Diary for Frederick Harold Tubb, 1915 - Part 3
the Dardanelles show are not
very encouraging. Am wondering
why I don't hear from the War Office
re my reposting for duty at Weymouth
Lt Thomas who was shooting with
me to day shot claracteristically &
was as loquacious as usual!?!
Thursday 4/11/15 Stayed in bed
all day. The result of getting wet
yesterday. Wrote many letters
It is very cold out showery
Got a wire from Col Adams saying
he was going to London tonight
for a Medical Board. Hurrah!
I received five letters from
home. Uncle Frank Aunt Aggie
dated 30 Sept my word! I
am pleased It nearly made
me howl with joy when I
read them I have read
and re read them all the
evening. Hope Arthur is successful
Glad to hear the season at
home is good, & that all is
well It makes me quite home
sick o read the grand letters
The Butler has just rubbed my
back with embrocations I am
still in bed but feel much
improved Friday 5-11-15 - Had
a good night & feel much better this
morning. Read my letters again & they
bring back sweet memories? What!
Went for a walk with Capt Willis
A.M.L.I to Cornhill this morning.
Hurray. received another budget of
letters from Australia sent in a packet
from the High Commissioner Loulou
Darcy Evelyn Connie & Mr Hodge
Salisbury 6/11/15
Played golf
in the morning. Shooting in
the afternoon Lt Harry Waring
coy & Lady Clementine. Lt Baker
& I my bag was 3 partridges
4 pheasants & 2 hares we had
a most enjoyable afternoon Waring
caught a fine salmon 19¼lbs
in the Tweed this morning
Great excitement in the papers
re Lord Kitchener. Where is he? What
role is he to play & where? Have
heard from Capt Willis that other
Australians & N.Zealanders have all
been withdrawn from the Peninsula
I wonder if we are likely to go to
Serbia? Sunday 7/11/15 Rose early
& went to Church at 8am ^with Lt Russel. Got
a letter from Frank before lunch
dated 20/10/15 he says Charlie
has left for the port. Good luck
to Charlie. Frank and Pinder hope to be
gertting over shortly. I am looking
forward to seeing them. I wonder
when and where? Monday 8/11/15
Took part in a shoot today. The
weather ws bad it rained most
of the time and the light was dull
the total bag was 47 birds. There
were five guns viz Capt Briggs, Lt Waring
Lt Baxter Lt Thomas & myself my share
was 6 brace many birds got away
& the shooting was below the averages
Tuesday 9/11/15 Blowing hard
but fine and sunny. Baker
& I went fishing - I caught a
cold. Had my fortune told by
Madame Bulche she predicts a
glorious future for me. I will
be wounded again. Tears of joy at
the finish etc etc
Wednesday 10.11.15 Blowing
very hard, cold & showery
Rotten weather - Received a
letter from the C.O. saying that
he expects to get back by a
boat that leaves about the 20th
[[?]] Col McNeill, Whitelaw
Rodgers Ryan (6th Bn) Connelly
have left for Australia
Thursday 11/11/15 Crook! In
bed this morning, stomach
trouble Had the Doctor Henderson
of Coldstream he diagnosed my
complain as [[Colonic?]] of the tummy
and indigestion & is treating me
What! O! have received
my marching orders from the
War Office at last. I am
to report myself at once to
Wyke Regis Australian
Depot for light duty. They
enclosed no warrant. After
much jaw of on the telephone
I got in touch with the
Scottish Command & hospital
at Edinburg re same
Went to a dramatic play
in the local hall in the
evening—(a rotten show!)
Friday 12/11/15 Feel
so so, this morning. It
is cold and raining. Wrote
letters all the morning. Got
word from Edinburg that
a warrant will come for
me tonight Intend leaving
by midnight train for London
(from Berwick) so I have
to hassle to arrange necessary
details etc
There to is three inches of snow
on the Lammermuir Moors
Lady Clementine was prevented
from going to France
She is at present in London
No English ladies are allowed
to visit their relatives at the front
It seems that only English ladies
are debarred it is strange!?
Mrs Falkner Stewart (Lady Clementine's
Aunt from Edinburg) is looking
after us. Great excietement in
Britain Conscription within 18
days for all single men not
enlisted. Stormy scenes in the
House of Commons, Asquith &
Kitchener attacked etc Too much
jaw & too little results as usual?
Saturday 13/11/15 Left Berwick
after a royal send off by the
9.17 pm train arrived Kings X
at about 7 am this morning but
I stopped in bed (sleeping [[?]])
till 7.30. Set off for the Aust
Regs Horseferry Road drew cash
& met many friends. Went to
Victoria St. & saw ol Buckley
& Capt [[De Raven?]]. I was informed
that it was of no use my proceeding
to Weymouth as there was no
room there etc. Col Buckley arranged
for me to go Welwyn to his place
& from there I will proceed to the front
I met Major Mason & arranged
to lunch with him. Col Buckley
sent me to the Medical Officers
at Horseferry Road to arrange
details re going to Degswell Place
Welwyn etc
1.40 Major Mason Capt De Raven
& I are waiting in the Trocadero
for lunch the place is crowded
we couldn't get a table at the Piccadilly
London seems crowded at present.
Had a great lunch champagne etc
etc. I left the others & went to
19 Hawarden Grove Herne Hill
where I spent an interesting three
hours. Then went for my luggage
& ran up to 50 Weymouth St
to get things there. I left; when
there before on the journey there
I feel ill I got out at the old
Spot (50 Weymouth St) & was
welcomed by the Sisters who
put me to bed etc. Sunday
I have had Doctor Blakey to me The he says I have gastric
trouble. Stayed in bed til
lunch. The sister wired to Welwyn
re me I intend going to an eye
specialist before I go to Welwyn
tonight (I see Churchill has
resigned from the Cabinet?!?
Went out to ^Scottish Tea rooms 58 Praed St Paddington
& saw Miss Bennett (Aunt E's sister)
& met with a warm welcome & was
entertained by ^her & the Misses Dodd.
Came back to hospital feeling rather
rotten where I again stayed for the
night. I rang up 9 Grosvenor Square
Lady Clementine was out to dinner -
I learned that she was going home th afterwards. I rang up Digswell
Place & told them of my being unable
to proceed there till tomorrow. Lt
Thomas 7th Canadians is in the
same room that I am sleeping in
[[?]] No 18.
Monday 15.11.15 Put in a
fair night. Lt Smith 24th Bn Canadian
& Lt Thomas who are here are fine
fellows. Thomas won his Commission
pres & has had it sent to him from
the War Office. (General Currie promoted
him on the field!) The papers give
one very little genuine information
Churchills resignation is the latest
& Lord Derbys scheme seems to be
most productive? The attitude of Grace
The fight for Veles, Serbia's second
line orderly retirement in progress?!?
Went to eye specialist Dr Mayon in 30
Cavendish square. After thorough examination
he gave me a prescription saying my eyes
should be quite right in 6 weeks if I used
it according to his directions. The Dr
would not take any fee. He gave
his advice free to the War office soldiers
Said Good bye again to 50 Weymouth St
& caught the 4.30 pm from Kings X to Welwyn
had to change at Hatfield. Mrs Buckley
gave me a warm welcome & here I am in
bed at 6 pm feeling nice and comfy.
Two wires from Weymouth for me. first
granting extension of leave second, cancelling
it & telling me to report on Thursday!!!!
Capt De Raven is here & has just been in
he is yet to have another operation for his foot
Tuesday 16.11.15 Passed a good night
What a magnificent scene
from the windows this morning.
A most beautiful snow picture
the ground white & the fir & other trees
covered. Tis a picture. A real English
snow picture. I wish I could go
out in it Miss McCallum (Mrs
Buckleys sister) the nurse who
is looking after me is splendid
They are so very kind & good
Tis almost a pleasure to be ill when
on & is in such a grand place &
amongst such splendid people.
Stan Derivan & Col & Mrs Buckley
have gone up to Town Tis the ^15th Anniversary
of the Buckleys wedding day. De Raven
is a fine chap & sings & laughs
creating merriment. After lunch
I got up and wandered through
the snow & woods. It was glorious
the sun was shining thro a
blue sky. the snow was crisp
& the landscape magnificent
Read a letter from Brylon stating
particulars of family etc. (They
are no relative to us?) Wrote home
& to Lady Clementine. My tummy
is giving one beans but I am
getting better?
Wednesday 17.11.15 Plenty of snow
all around still. Feeling a bit better
this morning. A Zeppelin flew over last
night above us. I did not hear any
bombs. One was over Hartford up to 6 am
yesterday morning. I suppose will see
about it in todays papers. Though one
was over the Arsenal at Woolwich
the other night & was compelled to retreat
etc [[rasking?]] was heard or it from the papers?
I received an invitation to Ada
Crossleys Matinee for Friday afternoon
from her Secy. I accepted it & hope I
will be able to be present. Col Buckley
told me that he had had a letter stating
that owing to the Kings illness the investiture
could not yet be carried out. Col
Elliott left for the front on Sunday
so I am told. I wonder when
I'll be going?
10.30 The Doctor came (Thomas) and
prescribed for me. Just received a
wire from the Weymouth depot viz
"Name added to list ^as fit by mistake.
Leave extended. Will notify when
to report to Dardanelles" Wet for
a glorious walk with Mrs Buckley thro
the woods the snow is still thick
and very beautiful. I had the honor of
reading a fine letter of Gen Birdwood's
to Col Buckley. They made advances & caused
much loss to the enemy early in September
though our casualties were heavy, only a few
hundred x and of 12 Battalions of Turks
who attacked got back? 4 pm
Have just completed building a snow
man. 'Tis a first rate specimen!? Recd
a nice letter from "Ada Crossley" inviting
me to matinee ^& enclosing a 2 gunman ticket. She had much
difficulty in finding out where I was.
Recd an invitation to dine at the Hotel Cecil
on Sunday from Mrs Baron Harries who has
something in store for me I am told
I cut down a tree this morning; took
me an hour and a half a fair chestnut
tree 2 ft 6 through. Mrs Buckley photographed
me at it ^& also the snow man. After
lunch we went to Hatfield House
(Lord Salisbury's famous place, to
a concert that was held in the
Marble Hall The concern was topping
all the talent was of first order
Hatfield House is a wonderful
we had tea in the big Hall returned
at 5.45 after spending a real goo time.
Amongst the artists were, Mrs Margaret
Cooper, Mrs Carmen Hill, Miss Fay Davis
Katherine Kendall ^violin solos, Ilna Mann & Lilian Berger
Plunket Grenne Leonard Barwick (pianoforte solo)
A hospital ship ^Anglea sunk by a mine ^in the channel says today's papers poor beggars. That's stiff luck
Kitchener is said to have been at Lemnos
& is now on Gallipoli. Friday 19th
A big day! Went up to Town
in the morning had lunch with
Miss Buckley & Mrs Buckley at 49
Harris Mansions over Harods then to
a grand matinee in aid of the Aust
wounded. My word it was a grand
show. Madame Ada Crossley had sent
me a complimentary ticket & she was
the prime mover in the entertainment
Queen Alexandria Queen Mary Princess
Mary & the Prince of Wales were in a
box close to me.! The performance
was superb. The Australian cooks resounded
bouquets from the
"Anzacs" & "Australians on Gallipoli"
etc etc were. presented to Ada Crossley
& some of the other performers
Lt Symons & I afterwards went to
the Windsor for tea then to the
Picadilly for dinner then to the
Criterion & saw "A little bit of fluff"
winding up a really splendid day. We Symons & I booked rooms at the
Windsor where we spent the night!
Saturday 20th Nov Up & bathed
at 10 am. Went to Harrods bought books
bags etc. had luncheon the Windsor drew
cash from Aust Paymaster Horseferry Road
2 am Sunday Cricket what a
day Ive had! I have just
finished reading a giant
budget of letters Frank sent to me
all letters to him & me from the home
folk. I got a bundle also to
day from Col Buckley I have been
reading letters for hours. It is
grand. & Oh what a day
Ive had. was feted entertained
etc etc at the Anzac Buffet in
Horseferry Rd. It was a wonderful
gathering & they made much of us
I met Mrs Chornleys Scales Mrs Nole[[?]]
& she came to me. I met others of
the family found out that Gruff is in
the Life Guard here & Jac is an
Officer in a Regt at Cornwall. I met
miss Alice Crawford of Bendigo & many
other well known Australians & a
lot of titled people of England [[?]]
& we had our photos taken. What a
time the girls gave me. I wrote
my name in hundreds of pretty
girls books. Sir Ges Reid sparkes
& Mr Shriner High Comr in Sth Office Bonas Law ^Stu Marland etc etc & I. Throssel, Symons
& Hamilton. Cricket. Ill never
forget the day I suppose
full accounts will drift home
to Australia & Miss Bennett
was present. Mrs Moleworth said she
would write & tell mother all about it
I escaped at 6.30 & caught the 7
train to Welwyn with We all from
Higswell Place went to dinner
to celebrate a new dining room
just erected there. We had a
scrumptious dinner & spent a
glorious evening. Got home at
10.30 recd he other budget of mail
& have just read them. I will
read them all again tomorrow
My word you all at home would
have liked to be present at the
Australian at home. It was
packed stuffed jackass, opossum,
platypus, emu's kangaroo's wattle
blossom etc etc. De Raven is
snoring away its up to me
to go to bed so I'll ping off
My word the home letters are grand!
Sundy 21/11/16
Glad the girls and mother recd their
presents I hope they got those from
Malta & Scotland I sent. Have
read the letters all over again
It has taken me hours. The
next letters from home should be
interesting eh! what! Sunday
afternoon. Tea time been
busy writing letters all day
wrote to Frank & home
I wonder if the old house is
being repaired? Col Buckleys
brother ^is here to day.x Censor? Please
don't destroy this. Kindly
hold it up if you must
& then send it home to my
Father at "St Helena"
Longwood
Victoria
Australia
Cheers F H Tubb
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