Letter from George Frederick Campbell to his mother

PR82/8
T.S.S. Euripides 
14^th November. 1914
(200 odd miles off Colombo)
Dearest Mother
I posted you a letter at
Albany, but have reason to believe
it was detained but you will
get it before this unless I get
a chance to post it surreptisiously
at Colombo- Leaving Albany
we were escorted by the "Minatour"
"Sydney" & "Melbourne". Picked up
2 boats containing the Westralian
Troops off Fremantle, with the
Pioneer and a Japanese Crusier
"The Ihuki" - A week out and the
"Minatour" & "Pioneer" left us.
On November 9^th - we picked up
S.O.S. signals and the "Sydney"
went off to investigate, discovered
the "Emden" and briskly engaged
her, a bombardment of 25 minutes
and the "Emdens" foremast and
3 funnels were gone and the
Emden

Emden beached herself on Cocos
Island to save herself from
sinking.
"Sydney" then pursued her
merchantman Collier and after
taking off her crew sunk her
and returned to Cocos, where
the Emden surrendered, but I
suppose this is stale news to
you now but it is estimated
that the "Emden" passed
without seeing within 5 miles of
us. - It is thought she was
waiting for the "Osterly" but
missed her owing to the Osterly
sailing 2 days early for the
English Derby. We passed her
a couple of days before
and had the Melbourne Cup
winner from her - She was the
first sight of the world we
had since leaving Australia.
we

we exchanged cheers, till we
w could not hear each other.
Here I might say that I
have been a naval signaller
since leaving Albany, three signallers
from our battalion and three from
the fourth were picked to assist
three naval signallers on board,
we are split up into watches and
keep watch night and day on
the bridge. In this way I am
in touch with whatever is going
on.
Two deaths occurred a week
out from Albany each from pnemonia
following influenza - A funeral
at sea is a very impressive
ceremony. The ship pulls out of
line and stops her engines,
the whole of the ship standing
to attention, while the Company
to whom deceased belongs provides
mourners

mourners etc, while the burial
service is being read, the ships
bell is tolled and the ensign
is flown at halfmast. As the
body is consigned to the sea,
the flag is hauled right up
and the last post is sounded.
After the funeral the Captain
of the Company holds an auction sale
of the dead mans effects the proceeds
of which are sent to his people -
enormous prices are realised and
things after being bought are passed
in to be sold again and again.
Over £60 was realised in each case.
Yesterday we crossed the line
and a holiday was given in
Father Neptune's honor, He came
aboard at 2.30 and all and
sundry (irrespective of their having
crossed before or not) were shaved
washed and ducked, I escaped
being

being on duty on the bridge at
the time.
The weather has been insufferably
hot since a week from Albany
and the decks below are like a
Turkish Bath at night.
As many as possible sleep
on deck at night.
I forgot to tell you that the
night the "Sydney" chased the
"Emden" we had heard nothing
from the "Sydney" and the Naval
Transport Officer taking no risks
made every man sleep on deck with
his fif lifebelt under him at
his boat station, that is alongside
the boats allotted in case of
accidents, with all lights out,
however we heard from the
"Sydney" in the morning and
all was right- I felt  bet old
Sydney went mad when she
heard

heard of the exploits of her namesake.
The Austratian Fleet is justfying
its existence alright.
The "Melbourne" and the "Ihuki"
left us yesterday and the "Hampshire"
took up station, she is the only
boat we have with us now, so the
authorities must consider the seas
pretty safe hereabouts.
I don't think I said the
"Minatour" and "Pioneer" left us
long since. It is generally thought
on board, that these vessels (together
with the Jap "Chickuma" which is
somewhere in the vicinity) are
going over on the lookout for the
German Squadron that did such
damage off Valparaiso a short time
ago.
The tucker which was so good
when we left has gradually got
worse, more in the cooking than
the

the provisions, good food spoilt,
water is very scarce and one
has to get up early to get a wash.
We are to arrive at Colombo
about 2 p.m. but will not go inside
harbor. That is our last port of
call before England.
I think that is all the news
and the post closes soon, so
with fondest love to all
Your affectionate son
George

G J Campbell
Mi Mi St
Oatley