Genuine War Letters
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GENUINE WAR LETTERS Most Entertaining Biographical Studies HUMOROUS AND THRILLING Next to being at the Great War, is Reading this Faithful Record of it. EVERY 80 COPIES SOLD MEANS £1 TO THE FUNDS OF THE MELBOURNE HOSPITAL How the News was Broken in Australia Sunday, 2nd August, 1914 _________________________ Europe Threatens to Become a Huge Battlefield _________________________ KAISER DECLARES WAR _________________________ Ambassadors Leave Capitals _________________________ KING GEORGE SEES MR. ASQUITH AT 2 A.M. _________________________ Great Britain Prepares for Struggle _________________________ AUSTRALIA STANDS ON GUARD WAR LETTERS. Letter No 1. 15th March, 1915. Dear _______ When the war-cloud burst over the world, Australia was enveloped in impenetrable distance. She was cut off from the Motherland by thousands of miles of troubled seas. Throughout her vast borders Australia was sending a clarion call "To Arms." Mobilisation from north to south and east to west was taking place. Men were wanted and men responded. Then came the sudden stroke; Samoa lowered her German flag to an Australian force; and twenty days later Simpson Haven fell to Rear-Admiral Patey's squadron. Here the Germans resisted, thinking, perhaps, that the Australians were unversed in war; the great and glorious conflict between the "Sydney" and the 'Emden" then excited our young nation. The Emden, steaming out to sea, was the first to fire, at a range of 3700 yards, and at first her firing was excellent. Her captain thought Australia was unversed in war. But the mistake was realised. Shot after shot struck her rocking decks. First one funnel was carried away, then another. Slowly the dignity of the Emden was dissipated. Her decks were littered with dead, and she lay a battered wreck on North Keeling Island. Following closely behind the wonderful achievement of the “Sydney” was the glorious landing at Gallipoli, and such names as Anzac, Lone Pine, Mudros Harbor, Lemnos, Rest Gully, and others will remain names of a most lasting character in the history of our young nation. These deeds made me enlist, and when I passed the doctor I felt a proud man. There were about 200 men being examined by the medical officers-stout, thin, tall and short. Stout men found it difficult to touch their toes without bending their knees, and tall men found it equally as hard, especially when their legs were long and their arms short. Thin men found it 3 WAR LETTERS. difficult to expand their chests to 32 inches, and stout men tried hard to conceal the fact that they ever accepted a glass of beer. There were lawyers, mechanics, clerks, bootmakers, laborers, and representatives from numerous other commercial occupations, but they all readily realized the fact that they were to be brothers in arms, and the lawyer did not mind in the least holding the fish- monger's false teeth, while the medical officer examined him. It was quite joyous to be amongst the mixed classes, and to see them acting in such a brotherly manner towards one another. That business competition had left their minds. There were no deceitful acts, and the flow of language was free and honest, open and pleasing to the ear. Comrades we were called: Comrades for war. When I told the boys at the factory they laughed: some said I was very foolish, others complimented me. The manager himself was very silent on the matter. I go into camp in a few days, then I shall be able to ascertain what the military life really is. Arrangements have been made for the collection of my letters from now on, until my return, or get killed, perhaps. A copy has been kept of my letters to you, but as some are of no consequence I am only keeping two or three. Yours, _______ 4 WAR LETTERS. Letter No 2. 15th February, 1916. Dear _______ Well, I am in camp. On the 7th I reported at Sturt Street Barracks, and the ovation was rather pleasing. We received sandwiches, cigarettes, coffee, and kind words from the ladies, but suddenly a roar came forth: — “Fall in.” One sturdy looking soldier remarked, “I think we have fallen in already” Our names were called out, then we were formed up into fours and marched through the streets to the city baths for a. wash, which was very rapid. We then entrained for camp, where the officials gave us a welcome. The commanding officer of the camp addressed us in this fashion: — "Men, you are about to take up a new life-a soldier's life. It is not like a civilian life, where you can do this and that at your leisure. You are under military discipline, and without discipline an army is rotten." He brought out the word rotten in such a fashion that the men shuddered. One poor innocent chap laughed, and another roar came forth: — "What in the devil is that man laughing at?" There was a silence for a few moments; then the C.O. continued. "We are going to give you afternoon tea; then you shall receive your equipment. The rules of the camp will be read to you. The medical officer will examine you. You will then have the rest of the afternoon to yourselves." It was then 5.20 p.m. Our afternoon tea consisted of a hard biscuit about 4 inches square, and a mug of tea. We· then received our equipment, which consisted of blue pants, white hat, boots etc. and we all sadly parted with our civilian clothes. At seven o'clock we were inoculated, and during the operation I lost my good razor. The next move was to be shown to our bedroom; but, oh the faces. Eighty men slept in one shed with their clothes all 5 WAR LETTERS. bundled up in a heap, just like a secondhand shop, and so long as I live I shall never forget the first night in camp, at 8.20 p.m. I made my bed and tried to sleep off the shock of such a sudden change from my civilian freedom, but every now and again someone would stand on my feet in an attempt to reach his place of rest. It was close on midnight before I felt drowsy, and just as I thought the camp was at last settled for the night, some deep baritone lifted his head from the sandpaper-like blankets and cried out — "Has Cohen got his pants off to-night?” Yours, _______ 6 WAR LETTERS. Letter No 3. 22nd February, 1916. Dear _______ All the week we have been learning how to do right turn and left turn and about turn without falling over. I rather enjoy the physical jerks every morning. The meals are nowhere near as good as mother cooks, and at 5 o’clock each night we are allowed to see our friends. They bring us tasty things to eat. It is one of the joys of the camp looking through the bars at the gate waiting for 5 o'clock, but the poor chaps on guard are deprived of the privilege. The band plays the same old tune every morning. The roosters never crow because there are none here, but the buglers take their places wet or fine — "Get out of bed." Concerts are held at night, and we visit the various institutions where games are played. Pies, cakes, and coffee can be purchased. You can read and write and walk about. It’s a lovely life for an outback farmer’s son. One night I was on guard at the isolation camp with an entrenching tool handle as a weapon against offenders. The shift from 12 midnight until 4 a.m. in the morning is very trying. The only excitement was toast and pork dripping from the cook-house after the officer of the day had been round. Last Tuesday night we had a mock battle out near the river, and as we passed a couple spooning on a seat one chap forgot his military discipline and indulged in a few remarks. "Get in your line," remarked the sergeant. "You may be like that yourself some day." I do not know who won the mock battle, nor does anyone else. However, we had a great outing and it ended with songs all the way back to camp. Next week we are to be moved from the ginger-beer shed to the cow's stables. I believe we are advancing in our training, but 7 WAR LETTERS. don't they try to catch you with and catch you with questions on the rifle? “What is the weight of a pull-through?" Some got caught and replied “About 2-ounces,” but the sergeant told them it was the little weight at the end of the string. Another question, "What is meant by the butt?” One witty soldier said, "The end of a cigarette.'' Our instructors are very nice, and as you get hardened to the various items and the routine of the camp it is marvellous how you become quite at home in the new life. Yours, _______ 8 WAR LETTERS. Letter No 4. 1st April, 1916. Dear _______ We have been moved to Broadmeadows for finalisation of training etc. When we marched out of our home at the showgrounds the band played its old tune. There were women and children at gates with tears in their eyes. We now had our khaki clothes. Our blues were a thing of the past. We were more like soldiers. It was a very touching march, as most of the troops realised that each step and each change meant a degree closer to the real thing.