BACK TO THE MUSIC AGAIN – Fri 9 Jul 1915

The following letters have been received by his relatives at Harcourt, from Pte. E. H. Ely, who was wounded at the Dardanelles:

Zeitoun, May 12th.—Just a few lines to let you know I am well at present. As you will see soon by this, I am still in Egypt, although by the time you get this I expect to be back at the Gallipoli Peninsula. Some of the boys went, to a convalescent hospital for a few days it is about 28 miles from here. Bert Biggs was one to go. I did not go, being completely cured. I want to get back with the next lot, and I thought that if I went to the convalescent hospital I might not be able to get away for a while. I do not have to do any drill here, being batman to three Lieutenants I am exempt from all duties. I have only about, two hours work a day, and it is worth another 10/ a week to me. I will not get any more letters till I get back to the Battalion again I suppose. I have still a mate left here Stanley Brown, a young fellow who has been in our section all along. He had a septic throat, and had to be left behind when we left for the Dardanelles. He is here with me now, as he is an orderly in the officer’s mess. We have a good time together. I have not heard any news of the other boys yet. I suppose you have seen the casualty lists before this, and know more than I do at present. I believe they are holding their own with the Turks. The 4th Reinforcements arrived here last night. I believe we have lost both our company Captains; Captain McKenna was supposed to have had his leg blown off, and Captain Henderson is believed to have been blown to Pieces by a shell. His brother is also dead, having died of wounds coming over on the hospital ship. I am anxious to know how Snowy and Percy fared. I think we will leave here in about a fortnight. We are going over to Heliopolis to have a look through tomorrow afternoon to see if any people we know have come in. Ask Pater to prune my young trees for me, it is certain I won’t be home to prune them this season. It is very hot here, quite different from Australian summer; hot day after day but cool at night, I think a chap has chance one chance in twenty of coming through safely. After my lucky escape I’m even to come through.

May 20^th. – Just a line before we move from here. We are getting fitted out with fresh equipment today, ready to leave here at 7 tomorrow. It is very hot here now, no shade to speak of and on the sand all the time. I had a trip to Cairo and the Citadel, tor the two lieutenants, the other day. It was the first time I had been to the Citadel; it is only 20 minutes ride on the tram. It has some fine buildings. The first death of the Castlemaine boys that I am certain of was Bert Binnings. He was buried here on Tuesday, evidently died from his wounds. It is reported that Lieut. Colonel Gartside was killed on Saturday, May 8th, also that Lieut.-Colonel Field was hit. Lieut. Colonel Gartside took charge of our battalion after Lieut. Colonel Elliott was wounded. Bert Biggs is not back yet from the convalescent camp, so he will not be able to get away with this lot. I am anxious to get back to see how the boys are. I am afraid I will not find them all there, some I will never again. Don’t get worried if letters are irregular in coming, I will get them through whenever I can. I expect, you look forward for them as much as we do here. I have been keeping in splendid health lately good food and a .good bed while wounded was a nice change from lying on the ground. The batman’s job is all right for here. Get up at 5.30, take the officers a cup of tea, then tidy up the tent and clean the boots and belts. I am generally finished by breakfast time, 7.30, then I have the rest of the day to myself. I read nearly all day. At dusk I lay out the officers’ beds, then I am finished. I will get a letter or card away from Alexandria before I leave. Heard this week that the 2^nd Brigade had been badly cut up, and there were only about 200 out of 4000. If this is true, there are a lot of the boys I will not see again. Well we have to fall in for equipment in a few minutes, so I must ring off. I was over at Heliopolis on Sunday looking through the Hospital. There are about 1600 in Luna Park.

May -1st.- Just a card before I leave this place. We expect to go back to the Dardanelles tomorrow, to the sounds of the music, shrapnel and rifle fire. I have not heard how Snowy is faring; Jack and Joe Hunter have both arrived here. I have not seen Arthur Bertuch or Dave Lazarus yet. Lou. Lazarus was wounded in the arm and shoulder. I have not seen him since he was wounded. Cyril Meintzies was wounded in the back, but is alright again. Have had no letters yet, but expect to get some when I get back to Gallipoli ‘Peninsula. News is very scarce here, and I am anxious to get back to the music again.