Letters from Robert Pearce Flockart to his Mother, 1915 - Part 3

You said in one of your recent letters that Colin

had written enclosing the last sheet of one of yours

but it hasn't come to light yet, so shall expect it by

the next mail.

I heard that pool old Major Whitehead was dead, he was

a dear old chap & must all his sickness recently

I wonder that he lasted out so well.

A new innovation is a canteen ship which is going  to

come in regularly & to which we can send off for all sorts

of extras & should be a great boom.  We sent off this week

but the supply was very limited and all we got was

some toothpowder, penny tins of preserved meat & tomato

sauce, but expect to do better later on.

I ran across Russ Cole whom Colin will remember

he is a Sergeant in the 6th Battn and has got through

safely so far.

I sent a small box of Turkish shells that have

fallen in our lines back to Cooks at Cairo & he put

with my trunks.  If I can get them home they will

make rather good vauses. besides having some small

history attached to them.

I am late writing this  [?] & the mail closes tonight

so will close for the present.  I trust that you are

well & the boys too.  Remember me to Mary & Fraser and

the Broadway people when you see them not forgetting

the Meek's & Evan's.

Best love from

Bob

 

 

Gallipoli     14.6.15

My Dear Mother     I was so glad to get your letter & papers, the first since you got my

cable from Alex. We have been waiting for them for a long while to see what Australia

thought, but even the latest paper hadn't got more than about 100 casualties.  I go

a great budget of letters too - I can't possibly answer them & must get some circulars

printed.  It must have been a very severe time in Melb waiting for the news to come

through.  I see myself in all sorts & conditions of papers - and I look like nothing on

earth.  How did they manage to get hold of the one I sent from Egypt.  I hope you

haven't been "interviewed" as I appear to have along paragraph to myself setting out

my early career.  So you have been busy with letters, the telephone, & of course

you didn't know any more than the papers about it - I got a letter from Billy &

the youth is known as Peter William Doyne Le Chers - Bill assures me that at

is quite an exceptional baby etc.  also had a line from Phil in the same letter.

Things are just the same here - We fire at the Turks & they fire back & throw bombs

at one another & dig ourselves in better each day.  The trenches are wonderful & you

don't know how comfy they can be made - but the flies are our great trouble

just now, they are everywhere & all most annoying.

I had a fine dinner today - all issue stuff, I mean no mess stores - stew, and

plenty of vegetables, biscuits, jam, stewed prunes, tea - yesterday we had out

first issue of fresh bread from the field bakery - it was a great treat too & this

morning I caught a red Dutch cheese which as you know always agrees

with me.  So one can't drone about food.  Yesterday morning one [?] a cruiser

came close in and leet 6" shells at some target inland, she fired them in

broadsides of four at a time - after putting about 60 in she steamed away for breakfast.

We haven't heard what happened yet.  In the evening one [san?] a destroyer approach

a small promontory to do the same thing only one could see the dirt flying in front

style & to make the show complete one  of our aeroplanes flew over us and dropped

3 bombs on the Turks - they shook the whole place & raised a tremendous cloud

of smoke & dirt.  We could see the bombs falling & she was so high that it seemed

minutes before they landed, at any rate the plane was hundreds of yards ahead 

of the place before they landed.  She came in for a lot of rifle & shrapnel fire but

was not furt.

I heard from Colin, in fact got his letters, one enclosing the stray end of one of yours.

it had gone astray somewhere - The will be finding it very monotonous not having

a job for a while, but a good spell wont come amiss, I can't write him just

now but will do so later on.

He heard that Burston had got a brigade, I wonder who they will find next.

They haven't called on Major Fussell yet.  I suppose!!!

I heard yesterday that the three Pearces had all been wounded in the first show and

are all away in hospital, as far as I could find out they not very badly hurt

Had a letter from Daisy who mentions that Roy is beginning to think of volunteering

very shortly.  I expect after the next half  dozen contingents leave.  I think it is

nearly twelve months ago since he got the first brain wave.

You remember Warren at xxx Lorne, he was killed poor chap. I was awfully

sorry as he was a real good fellow & made a good soldier.  He was in the [?]

School Company & was very popular. Phillips is back again but his fingers

have not got quite right yet.  John Malsted is also back& is alright.

 

Military Cross and DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) awarded to men

of the Battn & I have recommended one of my men for a V.C. - one couldn't

possibly tabulate the daring & marvellous things that were one under

fire on that first day, in such a terrific day as no one who landed had

ever been in before & few imagined either - This man was retiring with a party

who were being driven in by Turks rifle & shrapnel fire - he dropped behind &

got a man who was shot in the knee and took half an hour to get him into the

lines - he was between our's & the Turks firing lines & had to come through

thick scrub, but he got him back safely.  Everyone thought he must be

shot he was away so long.  The Brigades has recommended him also, so I

hope he gets it.

How is Miss Neeks?  I suppose she had survived the hot [?ly] & is

floundering in the cold.  We are getting it quite hot, very much more moist

than in Egypt, more like Australia.

You mentioned the grapes being very good.  I would like some I can

assure you. We don't even get oranges & figs now & as you know I can get

on [?] fruit, I am rather missing it.  For the first time since commencing

at Broadmeadows we have no hawkers here which is in some ways a blessing.

We get heaps of papers which are very welcome if a bit out of date, but they

give us some local news which is always interesting

Fancy [Dutch?] buying the Glen after all - I wonder if it will affect the school

at all buy going out so far.

I heard from 

Guss that you had been round there to a biograph entertainment

which didnt work quite as it should have & that you have been having a few

musical evenings at home as Colin has been cultivating some vocal efforts.

I am thinking or doing a little of that myself & if I arrive in London some day

shall have a few lessons from the best people , as I don't want my voice spoilt

by second rate professors.

My face has got quite right - there is only the smallest mark on it, which

is hardly noticeable.

I can't tell you anything of the fighting just  now but there is not a great

deal going on at present.

Sunday 30th

We had a Church parade today, a voluntary show which was awfully

well attended. the men sitting outside their dug outs ready to jump in if

anything happened along - the padre was very good & we had the usual

accompaniment of rifle fire & a few guns.

We got some of our mess stores ashore today  & had a topping dinner, soup

green peas - hot bully beef, pineapple & of course jam & tea.  The table decorations

were much admired being some pretty purple flowers which are

very plentiful in a vase that landed outside our verandah last

week, a present from some Turkish people living near by

It is painted red with a copper band & is made of steel and

used to contain a lot of shrapnel bullets.  There are hundreds

of them about - the men use them for fire places, by putting a few in

the ground & resting their mess tins on them - Hell last week one chap

was sitting at his little fire place boiling his meal when up one of

his shells went - blew the mess tin and the fire all over the place, but

he was unhurt - he had got hold of one that had not exploded.

I dont know whether I told you that Norman Marshall of [colch?] had

been made a Lieutenant,  Colin would be glad to know,  he is a very

good man too.

I saw Dr. Courtney last night,  he was looking awfully well & said

that Dick had gone away for a weeks rest, he was rather knocked out

with nerves.

We got Capt Stewart back last night also Phillips they had both been

wounded & are well again.

We were very interested yesterday watching destroyers evidently chasing

a submarine,  they were pushing all over the place anda hydroplane

was circling overhead & dropped a couple of bombs, but we didnt hear

that they got anything.

We are anxiously awaiting the Melbourne papers with the first account

of the landing published to see what Australia thinks.  I am afraid they

will have rather a different opinion war & of the troops.

Thursday 3rd.    Kings birthday but no holiday - & the usual salute was

fired by us in steel & not blank cartridge this year.  This morning I

was in orders as Major to take poor old Sakers place.  I can't feel much

enthusiasm  over it however, under the circumstances.  You will also be glad

to hear that Alf Denham has been awarded  the Military Cross.

I must close now as it is mail day.  I was going to send you a wire on

the 5th but found that I had to give in some days previously to be sent by

letter to Alexandria which would make it about a week old when you got

it.  However I do wish you many Happy returns of the day & pray that you will

be spared to see them during more peaceful times [?] this year.  Remember me

to all especially the Moodies & Evan's.  Love to all at home.  Hope you are

keeping nice & strong. 

Best love from

Your loving Son

Bob

 

Gallipoli    25/6/15

 

Dear Mother

Just 2 months today since we landed here - how the

time flys - I was awfully glad to get another letter from

you today & a pair of sox & mittens from [F?].  We only

got mail a few days ago, they are a bit erratic but

I think we are fortunate in getting them so regularly. they

are the most welcome things we get.

One of Docks officers was over to-day [?]  [?] Malta,

he broke down - his heart & nerves I think - you know he never

could stand very much & of course he too has had a hard

time.  From all I hear it is doubtful whether he will

return to us here.

I hope you have got my letters long ago which I wrote

from Alex & on the boat you should have had them

alright.  I feel very guilty for not cabling again but I

feel fit & having written it seemed that you would know

all but one is apt to forget distance a bit -but I only

got one cable - the one Colin sent I think, I was surprised 

to hear that you had cabled again & feel very annoyed

that I didnt get it, & of course not getting a reply

would make you  a bit anxious.

You haven't given me all the news. Guss told me that

Hubert had at last done the act. what a fuss in the

hen yard.  I can imagine the receptions & pride of ma-

I do hope they are suited - Was it Ma's choice or did

Hubert do it on the sly?  The profession must be going ahead

by leaps & bounds.  I leave off for tea - the menu is

hot buttered toast, pineapple, cheese, jam & tea - I wonder if

our neighbours  opposite are doing as well.

A letter just arrived from Colin. He doesn't say that the

wiseman allíance is a fact yet, but he had his suspicions 

hope the balance of European power wont be affected thereby.

glad to hear of the rain, it seems ages since you have

mentioned wet weather in your letters.

A [nash?] has just been up and dropped about 40 shells

inland & we can see smoke behind the hills as if some

villagers on fire.

You mention Alan sending you a case of oranges from

Kerang - last time you mentioned the papers, which makes

ones mouth water rather badly - as a matter of fact

 

 

3

I havent eaten my presentation orange yet, but I must

do so tonight as it will verily become bad.

Nice to get news about the Mordies & people around, sorry

to hear of Dr. Nicholson's death, Hughie will miss him very

much. remember me to Hughie next time you see him.

I can't write to everyone.  I would like to, but you must

dish out the news, what there is of it.  Everyone has

been most kind on inquiring for me after my advertise-

ment.

I don't think Loris McOuie  has landed yet, I expect

he is at the base at Alex.

How are all the Meek's,  I hope they are alright, remember

me when you see any of them.

Nurse McLean wrote to me, I met her at Flanders & [?]

seen her for years I think, she said she had rung [?]

up.

Now that we are in the fire trenches we have rather

more to do and of course are. Continuously on the watch

& sniping a lot both sides are very careful and

is very rarely that one sees a Turk, but they go at our

loop holes and we bang at theirs, our dugout is nice

& comfy, we have pictures on the walls, out of the [?]

shelves, a table & box seats, and a general air of comfort

about it also as we get hold of some extras to eat

occasionally  the food doesn't get monotonous -

altogether it is a fine life in the open, hard living,

early hours, plenty to do, perfect weather & I am thankful

to say splendid health, it this dreadful business was

not going on - but everyone is cheerful, taking the good

with the bad & the flies with the shrapnel.

The Sister Sue serving Shirts for Soldiers seems to be all the go

at home too I am glad to say - I had a pair of sox from

Elevyn Maddern last week, so if I havent' anything else

I have plenty of sox which is a comfort at least.

I wonder if you are interested in sunsets, I have

told you about them before & they are still magnificent 

 

I generally go to a safe point about for half past each

night and watch it from a very high point & it is

really wonderful, never twice alike.  the colours are

so grand & the outlines of the island about 6 miles

away make it just like a scene over some beautiful lake.

Even the most callous stop to look at it.

I had a letter from Bill Manger today, they are sending

him to England for 3 months - all his wounds have healed

except one in the leg & he is very hopeful about it. [?]

wounds, my face is hardly noticeable now, I have to point

it out to anyone who inquires, only the smallest mark

to show the spot.

I read an account of Ebbs wedding in Punch, and

Mrs. Evans said it was a great success.

Our head waiter is Mr. Rose, Darbyshire does the cooking

& when one calls out Rose it seems a bit homelike, like

calling out for poor old Rosie, he is a bout as graceful too-

but gets all we want.

30th  Last night was very uncomfortable, it had been a close thundery

day - like a Melbourne February day & just at dark before the moon

came up - the wind changed [?] [?] [?] a beautiful dust

storm - it was a very rotten time & at the same time the Turks

opened fire all along their line - it would have been a fine

opportunity for them to attack but they didn't, however I hear that

later on they did on one portion of the line & got all they wanted

from some Light Horse. We were up most of the night as the

fire never slackened - it kept going nearly all night. But

yesterday & the day before our troops in other places did some

very good work that gained us a good deal of ground - the

Navy were firing continuously & it is a dreadful sound.

I often wonder how the Turks stick it - it is most demoralising

to see the distant bursts of their great shells - But they send us

an invitation by aeroplane to surrender the other day - I sent

a copy of the Peninsular Press to Guss - ask her for a loo at

it, it is rather humorous, especially as the allied defeated

Navy before pouring shells on them the day after they sent it.

Now I must close of for the present - hope you can read all

this screed but paper is at a premium . Love to all at home

I hope you are well. on  reading your letters I feel awfully

guilty for not cabling again from Alex, as you must have been

very worried, but it was such a small thing to me & I was

well so soon that I sort of thought you must know, but I

really should have cabled again, but you will have got

my letters long ago & know all about it.  Kindest [?]

to all around, not forgetting the Moodies & Evans, [?] & Mary

 

 

With fondest love from Bob,

PS  I found an illustrated paper about the trenches the other day  with splendid photo of

[?] and Edith at a garden fete it made me quite home sick and other faces there

that I knew

 

 

Gallipoli   2.7.15

My Dear Mother,

Since last writing there has been no mail in but one

is expected soon and thing have been going just the same, with

little bursts of excitement now and then, also I have been lucky

enough to be a bit in the limelight & get mentioned in

despatches along with some others which is very nice to have

on ones record.

The Padre came back yesterday from visiting sick and wounded

at Lemnos & bought a case of eggs, flour, tinned fish, tinned

asparagus - which was most acceptable & it felt like Christmas

again also today the hospital ship cam in from Malta

and one of Dr. Bird's nurses on board sent me a box of all kinds

of chocolates and cigarettes, so I can see a period of biliousness

ahead if we are not careful.

The night before last was rather trying as a thunderstorm came on,

it rained hard for a while & in no time we had the trenches as

sticky as chewing gum, got drenched, the Turks got jumpy

and opened up fire all along their line, it thundered & frightened

like one thing & the trenches were as dark as pitch - & to beat

all our dugout got flooded which about filled our cup

of joy - fortunately it didn't last long & has been very fine since-

After the Turks sent their message over the other day asking

us to surrender we sent one today to them from a box kite

but I dont know what the message said however neither

side has surrendered yet - We have heard a big show going on at

Cape Helles,, the last few days and we continue to get good reports

of our progress.

7.7.15      I am afraid I am rather dismal this mail as

I have not yet got one from you to answer, also the last

day or two the flies, foot & things have just made me a 

bit irritable & out of sorts but I feel better today - one

must feel a bit blue occasionally & I can't growl

for I have  had most remarkable good health ever

since I went into Camp.  This is quite devoid of news

I know but with millions of flies crawling all over you

& not much to write about so you must excuse more

this time.  Remember me to all around - love to

all at home & best love for yourself.

From Bob.

 

2

Some amusing incidents occur too

We blew up a sap of theirs the other day.

Next morning the blighters had come forward

got in the hole it made & put said trap

up & had a new fine position, so we

had to then bomb at them for their [?]

Then they dig down & got in our sap.

We heard it & put up a strong barricade

of sand bags to keep them from coming

along the tunnel - they stole all the

sand bags except the one row nearest to

us & guilt cup their own trench - of

course we couldn't see how many

layers they took on the other side of us.

Derbyshire has been making us some very

anemic [............................................?[ tray eggs

[....................................................?] fat!! They are a nice change

if a bit rough, but he makes a very good

cake the other day which was rather a

success.  It is very funny to see the

men making [th?] for themselves in

their mess tins & a few sticks of fire

under them.  You never saw such terrible

looking messes as they sometimes turn out

but they get very resourceful  as regards

cooking & vary the monotony a good deal.

There is a mail short not this last one

but one that left Australia about the

middle of May.  It is a [............?] dont

seems to be [.............................................?]

this is [...........................................................?]

after I [............................................?]

 

 

Gallipoli

9.7.15

My Dear Mother

I was awfully glad to get your welcome

letters this morning - When I finished my last

I was not feeling too bright but am alright

now.  I am on a board of inquiry which takes

me out of the trenches & gives me a bit more 

variety as it is rather nervy work and I was

a bit off colour, but a mail from home and

change of work for a day or two makes a great

difference.  I think it was only a half mail

this time as I got no papers and everyone

seems to be short of letters & papers.

We are still at our trench [?] always

on the watch.  They bombard us & we return it

We snipe & they snipe - We blow up one of their saps

and they have a go at ours, but they are

very good workers & are no mugs I can assure

you.

Last night I was looking over the front through

my periscope and all of a sudden crash

it went with a bullet through the top of it

the glass was blown to pieces, dirt & dust

all over me & the whole thing bounced back

on my rather prominent nose,  causing it

to bleed profusely and taking a square

inch of skin off.  So now I have a scab 

on the end of it well painted with iodine

and have been credited with being engaged

in a public house brawl or something

else - I thought that the whole trench

was coming in on me.

3

the history of it will one day

be written & it will be visited by

military experts from all over the world

for it is absolutely unique in a lot

of respects and things have been done

here which in peace manoeuvres 

we would have said would be 

absolutely impossible  - It will be

an interesting history when it is

written up -

Last night, talking of wonderful escapes -

two fellows were walking along a path

one behind the other, the one in rear

was carrying a bundle of firewood when

a high explosive shell passed between

them and knocked the wood out of

the second chap's hand & never hurt

either altho' they got rather shock -

however if they had been hit they would

have been blown to pieces.

Tonight we have been watching one of

our aeroplanes scouting and at

one time the smoke of 16 shrapnel shells

was in the air at once from Turk

guns after it, but it just sailed on

apparently regardless of all.

The Padre had a letter from his wife

who said the she had heard of you 

indirectly through a miss [Cer?]

I remember you mentioned her.

 

 

4

Frank Lind wishes to be very kindly 

remembered to you, he is very well

indeed and his head never seems to

worry him, we were all rather afraid

that the noises would play up with him.

The violets were nice to get & there was

just a faint smell of them in the 

letter.  I had a letter from Daisy

she said that Colin was thinking

of going down & you say that Mal was

going with him, so they would have 

a very good time, but it is time that

Mal settled down to work again

me thinks.

I see that a lot of questions have been

asked about the B'meadows Camp

& that they are going to move to Seymour.

I know what their mind is like altho'

we didnt have much [?]  [?]

Sorry to hear that Granma had had an

accident  I hope it wont affect her

very much.

Fancy Mr. Evans having gout, high

living I am afraid, hope he is better

though, remember me kindly when

you see any of them.