Letters from John Wesley Hetherington to his Family, 1916-1918 - Part 1

[*32*]
Bel - El-Keni Camp
Egypt/ Jany 23/16
Dea Folks at Hone
I am very much afraid you will think
I have again developed a hump as a result of one return to the
land of humps. I can assure you I am O.K.. the only disease
I am subject to being a laziness of a particularly virulent
type where so far as letter writing is concerned. In fact I must
Confess io feeling somewhat ashamed at the long interval that
has elapsed since I wrote you last. I may say in apology that
Circumstances were against me communicating with part of the
time as we were forbidden to write you before we left the Peninsula
at least they closed the P.O indefinitely which amounts to the
same thing then we here busy, getting into camp shape at Lemnos.
after that, and then had to pack up and "unshi" to Egypt.
Since one arrival we have been busy making ourselves comfortable
after the discomfort of other regions. So to this we started a
Sergeants Mess, the first we have had since we left the "Suffolk"
over a year ago. I was called upon to take an active part in
this, being appointed Sec and Treas,( Honorary of course) I always
fall in for the "backsheesh" jobs, and licking it into shape and
getting a move on has kept we very busy. Still it was worth
all my trouble as we now have a comfortable ^Mess with a first class
cook, and I've had the best weeks tucker that I've had since
leaving home. I feel like an Alderman after he has been to a
"backsheesh” Council "beans", and I must have put on a stone
or two since I left my little dug out on the Peninsula
Now I must try to give you some impressions of our wonderful
 

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evacuation, for it was a most wonderful feat, and though
the Praises of our landing have been extensively sung, I really
think the leaving of the Anzac position was more thrilling
in every way. In the first place the landing was carried
out by enthusiastic troops, inexperienced as to the real
meaning of war and therefore daring to a degree. The
evacuation was carried out by men who knew from bitter
experience what the effect of a concentrated shell fire would
mean should we have to undergo such as a result of Johnny
Turk becoming aware of one intentions. I can assure you the
last few days of one occupation were a supreme test for the nerves
to anyone who really weighed up our chances, the great risks
involved in the withdrawal of so large a force and recognised how
a slight hitch to the plan would hold up indefinitely the scheme.
We are not allowed to give the details away, so you must wait awhile
for them, but I may say that the gradual diminution of one force
worked without a hitch, the airmen looked after the Sky the Navy
watched the right & left wings and the "back door" the Sea, we
kept the front door step clean so that Johnny wouldn't think
we were going for our holidays so early as we intended, and
we also pretended we had a full household than we really
had. This last was a trick that required a fair amount of
shimness behind the firing line. Then they "educated" Johnny
in various ways until he really didn't know whether we were
going or coming in fact he was putting barbed were out the
last night or two before we said "Au revoir", and he was busy
 

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panging big quad unto our trenches also. They sent some
"bosker" shells over two or three days before we left, they sounded
just like express trains coming, I don't know what size they
actually were but I can imagine the fate of anyone getting in
the road of them. Of course these big shells give good warning
of their coming the little fellows don't, so after all I think I
rather prefer the big'uns. Then there were times when one almost
felt sure that Johnny knew all about our intentions. He used to pump
shells onto the beach per medium of "Beachy Bill" as if he
were shooting peas out of a peashooter. He, especially rained them
down when the fire on the Beach broke out, we looked upon that
as a calamity at the time, he evidently thought his shells had
done it and pushed more shells up. The fire hindered the
disembarking operations that night, as the punts couldn't come
close in without being observed by Gaba Lepe observation post
but wonderful to relate, Providence seemed to favor one efforts
for the first fog we ever had descended the following morning
and lay low over the hills and beach and screened the work
on the beach better than we had ever dared to hope. That fog
was a Godsend to the men in charge of the embarkation. I see
the Turks & Germans reckon we made one escape in that fog but that
is entirely false for the bulk of the men were still on the Peninsula
after that for at least another 48 hours. I left with the Quarter-Master
party the on the first of the last two nights, and we didn't lose any time
going down to the embarking pier. The weather was O.K for another good job
as the landing and embarking piers are unapproachable in bad weather
 

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It was a stiff march down to the Beach as we carried as much
away with us as we could struggle under, and with the spare
diet we had been on for a week a so, we were not too strong I
can tell you. However it was worth an effort to get off that
unhallowed spot and we put an extra pound or two of steam on.
The arrangements were excellent, we walked onto the punts like boarding
a ferry down at the Quay and Beachy only sent one over our heads
If "Beachy" had only known, gee, what a time we should have
had to be sure. The Navy looked after Gaba Tepe post in a way I
must not state at present I'm afraid. I hope I may be able some
day as I reckon its worth telling. I heaved a sigh of relief when I
felt one punt push off from the pier, and my only regret was that
all the boys were not off with us. There were very few men left to
hold the line for the next 24 hours, but they were the pick of the
fighting men, and volunteers there were in plenty for the more
difficult and dangerous periods that were to come towards the end
of the next 24 hours. I must again cut out items of interest that were
practiced on Johnny to keep him fooled over the remaining hours.
It is sufficient for the present to say they were entirely successful
and the men of the rear-guard had a great welcome when they
marched into Lemnos Camp the morning after, without leaving a
man behind. It is only fair to say here however that some men of the
A. M. C had volunteered to remain behind and be taken prisoners if need be
rather than that any comrade who might happen to be wounded in the fine
hour should remain unattended. Fortunately the necessity for such
did not arise and every man was saved. It showed a fine spirit
 

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on the part of the A.M.C men though, I reckon. There wasnt
much left behind for Johnny, what we couldn't carrey
was destroyed, and I think the Navy would smash
the house up some after we left. I must also chronicle the
fact that the rum in stock at the A.S.C. depots was one of
the first things to be destroyed. This caused much heart burning
among the "Wets", it caused as much satisfaction to the "Drys"
especially one "Dry". The Army that retired from a Anzac was
a sober Army in every way, be sure to tell Missrs Strongnay Wilson
& Co. The German Turks claim to have captured thousands of mules too
but I think the dream't it for they were all got off from Anzac,
and they were the guns were blown up in a very sure fashion.
My dug out was just in front of the 4. af and l saw it blown up, so
I can verify to that gun being no more use to we finders of it.
We were to tell the truth, rather surprized at having to leave, and I left
a "bosker" dugout, which I had just made weather proof with a double
row of sand bags. However Johnny is welcome to it and Gallipoli as
well. I'm satisfied to be where I am. I've made three landings on
that unholy ground so that's enough for any mortal man.
We shan't be long in one present spot but I don't think we'll
ever strike another Anzac at least I hope not. I've received the
parcel all right, thanks for chocolate, cakes etc, I've had a great
"blow out" in this land of Sun & Land, also had stacks of
papers from Fred, haven't had time to read them all yet.
I shall write you again next week all being well, must conclude
now to get this away with this mail
Yours  ever with love
Remember me to all I know to mother & all Wes/.
 

[*33*]
Tel-El-Kebir  Egypt.
Feb 18/1916
Dear Folks at Home
After a huge lazy spell I again endeavour to atone for the fault.
I haven't been altogether lazy but the circumstances were
unfavourable to a lot of letter writing as the mails were closed
indefinitely and have only recently re-opened. We have been
turned all upside down this last few weeks, rumors of shift
Camp every other hour were flying about, and even now we don't know
whether we're going or coming. Then there has been such an accumulation
of reinforcts that they didn't know what to do with them all, And so
they have halved the Battns and formed new Battns up to the 56^th
and over. One old 2^nd was split and caused a great deal of regret
at having to part with old comrades. I am still with the 2^nd
and expect to get my Staff Sergeantey this week. I notice you
still address my letters as Corporal, Correct address now is
Armr. Sergt J.W.H. The Sergs Mess still keeps my thoughts
engaged. I had one or two encounters with some of the beer-ohs
Who wanted the mess to develop into a "pub" (for Sergts of course) and
also to be open from 6am to 11 pm. I put the acid on the Regimental
Sergt Major and got the rules drafted out making the hours 12 noon
to 10pm. The Colnl. sanctioned that and it because law, much
more easily done than having to go before Holman & C. As Secretary
I simply do the financial part of the show. The Caterer looks after
the tucker & the liquids. I butt in now & again and try to make
 

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the tucker more and more attractive. The worst part of all is the
endless bargaining with natives. The prices are simply awful
and if the cook isn't skillful in making dishes out of nothing
there is plenty to worry about to make ends meet. We are a long
way below strength among the Sergts, and there are promotions
galore running round loose. Some men have been very fortunate
in getting stripes, indeed the only men who really qualified
for promotion have been the first crowd, and there isnt too
many of them left now. We got the 13^th Reinfts last week, and
we were quite curious to see the crowd who had played up at
Liverpool. I may tell you they're quite docile and meek here
not a kick in them at all, and one old hands don't forget to
make them eat humble pie on even possible occasion.
They, on their part, know they are up against men who have
bit the hard crust and thus they have a sneaking respect
for them and the opinions expressed by them.
It was quite interesting to see these fire brands who had
played up so about leave at home, toiling into the early
morning decorating their tent ground in order that they
might qualify for leave. A competition was held for
the tidiest tent in the Battn, the prize was 12 hours leave.
to the winning tent. As a rule leave is only granted
to the men who have been to the Peninsula, so there was no
hope of any 13^th Reinfts getting any without they worked
for it and so they had to go for all they were worth. The
 

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Stretcher bearers won so poor 13^ths were cut out
There was some talk at first among them of breaking
camp etc, but that was squashed by the old crowd threating
to break their necks it they did, as it would mean all
leave stopped. They also found a difference between 67%
leave at Liverpool and I percent here, so, as I said
before, they are now a very humble crowd indeed.
They have given me no end of work as many of them
haven't the slightest idea of keeping a rifle in good
order, and he had to talk pretty solid, and of course,
didn't make the lecture any more lenient to such a
notorious lot. I've a comfortable enough spot just at present
no parades for me and plenty of tucker. I got weighed
last week and came out 12 stone 10lb so I'm again
on the pine away. I have only had two hurried visits
to Cairo on business for the Mess and have not had a
chance to get any more curios to send you. I got
a letter last week from Else and I shall make up for
lost time in all letter writing when the fit does take
me. I shall write Joe by this mail too, though I
haven't had a letter from him for a good while. I got
your parcel OK & enjoyed everything including the good
wishes. I hope we shall be home ere another Xmas comes
round. Things are quite quiet in Egypt at present and
we don't expect to meet any "Strafe" here. At any rate
 

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Jonny Turk will get some hot gruel it he comes knocking
at Egypts' door this time, and if he hangs out till the
Spring we make "put the wind up" him again.
There isn't much to see at Sel-El plenty of desert, but
nothing outside of it. There are a staff picture show or
two but nothing like so many as there were at Mena. We
are two far away from Cairo to get much of a crowd.
I have been receiving bundles of new papers at times and
enjoy the Old "Grit" when it arrives. I shall have to
write man epistles to the Burwood folk in return
for theirs. Well, most of the old crowd are ready to
come home any old time. Seems to me it will be a
peculiar sensation to go to bed & wake up in Civil life
again. To be done with black ^kit bags, puttees, etc for ever.
What a relief. However we are all hoping for a speedy
finish now.
well I shall conclude with every good wish to you
all. Glad to hear Mother has succumbed to the
fascination of the Surf. Wish I was there too.
Yours with love to all
Wes/.
 

[*34*]
 Somewhere in France
April 28/1916
Dear Folks at home
After a most outrageous interval since writing
last I again break to spell and will try to atone
all shortcomings. We have been doing a Turkey
trot ever case be landed here, and the packed my box
more times this year than in all any civil life and such
an event happened pretty frequently, when I was in digs.
as you know. I guess I'll now be able to claim that
I've travelled some. We weren't sorry to leave Egypt I can
assure you, for we were all sand groping for the last week
or two, the sand storms were just awful. Then the trip over
the Mediterrⁿ Sea wasn't good for the nerves, living in a life
belt all the time and expecting "tinned Fish " We came inbord
any old time. However the old skipper ^we had aboard followed a
course of his own, and we didn't even zigzag about as I've
seen them do on other ships but just made a straight course
We weren't sorry to strike the coast of France: and we fell
much relieved after passing Malta as that is a danger zone.
We had a brief look at Toulon and then put into Marseilles.
We didn't see much of the City, for we marched straight from
the ship into the train. Then we did about 50 odd hours
train journey with breaks here & there for tucker There was
a pantomime all right when are tried to buy things at the
stations. It was a mixture of Australian, Egypt and
the deaf &  dumb language. Then the money values
had us thinking, piastres & francs got mixed