Personal account by Maurice William Victor Mulready

PR82/8
Trumpeter Maurice Mulready 4^th Light
Horse, the youngest Australian who went
to the front with the First Contingent
and has nearly completed two years out
there has written to his Father Warrant
Officer Mulready Army Service Corps, the
following account of the Big fight at
Romani - I pulled through that
big fight alright so do not worry I came
through with a clean skin but some of
my old Comrades did not, We were in the
first line of defence, the absolute thick of it
in the first attack Do'nt think I am boasting
we went out about 2.30 on the morning of August
4^th and got into touch with the enemy a couple
of miles from camp.The Squadron's separated
I am in - Troop- Squadron you know.
We formed a screen to draw the fire and no
sooner did we hit the top of a ridge than
they began to fire into us You never heard
anything like it. We went about and down
the hill a little, and dismounted for action
and up on the ridge again and started
firing I got off 25 rounds of ammunition there
We again mounted and retired at full gallop
The sensation I cannot describe It's great.
You imagine me galloping full stretch,
rifle slung over shoulder, a fast little
mare under me, waving my hat, yelling,
whistling, and the bullets simply a hail
Over another ridge, and then halted and
dismounted and again up on the ridge
and started firing. I stopped here about
two hours and then another chap and I
brought in a wounded mate that had
 

been shot through the chest and out the back
while coming in with him I had my pants
torn by a bullet (my nearest shave) At the
commencement of the fight I said some
little prayers  that I might pull through
alright and I shall always believe in those
little prayers as I believe they saved me
Any how I lasted till midday going all the
time, running on foot. We advanced and
retired about two miles and our Brigadier
was a champion.( He will do me) He was
with us all the time urging and encouraging
us. We were all going strong and
fixed the Johnnies (Turks) up in good
Australian style.We had a great victory
here. Thousands of prisoners and knocked
and outed plenty besides and we beat
them in about 30 hours. The Johnnies
do'nt half like the steel with an
Australian behind it. We charged them
with fixed bayonets. When the boys.
got near them up went their hands,
and we took them prisoners. They were
coming in absolutely in droves and we
finished the fight. Things are quiet now
but we really do'nt know for how long
but Oh Malclish(never mind) Let them all
come. Well now I think I shall say good
night and [[?Rook Mayem]] (Go to sleep)
Your Loving Son
Maurice,
Bir - el - Malier
6/8/16
Endorsed By
W A Mulready
Warrant Offficer
Aust Army Service Cps.
71 Paddington St.
Paddington 4/10/16.
L H