Diary of Frederick Trouton Small, 1915 - Part 9

126
May 6 THURSDAY 1915  

6.30 am. to the trenches again
Allan & I were busy on the
fire trench. The snipers continued
to pay us a good deal of
attention
At 6 30 pm we went up again
to the firing line, this time to
put in loop holes & overhead
cover. As Lt Savage was working
on one as an experiment we were
unable to do anything. The night
was bitterly cold & even after
"turning in" we were unable to
get warm so spent a miserable   
night
We do waste time. If we were permitted
to get into the work of obvious
improvements instead of six men
watching one work something
substantial would be accomplished.
Why are engineers commanded by baby
faced officiers.
127
1915  7 FRIDAY  May
Went down for rations at 10. The rations
have been splendid Jam Bacon
Cheese Potatoes Biscuits Rum Tobacco
& Cigarettes.

On the way back I was nearly
flatlined by a shrapnel bullet
The lead was evidently spent for
it pierced my hat & caused a
bit of a lump. Still it had me
"thinking" for a while. Bled a little.
Went up to the trenches again at
2.30. The shrapnel was all over
the hill but doing little damage
Once the enemys battery enfiladed
our trench & buried me while I
was writing to Auntie. On crawling
out I found Norm had been hit
It was nothing serious & after
dressing the wound he was able
to return to our "dug out".
I continued to write & answered
Miss Priests, Mrs Fletchers, letters or
rather P.C's.
Slept well. Probably because we
coverd the floor with fir boughs, as
on the "Wallaby Track".

128
May 8 SATURDAY 1915
As Eric Swallow was returning to
Alexandria I took the opportunity
of getting rid of my correspondence
Norm also cabled home that
we were both safe.
We went to the trenches at 6 30 am
As one of the "loops" was little
better than a death trap so Norm 
& I went set to work & improved
it we had done the worst when
we were relieved. We were followed
by two of the best - Jimmy Lindsay
& Allan Wilson & they finished

it off a treat. Good team work
To day we heard that our Capt
was dead  From Capt Bage
we were expecting great things.
He was a striking person &
we were hoping to know him
better as; he had been so little
with us on our field work until
this engagement so we had
no chance of seeing the man
- the man that had braved
the elements of a severe Antarctic
Expedition. Ours is the loss
the greatest loss the Company
could sustain May he find the "peace
that passed all understanding"
He was a white man as white
a the ribbon he wore for his
Antarctic exploits
Guard from 10 to 12 with Norm.
129
1915 9 Sunday May
As I was ordered to repair a pump
I had to see Lt Williams who had
charge of the water supply. He had
already decided to put in a new pump
so I was saved a job. I then sauntered
down to the beach & learnt that Capt
Bage was buried last night. I
learnt the details of his death from
Cpl C Dunsdon. From all accounts
he appears to have had a strong
presentiment that he was going to his
death.
Procured two official PC's & sent one
to Allan Row last years Rhodes &
Mum Baldwin.
While on the beach the shrapnel
started to sweep to "dug outs" so I
took first opportunity of clearing out
I managed to grab a blanket
on my way up.
At 6 30 pm we were up at the trenches
again Jimmy Lindsay & I had the
rotten job of putting in a Machine
Gun Emplacement in the firing line

with the continuous harsh crackle all
around us. We got the most dangerous
part of our work done before our
relief came so that they were able to
work in comparative safety. We
both think the emplacement is in
a dangerous position, for the loophole 
is was  situated at the end of a
60 ft communication trench wh is liable
[*to be enfiladed by shooting directed at the loop*]

130

May 10 MONDAY 1915
After a beautiful sleep we turned 

to at 6 30 am. We learnt that the

15^th Inft were successful in their charge

on the enemy's trenches but had to

retire at day break as the Turk

appears to makes trenches wh if occupied

can be enfiladed by his own Machine

Gun fire. Jimmy Lindsay & I started

work on the Comtn Trench. We were

putting in a traverse & cutting a new

passage when he was shot thro' the

very loop we had constructed the

previous evening. He died in my arms

in less than half a minute, having

been shot thro' the right forearm

lung & heart. Poor large scriled

sunny natured Jimmy. We will all

miss him. He was buried by

the Pardre, outside the trenches he

had helped to improve & in the

presence of his Officier & fellow Sappers

A rude cross now marks the spot

where this dear old friend lies

All his effects have been handed

in to H.Qrs.

It was a wretched shift that night

without him & I was not sorry when

I was relieved. Not feeling well

physically & with nerves on edge

I got little sleep. War hits one

hard when the comrade falls.

Had a note from Hector Dinning
131

1915  11 TUESDAY  May
There is a continual booming of big guns

today. Sounds as if the British are

drawing closer.

I did not work today as I was feeling

anything but well.

The enemy shelled our position today

but as usual did little damage

Hand drawn diagram - See original document

132

May  12 WEDNESDAY  1915
We on shift at 6.30 working most

of the time on riveting a land

slide in the trenches. In the

morning I had Durack for a

mate. At night Allan Wilson

was my comrade.

That distant booming of guns

appears to get closer wh argues

well for the British advance.

We heard more about the

charge of the 15^th last Sunday

It appears they were not 

satisfied with gaining the trenches

they must pursue the flying

Turks. In their chase they

came across a camp of sleeping

Turks & played hell there with

the bayonet. In their excitement

they stayed too long & were

caught by the enemy's machine

guns on their return.

Our losses were about 350

the enemy's 900 odd. ???

Our main gully seems to be

under snipers fire from two

directions in on both forks.

Picked up the direction by

bullet splashes on either

side of our spur. Some of

our snipers are moving up

after them
133

1915  13 THURSDAY  May
Con's birthday today: may she

see many more.

Today Durack and I were on

fire pits. Owing to lack of

organisation we were left a lot

of dead work by the previous

shifs. The trouble was the

getting rid of the dirt. I suggested

a scheme which was adopted

& worked satisfactorily. I since

heard that the other shifts

have worked it too. So much the

better

Wrote to Auntie & Geof. R Card.

At 10 30 pm we started to push away

the parapet from the front of our

sand bags. It was dangerous

work as we were in front of

our own firing line pushing

the dirt away with our darn

shovels. While we were out

the Turks sent up a rocket

away on our left. There was

immediately a blaze of light

how we tumbled back into the

trench goodness only knows

We got back & got back without

without attracting attention

During the course of the night

the enemy fire about 4 more

rockets.

There were numerous bombs

thrown during the night

134

May 14 FRIDAY 1915
We were hard at it again at

10.30 a.m. This time we were

on the 2^nd fire command; we

got in an excellent shift

At 10 30 pm Durack & I

were on a Machine Gun

Emplacement situated so as

to enfilade the enemy's trenches

As an attack was to come

off at 1.45. am on the the

enemy's bomb trenches we put in

some solid graft beforehand as

things get too hot for us to

continue without taking undue

risks.

Shortly after 12 the Machine

Guns began to fire, the rifles

following the example. The

noise was deafening. We 

soon had sprays of dirt blown,

over us as the bullets began to

hit the parapet. Norm fell

asleep I was in a semi-doze

which speaks volumes for the

tired state we are in.

Strange to say the huge

fleets of transports that we

have grown so accustomed to

see in front of us has disappeared

& with them the warships.

Is it that the submarines

have put in an appearance
135

1915 15 SATURDAY May
Turned to at 10 30 am not feeling at

all like work. We of the Engineers

are all very tired for we have

had a solid time for the last

three weeks, working night & day

I am almost ashamed to say I

loafed this shift not having enough

energy to do anything.

Came home at 2 30 pm & enjoyed

a fine Machonochie ration.

I afterwards had a shave & wash -

the second in 3 weeks - with a

half a cup of water.

I may here state that our rations

have been splendid. Nearly every

second day we get a delicious

"army ration" & every day we have

jam, cheese, "bully", biscuits - & rum

about twice a week.

The attack last night by the

2^nd L H & Infantry on the Turkish

bomb trenches failed Our losses

were 30 killed & wounded 

Yesterday the L H & the Turks

had a bomb throwing

competition. Our chaps appeared

to be making things fly a bit

136

May 16 Sunday 1915
A glorious holiday 12 hours.

Sergt Thom. Durack, Bill Farquhar

Norm & self all went down on

to the beach after tea Three

of us had a dip & although the

night was dark & the water

cold, it was much enjoyed

While on the sands a barge

containing two 6" howitzers

came in. These were manned

by the "tars" off the Ocean 

which was sunk. in the

Dardanelles. We visited H.Qrs

to see Chas Dunsdon &

returned to the dug outs at

10 pm.

Made some sketches of "the lay

of the land" to see if some

means can be devised to

afford protection from snipers
137

1915 17 MONDAY May
Went to the trenches at 12 30pm & worked

till 2 30. The work was a sap towards

the enemys trench.  As we were

having a spell the Infantry had

been doing this work. I have

noticed time & again a lack of

organisation when they are on work

of this kind; with exception to a 

few notable instances they are extremely

lazy when manual work is to be done

even though it is for their own

benefit. The will willingly let the

Sapper do all the work (& he! the sapr)

is really there to supervise. When

I returned to the "dug out" I found

the 2^nd LH working in front of it

It was this I had the pleasure of

meeting my old friends Horace Weller

Les Brett,  ; It was fine

hearing & talking of old times but

sad hearing of the fate of my Q'land

friends in the 9^th. I introduced

Norm who found that Horace knew

his dear old friend Noel Elliott

In the "covered way" in the front of

our "dug out" a land slide occurred

burying & killing one of the

unfortunate 15^th.

138

May 18 TUESDAY 1915
Mail. What a treat. Letters from

Ida Scott Fletcher, Auntie, little Daphne

Bielby. "Two "Australasians" Little

the writers know how much pleasure

their letters give.  

Jim Campbell & I installed a pump

for Capt Tuther. As the pump was

in bad order it was repaired &

worked A.1.

We were disturbed once by one

of the enemy's high explosive shells

It was an awe inspiring sight to

see these burst. Huge clods, shrubs

etc were hurled 100' off into the air

It was a tickling scene to see

the men of the C - making a dash

for cover. During the day they

must have fire 36 of these shells

& beyond hurling two dead

men out of their graves & throwing

some muck into the trenches, the

effect was nil.

One 8" shell fell into the trench

but failed to explode. It was 33"

long & 8' These are the first

heavy shells that have fallen

in our lines; they generally go out

to sea.

The whole affair amused our

boys who never failed to laugh

& cheer when a shell failed

to explode.
139

1915 19 WEDNESDAY May
R.P.C. to I Scott Fletcher, Auntie. Wrote to latter

Dante could never have imagined

the inferno that reigned last night

It was awful. Light & heavy

cannon maxims & rifles all tried

to screech above each other.

I was awake most of the night

& very alert when the guard

informed me the Turks were at

the top of our gully. They were

not making for us however, our

trenches being their object.

At 6.5 am we made our way

to the trenches we were working

on.  They had suffered slightly

from the bombardment & as it

was recommencing we Engrs had

to lie low. The maxims & bombs

were showering our parapet all

over us but doing very little

damage. I learnt that Lt Hamilton

had been shot & that as soon as

he was gone some of the men

vacated the firing line & allowed

the Turks to get in - 7 of them -

One of the 14^th Cpls got rid of 5 of

them & the remainder were shot

by someone else.

Poor little Durack was badly

wounded today while on the

beach. His leg was badly injured

just behind his knee. He will

probably lose his leg.

140

May 20 THURSDAY 1915
Wrote to Dick, Hector Dinning Went

to the trenches at 2 pm & came off

at 6 pm. Shortly before 6 am

extraordinary scene occurred. The

enemy waved white flags ornamented

with what looked like a Crescent

Orders came along the trenches

to "cease fire" on all unarmed

hostile troops. Soon the Turks

were out of their trenches & were

collecting their wounded Our boys

had their heads above cover

and were signalling good wishes

etc to the Turks. In a short

while our chaps were exchanging

cigarettes or making a pretence to

but as it was just relieved I

did not see it for myself. The

most striking part of the whole

affair was the deathly stillness.

We all felt they were up to no

good & when the armistice was over

the volleying was terrific.The

artillery & warships were soon at

This state of things lasted through

out the night The great flashes

of shells bursting was wonderfully

spectacular but frightfully nerve

racking. We stood to arms &

wondered what was happening

but it turned out that accurate

artillery fire prevented the Turks

leaving the trenches.
141

1915  21 FRIDAY May
Duty on the tunnel again at 6 am

We have now driven 24 ft.

Things were very quiet during the

day; a few "Jack Johnson's" came

shortly after tea but did

damage to their own trenches

instead of ours own

Put in charge of the shift by

Sergt Thom. Allen on at 10 pm

came off at 2 am. This time we

were on another tunnel intended

for a Machine gun. Things were

fairly quiet along the firing line

142

May 22 SATURDAY 1915
2 to 6 shift this time. Things

still quiet. General Godley came

thro' the trenches & congratulated

the Engineers on their work.

"I do like walking thro' these

trenches" he said.

The trenches are good but we

do not build them quick. enough.

Contractor's gangs or mine companies

are wanted.

Suggest to Clogstoun that we

should tunnel out a series of

"T" heads simultaneously &

when completed break in the tops

& man them & later connect them

into a single trench. Clogie said

it was common practice & would

be used. I told him it was not

in the "Red Book"

If only we had 50 good miners

we could alter this place in a week

Hand drawn diagram - see original document

suggested concealed working

for breaking out a new front

line.
143

1915  23 Sunday May
Shift work started at 6 am Once

again we worked on the machine

gun tunnel. Unfortunately the

previous shift had foolishly

broken thro' the top. However

the miners - Miner & Gregor -

timbered the whole affair &

thus remedied the affair.
Hand drawn diagram - see original document
During the afternoon I sauntered

down to the beach to inquire for

boiler plating etc

While there got a large mail

from Auntie, Mater, Mrs Priest

& two Australasians from the

former

Spent part of the night making

an improved "loop" model. The

main feature about it being its

concealment when in position
Hand drawn diagram - see original document
Fresh meat for tea. The first for 4 weeks.

144

May 24 MONDAY 1915
Things are very quiet here today

for an armistice from 7 am

to 4 30 pm has been granted

to bury the dead. The weather

is inclined to be showery &

this means sloppy trenches &

slippery hills. Strange incident.

Received a letter from Les

wrote to Daphney Bielby Ida

Scott Fletcher. Mr Priest. Auntie,

There is something pathetic in

the sinking of these great gray

ships. To us, this loss was

like the loss of a friend.

She had helped us to land,

she had covered our "charge",

& afterwards she watched

our right flank - keeping her

great searchlight constantly

on the watch for the enemy.
145

1915 25 TUESDAY May
Went on shift at 6 am but did not do

much work. Hardly a shot was fired

all day and yet we sustained a great

loss. The "Triumph" was torpedoed about

12 45 pm. She floated for 8 minutes

then turned slowly over to starboard

& floated bottom upwards for over

22 minutes. Destroyers, trawlers, pinnace

etc. were soon to her rescue

The strange part of the whole affair was

that Norm. Allan & I saw the periscope

of the submarine. We thought it was

a biscuit tin glistening in the sun. It

disappeared & in a few minutes

we saw the sub rise slightly. There

was a puff of mist alongside her

the white streak from her side

& Allan shouted "she's got her boys"

"she's got her" & almost immediately

there was a huge column of water

fair amidships of the ill-fated vessel.

We all thought a second shot was

fired. While we were watching 

the destroyers tearing from all

directions to rescue the crew we saw

the submarine close in shore, making

for all she knew to our right

We could see portion of her but

what struck me was the pace

at which the submarine travelled.

At 10 pm we were on shift again

& put in some solid work.