Letters from Norman Griffiths Ellsworth to his Mother, 1914-1915, Part 20 of 27

"Anzac", Gaba Tepe 
Gallipoli Pensla 
Septr 11^th 1915. 
  
Dearest Mother & all at Home, 
Just a line to let 
you know that I received another budget of letters 
from "Home Sweet Home" today, & my joy knows no 
bounds as you can easily imagine, but so far 
the parcel has not arrived, but I have no doubt 
that it will come alright, as the parcels get 
here usually a day or two later than the letters. 
You say that you heard we have to pay on 
parcels we get here; This is not the case & we have  
always got everything alright I had to pay nothing. 
I am glad to tell you that those of us who have 
been here since April, are going on a short holiday 
of a fortnight, tomorrow, to Lemnos, & we are 
very thankful too, as some of us, or nearly all 
are feeling "run down" somewhat, & the change 
will do us good. We do not expect to be relieved 
until the new Artillery Brigades arrive, but we 
will have no difficulty of carrying on until 
they come, but at the same time, we are eagerly 
looking forward to being relieved.

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I suppose you got a surprise in my last letter to 
know that I intended to apply for a transfer to 
the D. A. C., but so far I haven't done much in 
the matter, & I find that there may be some 
difficulty in getting this, so I don't care very much 
if nothing comes of it. Anyhow, I am quite full up 
of the 4^th & most of the others are too, at the way 
things are going on. Since our Major went away 
for a holiday (Officers have no difficulty in this 
respect) things have been simply disgraceful, 
& the other "Officers"? are promoting their "fancy" men, 
hence Moon being made Sgt Major, whilst the other 
appointments are anything but satisfactory, so you 
can quite see why we are anxious to get into another 
Unit. Dowsett has applied for a transfer to the 
British Field Artillery, as he is too disgusted with 
the way things are going on. I have been transferred 
temporarily to the Ammunition Column to act as 
Sergeant Major, all their Sergeants have got other 
good jobs or Commissions, & I have been sent 
down to do the dirty work of clearing up the 
Office work, a thing I know nothing about 
& in the present state of health I am in, I  
don't feel equal to doing the job, & I have told 
the Colonel that, if I don't have a spell soon 
that I'll simply bust up altogether, so he said 
that if I went away for this holiday, I

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would probably lose the chance of being made 
Column Sgt Major, so I told him I would rather 
forfeit the Sgt Majors job & take the holiday, so 
I will probably be sent back the the Battery 
after my holiday. Pretty rough, isn't it, eh. 
However I'm not growling, Mum, & don't let 
it worry you, because I may finish up by 
being made a good old Trumpeter again, anyhow 
I would be better off if I was, & I would be 
relieved of the responsibility of looking after others. 
There is one thing certain, I can never do office work, 
& the Column Sgt Major does nothing else, & you know 
that "Returns, Reports, Accounts, Bookkeeping, Figures, 
Etc, Etc, are not in my line, & never was, & never will 
be, so I am certain I do not want to get this job. 
Why you would have your son Norman as gray as a  
badger in a week if he did take it on, so I'm 
simply keeping my eyes open for "something to turn up" 
The C.O. down here advised me to try and get 
an extended holiday when I get to Lemnos, & to 
see a Dr there & let him know how I feel, so 
that was decent of him, wasn't it. 
Continue to address my letters to 4^th Battery 
no matter what Unit I am attached to for the 
present, because I will be with the 4^th on my 
return. 
Well, Mum, lets change the subject. I say 
I hope there is something in that advertisement

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for the Ellsworths to communicate with a London 
solicitor about something to our advantage. If it is 
true, then I will apply for my discharge & tear off 
to England & transact the necessary business. 
Am glad to know that Jack Tilton is coming away, it 
will make a man of him. Will also keep a look 
out for May Tilton too. I suppose she is here somewhere. 
What unit is Ernie Watson coming away with? don't 
say the Army Medical Corps for goodness sake. He 
should be in a good bayonet charge to really enjoy it. 
Everything is much the same here otherwise as when 
I last wrote, still in the same position, & the 
usual rifle fire & bomb throwing at night and a 
little artillery fire by day, monotonous isn't it. 
Tell Rupert I am very glad to get his nice letter 
& that he enjoyed the Party, & I hope he is a good boy to 
Grandma & gets her messages nicely. How is he getting on at 
school ? Tell Mab, she is a sport for bringing home 
the wounded chap to dinner. (Just like her.) 
How is Floss Robbie? give her my love & tell her 
to look after Mab alright for me (Cheeky aint I) 
How is Charls family? Give them my love. Also 
how is Aunt Carrie & family, Aunt Hannah, all of 
Winchelsea, Lacks, Ellsworths at Ballarat, Mr & 
Mrs Joe Avery & others who I've not mentioned. 
Give my love to them all & tell them I've not forgotten 
them. Tell George to write soon, & I hope he is  
well. Mrs & Ruby Davidson continue to show 
  
[*me great kindness. They send me boot laces, writing materiel & are now knitting 
socks for me. "Bless their kindness, they can't do enough for me, it seems. I really 
don't know how to thank them for it all.  Well Mother dear, I think I've told 
you all the news this week so will close with the fondest love from 
your loving son Norman (Hope your eyes are well)*]

Sept 11^th 
1915 
  
Tell George not to forget to 
send me along a Pocket  
Flash Lamp & spare Battery 
please, & I'll settle up 
with him on my return 
Norman