Papers relating to the service of Stewart Murray Hansen, 1915 - 1917 - Part 21

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of the  Townites. I have seen several within the past few
days & George Lowe who was wounded two days or so
after first landing on August 4^th but has since rejoined
his regiment the 7^th Bn. Arthur McShane is still well
"Dicky" Griffiths is in excellent condition after an
absence in Egypt. Bob Andrews, a Baseballer, is still
with the 8^th Battn. Jack Maddern is going strong.
Of the men in our regiment Will Skilton is missing
but there is little likelihood of his whereabouts being
discovered as very few come out alive in the first attack
[[?]] [[?]] 60 on 21^st August. [[?]] [[Cpl?]] [[?]] was [[?]]
on same day. Sandy Sutton had his finger shot off
Keith Thompson is in hospital, & Jim Bumstead is wounded.
Arthur McShane reports having seen Bob King, Len Linklater
Tom Linklater, Frank Flack & Ron Fowler
Lieut Colonel Le Massine of 5^th Bn and late of B.N. Brigade
was in good fettle yesterday when I spent a few hours
with him comparing notes and experiences. He was
pleased to renew old acquaintances and spoke of seeing
Len Smith. If I come across any more I will tell you
know later on
Sgt. Hepburn is in charge of regimental kits at Alexandria
but according to reports he is not likely to return to
the front

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Yesterday I went for a brisk walk during a very
spicy breeze and quite enjoyed it. My steps were
drawn towards a hospital wherein are stationed
a couple of our Officers. There I had quite an
enjoyable time and met Dr Harwell of Melbourne and
several friends I have made since landing on Gallipoli.
also an Australian Nurse.
This morning we have been treated to Gramophone
selection of fairly high end. This agony of

Lady Hamilton. These are also appreciated in [[D?]]
[[?]] of gifts few more [[? ? ]] They
are thoroughly appreciated.
The [[treats?]] experienced by the men have [[steadied]]
them [[?]] [[?]] and they are as well behaved
here as they [[?ed]] be on Collins St block. It
seems rather hard that after going thro so much
they will soon be at it again as hard as ever and
under [[fire/four?]] [[?]] they[[?]] [[?] ?]]. Their spirit
is wonderful. Only yesterday a Canadian doctor
who had visited the trenches said that never had
he seen men less averse to danger while under fire
and yet when wounded they hung on to life with
wonderful force & many have pulled thro' [[several?]]
times only by their fine spirit. They are [[?]] fellows  

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and deserve all the credit given them. On the other

hand the Tommies seem to possess a mania for

being killed. Our fellows dig, cook for themselves

with generally show a marvellous amount of initiative

far more than any "Tommie" [[ we have ? in [[?]]
[[with/worth?]]. They are the [[?]] at humour and pull the
legs of poor "Tommy" unmercifully but the English
[[lads?]] like nothing better than to be attached to one

for experiences. Our

Sarpi Rest Camp
Mudros West
Lemnos Is.

28-9-15

Dear All,

Another week gone and we are still resting. In fact

we are indulging in a real live ['loaf'] I have been able to draw

some 'live' cash which I have not handled in such large quantities

for several months, and consequently decked myself out in togs

becoming my person. I landed here with a dirty shirt - the only one-

a torn & much sewn event, ripped short knicker trousers & well scratched

boots. Now I look the part and am enjoying these privileges which are

part of an Officers position. I forgot to mention my cap which I wore

in Australia; it is a bit of a wreck but lasted me thro' all weathers

because we couldn't get any other. It contains a bullet hole

through the band as the one reminder that I was hit This I have

now discarded in  [[confo?]] with my newer outfit. A wash

every morning and a change of clothes, not to mention socks which

have recently arrived, together with regular shaving days makes one feel
a human being once again. Our officers mess (only five but a mess
nevertheless) in which we are enabled to eat of something palatable
according to our tastes is also an enjoyable adjunct.
The men are faring well with the exception perhaps of a little too much
fatigue duty but they are enjoying the change of living immensely
and are very happy.
They do not wander out of camp very much although they have general
leave every afternoon. Recouperating explains their tired feeling.
The Greek inhabitants are mobile and forwarding to Athens preparatory
to joining the colors against Turkey. They are very jubilant  and
great ceremonial processions take place on Sundays.
The New Zealanders Band has just reorganised & we are enlivened
morning and afternoon with musical strains. Ours will come soon.
Last night the officers of the Brigade leaded by General Monash
convened a camp fire concert to which were invited our New Zealand
Commander. The show passed off very satisfactorily as also did the
after-supper to visiting officers. One thing failed However.
Canadian  musos who were invited and intended to come, failed

to put in an appearance much to our disappointment. We must
yet seek the cause of absence
I am enclosing a survey of a port occupied by the 14th Bn on Gallip.
after our advance on Aug 6th and our charge on August 8th. From
this sketch I prepared a plan of our position, to scale, for the Army
war diary. I have others of Courtney's Post but they are in possession of
Col. Courtney. Enclosed also plan prepared of drainage scheme in
connection with our rest camp at Mudros West. Lemnos.
We received good news from France yesterday. A big advance had
begun with Germany losing 20,000 persons and 100 guns while in Caraby
movement was in progress. Something to liven us up.
News is scarce today everything being so quiet so will finish.
Yours
Stewart

Sarpi Rest Camp 

Mudros West
Lemnos Is.

30-9-15

Dear All,

Letter dated 15/9/15 and one

from Alex arrived yesterday. Brucknow

has slightly exaggerated his unreliable

information as I am still with the

Regiment, at least I think I am.

A fortnight's respite on this island

has worked wonders all round but

we have not been able to obtain much

money for the men and this seems

the only fly in the ointment. We

receive plenty of rations including

fresh meat, stout & ale & bread instead

of beef & biscuits. Several issues of

gifts have at last been made to 

the troops especially socks which the

Red Cross workers have been making.

Tobacco & cigarettes are also plentiful.

Matches are scarce however and

many are the weird devices used

to make one match light several

papers & cigarettes.

for the present our "dug out" life has

ceased and large double lined

Hospital tents constitute the houses

of our weary troops for such time

as we remain here.

"Well" water is plentiful so instead 

of bathing out of a cup we stand

in a Turkish [[dish?]] (like milk pans

used on farms) & sponge ourselves.

It is great to find yourself with 

clean hands and face after being

used to dust ground in your flesh.

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It prevents us from appearing so

brown but the pure tanned

flesh is every bit as healthy looking.

There are several Hospitals on the

Island. 1st & 2nd Canadian, 2nd Australian

Stationary, 3rd Australian General

besides several English ones and

Convalescent Camps. Several nurses

are attached to the former Hospitals

and we had a visit from a small

party yesterday to inquire for several

men who, unfortunately are missing.

1-10-15

Heard by Naval wireless that three

Army Corps of Germans accounted for

by Allies in France Totalling 120,000

men.

Arranged with Brigadier to visit

Kastro the Greek capital of the

Island on Sunday so will

probably have some news of interest

next week

1/10/15

Some of the troops which had been

left behind at Anzac to assist the

new troops until such time as they

become proficient in trench work,

have rejoined us at Lemnos and

the remainder men rejoin this

week. This augers well for a

much longer rest than one month

away from the firing line.

Anyhow five months over

there deserves more than one

month's respite away.

The Paymaster has arrived and

we are able to pay each man 30/-

so this will enable ^them to carry on for

some time to come.

There is a hope - ever so faint -

of my being sent to Egypt

on duty. If the Brigade are