Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private A. J. Feely writes from the Malta Hospital as follows to his mother, Mrs. James Feely, of Florence Street, Port Pirie, South Australia :

Just a few lines to let you know that I am doing alright. I suppose you would know before getting this letter that I had been wounded.

I was at the front 14 weeks, and was just beginning to think I was one of the lucky ones, but they got me at last. The wound is not serious. I was hit on Sunday morning, about 1 o'clock on August 8, being hit in the left thigh with a piece of bomb. It went through the fleshy part of the leg about five inches above the knee.
The piece was just sticking through the skin on the opposite side. I also got a slight wound on the calf of the right leg. Jack Tamms helped me out of the trench as far as he was allowed to go, George Hunt, from Wirrabara, was wounded the same time. I got my arm on his shoulder, and we managed to hobble down to the beach. We were put on the hospital ship about six hours after being wounded.

I tell you it was like Heaven. The nurses were so kind to us, and the crew could not do enough for us. The first thing they did was to give us a good meal, and it was a treat. We got looked after first-rate at the Malta Hospital. The Maltese ladies presented us with chocolates, cigarettes, soap, matches, lead pencils, and a few other things. I have hobbled down to two concerts, and they were real good, too. I can get around fairly well, but go a short way in a long time.

The only thing that hurts here is pay day. We get the large sum of 2/ per week in hospital, and 10/ in convalescent camp. Things are very cheap here. We can get a shave or a haircut for a penny. Beer costs 2¼d a pint, but I have not tasted that. My 2/ won't allow it.

I don't know much about the Pirie boys here. "Stood" Farrell is at Lemnos, which is about 200 miles from here. Jack Job is here. I go to see him every, day, but he is not out of bed yet. Tom Smith, my dug-out mate, got wounded in the arm the day before I did. Frank Smith (Sergeant) is here. He has got bad eyes, and is going back to Australian next boat. I asked him to call on you when he arrives.

I saw Charlie Meffet and George Linlop two days before I was wounded, and they are doing alright. I never heard an English lady speak from the time I left Australia until I got on board the hospital ship. They are sending me and some more chaps for a trip to England before we go back to the front. It will take seven or eight days to go from here. I will drop a line before we leave.
Remember me to all old friends, and tell them I am doing splendidly.