Jones, Oscar Anglesey (Captain, b.1892 - d.1917), letters - Part 1

PERSONAL RECORDS.

A.W.M. File No. 12/11/717

CAPTAIN O.A. JONES. 21st BATTALION. A.I.F

D.O.W. 5 MAY 17

Original Letters.

5/1/1916 - 27/10/1917.

16/4/15      27/3/17
A.W.M.

LIBRARY

Classn No 181.11

[*63/26*]

The Official War Historian of the Commonwealth

Government (Dr. C. E. W. Bean), after his study of the 

collections of private war records preserved in the Australian

War Memorial Library, wrote: -

The Official War Historian of the Commonwealth 
Government (Dr C. E. W. Bean), after his study of the 
collection of private war records preserved in the Australian  
War Memorial Library, wrote:- 
"The private diaries in this collection furnish some of its most 
valuable historical records, but, like all private memoirs which were 
not compiled with any historical purpose, they should not be  
regarded as first-hand evidence except where it is certain that they  
are so. The diarist is almost always sincere in his desire to record 
accurately, but he is subject to no obligation or inducement to 
indicate whether he is recording his own observations or incidents 
told him by friends or heard at third or fourth hand at the mess-table. 
Thus, in some of the diaries in this collection, scenes described with 
vivid detail, and without any warning that they are told at second 
or third hand, have been found to be completely inaccurate in 
important details. A certain number also have been written up 
or revised long after the events, though doubtless usually from notes  
made at the time. In most cases the student must rely on his 
experience and on referred evidence to guide him in judging what is  
and what is not likely to be historically accurate."

A.W.M. File No.12/11/717
Captain O.A. JONES, 21st Battalion, A.I.F., who died

on 3 (? 4) May 1917 of wounds received at Bullecourt.

Other biographical details concerning him are: police

constable; of Melbourne, Victoria: born Boardford,

Victoria, 11th June 1892; joined the A.I.F. on

11 March, 1915; age at time of death. 24.

9^th August
1915
"Dear Mother"
I am writing this from
the trench where we are now located. Came
in yesterday, a few days behind the rest
of the brigade owing to the torpedo smash.
We landed at Anzac at 2 a m on Wednesday
morning and marched straight away into
the hills. We bivouaced till day light & then

got ready to relieve the 5^th Battalion.
My trench is about 150 yds or 200 from the
Turks, and all day xxx we are having pot shot
at their loopholes and periscopes, of course

they keep doing the same, & if we miss their parapets

will wave a wash-out (twig)The country here is very

hilly and covered with sort of stunted scrub,

prickly blooming stuff. Firewood is very scarce

and we brought old boxes & such like along

with us to start off with. I met one of the

Queensland boys & had a great yarn to him

about old times. There is only one Allora
chap left over here, the rest are sick wounded

or killed. Dean is well & he, another Corporal & I 

share the one dug-out. We only lost about 40
I believe, when we were struck by the torpedo
but we were extremely fortunate, as the one before

us, sank in about 4 minutes after she was
struck and the losses amounted to something
like 800. These trenches are just like 
homes and so extensive that it is

very easy to lose one’s bearing. We are quite safe

in here,the only thing is that the few shells that

keep passing over disturbs your sleep. The

flares that are thrown up occasionally of a

night time, light up the country wonderfully

The hills out at Reedy Creek are something like

the country we are now in so you can form an

idea how things are. Water for drinking etc

is not too plentiful, but there is enough to jog 

along with. The flies are our worst enemies & one

is glad when it gets dark, so that we can have

peace, the small squares of mosquitos net that

were issued to us are splendid for without

them we could not sleep. It gets cold at

night, and quite a change from Egypt, although

most likely they will be having it cool there

very shortly. Tell Frank that I will

write to him one of these days, when I get a

real hustling fit on. Don't forget Mum to send

writing paper in your letters, just a sheet & a

small envelope, so that I can keep writing

I suppose we shall be here for a while now

and things will be a bit interesting. Am 

keeping in splendid health, just like when

I was in the North. Gilbert Eaton had

his knee cap split when getting into the

boats after the smash & I believe may

return to Australia on furlough but

cannot vouch for the truth of it.

All the others are well. I was just speaking

to Billy Clemens. He always asks how

you all are and wishes to be remembered to

you. kind regards to all friends.

Your son Oscar

In the Trenches

Gallipoli 16^th

"Dear Mother"

Was pleased to get your letter this

week, and to hear that Gla & Ivor had pretty

well recovered from this bout of influenza.

I am back with B. Coy, and expect

to be settled permanently now, anyway I

hope so. Things are fairly quiet

and there is nothing much doing on

either side except Artillery fire.

We gave them a solid hitting this 

morning, their trenches being subjected to

an awful burst, You cannot realise

how the earth shakes and trembles

when a six inch howitzer explodes.

One can always tell them coming, by

a loud droning noise as the shell approaches

and then, it whistles & roars as it goes

overhead. The burst following sounds a hollow

roar, full of power, scattering earth &

sandbags just like grains of wheat.

They fired some schrapnel & high explosive

shells from an eighteen pounder, but I

do not think they did much damage

2

I had a close shave a few mornings ago

One of their twelve pounders opened up at

550 yds range and started to blow our parapets

about. I got all the men under cover & 

went to my own post to wait events.

They came soon enough, one of their shells 

bursting 4 feet off me, but lucky for me

the burst was all out the other way and

excepting for dust, noise & stench I was not

troubled. I have the copper driving band

from the shell & am sending it along to Gla

It should make a couple of serviette rings

and will be easy to keep clean. I do not

want any more to fall closer than that one

as it was quite near enough.

I wrote to Olive a couple of days ago

and hope she gets it. I must

thank you so much for the parcel

of stationery and socks. The note paper

was handy also the socks. They are

a gay combination of colours. Im wearing

them now. I fancy somehow that we

will put in a fair while here, more than
likely have to winter here, unless something

happens shortly. They are bombarding 

the "narrows" and the sound of the

guns is plainly heard here where we are.

3

I hope that they get through soon,

for if not it will be too late for anything

to come from or which matters more

go to Russia, as I believe it freezes 

over in the winter and the shipping

ports such as Odessa are inaccessible for about

three months. Perhaps they might have

some other way of getting it through.

Gilbert Eaton is back here. I saw

him yesterday and again this morning.

His knee is pretty weak, but he feels

it a bit when walking up the hill

at the back of us. It was just

a very severe knock, and not as some
of them supposed at the start; a broken

kneecap. I have fairly good quarters

in B. Coy but not as roomy as where

I was in D. Cy. I have heard that

there are some Welsh regiments around

on our left, and was  wondering if

my cousins were there. They may be

in Heliopolis yet, but anyway I will

write to Wales and find out to what

unit they belong. Where I was last

week I could see right away across

the peninsular. There is a fine valley

4
and cultivation ground away in the distance. One could
see men riding & sometimes walking when 
looking through the telescope. I also saw two
men driving a mob of bullocks, somewhere;
very like it was to some well to drink, as
they came back a little while afterwards.
The old chap is to be seen nearly

every day ploughing away and he does not
seem to care that there is a war or not.
Had a letter from Mr Cocks also last mail
and he was telling me that things were looking 
very well around  where they were. He told me
that  he felt a lot better after the operation.
to his nose. I suppose; although I do not know,
that it was catarrhal trouble. This war
on the look of it, seems as if it will last
another twelve months, but then again
this winter may see the finish out, although

personally I do not think so. The weather
is gradually getting colder, and one feels
the benefit of his overcoat. I have plenty of
warm clothes, and do not fear any ill
effects of the coming season. Tell Ivor I 
will drop him a line by next mail
also one to Frank, although it is time
he wrote to me. Will close now as there
is very little news, so trusting all are
well & that you went to Maffra for a 
holiday. Love from Oscar

October 1^st 1915.

In the trenches.

"Dear Mother"
This week owing to no Australian mail
coming along we will have to wait till next week
for news from home. Our wait will be rewarded
by an extra supply I hope. Thanks vey much for
the parcel Mum, it arrived safely and the fly
veil is first rate, the nights have turned
warm again this week and so I have not
required the mitts yet, but I would not be
surprised if, having to put a winter in
here we are treated to some snow
Guess it will be the other way about in
Australia at that time. I was along to
the 13^th Light Horse yesterday and saw
Dave Pattison. He was having dinner at
the time and seemed well. He was
asking after you all. He hold me that
Lyn Howard was in the L.H., but I did
not see him, may do so later on.
Picked up a pair of the Australasian Argus the
other day with a photos of Sam Brace
in it. Poor Sam, his luck was out but

he finished up well anyway.