193
To My Dear Mother
DIARY
FROM 16th September 1915 TO 21st November 1915
193 Cpl R.D. Doughty
2nd Battery
1st F.A. Brigade
1st Australian Division
Cape Helles
Gallipoli Pen.
Turkey in Europe
Still at Cape Helles
16th September 1915
Heavy shelling of the French Reserve lines in rear of our position by a new Turkish 6 gun battery. Not to much damage done however. After last nights rain the French had put out their blankets & waterproofs today on the sunward slopes of the hill and our friends had possibly taken these for tents. Saw one shell lob into a dug-out. Immediately after a Frenchie came out, dusted himself off and went back in again. Big beano during afternoon & night. Beautiful day after last nights squall. "Quiet" night. Particularly for N.S.H & myself.
17th September 1915
Occasional artillery duels the order of the day - evidently. Things awfully quiet generally "C" got into action towards dusk but only fired 4 rounds. Played 500 with Watson Delaney & Burnett in the evening. Had a visit from 2 of our old Drivers who were quartered in Alexandria. They managed to stow-away on some craft or other and got here via Anzac. Was told by our major that a special club has been formed in Sydney for the express purpose of "filling out" the 1st Brigade Artillery (N.S.W. only) with winter comforts. Believe we will want them here by all accounts.
18th September 1915
Some unfeeling gentleman must have lifted the lid of Hell today. Things moving some all day. Early morning a large Taube biplane came over evidently bent on blowing some of our heavies to Kingdom Come. Anyhow she must have forgotten her mission early for some British Destroyer at the Cape trained a gun on to her, and, well it wants working out by algebra why he didn't come down. Must have riddled his plane. Towards afternoon another enemy aeroplane came over but only waited until a machine gun got going, then headed for Asia. Artillery duels both naval and military the order of the day. Big beano tonight.
19th September 1915
Sunday again, and a Perfect Day. At least what I've seen of it that is. Suffering acutely from some minor complaint usually diagnosed as "The morning after the night before." Had a Champagne Supper with the Sergt's. Got about half way though when we got called into action and spent an hour or so torturing somebody up ahead. Managed to get some fruit and ye Gods, Egyptian cigarettes today. Active service uncertainties again. British airship due for a nights ramble any night now. Every body has been warned regarding its visit. Quiet night with the expectation of rifle fusillades.
20th September 1915
Blowing like old Nick and almost as cold as Charity. Had quiet day of rest today. Went to sleep in the morning for a couple of hours. Too windy and dusty to do much else. In the afternoon mail arrived. Caught a few from Milton and "Home". I would imagine by all the parcels being sent to me that they will want a special boat to bring them this far. Taube came over in the afternoon (late) and dropped a couple of bombs over on the French Sector, but was driven off by artillery fire. Glorious evening. Fizz Supper again. French artillery opened up during the night.
21st September 1915
Sundry artillery duels the order of the day. Turks replied very feebly. Several of our aeroplanes up for observation purposes. Glorious day. Managed to buy luxuries in the form of sugar (mainly) and milk. Sugar is 6d per lb nowadays. Milk 9d per tin. Always able to get unlimited supplies of the latter. Very quiet night. Cards the order of the evening. Bunk 10-30pm.
22nd September 1915
Glorious day again. Early visit from a Taube. One of our planes engaged him with his machine gun, whereupon the Taube found he had business elsewhere and turned tail letting rip from his own gun as he went. Heavy naval gunfire out towards Embros. Got marching orders at 11am. Packed up and left our position at 8pm. Bivouacked at our Waggon Line. Don't know where we're bound for. Camping with Heydon. Miss my little dug out some. Sat up and yarned half the night.
23rd September 1915
Got leave today and Delaney & myself walked to the beach. En route had a screw at the new 10 inch howitzers which the French have just got into position. They had to be brought up on a specially built railway and are enormous guns. Got into some Haven down at the beach bought some Grapes & apples also 4 bottles of Black & White. Don't half need it nowadays. Just before we arrived a shell from Asia landed square into the canteen and blew things about a bit. No word of our leaving as yet. Very chilly night.
24th September 1915
Glorious day again. Kicked about in vicinity of waggon line. Nothing much doing baring a bit of a rest. Awaiting orders to "get". Wish they would come straight away. "Duel" night.
25th September 1915
Just woke up to the fact that its Lottie's Birthday. Drank to her health immediately afterwards along with Barlow, Hollis Delaney &c. On Guard from 6pm. Managed to get on to a British Warm, a species of very warm overcoat. Sergt Major Barrow arrived tonight. Very heavy firing up at Anzac.
26th September 1915 (Sunday)
Duel day and extra hot. Rec a letter from Annie and answered same. Asia sent over a few towards evening but apart from that rec very little fire. Our Shore naval 6" guns engaged at 3pm. Duel night.
27th September 1915 (Monday)
Aubery killed tonight. Fairly quiet day. Camp routine same as Egypt. Mr Olding left us again owing to sprained ankle. Some Turkish Bty had a few pots at the main road to the beach, which was fairly well populated with waggons & horses, but did no damage. Duel night.
28th September 1915
Glorious day. Asia and our 10 inch and 7.5 guns engaging each other. Could see the effect of every one of Asia's. Had a stroll around the new winter quarters of the French. They're just like cow sheds. Duel night.
29th September 1915
Consistent shelling by Asia & our heavies. Went up and had a good view of Asia's vain attempt to silence the 10 inch howitzers. Taube over at night. Marching orders came to HQ this evening. Soon be at it again. Anzac, I believe our rendezvous is. Great excitement. Seems there is a war on somewhere.
30th September 1915
Packing up all day. Left waggon line 3pm. Got to the beach and embarked guns &c on a lighter. Just about finished loading them when I rec a parcel from Home containing a scarf & a cap comforter. Barlow and Hollis were about the first to put them on, since then they have been put on by half the Battery. Had a swim. Quick Dick had a final go at us. Landed one in the water 100 yards or so from our lighter. Put several on the beach. Left the pier at 8 and got alongside the "Princess Louise" a trouper of 9000 tons. Up all night boarding guns, ammunition & waggons.
Arrival at Embros Island
1st October 1915
Catch a Birthday Wish, That I was anywhere but where I am, because this "Princess Louise" turns out to be a starvation ship. Nothing to eat or drink. Rotten luck. Arrived at Embros this morning at 10.30. Party went ashore to get fruit &c. Saw some of our new Monitors, also a new airship in flight. At present 6.30pm we are moving full speed ahead for Helles again. A few "subs" about these quarters so have to make the pace somewhat. Destroyers on either side of us. Are to pack up the 1st & 3rd Batteries & then Westward ho for Anzac & more fun.
2nd October 1915
Loading 1st & 3rd Batteries most of the night. Arrived at Anzac about 3am. Got the right section of the 3rd ashore but headed back to Embros again because it's too risky to hang about that quarter after day break. Believe we disembark tonight. Left Embros at dusk. Landed at Walker Landing later. Had a good view of a destroyer shelling the enemy positions by searchlight. Disembarked at 4.30am. Got ashore at 5.30am, 31st 1915.
3rd October 1915
Acting Q.M.S. all day. Had a screw around and managed to strike gold in the person of a Staff Q.M.S. who fixed us up royally with food stuffs. Great position here. All cliffs and ravines. Had a swim off the pier and some insignificant Bty shelled us to blazes. Got a few also some mules. Snipers fairly plentiful too. Rest of right section get ashore later tonight. Slept like a log. Had none for three nights. Taube amusing itself by dropping bombs.
4th October 1915
Very hot day. Awaiting orders to shift into position somewhere. Edwards, Gilligan & Glover old members convalesced joined us today. Chas & self went for a stroll this afternoon. Couldn't see anything to shoot so came back before 8pm. Have just got orders to shift. Awaiting teams. Mail arrived. Caught a few. Don't know where we're off to but believe it's Anzac way. Anywhere for trouble suits us.
ANZAC (Walkers Landing) and onto Shrapnel Gully
5th October 1915
Arrived at destination (Shrapnel Gully) some unearthly hour this morning. This place doesn't belie its name either. Had a good view of the guns shelling one of our batteries perched away up on a ridge to our left. Awaiting orders to go into action. No water in this place Get issued with a gallon a day which is to do you for washing, drinking & messing generals. Don't want to spit much. Some talk of being relieved & going away to Lemnos for a spell. Some of our chaps (what's left of them) don't half want it either. Out of 98 men to land 76 are casualties.
6th October 1915
Lovely day today. Was down at the beach this morning when a gun nick-named Blacky Bill sent over a couple, & snuffed a couple of mules & a driver. Got news (good) that we are leaving here for our spell. Been getting gear &c packed preparatory to leaving. Things pretty quiet. A few stray shells about. Left bivouac at 9.30pm Got down to the beach (Walkers Pier) at 10.30. Boarded a lighter at 12pm & pulled alongside of a small steamer & embarked later.
Aboard 'SS Elkahera' and onto Lemnos Island (Rest & Relaxation)
7th October 1915
On board SS "Elkahera" heading for Lemnos. Great beano all morning. Great after scrapping. Quite a diversion from slaughtering. Arrived at Mudros West and proceeded to our Rest Camp. Had a most amusing happening on the way. All of us (about 250) had to wade across a stream about ½ a mile wide. Take off all clothing and prepare for immersion. Great, saw a ("nurse") some species of an unforgotten race I once knew. Arrived here ok and attended a concert at a YMCA. Didn't half enjoy it either.
8th October 1915
Great day. A bit rainy but is a welcome change. Had a bath in fresh water. Used a bar of soap during operations. Struck several boys from Nelson, who are spelling here after playing the good old game on the P. Saw Bob Woods & had a long yarn to him. At night went over to Queen Alexandra House with Chas, and saw Sid James. Had a long yarn to him and while there a squall came up, and we had to hold the tent up for some time. Coming home after the fun I saw about a dozen tents blown down.
9th October 1915
Lovely day after last night's squall. Things in general look very fresh, except some of the tents which are perfect peaks of nature. Norman, Pearce, & self went for a stroll to one of the villages & speculated in several comforts particularly in the eating line. Possessed of an absolutely ravenous appetite nowadays. Struck Billy Lucre in one. Greek village. Bob Woods came over for tea. All of us went to a concert in the NZ lines at night. Very good. Saw some more "women". Gee, they are strange.
10th October 1915
Chas and I running around the Greek villages all day. Very interesting. Enjoying life to the utmost. Its great to be existing these days. Played 500 at night. Chas & I still experts at the game.
11th October 1915
Playing the Wandering Jew again. Been to every village within a radius of 5 miles from camp. Struck Lucre again. Enjoying this spell to the full. Dr [Driver] Jackson, who was badly wounded some time ago returned to the Bty today.
12th October 1915
"Villaging" all day. Saw W & G Everiss tonight.
13th 1October 915
"Villaging" all day. Lucre came over at night for tea. Spent the evening with us. Dog tired. Tramped about 15 solid miles today.
14th October 1915
Very quiet day, and cold. Lucre came over tonight. Sat up yarning till late. Enjoying spell immensely.
15th October 1915
Another quiet day. Played 500 all morning. Still as cold as C [Charity].
16th October 1915
Very quiet day. Had a look at a soccer match in the afternoon, and had a stroll to the top of a hill at the back of our camp to see why they should build houses up on such places. Found out that this one is a shrine used by some of the Greeks who inhabit the villages.
17th October 1915
Great celebration today. Pay day. Speculated lavishly amongst the many fruits & other "weak points" all afternoon. Lucre came over at night. Played 500 again.
18th October 1915
Accepted an invitation from the Officers of the HMAT Argyllshire. Had a real good old day. Had the best meal of meals I've had since leaving Sydney. Kicked around on board, had a screw at the hole starboard side aft where a French Cruiser rammed her 60 miles out from Port. Came back in their 40 HP motor boat at night. Awfully pleasant day. Today is the Anniversary of our leaving Sydney. Very few of the old Battery left to celebrate it at present. We haven't an officer sergeant major, or sergeant, of the old crowd left. Sergeant Short the last of the Sergts to get knocked was wounded in 3 places by Shrapnel at Anzac 3 days ago. Hollis & Pearce are on the OK list again.
19th October 1915
Villaging all day.
20th October 1915
Villaging again. YMCA concert at night with Lucre & Chas.
21st October 1915
Villaging. Saw both Everiss at night. Cold as Charity here.
22nd October 1915
Bitterly cold. Took on several short walks to handy villages.
23rd October 1915
Orderly Cpl today. Managed to get hold of a few "wantables" tonight in the person of a watch, toothbrush and strop &c. Still bitterly cold. Expecting 5000 wounded from the Bulgarian Frontier. Wish we could get up there.
24th October 1915
Sunday, and no change in the temperature. Villaging again.
25th October 1915 (Monday)
Took on a long walk today. Visited 2 villages one being the largest we've seen on the Island. Done a bit of sea fishing during our ramble. Caught a few. Beautiful day.
26th October 1915
Very wintry day. Too rough to "carry on" same as yesterday. 1st Brigade Infantry left this morning, destination unknown. No news of leaving as yet.
27th October 1915
Still wintry nothing great doing. Attended concert in YMCA at night.
28th October 1915
Two wintry to go villaging today. Kicked around camp instead.
29th October 1915
Better day today. Villaging & visited the no's 1 2 & 3 Australian General Hospital. Saw some more of those almost curios, women.
30th October 1915
Villaging &c
31st October 1915
Joe Everiss sent over a bundle of luxuries in the form of Auckland Weekly's. Being Sunday have been perusing them all day.
1st November 1915
Lazy Day.
2nd November 1915
ditto
3rd November 1915
ditto
4th November 1915
ditto. Pay day. "Speculating"
5th November 1915
Villaging. Got orders at 9.30pm to get ready for I don't know where. Due to leave camp early tomorrow morning.
6th November 1915
Up at 5.30. Packed & left old camp at 8am. Walked to landing at Mudros West. Done some more water walking. At present 11:30 waiting for transport 5.15pm. On SS 'Newmarket' heading for Anzac. Expect to arrive there at 8.
Back at ANZAC (Walkers Landing)
7th November 1915
Landed at Walkers L & proceeded to rendezvous. Got to dugout at 2.30am. Been getting quarters presentable and reading mail. Rec unopened letters. Just read them through for the 100th time. Really great some of them. All talking of glorious summer, & here is as cold as Charity, everything running perfectly smoothly in Australia & NZ, where here, I am sitting in a dug out with a rifle a bayonet. All ready for fun and even while writing their machine guns & bombs are few short yards up ahead.
8th November 1915
Went up to have a look at our position where we go into action. Our range is 1175. Had a screw around and got back to rendezvous later.
9th November 1915 (Monday)
Up digging B.H.Q. all morning. This afternoon had a visit from L-Cpl Jim Mayer from the 10 Sikhs. Very little doing. Light horse captured a trench last night. Casualties very light.
10th November 1915
Our friends must have known that we had done because all this morning they gave us special attention. Sent over about 30 and our "posy" at present resembles a rabbit burrow. Missed our gun and waggon by a matter of feet. At night the machine guns enfiladed our Gully but the bullets were too high to do any damage. Raining.
11th November 1915
Read out in orders that our Major, Colonel & Major King are possessors of the order CMG. Very satisfactory. Some Bty has been giving us particular attention all day again, also have been getting it pretty hot from machine gun fire. Great news Chas has received his commission. Still attached to the 1st Brigade.
12th November 1915
Had a bit of revolver practice today. Scored top hole. Got shelled in return. One splinter of shell came a distance of over 1000 yds after bursting & took a quarter of "C" shield with it. Unfortunately have to record a big miss. Chas left us today. Posted to the 3rd Battery.
13th November 1915
Up at H. Quarters again this morning. Raining a bit. Believe Kitchener is here. Passed several of his staff today. Mail arrived tonight. Caught a few.
14th November 1915
Someone, I think it fell to us somehow, started a circus today, & found the Turks eager to pay attention. Heavy shelling by land batteries, while, at Suvla the battleships didn't altogether like being out of it, so started one on their own. Raining again.
15th November 1915
Down at R.E. Depot all morning. This afternoon extra heavy firing at Helles. They started about 12:00 hrs & its now 4pm & they're still rocking it in furiously. Wish we were down in the old position. "500" the order of the evening.
16 November 1915
Up early this morning. Thanks due to Mr Turk. One of the funniest sights I've yet seen. They sent over 16 what we call plum puddings. They are a big round bomb fired from I don't know what and often roll down a ridge before exploding. They have a case of 1" thickness, and are usually glowing like a red hot poker. One landed down on the track and then a piece in here in my dug out. So got up and watched the rest playing antics. Rec a note from Chas, and went up to visit him. Up at H.Q. Russells Top all afternoon. Blowing a gale.
17th November 1915
Fairly quiet day. Sundry artillery duels. Sea very rough & weather squally.
18th November 1915
Gee what a night. A storm broke about 6pm and didn't stop until 2am. During which time yours humbly sat in his dug out and spent his spare time in hanging on to the roof & bailing water out. Blow doesn't half express it. Today proves a perfect one though very cold. Gives us a chance to dry blankets &c. Sundry artillery duels the order of the day. Played 500 at night.
19th November 1915
Lovely day again. Consistent bombardment by the Navy at Suvla, and the Turks paid particular attention to the beach. We got our proportion of lead in the afternoon. Start rationing today and am ravenously hungry. Quiet night only rifle fusillades.
20th November 1915
Gr Fountain returned today from England. Hear good news of Gibson & Way. Cold as charity. Heavy bombardment of some spot up ahead by a cruiser anchored about 2 miles back. Sent over about 150 rounds from 6" to 10". Food still scarce and water ditto. Active service rations with a vengeance now. Carrying ammunition all afternoon to 3rd Bty. Like walking up a wall. Saw Chas & had an hour with him in the O Section. Dog tired so bunk at 7pm with a vengeance.
21st November 1915
No rest for the wicked they say must be correct. Got pulled out of warm bed at 8pm after having only 1 hours rest, and dragged our guns & waggons over a ridge that the two horses couldn't face to the beach. What the Devil for I can't even conjecture. Finished that particular jaunt sometime during the morning. The hardest work bombarding I've yet done. Reinforcements for our Bty arrived today. Awaiting orders for all night working party.
[Inside back cover of diary]
1 Tomlinson
2 Izzard Stenes
3 Izzard
4 Anderson
5 McKenzie
6 Pritchard
