ANZAC Sons
Page 44
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan S
I had just sent those souvenirs just before we went to the trenches
Written on the back of Allan’s letter was a note from Charlie:
In the field
From Charlie
Dear Mother,
I have only got one green envelope so Al and I are using it between us, we are getting issued tomorrow or next day so will write to you then I am sending a letter in this for Pearl will you send it on to her. Well dear Mother it is just a week ago today that we lost our dear brother and I can tell you I feel it very much, I know how you will all be at home and will think our letters are never coming I have written to you two or three times telling you all about it I also wrote to Arthur, Florrie, Gibsons and G. Mahoneys so if you did not get my other letters, ask Mahoney’s for theirs, I took Al down to the grave on Sunday I got a day’s leave from the Adjutant to go and see him as he was away at the bombing school, he did not know a word about it and he got leave to come back with me to see the grave, the English Government have erected their cross with a plate with Albert’s name number, battalion date on which he was killed etc, Jack McDonald and I went down to it last Saturday he wanted to see it so I took him down he says that if we are here and can manage it he will get a shrub to put on the grave. There was a letter come from Geordie last night he is still out of the trenches I think he has been out for near 2 1/2 months, he had not got the sad news of poor Albert then, I also got a note from Percy he has got the mumps but that is nothing, he of course, did not know then I wrote again and told him. Well dear mother it is getting dark and I want to post this tonight so will draw to a close. I can tell you I share and mourn with you the sad loss of our dear Albert, I trust you are all well as can be expected as we are here so goodbye with love from
Your Loving Son
Charlie E.M
It was over a week before Percy received the dreadful news that Albert had been killed. During this time he wrote to his family of his daily routine in hospital and his pleasure in having missed a ‘little trip to the trenches’:
In the field
July 25
My Dear Mum & Dad
Well Mum, I suppose you have been expecting a letter from me, but I have been in the trenches, and from there to the hospital with the Mumps. I have been here ten days. I will be going out soon, this is the first trip I have had to the hospital. I missed a little trip in the trenches. I am having a good time here, there are a lot here, we are a long way back from the line. Well Mum, we have had some rain lately, they could do without rain here now, they are cutting the crops. Before we went in to the trenches we had sports, they were fairly good, a mule race was funny. I suppose you are busy ploughing now, we have not had a mail for a long time, I suppose there will be one waiting for me, when I get back. There seems to be a bit of trouble in Russia now, its be hoped it soon ends. Well Mum, news is terrible scarce here. The Hospital is in a nice place, a big avenue of trees all round. There are three nurses, one at night, two in the day. Well I think I have told you all the news so I will close, hoping all are well I remain
Your loving Son
Percy
Percy added a note to Jim:
… Well Jim, how do you feel now you are an uncle. I droped [dropped?] to the joke, as soon as I saw the cable come. Charlie went outside the tent and opened it, and we got the good news about half an hour after. I think Fritz must have sunk some of the mail boats, we have not had a mail for a long time, there ought to be some mail waiting for me when I get back. The French here are cutting their crops. We have had some rain lately, it does not improve things now. What do you think of Russia it’s a terror to see them playing up in such a critical time as this. There are a lot in here, every sort, very few Australians. How’s the girl Jim, not married yet …
Percy received Charlie’s letter later that evening. Overcome with grief he attempted to write to his mother but abandoned his attempt, writing to Jim instead. He does not suggest that ‘cheering up’ is possible, but rather implores Jim to do his best for his mother. With the enormous distance between the family at home and the men on the front it was not easy to find a way to provide comfort: a smile, a hug, the companionship of just being there, none of these was possible. Each brother attempted to write the most comforting words he could find.
In the Hospital
July 26
Dear Jim
Well Jim, its hard to write, after hearing the sad news about poor Albert, which I received from Charlie last night, I tell you, I felt it very much, poor Mother must feel it terrible, you must do your best for her. Charlie could tell you all about it, he would get a terrible shock being there. I know he used to shell the place, before I left, it was really only his second time in. I wrote a little note to Mother, but I cannot write, perhaps just as well not to say much it only makes her worse. Allan was away at the time at a bombing school for twelve days so there would be only Charlie there. I believe the one shell got five of them, including two officers. Well Jim, it’s a good job, when the war is over. I feel awful sorry for Mother, she would feel it worse than we. Well Jim I will close and share with you the loss of our loving brother
I remain your
Loving brother
Percy
Charlie wrote to his mother:
July 27th 1917
My Dear Mother,
… I trust that you are all well but I know the sad news of poor Albert will be a terrible shock to you I got a letter from Geordie saying that he had received the sad news which came as a great shock to him, I have told you all about it in one of my letters and hope that you have received them all safely, I can tell you we miss him very much, I wrote to you a few nights ago and told you Allan was back, but Percy is still away with the mumps, but that is nothing, we are out of the trenches at present and not far away from where Albert is buried, Geordie says he hopes to be round this way shortly and hopes to see the grave. There has been a lot of your letters lost at sea as I can tell by what you write and then we have had no mail for about 6 weeks, I can tell you the mail was very acceptable, you seem to be having a bad time with mice over there but this is not as bad as the chats and lice over here, also rats, the lice would drive you mad but we manage to get a bath about every fortnight and a clean change of clothes you asked me about the parcel, yes mum I got it alright and thank you very much for it, I forgot to tell you before that Albert had £2/10/- in English and 60 francs in money on him a franc is worth 10d. I kept the money as I thought it was no good sending it home and we can divide it amongst us, all his other things I have kept and as I said before I will keep them all for you, his watch had the glass broken but I think it could be easily mended, the case was slightly knocked about but a jeweller could fix it, I think it is best to send them to Auntie Payne for a while till the boats are more certain of getting home. I am sending this little note with Allan he has written so I suppose he has told you all the news, what there is to tell. Well mother I know you will worry your heart out over Albert but that will do no good so try and look more to the bright side and cheer up and let us hope for the best. I will draw to a close for this time and will say goodbye with love and best wishes to you all
I will remain
Your Loving Son
Charlie
Allan also penned a note to try to lift his mother’s spirits:
In the field
28-7-17
My Dear Mum & Dad,
Well dear mum & dad I hope you are all well as it leaves Charlie & I at present. Percy is still in hospital with the mumps. Thank goodness it will be a spell for him. I would not mind the mumps just for the spell. Well dear mum I know you will be worried after dear Albert but mum try and look at it on the bright side, wont you mum. We know it is hard, but one is taking such risks over here. We are out of the trenches at present & are camped a little way from Albert grave. We had a letter from Geordie last night. He is splendid & is still out of the trench
es. Isnt that bon. We are going in again and then we are coming out for a long spell. So they tell us. Then I hope to get down to Devon. Mum, what do you think, we got an Ausy mail yesterday. We were all pleased because it was about 6 weeks since we had one … We are having great weather over here now & everything is a picture. I told you we were out of the trenches but we have to [do] a lot of day & night fatigues. We are always working. I came back from the school last Tuesday & brought back good results with me. Well dear mum this is the third letter that I have wrote to you this week so news is scarce so I will close with best love & wishes to all.
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan
In late July the 38th was relieved from the support trenches by the 40th Battalion. For a fortnight Allan and Charlie were camped at Neuve Eglise (now Nieuwkerke), a short distance from where Albert was buried. Percy remained in hospital. Two days had passed since he had received the news of Albert’s death and he again attempted to write to his parents.
In the field
28 July
My Dear Mother & Father
Well Dear Mother, I am still in the hospital, but will be out in a few days, I received a letter from Charlie with the sad news of Albert’s death. I am awful sorry for you poor Mother, for you must feel it worse than we do. I cannot realise that he has gone; poor Charlie must have got a terrible shock. Allan was away for twelve days, at a bombing school. Well Dear Mother I will not say any more as it will only make things worse, in fact I cannot write. I feel it so much. Once again I express my sympathy for you dear Mother and share the loss of our dear brother.
I remain your ever loving son
Percy
* * *
BELGIUM, 2011
The sun is shining, the breeze is warm and the fields are green as we drive through the lush Belgian countryside to find the cemetery where Albert is buried. Kandahar Farm is a small cemetery that contains the graves of 443 Commonwealth soldiers. It sits around one kilometre from Wulverghem on the road to Nieuwkerke. Both these villages fell into German hands in April 1918 but were recovered the following September. The cemetery is in a beautiful location; the land is covered with thick, green grass and dotted with the brown brick farmhouses and barns of the people who reclaimed this area at the end of the war. Fat, contented cattle casually survey their visitors. We open the iron gate and walk into the cemetery as the sunlight catches the blossoms that fall from the trees above the headstones; they float like snowflakes, twisting and twirling on the breeze. The tranquillity of the rural surrounds makes this an ideal resting place for a young farmer who did not come home. Albert desperately wanted to join his brothers at the front and delighted in the great adventure, in the sights he had seen and in his experiences in the line. He felt he had grown up and had proven to all that he could do his duty. We stand here, thousands of kilometres from home, and reflect on this young man and what could have been had the war not claimed his life. Next to Albert’s grave are those of the soldiers who died with him that day, buried in a row, side by side, their futures also lost in the great calamity that was ‘the war to end all wars’.
The cross Charlie organised to mark Albert’s grave.
Albert’s grave at Kandahar Farm Cemetery, Belgium (author photo 22 April 2011).
We place a cross of remembrance on Albert’s grave in a moment made poignant by our knowledge that we are the first members of his Australian family to have visited since 1924, possibly the only relatives since then to have brushed his headstone and placed a little cross in his memory. I think of Sarah and the moment that she and her husband Charles signed Albert’s consent form. The burden of that decision must have been overwhelming. We find it very difficult to say goodbye.
Kandahar Farm Cemetery, a peaceful resting place for a young man who loved the farm. To the right of this photo was the busy dressing station to which Albert’s body was brought. The building stands today (author photo 22 April 2011).
FOURTEEN
I HOPE THE REST OF US WILL
BE SPARED TO RETURN
ENGLAND
Across the channel in the tiny village of Drayton, the death of Albert was also felt by his relatives as they wrote to their family in Australia:
Drayton
Uppingham
July 25th 1917
My Dear Auntie, Uncle & Jim,
We were all very sorry to hear from Charlie this morning telling us of poor Albert’s death, it really does not seem possible to think the poor boy has really gone. I had several letters from him while he was in France & he always wrote so cheerful, it seems so hard to lose them when they are so young. I cannot find words to say how sorry we are, I must close this short note. Trusting you are all quite well during this your great trouble.
With our very deepest sympathy to you all.
With love from mother & myself
I remain
Your loving niece & cousin Flo
Drayton
Nr Uppingham
31st July
My Dear Brother & Sister
I cannot tell you how sorry I was when I received Charlie letter telling us of poor Alberts death we were sorry when he had his leave that we were not able to see him it seem so hard him being so young I am sure it must be a great trial to you all, it must be an anxious time for you both with all the other boys in France to i do hope they will be spared to you we were please to hear the news that Charlie had got a daughter I am sure you would all be pleased it’s a girl I hope they are getting on nicely well my dear brother I must thank you very much for the ten shillings it is very good of you I wonder weather you get my letter as I wrote a long time ago as I haven’t heard from you for some time we have about finished hay time here and have had some very good crops & the corn looks well. Harry Marlow has got his discharge & he is back at The [indecipherable] at his work & he looks very well he is a fine big fellow not much like his Father I don’t think Fred his at Harboro [Market Harborough] he is not old enough to join up he been twice to see if they will have him well my Dear Brother I haven’t much news to tell you this time Uncle Ted sends his love he is quite well Fred his son has been home for ten days we given him Charley address so praps he may meet with them I hope he will I think I will now close hopeing this will find you all well with love to all
I remain your ever loving sister
C Wilson XXX
Edith is quite well
THE PASSCHENDAELE CAMPAIGN, BELGIUM
(THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES)
Throughout June and much of July, Allied High Command continued to debate Haig’s proposed plans of attack at Ypres. The Germans, sited high on the ridges encircling Ypres, could clearly monitor Allied movements and preparation. It was now obvious to the German High Command that the Allies were planning an offensive and their intelligence only served to confirm what was laid out like a map before them. German preparations to repel the offensive intensified: reinforcements were brought in from the Eastern Front where Russia was in the final stages of collapse, additional pillboxes were constructed, barbed wire rolled out and more guns hauled in. In some sectors the fortifications were over ten kilometres deep. The Allied conferences continued, with Prime Minister Lloyd George remaining staunchly opposed to the Ypres attack, asserting yet again his preference to advance on the weaker Italian front. Regardless, Haig forged ahead with his preparations until, on 25 July, he received approval to proceed. Three days earlier, on 22 July, he had launched a massive bombardment in preparation for an advance on the German-held high ground that he believed would open the way to the capture of the coastal ports. General Hubert Gough would lead the advance, the more experienced General Plumer, who had been on the Ypres salient for two years and was responsible for the success at Messines, overlooked. General Gough had no experience in the Flanders region.
Apart from the small pockets of high ground held by enemy forces, Flanders is generally flat, consisting of reclaimed land with a series of ditches and dikes that form a complex d
rainage system. It is easily flooded. Under the topsoil lies thick clay. The ground over which the advance was to be made had been blown apart in previous artillery bombardments and was now being pulverised anew. With recent rainfall, it would soon be a quagmire.
On 31 July the Third Battle of Ypres commenced. Seventeen divisions of British and French infantry advanced on a 27-kilometre front from Pilckem Ridge in the north to the Gheluvelt Plateau to the east of Ypres.1
By the end of the opening day, British and French soldiers, supported by the artillery of I Anzac, had gained ground, although losses had been heavy. Despite Allied casualties totalling 27,000, the vital Gheluvelt Plateau remained in German hands. The well-prepared German forces had repelled the Allied advance. Heavy enemy artillery fire fell not only on the front line, but also in rear areas hitting roads, bivouacs and battery positions. The rain arrived in the afternoon and continued for days. The battlefield turned to a sticky morass; shell holes filled with water and heavy fog reduced visibility. The wounded died where they fell, drowning in shell holes or falling victim to infection, their gangrenous wounds left to fester. It was close to impossible to evacuate them from the battlefield. Six stretcher-bearers took one hour to carry a man less than two kilometres, hopelessly bogged in the Flanders mud. Despite the conditions, the attack pushed on through its various stages. The rain continued throughout the month of August.
Kandahar Farm dressing station, the 3rd Australian Division field dressing station, on the afternoon of 7 June 1917 during the Battle of Messines as described by Charlie. The building stands today (AWM E00482).