Papers of Edgar Sydney Worrall - Wallet 2 - Part 2

8
At Sea
9^th Sept 1915.
Mater Mine
The censor has ordained that one letter
of two sheets and one postcard shall be written
a mail. As yet however he has not limited
us to the number of lines, words and letters, so
I shall try and condense as much as can
be legibly read. A kind of "Multum in parvo."
We left Fremantle about 3.30 P.M. this day last
week and had a most enthusiastic send-off.
Several instances worth relating occurred.
Letters were passed over the side in scores that
never were opened by the censor. Telegrams also
were taken and delivered by benevolent
onto others. Fruit was thrown at us and fell
in a constant shower on the decks. During
our short stay the people of Fremantle showed
us every kindness and consideration and
nothing was too much for them to do for
us. I saw an old friend in the person
of a Miss Jeanette King. I was introduced to
her at the last Combined Sports and had
quite forgotten all about her. She happened
to be standing on the wharf bidding adieu to
some friends. Since last seeing her she has
migrated to the west and we met once again
in unpredicted circumstances. Captain Crean
came aboard as chaplain. We had a short
yarn about Mt Erica and the old home and
he asked after father. As we were leaving the
wharf, one of the crew fell overboard and
was rescued by one of the lads. Two other
incidents - rather amusing are - One of our
company saw an old pal on the wharf
"Great Scott Jack is that you in kharki"
asked the civilian. "Yes" replied Jack "I'm
off to Turkey! His friend deliberated for
a second or two then burst out "So'm
I" . Well to make a long story short
a cap & jacket were thrown over to him
& he got aboard. The staff however
failed to recognized Jack as a recruiting
agent & likewise failed to see
the heroic in the act, and the poor
[*would-be soldier was treated as a stowaway and sent down
the stoke hole to work his passage. A harsh end to such a romance.
Then again one lucky man managed to get ashore and arrived on the
wharf in time to see the boat standing out. He jumped into a lifeboat
& followed us up called for a rope and came aboard whilst we were
moving out. What his ultimate end was I do not know. I am
writing to father on the other of the xxxx allowed sheets. Hope you
heard favourably concerning Norman. Best & fondest love mother
Edgar*] 

8.
At Sea.
11-9-15
My Dear Father,
We are going along merrily
in the seas once haunted by the ill-fated
Emden and expect to cross the Line tomorrow
or the following day. Everyone is contented
and the best of fellowship predominates
among officers, NCOs & men. We are too
near ever-approaching Gallipoli and the
issues forthcoming to entertain any ill-feeling
towards each other. Consequently
we are having a splendid voyage.
Tell Lib there's a chap in our company
who knew her at Kapunda. Darkie MacGaffin
is his name - he was horse breaker
for old Sid Kidman and knows Jim Wright
and the girls. He was at [[?]] a couple
of years back & met George out on one of
the runs.
I wonder whether Norman has returned
to the Front or invalidated home.
Perhaps he is still in Hospital; if so I'll be
able to see him & may even get transferred to
his regiment.
Our life aboard is a very easy one.
6 A.M. Revielle: 7: Breakfast. 10. Parade.
12 Dinner. One hour in the afternoon devoted
to physical drill and games. 5. PM Tea
and lights out at 9. P.M.
[*A lecture is given on the fundamentals of war and
conduct, every day or so. I do not think we are likely to
be as fortunate as Norman & Harry in the ports of call.
You can deduce what I mean without my offending the
censor. War and bloodshed lie in front of us, home & memories behind
& the gap between us & the latter is increasing so in proportion is our
love. Best & tenderest love to all at home. Edgar*] 

3^rd reinforcements
24^th Batt A.I.F.
At Sea
Sept 21^st 1915.
[*Warm regards
to Father from
Chaplain Crean
How do you like
the Mount?*]
Sisters All,
We are now sailing through the Red
Sea and feeling the effects of old Sol.
Hot? well yes I should say so. In spite of
this however we are still happy and eager.
Every night we sling our hammocks above
and find it is not difficult to have a
good rest. Last Sat. we sighted land -
the first since leaving Australia. Bleak
and barren though it was, few were sorry
to see it. If my geography does not fail
me it was the coast of Abbysinnia. Since
then we have seen a good few ships and
have passed island after island. The
men turned out to see a ship pass the
other night. It was fairly dark, and many
were the opinions passed about her. A
mail ship - Bristish man o'war - German
warship. The last suggestion made our
deck sweeper turn pale. "What's the matter
Peter", asked a sympathic friend, "Afraid
of getting a shot through you"? "Good
gracious no," said Peter with a worried
look. "But think of the blessed men I'll
have to sweep up for inspection, should
that German cow open fire." Peter's
attitude is only typical of the majority
on board. There is no such thing as
[*mock jingoism or bravado about it. They are confident
of success. Like the winner in Vergil's famous "Boat Race"
the believe in "Possunt quia posse videntur" -  They can because
they think they can. Such is the spirit that will ultimately
make victory sure as it did at Waterloo.*] 

2.
Mr Crean is a very popular man aboard.
His quiet unassuming manner and straight
clear sermons have the desired effects upon
the men. On Sunday he held a short impressive
Communion service which was
well attended. In addition to his work
as chaplain he fills the onerous post
of censor - so he is hard worked.
The sports' meeting on Sat. was a
great success in spite of the heat. The
24^th turned out in force and won the
tug of war and passing the ball, were
equal in wrestling and second in two
other events. In fact we came out on
top against seven other companies. After
a magnificent pull W.A. beat the eastern
state. A few more days will see us at
Port Suez and henceforth our real soldiering

will begin. Where we are going or
when, I do not pretend to know. If I did
it would be useless to state it here.
Anyway my birthday will be celebrated
in new surroundings in a week or so. I
must write and tell you how it went off
No doubt Fate will have a game with
me and see me doing 24 hours guard
or fatigue. Let us hope not. Shall try and
write another letter to catch this mail.
Best and tenderest love to you all dears,
&  mother - father and Lib.  Edgar
[*I trust
that good news
have been heard
concerning Norman
and that Harry
is doing great
things
ESW*] 

Oct 1^st 1915.
Address until further notice thus
No 2026.
Corp. E Worrall,
3^rd reinforcement
24^th Battalion.
6^th Brigade A.I.F.
Egypt.
[*Received
Friday 5th Nov 1915*]
Mother Darling
Today I am eighteen, and as I

foretold my birthday was put in, with a long march
out into the desert. We have just returned and I received
the best news I think I ever got. It will make
this day long remembered. In forty eight hours, we
proceed to the place Australia has made famous!! And
that, only after ^only one week's training in Egypt. So you
can judge how hard we have worked. I don't think I
was ever so happy in my life - as when after we got the
news - my platoon marched out at the head of the
company to face a dozen or so miles of desert. I say
my platoon, for although there is a serjeant above me
the whole training & care of it, for divers reasons has
been entrusted to me. The supreme exuberance of spirit
I felt cannot be described. Norman no doubt has
experienced it and can realize what it is. As my
men in helmets, short knickers bare knees, arms and
tanned glowing faces marched forward to the tune of
one of Britain's war songs and hear the complimentry
remarks of the C.O. there was no prouder 

2.
man on the face of the globe. Yes! I'm off at last
and in the company of forty of the very best. In
the next few days any news may reach you concerning
me, but should the worst come to the worst and you
have to make the supreme and grand sacrifice, it will
be the easier to bear when I say that since I left
home I have acted absolutely square to my mother's
teachings and always as an Englishman should.
Have no fear for me; I have made peace 'twixt
God and man and am prepared to ^join the glorious list.
However I feel sure in my own heart that I shall be
spared to join you all again.
Tomorrow a party of us are going to visit the
Pyrimids and the other notable land-marks of the
vicinity. What I have seen so far has impressed upon
me that Egypt is still a wonderful land and but
for the degenerate race would again rival the world
in grandeur and majesty. It has magnificient resources
and these are slowly being developed after
lying dormant for hundreds of years. In a few years
time I may be in position to bring you through this
land - a thousand years behind its time - and you
will be able to see for yourself the marvel of architecture
and design on all sides - the ancient village
and modern cities - picturesque dwellings of the poor
along the canals and amid the palm groves, and 

3
palace of princes and princesses on the banks
and terrace of the mighty Nile. All are of the
utmost interest and I fear this letter is so snatchy
as to make poor reading; but should I let myself
out on the subject, I would be writing till revielle
and then merely making a start on the prologue.
Last Wednesday we saw Cairo - the siren
of cities - Two of us hired a carriage and I persuaded
the driver by mere force of arguement to get off
the box & let me drive. He sat at the back & the
two of us took the box seat. My friend took the
whip and in good old Australian fashion I took
the reins. "You drive well?" the owner queried.
"Me oath" replied my friend "we used to drive a
team of seventy bullock through Little Collins
street." What Little Collins street was our coloured
groom did not know, but he was satisfied -
for a moment. Norman will tell you what the
streets of Cairo are like - winding - narrow -
straight and every other variety. We started at
a dignified trot, broke into a beautiful gallop
sent the owner into hysterics and finished up
with a race with two others. Did we make
the pair go? I think we got all round the
city in an hour. Anyway the owner is wanting
to sell his pair as race horses now - so my facetious 

4
friend says. We saw a lot in that drive but
I think we went a bit too fast to take it all in.
I am sending a few stamps I should like
you to keep for me until my return.
When I leave, as I do very shortly I shall carry
fondest remembrance and love of the old home
and every one connected with it, and mother
mine, your sweet pure countenance shall ever
be before ^me whether in temptation or treat and
my undying love for you shall make them
both easier to bear and avoid.
God bless you all.
Your loving son
Edgar 

[*Address
"A Company"
in place of 3^rd reinf
and "On Active
Service Abroad"
in place of
"Intermediate
Base Depot"
Aust as before.
Letter from mother
to hand yesterday
dated Oct 3^rd*]
The Trenches.
October 8^th 1915.
Dear Father
Your long and welcome letter came a
few minutes ago. You cannot imagine with what joy
I read the home news. And so Norman is at last
at home with you all again. Well he certainly deserves
his rest, and I can imagine what a surprise
his wire from Fremantle would give you. I intended
to cable from Cairo, the news of his departure
but I only passed through the city thrice, and
funds were rather low. I hope he soon mends
and can return to join us here, but he certainly
has done "his bit" and all you can do for him
will not be more than his due. Harry is certainly
going the pace with admirals and hydroplanes
He said in his last letter he expected to be out
here shortly. Your sheet of paper and envelope
did not come too soon - I'm just about all out
as far as writing material is concerned. My
health is as good as ever it was, in spite of
the hard conditions and I expect to pull through
the winter all right. By-the-way, we have
already had a taste of it. Snow and cold
[*to a degree I have not known before. Tea is just on the round so
I'll have to close. Best of love to Mother Norman Millie [[Edie?]] Dorothy
and Isobel. Hope to hear from them all soon
Edgar*]
[*?holo*] 

A. Company
24th. Battalion
6th. Inf. Brigade
(Australia)
EGYPT. Gallipoli 19^th Oct 1915.
Mother Mine,
I have attempted to write several
times during the last week but have
always been interrupted. Old Abdul as
the Turk is called - has an unpleasant
habit of springing surprises on us.
The 24^th are holding Lone Pine, on
the right flank and [[?ing]] securely
trenched. I met half a dozen old
school friends here. One Alan Kerr
brother of the Rhoades' scholar, is a 2nd
Lieut in A Company. I beat Gamble &
Warne-Smith to the trenches after all.
They are on the Beach doing fatigue
work and were much surprised to see me
stroll into their dugout a week or so
ago. Needless to say we had a reunion
on the strength of it and a jolly
fine feed, which after our meagre diet
on the Transport, was like unto honey