War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 9 May 1915.

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Wrote letter, 21 June 1915: 'Dear Alma, You will be anxious to hear from me. Well I am still alive and well. that is the best news I can give you. We are not allowed to say where we are or anything about what is happening. Anyhow you will know where we are. Youb saw by the papers where the Australians and New Zealanders landed and put up a great fight. Well that's where we are now. Our infantry left us in Egypt none of us know where they were off to. The first we knew they had been fighting was from the wounded fellows coming back. Everybody was excitement and anxious to have a go then.

We hadn't long to wait. The infantry needed reinforcements. Our horses were no use to us there, so we left them in Egypt and came over as Infantry.We have been here about 6 weeks now, and it isn't to (sic) bad. It is all trench fighting. We have a week in firing line another in supports then a week's rest. It is quiet (sic) different from Africa, everyone is in dug outs, when he is not in the firing line. We have everything we want as far as foods (sic) is concerned. We are also well supplied with cigarettes, and clothing so we have little to complain about. The weather here is lovely that is one great help to us. I can imagine what the tommies had to do in france through the winter lucky we didn't go there. We have lost a few of oyr fellows since we arrived. You know we are only 15 yards off the turks (sic) trenches at some places. We greet one another by throwing bombs at each other. You can't afford to keep your head up long enough to take aim, or off goes your napper. We have a nice beach for bathing we are going down shortly for a swim.

It is great fun seeing the fellows clear when the turks drop a few Shrapnels (sic) amoust (sic) us while we are in the water.

Well Alma I will close now as the mail bag has arrived and the boys are calling my name a letter from Australia this time. I had a post Cards (sic) from Millie McQuinn also Liz you can tell them how I am. The only thing I miss just now is a bit of tobacco. Don't send any to me direct as it is sure to go astray. If you can get a bit of roll in a paper I might get it.

Well Alma you know we all had to make our Wills before we left. I was leaving everything to father so have had it altered. I have named you as my heir. If I don't come out of this alright you will collect all I have to come in the Army. You can please yourself what you do with it. Give my best wishes to everybody not forgetting Hec. yourself and Baby. Tell Will I will write him soon. We have no writing paper or envelopes so have to get along the best way we can. You can continue to send letters and papers to the same address. No more just now hoping to hear from you soon. From Brother Alex.'

Killed in action, Monash Valley. 1 July 1915