Extracts from letters by Herbert Gordon Carter sent to his Parents, 1914-1919 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000220
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

10 Mena Camp My dear fatter & Hoter 12/15 we have been much amused by some if the sun's descriptions of our doings out here – the peculiar part is that most 7 their stores have some particle o bruth but that has been so exaggerabee as to be unrecognezzable Mena Camp. 24 12/25. We are all very annoyed at the rumours that have been circulated in Australic about the behaviour of our troops undoubledly there have been Excerses here. (in some cases serious) – but. I have been in forme on many sides by local inhabitants & the local press confirms that the feneral behaviour is reall excellent, moreover any misdemcanours are properby handled by the town prequets. We had one y our reinforcements play up – the other day – This chap threatened an officer with a bayonet it look the whole fuard to arrest hei (about 12 wen & then he started shouting & resisting. So he was pegged down to the ground and fagged. He lovsened the first lot of pegs & nearly got away . They put stronger pegs down this time. He is now spending a few days in a detention barrack where they fet plenty of work & very
little food and sleep. To things are not being let go as the article in Sunday Kiner would seem to insinuate. I took the nurses to the G00 & we saw there the two Turkish Ponloons with which the 1urks attempted &o cross the Caual. They were made of Alumenuien & were riddled with holes mostty from shrafuel. Mena Campt 1872f13 we have had a 5 days buorac toward) Satkara. Firthday we marched from camp to the site arriving at uidday. After a 4 hour spell we went out to take up a defensive position & dug trenches all night. I had a bit great from 9pm to midnight -managed to steep about an hour but there were too many stones to be comfortable next day was spent in defending the trenches against the 4 Bat. Dunday night we marched out at 9pm & marched the whole night - We don't go faster than 2 miles an hour- after a few hours you fet into a mechencal welk. & some men seeme at the halts. almost to go as leep while marching everyone would immediately flop where they stook & a a few seconds you would hear snotes
120 at 4.30 a m. Monday fived bayonels & chargee a hill. & after rest & breakfast we carried on the attack till midday nex day we marched back to cambs. after an address by the Brifadier in which he declared us fit for war Shepheards Hotel 6th March 1915. My dear Father & Mother There is sufficient evidence - we may move at very short notice. Im beastly tired having only had 12 hours sleep last mg 20. The whole I don't division was out on hiht operation object to doing a perish if there really was any weee for it, but it does seem sille to go tall that trouble with only an unaginary fie. This is about our 4th or 5th all night strent Shepheardr Hotel 1913 March 13 well. another week gove & still here we are- - our brifade look 2 days preparing a position The trenches fall in so cosily fr defence. we have to keep digging the sand out Last night we occupied them while the 2nd Brigall allacked
Rair-el. Wil Barracks Cairo. 21/3/15 M Dear Father & Colder. The change 7f oceur is only slight & unfortunately not permanent at midday Tuesda, I marched i - with my picquel (4 officers & 9o men) my duty dag to send men round the town - to maintain order among the soldier, also to send them all home after 10 oclock I am able to get a fair idea of the truth of the steberrnl about the troops behavour & si Exactty of the same opinion as before. There are a few rows but they are as a rule easily squasted, the drinken wene stand to attention & satube most ceremoniously when you call them to book Every morning I have to go to the Bab-sl Hadil barracks & sign all the charge sheats o the men arrestel. April 4. 1ei5 My dear Father & Mother. we are at last on the move We marched out almost exactly 24hrs after we received the order – right in the midst of prepardions for a sports meeting - run all pretiminary healt. refreshments ordered
N0 14 Apit 12, 198 My dear Father o Holler things are happening now thick & fest, but we shall see all We have not yet seen action we want in the next week or two. We have all had our hair cub like convicts – with no1clippers all over AII. SS. Minnewaska Post Audros 15/4/15 my dear Father I suppose there will be the last few days of Auxury when we leave this bout, which will probably be in the facef the Turks, we have to carry 3 days rations, full water bottle & all our fear Each man will have 200 rounds of ammumition so they will be loaded up – Tolbs per man. The generals he arrived on boar Friday ap 9& we moved off at 7 next mornen We were issued with large scale maps of the fallepole He next day we were amongst peniu suta. te istands. One either Nikarea or Samos rose suddenly from the see & had a large white city near the lop – & looked like some of those iustrations we see in fairy stories we have been practesing landing operations all fairly excited - at least I am- & trying
15 to keep quiet and calm. I have a volume of Shakespeare Comedies) with me. Its wonderful the enjoyment you can fet from reading the old chep over & over again. 1914/5. We had a rather good Church service yesterday, the padre excelled hunree, Gen. Birdwood also fave an address. 23d April 1915 Dear mother & Feler It is generally thought we will move tonight 30April. 1915. My dear Father & Mother Well here I am as yet safe & sound, bot I can find no explanation for the fact except the We are now having a mercies of Providence. rest after 4 days & 3 nights incessant strain practically no sleep & very little lucker. The strain is the worst for we were absolutely fighting for our lives I will fill this letter up according to the time. if tomorrow is a rest I can go on. but now it is Tooking getting dark & no lights are permitted. back – it seems marvellous to have got as far inland as we did
A0 66 Irish now we are camped on the shore in the shelter if the steep bluffs. - I had a florious swind & Sunbabe yesterday - I dont think I ever appreciated a swin so much. We left Lemnos on Saturday morning (24-) & hang about generally all that day. On Sunday morning tot landed. The 3rd Brigade landed first, about 4AM & captured the trenches along the coask. They mush have fore ahead at a wonderful rate for when we came on shore at 7 oclock. it was without opposition but we were called on to reinforce a pe minules afterwards. The country was terrible to advance over -like the Blue Hts. or Cowan Creek, only no trees only low scrub. When we got near the firing live oel we were fairly done & had discarded our packs & most y the picks & shovels we were carrying. Then we got into the firing line where the 3rd Byde were & were told to hang on. I never hope to have to go thro' such a fire as we were subjected to all day. The worst of it was coming direct from the flank – enfilading us. The shell fire was the worst but their machine frins did a lot. My Kipper Cipt Mcfuire had not been there 5 nin before he was lit
but he managed to be able to walk back. I don't mind confessing that for the first two howrs I was thoroughly scared & wondered how on 2arth any one was to go through a campaign at this rate for I had noidea as to whether the conditions were normal for war or not. Anyway I'm glad to Sa that thanks to your bringing up my instiucts were correct for when some of the men started shouting out to reture & tried to run, I fiud myself standing up & shouting to them to go back regard teoo of anything I give you full credih for this, my fether & Mother for the action came quite sportancously & was not the result of any thought. It save me a great deal of confidence & I felt fairly right from then. I had another occasion for a Similar action later on in the day & I kept getting hold of all the scared cheps about & seading them up, for about 3 hours before night fall, I dont think I dared move By nightfall we were able to move about freeby & I found myself some distance from where I was at the beginning of the day - al though I thought I had mooe only a few yarder. I went to look for the company & found them similarly situaled – all over the plea-
18 in fact I could only find a few. So I helped a section if the line that had lost an officer & wenl back to Bege H. Q for orders & to reprt position They sent me back & cheered we as much as they could - altho' they were very dumpy temselves & talked of retreat. However they told me we must lang on. So I went beck but could not find the lot I had left, its Extraordinary how Easy it is to get lost. However that did not worry we much for I found about 150 weeer walking about, apperently leaderless & retiring. They were tiking things very easily & there seemed no reason for returing so Itook charge of them & we made a firing line in the best avriilable position there, & dug ourselves in for the night. The Turks attacked only about 5 mind after we ralled & made a lot of row shorting Allah He. Is we could hear them Comig. However its not wise to shoot at night tell you can see your enemy so we waited till they were within 100 yards & let them have it. The alaks ceased & we had an hour or so spell. This put a lob of confidence into the men & they duy well. Then I spenk some time going round improving the line & findeng what broofe there were around. Things were really a lot
A0 18 better than I had unaginied for there was puribe a stevry defensive position behind me. which I could fall back on & it was well held. Io we held on & one or two night attacks met with the same succes as the first. They tried to get round us by the sea shore but a toopeds boal disbroyer spolted them- that ended that movement. By mosning we were well daig in & though they put strapnel over us we could bie low- We did not move at all that morning as I thought it best not to do tell orders were received. A delached boly lke us could do no good on its own. Yon Bridges came round at 3 pm & ordered us to swing roud & you a feneral advance that was taking place 1st May later I joined in the eneral advance which consisted mainly as fer as I could see of the 4th B? al though there were a lob o 2n Brigade men with them too. We advanced O.K. to the top of the hillr & then we had rifle fire from the front & deadly machene from fire from the right flaok We had to advance across a piece of ofeer fround & I cank understand now how anybody got through Most y as seemed to & when we got under cover &ley down they must have put two bettr clean thro' the maxiis. They

10/ 
Mena Camp 
7/2/15 
My Dear Father & Mother.  
we have been much amused by some  
of the 'Sun's' descriptions of our doings out here - the  
peculiar part is that most of their stories have some  
particle of truth but that has been so exaggerated as  
to be unrecognizable. 
  
Mena Camp. 
24/2/15 
We are all very annoyed at the rumours that have been  
circulated in Australia about the behaviour of our troops  
here. - Undoubtedly there have been excesses 
(in some cases serious) - but - I have been informed 
on many sides by local inhabitants & the local  
press confirms that the general behaviour is really  
excellent; moreover any misdemeanours are  
properly handled by the town picquets. -       
We had one of our reinforcements play up - the other  
day  - This chap threatened an officer with a bayonet   
it took the whole guard to arrest him (about 12 men)  
& then he started shouting & resisting. So he was pegged  
down to the ground and gagged. He loosened the first  
lot of pegs and nearly got away. They put stronger pegs  
down this time. He is now spending a few days in  
a detention barrack where they get plenty of work & very 

 

11 
little food and sleep. So things are not being “let go” 
as the article in ‘Sunday Times’ would seem to  
insinuate. - I took the nurses to the Zoo 
& we saw there the two Turkish Pontoons with which 
the Turks attempted to cross the Canal. They were 
made of aluminium & were riddled with holes, 
mostly from shrapnel. 
  
Mena Camp 
19/2/15 
We have had 5 days bivouac towards 
Sakkara. First day we marched from camp 
to the site arriving at midday. After a 4 hour 
spell we went out to take up a defensive position 
& dug trenches all night. I had a bit of rest from 
9 pm to midnight - managed to sleep about an hour - 
but there were too many stones to be comfortable. 
Next day was spent in defending the trenches against 
the 4th Bat. Sunday night we marched out at 
9 pm & marched the whole night - we don't go 
faster than 2 miles an hour - After a few hours you 
get into a mechanical walk. & some men seemed 
also to go asleep while marching - at the halts 
everyone would immediately flop where they stood & in 
a few seconds you would hear snores -. 

 

12 
at 4.30 am. Monday - fixed bayonets & charged 
a hill & after rest & breakfast we carried on 
the attack till midday - next day we 
marched back to camp. after an address by the Brigadier 
in which he declared us 'fit for war' 
  
Shepheard's Hotel 
6th March 1915 
My dear Father & Mother 
There is sufficient evidence - we may 
move at very short notice - I'm beastly tired, 
having only had 1½ hour's sleep last night. The whole 
division was out on night operations - I don't 
object to doing a perish if there really was any need 
for it, but it does seem silly to go to all that trouble 
with only an imaginary foe. This is about our 
4th or 5th all night stunt. 
  
Shepheard's Hotel 
March 13. 1915 
Well another week gone & still here we are -  
our brigade took 2 days preparing a position 
for defence - The trenches fall in so easily 
we have to keep digging the sand out - 
Last night we occupied them while the 2nd Brigade 
attacked 

 

13 
Kasr-el-Nil Barracks 
Cairo. 21/3/15 
My dear Father & Mother. 
The change of scene is only slight & unfortunately 
not permanent - at midday Tuesday I marched in 
with my picquet (4 officers & 90 men) - My duty was to  
send men round the town - to maintain order among 
the soldiery, also to send them all home after 10 oclock. 
I am able to get a fair idea of the truth of the statements 
about the troops' behaviour & I'm Exactly of the same 
opinion as before. There are a few rows, but they  
are as a rule easily squashed, the drunken men stand 
to attention & salute most ceremoniously when you call 
them to book - Every morning I have to go to the 
Bab-el-Hadid barracks & sign all the charge sheets 
of the men arrested.- 
  
April 4. 1915 
My dear Father & Mother. 
We are at last on the move 
We marched out almost exactly 24 hrs after we 
received the order - right in the midst of preparations 
for a sports meeting - run all preliminary heats - 
refreshments ordered - 

 

14 
April 12 1915 
My dear Father & Mother.  
- Things are happening now thick & fast. 
We have not yet seen action - but we shall see all 
we want in the next week or two. We have all had our 
hair cut like convicts - with No 1 clippers all over. 
  
All.SS Minnewaska 
Port Mudros. 15/4/15 
My dear Father 
I suppose these will be the last few days of 
luxury -. when we leave this boat, which will 
probably be in the face of the Turks, we have to carry 
3 day's rations , full water bottle & all our gear. 
Each man will have 200 rounds of ammunition 
so they will be loaded up - 70 lbs per man. 
The Generals etc arrived on board Friday ab 9 & 
we moved off ab 7 next morning - 
We were issued with large scale maps of the Gallipoli 
peninsula. - The next day we were amongst 
the islands - one - either Nikaria or Samos - 
rose suddenly from the sea & had a large white 
city near the top - & looked like some of those 
illustrations we see in fairy stories. - 
We have been practising landing operations. 
all fairly excited - at least I am - & trying 

 

15 
to keep quiet and calm. I have a volume of 
Shakespeare (Comedies) with me - Its wonderful the 
enjoyment you can get from reading the old chap 
over & over & again.         
  
19/4/15  
We had a rather 
good Church service yesterday, the padre excelled himself 
Gen. Birdwood also gave an address. 
  
23 April 1915 
Dear Mother & Father 
It is generally thought we will move  
tonight. 
  
30 April 1915. 
My dear Father & Mother 
Well, here I am as yet safe & sound, but 
I can find no explanation for the fact Except the 
mercies of Providence. We are now having a 
rest after 4 days & 3 nights incessant strain, 
practically no sleep & very little tucker. The strain is 
the worst for we were absolutely fighting for our lives - 
I will fill this letter up according to the time; 
if tomorrow is a rest I can go on - but now it is 
getting dark & no lights are permitted - Looking 
back - it seems marvellous to have got as far 
inland as we did -  

 

16 
Just now we are camped on the shore in the 
shelter of the steep bluffs - I had a glorious swim 
& sun bake yesterday - I don't think I ever 
appreciated a swim so much. - We left Lemnos 
on Saturday morning (24th) & hung about 
generally all that day. - On Sunday morning we  
landed. The 3rd Brigade landed first, about 4 p.m. 
& captured the beaches along the coast. They would 
have gone ahead at a wonderful rate for when we 
came on shore at 7 oclock. it was without opposition 
but we were called on to reinforce a few minutes 
afterwards. The country was terrible to advance over  
- like the Blue Mts or Cowan Creek, only no trees, 
only low scrub. When we got near the firing line 
we were fairly well done & had discarded our packs 
& most of the picks & shovels we were carrying. 
Then we got into the firing line where the 3rd 
Bgde were & were told to hang on. I never hope 
to have to go thro' such a fire as we were subjected 
to all day. The worst of it was coming direct from 
the flank - enfilading us - The shell fire was the 
worst but their machine guns did a lot. My skipper 
Capt McGuire had not been there 5 min before he was hit 

 

17 
but he managed to be able to walk back. I 
don't mind confessing that for the first two hours I 
was thoroughly scared & wondered how on earth any 
one was to go through a campaign at this rate for  
I had no idea as to whether the conditions were 
normal for war or not. Anyway I'm glad to say 
that, thanks to your bringing up my instincts were 
correct - for when some of the men started shouting out 
to retire & tried to run, I found myself standing up 
& shouting to them to go back regardless of anything. 
I give you full credit for this, my Father & Mother, 
for the action came quite spontaneously & was not 
the result of any thought. It gave me a great deal 
of confidence & I felt fairly right from then. I had 
another occasion for a similar action later on in 
the day & I kept getting hold of all the scared chaps 
about & sending them up. For about 3 hours before 
nightfall. I don't think I dared move - 
By nightfall we were able to move about freely & I 
found myself some distance from where I was at 
the beginning of the day - although I thought I had moved 
only a few yards. I went to look for the Company & 
found them similarly situated - all over the place - 

 

18  
- in fact I could only find a few. So I helped a 
section of the line that had lost an officer & went 
back to Bdge H.Qs. for orders & to report position. 
They sent me back & cheered me as much as they  
could - altho' they were very grumpy themselves & talked 
of retreat. However they told me we must hang on so I 
went back but could not find the lot I had left, its 
extraordinary how easy it is to get lost. However 
that did not worry me much for I found about 150 men 
walking about. apparently leaderless & retiring. 
They were taking things very easily & there seemed no 
reason for retiring, so I took charge of them & we 
made a firing line in the best available position there, 
& dug ourselves in for the night. The Turks attacked 
only about 5 mins after we rallied & made a lot of 
row shouting "Allah" etc. so we could hear them 
coming. However it's not wise to shoot at night till 
you can see your enemy so we waited till they were 
within 100 yards & let them have it. The "Allahs" 
ceased & we had an hour or so spell. This put a 
lot of confidence into the men & they dug well. Then I 
spent some time going around improving the line & finding 
what troops there were around. Things were really a lot 

 

19 
better than I had imagined for there was quite a 
strong defensive position behind me. Which I could 
fall back on & it was well held. So we held on & 
one or two night attacks met with the same success as 
the first. They tried to get round us by the Sea shore but 
a Torpedo boat destroyer spotted them - that ended that 
movement. By morning we were well dug in & though they 
put shrapnel over us, we could lie low - We did 
not move at all that morning as I thought it best not 
to do till orders were received. A detached body like 
us could do no good on its own. Gen Bridges came 
round at 3 pm & ordered us to swing round & join 
a general advance that was taking place 
  
1st May later 
I joined in the general advance. which consisted mainly 
as far as I could see of the 4th Bn, although there were 
a lot of 2nd Brigade men with them too. We advanced 
O.K. to the top of the hill & then we had rifle fire from 
the front & deadly machine gun fire from the right flank. 
We had to advance across a piece of open ground & I 
can't understand now how anybody got through. 
Most of us seemed to & when we got under cover & lay down they 
must have put two belts clean thro' the maxims. They 

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