Letter from Daniel William Dignam to his mother, 16 August 1915

PR82/8                                     

The Young Men's Christian Association

and the

Australian Branch Red Cross

with

H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt.

From Pvt Dignam

No. 117 Coy. B  Batt. 3^rd

Brigade 1st  Divisn 1st

16.8.15

Dear Mother,

Just a line to let you know how 
things are progressing. I am still in hospital 
sick but am up & getting about. I have seen 
the Doctor once in 3 days, I think its owing 
to such a big crowd of wounded coming 
in after this last big charge every Batt 
got cut to pieces. Some of the chaps say 
there is only 100 left out of the 3^rd Battn 
so they have been dished up. On the troop 
ship going over there we were 1200 strong & have 
had 4 lots of reinforcements over there 150 each 
time that makes 1800 & only 100 if that now left. I
think I have been terrible lucky to get out 
without a serious wound only got scratched 
a couple of times. I just got away sick in time 
or else in this last big advance I might 
have had a little wooden cross over me 
now. I have just upset the ink pot. I am 
that shakey. I think my nerves are gone. 
I can hardly hold the pen. 13 weekes over 
at the front is enough to shatter any 
body's nerves, this is the 1^st time I have

Mrs. A. Dignam

Post Office

Clifton South Coast

2

had a good meal & a night's sleep for 4 months. 
I was wondering if any chaps out of our section 
was left & you cannot guess how glad I was 
when I saw one little chap out of the section
he got it through the thigh & a scratch 
on the wrist & stomach. I said how long did 
you reign Bully he said about 10 seconds. 
he said She was a living hell. Dig 
our Batt had 6 old officers left after the 1^st 
Sunday & none left now I don't think when 
the next roll call comes there will be 10 
of the old hands left out of our Company 
they say they are going to give them a 
spell now but there is nothing else 
for they are reinforced by British Troops.
Con Kirton got hit in the legs with a 
splinter of a Bullet he was in the 
2^nd Line with a field telephone he said 
he reigned 10 minutes & the shrapnel 
& shells were something awful. I am 
glad I was out of it, but if you were 
dead I would never have forgiven my 
self after being right through & digging

3

Trenches then to go & miss the last 
flutter after this lot & according to what 
I hear about the Turks which they say 
are nearly surrounded & all supply 
cut off I don't think it will last much 
longer. I have never received a letter 
from Tom Mac or Snack or Nick 
So I will just get you to remember 
me to all the boys & Sis. I suppose 
they will publish the casualties a few 
every day so people wont think there 
is so many. Bob MacClelland sister
is a nurse in the hospital here but 
I never say anything to her about poor 
Bob. It might fetch back old memories. 
The last letter I got from you was 
dated the 25^thof April, the day we 
landed & swam ashore which
ever you like. 12 months a soldier 
tomorrow, I still think I can win 
Bill [[Massoufs? Massey?]] £5 I did not think so the 
1^st Sunday because that night I 
said I have survived one day anyway

Paddy they said had no sense. But 
I think he has I have saw a bit of the 
globe but am running a big risk.

Good Bye

Dan 

remember me to Sis

4

I have been down to the beach for a 
swim & chaps getting killed in the water

& never got hit. I don't know how Alick Veal

got on this time. he might have gone out. 

I suppose you are buying all the papers 

looking for casualty lists. All the chaps

in this new Division seem or say they

are anxious to get there but they will 

saying take me back before long. 

I would like to know how Taff Lewis 

got on don't think I have forgotten 

how to handle the old pen I will be 

alright as soon as my nerves gets 

a bit steadier. OH well good Bye.

Mum for a day or so remember to 

all the boys especially Tom & Snack who 

I would like to give them a peep for 10 

minutes when the artillery is having 

a duel or a bayonet charge or when 

we get blown up with a mine. Tell 

them to collect for the Belgium fund that's 

what I will do next war that's comes on, 

be Patriotic & say Good Brave boys that's the way to do it. 

How is Stevie's wound

getting on he can

be like some of 

the chaps over here

they get wounds & have

not been to the front

get footBall wounds

I think