Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Firing Line,
Aug. 27th 1915

Dear Mum and Dad,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and doing fairly well under the circumstances. After leaving Heliopolos where I wrote the last letter from, we went to Alexandria in the train, and there we boarded the boat. We didn’t see much of Alexandria as we got right off the train and on to the boat. We left Alexandria on the 16th of August on the Alunia, and had a very good trip as far as the island of Lemnos. It took us two days to come from Alexandria to Lemnos, and it was a beautiful trip, and I think I would have enjoyed it only that I had a toothache and I had to have it pulled out and the Dr. nearly pulled my head off. We stayed at Lemnos for a day, but we didn’t get off the boat. We were transhipped off the Alunia on to a smaller boat the Partridge and we left Lemnos at about 6 o’clock on Thursday afternoon on the 19th and arrived at the Dardanelles at about midnight the same night. It took us till nearly daylight to unload our Battalion and all our gear and ammunition, and it was the hardest bit of work I have done since I joined the army. After landing we went up into a bit of a gully where it was a bit safe, and although bullets and shells were whizzing over our heads I had a good sleep. That night, Friday, we moved to another quarter and made ourselves comfortable in a dug out and camped there till Sunday morning. At two o’clock on Sunday morning we were all roused out of bed and told that we had to make a charge. We had to march over a mile to the place and not knowing the country it took longer than it should have, and we didn’t get into the charge till daylight and the result was that a good number of our boys were bowled right out and also a good number wounded. We lost both our Captains, one was wounded and the other killed, also one Lieutenant was killed out of our company. It was awful to hear the moans and groans of the wounded and dying. One poor chap lying a few feet away from me was wounded in the knee. I bandaged it up for him as well as possible and he started to crawl back but I heard after that he was shot dead while crawling back ‘poor fellow’. There were bullets and machine guns whizzing all around, also shrapnel which is worst of all. It fell all around me and several chaps fell around me and yet I escaped. It was marvellous how I came out without a scratch, but I expect it was my luck. After the charge, I got into a trench which about 60 of our battalion were in and there we had to stop for about 35 hours and keep the Turks at bay. In that trench things were awful. Our own dead, and also dead Turks lying all around and the smell was awful, but that was not the worst. We were in such a cramped position and it was almost impossible to get water and I never felt the want of water so much in my life before. I would have given all I possessed in this world to have had a real good drink of water. But we hung out and it was a great relief to get out of it. I never wish to have the same experience again. Since coming out of the trench we have only been sapping and digging trenches and although we are always in a more or less dangerous position it isn’t too bad. Well Mum, and all at home, I hope this little note finds you all well and that you will not think I am forgetful for not writing sooner but I can assure you this is the first opportunity I have had since I landed here and I will write at every available opportunity. Remember me to all at Kellyville and tell Ag to give my best wishes to all the girls down at the Palace also to Mary. I will now close with love to all at home, from your loving son.

James Grieve