By DEBBIE SOMMERS, PRESIDENT, PORT MACQUARIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AUSTRALIA’S participation in World War I began in 1914 when the Australian government pledged its support to Britain and the war was initially greeted with much enthusiasm across the country.
However as the war went on, the impact was increasingly felt at home with communities grieving the loss of so many men.
More than 250 local men enlisted from Port Macquarie with 51 dying on active service. A much greater number were wounded or suffered from the effects of the war on their return home.
Many local lads would write home regularly and their letters were often shared in the local press. Here are some of their stories.
Trooper Leslie Pountney enlisted in November 1914 and wrote several letters home including this one on his trip overseas and his arrival in Egypt. Here’s one extract: “A few hours sail brought us to Alexandria, but it was night so we didn’t see much, left by train and arrived at Cairo about 2.30 next morning. Our first impressions of this camp were by no means bright – nothing but sand, but we are quite used to it now, and a bit of sand is neither here nor there (just as well too). We are camping about two miles off the Nile, and about 15 miles from the pyramids. We can see the latter looming up in the distance like huge mountains. Haven’t had the pleasure of visiting them yet, but will do so later.”
Sadly, Les Pountney was one of the first local casualties of the war, dying of wounds incurred in the Gallipoli campaign in June, 1915. His brother Rupert also served at Gallipoli, and wrote to his parents in December, 1915: “The non-arrival of letters is very disappointing, but I am looking forward to the next mail. I have not received a single letter.”
Rupert Pountney wrote again on 29 January, 1916: “At last I have received mail – 21 letters and other articles you so kindly sent me; and last night I received two more letters. I had a quiet Christmas. I hope I get mother’s cakes and parcel alright. You mention a spell at home in your letter, it would be grand as it is miserable here, but I am afraid we shall not get a spell for some time yet, but I pray God that the whole thing will soon be over and I shall be spared to return to my dear old people and dear Old Port.”
Rupert did not return to Port Macquarie until September, 1918, finally being offered leave at home after serving four years and eight weeks overseas.
On 2 July, 1915, Trooper Dave Baird wrote to his parents Captain J. and Mrs Baird from Gallipoli: “Letter writing here is practically a lost art, you will of course understand why you have not heard of me during the past six weeks. You are never out of my thoughts and I am sorry that I could not let you know how I was getting along, as I know you will be worrying a great deal on my account. I am feeling in the very best of health, and have been so all along. I will have some great tales to tell you when I return; am keeping a diary, which will be of interest too. The first fortnight we were here I didn’t have a wash or a shave, and only had my boots off once, so you can imagine we weren’t too comfortable. We were in the trenches for 28 days without once having a spell; the Turks’ trenches were only 75 yards distant from ours, and naturally we had to keep our heads down. We were in the ‘rest camp’ for a spell after our 28 days in the trenches but it was a case of “knock off work and carry bricks”. We had to dig trenches for the first four nights from 7.30 till 4 in the morning. During the day we would have a little rest, and taking it as a whole we were better off than in the trenches. Socks are a great boon here.”
On 18 July, 1915, Private W.S. Sampson wrote from St Andrew’s Hospital, Malta, to his mate B. Turner: “I am dropping you this note, hoping that it will find you all well. I am not too bad myself. Well old sport we’ve hit a bit of bad luck. Poor little Gannon, and myself had a shell burst right over us both, and Frank had his right leg blown off, and died next morning. The doctor said the shock killed him. His body was taken out on one of the boats and buried at sea. I don’t think anyone misses poor old Frank as I do – he was the best mate I ever had.
“I was only hit in the knee but the shock knocked me out for a bit. The noise when the shell exploded was terrific; it was enough to send a body deaf. I have the noise ringing in my ears yet, and the doctor says it will take some time to wear off. It happened on 7th July and I think old pal, I will never forget it. Remember me to the lads in Port. I will have a good tale to tell you if I ever get back. Wishing you all the best of health, and God be with you all.”
Arthur Dick wrote regularly to his family, this letter in October, 1915, was to his brother Bert: “This week the lads threw some bully beef over the Turk’s trenches (they are only 20 yards in front of us here). Presently over comes a bomb, as we thought, landing right at my side. We never stopped to look, but dodged round the corners into safety. As it failed to explode, we took a squint at it round the corner of the trench and found it was not a bomb but packets of cigarettes tied to a stone. We often get notes and cigarettes from them.”
And in September, 1916, to his brother Jim: “I am all right again, except for a sharp pain at times in my right hip. Jack Colwell is here with me, with a wound in his backside; a piece of shrapnel is still there, but he is going to have it taken out tomorrow. I am not anxious to go into the firing line for a while. Remember me to all out there, and tell them we are doing our best to end this struggle.”
In June, 1917, he wrote to his sister Lucy: “This week the Huns made it warm several times for us with their shelling, but luckily little damage was done. The shells made the ground fairly jump with the concussion. Oh, if I only had a dart gun I could have plenty of sniping, as the trenches are over-run with rats.”
Arthur’s brother Bert Dick was one of six men recruited after attending a public meeting held in conjunction with the State Recruiting Campaign in April, 1916. Another brother William (Val) joined up in 1917.
War relics now accessible online
IN the lead up to the Centenary of Anzac, the Port Macquarie Historical Museum has begun making its collection of war-related objects accessible online via their website. One such item is an identity disc belonging to Henry Reynolds, a local butter factory worker. Henry was one of 6800 Australian men who died during the Battle of Ponzieres in 1916. The disc was returned to the Henry’s family in 1930 after his grave was relocated. You can read the full story at http://www.pmhm.org.au/collections.php.
