Diary: Sunday 1/8/15
At 9.30am we attended a Divine service on deck. We were then in sight of Malta. We stopped in the harbour about 11.30am. The town around the harbour is grand. The building are almost the same colour as the rocks it is built on. I think its name is Yelletta. We were in harbour for 6 1/2 hours. During this time natives came all around the ship selling cigarettes, cigars, shirts and silks while boys dived for money. This diving seemed very profitable. We left the Malta a little after six. A few of the City of London ???? who are stationed as a garrison and some wounded solders on a Hospital ship gave us a hearty send off. We soon got out to sea again wishing we could have stooped a day or so at Malta.
Diary: Monday 2/8/15
We did not get much good food today. It has turned slightly bade. i am told they have to throw whole sheep’s carcasses and a lot of vegetables over board. I was told off for guard today. I ??? at 10am. I had to see that the fresh water was not wasted.
27 Gumleigh Road
Northfield
Ealing W
August 2nd 1915
My Dear Lionel
A week has gone along + I haven't heard from you, I do hope you are getting on alright + I hope you were not sick, I miss your letters very much, it didn't seem true that you were going away from us all the week, we have been getting along about the same, I keep up the best way I can, Dad has been up to London with Fred + his motor. It is the holiday today. Fred had to work yesterday + today. Daisy and Nellie Hayes came here yesterday, they quite enjoyed themselves. Nellie is going back to the country today, I had a nice letter from Auntie, she wants to write to you so I think I had better send her you're address as soon as I can get ready I am going down to see Auntie.
Dad says Freddie can drive the motor alright, I am pleased he has got on like he has, dad is gone out on his own tonight so I do not mind staying in tonight + the weather out is not so grand. Dear Lionel tell us how you can stand the hot weather + how you liked the book + have you got those photos with you Edgar + Frank, + Dear Lionel I received the Regimental broach from St Albans, it is a very nice one + I do thank you so much for it, + tell us how Edgar + all the others you know are getting along, it is a year ago the war started. Dear Lionel if you want an undershirt I will try + get it for you, because you don't want to wear a flannel too long or it would get in a state, so you had better burn it if it gets to bad. Dear Lionel I don't think I can write any more this time may god bless + keep you safe with much love from
Dad + Fred + your ever loving Mother
xxxxx
Diary: Tuesday 3/8/15
The meal we were served up with dinner was awful, it nearly knocked one down. No one could eat it so they gave us some tinned brawn. This we also had issued out for tea. I was sick a little this evening. I think it was something to do with the food. We have had orders to get everything ready tonight as we are landing sometime tomorrow and shall be glad when we do get on Terra ferma.
3 / 8/ 15
55 Copythorn Road
North End
Portsmouth
My Dear Lionel
Just a few lines to you hoping you are still getting on alright, ("well" as well as the circumstances will allow). Please to say we are all fairly well at present, I have not heard from your mother lately, but I expect she has enough to do to write to you, I don't mind a bit as long as they are all right. Gwen is home again, she didn't have much of a holiday, it was wet most of the time, she only went down to the village a time or two. Irena + Hilda went away on Saturday (14th and they hadn't been gone long before a thunderstorm came up, (they did not get wet they said) but I expect they've changed the weather, for it thundered again today. Aunty Beaty is with us with little Fred, he is very amusing, Gwen and him are just gone to the Cappon theatre, and Aunty Beaty and Dad are gone to the Kings. Fred Shelly has returned to Windsor, he is not all right again now, Uncle Bill Deacon is working at Ca[??] works some where near Tavvies[??], he is lodging with her and Billy lives with [??], he drives one of Ed's Horses at Stone Cart, on Granite, or something like that, Auntie Marthia didn't like sending him to school any longer because he is so tall, Will Shelly works at Caeup[??] too, also Alf, Dorcus's husband, and Nell's chap, "Sam?", they are engaged so Gwen tells us (Nell and Sam), coming along aren't they ? I hope your Nellie is quite well, I expect she misses you, now you've gone right away. How is Edgar, please give our kind regards to him. Florrie is still in her place at Biscombe, her Mum had a letter from her this morning, she is quite well, and trying to make herself happy, although her fellow servant is leaving and the Mistress is rather irritable, Florry is [??] now, but I suppose you know that, she mentioned you in her letter, and Aunty Beaty sent her your address, sorry to say Dorcus scalded her foot, and the little baby is not very well, rather unfortunate just as Aunty Beaty is away. Sid has been in Harlem Hospital for ten days, he has had Exema, he missed his ship, so will go to another now. Dad and Fred went to see him last Sunday. I had a letter from Tommy on Tuesday, he said he was in the best of health, but would like to have some of the good old times again. Uncle Willie is still all right. Ernie and Aunt Lizzie are coming for a week in the beginning of Sept, Renie will send you the Boy's Friend the same as usual when she comes back.
Now Dear Li I will Bring my letter to a close, hoping God will bless and keep you safe from all harm, and help you to be brave, and give you the courage you need so much. I know that we at home can't imagine what it must be like, but Dear Li, we are always thinking about you, and praising you for your bravery in going your bit to keep us in safety. Now my Dear I will say good bye with all our very best love to you, believe me ever to remain your ever loving
Aunty F. Newman
xxxxx
Diary: Wednesday 4/8/15
This morning I got a job as washer up in the Sergeants Mess. I have never handled so much crockery in my life. It seemed an endless job. We sighted land about 6pm and we arrived in the docks of Alexandra at 7pm. It looks a very nice town from the water. We did not get such a good reception as we did at Malta. I saw a few natives that came to meet us in 'Dowhs' (boats). Nurses went on shore today to the Base [??].
Diary: Thursday 5/8/15
This morning I was detailed for guard again. I only went ashore once to take my kit bag and then only got as far as the quay. We were not allowed in the town. The natives [??] the ship and it was a bit of fun to see them, They always seemed as if they were rowing? The dock policemen are natives. If any of the natives do anything wrong the policemen take them up to the chief officer who is walking around and they receive one or two slashes across the back with a whip. The natives are dressed very badly, most of them only were a shirt. I can't say much about the women as I only saw one or two + they looked like bundles of rag tied up in the middle. The 5th Batt Essex Regt (who were in docks when we arrived yesterday) left about 5.30pm. We left soon afterwards at 7pm. About 120 men from our battalion were left at Alexandria for some purpose. It looked as if all the old crocks were left. Again we were disappointed at not having time to have a look around. Now I'll try and get a little sleep. The sea seems a bit rougher than it has been. I can see a few fellows being sick.
Dairy: Friday 6/8/15
I was 5th relief + I did my 4 hours guard from 2am till 6am and during that time I felt pretty bad. We passed an island on the portside, supposed to be 'Crete'. Nothing else of importance today.
Diary: Saturday 7/8/15
We had busy day today. Every man was issued out with 1lb of hard biscuits + 1 tin (12 ozs) of boned beef tea and sugar, rashers of bacon. These are emergency rations. Each man also had a new blanket + 200 rounds of ammunition. We also had to pack up a bundle of wood + put this with pack. I reckon they take us for pack ponies. We had our first pay day since we left England. I received a 10 note + had a devil of a job to change it. I had to spend 4 before I could change it. I nearly forgot. Edgar + I did our first day washing. We got on fairly well. we hung them on the side of the ship. I had fastened up a few things + was hanging up Edgar's shirts when I turned around + found my khaki shirt had gone for a swim. So some my money went for a new shirt. We stopped at an Island I think is 'Lemnos' rather late. Think this is our destination for a time. We got here about 9pm.
Diary: Sunday 8/8/15
Lemnos is a fairly large island + it has a large natural harbour. The land is very hilly + there are no signs of .....
(Part of Diary is Missing)
3603, L F King
'A' Company, No 4 Platoon
1/6th Essex Regt
161st Brigade
54th Division
B.M.E.F.
8/8/15
Dear Mother + Dad
Pleased to say I am getting on quite alright + that I am in the best of health. Will you send me a couple of books out each week, Tit Bits + a novel, Edgar is quite well. I shall try + write as often as possible. Nothing else to sat at the present. Remember me to Mrs T. Edgar wishes to be remembered to all. Au Revoir
I remain
Your Everloving Son
Lionel
xxxxxxx
9.8.15
55 Copythorn Road
North End
Portsmouth
My Dear Lionel
Just a few lines to you in answer to your kind and ever welcome letter, which we were all so pleased to receive, and so glad to hear that you were getting on pretty well. I am glad you were not very bad on the trip, it is such a horrible feeling to be seasick, we all keep talking about you and wonder how you are getting on, we are all fairly well at present. Gwen is at Aunt Lizzies for a fortnight, she's been gone a week, coming home next Saturday, and Reine and Hilda are going the same day, they will at White Parish for the weekend and then go on to Aunt Aggies for ten days (all being well). Aunt Beaty and little Fred are here, came on Saturday, Aunt Beaty is going to look after us here while Reine is away, Gwen said that Ernie isn't very well. I expect he has been working to hard haymaking, they haven't had a very bad hay season, it rains nearly every day. Sid has been on the sick list, nothing serious, only an abscess on his face, and a little eczema, he is leaving Hailan today. I had a nice letter from your Mother, I am so glad she came to see you before you left, please give our kind regards to Edgar. Dad, Reine, Aunty Beaty and myself send our very best love to you, and hope and trust you will be kept in safety and return to us safe and sound with fondest love
from Your loving Auntie F. Newman
Ta Ta xxxxxx
PS Kind love to Nellie when you write to her
27 Gumleigh Road
Northfield
Ealing
London W
August 9th 1915
My Dear Lionel
I was oh so very pleased to hear from you, I got your letter Saturday morning, Aug 7th, I am so glad that you was not very bad with seasickness, I did just about miss your letter. I had to wait 12 days, but I knew is wasn't any use to expect any, while you was on your way out. Mrs Townsend's Mother had to wait a month before she heard from her son, I am very glad I didn't have to wait a month. I do wonder where you are + how you are getting on, we are about the same at home, we are as well as can be expected considering you are away + may the Lord bring you home again safe. Freddie still drives about his motor + Dad still digs out at his laundry. I think Dad is reforming a bit, for he really do not act so horrid, he buys his Tobacco in those boxes now, like you brought + gave him. Our young rabbit is growing + our tom cat is quite alright except looking a bit rough. We are still having a lot of rain. Dear Lionel I haven't had the photos yet from St Albans, it is nearly 3 weeks since we had them taken, I expect they are extra busy that's why. Dear Lionel I haven't heard nothing from Nellie, have you, I hope I haven't said or done anything to offend her, if I have I am sorry. I am thankful Mrs Townsend is a women I can get on with, I would not get on so well as I do if I did not talk to some one + I help her out her trouble if I can anyhow. How are all the other boys that I know, was Edgar sick at all, I think I must close for this time. I haven't much news to tell you,
best love from Dad, Fred + your ever loving Mother
F King
xxxxxx
May God bless + protect you
xxxxx
Diary: Tuesday 10/8/15
Today we can hear the big guns from the ships. I saw several water planes. We have got on board about 50 Egyptian solders, they are attached to the RE[??] They brought on board with them about a dozen sheep + all their baggage. We are still awaiting orders + expect to land any [??]. I gave my mandolin to one of the stewards.
Diary: Wednesday 11/8/15
We were woke up at 4am this morning + told to dress. We had left the bay a quarter of an hour then. It was not long before we anchored again about 500yds from the shore. We had a good breakfast + at half past eight I was on the transport. This id like a large barge + 3 companies were crowded on to them. We left the ship about 9.30 am + we did not land till 12 noon.
27 Gumleigh Road
Northfield
Ealing
August 16th 1915
My Dear Lionel
Monday has come round again + I have only heard the once, it does seem funny not to hear from you for so long, I hope to soon hear from you again now. I hope + trust you are alright, we are all fairly well at home, dad has a bad hand, the door belonging to the boiler dropped on his hand + it is all bruised + swelled. He has gone to work but I was afraid he would have to come home again, but he hasn't. Freddie is still getting on with his motor driving. The weather seems to be dreadful, so much thunder + rain. How do you get on with the weather where you are?
We had Daisy to see us last Thursday, she is quite well + she asked for you + she read you letter + took your address, she is in sort of away because she has not heard from Arthur. Have you heard from Nellie, I haven't heard nothing of her + Dear Lionel have you got the receipt for the photos, because I haven't got it + the Photos have not come yet + I can't write to them because I do not know where to write to. Dear Lionel Bertie Townsend was in here yesterday + he wanted me to ask you if you would sell him your camera, if you are willing to let him have it tell me what money you want for it. Mrs Townsend is awfully good + she wished to be remembered to you. If all is well I am going up to Daisy's house on Sunday, I think now I must close with very best love from
Dad + Fred + your loving Mother
xxxx
God bless you and keep you safe
xxxxx
L F King 3603
No 4 Platoon 'A' Coy
1/6th Essex Regt
161st Brigade
54th Division
B.M.E.F.
20/8/15
Dear Mother + Dad
Please to say I am quite well. I hope you don't worry to much about me. I would write more often if I could. We have been in action once. Will you please write to Auntie + let her know how I am. This is all for the present God bless you all + may he keep me safe to see you all again soon
I am
Your Everloving Son
Lionel
xxxxxxxx
PS I have received no letters yet.
Roll of Honour.
The following list of those who have died for their country has been received this week:-
Private Frank Nye, of the 6th Essex, was killed at the Dardanellies on August 22nd. As an old Whitehall Place schoolboy, he was a general favourite with all; quiet, yet persevering, he was always a boy who could be relied upon in sport as well as work. He was one of the 1908 football team, which went through the whole season without a defeat. Now the whole of that team are playing a nobler game for their King and country. Joining last winter, Nye received his training at Stamford and Norwich, and at the beginning of August he left for the Dardanellies. He stay there was destined to be short, for in the midst of a sharp attack he fell mortally wounded. Our sympathies go out to his many friends and relatives at Forrest Gate.
Clipping from the Stamford Express
27 Gumleigh Road
Northfield
Ealing
London W
August 23rd 1915
My Dear Lionel
Just a line trusting you are quite well, I received your letter you wrote on the 8th of Aug , on the 21st, that was Saturday, I was so pleased to have your letter , but at the same time I was wondering if you were alright, for the sinking of the Transport on the 14th has unnerved me terrible, + you dare not tell us any news in your letters, makes it worse than ever for us at home, + it seems funny to think that should happen just as you had left home. I hope to goodness our Navy will guard all the other Transports better than they did that one. I do not feel the same as I did before that happened, but I should think we should soon know who's gone by the newspaper, what a terrible turn out, it is nearly everybody in trouble. Dear Lionel I will be pleased to send you the books + I must go on trusting I suppose, give my love to Edgar.
Dad's hand is very much better + Freddie is quite well, also the two cats + the rabbit + Mrs Townsend is just about the same, she is fairly good to try and buck me up + Daisy's Arthur us stationed at Woolwich so that he was able to see Daisy yesterday. I did not have to go when she had Arthur + I did not feel inclined so it was a good job I did not have to go. Dear Lionel the book is what Freddie bought for you is the Union Jack, wont do we will send you another. Yours and my photo is not come yet. They are a long time coming aren't they. I think that I have said all for this time,
best love to you from
Dad + Fred + you ever loving Mother
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
May God bless you and keep you safe
L F King 3603
No 4 Platoon 'A' Coy
1/6th Essex Regt
161st Brigade
54th Division
B.M.E.F.
24/8/15
Dear Mother + Dad
I received your two letters dated July 26th + Aug 2nd yesterday. You don't know how pleased I was with them. I am quite well, Edgar and the others here are alright. I am glad Fred has got on so well. Tell Daisy + others concerned that I would write to them but it is so inconvenient here. I am writing to Auntie at the same time as this. I hope you will have a good time at Pompey.
I read the book + it is very good. I left it in my kit bag. Well dear Mother this is all for the present. You must excuse the paper but I am running very short. God bless you all
I remain
Your Everloving Son
Lionel
xxxxxxxx
L F King 3603
No 4 Platoon 'A' Coy
1/6th Essex Regt
161st Brigade
54th Division
B.M.E.F.
Aug 30th 15
Dear Mother + Dad
I received your letter dated Aug 7th quite safe. I have only had your 3 letters. I have written to Nellie but had no reply. I don't know if I have done anything to offend her. I am getting on quite alright. We don't hear much news here. Dear Mother I have a bit of bad news poor XXXX was XXXX by a stray shot. All the others Edgar, Wallie, Harry + Bert are quite safe.
Do not send any parcels as they do not seem to get here safe. Tell Fred he will have to learn me to drive when I come home. I am glad Dad gets on alright at the laundry. I must close now. Hoping you are all in the best of health. Edgar wishes to be remembered to you
God bless you all
from
Lionel
xxx
Censored line in this letter should read "poor Frank was killed by a stray shot."
27 Gumleigh Road
Northfield
Ealing
London W
August 30th 1915
My Dear Lionel
Just a line hoping it will find you quite well, I was disappointed on Saturday because I did not get a letter from you for I have felt anxious since the loss of that Transport but something seems to tell me you are in the fighting, it makes it so bad because we can't get any news any sense. I wish you were able to tell us a little bit but I suppose we got to put up with it, we are getting on as well as we can. Dad + Fred keep up better than me. Fred is gone to London this afternoon. My letter seems to be rather poor but I got nothing to write about. I wish I could hear form you, I will send you on some more books, I haven't written to Auntie + I have not heard from her, we are getting some nice weather, I wonder how you are getting on. Mrs Townsend's brother is home again, his arm is shattered, they are gone to see him this afternoon. Dear sonny I hope you will excuse this letter, it is not like I would like it to be, may the Lord keep you safe well. I think I must draw my letter to a close, best love
from Dad + Fred +
Your loving Mother
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
love to Edgar
NEWS OF "THE SIXTH"
We have received the following letter from Pte. C. Grange, 4238, "A" Company 6th Essex Regiment, British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, dated August 30th:-
Dear Sir, Am sure all our friends and relatives will welcome news from us out here. As you will already have heard, we received our baptism of lyddite immediately on landing, and since then we have had a high old time. It's a curious sort of feeling when one first goes under fire. Just imagine that someone is trying to smash you to atoms, and succeeds in killing a pal beside you. Well, that is really what happens, so I expect and hope that I shall be forgiven if I say I trembled, and felt like a kid for about four hours. However, the feeling soon wears off, and now shrapnel, etc., doesn't interest me at all, and my comrades cook their meals and chatter just as they did at camp when they were only "Saturday night soldiers." That slur is surely wiped out by the heroism out here. Operations out here are far different, I should imagine, from those in France. The country is every yard a veritable death=trap of ravines and rock. Of course the latter affords splendid cover, and, needless to say, it is where we spend most of our time - and enemy snipers, too. Those snipers paint themselves green, pack up enough grub for a month, and prowl round at night and finish up for good about two days later, through the efforts of some venturesome Australian. The Australians are fine specimens of men. When they shake hands with us we feel as a suckling infant compared with 'em. They roam aimlessly round the firing line with a rifle slung round their backs. Wearing knickers and a slouch hat, fearing nobody, and, strange to say, they seldom get hurt, or anyhow, round our neighbourhood. Well I'm afraid this is getting a bit too much for the censor. Please let our friends in Stratford know that we are keeping up the traditions of a fine regiment, though we have suffered somewhat heavily. If anybody at home feels a bit generous, they will greatly aid us by sending the "Stratford Express," or any local news by letter. Acid tablets and cigarettes are as good as machine guns here, so powerful are the results. Well, good luck to all at home, wishing you all luck and success is the sincere wish of yours faithfully,
CON. GRANGE
N.B. - If anyone at home cares to write to me, I shall only be too pleased to correspond if they enclose writing material for a reply.
Newspaper clipping from the Stratford Express (date unknown) written by Con Grange, a soldier in the same company as Lionel.