Letter from Private Joseph Criss to his sister, 12 August 1916

PR82/8
Wharncliffe War Hospital, 
Sheffield
England
Aug 12-'16.
Love to your Kiddies.
Don't let them forget
their Uncle Joe.
The Hospital trains of France & England are
most elaborately fitted, particularly England.
Dear Sister May,
You'll see by the address
above that I'm in Hospital. I've been
here since the 23^rd of last month. From the
morning of the 20^th to 23^rd I was partly at
the dressing station, (behind the firing line)
Hospitals at Etaples & Calais (France)
From Calais we crossed the Channel in an 
Hospital Ship, landing at Dover. Entrained again
travelling 300 miles to Sheffield.
I don't know whether my name
appeared in the Australian Casuality lists or
not, Fact is I was missing for some time,
nobody knew where I was. The stretcher bearers
being from another Battalion. However I wasn't
actually wounded, but I was blown into
space by an high explosive shell, receiving concussion,
many bruises, scratches & severe shock.
Not much compared to some poor fellows wounds,
but quite enough for me.
I expect you've read all about our great
advance. It was during that, that I came to grief.
On the evening - or late afternoon - of July 20, my
Platoon was a working party carrying ammunition
from "Dead Dog Dump" to the firing line, It being 

2
our week for a spell from the front firing line,
but on this occasion we came in for a hotter
time than ever before. All day long a very
heavy bombardment from both sides had been
going on, not only were our front trenches being
shelled, xxt our supports trenches & saps, making
the difficulty of connecting up tremendous. Many our
chaps were hit, but we only lost by death, 4 all
day. At six oclock the order came to charge!
What a picture it was! Every man went over that
sand-bag wall just like one line laced together.
It was 250 yds across to the Germans first line, but
the dogs knew were we were coming two days before
& had everything ready for us. It was my job with
my party to carry over the ammunition we had
carted all day - to what was to be our new line,
for this reason, 35 of us had to follow our Company,
(the first line or wave to advance.) We were no sooner
over the top & pushing forward then they turned their
Artillary & machine-gun fire on to us, it was go
for your life. I saw them dropping like dead flies
all round us, we reached the German trench
somehow, I don't know how, & had time to notice there
the utter confusion of their dead & wounded - our guns
did some awful work that day — those who were not
shot or bayoneted as we approached, turned & ran
away or ran towards us. crying — "Mercy Comrade, mercy"
there we took prisoners, 40 all told, we could have
taken another dozen or so, but, well — some of the boys
were mad, really mad, & used the bayonet unconsciously
We had to leave half the working party at the newly
captured trench because so many from the front wave were 

3
killed or wounded. The time came for us
to return for another load of ammunition, to do
this we had to go back to our own trench in
short rushes & taking advantage of every little bit of
cover, the least rise or hollow in the ground, & trust
to luck, now that our fellows were not coming
across to the Germans in such quantities, they turned
their fire on to what had been a little while ago their
own trenches, this gave us a better chance of getting
back, we eventually reached our ammunition & started
off once again across that awful stretch of "no mans
land". Out of ten of us who started on the second
trip, only five arrived across safely. While we
were resting for a while in a German dug-out, a
Battalion of Australian Pioneers commenced to dig a
sap from trench to trench - across "no man's land"
for protection. Our stretcher bears were also out, picking up
the wounded. It was almost dark by this time, as we
started back for our third load — just 5 of us, but we
were to get more men for the return. Our pioneers & stretcher
bearers had been spotted by the Germans, & once more they
poured in the shells & machine-gun fire. We were about
half way across when it was at its thickest, shells were
bursting all round us, & machine-gun bullets spitting
up the earth at our feet, there was nothing for it but
to lye as flat on the ground as possible & crawl along.
At this moment one of the five got a bullet in the back
of his head, he just said "Ah" & never moved again. I
thought my turn would come any moment. We were
within 20 yards of our trench once more, when all at once
we heard a short sharp shrill whistle, we knew well enough
what it was — a shell coming through the air — & then
a blinding flash & bang! I knew no more until I
found myself at the dressing, station behind the
support trenches six hours afterwards. As I slowly

4
returned to consciousness I found I had lost
an awful lot of blood from my nose & ears
& had an awful head, & felt dreadfully sore
& tired — as it was, I hadn't had any sleep for 48
hours - I learned from the A.M.C. Orderlie later
on that, the 5 of us were accounted for as follows.
Two blown to pieces, one his right leg bxxxn off
one his left foot, & myself concussion, & not
one serious wound. The fifth of course, got
a bullet in the head. I was told that they
had been trying a counter attack, but reinforcements
came & drove them back to their third trench, but how
true this is I don't know, We dont hear any news, only
rumours. Personally I'm suspicious that our boys
couldn't hold the position, it is a most difficult one &
the French & British have been there for fourteen month
& couldn't take it. General Birdwood said "Give me
two Divisions of Australians & I'll take it in ten days."
How they got on I don't know, I only know that at our
particular bit of frontage it was a hellish job. Try to
xxx imagine a bombardment so great that one cant
stand steady on the ground because of the vibration!
I can tell you it is something beyond awful, & the
bursting shrapnel shells, high explosives, & machine-gun
fire, well, it's quite enough to turn ones mind, or turn
their hair grey. I wasn't frightened until they began
to come close enough to scatter dirt & mud over us, &
since I've had the shock, I wonder if ever I'll have
the nerve to face it again. You might think I'm weak
when I tell you that upon regaining consciousness I
cried like a little kid for several hours. I couldn't
stop myself, & I was shaking for four days, so much so
that I couldn't drink from a cup when the Nurse held
it to my lips. I felt a bit of a goat for crying, but
since

5
I've been here Iv'e seen bigger & stronger men
than I at the same trick, so I suppose it's nerves.
However I'm feeling O.K. now, my temperature is
down to normal, & I have ceased trembling, but
now & again during the night I dream I'm
among the shells again & awake in an awful
fright. I was asleep yesterday afternoon when one
of the Nurses dropped a chart board. I jumped I'm
sure, several inches straight off the bed - & that
made my head bang for a bit. I got up to day
for two hours so I expect in a few days I'll
be going to an Australian Convalescent Home at
Harefield Park. After that I get 10 days leave, which
you can bet I'm going to spend in London.
I_∧'ll look up Mrs Stephens first thing & let you
know everything. I'm also going to find Toington's.
Aug 14. I sincerely hope I'm not boring you
but I it best to let you know how I
am in case I was reported wounded.
I wasn't in the mood for writing
yesterday, I slept nearly all day. Today
To day I'm allowed up for six hours
aren't I doing well? The Doctor told
me — of course it may have been just to
encourage me — that I had a fine constitution!
But "Dinkum" May, I believe
he's right. A fellow in the next bed
to me had "shell shock" & he didn't loose 

6
any blood, nor was he unconscious, not
even bruised, & yet he has been here
six weeks, & yesterday he was crying.
I must tell you about one of my mates
& then I'll leave the subject altogether.
It happened about three weeks before the
great charge, but at a frontage further
East by about 5 miles. He, two others &
myself were occupying four loop-holes
in the front trenches. Then was rather a
heavy bombardment on at the time. It was
4.30 pm. tea time (?) The Mess-Orderlies
came along carrying a dixey of tea, he (Tom
Woods) steped down from the loop hole to
fill his mess-tin with tea, I said "get enough
for the two of us Tom" (this is often done amongst
the fellows,)
he was hardly at the dixie when I yelled
"look out! They ducked, but too late.
I heard it coming when it was right over us.
It was a shrapnel shell. It burst. One
of the Mess-Orderlies got half an iron foundry
right in his face — instant death — you couldn't
recognize him afterwards. The other Orderlie caught
a piece of shell about six inches long & 3 to 4
wide in his left side under the arm, he
also died instantly, but poor old Tom got
a terrible jag in the stomach, lost his right
leg below the knee & his left heel — boot & all -
he fell on top of the other too two, — already dead. 

7
I had cringed & huddled myself up as small
as possible against the sand-bag wall during
that terrible dreaded second when the sharp whistle
is heard of the approaching shell. After the deafening
explosion I waited for the falling shrapnel to hit
me — but as I only felt the small splinters &
old bolts & screws clipping the sand bags at
my shoulders & feet — when the dust & smoke
had cleared — I saw what I have described.
I said "once more I've missed, thank God"
Tom was not dead nor unconscious, & with
a xxl look in his eyes I'll never forget he
asked me to "finish" him, & then in the next
breath cried for water. How could I give a
man water whose intestines were hanging out
I called for the word to be passed along for
stretcher bearers, & had to listen to his cries &
groanes until they arrived. When they did arrive
10 minutes after —  poor Tom had joined the two
mess-orderlies. When a chap sees & walks over
sights like this every day it either drives him
silly in one night or gradually wears him
away. You might think you could become hardened
to it, but you soon get undeceived,
The awful xxxus suspense of the whistling shells
unnerve the strongest.
Dinner! My first solid food, potatoes
& gravey. —
Now for matters generally. I haven't
had a letter from you since we 

Pages 8 and 
9 are stuck
together and
are unable to 
be digitised 

10
in a day or two, I'll write you from there.
I'll tell you just here that I've lost everything
in my pack, even my hat too. I was wearing a
steel helmet when I "went up", if it hadn't
been for that I would have been dead twice
over. As it was I had several pieces fall
on the rim, but did nothing worse than
give my head a jar & knock the helmet off.
My pack I had left in my dug-out, only carrying
cartridge pouches, & rifle slung over right shoulder
I expect my helmet is still up in the air. My
tunic & pants were in an awful state, thick with
dirty mud, & wet through — had been for hours.
The Germans flooded their trenches before leaving them
& our own had nearly 3 feet of water in them through
the bursting shells on bank near a swamp, letting
the water flow in. However, I'll be fitted out
afresh before I go on leave, so will be quite respectable
to present myself to Grand Ma Stephens.
Fortunately I always carried my razor, note book
the one you gave me — which is full, but I can carry
the happenings of the past few months in my head for life —
also the pen-knife from Arthur & Charlie, all in
my tunic pocket. I don't mind loosing the other stuff
so much because it can be replaced.
Some English Ladies are taking 6 of us for a motor
spin to-morrow. They are very good to us. Cigarettes
galore, Reading matter etc etc etc. & six times more.
Between the English Red Cross & Australian R.C. we have
a good time when once we are up. I've heard that
they give the Australians a good time in London. It compensates
for the months of mysery, Good bye, Love from Joe, XXX 

SHEFFIELD
8.30PM
14 AUG 16
PR82/8
Mrs M. Stephens,
137 Carabella Street
Milsons Point
Sydney
Australia. 

From.
Private J. Criss
55^th Batt.
A-I.F

PR82/8
Mr
Mrs 
Stephen
War
letter
Editor
Sydney Morning Herald
[[*T2^d*]] _G

Mrs Stephens
137 Carabella St
Milson's Point