Concerned after receiving the cable informing the family that Allan had been wounded, Jim wrote to the Red Cross. As the society penned its reply Allan, now recovered from his wounds and considering himself fortunate having narrowly escaped another shell, was preparing to once again cheat death in the trenches and shell holes of Messines. The first phase of Haig’s offensive, which aimed to take the heights surrounding Ypres, was set to begin. It would be Albert’s first experience of battle.
Later, Albert wrote to Jim, having survived his initial foray into the line, and now writing with the confidence of the battle-hardened soldier:
In the field
June 5th
1917
Dear Jim
… We are out of the trenches now, but I don’t think for long. Things were very lively when we left, but nothing to what it will be. Percy was lucky enough to go away in a reserve company, he will miss a damn lot too. Well Jim, I am not with the Lewis Gun Section yet, as we wont be long enough out to go through the training, but I believe I will be going in the section as soon as we come out again. I am in a bombing section now, and perhaps will have an opportunity soon of showing what I can do with them. Well Jim it is glorious weather here now, everything looks so pretty, the crops and grass are growing very fast, and I suppose they will be cutting before long. Charlie, Al & I went out last night for a feed of eggs, but I ate three and wasn’t half satisfied then. The people here [censored] are [censored]. They wont come down a penny, but I managed the other night to beat one for a half penny. We went for a bath today, it was tra bon. Most of us are beginning to get a bit chatty. I have had a number of letters from England lately. I also had a letter from Geordie. There hasn’t been any Australian mail in lately, we are all looking forward to some letters.
June 6th
Well Jim, I haven’t got any mail today, we have been very busy all day, we will be leaving here before very long, I am going my hardest to try and get this letter finished before I go. I have just been told that I am going to the Lewis Gun Section after all, but don’t know if I will be on for good or just this stunt. I am not going in Al’s section. Al has just been made a corporal. Well Jim, I haven’t time to write more, before you get this you will know, I suppose, all about it, hoping all are well, I will say goodbye with love to all from your loving brother
Albert
June 11th
I wrote this letter but did not have time to post it, so it went through the push with me.
Tell Streets that Harry and Bill are alright.
On 31 May, almost two weeks prior to Albert’s letter, the Allied bombardment of the Messines line had commenced and had lasted seven days. German forces were well aware of the impending attack owing to intelligence reports and their position on an elevated feature from which they could clearly view the massing of artillery behind the British lines. However, they were not prepared for the intensity of the artillery onslaught which decimated their own heavy guns and men. Nor were the German forces prepared for the devastating effect of the almost simultaneous detonation of 19 mines buried below their front lines. Deep beneath the network of surface trenches lay a complex system of German and Allied tunnels so close in places that the footsteps of enemy soldiers in nearby tunnels could be heard distinctly by both sides.8
In the early hours of 7 June, British, New Zealand and Australian soldiers commenced their advance along a 12-kilometre front. On the southern end of the attacking front, the 3rd Division, well prepared by General Monash for its task, now moved forward. Allan and Charlie and the Lewis gun team made their way across the pitted landscape, accompanied by the constant whine of the defensive gas bombardment raining down on Ploegsteert Wood. Albert also moved forward with another Lewis gun team. Percy had been withdrawn from the line to make up reinforcements and to maintain a nucleus of troops from which the battalion could be rebuilt in the event of heavy casualties. The men of the 4th Division, who had not been back to the front line since their mauling at Bullecourt, were less than impressed to be positioned for an attack.
For over two hours the advancing men choked behind the smoky haze of their masks as they groped their way through the wood. Five hundred men were lost from the Australian forces as gas shells rained on them and high explosives lit up the sky. By 3.00 am eight Allied divisions were in place. At 3.10 am the earth shuddered and then tore apart as massive blasts decimated the German lines. The roar of the colossal explosions could be heard in distant London. Nineteen mines were detonated, including one beneath the infamous Hill 60 where the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company had been working since November 1916. The explosions shattered the enemy front, killing, burying, maiming and leaving very few survivors.9
The Allied infantry attacked as the deafening roar of the explosions shattered the countryside. Enormous clouds of crimson smoke and debris rose into the sky, throwing up a curtain of dust that shielded the attackers and left huge craters where once the German line had existed. British troops attacked to the north of Messines, the New Zealanders assaulted from the west, and the Australian 3rd Division attacked the German line from its position at Hill 63 on the edge of Ploegsteert Wood to the south of Messines. The role of the 38th Battalion was to capture ‘Ungodly Trench’ and Belthéem Farm and then connect the trenches captured by the New Zealanders to their left and the 39th Battalion on the right. Under cover of a ‘jumping barrage’ in which the troops moved forward under systematic artillery bursts and rests, the Australians fought their way to their objective. They captured demoralised German soldiers who chose to give themselves up and killed those who attempted to retreat. By 5.30 am all objectives, apart from those in the sector to the very north close to Ypres, had been achieved and positions were held in anticipation of the order to the 4th Division and the 37th Battalion, waiting in reserve, to move forward and advance to the Oosttaverne Line.
By late that afternoon, despite a series of German counter-attacks, the carefully planned Battle of Messines had been won. Much of the Oosttaverne Line was firmly held, apart from a sector in which the battle raged for the next four days. At its furthest point, the front line had been pushed back just over three kilometres. The battle continued for another week with artillery bombardments and fierce hand-to-hand fighting until the German troops withdrew. Allied casualties were reportedly around 26,000, with 6800 Australians killed or wounded.10 Among the casualties were mates of the Marlow brothers.
The 38th held its position for 48 hours. When the relieving troops arrived, the proud soldiers wearily gathered their gear and independently made their way back to their billets. The action had been a success; the 3rd Division had proven itself in what became known as the Second Battle of Ypres (Messines).
The brothers were out of the line having survived the bitter fighting, but the reckoning had come. Anxious to tell their family that their luck had held, they began their letters home. Charlie sent a field postcard on the day they reached their billets. When time allowed and exhausted bodies were rested, they would write.
Sunday 10th June 1917
Dear Jim,
Just a few lines to say we are all safe and well we have just come out of a big battle Percy was not in it he along with others was kept on reserve. Albert was in it we all had several narrow escapes but managed to get out of it alright, I am very sorry to say that Tom Roberts was killed he was not with me as I was with the Lewis Gun, and Tom was carrying a bridge to cross a small stream, I have reason to believe he was killed near the stream between 3.30 am and 5 am on the morning of June 7th 1917 he had a wallet on him and had about £10 in English and French money in it, the Pioneers that buried him handed the wallet to the Adjutant, who will send it home to his people, Tom gave me an English Pound note to keep for him the night before I will send it home to his people when I write to them also some other cards I got his pack and took anything that was any good out of it but most of his things were in his wallet. I will write to his people today or tomorrow. George Collison that came over with us was wounded
the same morning but I do not think it was serious, I believe Peter Owens was wounded but do not know if it is true, as far as I know all the rest of the local boys are all safe if you read the paper 22 days before my birthday you will get a fair idea of the fight. It is a fair while now since we had a mail from Australia I am hoping it will be here this week. Al was made a corporal the night before the advance young Spuddy Kerr from Bears Lagoon is a Lance Corporal Joe Reed from J Cheynes is a corporal Albert Sinclair is in England has been there for some time he went there sick and was likely to go home to Australia there is a lot more I would like to tell you about different things and things in general I could write a book on it, but will tell you when I go back. Geordie was quite well when he wrote, last week. I wrote to Pearl last night I have no idea when the mail goes out but hope this reaches you alright and finds you all well. I have got a lot of letters to write and not much time nor inclination to write.
Well Jim I will draw to a close for this time we are all well
I will say
Goodbye for the present with best wishes
I am
Your affect brother
Charlie E Marlow
As Charlie reflected on the first major battle in which he had fought, it is clear that the death and injury of his mates and the horrific experiences of battle had subdued the eldest son. His mate Tom had asked Charlie to keep an English pound note to send home to his family in the event he did not survive. An exchange of letters and valuables prior to battle was common as each soldier weighed his chances of survival.
Conversely, Allan writes with bravado; he is as euphoric following the success of the battle as Charlie is subdued. Every man’s response to the chaos and carnage was unique; many hid their feelings with bravado and attempted to cheer themselves and their families with casual wit and nonchalance.
In the field
10-6-17
My Dear Mum, Dad & Jim
… Well dear mum I am a corporal now I was corporal on the 7-6-17 so you will get extra money now. We have just come out of a big battle which we won. I never enjoyed anything better in all my life. We went over the top a few days back. We fairly mowed them down. Talk about a bombardment, it was terrific. Percy was not in it but Charlie and Albert were. Poor old Tom Roberts got killed different other lads got wounded but we three came through alright. Talk about narrow goes well one has to laugh. This pushing them back will do me. Mum I got some souvenirs and I hope to get them home to you all. I can tell [you] I had [to] fight for them, but they will do me. Well dear mum & dad I suppose we will be in more in the future. Old Geordie is still pushing along. I haven’t had a spell since we landed over here but I am going to try for England leave one of our boys went today. Well dear mum & dad & Jim I will now close trusting all are well as it leaves us to day.
Goodbye
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan S
Albert wrote with blunt honesty, freely admitting that his first time in a major attack had been akin to a trip to hell. He questions how he and his brothers had survived being buried and buffeted by artillery blasts and casually remarks that his wound was not bad enough to warrant his being sent to England. He is now a hardened soldier, casually commenting on the death of his mates and prepared to gather souvenirs from the dead, wounded or captured Germans. Albert had not bothered to take souvenirs, considering that there would be plenty of time to collect a few keepsakes.
In the field
June 11th 1917
My dear Mother, Father & Jim,
Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive & well. Since I last wrote to you, I have seen a bit of war. We left here the other night for the front line, and going up had to go through a gas-attack for over two hours, it was a fair buggar as Fritz shelled us all the time. You will have read about it before this how we hopped over the top and attacked the huns, we took our objective in about 20 minutes, but it was a hot go. The worst part of it was holding the position, we were in it for two days and it was particular hell. A lot of my pals were [censored] wounded. God only knows how the three of us got through. Our section was the only one that got through without a casualty. I am in the Lewis Gun Section, and I was in the stunt with Joe Reids team. Al & Charlie were in another section. I got hit in the arm with a spare bullet & hit on the shoulder with a piece of shrapnel, but not bad enough for a blighty. The lot of us were buried a few times. By God it was a rough shop, but the worst was going up to the line through the gas. Poor old Tom Roberts got killed. Harry Harnell was also killed & Tom Burt was wounded. There is only Tom Dickinson & I left now out of the lot of us that left Royal Park together. We are out having a spell now but don’t think we will be out long. There hasn’t been any mail come in for some time now. Percy came back this morning, he got a couple of letters from England. I hope we get some letters before we go in again. Al got a lot of German souvenirs, I got a few but didn’t bother much about them. I could have got plenty if I wanted them, but I suppose there is plenty of time yet. We had the tanks helping us in the attack, it was a great affair. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything, although it was a rough affair. Well Mum, I will now close hoping you all are well as it leaves me at present, so with love I am
Your Loving Son
Albert
In the field
June 11th 1917
My Dear Auntie
… We were in a big stunt the other day, and had a rather rough time, although we gave Fritz a hell of a doing. Going up to the trenches, Fritz sent some gas over and we were in it for over 2 hours. We went over the top at day break and attacked Fritz and took our objective in about 10 minutes. It was rather tough holding on to our positions, but we hung on for two days and were then relieved. You will have read before this of the capture of Messines, we were not far off that town whats left of it, and saw it taken. It was a great go, and was a great win for our side. The worst part of it was going up to the trenches through the gas. It was worse than all the shells he threw at us. The three of us got through alright, although we all got hit a few times with shrapnel, but not bad enough to go out with. We are out now for a spell, which I hope will be fairly long, as when we were out last we only had a few days … Allan has two stripes now. Allan got a few souvenirs off dead Germans. I got a few little things but did not bother much. A lot of the boys got watches and revolvers … It is glorious weather here now the place looks so pretty and the roses are out in bloom in the gardens. There are a lot of vegetables growing near here, and the peas are out in flower, so before long we hope to have a good feed of them. Oranges are the only fruit here and they are very dear, you cant beat these people here for much. It was amusing to see Charlie the other day trying to cut the price down with an old woman, but she wouldn’t come down a ½ d. I was in the stunt with the Lewis Gun Section but don’t know if I am stopping in, if I do I will go in Spuddy Kerr’s team. Well Auntie I have no news, so I will close hoping this finds you all well as it leaves us all here at present. I am
Your loving nephew
Albert
Albert began the task of replying to the mail he had received. By now he was aware that his mate Jack Price had lost his life at Bullecourt:
In the field
June 12th, 1917
Dear Jim,
… Mum says she sent me a tin, so it ought to be along soon, parcels come a few days after the mail, I am looking forward to getting it. I got 6 old letters this week, two were from Mollie Gamble, one of them had 9 pages in it so I had plenty of reading. I have had nearly 50 letters since I joined the boys. Its grand to get plenty of letters but its rather tiresome answering them all, still its better than getting none at all. I hope to get a pile of letters in a few days. Well Jim, it has been very warm today, we are still out having a spell. I wrote to you before telling you we were in the Battle of Messines and Hill 63. It was a great success and although it was rough at times, I am not sorry I was in it. The gas was a fair buggar. You will remember I sent you a photo
of Bert Jeanes well he was killed early in the battle. Poor old Tom Roberts was also killed. Alex Duncan is in a hospital in England. Things seem to be getting a lot livelier in Mologa. I’d like to have been at the dance in Jones’s barn. I suppose you had your own way with the young lady. It’s a damn shame that old Squires cant give the hall. He’s worse than a German. Winnie Price sent me three Pyramid papers and a Weekly Times. I havent got any mail so I suppose she wrote to me too. Poor old Jack got killed. I thought something must have happened to him, as he never answered my last letter. It is hard luck for his people. According to letters the Australian people seem to think the war will be over soon. I think it would end much quicker if our aeroplanes would raid Germany. It would be a good thing if they did as it would demoralize his troops a bit. It doesn’t take much to set them running, as we saw in the fight at Messines Ridge. We got great praise over that fight. I could tell you a lot about it but circumstances forbid. I got a few souvenirs, but if I liked could have got more than one could carry. I wasn’t looking for souvenirs. There are plenty of Y.M.C.A.’s here and we often have a feed there. I don’t care much about the French eggs, no guts in them. I ate 6 the other night and was still hungry. They are not like Australian eggs. Well Jim I have any amount of money, don’t ever worry about me wanting money, I never spend any except on cigarettes and a feed sometimes. In fact I’m richer now than ever I was. It might come in handy soon, if ever I get to England … Charlie is busy here writing to the wife, so I am thinking of writing to a young lady as I haven’t such a thing as a wife. I have just heard that today is Sunday and there is church on this evening, so I think I will go. It isn’t dark here till nearly 10 o’clock. Did I tell you that I got a letter from Mrs Braddish. I also got a number of letters from Savilles girls, I don’t think Pearl gives a damn for Tom or vice-versa. Anyway she is no good to me. I have had a number of letters from Myrtle lately she wears glasses, so will be some style. Joe and Jim are in Codford Camp in England …
ANZAC Sons Page 39