Lieutenant Colonel William McKenzie, MC, OBE - letters - 1915 - Part 9

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.4
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

The Salvation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Fences. 3/6/151S Sy Danling tike Alive oboving treting to you & the chlednen to enyonknos that realwell, to someath at then waticoy siity lonsy and footsone with clmbing hills falling into holes. All is fai well with us tho importanately I sleep psoyly the groundi same Sanple hand how even we cheenfully endune these discomforts as they are fant fancel of the life. We do all wight, sancy hhad bacon and eggsponbueatfast, thig monning t is rouch on clothes abooks the weatheris very not & Io so bnown as a hap now There is nothing very waiting taking place & present but I guess then with be a stinking move within therest month, as we are beginning to squi the dunks & theill sooo sangak I expect wel stake aby hade oKsonens oher i week
1610 Dasonig trush my danling that the children are in the very best of health and that things are going monthy with you all te wonderin how you got on at the Corgisomaning condlude Angos Risss boad preetings to an enquirers Dc. Bd rishlybless you wloostable Dlonn 800 D aeo RosITior Fe Meren
Tho Sabvation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Forces, fallipole cninsula ste 10/6/1915 M. Derns Daulirite We are all lang gh waitin for the mail. We have had orefor over a foitnight. thee is of amine of heading matter as also a navenous apptite for home benes, its doubt it will come won+ beins rejoicing in ths train. We are shill oithing tight in the same waition as hithents, playing a waiting game Hawelldug in ot would take a by cowd to diptns now. We wait fom the Buitish o seenad to come as sn them end + then well move I will be weeks yet on afraid the Iwits one secoming. tuple dicomageo at the prospect have pleat of antiller daees Rifle conresng souties she he ok in health only got a bit of Khenmatism in my ordalders on kpt buay & are avai gotn expemance the Bagane wanm a is sobily tanning eback, my caus + iks aneblsten my se all peoled still itoall pait or the soldiens of
d4
Tho Salvation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Fonces 144 1313 By Dauling Wife I am happy a inform you that I am is ping Hum body soul + spiit I atwenting this i my dugont with my Blanet nang othe month of it to sheeld me from the penetuating lays of the scouching apta sun. M shealth is remainkable god my appehite just spendid I engoe the hand bideut & BullyBeef + the longhin due canget used to an thing eoea a nail in the foot I had a gueate washing of a kiod this wouning one Kackis Stuit, andenomts yundecpants & iswels 2pe ove necthie anyblue Hank Dd i in the same water soape sharted wrinsel + mashed in a kerosenahia fall of water I cannot say they are exactly snowwhite in coloar
986 £ 2 A 2e RurN Mr Mer
bath aclothes &a sleep I am very bady my had troab slaps ut pantia strish to set up with it & ha hoyns soen o bad ho en ir he out wid upp Lot to feel better mesalss enter Wead wnths o 4 500 ons foe beg have 15 Y Batl lft tine e hs of of 1600 reemeati coming hee o 2 most sever 50 iDa M Den aay ithe Das 52 2144 ande you be heneved frsmt snl thent oaly to 2eo ganise refet. sh belove faw & have 2n The 1 Andn Divisr as we have hat 14 pon coystant fighting & patignes water carring ford lumfire up th sthe Hinveronp the strongest wh bst Bully Bef & Bigk t00 ne wantora shn atowat wthon reat wether tisfor mon te e fightin oe weas tbit of a all Fressr well not refor ong. We of Nctat nanynaay
Shess Carat non the Anst Brigade have taken have even been asked to t nuntt ttevere t Sepyin a ero. repenst tit Newd 100, w0s anson week & we would we sands i no sure, yet altho thanc one somnles are he tsh is both augha &pitiab yonkin 22 ashgen gowying sener the plat thickens of vorsank ny as if well have winder andit is thh te Batest wadd overybody wawfully pedup with the here, when t could cast mes have been so different avden well nigh heo now with W sushas we would read cit the Bintish to set dowas Hwarch powr to do it. We would denogatice the Tanks completel, i two sa they are aworcause of the a ightes as we habe pnishe
cald Tunkey 5/9/24 your busans Genie I cannot wnte, f mach this ine an Shavemoneos month sendig you gt this in the spens with many des afde. an feeling somewehat fuest ang agais ts my hackess very thoubleaome sy is at a low ebb & the pt to ye the whit beconally I think a rest within a week pagaiin & be t ongentan fancy have done in any way- A an 22 or of the regiment all enquiries be the o senth the regiment. N 20 bout speak of these to aay one. Than initial all lttens addressed to 4 in full my name on under & on fou killed + measing - The same with parcels pack ys & papens. Tis one means a bood yoos each nai 9500. ad Donblewail. 500 wa is best to hof very gives about at these things. as me vention of the other Chapten 4No neat B4 tece so ginen th 3 epaod on
aat Fon 5 Te Mitchell howl aw a £ grst won Ct his pberwe indtfio 34 n snamber fo 2 & Ill hunt hir tonvonts mon ad in the at fr 27 tay asout now to be stioust ender College iHe ad athende sat Swan Hill a ayouageng a of the fouthland him Ihave gear hear remads, but was not sunt riator & about 15othes were drowved ese were teous. Heareno aki mach beadnedy hene te Tuts wens stud of really and the wst pesenbeancharge no mone & Troops ane do good at 6s no bey act ieal dask Spacket Cuese to ss wha Fare t Feaday

The Salvation Army.
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
3/6/15 1915
My Darling Wife
A line of loving
Greeting to you & the children
to let you know that I am
real well, tho' somewhat Rheumaticky,
dirty, lousy and
footsore with climbing hills,
& falling into holes. All is going
well with us, tho' unfortunately
I sleep poorly the ground is
damp & a trifle hard, however
we cheerfully endure these
discomforts as they are part &
parcel of the life? We do all
right, fancy I had bacon and
eggs for breakfast this morning
It is rough on clothes & boots.
The weather is very hot, Im as
brown as a 'Jap' now. There is
nothing very exciting taking place
at present but I guess there will
be a striking move within the next
month, as we are beginning to squeeze
the Turks & they'll soon squeak.
I expect we'll take a big haul
of prisoners within 4 weeks.

 

 


[* I am enclosing a
£1 for your Birthday. 20/9/15*]
2/
I trust my Darling that you
& the children are in the
very best of health and
that things are going smoothly
with you all.
Im wondering how you got
on at the Congress meetings
I conclude with love
Hugs & Kisses to all
& Greetings to any enquirers.
May God richly bless you
Your loving Hubby
Mr W McKenzie
oxoooxoooxooo
oxoxoxoxoxoxox
For Mavis
[*PRB4/150(3)
Australian
War Memorial*]

 

 

The Salvation Army.
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
Gallipoli Peninsula Tent City

10/6/1915
My Precious Darling Wife
We are all longingly
waiting for the mail. We have
had none for over a fortnight &
there is a famine of reading matter
as also a ravenous appetite for home
news. No doubt it will come soon &
bring rejoicing in its train.
We are still sitting tight in the same
position as hitherto, playing a waiting
Game. We are well dug in & it would
take a big crowd to shift us now.
We wait for the British & French to
come up on their end & then we'll
move. It will be weeks yet. I'm
afraid the Turks are becoming a
trifle discouraged at the prospects
We have plenty of artillery duels
& Rifle contests, sorties etc.
Im O.K. in health only got a bit of
Rheumatism in my shoulders. Im Kept
busy & have a varied & stirring experience
The days are warm. It is simply tanning
me black, my ears & lips are blistered
& my nose all peeled. Still it all
part of the soldiers life.

 

 

2
It is tiresome to sit and wait like this. The food is
plentiful & we buy extras from the ships.

Water is very scarce, washing is impossible the lice

 are very troublesome and I have to have frequent

hunts. How nice it would be to get a fine warm

bath and then wash our clothes. I cannot take off

 my clothes at night as I sleep on the damp ground.

We are stuck for much news here and only see papers

that are a month & six weeks old. However, they are

eagerly read & passed around. There are thousands of

letters & papers that none come here addressed to the men

are killed. The letters are returned and the papers are
destroyed. We have had about 2,000 killed and wounded.
This is very heavy but the Turkish losses are much heavier.
The British and French have had about 25,000 casualties 
and they and we must have thousands more. War is slaughter!
I trust that all is well with yourself and the children
and that everything is running smoothly. It is a big burden for
you but God will give you daily strength to shoulder it.
How time slips past - fancy it is just 8 months since we
sailed out of Sydney Harbour. I wonder when
we will sail in again?
[*Australian
War Memorial PR84/160(3)*]
 

 

The Salvation Army.
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
17/6/1915
My Darling Wife
I am happy
to inform you that I am in
fine form - body, soul & spirit.
I sit writing this in my 'dugout'
with my Blanket hung over the
mouth of it to shield me from
the penetrating rays of the
scorching aftn sun. My
health is remarkably good
& my appetite just splendid.
I enjoy the hard biscuits
& Bully Beef & the rough lining
one can get used to anything, 
even a nail in the
foot. I had a great washing
of a kind this morning -
one Kaikis shirt, 2 undershirts
2 underpants, 2 towels 2 prs
sox, one necktie, one navy blue Hanky
all in the same water, soaped
and boiled, wrinsed & washed in
a Kerosene tin full of water
I cannot say they are exactly
snow white in colour
 

 

 2
but they are sweeter & fresher to put on.
They'll all be ruined but that matters
nothing. Its good to be alive & enjoy the
experience. I am sleeping better too now
on the hard damp earth & manage to keep
the lice within bounds.
I had a visit from young Dutton this
aft'n - he is now a Corporal - 20 years of age
and so gets 10/- a day, or 70/- a week. He was
wounded & was in hospital & came back
3 weeks ago & is going along splendidly.
Chas Polstra has gone from here, I dont know
where he is, I fancy wounded and in Cairo again.
I trust all are keeping well and cheerful,
and having a good time in general & not worrying
at all about my welfare. I'm just O.K.
God Bless you - Yours in much love
Hugs & Kisses for all. Father
[*PR84/150(3)
Australian
War Memorial*]
 

 

2
bath & clean cloths & a long sleep. I am
sleeping very badly, my back is very troublesome,
at present, particularly at night
& I have to sit up with it for hours
leaning against something for back
support. The wet winter 'dugout' will
tire me up some unless I get to feel better
before November. We badly need a month's spell.
I guess it will come before long, as
we now have 150 (only) 4th Battln left
in the fighting lines, this out of 1,600
with reinforcements since coming here
18 wks ago - We have suffered most severely
of any, but won undying glory.
Our loss of life in the last charge was 225
Killed, 400 wounded out of 855. So I
think we should soon be relieved from the
Trenches if only, to reorganise & refit.
½ of the 150 are much below par & have
 little go left in them. The 1st Austn Division
is all that way now, as we have had
such constant fighting & fatigues.
That is water carrying food lumping up the
Hills etc. It knocks up the strongest who
live on hard biscuits, Bully Beef & black tea
One wants a strong stomack & strong teeth to
do well on this for months on end.
There is a bit of a lull in the fighting again
but I guess it will not be for long. We
have many many thousands of Kitcheners
now being out here but so far the
fighting has not started to have sorely It
affected as
 

 

4
[*PR84/150(3)
Australian 
War Memorial*]
the 1st Aust Brigade have taken every
thing they have ever been asked to take
& more too & then hung on to it
all at whatever cost, defying all
the Turks counter attacks.
This experience only refers to British
Territorials & Kitcheners new Army
not to the regular boys, who
are "stans". Oh for 10,000 Austn
Boys just for a week & we would
run right thro' the Turks in less
than that time yet altho' there
are many more Tommies than
that here the Turks have them
stuckup. It is both laughable & pitiable
& humiliating to our Empire. The
whole scheme has been a muddle
& the plot thickens. It looks awfully
like as if we'll have winter Camp
here thro' the British muddledown.
Everybody is awfully "fed up" with the
mess here, when it could easily
have been so different & have been
well nigh thro' now, with 100,000
Austns we would readily invite
the British to sit down & watch
how to do it. We would demoralise
the Turks completely in two days
They are awfully scared of the Austns
as fighters, as we have punished
them so severely killing & wounded
at every place

 

Gallipoli Peninsula
Turkey 5/9/15
Mrs McKenzie
Melbourne
My own Precious Darling
I cannot write
you much this time as I have no nws
worth sending. You get this in the
papers with many lies added.
I am feeling somewhat fresher again
tho' my back is very troublesome.
My energy is at a low ebb & Ive got to
apply "the whip" occasionally. I think
we leave for a rest within a week
so we should pull up again & be
fit & well. I have "stuck it" longer than
any chaplain & I fancy have done
more work than any one, but it does
not do to boast in any way. I am
the official Censor of the regiment
& also answer all enquiries re the
killed & missings sent to the regiment.
Dont speak of these to any one. I have
to initial all letters addressed to
wounded & sign in full my name on
those for Killed & missing - The same
with parcels packages & papers. This
now means about 7,000 each mail
last mail 9,500- a big double mail.
It is best to keep very quiet about all
these things, as the mention of them
only creates jealousy. No other chaplain
does these duties mentioned. Im now
the 'Daddy' of the regiment. The respect
shown me is wonderful. Officers especially

 

2
have been writing a lot of letters
this past week, hunting up information
& people too. Young Dutton is now a
Sergt & is doing well. Kate Mitchell's
nephew was wounded with a bomb
the 2nd day he was here. He is a 
brave young chap & did great work
He is recommended for the V.C tho'
I dont think he'll get this.
I havent seen Jones of Camberwell
for some little time. Kindly get from
his wife his full name, number &
what Battln he is in & I'll hunt him up.
Quite a number of my converts & some
Salvationists got killed in the last big
strafe we made. One fine young man
saw me on friday about how to become
a Salvationist, enter college &
become an Officer. He had attended
a few army meetings at Swan Hill.
He is a young englishman.
You'll have read of the "Southland" being
torpoeded near Lemnos, but was not sunk
Col Linton & about 16 others were drowned
These were Victorians. We are not
making much headway here, the Turks
have no stuck up really. And the Austns
at present can charge no more &
the English Troops are no good at
charging- They lack real dash &
fighting pluck. I guess this is why
we make no headby in France










 

 


 

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