Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Military Medal (Awarded) - 'For conspicuous and continuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy fire whilst on Forward Pack Transport duty. (East of Ypres)'
Recommendation date: 29 October 1917

A HAY VOLUNTEER'S LETTER.
Sergeant Tom Ashley Writes.
The following letter has been received by a friend from Sergeant Thomas Ashley : — 'Mena Camp, Alexandria, July 6th, 1915. —I suppose you are thinking that we are all down and out, but it is not the case just yet. Well, old boy, I know that I should have written to you before, but I was waiting for some startling news, but it has not come my way yet. We left Mena Camp on the 27th of March for Alexandria, where we embarked for Lemnos. We had about three weeks' stay there waiting for the rest of the troops, before making a final dash for the Peninsula. We had on board our boat the First Infantry Brigade, also No. 2 Company Army Service Corps, about 1600 men, also 500 horses. The boat that we were on was the largest that went over with troops and a fine target for shells. We shall never forget April 25th, the morning of the landing. It was about 4.30 when I got up on deck, to find we we there and that our boys were into it ; of course we could not see anything as it was quite dark, and we were laying about two miles out from the landing point, but within range of the forts, which gave us a taste of their shell fire when daylight came, but the life of the forts was a short one, once the gunboats got to work. They each picked out their marks and got into them; they took up their positions before daybreak. One ship was lying right near cur boat — she let go two broadsiders, which gave me the shock of my life. In return we got one in front of the nose of our boat ; it missed by about five yards. If it had landed it would have killed some of our boys, as they were all up that end at the time. It was very funny to hear the remarks when it landed. 'Another doll down! Give that man a cigar!' When daylight came we could see quite plain the boys going up the hill. The First Brigade left our boat about seven o'clock ; amongst them was young Alex Bloomfield. I heard he was shot just after he got on shore, but cannot say for sure, as I did not land myself.
There were only a few of our Company who went ashore, but they had to return when we left for here with the horses. We did not land any horses as they were of no use, the country being too rough for our transport waggons. We had three weeks of it waiting for the word to land, or go back, but I am sorry to say it was back to Alexandria. Well, old boy, one hardly knew the time was passing when we were up there. We always got a few shells over for breakfast, sometimes at tea time. They came from a hidden battery on shore, which the gunboats could not get at on account of the position they were in. All the Hay boys are doing well that came over with me. Vic. Atkins was on shore for three weeks. Jack McKinney is still over there; he is working at the base and is well out of the way; so if you see any of his people just tell them he is O.K., and having a good time. It was bad luck for us to have to come back here, but I suppose it is all in the game. Jim Ashley ‘got one to go on with,’ but nothing serious; I had a letter from him just after he got hit. He is a fine chap; we put in a lot of time together in our last camp. I suppose he is back in the firing line by this. We expect to get away from here any time now, but do not know where we will go.”