Letters from Geoffrey Gordon McCrae to his family, October - December 1915 - Part 1

REST CAMP
LEMNOS 3.10.1915
Dearest Mother Father & Helen
I have just received your letter
of 24th August 1915 for which I thank
you. I know you are likely to
get a distorted idea of things out
there I am afraid you have over
estimated the job I was on in
connection with the intelligence
there were plenty beside myself
along the line doing exactly the
same work the Colonel appointed
me because of my sketching and
ability to take prismate compass
bearings it was an unsafe job
because even time our trenches
were shelled we had to be up in
the front line observing and endeavouring
to locate the gun. The CO is still 
away and has not even written
to us so we do not know what
is the matter with him or where
he has been sent. I can't make
it out. We had Church Parade this

morning and the Padre did not
put in an appearance so the Brigadier
carried on. When it came to ^^we the o
sermon he told us he did not feel
worthy to preach to us but he said
one man could give advice to other
men to their benefit. He based his
advice on the sermon on the Mount
and gave us the best address I
have ^^ever heard on any similar parade
I sincerely hope Hugh is successful
in his Bendigonian venture
I have nothing more to tell you
of so will close with much love
From your loving son
Geoff.

3.10.15

Cpt G G M^cC
1 DRL 427
4113

LEMNOS
12.10.15

Hand drawn sketch -see original document.
Dearest Helen
I have just received
your letter dated 1st Sept
for which I am deeply
grateful and thank you
for the kind things
you have said of me
therein. I am delighted
to know the Mashobra
people went to see
you I remember when
I gave that letter to McKay he
said he would regard the delivery
of it a sacred duty and he has
been as good as his word and you
have thus been on my beloved
old ship and met its splendid
officers all of whom I love. I
am now a ship owner myself
rather Swift, Grylls, and I club^bed
together and bought a 25 foot
boat with sails and gear
practically new for ₤21. This
whole island has changed and
I love every minute of the time
now. I spend all my spare time 

sailing. She is beautiful sea boat
and very fast. We are enabled to
visit all the ships in the harbour
and are getting to know tons of
naval officers, who absolutely
cannot do enough for us so we
are have been having a bonny
time. We often take the sisters from
N^o 3 General Hospital for a spin
they generally bring sandwiches and
also tea in Thermos flasks and
we have great sing songs as we
go splashing across the spacious
harbour. I have been invited
by Commander Edwards to go for
a three days cruise on the "Laforey"
one of the latest things in Destroyers
she torpedoed the Mainz in the
North Sea scrap. I hope I can
get leave it would be an
experience of a life time. I have
just received two bonza parcels from
Maude one of figs & raisins and the
other socks & chocolate. I know you
must love her voice. I have only
enticed her to sing to me once and
I still hear those soft sweet notes
Farewell Helen dear
Much love from

Geoff
1 DR1427

4/13

LEMNOS
12.10.15
Hand drawn sketch - see original document
Dearest Helen
I have just received your letter
dated 1st Sept. for which I am
deeply grateful and thank you for
the kind things you have said of
me therein. 

I am delighted to know
that the "Mashobra" people went
to see you. I remember that when
I gave that letter to McKay, he said
he would regard the delivery of it a sacred duty and he
has been as good as his word. and you have thus been on
board my beloved old ship and met it's splendid officers
all of whom I love. . . . I am now a ship-owner myself.
or rather Swift, Grylls and I, clubbed together and
bought a 25 foot-boat with sails and gear practically
new for £21:-:- This whole island has changed
and I love every minute of the time now. I spend all
my spare time sailing. . . . She is a beautiful Sea-boat
and very fast.- We are now enabled to visit all the
ships in the harbour and are getting to know
"tons" of Naval Officers who, absolutely, cannot
do enough for us; so, we have been having a
bonny time. We often take the Sisters from No. 3.
(1)

General Hospital for a spin. They generally bring
sandwiches; also tea in Thermos flasks; and we have
great "sing-songs" as we go splashing across the
spacious harbour. . . I have been invited by Commander
Edwards to go for a three-days-cruise on the
"Laforey". One of the latest things in Destroyers.
She torpedoed the "Mainz" in the North Sea "scrap"
I hope I may be able to get leave - It would
be the experience of a life time -
I have just received two bonza parcels from
M. One of figs and raisins and the other of
socks and chocolate
Farewell. Much love from
(S^d) Geoff.

(2)

12.10.15.

Cpt GG M^cC
1 DRL 427
4/13

LEMNOS
14. 10. 1915
Dear Mother & Father
I thank you for your letter of 1st Sept
and thank you for the nice things you have
said of me therein I am awfully glad
you met my Mashobra friends and saw
the dear old ship. I have bought a boat
together with Swift & Grills we have plenty
of fun out of it. We are often aboard the
Battleships and have made many friends
amongst the naval Officers and have been
invited to go for a three days cruise on
a destroyer and "Strafe the Turks" from the
sea by way of a change I hope I shall
be able to get leave. We also take the Sisters
from No 3 General Hospital for picnics on
the Harbour. A Sister Belstrap is over
there she appears to know you and the
Hamiltons & Creswicks. I feel awfully
disappointed I did not receive any letters
from Maude this week although I got
many papers & two big parcels of Chocolate
socks figs & raisin from her. I wish you
would send me some Eucalyptus as
winter is fast closing about us. I have 

very little to write about. Each day
is like the other. I had a letter
from Mrs Pennefather from London
The Australian Jockey Club have
supplied the Division with
sporting material which is a
veritable God Send. Our Band
instruments have arrived from
Alexandria so this Holiday is
not going to be so bad after
all
Must say farewell
much love
from
Geoff