Letters from Eric Roland Cotterill to his Mother, 1915 - Part 5

[[ ??  Hello, Reviewer, I noticed that the top-of-page numbers (3 & 2) on Photos 42 & 43 are out of order. It makes no real difference to the narrative. Cheers, Ned. ]]


[* Recd Vaucluse
c/o Roseville *]
Heliopolis
7-4-15
My dearest Mother
Our last mail in Egypt was a bumper one
for me as I received ten letters. Two from George, one from you
May, Mabel & Ted, & Jim Sowter. The latter is evidently having a
spell & I was glad to hear from him. We have seen heaps of
photos of their returns & the route march of that other lot, & it seems
that the old town is working up enthusiasm over its blokes
Every week reinforcements are arriving & being absorbed as required
but the majority will be left on the transport when we land &
sent up to the front as wanted. I have noted Billie’s particulars
& will look out for him as we are all to scrap together, both
first & second forces
I had looked forward to receiving a letter written after the
receipt of my first from here, but we will miss it by a mail
or so.
We have orders that we will move off at midnight on Thursday
8^th inst. for Alexandria embark on the 'Ascot', sail due north nearly
bringing up near “Galipoli”(?) on the Sea of Marmora & march on
Constantinople. Of course anything may happen to alter this
but that is the present intention. It is expected that we will
land on a sandy beach & will meet with opposition. The navy
& aircraft will assist so the first scrap of our reps will be
modern whatefer. Our officers say the 3^rd Bgde, which left here
three weeks ago attempted to land but were repulsed
As we are not to be supplied with anything for 48 hours
each man takes his own “iron” rations & his own water bottle
filled if he is lucky so we are to be tried out from the jump 
 

3/
Time prohibits me of writing of the wonderfully interesting events
of this last week, & I cannot dwell on them. The officers & N.C.Os
fought two mimic battles with ball ammunition. The din was
awful & the final assault on the dummy enemie trenches realistic
The N.C Os were complimented on the showing & easily licked the
officers  We fairly ran & shouted them off their legs.
Inspections & examinations in galore for the past week. We
have to leave some of our old chaps in hospital but have
over 300 reinforcements to hand.
Included are Harold George & Fred Thompson & Jimmie Tasker.
They arrived the day of the G.O.C's inspection & had a glorious
baptism  Each spoke to me for they knew me easily. We
are trying to work them into our company but it is just
a matter of luck. With Tasker is a 'Goog' Miller & a felow
Perry, all of Newington, maybe the girls will know of them.
The shaking up at Colombo must have tuned the vaccinations
up for they are still plainly visible.
We lost another yesterday but have still a grand record.
I have not heard from Mary & she is the only one not to write.
Don't worry over the silver cloud mum. It is here & there alright
We're fine & I'll bet all the others in N.S W are just as well.
I have some good fellows with me & am quite confident of
their readiness & assistance when wanted.
Let your baby boy carry on. He will pull up at the right spot.
Dont fear for my clothing  It is all complete. I have used my own
to date but am starting out with our issue. We have three
pairs of sound boots so don't imagine us as barefooted. 
 

2/
Everyone is elated, patriotic choruses can be heard in all tents
It is rumoured Ian Hamilton is to be G.O.C. & an undercurrent
of pride is felt that he deems us fit to act under him. He
inspected us in an awful storm & was really pleased with all
he saw. We are the most complete Army Corps ever outfitted, so
should not besmirch the old fellow's reputation. After we
have left our first nervousness behind us - not 1% have ever
fought in a battle, - & been taught a few practical lessons
by the enemies bullets, we have material good enough to shift
these Turks. Theyre said to be good scrappers, but I don't
go not on these darkies, they haven't the spirit of our fellows
Maybe when we dish them up, Kitchener will let us have
a crack at the Huns. Hang Constantinople I dont wan to
do garrison duty there even if it has the finest mosque in
the world. I am enclosing a cutting from the local rag on
the question of departure.
I heard a good rendering last night. Our title was once
A I E F & the lads gave it as 'Australians in Egypt forever'
but we now insist on the E being deleted.
I am also sending a cutting of the locust pest. You cant imagine
the sight, but a statistical fiend could deduce a heap from the figures
I last wrote of finishing up a day’s outing we had but
cannot do so as we are all so busy. The first two days of
this week were the hardest I ever had. Everything had to be done
in a hurry & I felt really fogged out but am in good nick
today. The weather was against us a hot wind blowing over
the Sahara & making our very worst day in Egypt 
 

4/
As we are over strength we have dropped all the wasters
& doubtful ones & have only kept the better men, so have a good
team with us.
I don't expect to hear from home for some time now & the
same will apply to you from me.
What I have written of our future operation is just what
the colonel has told my officer. You should know long
before this reaches you what is borne out but it will cheer
you to know, that I am setting out in perfect condition
& feel as cheerful & chirpy as a cricket
What the future holds I know not, but am not the least bit
worried or pessimistic. I enlisted to assist in the accomplishment
of certain matters, & will endeavour to bring them
to a satisfactory issue. By so doing I will encounter a
certain amount of danger, but don't you worry over that
for if it is to be my lot, it must be so. I have my share of
common sense & judgment & will not "play to the gallery"
All the boys wish to be remembered to you & ask me to thank
you for your kind wishes
I cannot write to Gerringong, ask the girls to do so for me please
I must get on with my numerous jobs at once, so good bye
mother. My whole self & condition of mind & body is the direct
result of your always motherly guidance & sense & I cannot
find words to express my gratitude.
My fondest love & heaps of it to all our people.
Honoured am I, respected mother & father in subscribing
myself as your ever loving & dutiful boy
Eric R Cotterill