Letters from Robert Pearce Flockart to his Mother, 1915 - Part 2

HM Transport

Kingstonian

12.5.15

My Dear Mother

Just a line to say that I am alright & nearing the Dardanelles again

I got on board this packet on Sunday at midday but didnt clear Alexandria

for 24 hours - it has been wonderfully calm & bright & the much written of blue of
the Mediterranean - There are all sorts of people on board, mostly medical
& Engineer people & we have a Colonel Smyth of the Egyptian Army who is a
V.C in charge of the ship.  She is the same line as the Novian, but bigger
and of course we have to sleep where we can find room.
I have got no kit except my haversack & water bottle, revolver etc & an overcoat
that I got from ordanance at Alex. No shaving gear or anything also only a toothbrush
all the rest is in my valise which may now be anywhere, but of course I hope to
get it eventually.  I expect the chaps on land have just the same & havent had
a shave for 3 weeks.
We are all very anxious to get any news of our movements on the peninsula

as we cant hear anything & the papers tell you nothing at all. but we will
soon know of course-
I expect before you get  this you will have had a list of casualties
published in the papers of the first fighting - I am afraid it will bring
the [[?]] very forcibly home to everyone in Australia what this
war means. 
I have met a very fine chap on board who is in the Egyptian Army
& has been at Khartoum for four or five years. he is most interesting &
talks of small wars with fanatical natives, elephant & tiger shooting
as we would of an everyday occurence. It is a fine service
to be in, with the Egyptian or Indian Army -
I havent heard from you since we were at Lemnos & cant expect to
get any letters for some time to come & when I land I dont suppose
we will be able to get a mail away for a good while - I havent got your
sox or [[?]] iodine set yet, they may be anywhere now altho I tried
without success to get them while in hospital.
There is no news, we can only speculate as to how our people are
getting on & hope for the best
I hope that this finds its way home to you & also finds you
all well - with best love
from your loving son
Bert

 

My Dear Mother

Since returning I have had a budget of papers two letters and a lot of

sox & mufflers many thanks for them all - especially the sox as I was

getting anxious about washing day having only the one pair as the kits

havent come to light yet - I think you told me that Mrs Wiseman did some of them

please thank her for me. I am awfully glad that you managed a trip to Pt. Lonsdale

with Colin, Inas, hoping that you would get away sometime for a spell

one of your letters was written from there - It is awfully good to get letters here

so far away with so much turmoil going on .  It is an incessant state of

firing, especially at night.  On Sunday morning I went to Communion

outside a dugout and there was rifle & gun fire going on all the time.

Yesterday an armistice was granted the Turks to do some burying in front of

our trenches - It was such a relief, not a shot fired and everything as quiet

as possible, we took the opportunity of having a swim & a walk, about as

we dont get very much exercise - It was like a holiday - people going

up to see the trenches, sailors from the warships collecting shells - Naval officers

out to see everything - I saw Dick, he was well & is getting along alright

Norman Young is also fit & well.

Just at present I am commanding the Battalion whilst is not an enviable

job by any means.

We are well off for water & provisions which are plentiful & good - I found that

biscuit eating is rather a slow business, since my issue of teeth has been

reduced - also the mails come regularly & we have an official daily paper

containing the latest war news which keeps us well in touch with the

outside world - We hear that Italy has come in which must mean a big leap to us.

During the armistice our men were helping the Turks to do their burying

& exchanged cigarettes & coin with them.

27.5.15    Last night we were surprised to see Frank Lind & Frank [?] come

back again.  Lind is especially wonderful after getting concussion of the

brain to be back again so soon, we thought that he would come back to us at all or at any rate for a long while.  They both look very

well.  LeMoustre got hit on the head with shrapnel & was suffering from shock.

You mentioned that Miss [?] hadn't rung up lately, I hear that she

has thrown Norman Anderson over the & is about to marry someone in Sydney.

which seems rather sudden & a bit rough on Norman who by the way

is very well.

Just at present I am suffering with a lot of others from a 

rather unpleasant complaint namely small stock in ones

clothes - some are rather large - We get no washing water

or changes of clothes so are using phenyle.  Everyone is

more of less the same & you see them sitting outside their

dugouts with nothing on hunting through their clothes for

these [?] & having "Louse Competitions" to see who can

catch the most.

Those who returned last night say that the kindness they

received from the people in Egypt was magnificent  - nearly

everyone who was convalescing has been staying with

private families for a while & they cant do enough for

them.  When I was at Alex I had an opportunity of

staying with Hopbenson [P?] the chief of Police but didn't

go as I was quite alright & felt that I ought to get back.

Also my kit was not very well [?], being the active things

that I [?] during the scrap - so if he had nice carpets , polishes

floors I was rather afraid of my dreaded [?] boots -

I hear that Manjer & Jack [?] are going on very well -

I have not seen or heard anything of the Pearce's or Jack Flockart, as

one can't go visiting very well here.

The Colonel is very well & keeps giving very good [?], nothing seems

to upset him.

You would smile now to see the varied uniforms we are wearing

Now, one man you see with a Frenchman's Cap - the next with a territorial

jacket - I have lost my overcoat, woollen vest & the scarf Jess sent me, so

I am wearing a Territorial overcoat - of course all the things were in

my pack & when we sent into the fight we took them off & left them & as I went

array the first night I never saw it again. altho' those who survived the fight

for theirs.

Glad to hear that Alan has settled down in Kerang & that he is not

the office boy any longer.  I can't manage letters to all  so, you must

distribute the news to them.

It is very refreshing to hear of the neighbours & that they are all well

especially the [?] & [?], remember me [?]

3

I often feel that I would like to be able to see you all & have a yarn

for already we have been through many very wonderful experiences  and

am always looking forward to being able to tell you something of them.

of an evening the view from here is really magnificent  & everyone is

afraid that a bungalow where our dugout is would be ideal - There is a beautiful

view of the bay with blue islands in the distance.  I can quite imagine a

yachting cruise round here at that time of the year. I hadn't seen the

sea yet with a suggestion of a wave on it, it is always as calm as a

lake & beautifully blue.  I heard some fellows who had just arrived say

"I think I will bring my girl here for a picnic when the war is over -the  other

replied "by Cripes I dont want to see any more of it"

Glad to know that [fantine?] is alright, give her my love when you write

So, Colin is busy "calling" - wouldn't mind if I could walk quietly about to

see people without running from cover to cover & lying down when you hear a

shrapnel screaming.  We all thing that when we get back to civilisation  again

& hear a motor bike everyone will at once lie flat in a gutter thinking it is a

machine gun.

You said that you hadn't got the table runner that I sent, I hope that it

has arrived before now, as I wouldn't like it to go astray.

Everyone here is glad to hear that the drought has broken, it has been

a long spell - what with that & the war things must be bad, but what a 

wonderful response to the Belgian [?] day - there is still money about

so Hubert is making a fortune - 20 guineas a week.  I fancy that

must have been rather a special one, or is that the average weekly

takings.  I can see expensive chambers, partners, stenographers & all

complete before I return.

I must close now hope that you are all well & hearty.

remember me to all the neighbours - Frazer & mary & anyone inquiring

I am quite well & fit, best love to all

from your loving son

Bert

 

Bay View Dugout

Dugout     28.5.15

 

My Dear Mother

Although I only finished a letter to you last night & posted it, two of

yours turned up today - so I am answering them at once.  Just at present it

is 7pm and everything is quiet & peaceful, only a shot or two going & I cant

stop talking of the view from here in the evening - you would love to have a house

here ( not just now of course), but the water is so calm as possible & the  islands

are a hazy blue with red & gold sunset behind them.   I can't quite imagine a more

peaceful & beautiful scene.

My valise came to light today, but imagine my horror to find only my ring that Mrs

Wiseman gave me in it. everything else gone & the valise neatly done up.  all my

things were in a wet bag inside it & the whole outfit has gone, a complete change

of everything, boots, shaving gear, diary, letters, everything.  it was a terrible disappointment

after waiting 5 weeks not to get them, but poor old [Erles?] & Oaker's came to light complete

so I got all that I [?] in the way of changes, etc.   It is a horrible thing to see their kits

coming to light as we were all in the same cabin & we all packed together, sorting

out what would be useful & what was too big to take & now to open them up and take out

what I want.  It is the only thing to do & of course one rather likes to think that

their stuff is put to some use, but it its too bad to loose everything first go off especially

as they were supposed to be looked after.  However one mustn't growl.

I am glad you got the table cloth safely & that you like it.  I often used to wish

you could have roamed round the bazaars & shops in Cairo & all the things that

were for sale & not really dear, either judging by what they would cost in Australia

I am glad that you had Colin & Alan at home for Easter & got  about a bit in

the car.  Easter is generally such beautiful weather.

I don't know whether I  told you that I met [Fuich?] here, he has a fine beard & looks

well, as usual had a lot to say.  He was in the first rush on shore & got

through alright.  I am glad to hear of Mrs. McDure, glad she gets about & that you

see her sometimes, give her my love.  I haven't seen Loris since we landed, I don't

know whether he has come ashore or not.

Your letter of 6.4.15 has lost a page as it has no ending, so I suppose you have

found the last one on your writing pad or sent it to someone else.

I am glad you got my photo I expect it was the [?], because that went some

time before I got the others done.  I got half a dozen I think & asked the [?] to send

them & trust that you got them alright.  I think they were fairly good.

I had letters from Mr. & Miss Saker today (Miss is his sister) they saw my name

as wounded & write to ask me to go home to their place if I got a chance. Poor

things they didn't know then that Sake had been killed, it was a rotten job writing

to them to give them the details I knew. They were such a fine couple, just like

boy & girl pals, she was as short as he was tall - and his sister is a fine sport.

I do miss both him & Erle, we were always together & both were such good

officers - they are a terrible loss to us.

So Ebb & Freddie are married - cant quite agree with Fred, but it is his

show - I had a note from Ebb last mail.

I am glad you [?] Daisy - it is nice to know that I was able to read

a message - havent heard that Mal has got married, only that he had

measles.

2.

Paper is very scarce.  Would you some time

let these people know that I got their letters &

thank them, but I cant write to everyone.

Ethel Halsey, Miss Guthridge, Dorothy Thunde.

She is on the phone - Aunt Nellie (Hobart).

Aunt is full of Red Cross work & seems to be at

it all the time.  It is really marvellous what

they have done though where the money comes

from.

We have moved from where we were last time

I wrote & my company is on a high hill where

we get a magnificent view over the Aegean Sea

which is just like a lake.  Last night, Sunday

after the bombing & noise it was very quiet about

sunset & it was a wonderful sight.  I watched

it from a lookout & at the same time a Salvation

Army Padre from Sydney was having a sort of

small church behind the trenches on the side of

a hill & it was grand to hear the singing in the quiet

of the evening with such a beautiful & peaceful

sunset.  We never see anything like the sunsets

in Australia.  You can't describe the beautiful

colours.  I have often seen pictures that are something

like them but you don't get the changing colours.

The colour of the water, so smooth & the islands in

the distance.  I still think a bungalow here

would be ideal.  We cant manage our bathing

before breakfast now a we could before & rather

miss it, as washing water is very scarce.

 

3

In fact we are not allowed to use it for

washing - so have to have systematic hunts for

foreign bodies in the clothing of a morning.

I got rather a good score this morning. My

best to date. got 13 of various sizes, which all

agreed was a very good haul.  The morning is

the best time for hunting of "sniping" them as it

is called, everyone is the same way so no one

cares, but they are rather uncomfortable.

I was very amused at the cutting re Capt. & Mrs. Berry.

The bungalow sounded awfully well in print but

it doesn't mention that they can hear the neighbours 

breaking crockery next door or that they can hear

old Walter calling for the footman or butler.

No more news. We are more of less like a besieged

town in that we cant go about where we

like, but we have the sea & plenty of boats to

bring us good things.

So good bye for the present, remember me to

the neighbours, love to all at home.  Hope

you are keeping well.  I am getting quite

fat.  Your loving son

Bert

 

Gallipoli

8/6/15

My dear Mother

Another mail today and another big budget of letters of "sympathy"

awfully glad to get yours & the papers, we all look forward so much

to mail day, even the flies dont seem so bad on those days and goodness

knows they are pretty awful.  I got a splendid letter from Uncle Joe, he was

well & the family too, he can write awfully good letters.   Guss let the cat out

so you have been "interviewed" by the Argus.  I wondered how my photo from

Egypt got in.  It is truly a terrible reproduction, & next week expect to

see the same thing with no hat and a beard scratched on it called someone

else.  I notice you have no comments on the boat race this year, well I

havent either.  Sorry to hear of Roy's bad season, it always seems to be the same with

him poor chap, he never has much luck but works hard enough & Clyde coming

too, it is wonderful who are coming.  You mentioned that Mrs. Mcdonald rang

up & concluded that Mac was a prisoner, we dont know for certain, but it

is almost sure to be him as he was know to be caught the first night by a ruse, the Turks

say that they have a Captain & Lieutenant, but from all accounts they are being well

treated.  I had a letter from Billy J.  and he never mentioned coming out, I

am surprised to hear it, he was talking about his battalion in Sydney.

I have seen some wonders since leaving home but who would imagine "Artie"

and Colin getting on so well, we may have the gate in the fence yet, and Colin

is tired of calling & loafing, it doesn't take long to get on your nerves, havent done

much of either but can imagine it very easily.

By God you mention the grapes, I know exactly how they look & would like to

fairly gorge myself on them, just now.  I had an orange given to me yesterday & cant

decide when to eat it.  I must do it tonight or it will go bad or disappear.

Glad Derment has got a rise & is doing alright with the engines. also glad that

the Jewell is better poor old thing she must have had a rough passage through.

I have moved my quarters again and am in the fire trenches now in charge of a

section of them. It is ever so much better than being further back & if anything

safer.  Luxton & I have a very good dug out and that is  quite comfy & roomy, yesterday

a shell went over it and a second or two after a shower of dust came tumbling in

& a couple of men I had working on it doing some improvements said that it was

the case, then the Sgt. Major put a very red face in and said " Beg your pardon Sir

but did that shovel full of dirt come on you" - and it did too - he had thrown it in

accidentally, and we put it down to our credit of bravery under fire.

The weather keeps hot & very pleasant, only the flies are so annoying - but there

are more than flies & I prefer them to mud. We never wear coats, just a shirt,

a pair of "shorts" & boots, sometimes no putties,  so the dress is very comfy. My knees

arms & neck are quite brown now.  The Turk trenches are quite close to us

& of course very rarely see any one, like us they are underground - you see dirt

flying out though & our fellows have a shot where it comes from  and sometimes

it stops or the Turk just moves the shovel from side to side which on the rifle range

denotes a miss by waving a flag across the target from side to side & then goes

on digging, but we often get an unwary one the same as they do with us.

I was observing this morning with a periscope & the man next to me got a shot

right through his periscope ( I dont mean any part of his body,  you might imagine that

a technical name for his head or something).  Frank Lind & the Colonel were

both asking after you & wished to be remembered, they are very well & hearty & like

the rest of us have to make a close inspection of their clothing "once by day and once

by night".  I have taken Manyer's batman Derbyshire, the man who brought the photo

out, he often tells me what a fine place we have. he is awfully good.  My poor boy

got shot. This man was a professional valet & has lived with some very good families.

 

2

he does my cooking & looks well after me, he

does wonders with the materials at hand, & he has

promised to give us a dinner, on the very first

occasion which will make us sit up.  So I 

told hime that the first time we are back in civilization

he shall have all the money he wants to do it - so

there is something to look forward to.

I think I could sleep anywhere now - we always

go to bed fully dressed & fear that when we get

home it will be sufficient just to coil up on the

door mat at night & feel quite refreshed in the

morning & it saves so much time too.  What to the

first hot bath after all the, plenty of soap & unlimited

water, then clean things - but I cant see either in

view just at present.

Had a letter from Mrs. Evans, was awfully glad to

hear & hear all her news, she was very depressed

about the war news.

Must close just now I have to go round the trenches

and see if everything is snug.  Ray Dawborn came

back today & looks very fit.

Sorry I cant write more this time but mail

day is earlier than I thought so must close

with best love to all

Your loving son,

Bert.

 

 

Gallipoli

10.6.15

My Dear Mother,  No letter so far this week, but a mail is reported to be

in the offering.  One bag somehow drifted through & accounts were

received of Melbourne getting the news of the landing and score lines

saying that about 20 were wounded and dozen killed - with

photographs & biographies complete.  Wonder what will happen when

the full list is announced, however I am looking forward to

this mail to see what really happened.  It must have been rather

sudden I think, as I don't suppose the papers knew that we

were going in nor the date.

Jack came round one day this week, he is very well & looks

as fit as possible, and like everyone else is as brown as

a nigger.

We go down to the beach of a morning about 6.30 and have

a swim which is always top hole besides keeping the

[?] moovies down as they dont like the water.

The flies are getting very bad as the weather gets warmer

but the health of all is remarkably good.

The food is still alright & the men are now expert cooks they

make porridge out of the biscuits which contain a lot of oatmeal

by pounding them up & then boiling them & you cant tell the difference.

rissoles are made by perforating a tin with a lot of holes, squeezing

bully through it like a mincer, mixed with onions & bits of

biscuit, fried in bacon fat, possibly upset in the dirt and

eaten hot.  We keep busy with road making, sand cutting

& so on, but at present are not actually in the trenches but in

reserve.  We expect to go up any day now.

I went round to Dicks Battn. one night, he is away for a rest

the strain was rather telling on him.  Sam Charlie Dare who is

a Major,  Bobbie Rankine who got the DSO, Norman Young who

is as fat as ever only more so and has a magnificent 

red & white beard suitably arranged all over his face

Capt. Steel (of Brunswick) who is also in the Battalion

has gone to hospital with pneumonia & is not too good.