No Better Death

by John Crawford

  A Wellington Battalion soldier at Quinn’s Post using a periscope to observe the Turkish lines. A still image from Ashmead Bartlett’s film of Quinn’s Post shot on 22 July 1915. By this time some of the Wellington Battalion had gone back to wearing their lemon squeezer hats.

  Australian War Memorial

  With love to you all and Lucy and Charlie.

  Yours affectly [affectionately]

  W.G. Malone

  The huge amount of work required to transform Quinn’s Post took a great toll on those involved. Charles Saunders, the New Zealand engineer officer who worked with Malone at the post, for instance, told a medical board, after his health collapsed, that during all of July he estimated he had only slept for 90 hours. [Proceedings of medical board, 12 Nov 1915, Charles W. Saunders, PF, ANZ.]

  Quinn’s Post

  Gallipoli Pa

  23.7.15

  My dear Hart

  Yours of 28th Ulto to hand about 3 days ago.

  I do so hope that you are all right again, and that I shall soon see you fit and well and in command of a Bn.

  re D.S.O. I certainly specially mentioned you, for gallantry, and good service, but I had nothing to do with the D.S.O. There were 5 allotted to the Army Corps, but I don’t know who allots them to individuals. We are all very proud of the fact that you got one. Salmondson [sic, Critchley-Salmonson] got another, the only 2 in our Brigade.

  We are very busy here, expecting a big Turk attack tonight, 100,000 reinforcements said to have come to them. We are praying for their attack.

  I am very fit and well.

  Kindest regards

  Yours sincerely

  W.G. Malone.

  [MSX 2553]

  Quinn’s Post

  Gallipoli Pa

  23.7.15

  My very dear wife

  I wrote you last on 17th/18th Inst and just as I was sending the letter away your little letter of 23rd June, arrived saying that you had posted a long letter the night before the 23rd June, but it had not come.

  The next day 19th July, arrived your letter of 28th June and then a few hours later the missing one of 22nd June. Yesterday arrived yours of 1st July and just now that of 6th July. You can imagine my joy and delight at such a flow of letters, with such sweet expression of your love for me. My dearest I reciprocate every bit of it. I will refer to something in your last letter first – you say you dreamt I had come back, and that you were in my arms and that I held you so tightly, and then you wonder whether I am wounded or in danger and thinking about you and that you receive my thoughts, only if so the message was all wrong for I was so strong and happy. Well – sweetheart – the fact is every night before I go to sleep and every morning when I wake, I mentally take you in my arms and hold you to me so tightly and try and think that you are in them, so no wonder you have dreamt this. I haven’t liked to say this before lest it might seem – not altogether nice – something not to write about but so it is. Your piece of poetry expresses too all that I feel about you and being away from you. It is lovely to read and to have you tell and repeat to me how much you love me, and it makes me long more than ever to be with you again. Tho’ this war and my work must run their course first. You cannot love me or want me or long for me more than I do you and it will be heavenly “in the small compass of your clasping arms in reach and sight of your dear lips and eyes”.

  And now sweetheart to answer your dear letters. It is 5pm – comparatively quiet. We have the last two nights and are expecting tonight a massed attack by the Turks. Large reinforcements are said to have reached them, and they are expected by their Govt to drive us into the sea, to commemorate their “Constitution Day” today. However, last night and today have been comparatively quiet. We have made every possible preparation to repel the attack and are fully confident that no better fate awaits the Turks than that of the occasion of their big May attack. We do so hope that they will come at us in mass and get slaughtered. We are calm and confident and I have some little time to spare before making a final round (for the day) of the Post.

  First of all, thanks for the 3 silk h’chiefs they are lovely, useful and just right. I wear one, instead of a collar and ... I have none of these with me, and don’t want them, or anything else. We lately got 2 pr [pair] socks from a NZ committee so please don’t send any shirts etc or anything except that muslin cage and, not that if it is weighty.

  It was so disappointing, getting the short letter of 23rd June before the long one of 22nd Idem.47 Still it has been lovely to get 5 letters within 5 days. I do so hope more got to you – spread like a ... [illegible] and not all in a heap.

  My darling, I do full well understand what you want me to feel about your love for me, but it is lovely to have you tell me again and again, but sweetheart, it sets up such a longing for you, and I am tempted to come to you at all hazards. But my work soon conquers the temptation and there is all the time some sound here to remind one of ones work.

  Poor Terry has apparently got a turn for the worse, for he is being sent to England. He was being sent to NZ, but fixed up England instead. He will surely be all right and it will do him good to see you all again.

  Edmond, has been wounded too, a bullet thro the leg, not serious. I saw him on the Hospital Ship Sicilia 3 days ago, and if all is well may get off for an hour or two to see him tomorrow. He is cheerful and will have no permanent injury.

  I am glad that his engagement is off. Hope the girl won’t take it hardly. Don’t worry about me – 2 Malones out of 3 must fill the average bill of chances!

  Yes when “he” comes for me, as you say, we will take those walks and river jaunts, and I will feast my eyes and lips.

  I am glad that Miss Cox is so nice and capable. Keep on getting stronger. As for your confession about your hair – I cannot help smiling a little bit, because dearest I too was thinking and troubling about my grey hairs – nothing but water on them and the strain of things here made me think that probably I should be white by when I rejoined you. I dreaded, being too, too old for you. I am 56 yrs and 7 months, nearly 17 years older than you. But sweetheart, all that is pettiness. We know each other too well to really think that our love and happiness can depend on our hair or mere outward appearance. I love you not your hair or mere looks, and I believe you love me not only the outside of me. So we won’t worry, or think anymore about such triviality. All the same dear one, I see in the photographs the line of you and the expression of you and the photos when they show me your beauty – don’t lie. And these don’t I know how you blossom out, with happiness. And it will be such a happiness, will it not, when we are reunited? If the strain of waiting for me makes its mark as no doubt it may, it will only be temporary and the mark will disappear as my arms go round you and as I kiss you when you meet me at the English wharf of my landing. It will be I that cannot so readily bloom and blossom. War makes hard lines at my age, and I am not fat, not an ounce too [sic] spare. Still I will chance your greeting – I may even try and look as worn as I can, because I believe, pity for a man whom a woman loves, makes her love, if possible all the greater. But dearest, I am so well and strong, and I know you don’t like fat in a man. I hope your money from NZ turns up regularly, but in any case I expect the Bank will let you overdraw if needs be, on the guarantee I signed before I left NZ.

  I am glad you liked the flowers. There are none I am sorry to say in this post. Too cut up and hacked about. Still I have a lovely look-out to sea and Imbros and so your answer, that I will have to make love to you again. Will you be hard to win? Answer that now.

  I am so glad that your summer is perfect. Here too it is almost perpetual sunshine.

  Give my love again to Aunt Agnes and thank her for her prayers. Phil Clemow is all right.48 I see Genl Godley 2 or 3 times a week. He was up here yesterday. Lady Godley is in Egypt. This is no place for a woman. Impossible.

  And so you liked the photo of me outside a dug out. I can’t quite think which one it is. Probably Walkers Ridge when we fought our landin
g fight and dug trenches and held on, for 8 or 9 days, until relieved, to go to Cape Helles, for the Krithia battle.

  Why shouldn’t I pick flowers, even if we are fighting. A Commanding Officer if he organises his staff properly generally gets some time when he has apparently and actually nothing to do. Last night for instance, after a very long day, making every possible arrangement to repel the Turks expected massed attack and after going over everything with my Sub-commanders, I laid down and went to sleep, within 40 yards of where the attack might hit us, and tho’ there were thro’ the night one or two extra outbursts of fire, and a mine blown off, by the Turks, close to our trenches didn’t get up until 5, this morning, only waking up once. If the Turks had come on I would have been awakened by my staff officer, a new one, Young Harston such a nice and capable lad, only 23. Capt Short, took the Taranaki Coy over on Brunt going sick with pneumonia.

  9.45pm

  I have just come in after going round the post, and will finish this before I turn in. If the Turks come it will be we think after midnight. And so you got my letters up to and inclusive of June 3rd.

  If the Turks use gas, we are prepared. We all carry night and day, a helmet of cloth soaked in some chemical solution with mica eyeglass.

  Poor Terry’s rifles (Turks) I had to give them up – a Divisional order was issued to do so, and I couldn’t get special leave to keep them, though I tried hard. I still have the sword, it is here with me.

  As to going back to The Farlands after the war, you are quite right I can’t see myself going back to the office to work. I think I should like to get a soldiers job, as I do not think I could rest and do nothing. One thing – sure as perhaps it may be a long process – my love making or rather the winning of my love, who says yes! yes! yes! to my question, whether I shall have to make love to her. We may travel and see the world, in easy stages. There will be all the places to show you where I have been – Egypt, Imbros, Gallipoli Pa, etc. Time enough to think about “work”. After all that as to staying at Caversham49 all the winter or during the winter, would it not be nice for you to go to South of France and escape the English winter, which is rather dreadful, I think or go to Bournemouth or Weymouth or Torquay?

  As to the papers, I think the New Zealanders, are being absorbed in the word Australasian and if not Australian. The Australians in this Army, are 3 to 1 New Zealander, but the New Zealander is a long way the better soldier, more steadfast, better disciplined and a worker. I don’t like the average Australian a bit, in fact I dislike him.

  As to shortness of munitions, it is quite true, we have been. I can say no more.

  I am so glad you liked the Cairo presents. The Cashmere shawl no doubt got to NZ, after you left, and should be sent after you. Don’t forget that I think it wants washing. And the dress is for your lover, eh? The wearing of it is to tell him that you are won!

  You should know that I can never weary of reading your dear letters. I read and reread them. Why when I finish this, and turn in to bunk, I am going to reread the 5 last ones and go to sleep when I have finished them, had a last look at your photos and put my arms round you.

  And dear Molly cuddled her Daddy photos up to her as she went to sleep the dear little soul, give her a good cuddle for me.

  I am so sorry that your jaunt with the Pickerings was spoilt by the rain. You have not told me who they are except that they were on the Rotoruawith you. I have the snapshot of you and the children, with them and others.

  If you see the Hon T. Mackenzie our High Comr [Commissioner] give him a good hint – that NZ needn’t go outside its own officers for the commands of the new Brigades etc.

  It was good of you to get up, early to write to me, on July 6th. I have referred to your dream. I wish I could dream like that, tho’ the disappointment of waking would be bitter....

  Oh! Nurse Harris (of Rotorua) sent me the other day a snapshot of the children, on the Rotorua, taken by a Nurse Young.50 Such a good one. It was kind and thoughtful of Miss Harris to write and send the photo. She is at Alexandria. I wrote thanking her.

  Ken Munro is here, all right, doing his work. I don’t see much of him because the Wellington Bn goes out of this Post every 8 days, for a spell. I do wish it was in now, for the expected attack. The Canterbury Bn is in, and it is not up to the standard of the Wellington Bn, tho’ not bad.

  Yes dearie, “no news is good news”.

  I have just come to and reread the piece of poetry you send me, and with which you end your last letter. It is 10.45pm. I shall turn in – read all the letters and go to sleep saying:

  “In the small compass of your clasping arms

  In reach and sight of your dear lips and eyes

  There then for me the joy of Heaven here”.

  It sounds a bit Pagan, but God will forgive me, or rather know that I don’t mean it so. With all my love

  Your sweetheart and lover

  [MSX 2546]

  July 25th 1915, Sunday

  13 weeks exactly from day of our landing.

  The Turks did not attack last night. There was a good deal of shooting. We had 1 man killed and 3 wounded in this Post, about our average. One of our Mountain Battery guns plunged a shell into us this morning. No one hurt. When one is under gun fire, such accidents and premature bursts are inevitable.

  Have made a discovery – small mesh wire netting at openings of shelter keep out most of the flies. They are adverse [sic, averse] to flying thro’ it. I had noticed at Genl HQ the use of fishing net for the same purpose, so tried the wire. Result – cool passage of air and few flies. A great joy and relief.

  [MSX 2553]

  Quinn’s Post

  Gallipoli Pa

  25.7.15

  Sweetheart

  I wrote you a long letter on 23rd Inst. This is just to let you know that all is well, and that so far the Turks have not come on in any strength and it does seem that their ... proposed massed attack will not eventuate.

  We are disappointed. On Saturday 25th April last we landed here, and today is Sunday 25th July, 13 weeks.

  I have been having a clean up of odd papers etc in practice of “domestic virtues” and I think perhaps the enclosed may be of interest to you and Norah. The sketches will give you some idea of the country.... I may get off for an hour or two to see Edmond. I see the Sicilia is still at anchor, but I don’t like leaving this Post in case the Turks come on in my absence.

  This little note is also to tell you once more and how much I love long for, and want you. It is not easy making love by letter, but or perhaps, the winning of you may be a long process. The more love I make to you, as I go, the better. My love, I love you so – more than anything or anybody. With all my love for aye.

  Your lover

  [The next four pages of the letter book have been cut out.]

  6

  ‘My candle is all but burnt out’

  * * *

  Ordeal on Chunuk Bair,

  August 1915

  * * *

  [MSX 2546]

  July 26th 1915

  Another quiet night, but we hear that the Turks are still landing and massing troops. Got leave as all was quiet to go off to Hospital Ship and see Edmond. HQ said Sicilia was still here. On arrival at beach, found she had gone. Decided [to] have a swim and come back. As I was undressing Genl Birdwood passed, and asked me to have lunch with him. Very kind of him. Lunched and had quite a long chat with him. He told me to always look in and see him, when passing.

  Awfully hot walking back to post at 1.30pm. Only 1 man killed in trenches last night. He was firing over a loophole, instead of thro’ it.

  A Mr Schuler correspondent for Melbourne Age visited the Post and had a look round, stayed to dinner and seemed to enjoy himself.

  July 27th 1915

  Another quiet night for us. Full moon. Up at 2am and 4am, all in order. Post visited by Genl Monash and a Mr Wright some Australian newspaper correspondent who was very interested in the post, and took several snapshots. All the Brigade
Commanders have been promoted to Brigadier Genl. Very hot today. Turks still expected to attack – their Ramadan, or some such feast or fast ends today and they will be full of food and what not.

  Visited by Genl Godley and Commodore – [Roger Keyes] Chief of Staff, to Admiral de Robeck. Turks got in a H.E. shell on us today. 1 casualty only. S.Sgt Major De Loree1 [sic] by his prompt action saved the man’s life. The man had been buried by earth, consequent on the explosion of the shell (a 6” one) which landed in a new sap in which de Loree and his party were working. The sap was partly filled up by the explosion. The Turks opened rifle fire on the place, and while de Loree and a Private Hughes2 were digging to get the buried man out, they were partly under this fire. I have recommended de Loree and Hughes for special mention or distinction.