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War Memorial
Australia

Copy of letter from B. O' Hanlon, a friend of Edgar (Ted) R. Martin to Edgar's mother.

Refers to actions of Private E.R.Martin, No 164, of 15/BT A.l.F. post 25th April 1915
at Gallipoli

"Moasomi' (Sic) Camp
Innaikia ?
EGYPT
2nd Feb. 1916

Dear Mrs Martin,

It is with great pleasure I received your welcome letter about half an hour ago, it was
dated 10th. Sept. and has evidently been following me about as I only arrived back from England about a
month ago. From the tone of your letter I gather that you did not get the letter I wrote you from Gallipoli.
Poor Ted was the best friend I ever had, and it was seldom we were ever seen apart. We both landed in
the same boat on 25th. April but got separated when we arrived in the firing line. I was about 20 yards on
his right. Ted died in a noble cause, the facts of which I will now tell.
The first few weeks on the peninsula water was almost unprocurable, and in the position we then held, to
get water one had to run great risks, namely getting out over the back of a trench and running the gauntlet
of numerous snipers and then down into a gully that was thick with bursting shrapnel. In Ted's trench there
was one poor fellow who had lost his reason almost through want of water and nothing could be done with
him, thereupon Ted volunteered and collected the water bottles and jumped over the trench. He evaded the
bullets and got down to the water hole and filled the bottles, but when returning a shell burst and inflicted
a very severe wound in the head. Although I did not actually see him I have it from very good authority
that he was taken aboard a hospital ship but died when 24 hours out from Alexandria.
I was living in the hopes of getting news that he had pulled through but one of the returned wounded
brought the news that Ted had died.
It was a very severe blow and I felt his loss very keenly, he was the life and soul of the band and
was known and liked throughout the battalion .. Ted gave me one of the photos you sent him and I sent it
home and by letters I have since received it arrived OK. If you have them would you kindly send me two
more of them I would be much obliged.
When l heard the final news I wrote a letter telling you the circumstances as far as I knew. There is also
another friend of Ted's here who was wounded a few days after. When he came out of Hospital at
Alexandria he made several enquiries to see if Ted had been brought over but according to law if a person
dies 24 hours from land he is buried at sea; which I am now convinced poor Ted was.
The friend I refer to is named Harry Storr and the three of us always intended to get our photos taken
together but left it until too late. Harry and I are the only two left out of the old band and we are getting
taken together soon. I will send you a photo.
The first time I met Ted as I suppose he has told you was in the expedition to New Guinea. The place he
last worked at is only a few miles from my home in Nth. Qld. I would be very pleased to hear from you
again; you can rely upon hearing from me at regular intervals.
I trust you, will accept my profound sympathy in your great loss, but it is no doubt some relief for you to
know he died bravely in a just cause. The chap he endeavored to bring the water to was sent away the
following day and I have never seen or heard of him since. Trusting this letter will relieve your anxiety and
find you in good health.
Believe me to be your very sincere friend.

(signed) B. O'Hanlon
P.S. Please write soon as I will be anxious to hear that you have received this letter. My number is 181.
In my next letter I will try to give you a brief outline of my experiences since April 25th. last.