I remain your affectionate Bro
Geordie
We can get a feed of eggs and coffee here. The women come round selling buns & chocolate. They are mostly refugees. I hope the case of apples turn out lucky. I didn’t get the paper.
In early April, the 2nd Division (I Anzac Corps) moved forward to take over a 16-kilometre section of the front line from east of the village of Armentieres to the Sugarloaf salient, a German position which projected into the Allied line on Aubers Ridge near occupied Fromelles.3 The 2nd Division was commanded by English-born Major General James Legge, a Sydney University law graduate. The 1st Division, including George’s 7th Battalion, marched through rain and snow on 14 April to reach ‘the Nursery’, so named as it was a relatively quiet sector, ideal for new arrivals.4 The 1st Division moved into reserve to the south of the 2nd Division. George was about to experience duty in the line for the first time.
In the front-line trenches, the troops ‘stood to’ for an hour at dawn and again at sunset. During ‘stand to’ the men stood below the parapets with their rifles loaded and their bayonets fixed, keeping watch across the barbed wire into no man’s land, ready for an enemy attack. Dawn and dusk were considered the most likely time of attack and ‘stand to’ was a practice that continued throughout the war. At night, men would venture into no man’s land on listening patrols to gather intelligence or to search for the dead and wounded. Before dawn, rations, ammunition and trench fortification materials would be brought up from the busy rear areas on divisional wagons and delivered to the battalion quartermaster. A fatigue party delivered the supplies to the front lines via the complex network of communication trenches that traversed the fields. Owing to the boggy conditions in Flanders, the trenches were sandbagged breastworks with wooden duckboards at ground level to allow drainage, but which by now were rotten and collapsed. Troops were regularly withdrawn to farms and villages for rest and British canteens, communal baths and delousing facilities were available. Working parties also laid underground telephone lines at night. By the end of June, the 1st Division had dug 24 kilometres of cable trench. Night patrols were also sent into no man’s land to reconnoitre enemy positions and repair any sections of damaged barbed-wire defences.
As George adjusted to life in the trenches, he wrote to Allan who, while hoping soon to embark, remained in camp at Bendigo. Given the usual delay in the delivery of letters from the front, Allan was unlikely to have received his brother’s letter prior to his departure. George had now experienced the trauma of trench warfare and seems to accept that death is inevitable, commenting: ‘There hasn’t been many of our troops killed yet.’ He was witnessing the stark truth of the carnage first-hand and this hardened attitude characterised his way of coping.
Dear Allan
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting on, I don’t know whether it will reach you before you sail as you said you were going into camp on the 1st March. I picked up a Bendigo paper over here and noticed that Percy had enlisted and passed so I suppose the both of you will be going in together so if you should be lucky enough to get in the second brigade I will stand a good chance of meeting you both over here, the four battalions in my brigade are the 5,6,7 and 8 Batts. I don’t think you will see Egypt, you will be dam lucky if you don’t, I think you will either go to England or straight to France. Well when we first landed here it was very cold and rained nearly every day but now it is getting warmer. There hasn’t been many of our troops killed yet, the guns do roar at times, last night our guns were letting a few go and my word they did make a row. Well Allan the censor is very strict here so I cant tell you anything. Just before we left Serapeum down on the Canal we received a lot of mail, the only I have received since Xmas I got two from you one dated 26 Dec the other 2nd Jan, it is only us that were transferred from the 21 Batt that are not receiving the letters but soon I ought to get some with my new address. I haven’t seen Amos since we have been here but used to see him often at the Canal he says Charlie Cockcroft isn’t in the 5 Batt so I don’t know where he can be, he came over as reinforcements to the fifth. Dave Fyffe and Vic Winterbottom are stopping a long while in camp. I hope you receive this letter. I hope they send the addresses of my relatives in England as I stand a chance of getting a trip over there after being in the firing line a certain time. Well Al I will close now hoping all are well, so good luck and goodbye
George
On 20 April George volunteered to transfer to the 2nd Brigade’s 2nd Light Trench Mortar Battery. The light trench mortar was a recently developed rapid-fire gun labelled the Stokes mortar after its inventor, and was used by the infantry in the front line; four mortars were allocated to each battalion, one for each company. The Stokes was a carefully guarded secret, its use strictly rationed so as to retain the element of surprise and increase its effectiveness in forthcoming Allied offensives. As the last days of April drew to a close, the arrival of Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig to inspect the 2nd Brigade signalled the move to the front-line trenches at Fleurbaix, just a few kilometres from a town named Fromelles.
MOLOGA, APRIL
In Mologa, the family was preparing to farewell both Allan and Percy. In nearby Pyramid Hill, where Allan had worked at the store and volunteered in the fire brigade, he was given a rousing send-off as reported in the Pyramid Hill Advertiser. During his speech, the local fire brigade captain strongly advised Allan to choose an Australian bride. At the time, Allan was courting a young lady from Pyramid Hill and the advice, delivered in a very public forum, may have caused some discomfort to the young man. As the war dragged on, his later letters reveal a cooling of his courtship. The impact of war infiltrated all facets of life in countless ways and young love was not immune.
Farewell to Soldiers
A large number of the district soldiers being on the final leave from Bendigo and other camps last week-end, there were a good many farewell gatherings on Saturday and Monday evenings.
At Pyramid Hill
The populace assembled in the Victoria Hall to bid adieu to Privates J.R. McDonald, W.S. McKinnon, Alan Marlow and Frank Dee … Mr E. Lyndon Smith gave an address. We of this fair, sunny land, he remarked so far away from the scene of conflict, could not fully realise the mighty struggle that was shaking Europe to its foundations; but there were continual reminders of the terrible war being waged in the coming and going of their soldiers and the other daily preparations for participation in the fight; and more especially, as was fitting in the departure of their fellow-citizens who had joined the Australian forces. If Britain failed in the struggle the consequences would be more serious to Australia than many realised. The record of enlistments in the Gordon Shire, as revealed by the Chairman was very good … They all heartily wished success to the men at present leaving, a safe and prosperous expedition and a safe return. He congratulated them in the part they were playing…
FIRE BRIGADE VALEDICTORY
Later in the evening Private A Marlow, who was a member of the Pyramid Fire Brigade when he enlisted, was entertained by that body at Mrs Finemore’s dining rooms, and a very fine spread was prepared by the proprietress. Capt. Cardillini was in the chair, and the comestibles having been enjoyed, he addressed the company in regard to Private Marlow’s work as a fireman. He had proved there that whatever he took in hand he did well and was always keen on making it a success. In his travels and while engaged in duties he was now undertaking, he had no doubt he would prove to be what he had been with them – a man. They had heard of marriages being contracted in England by Australian soldiers, but he hoped that if Private Marlow ever thought of looking for a wife he would choose an Australian as a bride. An Australian; his mother had reared him; and he could not do better than follow his father’s example by choosing one here. He was assured that Private Marlow would acquit himself well. The President, Mr Seales, spoke of the courage shown by Private Marlow, who was the second of the family to volunteer; and hoped he would be spared to be amongst them again. He also complimented
guest on his fire brigade work. Fireman T. Kelly said he had been to demonstrations with Fireman Marlow and found him keen in his work, always doing his utmost in assisting his team in the hope of winning a trophy. He wished him a safe return.
Mr M.D. Grant, one of the Brigade auditors, said he was pleased at the stand taken by their friend, Alan Marlow. His work as a fireman evidenced that if occasion required he would be quick at machine gun operations. The Australians who had already been in the fighting showed they were made of the real stuff, and that had a good effect on those following. The experiences abroad had a beneficial effect on men who got through safely. He heartily wished Private Marlow a safe return … Private Marlow expresses his high appreciation of their sentiments and the memento. He assured them that when he went abroad he would never forget his connection with the Brigade, which was one of his most pleasant associations. He thanked them most sincerely5 …
So went the stirring farewells, the public accolades, the rousing applause and the wishes for a safe return. For those who had yet to enlist, the pressure was mounting.
Decades on, I wonder whether Sarah knew just what Albert was planning on that April day when he caught the train with his neighbour Will Jones to spend a few days in Bendigo. Albert’s bold move, lying about his age in order to enlist, was often discussed in our family. His enlistment details provide some explanation. At 18 Albert was officially too young to enlist, as parental approval was required from the age of 19 until the young man turned 21.6 If not for a surviving section of a letter, the story of Albert’s enlistment would have remained a mystery. It would seem that sometime in April Albert attempted to enlist without parental approval, telling the recruiters that he was 21. It was not the first time, and Albert and his friend Will were once again ‘thrown out’, a perceived injustice in the minds of the colluding pair who had heard of boys as young as 14 who had enlisted and died for king and country. No doubt it was a relief to Sarah that Albert’s application had been rejected; with Allan and Percy’s final leave just around the corner, three boys in France was enough, and her family could never be accused of not doing its duty.
Allan wrote home to Charlie of the incident, the first page of his letter missing:
… I believe Will Jones and Albert got thrown out I knew they would. I met Jim Gibson in Bendigo last night. I believe things are only middling at the shop. I intend to go through to Pyramid on Saturday. Our bugle has just gone for night parade so I will finish it when we come in. Well Charlie we have just come in off night parade it is now about 9-30 and the buggers are rousing about the candle being alight. We are going to Port Melbourne on the 24th of this month for certain. I will tell you all the news on Sunday.
I remain Your loving Brother
Allan
We are well hoping all are the same.
While Albert’s family may have been pleased that he had been refused enlistment, this young country boy, for whom a trip to Melbourne was a highlight, must have been bitterly disappointed. His brothers were off on their grand adventure and many of his mates had now enlisted. He felt compelled to join them and he was determined somehow to achieve this. Perhaps if Albert had read Allan’s following letter his resolve may have weakened. Having been transferred to the camp at Port Melbourne and arriving in the dark, Allan woke to discover what he later scathingly christened ‘Port Hell’.
Port Melbourne
Thursday
Dear Mum and Dad and Brothers
Well Mum we arrived here at last. We left Bendigo by the 3.15 train in the afternoon. We could not get away sooner as we could not get our kit sooner. We got to North Port at 9 oclock as we waited there for our kits. Then we had to march out to the camp about 1 mile and a half it was terribly dark and no one seemed to know the track. The road was terribly wet we got out here about 10 and had bread and jam for tea and then slept in a bit of a hut. This morning when I woke up I could have shot myself. I was that disgusted you never saw such a camp in all your life. It is rotten cold stinking smokey wet camp, no canteen only a bit of a thing run by two tramps no post office no writing room and no paper in the camp to write. I had to walk about a mile to night to buy a pad and now I have no stamps. The dam place seems to be surrounded by sea what I can see about it and talk about cold it is a bugger. And the ground is sopping wet. The tucker is something awful I will give you [an] idea of what we get ½ loaf of bread and 1 tin of jam between the 8 of us isn’t that awful. Well mum when Charlie comes down send that black and white jersey of mine with him I will not want it before. I heard to night that we sail on the 14th and we go to Aldershot so that won’t be too bad. The camp is in complete darkness at night time. Well mum I never want another final leave one is enough for me. Well mum I think I have told you all the news. We are going into Melbourne on Saturday for a good feed. Well mum I will now close hoping you are all well as it leaves us at present. I will write to morrow again
I remain your loving Son
Allan
Tell Charlie I will wire him when we will sail
Don’t send any tucker down as we might not get it
Excuse writing as it is that dam cold
Address Pte AS Marlow
Machine Gun Section
38th Battalion
Port Melbourne
I suspect Allan’s desire to ‘never have another final leave’ refers to being the centre of attention at two public farewells as reported in the local newspaper:
MOLOGA
On Monday evening in the Mologa Hall a large crowd assembled in spite of the weather, to bid farewell to three departing soldiers, namely, Ptes W. Street, L. Townsend, and A. Marlow. The three soldiers returned home on final leave on Thursday last, all looking well after their passing … The following soldiers have gone from this district and have received presentations – Prs. J. Ryan, T. Gray, G. Marlow, A. Haw. J. Leed, P. Fyffe, C. Fyffe, T. Alford, E. Johnson, W. Street, F. Townsend, A. Marlow, P. Marlow, J. Price, P. Ryan.7
In a portrait taken in Bendigo, Allan and Percy stand in front, while the man on the right is Les Townsend. The other men are possibly Bill Street and Ewen Johnson.
MELBOURNE, MAY
Despite hopes of sailing promptly, Allan and Percy remained in the bleak camps of Port Melbourne for the month of May. Their departure was delayed while illness ravaged the troops and meningitis remained a constant threat.
Port Melbourne
Monday night
Dear Mum & Dad
Well Mum I am dead tired I have a job to write I am that tired. We left the camp this morning at 9 oclock and went into Melbourne to march. We met the Bendigo Seymour Ballarat Broadmeadows battalions there. Then we marched all over Melbourne with full kits up it was a fair terror. There was about 5000 of us all to gether, it was a very nice sight for those who were looking on but not nice for us. I never saw such a crowd in my life before. We got a slice of bread and jam at 3 oclock for dinner and then we came out to the camp and had tea. Well Mum I will be glad when we get out of this camp because it is a fair terror. You have no idea what it is like. I went up to buy 12 stamps tonight and all I could get was one … I like the machine-gun work there is no bally marching with it but I do not like this camp. Les has been crook ever since his final he has a terrible bad cold but is nearly better now. On Sunday we went out to Geelong on the boat. We left at 11 and got back at 7. It was a bonzer trip. We did not get sick at all. Next Sunday we are going out to Sharp’s. We are sailing about the 14 allright our Lieut told us it would be one day next week anyhow I will wire you for certain. Well Mum this is all the news to night. We had our photos taken on Saturday at Kalma.8 They cost 20/- a dozen with an enlargement. We also had our photos taken on Saturday in one of those joints where they take them in 5 minutes I will put it in but tear it up. I weighed with my full equipment on today I was about 12 stone. This is all the news hoping you are all well as it leaves us at present.
ANZAC Sons Page 10