Three Australian officers at Gallipoli, identified from left to right: Lieutenant Roy Kernot of the 1st Division Engineers; Lieutenant Edward Stanley Whitehead of the 3rd Field Company Engineers and Lieutenant Louis Willyama Avery (later MM) of the 1st Division Engineers. The three friends were all associated with the Silverton Tramway Company in Broken Hill and survived the war.
Avery, Louis Willyama – July 1916
July 1
British attack on a large scale along the River Somme in France. We are sure to be drawn into this battle sooner or later, & we will see how the Aussies can take it from Europe’s best trained soldiers.
July 3
Left Tidworth for Bristol to visit Cousin Mary Mathews. Met Miss Joy Ashmead. She has promised to send me parcels & books. Very kind people & am much impressed by such spontaneous kindness. Can see I will have to keep an eye on these English girls…
July 17
… my first visit to London. We went to Australian Hd. Qrs, & drew out ?5. Caught train for Scotland. England is pitch dark at night on account of Zeppelin raids
July 18
Arrived at Kilmarnock … Stayed with Uncle Bob Wood.
July 19
Left by 9 a.m. train for Edinburgh with Aunt Janice to see Aunt Sarah Mc Kie & Cousin Madge. Arrived back at Kilmarnock at 11 p.m.
July 20
Left for Dumfries at 10 a.m to see Uncle Jack Bowie & Aunt Amelia. Left by 11 p.m. train for London.
July 21
Arrived in London at 8.30 a.m.& soon discovered what it feels like to be alone in London. Of course if you felt like it, it was perfectly obvious that you need not be alone for long. We are a curiosity & can easily make friends. Left Waterloo Station at 5.30 on return to Tidworth. The rest of the Engineers had already left for Christchurch near Bournemouth.
July 23
At 8.45 a.m left for Christchurch. This is an Engineers Training & embarkation depot. Should soon leave for France. There are many men here from my old Company.
