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 – May 1916
May 1st
Was not even boarded. Now transferred back to my same old ward at Ras-el-Tin, Alex. The ladies of the Harem are still to be seen. That is all.
May 2nd
Am feeling better already. The abdominal pains were due to Army rations. It is thought that a few weeks more convalescence should fix me up.
May 26th
Am thoroughly fed up & restless. Paraded before the Senior Medical officer for a final examination with a request to get me out of this place. The S.M.O. was sympathetic but has given me another week & see him again. I am now anxious to get to England & feel afraid of being left in Egypt. Some drafts have already been sent from Tel-el-Kebir. A few days ago I was looking at a map in a shop window when a voice behind me said “Are you looking for Sydney Harbour”? To hear a feminine voice in English was a great surprise, because there are very few English people in Alex, but every other language under the sun. The lady was a New Zealand nurse. It was very pleasant to be able to talk with someone from down under.
