The Diary and some Letters and Postcards of

Private Arthur Ernest Keppie, known as Podge

Arthur Ernest Keppie was bom on 3rd March 1883 at Paterson, in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where his forebears had settled after migrating from Scotland in the 1830s. He was the eighth of the ten children of William Keppie (1840-1928) and Salome Garred (1849-1915). During his childhood years his family lived in the township of Paterson in Brooklyn House, formerly an historic hotel, which his father had bought in 1878 to cope with the needs of a growing family. By 1899 several of the children had left home to make their way in the world and his father "selected" a property of 150 acres on Tucker’s Creek some four miles out of town on the back road to Martin’s Creek, and established an orchard and dairy-farm. He named the property "Glenlossie" and built the home to which they moved in 1904 and where a Keppie (Bill) still lives His wife, Mabel, died in recent years.

Brooklyn House, Paterson, formerly the Paterson Arms Hotel.

Glenlossie, Paterson, in 1903

Arthur was the youngest of four brothers and only four years older than his sister, Florence (who was the youngest of all ten children) and, being one of the few children still at home at "Glenlossie" when she was a teenager, he had a very close relationship with her. Arthur had spent some three years in the Militia before the war and worked on farms in the district. He was in Paterson when war was declared and joined up within a few days - hence his low number, 205. In addition to his diary, a number of letters and cards survived that he wrote home while he was on his way to the Middle East and while in training in Egypt before embarking to Gallipoli. There is also a long letter he sent to his mother.

Since they give rather more detailed descriptions of his experiences than the brief entries in his diary, they have been interpolated in approximate chronological sequence. Arthur’s Battalion (4th NSW Battalion) became part of the first contingent of Australian and New Zealand forces that was assembled in King George's Sound, on the southern coast of Western Australia. It was coincidental that another sister, Marie, had married a West Australian (WA), Bob Gooch, and had settled at Albany WA (which is on King George's Sound) and most fortuitous that Bob was able to arrange for himself and Ettie (Henrietta Keppie) to go out to the SS Euripides on a whaleboat while the fleet was at anchor so that they were able to spend a few hours on board with Arthur prior to his departure from Australia.

The Diary, Letters and Postcards

"G" Company, 4th Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force.

Glenlossie 12/8/14

My Dear Flo, Just my usual weekly letter Flo to let you know l am still alive and kicking, but not hard. We received your most welcome letter today Flo and needless to say was very pleased. Also one from Marie - you WA people seem better correspondents than we t'other siders, at least so far as l am concerned. Of course you know I write pretty regular - but very seldom. Well Flo, Paterson is very much the same as when you left it, but I suppose you are posted up with what little events does happen here. At present, like every other place in the world - one might say, it is rather excited in consequence of this terrible War. It is very hard to say what the result will be or what damage and trouble it will bring. I guess Germany will not recover for many a day when it is all over but what the cost will be it is very hard to say. However, do not be at all surprised if you hear of me donning the khaki again because if men are wanted it is our duty to respond and I hope I shall not be found missing should a call be made. However Flo, it is no use meeting trouble half way and for the present I intend to continue my work, so there's no need for any alarm. So far the Germans seem to be getting all they want and a bit they don’t want, so they may not want more troops from here. I believe there are 20,000 ready to go now. That’s enough about the war, Flo, how the devil are you anyway? You seem to be hanging on pretty well over there, suppose we will soon hear of your getting married. Haven't made a shift in that direction myself yet, but should I strike a ticket in Tatts it wouldn’t take me long to decide. How is Stan, I hope he is well. You might tell him l am living at Glenlossie now and, unless I have made an awful mistake, he owes me a letter. Poor beggar, I suppose he is in love. I’ve heard of many a chap getting like that.

Ella O’Connor is living in old Jack Osmond’s place, Flo. Ted Soper is working for J Tucker. Les and I are working here at Bill Tuckers - we are painting the house, both inside and out, likewise the fence. Been there since last Wednesday week. After we finish, early next week, I think we are going to Chisholm’s Pub - but not for a drink, as I think we will have about six weeks work repairing. Mother is going to write a few lines Flo, so I must leave her a little news. She is in bed at present as it is nine o'clock. How are they all at Kelmscott. I hope they are all well. Give them my love and tell 'em I will write very soon as I haven’t written to Ett for some considerable time to come. I often wonder how you all are over there. Many thanks for WA views Flo, they bring back many pleasant memories. Now do not worry about my talk of going to the war. Being at home, Flo "is the link that binds". If I were away it would be different, but the thoughts of the consequences hold me in check for the time being, as you can understand what it would mean to both Mother and Father. Well Flo, I hope you are real well. Kindly remember me to Stan, give my love to all at Kelmscott, also Marie, and accept same yourself. Wishing you the best of luck always, From your affectionate brother "Podge" Kind regards to Fred Flowers, Tom Owens and all inquiring Friends, Yours to a cinder (Podge) (A postscript added by his mother reads) - Dear Flo, Hand too cold to write but pleased to hear you are all well. If Pearl has not told you, you will be surprised to hear of the death of Mrs Arnott. You will hear town news from Arthur. I am afraid he will go to the War.

The Great Convoy Albany Western Australia was the assembly point in October 1914 for a troop convoy which carried 30,000 Australian and New Zealand troops in mainly British ships, escorted by Australian, British and Japanese navy cruisers. In the mood and manner of the times, the young Australia, a nation only 13 years old, supported the Mother Country and the British Empire. On August 3rd, 1914, the day before Great Britain entered the war, Australia offered to place its new navy - formed only three years earlier - and an army of 20,000 men. New Zealand promised 10,000. Great Britain joined the war at 11pm, August 4th, London time, when Australians were already well into August 5th. Formal Australian and New Zealand declarations were made within hours. What followed was the biggest and most quickly organised shipping operation of the age. In only six weeks troops were found, equipped and trained; an Australian army division and a light horse brigade embarked on 30 vessels commandeered in various ports, and the New Zealanders in another ten ships, while governments haggled over naval escorts.

All but two of the troopships (they were already at Fremantle) assembled in King George Sound, in the last days of October. They would be escorted by the cruisers HMS Minotaur, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney and a Japanese heavy cruiser the Ibuki. Men (and a number of army nurses) on the crowded ships welcomed training marches and trips ashore at Albany. The Australian army division alone comprised 17,747 officers and men in three infantry brigades and two light horse squadrons, with headquarters and field artillery units, and ammunition supply column, divisional and field engineer companies, signallers, a service corps and three ambulances. In addition to men, the ships carried the division’s 5,328 horses, 654 wagons, 271 bicycles, 125 carts, nine motor cycles and eight motor cars. The Light Horse Brigade of three regiments amounted to just over another 2,200 officers and men, 2,315 horses, 408 wagons, 66 motor cycles, 20 carts, four cars and three motor cycles. On November 1st, 1914, Minotaur and Sydney sailed from King George Sound, followed by the Australians in three divisions of ships and the New Zealanders in two. Melbourne, guarding the rear, sailed two and a half hours later. Ibuki had already gone to collect two ships from Fremantle. The young Australians and New Zealanders of the great convoy were the first of many, eventually formed into the famous Australian New Zealand Army Corps, the ANZACS. For many, Albany had represented a last sight of home. They died in desert battles, on Gallipoli, in France. Not one horse returned home. (The Diary is written in an 1897 "Australasian Edition Wellcome’s Vest Pocket Diary and Chemists Ready Reckoner" and is itself a treasure. It contains such useful information as acid and alkali Saturation tables, antidotes for poisons, baths in common use, a dentition table, explosives or inflammable bodies and mixtures, excise licences and duties, fire insurance, incompatibles, melting point table, posological tables (dosages), therapeutic agents, and many more gems. It covers the period from the date of his enlistment until 18th January, 1915) August 1914 13 (Thurs) - Went Sydney to enlist. Wal came. Stayed Lyceum. Went Play. Wal 2 Pounds 14 (Fri) - Went Barracks, Passed. Wal left for home 2 Train. Went Wicks, stayed night. 15 (Sat) - Doug arr Wicks, Went to Paddington later - got blankets. D. caught boat 2pm. Went Parramatta, stayed A Grant, Went Pictures. 16 (Sun) - Stayed morning, had Dinner, caught 1.55 train to Sydney. Went Lakemba, stayed night. 17 (Mon) - Went Wicks, then to Barracks, passed. Went camp - Randwick. Drill.

18 (Tues) - Drill. Got leave 5 to 9 - went Wicks. 19 (Wed) - Drill 20 (Thurs) - Drill 21 (Fri) - Show grounds - Dentist, Testation papers, Sworn in, Medical exam 22 (Sat) - Drill, got leave, went Wicks. Hamper, Letter Pearl. Went Kensington 23 (Sun) - Church Parade, Randwick 24 (Mon) - Drill. Got kit, uniform. 25 (Tues) - Went Wicks - Saw George. 26 (Wed) - Drill 27 (Thurs) - Drill 28 (Fri) - Great coat & cap issued 29 (Sat) - Got rifle. Med inspection. 30 (Sun) - On guard - Telephone. Pearl, Doug & A Grant came out. 31 (Mon) - 3rd, 4th Batt left for Randwick. Got leave from 5 to 9 - went Wicks. September 1914 1 (Tues) - Got extended leave - went Maitland 7.15PM., stayed Webb’s night. 2 (Wed) - Went home with Will 10 am. (Caught) 5.50 train Sydney - Pat & May came Newcastle, met Pearl & Doug, arrived Sydney 10.45 pm. Went camp 3 (Thurs) - 12 Hours final leave - Went City, met George 7 pm, also A Grant. Walked round, came Cleveland St. 4 (Fri) - Drill. Pay Day - Rec 3 pounds 15s. Polling day 5 (Sat) - Drill 6 (Sun) - Rec Kits. Church Parade. George K, Joe Reid & Jim Reid came out, also Marge Wicks (parcel) 7 (Mon) - On guard 8 (Tues) - 4th Batt presented with Bag Pipes. Night attack Cent. Park. Motor accident. 9 (Wed) - Route march to Domain. Private Kit sent home.

10 (Thurs) - Shifted camp Randwick (Barker St) Bivouacked. 11 (Fri) - Rec’d Khaki Kit, Pay form. (Also made Will - Public Trustee) Tents arrived. 12 (Sat) - Inoculated. General leave in afternoon - Went Wicks. Ret 9.30. Storm. Camp drenched. 13 (Sun) - Leave from 9 to 2.30 - Went city, also Manly, camp wet. Nearly all men camped Stables. 14 (Mon) - Route march to Long Bay & around Coogee (all Battalions) 15 (Tues) - "G" Coy guard. Fatigue day. Picket night. 16 (Wed) - Went Long Bay Butts. Rifle Practice. 17 (Thurs) - Route march South Head. Very wet. 18 (Fri) - Had breakfast Randwick. Wet 19 (Sat) - Broke camp (Fine day) shifted to Kensington Monastery grounds. 20 (Sun) - Fine. General Leave 2.30 to 7.30 - Mac & I went Watson’s Bay. 21 (Mon) - Fine. Skirmish drill, night drill. 22 (Tues) - Went Barker Road. Tunics & boots. Pay Parade - 3 pounds 15s (less 2/6 shoes). 23 (Wed) - On guard 24 (Thurs) - Drill. French leave - Went Tivoli. 25 (Fri) - Kit inspection. Trouble re leave. Batt concert. 26 (Sat) - Kit inspection. Doug came out. Batt concert. 27 (Sun) - Vaccinated 28 (Mon) - Batt drill Barker Road. Pay Parade - 2 Pounds 15s. Gen leave - went Wicks, had tea. Mac, Bill & I went "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" - Nellie Stewart. 29 (Tues) - Rifle practice Long Bay. 30 (Wed) - Fatigue - Rush cutting. Piquet. October 1914 1 (Thurs) - Fatigue. Went Daceyville - field manoeuvres. Night attack in trenches 2 (Fri) - Washing Parade. Showery

3 (Sat) - Skirmish drill - sham attack on Rosebery. Batt concert & fireworks. 4 (Sun) - Church Parade. Fred Wicks came out. 5 (Mon) - Watched 2nd Batt attack Rosebery. Went Barker Road - accident to Adjt. 6 (Tues) - 1st Ex Force march through City. Night skirmish. 7 (Wed) - L Half attack on R Half at Rosebery. Med inspection. Leave 4.30 to 9.30 8 (Thurs) - Main guard. Excitement re move-off. 50 rounds issued. 9 (Fri) - On guard - Clan McCorquodale

Clan McCorquodale Reveille 6 am Parade 6.30 Dress Dungaree Breakfast 7.45 Parade 9.15 Squad Drill - Dress Drill Order Dinner 12.15 Parade 2 Rifle Ex & games Dungarees & side arms Tea 4.30 Retreat 6 pm Lights Out 9

10 (Sat) - On Duty 9 to 11, 3 to 5. 11 (Sun) - Cloudy, Boat drill, Done some washing, wrote letters. 12 (Mon) - Fine day. Nothing doing - washed equipment. 13 (Tues) - Guard. Melbourne came to Port. 14 (Wed) - Leave from 11 to 5 - met Knowles, walked around city, Went Holt St. Rained heavy coming back. Pay Parade 3 Pounds 10s (notes) 15 Thurs) - Showery On guard. 16 (Fri) - Showery. Went message to camp 5 PM. Ret per naval launch (Melbourne) 17 (Sat) - Very wet. Came alongside wharf, Woolloomooloo - few horses shipped. 18 (Sun) - Transhipped to the Euripides. Other ships loaded. 19 (Mon) - Troops came aboard. On guard at G room.

HMAT Euripides.

20 (Tues) - Left Sydney. Cleared heads 6.30, showery. (After very calm & pleasant trip arrived in Albany on Monday morning 26th October/left Albany 1st Nov) 30 (Fri) - Bought wrist watch 7/6. (Aberdeen Line) On guard duty. 31 (Sat) - Lost flannel shirt, also note book with Diary, photos, Keepsakes & Fountain pen. Ett & Bob came out Whaler - very pleased to see them. (Sent) three P Card on whaler - add. to Pat. Lieut Hiede sent ashore on stretcher, also Corp Caldwell. Several boats sailed out - expect to leave Albany in early morning. November 1914 1 (Sun) - Left Albany about 7.30. Lovely morning. About 40 boats steamed out of KG Sound, splendid sight. Church Parade 11 am. Letters from J Bristowe. Escort (HMAS) Sydney, (HMAS) Melbourne (cruisers), 1st class Battleship Minotaur (China Sqn). Afternoon showery. Expect to pick up Medic also 4 Man o’ war. Evening Service. 2 (Mon) - Calm & Fine Semaphore, Lecture re War Prisoners, health etc. Cigarettes & boot polish issued. News of Gt Britain Declaration of War with Turkey. 3 (Tues) - Fair sea running in afternoon. Met 2 boats WA troops & 2 Man o’ war. News of expected visit from Emden next week. 4 (Wed) - Calm & Fine. Alarm sounded (practice) all hands on deck with life belts. Magazines & periodicals distributed to "G" Coy. 5 (Thurs) - Calm & Fine. Minotaur went to rear & returned. (Flying Fish) "Scran bag" - Gave Lieut Trench 8 pounds to mind. Osterley passed homeward bound.

6 (Fri) - Calm & Fine mom. Fatigue "scrubber". Night cloudy, rain. 7 (Sat) - Morning Hose Parade, on guard 4 to 8. Pay Parade 9/- Sports day. Fire alarm 8 pm Practice. 8 (Sun) - Morning calm & fine, but warm. Kendall, 3rd Batt, buried at sea. Church Parade. Afternoon rain. Bible class, evening service. 9 (Mon) - German cruiser Emden beached & captured by Sydney on Cocos Island.(Pte Low, 3rd Batt, buried at sea). Half holiday granted re victory. All hands sleep at posts on deck, very warm. German collier sunk. All prisoners to be taken to Colombo. No lights. 10 (Tues) - Very warm. Wash Parade. No afternoon drill (Fancy costumes). 11 (Wed) - Matches very scarce. Still warm, sleep on deck. Rain. Phosphorous water at night. 12 (Thurs) - Very warm. Kit inspection, afternoon rain, another man o’ war passed on right. Showery at night. Some fancy prices - Cigarettes 1/- (25 for 4/6), 30/- for two tins of 50. Matches 6d. 13 (Fri) - Raining heavily. Crossed equator - celebrations - Holiday - New Zealand boats (8) went on ahead, also 5 others. 14 (Sat) - Very sultry. No afternoon parades during hot weather. Rained at night, rough time in hammocks on deck.

Letter to Mother

Dear Mother Just a line, I know how anxiously you have been waiting. As you know, I am unable to write as much as I would like to at present - However, Mother, you can rest assured that so far I have had a splendid trip. The weather has been alright and I am feeling fit and well, never felt better. I hope you and Father, and all at home, are well? I will send an account of the trip later. At present I cannot mention date or place or anything concerning our movements. I do not want to overstep the margin or you may not get this at all. Give my kindest regards to all my friends in Paterson. I hope you all have a bright and happy Christmas, also a prosperous New Year. Fond love to all at home, from your affectionate son, Arthur. Will write again as soon as possible. Will have no trouble in getting my pay and fixing things up straight away. Tell all the boys I’m still going strong, Podge.

At sea "Euripides” Thursday, 5th November, 1914

On Sunday morning, at 7.30, we left Albany & Australia. It was a lovely morning and it was a grand sight as all the transports fell into line and steamed out to sea. I suppose you will have heard from Ettie long before you receive this, as I haven’t the least idea when or where I shall post it. Even if I do have a chance to post it on the way you will never receive it as the mail is censored. The most we can say in writing is we are well or something like it. The place of writing or boats' names or anything connected to military matters must, on no account, be mentioned but I may have a chance of getting it through from England - should we go there. I wrote to Wal from Albany - I hope you received the letter alright. Well, things have been running along pretty well the same lines since then with very little alterations. The weather still continues fine, with the exception of Tuesday last when we had a fair sea running. It is grand to see the ships ploughing their way across the ocean There are forty transports and three cruisers, I think. That’s all we can see - though there are more out of sight. I believe we have an escort of eight. The boats are in two lines about 20 in each, one behind the other, with the Euripides leading one line and the Orvieto the other. The battleship Minotaur from China Squadron is directly in front with a cruiser on either side of the lines. Others are out of sight as scouts. Nothing eventful has happened so far - the weather is just beginning to get warm and I believe in a day or two we shall cross the line, where I believe the fewer clothes one has on the better. We think we are making for Colombo or Aden, we have fewer lights on now than before leaving Albany and expect, very soon, to have less. On Monday last we were told of Britain declaring war on Turkey and on Wednesday we were informed that word had been received by wireless that the German warship Emden would be likely to pay us a visit in a few days. So, we may see something exciting before we arrive in port. At present everything is calm and peaceful. The band is playing on the deck and the men are boxing, wrestling and card playing. Some are reading. We have a good supply of magazines and periodicals. Others are up to all sorts of games, so we pass the time at night. We have a chaplain, also a Salvation Army man, on board who provide the religious instruction. I mention among the officers is a vet surgeon, we have "Banjo Patterson" as vet surgeon. I often lean over the bulwarks of an evening at Sunset and its grand - I think of you all at home and wonder how you all are. I trust all are well. Tonight the Osterley, mail boat, homeward bound passed us quite close. It was about 7 o’clock and she looked lovely as she steamed past us with all her lights. The troops cheered and so did the passengers on the ’Osterley. We wonder if she had mail on board for us.

Sunday the 8th We are still rolling along and think we are making for Colombo. The weather is still fine and calm. So far the trip has been splendid so far as weather is concerned. This morning was lovely and warm - every day gets warmer and down below, on our mess deck, it’s hot. But it's too early to complain yet as we have to pass through the Red Sea in a week or so and they say that is hell. I witnessed a very sad scene this morning and the first of its kind up to date - a burial at sea - a young chap named Kendall, third Battalion, died on Saturday night from pneumonia. It was a most impressive scene, the vessel steered off course and slowed down, several of the other boats passed us. The service was read and the body slid into the ocean. It was very sad so I will not dwell on it. In twenty minutes we were steaming ahead again past the other vessels to take up our place in front. Immediately after the burial service we fell in for Church Parade. We have church every Sunday morning when everyone must attend, also a service in the afternoon. There is a bible class and at night at eight we have service. This is very much like a Salvation Army Service, minus the collection. We sing "Sanky" hymns and then I am back at home with Pearl and the others around the piano. On Monday 9th November we had a little excitement at about seven o’clock. The cruiser Sydney, which was on our left, steamed out of sight shortly after the Melbourne, which was in front at the time, steamed around and took the Sydney’s place. We began to think there was something doing, especially as we were expecting to meet the Emden. Then, the Japanese boat, Ibuki, on our right, steamed across with all her guns out and the smoke belching from her three funnels. She looked a picture - it was grand. We heard then that the Sydney was engaged with the Emden. We saw nothing of it but got word by wireless about 9 o’clock The Sydney sighted the Emden and a collier steaming north - about twenty minutes and she was within firing distance and attacked her. The Emden had to beach herself on Cocos Is. to avoid sinking. Her full mast and three funnels were down, but she still had her flag flying. The Sydney then turned to the collier, took her crew, and sank her after fixing up the Emden and collecting her crew. She will follow on to Colombo. The Emden had done a good deal of damage to the wireless base on the Cocos Is. and cut one of the cables, probably two. Great praise is due to the wireless men who managed to secure a duplicate plant, the other was destroyed, so they can still send messages. It was their SOS message which attracted the Sydney to the spot. The injured men on the Sydney will be attended to at the hospital on Cocos Island. No reports regarding killed or wounded Germans but believed to be a fair number. I suppose you will have heard all this news long before you receive this letter. The Australians will be quite proud of their Navy after capturing this outlaw. On Monday afternoon we buried another poor fellow at sea. It is not unusual to see a boat steer a little out of her course in the line and slowdown - we know what that means.

At present we are very close to the equator. Some say we pass it today, but not being a sailor I can’t agree. I know the weather is pretty warm, especially down in our mess deck, which is the third, and last, down below. On Monday night, as a precaution, we had to sleep at our posts on deck, all hands. No lights were allowed and all watertight doors and port holes closed. We were packed like sardines. If you lay on one side it was almost impossible to turn over. However, nothing unexpected happened and we woke up next morning just as when we lay down. At present we are pleasing ourselves and arguing the point with others about where we sleep. It is a case of getting in early. Most of us sleep on deck at night so as soon as tea is over we get our hammocks on deck and swing them, if possible, and then we watch that no-one jumps our claim. You cannot walk about the deck once it gets dark as the men are lying all over the place and to try it one would flatten any saint. The compliments and loving remarks are much more forcible than polite, however we are still going strong and expect to be in Colombo next Sunday. Our greatest trouble is matches. No matches are sold on board and anyone who is lucky enough to have a box is looked upon as a hero. One chap lights his pipe, perhaps several, with a match and they will be surrounded by cigarette smokers and by pipe or cigar smokers. If a fellow strikes a match he is a game one, he always runs the risk of being killed in the rush. Unfortunately, l am unable to take the risk. On Thursday, 13th November, we crossed the equator, It was a very wet day. About 10.30 the fun commenced. We had no Parade, a large canvas bath, about three feet deep, about 10' x 12' was filled with water and then, perhaps while you were sitting quietly reading a magazine, about six chaps would grab you, carry you just as you were, clothes and all, and dump you in, and after ducking you about six times, put the hose on you and toss you out! Once a fellow got ducked, he would join the gang and help to bring others along just for satisfaction. Scarcely a man on the boat escaped and it was very funny to watch some of them. Some of them fought like a devil and got very much annoyed. That was all the more fun for us. In the afternoon we had Father Neptune and his wife, and the rest of his court, and any that were brought up before them got a lively time. It was quite nice to watch. Some of the victims had all sorts of nice stuff forced down their neck, then, with the aid of a pail of whitewash and a wooden razor, about a yard long, they were shaved. Flour was rubbed into their hair, some had lamp black and oil rubbed over them and to finish up they were tossed in the tank and ducked. I was lucky enough to miss this part of the ceremony, but scored very nicely this morning. About a dozen boats proceeded to Colombo today. We were expected to reach there on Saturday but will arrive in Colombo tomorrow and expect to leave on Monday. No hope of getting ashore, worse luck.

I have written a few short letters today which will be censored before being sent ashore, but have just received word that sealed letters will be kept here at Colombo for a fortnight and then sent on. So, I am sending these few lines so you will get them sooner than if posted in England and then some "coot" may pinch 'em. They’ll shake everything here; some chap took a pair of my pants yesterday. I wasn’t wearing them at the time. But I’ll have a pair by this time tomorrow sure enough. I have but a few minutes to write this as the mail closes at eight, and it's about ten to now, so must get a "wiggle" on. You’ll see that, so far, we’ve had a real good trip. During this hot weather in the tropics we only Parade in the mornings. It's lovely and calm tonight, but very close. The sea today was like a sheet of glass, scarcely a ripple. There are scores of flying fish here and they look like a flock of sparrows as they skim over the water - very pretty. Well, I hope all of you folks have a real happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year. Don’t worry about me, l am alright and feeling splendid, never better, so far. Hope Gertie and family are doing well. Say 'lo to Perce and his little lot. Must say "au revoir" now, Mother. Trust you and Father are well - God Bless you all. Fond love from your affectionate son, Arthur. Give my kindest regards to all friends over in town, will write again from England. Hope to be in England for Christmas but cannot say for certain. We are considered to be in safe waters now. Love to all, Podge. 15 (Sun) - Assembly at 5 am. Fell in to salute Sydney with prisoners. Very dark. Sydney passed on starboard unnoticed. Land sighted about 6 am - Ceylon. Catamarans along coast. Shoals of porpoise. Water very calm. Anchored off breakwater Colombo at 2.30. 4 Man o’ war in harbour, including 1 Russian (5 funnels), 1 Jap, 1 French, Minotaur & Sydney more curious little boats. Colombo looks very nice and fresh in the distance. On guard duty 4 to 8. 16 (Mon) - Warm, but pleasant. Large man o’ war came in this morning. Natives in canoes - do not come close. Native soldiers on guard on Mole. Butterflies plentiful. Harbour muddy. Lovely scenery & Sunset. (One Month on board). 17 (Tues) - Warm. Entered harbour 7 am. Natives in canoes, diving. Papers 3d. Rickshaws on shore. All kinds of craft. Coconut palms, tea plantations, covered carts with oxen. Most of fleet left today. Japanese left 3 pm looked splendid. Left Colombo 7 pm. 18 (Wed) - Calm & cloudy. Matches 8d doz. 3rd Division only, Other boats ahead passed South Indian coast line. 4 boats came up in line.

19 (Thurs) - Calm & Fine. Q masters fatigue. Pay Parade 11I- 20 (Fri) - Calm & Fine. Rest of fleet sighted, passed NZ troops & in line with Orvieto at present. 8.30 am. 21 (Sat) - Euripides whistle sounded early morning. All boats stopped for 3 hours 'cause 2 men fell overboard from the Shropshire but picked up again. Boat in rear ran into Shropshire - slight damage. Washing Parade. 22 (Sun) - Church Parade (a tribute to Earl Roberts). 23 (Mon) - Land on port side (Islands) "G" Coy on guard. Fatigue shops Qmaster. 24 (Tues) - Very calm, like glass. Land on starboard - Arabian coast. Life belt parade. Wrote letters & posted. 25 (Wed) - Reached Aden at Sunrise. Barracks town in the distance. Barren mountain & sandy plains. About 28 fleet arrived 4 this afternoon. Anchored in Gulf. Moonlight, searchlights, War news re Turkey fight along coast near Aden. 26 (Thurs) - Left Aden Sunrise. Very warm. Barren coast. Met several steamers this morning (No lights on deck). In Red Sea Passed Fort, also Perrim. 27 (Fri) - Cloudy early. Met several more transports. Glimpses of coast, rugged little islands - some with a lighthouse only, others nil. 28 (Sat) - Very warm. Mess orderly. No land in sight. At noon officially announced we land at Cairo on Tuesday. Troops fairly excited. Inspection of kits & equipment. 29 (Sun) - No Church parade. Inspection of equipment continued. (Cool breeze) 30 (Mon) - Fine breeze blowing. Sea looks beautiful. Euripides dropped to rear. Afternoon land in sight port side, also Starboard. Very busy packing kits etc. Land very close at Night. December 1914 1 (Tues) - Fine, Breeze. Parade march order full. Day warm, cold nights. Arrived at Port Suez 1.30 pm. NZ boats entered canal (Lovely night - moonlight) anchored, Port Suez in front. City few miles to left. Large Tanks! Entered canal 11.30 pm. Very nice at entrance. Trees in street, electric lights, Cafe & gardens. 2 (Wed) - Passing through Suez. Railway line, trees, desert, lakes on port side, yachts, Gure du Kantara Fort, Indian troops, camels, donkeys, horses, wire entanglements, entrenchments. Expecting attack any moment from Turks. Egyptian huts, native workman, coal train load of troops. Vac Oil Co. Dropped anchor Port Said 1.30. Great cheering as we pass boats and Man o' War 3 or 4 French - it was Grand. Euripides coaled. Wrote Mother, Pat. Port Said Received letters from Pat, Gert & Pearl. Many of troops poisoned (800). Went on guard 8 pm. Left Port Said 8.30. Bought Post cards on board.

3 (Thurs) - Arr Alexandria at 11 am. City looks very nice, natives plentiful, gaudy clothes and plenty of 'em. Native police watch liquor trade. Horses, mules in vehicles. A few companies disembarked & returned. Sick sent ashore per Derrick. RAMC with ambulance. Weather cloudy. NZ Troops disembark alongside. Natives busy coaling boats. Many German steamers in harbour, also ships. 4 (Fri) - Very busy scene. Watching troops disembark and entraining. 3 Coys left till morning. Kits put on train. About 20 "G" Coy on guard in Alexandria. Fatigue - French leave into town. Ret 9.30 had good look around per "Cab". 5 (Sat) - Entrained at 8 am. Left Alexandria for Cairo at 9. Shower. Date palms, rice fields & fruit trees, Wooden ploughs, camels, native oxen and donkeys, com, olden-time buildings, willows, queer stations, camel teams. Arr in Cairo 2 pm. Very busy scene - stores sent per carts to trains for pyramids. Another per train 5.30. Unloaded trains & marched to camp about a mile from pyramids. 6 (Sun) - Cool morning, later warm, bought belt 2/6. Dinner 2.15. Fatigue work. Camel teams, donkeys, stores & provisions arrive. Also 7th Batt (Melbourne) but in open. 7 (Mon) - Marched to Mena. Fatigue cutting stones from hill. Dry canteen. Saw WA troops, Sudanese troops. 8 (Tues) - Fatigue. Shifted lines on Main guard (17) at Mena House (Hospital) Rain. Posted at main entrance. Postcard to Flo - from Pyramids. 8th Dec 1914 My Dear Flo, After leaving Albany & calling at Colombo, Aden, Suez, Port Said, Alexandria & from there to Cairo per Train, we are encamped at the foot of the Pyramids. About 10,000 troops here & more to follow. Have written home on Sunday, will write you later. Arrived here on Saturday night, am feeling splendid & having a real good time so far. I hope all you folk are well, Will send PC to Ett & Marie. Kindest regards to all Friends & Love to all, From your aff Brother, Arthur. 9 (Wed) - Fine Met H Hayes, came off guard 11 am. Afternoon Mac & I went pyramids & Sphinx, also Tombs 10 (Thurs) - Route march near pyramids. Afternoon got leave - went Cairo per Garry. Had good look around City. Dinner at De le Paix. Posted 7 cards. 11 (Fri) - Morning. Batt drill - formed square. Aft. no Parade "G" Coy, carry stones for Tents. 12 (Sat) - Morning Parade, afternoon Fatigue - carry stones. 13 (Sun) - Morning Church Parade. Afternoon Leave. Mac & I went Cairo - had good look round, saw Funeral. Dinner De La Paix, home per Garry.

14 (Mon) - Morning Commenced field training. Route march about 3 miles (pretty stiff) 8 to 2. afternoon Bath, wrote Pat 15 (Tues) - Drill 8 to 2 Mess orderly. 16 (Wed) - Kit inspect, also march to Mena and back via pyramids. Aft. went pyramids, Cheops, with Sykes and Cooper. Had look inside Pharaoh's Tomb, Cheops Chamber, Queens Chamber & gallery. Night Parade. 17 (Thurs) - Parade 8 to 2 Skirmish. Aft Pay Par. 2 Pounds. Night - Mac, Bryden & I sneaked out to Mena House Cafe, had supper & returned to camp. 18 (Fri) - Parade 8 to 2. Afternoon washing. Night Parade 7 to 9.30.- mode of night attack. Pte Cox "E" Coy buried. Brother buried a few days previous, both died of pneumonia. 19 (Sat) - Egypt proclaimed a British Protectorate. Morning Parade 8 to 2 Skirmish. "G" Coy mount guard at 6 PM to 6 PM. Received 2 letters from Pat written Nov 18 & 19, 1 from J Bristow. 20 (Sun) - On guard. Rec letter from Stan, also papers. Wrote PC Pat, Mother, Stan, Tom, Flo. Postcard to Flo - from Mena Camp, Cairo, 20/12/14 My Dear Flo, Just a line to you all, Flo, to let you know l am well & feeling fit. We are still encamped here, Flo, but am sorry to say I have not had time enough on hand to write to you all yet. This picture is about where we anchored at Port Said. Very pleased to have received letter from Stan today. I hope, Flo, you & all at Kelmscott & Albany are well. We are having a good time here, Flo, & I like it very much. The British Flag was hoisted in Cairo on Friday. Egypt is now a British Protectorate, everything passed off quietly. Three Battalions marched to Cairo, but not the 4th. Must say au revoir now, Flo. Love to all From your off Brother, Podge Postcard to Stan - From Cairo, Egypt 20/12/14 Dear Stan Very pleased to have received your letter today, old boy. Have nothing very exciting to tell you regarding fighting yet but expect to be amongst it later. We are encamped near the Pyramids at present. All the Australians are here, but many British Regiments round about. Everything is very interesting over here, Stan, but have no time to write to you all yet. We arrived here on 5th. Am feeling A1 & like the game alright. Wish you were with us, old boy, but with that arm of yours it couldn’t be did. I hope you have struck a good job long before this. Am writing Tom tonight. Must say au revoir now Stan, Love to Flo & all at Kelmscott. Kindest regards from your old Pal, Podge 21 (Mon) - Morning 8 to 2 Parade. Aft leave - went to Cairo, Bt scarf, 2 spirit lamps, Ret 11 PM Taxi

22 (Tues) - Usual Drill morning. Aft rest. Night Parade Coy. 23 (Wed) - Morning drill - Dig trenches. Weather splendid Fruit - Oranges 6/1p. Tomatoes, melons, figs dates. Inlying - Picket. Wrote Mother, P Card Pat 24 (Thurs) - Fatigue work, Pay Parade to 16 Dec 1-15 Mac & I went Sphinx, had photo taken, visited Temple & tombs, French leave to Cairo, Dinner at Eden Palace, drove around in Garry, horse fell down, Ret camp per car, answered roll call 9.30. 25 (Fri) - Church Parade. Xmas Dinner in Camp. Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Potatoes & Cabbage. Beer & Lemonade - French leave to Cairo per taxi (18 passengers) went Bristol Cafe, had hot bath. Dinner at Cafe de Nil. 26 (Sat) - Fatigue duty - fixing up lines. Mess orderly. Christmas Card from J Bristowe. Wrote letter Pat. 27 (Sun) - Church Parade morning, Aft Town. Picket (36) rounding up drunks & stragglers. Brought about 20 prisoners to camp. Slept at Guard tent. 28 (Mon) - Fatigue, Aft leave. Went Cairo, sent parcel/scarf to Pat, Table centre Home. Saw Sir G Reid in Motor. 29 (Tues) - Equip inspect, route march - Mena Road. Aft Bathing Parade, Platoon drill at night. 30 (Wed) - Field training. Aft Sir G Reid reviewed troops. Pay Parade $1.0.0. Wrote Ett, P Card Pat also Mother 31 (Thurs) - Outpost drill. Leave - went Cairo, ret 11.30. New Years Eve in camp, Bands, pipes, bugles & tin cans. January 1915 1 (Fri) - Platoon system adopted. Changed tents. Australian mail - letter from Pat 4 Nov. Kemp, Cook & I went pyramids per camels. Climbed top of Cheops & returned to camp per donkeys. Wrote P C Pearl, Lome, J Bristowe, Packet PC, Ett, Mother. 2 (Sat) - Route march through palms & village, scenery lovely. 4th Concert YMCA. 3 (Sun) - Church Parade Kemp, Mac, Hobden & I went Sphinx. Wrote Mother 4 (Mon) - Div Guard at Mena House 5 (Tues) - Guard dismissed 11.30 Aft Chocolate presented by Aust War Contingent Association, also knife (Sir G Reid) & Cigarettes. Leave - went Cairo Mac & I sent Choc Home. Packet P Cards to Pat 6 (Wed) - Very windy & dusty at drill. Night Parade. Aust Mail - letter card from Gert. 7 (Thurs) - Still very windy & dusty on Parade, ret 8 o’clock. Went Mena & got photos. Wrote to Les, Photo.

8 (Fri) - Another unpleasant day on Parade, very windy. Rain at night. 9 (Sat) - Building Rifle range. Mess orderly. Wrote Gert, sent P Cards of Camp & Mac & I Home. 10 (Sun) - Church Parade. Leave - Mac, Kemp & I went Cairo, visited Museum, Dinner Parisianna. Curiosity shop, bought trinkets Egypt Veil. Supper at Eden Palace. 11 (Mon) - Route march through Mena Village & out towards other pyramids. Extended work. Letters from Pat, Mother, Aunt F, Son Wilson 12 Tue - Same as Monday, attack work. Night went Artillery lines. 13 (Wed) - Field training as usual. 6 pm on quarter guard. Bivouacked. 14 (Thurs) - On guard, relieved 6 pm. Lecture on Pyramids. Letter from Pat 15 Nov. 15 (Fri) - Field training. Ret 3 pm. Letter from Pat (11 Nov) wrote Pat. (2nd Brigade mobilised) 16 (Sat) - Usual Parade. Mess orderly. Wrote letters at night to Mother, P Cards Flo, Marie, Mum. Postcard to Flo - From Mena Camp. Cairo. 16/1/15 My Dear Flo, Just a PC Flo, hoping you are well. Still living the simple life here in Egypt & am feeling A1. We get plenty of training & drill & all the troops are in good spirits. We believe there is a chance of us being sent to Ishmalia on the Suez Canal as the Turks, assisted by Germans, are supposed to be marching on Egypt. However, we have not received any orders yet, but all are anxious to have a go at them. Am enclosing a photo, Flo, of my mate, MacDonnell, & yours truly taken on Xmas Eve (I mean a Camel). Am sending Ett & Marie one also. Naturally they are not the best, but it's a case of take what you can over here as the photographers are rushed off their legs. Haven’t time to write a letter, Flo, but will write Ett in a few days. Give my kindest regards to all (Fri)ends. I hope Stan is well Everything OK here just now. Au revoir, Flo, Fond love from your aff brother, Podge. 17 (Sun) - Church Parade - went Presbyterian. Reversed tents. Aft Mac & I went Cairo, saw Mosque Mohamed Aly & Citadel 18 (Mon) - Mobilisation 4th Batt. (This is the last of the daily records - other incidental entries follow) Cairo - seen in Cairo! Donkeys used for hacks & carts (carts about 2ft 6 wide). It is surprising the loads they pull through the sand & the weights they carry for their size. Camels used for all kinds of work. For road-making die stone is carried in either nets or baskets.

Stacks of fodder is packed all over them. They are used for anything & everything but haven’t seen one in harness yet. Some beautiful Arab horses are seen here, both in vehicles & hacks. The native mounted Police have some beautiful mounts & are themselves a smart set of men, also the native troops in their blue & white uniforms. Gifts to troops may be bought - for pyjamas 4/6, sox 1/-, slippers 1/-, shirts 2/6, Balac caps 1/-. Wrote 14 Aug 1914 - Mother, Ethel. 18 Pat 19 Mother, Pat, Pearl, Gert, Lome, Ett, Les 23 Pat, A Grant, Wall Friday 14 wrote to Lomie, Ett, Pearl, Home, Pat, Les, Mrs Wicks, sent extra - Pat & Home. Tuesday 24 November, wrote to Mother, Pat, Ett, Lome, Pearl, Gert, Les, May Webb, Mrs Wicks. Sunday 6th, wrote to Pat & Home. Wednesday 9th, P Cards to Ett, Flo, Lome, Gert, Pearl, Pat, A Grant. Friday 11 - Les, Marie, Mrs Wicks, George. Monday 14 Pat. Jan 20 - PC Pat, Mother, Flo, Stan, Tom, Papers home. Addresses Tom Owen, 32 (Mon)ey St Perth. James Taylor, c/o H T Smith, Erina PO via Gosford. Fred Storrey from Cheesiu Am Bar A Grant (Kennedy) 224 Phone R York, E Coy 3 Batt Mr R Gooch, Spencer St Albany W Tinkler, c/o A W Tinkler, Cessnock A Bevis, ASC No 3 Section Sid Territt J Neiland Uncle G Keppie, Manilla House, 433 Bourke St, Darlinghurst. Letters addressed to A E Keppie, c/o H A Chard Esq, Maycroft Court, Priory Road, Clifton, Bristol. Rifle 23794 Water (Fresh) used per day from Sydney to Colombo averaged 50 tons.

Made will on 11 Sept 1914 - Public Trustee. Letter to Flo - From Mena Camp. Cairo. 28/2/15 My Dear Flo & WA Folk Just a few lines, Flo, in a hurry, hoping you are all well & to let you know that I am also well. I received Stan’s letter, also Sunday Times and West Mail, on Wednesday last & I want you to thank him very much for them. It’s quite a treat to get all the news. I also got a letter from Jack Bristowe in Claremont & six from NSW, as well as Sunday Times & Sydney Mail; so you see I’ve been having a glorious time this weekend with the mail. Well, Flo, letter writing is just about off for the present, the next you hear from me will be per printed Post Card. When you receive one of these you’ll know that I’ve changed my address and as I do not know where that may be cannot give it to you. As it is, we cannot mention any of our doings so, Flo, you’ll understand why l am writing like this. I suppose the papers will tell you how to address letters but, failing that, address as usual & they are sure to be forwarded to us wherever we may be. I’m not too sure that I’ll be able to post this, but I think it will get away & I hope you’ll receive it alright. Also writing home & to E Webb - haven‘t time to go round you all as time is rather limited just now, but will keep in touch as much as possible so you will know how I’m doing. The weather here is still pleasant though we get an occasional dust storm & they are far from pleasant. Went to Church Parade this morning but it happened to be one of those sort of days - so things were not as cheerful as they might have been. On Thursday my mate, Mac, & I got leave & took a run to Cairo, called in at Giza (about 6 miles from here) & had a look at the Zoo. Very pretty place & some interesting animals including Giraffes, Hippopotamus & Rhinoceros (I think that’s how you spell ’em). Then took a run out to Old Cairo, which is a very old place near Cairo (everything over here is old), visited a mosque, something over 1,200 years old, had a look through a place where they make pottery then. It was very interesting to see how quickly & neat they can turn them out with their hands. Jars, water bottles & all kinds of pottery ware. I thought it was very clever. Next we had a look at the old Roman City, which is only a mass of ruins with scarcely any shape of building to be seen. Then through what is called the Coptic City where we visited a couple of churches, one of them claiming to show us the exact spot where the Holy Family rested during their flight to Egypt. Many old paintings of the saints are in these old churches, as well as other relics including a book which is 900 years old. This City, or part of the City, is very old; the old Roman wall is still here and at all the entrances are heavy wooden doors bound with iron, but of course not now in use. The people here are Christians, not Mohammedans like the Egyptians - they are Greeks. The streets are about six feet wide, the people seem very poor & dirty. Our guide then took us across a canal to a place called Rhoda Island and. religiously, showed us the place where Moses was found in the Bulrushes.

As I didn’t happen to be there at the time of course I must take his word for it. There are no rushes there and just a tree growing out of the wall on the bank of the Nile. After seeing all we could on the Island we returned to Old Cairo & back to Cairo where we had a good dinner & later back to camp. Have just given you a rough idea of how we spent the day & a few piastres. As I told you, I have written home & - well, I’ve written it twice............is rather stale to me just now Flo. Anyhow, I spent a very pleasant day. Everything over here is so quaint & interesting - even the people - I swear I’ve seen Abraham, Isaac & Jacob & all the rest of 'em since I came here. I’m sure these old people never die, they seem just the same now as the pictures tell us they were thousands of years ago. I really forget who I write to now. I received a long letter from Ett last month with a ton of news in it, but blessed if I know whether I answered it or not. If I haven't done so I’m very sorry. By the time you get this I suppose Joe will be back again. I hope all are well at Kelmscott, also at Albany. Give them all my love. Very pleased to hear Stan has a good billet - I hope it is lasting. Give my kindest regards to Tom Owen when you see him & all friends who may enquire. I am writing this in a hurry Flo, as tonight is our last mail, I believe, if it all goes at all. Things are OK with me - feeling well & still going strong. We are all anxious to get to business. The sooner we get into it & the sooner this War is over the better it will be for us all and we are out to win. I must now conclude this scribble, Flo, hoping all of you are well. I will write again as soon as possible so will now say au revoir. With love to you all, from your off Brother, Podge Postcard to Stan - From Cairo, 28/2/15 Dear Stan I find I have time to write a few lines to let you know I received your welcome letter and papers safely. Many thanks, old boy, very good of you to send them. Pleased to hear you have struck a decent job, I hope it will last. Have written to Flo, guess we’ll have a new address soon. Hope you are well, am A1 myself - this kind of life agrees with me. Having a good time so far. Flo will tell you what little news I had time to send. How’s Tom, give him my kindest regards, also Mrs Tom. Glad to hear from you both, any time. The troops here are all well and anxious for business, which I guess will be busy when we start. Will say au revoir. Best of Luck from your old cobbo, Podge. Kindest regards to all friends. Letter to Flo - Mena Camp, Cairo. 28/3/15 My Dear Flo Your ever welcome letter to hand at last & also one from Marie by the same mail. It’s grand to hear from you all, am afraid I do not write as often as I should, Flo, but I often think of you all and trust you are all well. Have been faring splendidly for mail lately, one week I received no less than fourteen letters, so I guess I’ll be quite busy writing for some time.

One of them was from Canon Hirst - I suppose I’ll have to be on my best behaviour when replying to that one, but it’s very pleasing to hear from you all. Well, Flo, I am very pleased to know you are well. Am A1 myself Getting quite used to this life now. You’ll notice we are still in Egypt. Had no idea we would be here so long when we landed, but you never know what’s going to happen, do you. We may move off at any moment & we are all ready & anxious for a move. We usually get good weather here, Flo, though sometimes rather warm in the day time, but always cool at night. It must be hot during the summer though. Today is a brute. It is blowing a gale, the air is thick with dust & sand, you can scarcely see any distance - just like a heavy fog. It’s wretched to be out in - I’m very glad it’s Sunday. We are still continuing our training here, but lighter than it was - mostly morning & night parades, very seldom in the afternoon. So as to distinguish the different Battalions, each has a colour of its own, ours is green & white - a little 2 inch strip is worn on each sleeve of our jackets & great coat just below the shoulder. We put in a happy half-hour yesterday afternoon sewing them on. I’m sure you'd have learnt a few points & stitches had you been looking. I’m thinking a few colours will be missing after this wind today somehow! I intended going up to the Pyramids too, this afternoon - but under the circumstances I guess I’d better postpone it till some future occasion. On Friday, Mac (that's the chap in the photo) & I took a risk & had a look at the Zoo. We had been there before - so the risk wasn't so great as you might suppose. It is a very pretty place, Flo, & well laid out. Many of the animals are the same as we see in our zoos though, of course, there are some we don't. Giraffes, Rhinoceroses, Hippopotamus are a bit out of the ordinary & very interesting as well as many others that I cannot write about now as the time is too pressing at present. Also saw a couple of Aluminium boats there, Flo, that were captured from the Turks down at the Canal last month. They are fairly riddled with shrapnel & look as if they had been on anything except a pleasure trip. Speaking about Cairo, Flo, it’s one of the most interesting & dirty places you are likely to strike. Parts of it are alright but others are "up to mud". The natives here, as a ride (Arabs), take the "bun". As they are taking vegetables to market you will see them stop at any old pool along the road & wash them. Consequently fresh salads are "off". Fruit is treated just the same & very much worse at times. When there's no water handy they generally lick them. The milk also is not too enticing - they generally lead the cow around from house to house & just milk what is required, but the dairyman's hands, the dirty streets & surroundings are all in comparison & would drive anyone to drink even beer in preference to milk. All the water & slops are thrown out into the streets and the flies & smell are superabundant, (that’s good for me). It really should be a hot-bed of disease & it’s a wonder typhoid doesn’t carry the natives off in scores. But they seem to thrive on it & you’ll see them lying about along the roads or in the gutters fast asleep anywhere.

Wood is very scarce here & in consequence all manure is used for fuel. It is common to see women (mostly) gathering it off the street & carrying it along in baskets on their head. In the European & Business quarter of the town the conditions are better, but even there the sanitary arrangements are very bad. Our own cities are far ahead of these eastern places in that respect; anyhow, Australia will always do me. We fare very well here in camp for amusement. We have five picture shows running now & they run a bit of a variety show as well - mostly French & Italian artists, the singing is very interesting - the words lovely. Very pleased to hear Stan has struck it lucky. I sincerely hope his job lasts & Flo, if that event comes off that you spoke about I wish you both the very best of luck with all my heart. Nothing would please me better than to be present at the time. I often hear from Pearl. She seems to have made a good match of it, she seems very contented. I have written to her today also. I will also drop a Post Card to Marie & Ett. I hope all are well, Well, Flo, I guess I’d better conclude this scrawl. Give my kindest regards to all friends. You cannot offend me by writing too often as it takes a lot of that to upset me. Give my love to all at Kelmscott. At present I am feeling bonzer - My hearing was a little bit off for a week or two, but, thank goodness it is as good as ever again now. Don’t forget to kindly remember me to Stan. I will say au revoir now, old girl, with Love to you & all WA folk. From your aff brother, Podge Postscript On the 15th of June 1915, the Secretary for Defence sent the following telegram to Arthur’s father, as next of kin. REGRET SON PRIVATE A E KEPPIE WOUNDED NOT REPORTED SERIOUSLY NO OTHER PARTICULARS AVAILABLE WILL IMMEDIATELY ADVISE ANYTHING FURTHER RECEIVED This brought about endless enquires from relatives and (Fri)ends such as this one from his sister, Pearl, written on 8th August to Senator Pearce, Minister for Defence. I am writing to ask would you make enquiries for me as to the whereabouts of my brother, 205 Private A E Keppie, who we were notified was wounded at the Dardanelles on June 15th. Since then we have had no word from him or the Department, as to his progress and we feel very anxious, especially as we have had a sad time in the loss of our mother ..................................................................... The following reassuring reply was sent from the Melbourne Base Records office on 16th August. ‘In reply to your letter of the 8th inst. I beg to inform you the only information received is contained in a cable message from Alexandria and no other particulars are yet available. He is not reported as seriously wounded, however, and the Egyptian authorities advise in the absence of further reports it is to be assumed such cases are making satisfactory progress, but later information will be immediately transmitted to the next-of-kin.

In reply to your request that I should make enquiries concerning your brother, I have to state that can only be done by cable message, and this concession is available only in cases of soldiers who are seriously or dangerously wounded, but I think you may be assured there is no need for anxiety on his account. The frustration is really beginning to show in the following letter written by his fiancé, Ethel Webb on 11th October. Received your letter dated the 7th of October concerning inquiry of No 205, Private A E Keppie, 4th Battalion, 1st Australian Division, which was of no satisfaction to me. It is now past four months since I heard anything of him only the fact of him being wounded. A soldier who gives up all for King & Country - is he not worth hunting up. If his progress was satisfactory he himself would have written me long before this. I thought the Record Office kept a record of all soldiers when they got wounded & where sent to - so, to me, it seems strange you can’t tell me where he is & what hospital he is in. We got word from a comrade in the trenches saying he was badly wounded & yet you cannot give any satisfaction of his whereabouts or progress. Am anxiously waiting a reply. The reply, dated 25th October, must have only deepened the concerns. In reply I regret to state that No 205 Private A E Keppie is now reported as wounded and missing on the 26th April, and no other particulars are available. With the exception of the names of 6 officers and 54 men of other ranks, no complete list of members of the Australian Imperial Force, who were taken prisoner and are at present interned in Turkey, is yet available. However, the Turkish authorities have established a War Information Bureau at Constantinople and the American Ambassador is advising the Imperial authorities of all obtainable information concerning prisoners, etc. Any particulars relating to Australians will be communicated to relatives immediately upon receipt. The "missing" list is, I am informed, revised daily at Alexandria and it is hoped the department will shortly be in a position to afford you more definite information. The true situation began to emerge only in March 1916, almost a year after the event. Ethel wrote the following letter on 6th March 1916. Are you still making inquiries of No 205, Private A E Keppie. We are anxiously waiting news of him. This last few weeks I have had letters returned to me of his with "killed in action" written across the envelope. It has greatly upset me as we have had no official word. Hoping you can give me better news of him. The Base Records Office sent one of Ethel’s "envelopes" off to AIF Headquarters in Cairo on 21st March - but Ethel had still to wait until August for the following reply.

In acknowledging receipt of your letter dated 1st instant, hereunder is furnished an extract from a communication received from the Commandant, AIF Headquarters, London, in reply to a request made by this office, that the case of No 205, Private A E Keppie, 4th Battalion, received investigation:-

“I beg to inform you that Chaplain McKenzie, who made the endorsement 'Killed in action', states that Private Keppie was killed in action on Monday evening, 26th April, 1915, and his body was buried by him on 24th May, 1915. An addressed envelope was the only identification mark found on the body."

It is not improbable that the information furnished by Chaplain McKenzie will assist in bringing the case of this member of the Force to early finality. So, after all that waiting and wondering it is not hard to imagine how disappointed and frustrated they all must have felt. Arthur's battalion was in fact the last to go ashore at Anzac Cove on the day of the invasion and was held in reserve to be used as reinforcements later in the campaign. Unfortunately, the fighting was so fierce that it was only a matter of hours before the 4th battalion was sent up to join the frontline where they spent the night. Apart from sniping and a few local encounters, the 26th April passed quietly at Anzac, and but for a misfortune which occurred on 400 Plateau during the afternoon, the total number of casualties would have been small. About 3 pm however, some detachments in the front line near McCoy’s Hill were being pushed slightly forward to straighten the general alignment when a garbled verbal order was passed down the line to the 4th Australian Battalion to "join in a general advance". Without questioning the source of this order, three parts of the battalion, led by their commanding officer (Lieutenant Colonel A J Onslow Thompson) leapt from their trenches and, swinging left-handed, started to advance northwards along the summit of the plateau. No one in authority knew of this bold but unfortunate movement, which was in reality an advance up No Man’s Land between the Australian and Turkish lines. But it was soon noticed by the Turkish gunners near Chunuk Bair and on Gun Ridge, and very heavy casualties were suffered, including the commanding officer killed, before the remnants of the battalion were at last stopped on Johnston’s Jolly. It is reasonable to conclude that Arthur died somewhere between Plateau 400 and Johnson’s Jolly in that unfortunate charge. So much time passed after he was killed on the 26th April until he was buried as there was not a single break in the fighting until a temporary armistice was agreed to be observed on that day, the 24th May - when stretcher parties from both sides spent the whole day gathering up hundreds and hundreds of their fallen comrades. One can imagine what a terrible sight the very narrow area of ground between the Australian and Turkish lines must have presented. The effects that were returned to Arthur's father included a bag of curios, book of poems, housewife, razor in case, four handkerchiefs, brush, leather watch guard, key chain, comb, diary, money strap, Egyptian book, postcards, testament and gospel, three books, stretcher bearer's certificate, letters, two coins.