Letter from Harry Gwyder Aldridge to his mother and wife, 4 May 1915

PR82/8
San. Stefano, Hospital.
Alexendria. 
May 4/18.
My Dear Mother & Wife.
You have no doubt seen
by the Papers that we lave been in action. & also that
we got a pretty hot time of it.also, But with all
their good Positions the Turks & Germans had, they
could not keep our boys back. We started the attack
just at dawn on Sunday the 25th of April
& we had to land under very heavy fire. Both from
rifel. Machine guns & Artillery. There was many of
our poor fellows never got out of the Boats.
The Shrapnell Shells were Bursting & it was simply
a hale of Lead. When we did get ashore we
fixed our Bayonets & charged up the Hill where
the Turks & Germans were. They would not Face
the Bayonet so we drove them in Front of us.
while the Naval Guns were shelling the
Batteries on Shore. By night we had them
driven Back over two miles; but we lost a
lot of good brave men in doing it. I heard after
that our Casualties for Sunday & Monday were
over 5,000. that is Australians alone killed & wounded
We dug trenches on Sunday night & got into them
& all the time there was nothing but one continuous
Scream of Shell & bullets, there is no doubt our
boys took it very Calm & Determined.
It was somwhere in  late in the evening our
Poor Old Conolel was killed, a Shell bursting
right at his Head. When the boys were told
he was killed they swore there would not be any
 

2.
Mercy given to the Turks. All Sunday night
the Turks made repeated rushes on our trenches
they used to come on Yelling like a lot of Mad
devils. While we used to wait in the Trenches
untill they got nice & Handy & we would let them
have it. Hot & Fast. The yells would then be
one of Agony, & those that could would go
for their lives back again to their Trenches.
On Monday Morning just at day Break
we made another Bayonet Charge & it was
in that Charge that I got Bowled over.
We were running & Shouting when all of a sudden
I got a dum dum Bullet in the Knee.
It went in just under the Knee Cap & Came out
at the Back of the Knee right between the joints.
So that ended me from any more turkey killing
for some time, I laid where I dropped untill
Monday Evening & then some Stretcher bearers
Picked me up & Carried me down to the Beach.
Where the Ambulance bound my leg up & then
I was sent over to the Hospital Ship. & from
there we were brought back to Alexendria
& Now I am in one of the Largest Hospitals
in this City. I suppose it will be three months
before I am able to get Back & have another
go at them. But the sooner the better.
I Have got to settle a few scores with them
Turks yet. Its wonderful what Cowards they are
when you get them in a tight corner.
& if they come across one of our men wounded
they do not forget to torture him. I got a turk
with my Bayonet on Sunday Evening when
we were in some thick Scrubb & I will never
 

3

Forget the way the wretch screamed.
We brought a few wounded Turks back with
us on the Hospital Ship. Well my Dear Mother.
& wife I cannot write much this time as I
am writing under difficutlies I cannot get off
my Back in bed yet. As soon as I am able to
get about I will write you a good long
letter. How are my little ones getting on
I Hope they are well & tell Trix that Daddie
wants her to Bandage his leg for him.
Give My love to Dad & Heaps of love to
Mother Emily & Children I remain your
Loving Son & Husband
Harry.
Give my Love to Alma
& Tom when you see them, Also to Mrs. Coats.
Herb & Edie & Children. & Lill & Family.
I hope I do not have a stiff leg. after this
there is one thing we have splendid doctors
looking after us. They are All Indian Millitary
docters. & they understand their work too.
They are Nearly all English & French Nurses
at this Hospital.
No 589 HG. Aldridge.
Address. No 5 Indian Hospital SanStefano
Alexendria.
 

X

Mrs. H.G. Aldridge
Glen Burnie
Grey Street
Carlton
Sydney.
N.S.W.
Australia
 [*R.Mccarrison*]

Stamp 

PASSED BY CENSOR

INDIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 51

Stamp

F.P.O.

No. 35

7 MY 15