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

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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,  & Jims brother. The latter is evidently having a

spell & I was glad to hear from him the home seen heaps of 

photos of him return & 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 a

sent up to the front as wanted. I have noted [[Billies?]] particulars
& will look out for him as we are all to scrap together, both

first & second forces.

I had looked forward to receiving letters written after the

receipt of my first from home, 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 only

bringing up near 'Gallipoli' (?)  on the Sea of Marmara & march on

Constantinople. Of course anything may happen to after 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 whatfor. Our officers say the 3rd Bgde which left here

three weeks ago attempted to land but were repelled.

As we are not to be supplied with anything for 8 hours

each man takes his own rations & his ammunition belts

filled if he is lucky so we are to be tried out for 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.O's

fought this [[?]] battle with ball ammunition.  The [[din was?]]

awful & the final assault on the dummy enemy trenches [[realistic?]]

The N.C.O's. were complimented on the showing & easily licked the

officers [[are?]] fairly ran & shouted them off their legs.
Inspections & examinations in galore for the first week. We
have to leave some of the old chaps in hospital but have
over 300 reinforcements to hand.
Included one Harold George & Fred Thompson & Jamie [[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. [[Tasker?]] is a 'Goog' Miller & a [[John?]]
Perry, all of Manningham maybe the girls will know of them.
The [[shaking?]] up at Colombo must have turned 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 and 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 issues. 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 points.
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. They are said to be good scrappers, but I don't
go much 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. [[?]] Constantinople I dont want to
do garrison duty there even if it has the finest mosques 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 [[?]] was once
a [[?]] & the lad gave it an 'Australian in Egypt forever'
but we now insist on the E being ditched.
I am also sending a cutting of the locust pest. You can't imagine
the sight, but a statistical friend could deduce a heap from the figures.
I last wrote of finishing up a days outing we had but
cannot so 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 a good nick
today. The weather was against us a hot wind blowing over
the Sahara & making our very worst day in Egypt 

[[1?]]
As we are over strength we have dropped all the wasters
& doubtful men & 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 thus reaches you what is home and 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 in 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 & judgement & 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 [[Gi?]], ask the girls to do so for me please.
I must get on with my [[?]] job 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 [[??]]
myself as  your everlasting & dutiful boy
Eric R Cotterill