Papers relating to the service of Stewart Murray Hansen, 1915 - 1917 - Part 6

"D" Coy. 9th Batt                                                             
Reserve Gully.
Gallipoli Peninsula

Turkey
27/6/15
Dear All,
Two mails arrived last week, the latter ones
being dated up to 18th May. Still going strong although
there are not many Williamstown boys left whole. The
majority will be back but not for some time. Our brigade
having a good spell from the firing line after their
strenuous five weeks there but we have been road
making nearly 5 days out of 7 per week. Sunday
[[?]] [[?]] 10th week [[?]] [[?]] still have most

of the say & expect to always have it. Dave W. has

been missing since 2nd May he may be in Hospital or

a prisoner. There was a terrible fight that night & he was

missed in the dark, with several other men and Officers
but his body has never been recovered. Gerald Calcutt
has also been missing for some time. I happened to be one
of the lucky ones all thro' but must not crow too much.
Our bivouac is still pested with shells but do little

or no damage. Their objective seems to be to stop the

landing of stores but they fail miserably although
several chaps get hit sometimes. I had exhausted my
 borrowed envelopes this mail so unless something turns

 

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up your next weekly mail will be a piece of card
board. Another attack was reported last might
chiefly by Light Horse but no news yet to hand as to
casualties of Turks. An aeroplane belonging to enemy
dropped some papers over our trenches. They told us
that our cause was in sore distress 7 that we were on 

our last legs so we had better surrender & be treated
well as prisoners. It is quite laughable, considering
our position here. Have not received parcels mentioned
on last mail nor did I get the local paper. Another
shell just burst over our heads as I finished the word
paper and one just whizzed over as I put down

the word shell. They are coming from a new direction as
well have to beware of future ones.
This week has been fairly quiet except for shells but
they only occasionally burst right.
According to reports we can't get another mail for
fourteen days. My batman Sandy is still going
strong. We are fairing well at present and by getting
a little flour & oatmeal from the Indian troops we
are able to have delicious for meals. Occasionally
porridge & jam & condensed milk when possible
pancakes & sugar (hot) made an appetising tea.
Bully beef cold with pu[[?]], hot with onion potatoes
varied sometimes with fired frozen steak & onions. & very

occasionally eggs & bacon. Bacon & fried bread for breakfast

is also on the usual menu but we only get bread 3 days a week.
 

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The remainder is biscuits (hard) & jam & tea with sugar
by very seldom milk. Sometimes we can buy sauces,
milk, eggs & such like by this has only been twice since
we landed ( 9 weeks). None of the last batch have
arrived her but they are handy somewhere for another
move. improvements are being carried out in our Gully
Roads are being made zig zag up the cliff while our holes
are being filled in with the dirt. However as a soon as they
have finished we will construct another & improve on our
first. Our particular home is 6x8 three sided cut
out of the side of hill & covered over with waterproof sheets
[* Diagram of dug out *] He we eat, rest & sleep. It is a one [[?]]
house & office combined for we

transact all office work here.
The filling at sides is of sandbags & stones
while at the top is a row of sandbags to keep earth
& stones from falling in on us. We feel quite cosy
& have become quite attached to the place. Of course
this is the officers of "D" Coy only.
Until next week
Yours
Stewart Hansen
Send envelopes & paper in each letter you
write. S
 

[*Copied*]
Reserve Gully
Gallipoli Peninsula

Turkey
3/7/15
Dear All
The end of another week draws near, marking the tenth week of occupation

with our objective still some weeks ahead but certain of accomplishment in
the future. The doings of last week have been many and varied and the
results far beyond expectations. "Down South" referring to the Cape Helles
base of operations, matters have been progressing swimmingly. After heavy
bombardments from our Artillery & the Navy, the whole British & French
lines advanced over half a mile capturing many strongly held lines of
enemy trenches. The Turks made determined efforts to recapture their lost
positions but a trap was laid for them. The British evacuated portions
of the captured position in the centre and during the night the enemy
swarmed into the opening. At dawn our troops attacked them from the
sides as well as it front & either killed them or took the remainder prisoners.
Our portion of the attack resulted satisfactorily in drawing a large body
of Reserves against our right and sniping them and with Artillery as
they came up in small bodies. This prevented a larger force being
 

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sent to operate against our Comrades down South. The total result of the
attack resulted in the famous Achi Baba position becoming rather
unstable for Johnny Turk although he still clings to it. Also - and this is
far more important - Johnny's fighting spirit is sorely demoralized &
broken and unless something unforeseen happens, this once impregnable
fortress which dominates a large portion of the Peninsular, will soon be
used against its builders.
The day following the attack, our right was bombarded by the Turks all
day and we naturally expected a counter attack against our position.
The evening set in dark with strong wind which filled the valley with dust
from our roads. Taking advantage of the dark and noise the enemy
advanced against our left flank in pretty large numbers but the
Light Horse waited until they crowded right up to the parapet before they
opened fire. Then, what oh the noise? Machine guns "acked" & big
guns roamed while the men used their bayonets on all who dared
showed their heads over the parapet. They were trapped and slaughtered
and the little "demonstration" cost them dearly. One of our troopers
was found lying on top of three burly Turks, he had found them creeping
along a sap & had tackled them single handed. Another V.C. hero gone.

 

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A Turk supposed to be wounded was dragged in the next morning and
found to be unharmed. He had had enough and was glad to get away
from the scene of operation. The Turks evidently meant hoped to
push their attack home as it was ascertained that Enver Pasha, the
imminent Turkish leader, was with them and he ordered them to drive
us out, while the troops opposed to our division were fresh troops
especially brought here. Of course, as usual, they failed.
During the period of these attacks our "abode of rest" has been free from shell
fire but we have had some heavy rains making our "dug outs" damp and
blankets and clothes wet. It is almost impossible to climb the cliffs during
the rainy periods as the clay becomes very slippery but the wonderful Army
organisation has made the captured ground a large city with well made
roads everywhere, even setting up the usual public institutions as
Post office, hospital, "Staff" buildings etc, all constructed of sandbags
and earth. Water-proof sheets protect us from rain & sunshine alike.
The sun gets very warm about midday but the climate generally, somewhat
resembles the Victorian Summer in moderation. The evenings are simply
glorious and the sea is very seldom rougher than ripples. The track is
composed of pebbles until about 10 yards out when one finds a sand
 

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bottom with a very gradual slope. Except on rare occasions, we enjoy
a swim every evening about 8pm, and as we have no artificial

 lights after sun down (not allowed) it has become the practice to climb
the hills adjoining our "dug outs" and view the extra special sunsets
over the calm Aegean Sea with the Island of Imbros rising like
a steep volcano on our left front. After this it is usual to turn our
attention to the moon which sends the snub on top of high ridge a silvery hue
and casting long shadows like large powerful search light, causes
varied shapes on the waters surface.
Lately we have been having a jolly time to the Officers dug out.
Plenty of noise and laughter. Our mail has become exhausted and will
not be replenished until next week when we hope to get a double mail
Our supply of reading matter soon runs out even although a "returned
[[?ded]]" brings back a good supply of literature. Our writing
material has again been replenished by the return of one of our Company
Officers from the convalescent camp at Mudros on the Island of Lemnos
I was [[?]]ed in the harbour of this fertile Island for fourteen days, and
saw some picturesque Greeks in native costumes.
I also had a long conversation with Fraser-Parker of the L.H during the
week. The news of my promotion seems to spread rapidly here, since any
 

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acquaintance seems to fish out my whereabouts to come and have a talk
I am now fairly settled down in my new position although the altogether
unexpected promotion made me uneasy as to my ability to retain
confidence in my command. However the Captain seems perfectly
satisfied and has put me in charge of my original platoon of men whom
I have been with since first enlisting. Many of them have been put
out of action, some killed, but the majority only "out" temporarily.
As for the other Williamstown boys, I only hear from those who are still
unharmed but rarely see even those on account of "visiting" being
discontinued by Divisional Heads.
None of the parcels have yet arrived but letters & papers up to 18 May have
been perused several times and in fact we have read even the ads.
up to date.
We understand that the last big contingent (can't mention numbers of
Brigades etc.) is in Egypt but have not seen or heard of their definite
whereabouts up to Today (3rd July).
We are still resting (pick & shovel work) but the monotony is somewhat
broken by Company parades and lectures. Our store having been
knocked about with stray shells is about to be removed to larger and
more spacious premises. Business carried out as usual. This necessitates
a large body by men armed with picks & shovels also rifles. Nothing
less that the side of a mountain will now suffice for sufficient
 

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protection for our precious supplies.
On special occasions the men are issued with a small quantity
of rum but not sufficient to do any material damage to their
equilibrium.
Tobacco & matches are also issued periodically but our match
supply runs out frequently between issues but we always manage
to get a light from a fire some[[where]] [[?]] extent of

lighting our papers from another lighted pipe.
We have just finished our evening repast consisting of hard
biscuits fried in bacon fat & well sugared or else [[?]] by of
marmalade piled on. Tea & sugar without milk. This meal is
very wholesome. Sometimes the biscuits are well powdered
into flour and made on "fritters" eaten with sugar. These
are extremely appetising.
I would be pleased if you [[?would write]] occasionally
to Mr Hendersons & tell him the news. It is very difficult to
write to more than two or three per mail and as certain
people desire a mail a week the limited supply will not
go round.
Yours
 Stewart

1

Gallipoli Pens.

Turkey

14/7/15

Dear All,

The week has been quiet and

generally uninteresting to me. Operations

"down South" near Achi Baba are

progressing satisfactorily and gains are

announced every day. Of course

progress in distances are small on

account of each trench being only a

few yards separated and also strongly 

held but usually each captured

line means much, because in so doing

enormous amount of heavy gun fire

is directed against the enemies trenches

thereby causing casualties and above

all destroying of its defences. Therefore every