Terrell, Frederick Leopold – September 1915

1 September Wednesday
A very quiet day nothing much doing… At 8 P.M the Turks took a fit into their heads that they would drive us into the sea, so they attacked our left flank in mass formation. Which proved very disastrous to them, as our Batteries on the hills simply mowed them down … The whole affair was finished at 9.15P.M

2 September Thursday
… expected to work our usual 5 hour watch, But as usual our white livered head made us work until midnight, But not without a strike as we all knocked off and told the officer what we thought of him and then carried our work like mere machines…

3 September Friday
… During the course of the morning we had some heavy shelling just a few hundred yds from our camp…

5 September Sunday
Had fairly heavy time of shelling…One shell was responsible for laying 4 of our chaps out, This now makes 6 which have been hit, Our luck seems to have changed somewhat for the worse…

6 September Monday
…Had the misfortune to lose one of our C.P.Os, he being killed instantly with a shell his funeral was at 8.P.M. and the silence of the ceremony was very impressive

7 September Tuesday
… We got shelled almost all last night, as a result of hundreds of troops landing. The place is swarming with them again…Posted letters home and to Clara. A mail came in yesterday but nothing for me…

8 September Wednesday
Received some good news today, A Turkish battery had been in position about ½ an hour and had just played 2 beautiful shots in our midst when the Swiftshore fired 2 of her 10 inch and blew the 8 inch battery to pieces… There has been 2 mails this week but nothing for me. I am afraid I am doomed not to get any…

10 September Friday
… Received another mail, 1 from Milt Bawden, 1 from Clara 15th July, 1 from mother 15th July 1 from Arthur Paternoster…

11 September Saturday
The weather is getting more wintery every day it will not be long before we are having some sharp weather Went to draw water and was only allowed half rations, so have to be very careful…

14 September Tuesday
very chilly day, the bombardment that was started sunday still continues… Received socks from Clara today after I had posted letters…

17 September Friday
Another week gone and still no sign of peace. It is looking like a winter campain. And am beginning to feel the effect of the weather as I am feeling very unwell, almost too bad to be working…

18 September Saturday
… went to the doctor who exempted me from all duties Whilst at the sick bay, I experienced what a rain of shrapnel is and can tell whilst the shelling lasted it was like hell as the dust was sent flying in all directions…

19 September Sunday
… I have been too weak to do anything. There are great numbers of troops landing here again, mostly Canadian and Newfoundlanders, a fine stamp of chap

22 September Wednesday 1915
… Things are practically at a standstill and the outlook is not too bright. There is a great chance of failure I consider, though the public eye is being screened from the fact.

24 September Friday
Work hard all the morning trying to warm myself up but it was impossible for the wind is terrible, enough to cut one through. Received a letter from Clara dated 25 July…

29 September Wednesday
… Received good news of the war in France, and have heard the incessant roar of shell fire from Shanac for the last four days

30 September Thursday
The end of month I did not think this time last year that I should be spending September in Suvla Bay, One knows not what is before him
Johnny the Turk has been very quiet, and we have been very busy landing reinforcements of all sorts of Regiments…

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