Letter from H Marsh to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald 1 July 1915

PR82/8
Municipality of Kiama
COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Kiama, July 1^st 1915

Editor Herald Sydney

Dear Sir

I herewith enclose

photo & letter from the 

father of Private E. A. Moore

who was killed at the

Dardanelles, for insertion

in Herald. as per your

circular of 16^th June 1915.

Yours faithfully

H. Marsh

[*letter sent to his 

brother Norman Moore

Kindly return the letter*]

May .9. 1915

Dear xxxxx Norman

I supose you are wondering 
why I have not wrote to you before I have not had a 
chance I have not been long enough in one place have only 
had eleven days on shore at one stretch since I left 
Australia have been sailing about the rest we left 
Egypt 5 weeks ago I supose you know by the papers 
that the Australian troops landed on the 
Dardanelles on sun the 25 of April that is a fortnight 
ago I saw it all a few of us was unlucky enough to 
be left on board to look after the stores on that 
morning we all got out of bed just at day break 
we could just see the out line of the Turkish Coast 
there was a few guns going when our lads started 
to land Mr Turk got to work in earnest talk 
about a din I never heard the like before we 
could see it all from the boat and could see 
the shells bursting there was hundreds flying 
and breaking at once the Turks thought they 
would have a pot at the transports ships the 
shells started to fly around us in earnest and 
some went over but we never got hit we cleared

2

out of range of their guns for a while we came

back close to the shore next day they left us alone

untill about 4 p m then had another go but we cleared

again but came back in the night we was up at 4

next morning had not been long out of bed when

the shells started to fly around us some comeing

very close we cleared again but came back in a few

hours about 4 in the afternoon they started to

come again some came that close that they splashed

the water on the ship I can tell you it puts a

funny feeling through one the first time the start

flying I cannot say I was afraid for I never

thought they would hit us you hear the boom

of the guns then you can hear the shells come

screaming like a thousand demons through

the air you start wondering if it is going to

hit you or where it is going for a second or to

then if it hits anywhere near you can look out

if it break high look out but if it hits the

water all is well we was expecting to go ashore

but they put a lot of wounded on board so we

was turned into A.M.C. to look after the

sick we went back to Alexander Egypt again

was there last Sunday I had two days in the

3

city if I get back I can tell you some fine tales

about what I have saw if I told you one halfe

of what I have saw and done you would not

belive me I had a look at Cairo that is another

city where we first went to when we landed in

Egypt it is the dirtiest city I ever saw I would

not have beleived there was such places on

earth if I had never saw them I went and had

a look at the best parts then the worst to see

both sides we left Egypt last monday night

are at the Dardanelles now can hear the guns

going while I am writeing this there was some

hot work yesterday it was like a long hour of

thunder all the time we could see it from the boat

we could hear and see you would think the

heavens and earth was getting riped to peices

when the Australians was landed it was just

like all hell let loose it was terrable the

Turks are fighting for dear life I have nothing

against Mr Turk but I am going to try and 

kill as many as I can we do not know what

we are going to do or care much I hope I have

the pleasure of haveing a go at them or what guns

are some time but every thing comes to

4
them that wait I am going to do my best what

ever I am at our OC told us that we are just as

importent as if we was on shore any how I have

enjoyed my selfe very much - I think my chum

went under I supose you have some good times

over that way give my love to Katy tell her

I am going to beat you for her when I get back

well dear Norman I do not where I am going to

post this or if you will get it what ever you do

dear boy stick to the old dad for you are the only

one left if I go out and tell you the truth I do

not expect to come out with out loosing something

perhaps not at all for it is hell but we are all in
the care of the lord if falls on you to keep our

name from dieing out for if I get out I will

never marry if you know anyone that is likely

to come to the war try and get them to come you

are not oldx enough to come your selfe but try

and get any one that is, to come it is not a bad

life I never felt better in my life and it is the

duity of every young man to come and do his

bit for King and country so good bye dear

Norman with love from Ed give my love to all

do not write for I will not get it

 

[*10^th I am going to land in the morning to do my bit am sending this by a
chum to post who is going back to Egypt so long before you get this I will
have killed a few so good bye again old boy with love

Ted*]

[*J.C.

9/7/15

Letter

Private

E A Moore

Mr Kelly*]

Editor 
Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney