Letters from Geoffrey Gordon McCrae to his family, October - December 1915 - Part 2

LEMNOS.

17.10.1915.

Dearest Mother, Father, & Helen.

Just got your letters of 5th Sept:

for which I thank you heartily. I am

sorry to hear of Uncle Nicholas' death,

but I suppose he was very weary of

hanging on to life. I am glad mother

has inherited some cash which she richly

deserved; it will no doubt be a great

help. Dear old Colonel Bryant has

returned to Australia he had been sick

for some time and news came of his

wife's death and that broke him up

altogether. I am awfully sorry; he was

as kind as a mother to me, and I absolutely

loved him: if you ever see him

give him my deepest sympathy; I am

glad to hear old "Buckie" is coming to

join our party. I am glad you got

the photos: of Cyprus. I am enclosing

some I took up at Anzac - Bruce

was a sheep farmer from New Zealand

I am glad the little Scotch maid is a

success and hope she may remain

 

long with you. I had afternoon tea

with Sister Jean Bisset this afternoon.

She was inquiring very tenderly

after you. She is as jolly as ever. We

are still having great sport with the

boat. I was congratulated on my

handling of her by a commander of

the Royal Navy, who said I did it as

well as a veteran seaman. This chap,

Commander Edwards, has told me to make

his ship my home, when ever I want

a drink or meal, to go aboard and order

it: if I want to sleep, his cabin is ever 

at my disposal: he has an awfully fine

set of officer's all of whom I am very fond,

I am having him and his 1st Lieutenant

to Mess to-morrow night. We are living very

well at present: we got on board a transport

which has just come from England, and

bought £20 odd of stores including frozen

ducks, green peas, Asparagus, wines, beer

potatoes, flour, baking powder, pickles and

a hundred odd other things. Band instruments

have been sent up from Alexandria, so we

have music to beguile our spare hours.

 

 

so we are exactly living the heroic

life at present. I had a letter from

the Colonel, who is in Devonport

Hospital in England; he has had

a bad time with coast fever &

pleurissy: he was sitting up for

three days, gasping for breath. The

wet season appears to be setting

in here. we get rain daily,

and the island is donning an

emerald jacket and quickly regaining

its old beauty. I was glad to

hear of my roses and primroses,

and I hope I shall yet again

be able to attend to their needs. I am

feeling very fit, and at peace

with the whole world.

Much love

from

Geoff.

 

 

LEMNOS      21.10.1915

Dearest Mother, Father & Helen,

I have drawn a blank this

mail not a letter from you or

friends but I received some

parcels though and father's book

Fleet & Convoy. I got one containing

six pairs of assorted colored socks

and a waterproof cap which are

most acceptable and for which 

I am awfully grateful. Maude

sent me a beautiful Christmas

Hamper from the Mutual Store

full of luxuries isn't she an angel.

I am sending some photos of this

harbour and a couple of other

scenes I got from a chap in

No3. General Hospital. I hear the

"Mashobia" was here whilst I

was away on the HMS Laporey I

am awfully sorry I missed her

especially as they had come

direct from home and from seeing

you. Copies of photos are in

 

 

 

duplicate one set is for Maude

I think you have some of the

snap shots I think you are

already in possession of so if

any are duplicates send them

on to Maude also. Our stay

here has been prolonged indefinitely

so I do not know when we

go to the trenches now but do

not revel in the anticipation

of their wet & draughty confines.

Things are very dull and

I have nothing of interest to

tell you of so ere I bore you

I will cease. You will be

glad to know I am in the

best of health and longing

for that glad day which gives

you back to me.

Much love

Geoff