Terrell, Frederick Leopold – October 1915

1 October Friday
The most perfect morning one could wish for, But how much longer this good weather is going to last one cannot tell. The Bombardment of the Narrows still continues and the bursting of shells on the range east of same can be seen quite distinctly from Kangaroo Beach Suvla Bay

2 October Saturday
… During the course of the morning I had the misfortune to get a piece of shell in my eye. I had dinner and stood off all the afternoon…

3 October Sunday
An ideal day but like all Sundays here, they are no different to other days, During the afternoon we had a very lively time shelling as some very high explosives were flying around…

4 October Monday
A terrible bombardment still going on in the Narrows… The Prince George fired 12 inch shells these fellows shift things

5 October Tuesday
…There appears to be nothing in the shape of an advance being made Received news today that Bulgaria had taken the offensive against Allies

6 October Wednesday
Had a view of the Prince George. being hit with Turkish shell … fortunately no one was killed…

7 October Thursday
Feeling a little off colour today nothing worth reporting, only I would like to get a letter very much as I am anxious to know how my dear ones are getting on,

11 October Monday
Had an exciting days shelling the Shrapnel accounted for 58, 2 being killed..

13 October Wednesday
… Received letters from from Clara dated 5^th & 11th August and 2 from home. Our Anti Aircraft gun got on to a Taube airoplane today disabling it to such an extent that it had to alight half way between Turkish and English lines

14 October Thursday
A report to hand today that the English troops succeeded in Blowing the Turkish machine to pieces. This happens to be the first time our Anti Aircraft Gun has had an opportunity of firing and made good use of it. Shrapnel has had a deadly effect about here this last few days putting close on 100 men out of action including several killed

15 October Friday
After a very dreary nights sleep went to doctor and was put on light duty which consisted of messenger duties for day…Went to see doctor at 5 oclock to get my hands dressed, this has to be done twice a day…

16 October Saturday
Went to Get hands dressed during the early part of the morning I had the pleasure of seeing a very brave bit of work done by the enemies airman who came over us at a very low level, he was at once fired on, he naturally made off but to our utter surprise returned, and got a worse reception than before, and escaped unhurt.

17 October Sunday
The result of enemy airiplane [sic] observation we are now beginning to feel as there is a terrible heavy artillery duel been going on all day… Still on sick list. Wrote to Clara…

18 October Monday
… The weather is what I like not too cold and not too warm, Went to doctor again and had dysentery with my sore hands as well, I am a real wreck this last week …

20 October Wednesday
Still on sick list the weather getting very cold. Had one of our chaps named Folington sentenced to 90 day so detention in Malta Barracks for striking a leading seaman …

23 October Saturday
A very bleak cold day…feeling more like an ice being than a live person.

24 October Sunday
…All the afternoon we had off to do our washing and mending, Which needed doing badly. This is the first opportunity we have had for over 5 weeks. And made most of it, for we do not know when we get another

25 October Monday
…We had reinforcements arrive today 12 all told. News received that Japan Greece & Roumania had declared war on Turkey & Bulgaria

26 October Tuesday
…Received bad news today of the sinking of the Minniopolis in the vacinity of Mudros, she was full of New Zealand troops and most of them perished

29 October Friday
… One thing gave me a surprise today and that was to see our Commander come out of his dug out and take charge of his men, This is the first time this has happened as he is what we term a dug out king, he has never hardly been seen outside

30 October Saturday
… Received news that we will soon be making a move either to Salonika or to Anzac. Which of these two remains to be seen for we rarely know anything until the last minute.

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