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. image courtesy Australian War Memorial P00244.001
Avery, Louis Willyama – December 1915
Dec 13th
Since Sept 25th it has been a long hard fight, both for the Doctors & nurses, but they managed to hang on to me & succeeding in making me want to recover. That was difficult but I tried very hard. Today I was allowed to sit up for one hour. I had enteric, dysentery, jaundice & malaria.
Dec 14th
Sat up for 2 hours & feel a bit stronger.
Dec 15th
Walked a few paces today, but it caused the pulse to jump.
Dec 16th
Walked to yards today.
Dec 17th
Went before a Medical Board today & am boarded to leave for Australia on 28th by the White Star Liner Ceramic.
Dec 19th
Evacuation of troops from Anzac & Suvla Bay.
Dec 22nd
Pulse & temperature rising. Heart has weakened. Relapse set in & I was so looking forward to Xmas dinner, & to going on the boat next week. Just to think of having to go through the wretched business again is heart breaking. However I will battle through again with my spirit up & the flag flying.
Dec 25th
Am placed on a starvation diet this time by my new M.O. (Dr. Sprout [?] from Hobart) Barley water is about the only food. Sprout [?] is a pig, but is good to his patients.
