Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"A Burra Boy in London. LONESOME PINE EXPERIENCES.

Harry Davey writes from Australian Intermediate Base, Abbey Wood, London.

"Have just posted one big letter to you so must get to work for the next mail. All the lights in the huts must be shaded to-night as we are expecting an air raid, I suppose we shall have them buzzing over about 2 a.m. I think it's quite time England woke up and started raiding Germany, she seems too slow. It is going to be a big fight yet, of course we expect to win although Germany has a terrible lot of munitions and guns but our side can beat them. I do know that we can give them all the shells they'll ever want, thank goodness for that. I believe the Light Horse will at last get their gee-gees back again as I understand they are to go to Mesopotamia, which makes me think of poor old Jimmie Bennetts. At present we have no orders as to when or where we are going but I hope it will be Egypt. Camp life is much the same as ever and I don't think it's any different anywhere one goes. There are about 3000 Australian troops here in camp and, so far, I have only met one or two whom I know and, worse luck, no Burra boys. I met Will and Graham Dow whilst on furlough. Graham is on the staff police force in London, looking for our deserters, etc. I received 34 letters and parcels also Burra Record. I received a letter from our captain and he is looking forward to the time when I shall be back with them again in the trenches. He is a jolly good fellow. I am trying hard to stick to the motto you gave me Dad, and I am sure if it had not been for a praying Mum and Dad I should never have reached England. I remember the night we were going into "Lonesome Pine" we had to go through the midst of a shower of shrapnel and bullets my comrades falling on all sides of me. I took shelter behind some boxes for a moment and whilst there I asked God to protect me that night. It was then I pictured Mum and you praying for your boy, who, at that time was absolutely fighting and dodging death. That night I shall never forget not if I live to be a hundred years old, it was the hottest battle experienced by any one on the peninsula. It was at this spot that our platoon had six left out of 48 men. I am sorry I did not have the privilege of meeting Rev. Nield at the front, I do hope he is fit and strong again. What a great reception Rev. Nield aud Dick Ockenden had on their return and I can tell you they deserve same, no one knows what our boys have gone through. About the parcel I received from Gwen. Oh my! what with cigars, cigarettes, sweets, cakes, etc., myself and mates had a real spree. The cake was as fresh as if it had been cooked yesterday. Oh dear me, if I didn't do justice to a bit of Australian cake, it was the nicest piece of cake since I left home I can tell you. It has gone, but has not been forgotten. I think I am beginning to pick up a little bit of condition now so will look out for a decent photographer, of course I must make sure he knows his business as I don't want to break the glass. We get a little fun out of this rough camp life and one has to otherwise we should always be feeling miserable and discontented, thinking of the comforts we had at home and contrasting same with that we get now. But still we smile! I never complain now, in fact I like anything. Being in the huts and having a fire it is alway a rush when we get the bread for the fire to make toast, and so the old camp life goes on. Remember me to all Burra folk I hope to get back to the old town before long, it is over 12 months, now since I left the sunny shores. This work of war is of the hardest nature and it takes it out of the best of men, but I am glad to say I've stood the test so far and will stand up against the best of them or else drop in the attempt and that is the only way we are going to help to win this terrible struggle which we are at present engaged in. When I have to go back to the firing line I will go with a good heart but I think I have done my bit and have nothing to be ashamed of." - from the Burra Record 5th May 1916 (trove.nla.gov.au)

"THE LATE PRIVATE H. E. DAVEY. Burra, August 20.

Deep regret was felt last Friday when it became known that Private H. E. Davey, the only son of Mr. E. J. Davey, of Kooringa, had been killed in France. Private Davey, who was 22 years of age, enlisted in December, 1914. Prior to enlisting he was in the employ of the British Imperial Oil Company for two years. Although not in the first landing, he was on Gallipoli soon after, and was one of six survivors out of his platoon which took part in the Lone Pine attack. Private Davey was then taken ill, and was in England for six months on sick leave. He sailed for France on May 28, 1916, and met his death there on July 25. A widow and child are left." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 22 Aug 1916 (nla.gov.au)