Letter from Nellie MacGee to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald

[*PR 82/8*]
"Kamalooka"
Clovelly St
Watson's Bay
20.2.19
Dear Editor
Am enclosing two
letters from my son I thought
you might make some article
out of the contents, letting
The Herald readers know a 
little of the Australian Navy.
Will enclose stamps for return of
letters to me, at above address
Yours Truly
Nellie MacGee
The contents written by Walter
Stuart Mac  Gee (age 19 years).

33. Mess H.M.A.S. Brisbane
c/- G.P.O. Sydney
11^th December 1918
Sea Marmora
Dear Mum,
Well here we are, and leaving Constantinople
behind and entering the Dardanelles once more. We have
been to one of all places Sebastapol in the Crimean Penninsula.
We left Constantinople on Monday afternoon for Sebastapol
with our load of marines. at 4-o'clock the same afternoon
just as I was going below entered the Black Sea which
we raced across at 55 knots we passed through Several
large mine fields. all water tight doors had to be closed
and the ship slowed. At 9 o'clock we passed through
a row of boom defences passed some of the largest
British Battleships the "Superb" & "Temeraire" and
took up our moorings opposite the Superb. I saw a
Captured German Submarine the U-23. all painted
Prussian blue. The British were putting crews on
all the Russian boats, and getting them under
way. If We landed our marines who going to cope
with the Bolshevics who were 50 miles off Sebastapol
Some divers off the "Superb" whilst doing some work
on the bottom at Sebastapol harbour came up sick
and said that there were Russian & German Officers
lying on the bottom with fore bars a around their
necks. The Russian fleet is in a very dirty condition
they are distinguished with blue & red bands round
their funnels. The Parramatta Yarra & Huon, were
 

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up there. Sebastapol is full of British battleships.
Constantinople Sebastapol is a very large place
with big buildings in it outside the boom defence
of Sebastapol is a german steamer (flying the ensign)
named Nora-Hugo-Stinnes-Hamburg laden with german
soldiers they look an awful looking crowd. at 2.30 P.M.
we left Sebastapol again for Constantinople which we
arrived at this morning at 9-o'clock and left half
an hour later for Mudros from whence we are going
to Smyra; who would have thought we would
ever get to Russia & Turkey. We are the first
Australian cruiser to go through the Dardanelles. We
got further than the soldiers. Have you had any
mails from ash. I don't know where we will
Spend Christmas. you will be able to see where we
went when you look at the map on the kitchen wall.
how is Thelma & Ron. well I hope. the influenza is
decreasing. we have a bit stricter routine now
we are with British Ships but that is nothing.
are you drawing my money alright. I hope
you still go to the pictures and enjoy yourself.
Well dear Mum as it is near dinner time I will end
up so with love to all
I remain
xxxxxxxxxxyour loving sailor boy xxxxxxxxx
Walter 

[*at Smyrna
Asia Minor*]
W. MacGee.
33 Mess H. M. A. S. Brisbane
c/- G.P. O. Sydney
15^th December 1918
Dear Mum & Ron,
Well here I am in the Capital of Turkey Asia.
the old Brissy is flag ship of the fleet we brought up here.
we left Mudros the day after we came from the Dardanelles
at 1/4 past seven in the morning and at 1.30 arrived at the
Metyline Island for a French Cruiser & an Italian destroyer.
an hour or so later we shoved off again and at 7-15 P.M.
arrived at a place called of Fugjui another Island on
the way to Smyrna. We stayed there alnight and at
6.30 next morning shoved off again this time picking
the Hospital Relief ship Empire (the old Australian Trader)
2 monitors 2 minesweepers a lot of trawlers single
line ahead the Brissy leading the way. two mine sweepers
swept the passage for us. as we are the first fleet
up here since the war. the place was only bombarded
before - coming up you could see several sunken
ships only their masts & boat davits sticking up. the
mountains on either side being covered with Snow. at
11.30 we dropped anchor at Smyrna ^and up went the
Wallaby Jack. (better known as the Australian Ensign) as
soon as we arrived pleasure boats came out filled with
people cheering and singing (Englishman in very good
fuller) crowds lined the quays cheering and bands played
and Church Chimes ringing. The people were mainly Greeks
who came out. they are frightened of the Turks and to see
 

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us here to protect them Some of them are Armenians. Smyrna
is a very big place all the town being built on the side of
the hills. at night time it is all lit up with electric light
and it looks very well. the trams are drawn by
donkeys. Curios are an awful price They want 2/- for 
a postcard and you can't beat them down either. Today
Sunday and still the boats are coming out to see us.
there was a terrible row this morning to hear the chimes of
the mosques ringing and the men singing out from
the pinnacles of the mosques. to day it is a bonser day
being sunny but cold. Only about 50 are allowed
ashore at a time; they work us in 3 watches. Red. White &
Blue. one watch ashore from 1.30 to 5.30 each day & no night
leave is allowed yet as there are still rows and fights
between the Greeks & Turks of a night. we received and
English pound note yesterday they are altogether different
from the Australian one. This morning we went to church
and the Chaplain instead of a sermon told us the history
of these Asiatic place we have been too which was very
interesting. The money here is called piasters you
go 240 for an English pound note. it is all paper
money. I have some post cards of the different places
but I am frightened they might get lost if I post them.
How are you keeping in the best I hope. we are
to spend Christmas here. So Turkey for dinner after 

-3-
all. we are on war rations. no potatoes. to day getting plenty
of green peas and meat & plum duff. How is Ron well I hope.
It was at public holiday ashore yesterday they called it "Fleet Day"
How is old Watson's Bay still the same old place I suppose.
Had any letters from Ashley lately . Well dear Mum as 
I want to go on deck to see a bit more of the town. as I am blue
watch and dont go ashore till tomorrow. so I will end up
so with best love & kisses.
I remain
your loving Sailor boy
Walter 

Mrs. Mac Gee
Clovelly St
Watsons Bay.