getting three lines. The shells just rained over us but we were very lucky and only had a few men hit in our company, 'D', of which I am acting second-in-command, and only one killed. Ever since then we have been pretty bush consolidating the position and I had about 4 hours sleep in snatches, in three days. 

Since then I haven't done so badly. We still get a lot of shells as there are some of our guns just behind our line of trenches and the Turks are trying to locate them. 

You should have seen me in the first few days of the scrap. Black as soot from the dirt which the shells threw over us and a big revolver round my waist. I tell you I looked like a brigand.

I haven't had any parcels lately and when the ones you have sent arrive I will be equipped as much as I can well manage so don't worry any more, particularly as they don't seem to come through too well. 

I had a letter from Aunt May and Nell Bodycomb this mail for which you might thank them as I may not have time to write for a little while. I've been working pretty hard as Captain Carter* has not been quite up to the mark and I've relieved him as much as possible and so I'm going all day and then I have my turn to take at night. There is a rumour that we are to be taken away for a spell but, though we all hope it is true, we don't place much reliance in it as we've heard that tale before.

I'm in A1 nick now, better than I've been since I landed last time, because I've had a good deal of exercise the last few days having 160 yard of trench to look after. In ordinary trench life one gets so little exercise that you can't keep in anything like decent trim. I've a job to fix now re' gas' sprays so good bye. Love to Pater, Aunts May and Puff and all enquiring friends.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

*This is probably Captain H. Carter who was a member of the 5th Battalion's 'F' public school's company. Perhaps he was ill.

8 August - Unit diary

On 8 August Major le Maistre commanding 5th Battalion moved his headquarters into the Lone Pine trenches along with the troops of  'A' and 'B' Companies (including Athol). The other two Companies of the 5th 'C' and 'D' were allocated to the trenches near Johnson't Jolly opposite the German Officers' Trench to support the decimated 6th Battalion. There they were subjected to the worst of the bombing attacks following the Battle of Lone Pine.

7 August - Charge at 'The Nek'

The 5th Battalion was not involved in the charge for the Nek. However, it is an important part of the story of the Gallipoli campaign.

AWM [ART07965] oil on canvas painting by George Lambert.

Lambert was commissioned in 1920 to produce this large painting (over 3m across).

It is one of the most famous paintings in the War Memorial collection.

Painted in 1924, it describes

the Charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade at the Nek, 7 August, 1915.

Further north from the Lone Pine trenches and the German Officers' Trench were Quinn's Post, Baby 700 and Chunuk Bair. The New Zealanders were to make an assault on Chunuk Bair on 7 August (unsuccessful and tragic). The Australian 3rd Light Horse were to make their charge on The Nek on the same day.

The preliminary bombardment was to be followed by a dawn attack against the Turkish lines at the Nek. Unfortunately the bombardment stopped seven minutes before the whistles blew and the men left their pop-ups. This gave the Turks vital minutes to re-man their positions and ready their equipment. The Australians were led, not by British generals but by Australians: Brigade commander Brigadier General F. Hughes and Lieutenant Colonel John Antill. They gave the orders for three waves of attacks. All were futile. In the confusion a fourth wave was sent over and they met the same withering machine gun fire. The fighting lasted less than an hour. More than 300 men died during the charge. The dead were left in no-man's land for the remainder of the campaign.

I can highly recommend that you read the transcript of Brendan Nelson's address to the National Press Club given yesterday. It covers the August offensive: https://www.awm.gov.au/talks-speeches/august-offensive-last-gasp/

No doubt it will be available as a pod-cast or video soon.

6-7 August - Unit diary - Battle of Lone Pine

Reinforcements arrived in the 2nd Brigade trenches starting at about 5am. The 5th Battalion was allocated four of these men. The 6th Battalion were allocated 1 officer and 117 other ranks. Some of these men were returning after previously being wounded. The 6th Battalion needed these fresh troops as they were about to attack the German Officers' Trench.

In the early morning of 6 August, the 3rd Brigade made a minor diversion near Ryrie's Post. This did divert the Turks as they opened up with heavy fire from machine gun and rifle on these trenches.

Arrangements were made for the attack on the German Officer's Trench (see map in 2 August blog post). This was opposite the northern most section of 2nd Brigade's trenches.

At 4:30 that afternoon, 6 August, 'intensive bombardment of Lone Pine followed at 5:30 by assault by 1st Brigade, assisted by rifle fire from whole of No 2 section. During assault, Turks observed leaving from trenches of Johnstone's Jolly, crowding to the rear'. This barrage of gun fire included support from warships off the coast. Unfortunately little damage was inflicted on the Lone Pine Turkish trenches as they were covered with a roof made of heavy timber logs.

At 4:30 whilst the bombardment was occurring, 'C' company of the 5th Battalion left their trenches at the front to allow the 1st Brigade to take their places. There were to be four waves of troops dashing from these trenches. The first were to spring out of pop-holes from the forward-most trenches, and the next waves were to follow up from the trenches behind.

At 5:30 that evening the Turks replied with heavy shelling of Northern No2 Section. Considerable damaged was inflicted on 2nd Brigade trenches by this shelling. At 8:30 further shelling by the Turks fell on the support trenches and further rear - firing at a rate of about a round a minute.

Whilst Northern No2 Section was being shelled at 5:30pm on 6 August, the 1st Brigade were ordered out of their trenches and ran forward towards Lone Pine. The Turks replied with devastating small arms fire. However, many of the 1st Brigade made it to the Turkish front lines. These men tried to prise open the timber lid of the trenches. Some were able to throw in bombs, others fired through gaps, some were able to jump down into the Turkish trenches and force their way along with rifle fire and bayonette and small bombs.

Some of the Australians which followed in the next waves passed over the lidded trenches and made it further inland where they captured three lines of enemy trenches.

The Turks' counterattacked quickly and the Australians made efforts to stop-up the communicating trenches. Most of this part of the battle was now at close quarters and in darkness.

At about 10:30 that evening the men of the 5th Battalion in the Northern No2 Section (opposite the German Officer's Trench) were ordered to remove all barbed wire from forward firing line recesses to allow attacking men to go over the top. The 6th Battalion were about attack the German Officers Trench.

By 11:30 that evening the 6th Battalion were ready for their assault and close to midnight three mines were successfully detonated hoping to blow up Turkish positions before their assault.

AWM image G01129 (Photograph taken by CEW Bean) Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. 

Bean says 'this remarkable photograph was taken on the date of the Battle, 6 August 1915. It shows the position of a trench, occupied by German officers, which was assaulted after midnight. Our trench ran round the near side of the distant hill on the right. German officers' trench was situated in the distance, a little to the right of the highest point of the sandbags in the foreground'.

The 6th Battalion made their attack up this slope towards the German Officers' Trench rushing out of the trenches at 0035hrs. They were met with devastating machine gun fire. Few made their objective with many being cut down in the pop-ups thereby blocking the exits for the men following behind. The Division Headquarters ordered (at 1 in the morning) that the 6th Battalion should be withdrawn, re-organised and again put to the assault and that the German Officers' Trench must be taken. This message was telephoned through by a Colonel White. The Unit Diary understates: 'The Brigade Major assisted with the re-organisation which was very difficult in the darkness and the narrow confines of tunnels and the dead and wounded lying about. A very difficult operation'.

At 3:55 on 7 August the 6th Battalion again left their trenches but with the same tragic result. As soon as they started their run into the darkness devastating fire opened out from the flanks and front. The diary notes that 'the action of all ranks as gallant and brave as could be desired'.

Officer commanding the Brigade informed the Division Headquarters that this second assault had also failed. Further, they were informed that it was impossible to reorganise the remnants of the 6th Battalion. The Brigade commander was instructed (at 4:30am) to 'personally supervise a new reorganisation and then another assault is to proceed without delay, but to wait orders when to commence'.

It was not until 8:30 on the morning of 7 August that Division Headquarters advised that the 6th Battalion should rest for the day.

Further along the line and also on 7 August, at dawn, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade made a number of assaults towards the narrow bridge of land between Russell's Top and Baby 700 at the head of Monash Valley. This action became famous as the charge for 'The Nek' and remembered in Peter Weir's 1981 film 'Gallipoli. More on this tomorrow.

In the morning (7 August) daylight revealed the bodies of over 300 men of the 6th Battalion lying in the scrub of no-man's land between the Australian trenches and the German Officers' trench. But there were many more in the 1st Brigade who lost their lives in those Turkish trenches we know as Lone Pine. The intense fighting at Lone Pine continued until 9 August. In total, at the German Officers Trench and at Lone Pine and the Nek, six Battalions suffered the bulk of the casualties with nearly 2,300 killed and wounded during the battle. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross after the battle of Lone Pine, the highest number ever awarded to an Australian division for one action.

This wooden cross was erected in one of the Gallipoli battlefield cemeteries by soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, AIF, who fought at the Battle of Lone Pine, 6-9 August 1915. [AWM C03193]

The location of this grave is possibly Brown's Dip which lay in the gully behind the Lone Pine plateau.

The graves at Brown's Dip were removed to Lone Pine Cemetery after the war.

Brown's Dip was the position of the 1st Division's headquarters during the Battle of Lone Pine.

Field Service Post Card - 6 August 1915 - I am well

Athol sent a Field Service Post Card to his mother saying that he is 'quite well' and received her letter dated 15 (perhaps this was letter number 15). It was processed by the 1st Division mail centre on 19 August and didn't arrive in Melbourne until 1 October.

You will note the date, 6 August 1915. This marks the commencement of the series of attacks known as the Battle of Lone Pine.

5 August - Unit diary

On 5 August the unit diary for 2nd Brigade reports that the main concern for their troops was the Turks' 12-pounder gun which fired 53 shells into the unit's trenches during the day starting at about 6:15am.

During the morning reinforcements arrived at these trenches with the 5th Battalion gaining 140 of the fresh troops.

The re-organisation of the 2nd Brigade then commenced at 9am. The 1st Brigade were moved out of their positions (facing Lone Pine, Southern No2 section) and the 2nd Brigade took over this section. From the afternoon of 5 August the 2nd Brigade were manning both this new section as well as their old trenches opposite Johnstone's Jolly. This rearrangement was completed by about 5pm that day.

At about 12:30 Gun Trench was blown in by the Turk's 12-pounder gun firing from Mortar Ridge.

In preparation for the next day's assault the General Officer Commanding and General Staff of 1st Division established their Headquarters behind the Southern No.2 trenches in an area called Brown's Dip. (This can be seen on the map - see Blog post 2 August), behind 'the Pimple'. The 1st Australian Division's commander was Brigadier General Harold Walker, a British officer who had replaced Major General William Bridges (Australian) as temporary commander after Bridges had been killed by sniper in May 1915.

Athol notes in his correspondence of 15 August that he moved from 'B' Company back to 'D' Company at about this time. He became acting second in command after the re-organisation, Athol and 'D' Company were placed in the old 4th Battalion trenches at 'The Pimple'.

This is CEW Bean's map of the Lone Pine trenches. Athol's unit 'B' Company were holding the trenches at 'The Pimple' when the battle commenced. CEW Bean's Official War History, p.498. AWM. 

The 5th Battalion was under the command of Lt Col Le Maistre (more below).

At about 7 in the evening 'a lot of traffic was noticed back down at Mule Gully'. This would have been further supplies coming ashore for the Imperial troops. It took a great deal of effort to move these supplies up to the forward trenches.

Casualties for this day amounted to 7 wounded.

-----________________________________----

Below is an image of Lt Col Frank William Le Maistre, who commanded 5th Battlaion during the Lone Pine assault. During WW1 he was mentioned in dispatches and awarded at DSO. He died in 1951. He enlisted on August 17 at about the same time as Athol.

Reference: http://vic.ww1anzac.com/le.html

Below is an image of Brigadier General Harold Walker. General Walker, nicknamed 'Hooky' by the Australian troops, strongly objected to the Lone Pine assault plans as he had the initial landing at Gallipoli. He could see no chance of success for either operation. He was well regarded by the men and was personally very brave. He took part in the landings (the first of Birdwood's staff to step ashore) and impressed those around him with his sharpness and the value he placed on his soldier's lives. In September he was half-buried by a shell which burst in his dug-out. A few days later, whilst inspecting a post he was severely wounded by machine gun fire. He refused attention until another wounded soldier had received treatment. He was nine times mentioned in dispatches during his WW1 service.

Harold Bridgwood Walker (1862-1934), by James Quinn, 1918

Australian War Memorial, ART03349

3 August 1915 - Unit diary

The unit diary for 2nd Brigade notes that it was again 'a wet day' on 3 August.

The diary also notes 'large number of Imperial troops arrived during the night'. An enemy plane flew over the 2nd Brigade trenches at about 4:30 in the afternoon. 'A large number of Turkish troops were visible in the trenches on Chessboard' which was a little to the north (see map in 2 August blog post). There was a mortar attack at about 9:30 that evening and an incendiary bomb was fired from Johnstone's Jolly just before mid-night.

'Arrangements being made for taking over Southern No.2 Section as well as present section to allow 1st Brigade to rest and reform for assault of Lone Pine.'

No casualties that day.

4 August - Unit diary

Nineteen rounds from a 12-pounder landed on the left sub-section of 2nd Brigade's trenches at about 5:30 in the morning. More Imperial troops arrived at about the same time.

Another Turkish reconnaissance aeroplane flew over the area and dropped a bomb at about 6am.
More 11 inch shells fired from the Turks at about the same time as the plane flew past.
At 9:30 more shelling.

Further arrangements made for taking over Southern No.2 section as well as present section to allow 1st Brigade to rest and reform for assault of Lone Pine.

'Day otherwise quiet'.

[This entry slipped out of order. The date is correct - 4 August]. Apologies.

Letter - 14 July 1915 - 6" shells, censoring letters, rolling cigarettes

Athol writes to his mother in Melbourne. This is the longest letter so far. He writes about his job censoring letters for 'D' company, the 15 pounders and 6" shells which lob into the trenches regularly and the respirators issued in case of a gas attack. Cigarettes are issued to the men and also a supply of cigarette paper and tobacco but Athol says he is not good at rolling his own. He refers his mate Norm Marshall who was 'mentioned in dispatches'.

The transcript appears below the images.

Gallipoli
14.7.15 

Dear Mater, 

Many thanks for '14' of 10-6-15 also enclosures. They come through much quicker now which is a good thing. Also I've had two from Thomas Webb and Co notifying the dispatch of parcels. I hope they arrive. A lot of the things sent to various fellows haven't come to hand but I expect they will be along alright. 

I've had 3 parcels of socks from Aunt May since I came back. 

Things have been much the same here since I last wrote though Abdul has been a lot more generous with his shells the last few days, though the casualties are very slight. He's sending a few over now, the 'Iron Ration' the boys call it. The little ones, 15 pounders, etc are alright and the luck would have to be rotten to get hit by one of them, but the 6" are a bit of a strain on the nerves. They send up great showers of earth, clods as big as a football sometimes with a few bits of the shell itself, which spread over a pretty big area. We nearly always have time to sprint for the shelter of a 'dug out' or high part of the trench and if we do get hit it doesn't do much harm. 

We have been issued with respirators and always carry them with us in case Abdul sends us gas though he hasn't done so yet and I don't think he will. He's played the game pretty straight so far and looks as if he was going to continue in the straight and narrow way.
I have had a letter from Aunt May every mail since I've been back and I also hear pretty regularly from Dave. I got a letter from Marion Montgomery addressed by you this mail. Also an Australasian and Referee from Pater. Please thank him. You people can hardly imagine how eagerly we all look forward to getting the papers and letters from Australia. We also sometimes get English papers though of course they do not interest us the same as the home news, but are very welcome as they give us something to read. 

Have you noticed any improvement in my letter-writing? I've been censoring the Company's letters lately and am picking up a few tips. Some of the letters are most amusing, one chap sent a p.c. home and all he put on it was "Dear --, I'm alright, hope you're alright, so that's alright. Good night' -- signed. 

There is an issue of tobacco once a week, every man gets a packet of two of cigarettes and a couple of ounces of tobacco and also some cigarette papers. The cigarettes are soon finished and then they have to roll their own with the papers. You would laugh to see some of Melbourne's best young men with a hand-made cigarette in their mouths. Of course, some of them are quite expert by now, but others are not so lucky. I seldom use cigarettes and don't have to roll them because if I did I don't know how I'd get on as I'm no good at all and after wasting two or three papers and a lot of tobacco I can only manage to manufacture a sort of parcel which only lasts about two whiffs. 

I don't think I mentioned before that several of old 'F' company have been 'mentioned in dispatches', including Norm Marshall. and Alf Desham, who got his commission before leaving Broadmeadows. If the facts of all the great things that have been done, especially during the first week, could be known a new medal would have to be struck. 

Colonel Wanliss is acting Brigadier at present. I believe Colonel McCay has been made a General and given the new Division which is in Egypt.  

I can't think of anything else this week. I've written four or five times since I got back. My love to Aunt Puff, who by the way hasn't written though she has owed me a letter for over a year, Uncle Trubs and Pater, also remember me to anyone you see that I know. Jim B is alright and all the other boys here, who always wish to be remembered to you. 

Yours lovingly, 

Athol

Telegram - 11 July 1915 - rejoined unit

A telegram was sent to Athol's mother, Adah Emily Sherwood, informing her that Athol had rejoined his unit at Gallipoli on 23 June 1915. His unit was 'D' company, 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade. The unit was at the time in the trenches at Gallipoli.

As Athol's letters were taking about 7 weeks from Egypt to Melbourne, this is the first his mother would have known that he had recovered from his injuries and was being sent back to the trenches.

The text of the telegram reads:

DCO Sherwood
Oriental Hotel Melbne
Lieutenant Adams rejoined Unit twentythird June
Third Echelon

Letter - 9 July 1915 - thanks mother for letters and parcels

Athol writes to his mother in Melbourne. He thanks her for the letters and parcels although it seems many have gone missing. He mentions receiving the Australiasian and Referee from his stepfather, Guy Sherwood, whom he refers to as 'Pater'. 

Gallipoli
9.7.15 

Dear Mater, 

Many thanks for '13' of 1.6.15 which arrived today. Also for the two parcels which haven't come to hand yet though. I'm hoping they will as I want a sponge. It's wonderful how little water one can get a wash in with one.  

The back letters haven't come to light yet. I had a letter from a Marian Gillian from England. She says she's a great friend of yours and that she knew me 13 years ago. I suppose she might. 

There is really nothing doing here at present. There were a few shells going over today but not at our particular part of the trench and our guns seemed to silence theirs after a bit. 

I got one Australasian and Referee today of 22.5.15. Please thank Pater. Also a letter from Aunt May, Fos, and Dave. Please excuse the scrawl but it is nearly dark and I can hardly see what I'm writing. I'd like to see Pater and the two Uncles doing extended work on a nice thristy paddock. 

I'll have to close as I can't see any more. I'll write longer next time. 

Yours lovingly,

Athol 

P.S. Please thank Miss Paterson for the socks.

20 June 1915 - Re-joined 5th Battalion on Gallipoli

A.G. Adams re-joined the 5th Battalion on the Gallipoli peninsular on 20 June 1915.

This is an excerpt from the 2nd Brigade Unit War Diary for June 20th 1915, Anzac Cove. Note, in particular, the last few lines which record that Lieut. A. G. Adams 5th Bn, previously wounded returned to duty. The other names are for Capt Prisk (sp.) of 6th Bn and  Lieut Lamb (sp.) also of 5th Bn.

AWM Unit War Diary - 2nd Infantry Brigade

Note the url at the top of the screenshot.

Letter - 27 May 1915 - Landing at Gallipoli and Battle of Krithia

This is the full text of the letter which Athol sent home to his mother from hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. It briefly describes being shot twice during the famous landing at Anzac Cove. After recovering from these injuries he then re-joined his 5th Battalion and was again wounded (twice more) during the early stages of the Battle of Krithia (8 May 1915).

I have referred to this letter in earlier blog posts. I post the full text today as it is 100-years since it was written.

I have added some dates and other comments embedded in text of the letter (not italics) to assist the reader.



No.17 General Hospital

Ramleh

Alexandria

27.5.15

"Dear Mater,

"Many thanks for your cable which I got on the 18th (May) about 9pm. I've been here since the 16th (May) and am quite all right. I'm going into a convalescent home tomorrow. That means boarding out at a private house.

"I got hit on April 25th (Landing at Anzac Cove on Anzac Day) the first day we landed, soon after getting ashore. I got one through the upper arm and about 1/2 an hour afterwards got another on the wrist watch which smashed the watch and put my left hand out of action temporarily. I then left the line and went down to the beach where I was sent aboard the 'Clan Macgillvray'. I came down here in her and reached here on Thursday night (29 April).

"Six of us then went on board the 'Lutzgow' and returned to Gallipoli leaving on Sunday evening (2 May). I reported back to the Battalion on Wednesday evening (5 May). They had just come out of the trenches and that night we left for the southern part of the Peninsular in mine sweepers.

"On Saturday  evening (8 May) we got orders to form a new firing line and while we were going up I got hit again. This time in the right thigh, a clean hit right through. I couldn't walk and while I was being taken back I got another in the right lower arm. The bullet hit a man who was helping me and broke his arm and went into me and stayed in my wrist. I was taken on board the 'Guildford Castle' a fine hospital ship where we had A1 treatment on Monday afternoon (10 May) and came down on her (to Alexandria, Egypt). They took the bullet out under gas. I'll send it out and I think you had better give it to Bill (nickname of his eldest brother, Arthur Parker Adams) to go on his watch chain with that bit of his knee.

 "I previously sent my wrist watch (damaged during the landing at ANZAC Cove on 25 April) and a Turkish bullet which was in my haversack (acquired also on 25 April). I hope you get them alright. All the wounds have healed up wonderfully and I'll be as good as ever in a few days when the stiffness gets out of my leg.

"Norm Marshall has won his commission as have about 8 others. It is a nice climate up there. Pretty warm with cold nights though I suppose it will get hotter soon

"There has been a mix up with our letters and I haven't had any since about April 20th. We're not allowed to say anything about operations or movements so there is no news."

"My love to all,

"Yours lovingly, Athol"

Telegram - 2 May 1915 - all well

Athol sends a telegram to mother on 2 May from Hospital at Alexandria, Egypt. The people back home had received sketchy reports of the landing and would have been anxious to know about their lads. A telegram saying 'all is well' would have been received with great relief.

The text reads:

Quite well love Adams

We know now that Athol had been injured twice on the 25th April, Anzac Day, so perhaps he was not 'quite well'. He received bullet wounds in his left wrist and left upper arm. He would have sent this from the Hospital in Alexandria when about to return to the Gallipoli peninsular and re-join the 5th Battalion.

Postcard - 1 May 1915 - all well, slight hurt

Athol writes a postcard to his mother on 1 May 1915. It shows a panoramic view of the Aswan Dam. It's quite a peaceful image to convey the message that he is returning to the front.

It takes a rather long time to travel via the Army Post Office (15 May) to Melbourne on 22 June where it eventually catches up with Adah who was living at the time in the Oriental Hotel, Collins Street, Melbourne.

Compared with earlier hand-writing this looks rushed/tired.

The text reads:

All well. Slight hurt upper arm and wrist left arm. Returning front immediately. AGA.