The following is a transcript of a communication which it is assumed was made available to the troops on

the Arawa which Leslie sent home to his family on 11 November 1914:

Exit the Emden09/11/1406.31am10/777 Pte W.P.Falconer, 6th Wellington Infantry Regiment on wireless duty on H.M.N.Z.T.ARAWA picked

up from Cocos Island "S.O.S." and "Strange Warship at entrance" sent repeatedly. He woke Wireless

Operator Rew. In a few minutes the Emden tried to block message by continuous interruption. Rew tuned

his receiver differently and managed to keep reading Cocos' message through Emden's block. He

immediately reported to the Naval Transport Officer and tried to get the Melbourne also the Maunganui, but

other stations working blocked the message.

06.45amWaimana said, Maunganui. "Signals quite good", but could not get The Maunganui

06.50amSignalled successfully to the Maunganui by semaphore.

07.04amMaunganui got message through to the Melbourne.

07.10amH.M.S. Sydney left for Cocos Island,

09.32amH.M.S Sydney sending code messages, Emden trying to block by sending at the same time 09.47amEverybody ordered to stop signalling

11.07amH.M.S. Sydney to H.M.S. Melbourne "Emden beached to save herself from sinking."

11.27amH.M.S. Sydney to H.M.S. Melbourne "Pursuing merchant collier."

11.29amH.M.S. Minoteur first spoke asking for movements of enemy

11.41amH.M.S. Sydney to All Stations "Emden beached and done for."NoonBritish casualties 2 killed and 13 wounded.

10/11/1406.15amH.M.S. Melbourne reports to "Ibuki."

No further apprehension re "Emden" ashore on North Cocos Foremast and 3 funnels down and she has

surrendered, while Sydney is intact and proceeding to Direction Island. Do not know when she will rejoin

convoy. She is remaining to take off all guns and will probably land wounded prisoners on Direction Island.

She is also to report on condition of cable.

The "ARAWA" was the only ship out of 38 Transports and 4 to pick up the message.

10/11/14 -

Posted in Indian Ocean 10/11/14.

Warships

Pay day tomorrow

We only get 1/- day and remainder in England perhaps.

12/1/15 Zeitoun Camp, Cairo Egypt. Dated at back of letter 18/2/15

Dear Litty

Thanks so much for your nice letter I received it today just a few minutes ago after tea and was so glad to

see the writing. At first glance I wondered what young lady it could be from of course I could easily pick that

it was a “young lady’s" handwriting.

I do so hope that you pass your Xaminashun (examination) nicely and with plenty to spare just to be a bit

better than brudder [brother] Les, the only thing he could pass is a 'telegraph post' eh?

Well kiddie I'll just start right in to tell you what we do during the day but you must promise to hand it round

the fambli [family](you don't know that word). But before I start I must tell you that a young man was asking

me if you were still as naughty as you used to be, you didn't tell me about this sweetheart of yours, you

must have a lot, this one was "Alf East" and he asked after everyone. I met him one night at a place in

Heliopolis called "Luna Park", which is just like Wonderland only about twice as much to see and do. Well

we had a great time together that night, you ought to write to him dear he'd like a letter from you I'm sure he

would, his address is C/- N.Z. Medical Corps.

Now to business: At 5.30am Reveille, Stabbs [Stables] at 6 that's grooming and feeding etc and it lasts until

7, then breakfast about 7.30, then Boot and Saddle at 8, that means a half hour to parade and to get

horses saddled up and harness cleaned up and yourself all ready for parade. Then parade at 8.30 then we

go out into the desert about a mile or so and manoeuvre, that is, come into and go out of action in various

positions then we come in again at 11 for Stables again which last till 12 then dinner about 12.30 parade

again 2pm. This time we are timed for harnessing up 20 horses (3-6 horses and 2 hacks), hooking up (horses together) and hooking in to vehicles numbering of the subsection and all numbers mounted.

Fastest time is so far for us is 4 minutes 27 seconds. English Regular Army record is 4 minutes 7 seconds

so its not so bad for us “Cox’s' Army" is it?

Well in the afternoon we do practically the same as morning Stables at 4-5 then tea 5.30 then we've

finished for the day and unless you are on duties you may go into Cairo or anywhere else. I Piastre = 2½

pence second class [train travel], ½ Piastre third class single, so we generally go there but we have to be in

again by 10 o'clock. On Saturdays sometimes we get a half-holiday and Sundays the same 'cos really we

can't go out until 12.30 'cos church parade 9.30, Stables 11-12 then dinner so you can see though its a

holiday, according to the orders its really only a change.

Oh I must tell you about this, on Tuesday a week ago today we went out into the desert at 1.30 taking with

us only what we would were we on Active Service. That is 1 blanket and 1 pair drawers (unless wearing

them) folded up in the oil sheet and strapped on the vehicle you sit on. Mess tin, water bottle full of tea,

must be tea or coffee. Haversack containing shaving gear (no soap), knife, fork, spoon, toothbrush comb

(no brush) all in ‘hold-all’’, 1 towel, 1 piece soap (for washing & shaving) and whatever rations you like. 1

and 1/4lb meat, 1lb bread, 4½oz butter or equivalent in jam (seen no butter for 4 weeks). Then our

overcoats with 1 pair sox in pocket, muffler or sea cap in other pocket & jersey rolled up, whole rolled up &

strapped on behind where we sit that is all that is taken besides what is worn.

Well we left at 1.30 co-operating with the Wellington Infantry Regiment action then went out further and

bivouacked the night leaving at 8 next morning and more manoeuvrers and return home 3.30pm. I am

attaching a plan of a bivouac for your curiosity is aroused I know.

Insert PLAN

That is the plan you see. The men sleep under the vehicles. There is absolutely no news except that I shall

most likely be cabling home for some money, if so please see that it comes out of my own money.

Everything is going on very smoothly and a fair chance of promotion is been hinted at several times but

that’s all. Bestest Love to all hope Dad & Art had good time over at Sounds.

Yours Lovingly

Leslie Gower.

The following is a footnote attached to Leslies letter. It is assumed to be written by his father ?

“Leslie's number is 458 not 459. We received a cable from him on Sunday for a "fiver" [Five Pounds] he is

well. He asked me to send on to you any of his letters, which are at all descriptive as they get little, time to

write long letters. Please return”.

Note on rear of last page “Got the Christmas Cable thanks muchly “

Saturday 23 Jan 1915

Dear Mum & Dad,

Thanks for the letters, I get them pretty regularly now about every Wednesday a mail arrives, one week it’s

an English mail and the next it’s a NZ one. The reason is that on account of no business there are two

companies who run a boat each once a month thereby giving us a mail every fortnight.

I got a letter from George and one from Elsie last week and although its very nice to receive letters its

awkward when you remember that they are to be answered but I've sent PC's [Postcards] and letters to

them before so the will be missed this time.

If I can save up enough for a weekend cable I'll send for some money for a present for Cis & Rosie (and

other things) that's a nice way of putting it isn't it. Money goes very quickly here, things are reckoned to be

cheap here but I don't see it. The biggest hurdle to get over is the "Piastre" you see a thing labelled 1

Piastre and think that its very cheap for 1 penny but at the end of the week you find out that you've been

reckoning Piastres as pennies instead of 2 & ½ pence all the time.

We had some live shell practice yesterday 10 rounds per gun. I had the post of honour on our gun Head?

Layer" and nearly got the "tar shaken out of me” as the saying is. I noticed "Tom Ray" in the N.Z.

contingent from home, he used to sail in the "Ruihi" when Jamieson's had her.

I'm sorry I was not home for Cis's wedding ‘cos well for dozens of reasons but never mind I'll be right there

for Tisserine's eh? Its hard luck Cis getting married isn't it ‘cos now I'll have to write a separate letter to her

whereas before I just had to write to "Dear all". You see I'm still as big a dodger as ever, this "sodgering”

[soldiering] doesn't break you of a habit like that it tends to bring out all the astuteness.

Last Saturday night we gave a small concert at the Egyptian State Railways. Institute (Rangiora Institute) at

which I sang a couple of songs which were encored (of course). In camp at the mess room concerts they

call out for the boy with the baby voice that me. I never knew before that I had such a gentle voice, in fact

at home I'd often been told just the reverse.

Just fancy little Litty being in the fifth standard, I can hardly believe it she must be quite a young lady now.

If so, I doubt very much whether I'll be back in time to see her married ‘cos she grows up so fast. Has she

put her hair up yet?

Cigarettes are about the cheapest things here. Melachrino 25 for 3Pt (7d) Abdullah 25 for 4Pt & Flag made

by W.D. & H.O. Wills 1Pt for 10. There are few or none "Three Castles” here and in Colombo it was the

same. "Scissors" were the brand in there made by Wills also, they'd need to be cheap ‘cos everyone here

smokes them to excess.

The latest craze here is vaccination, everyone has to be done. So far beyond a slight itchiness it has had

no effect upon me although there are dozens whom are in hosp. with it and as soon as we are over this lot

they're going to inoculate us for diphtheria I believe. So what with the dose we got on the boat and these

lots I think that if it is what it is reported to be I'll be O.K. eh? The only thing that they can't or won't cure

here is sore throat and cold which one has continuously here, ‘cos you come home wet through no time to

change even if you had the clothes then by the time that it is very cold like a Southerly morning in

Wellington and just as cold in the mornings until 9 o’clock so its very easy to catch a chill then for Stables

6-7 and 4-5 we are not allowed to wear our tunics so unless you have a large tunic that will fit over jersey ?

You don’t get time to put one on.

We are having a half holiday today so Stabbs at 11-12 and I have dodged away to write this (mail closes at

1.30 Monday) and they’ve just finished feed for the horses and ours comes on next on sent so I must go

now.

Best love to all specially that young rascal Litty From Leslie

Saturday 30th Jan. Egypt Note at rear of letter Rec March 23 23-3-15

Dear Mum,

It seems rotten not to be able to tell you any news but that is unfortunately the case. We are not allowed to

tell anything of interest so of course our letters must be very dry. I got a letter from J Andrews last week

inviting me there, I will enclose it. I answered him tonight.

We did some more shooting the other day and after eight shots the four targets were invisible and the

trenches were filled with bullets, so it was fairly effective wasn't it eh?

Well there's nothing to say cept that the reinforcements have arrived an old chum from Newtown school

whom I've not seen since then and Jack Robinson are in there.

Love to all & Cis from Your loving Son Leslie

Friday 25th Febry ’15 Note at rear of letter Rec 6-4-15Helmia Camp Egypt

Dear Everybody

Thank you very much for the paper of 15 Jan. It was quite a sight I can tell you to see a newspaper from

NZ especially the old “Post” that by the way was the only mail I received this time but I’ll get a bigger dose

next time I expect.

I cabled for 5 Pounds last week ‘cos I want to buy some few things and there is every prospect of our

leaving here soon in fact I expect that we’ll have shifted before you receive this so I’ll also want some

money to start with when we arrive at the second stage of our journey hence the cable.

So far we have had no replies to our first letters from Egypt or even those posted at Suez but they’ll all

come in good time I expect and I wouldn’t be a wee bit surprised if we were to move off before the next

mail arrives.

We have a big Divisional day every Friday and today (I am on guard) the Battery has just moved off to co-

operate with the Australians against the forces just returning from the Canal. There were about 30 New

Zealanders who actually took part in the scrap down there and they were from Nelson way. Going by all

accounts there is a bonny hum (smell) down there and feet and hands sticking out of the sand and they say

it’s great and so it must be.

I'm sorry that I can't write more just now 'cos times so limited. If we don't get some sleep when we have our

watch, off we go to sleep when we're on and then what oh!

Aurevoir

Bestest love from Les.

Friday 12 Mar. Helmia Camp Egypt Note on rear of letter Rec 20-4-15

Dearest Mum,

Thanks for your two letters one on 25th Jan and the other 1st Feb. There is not the slightest need for you to

worry yourself about me I'm O.K. (Orl Korrect) and weigh 12 stone 3 Ibs. I'll soon be up to up to you eh?

How's little "Mrs Lard" eh? I suppose the envelope that was not my writing was the Censors so that’s all

right. I didn't send you the wrong letter did I. Was it a very loving one.

Oh thanks for the money very much it came through the Defence people the best way in fact the only way

‘cos we might have shifted and then finish as the niggers say.

I'm afraid that word from me will be few and far between in future 'cos we're leaving here for a scrap next

week so the General has informed us.

Have just come in from a 15 mile trek walked from 7.15 am till 1.30 pm then from 2 till 3.30 then came

home and arrived here at 6 o'clock so am dead tired but fit allzesamey. [all the same?]

Bestest love to everybody from Lesilie.

Monday 14th Mar. Helmia Camp Eygpt Notes on rear 14-3-15 27-4 15 rec p.c 18.5.15

Dear Arthur

Thanks so much for your nice letter of 11th February, it was so characteristic of you. I'm so glad you've

started work, what do you think about it, do you like it, of course you won't just to start with but after awhile

when you've got the hang of the work you've got to do you'll enjoy it I'm sure. I'm so sorry that I can't write a

very long letter this time 'cos we're all busy getting ready to move away from here. One day last week we

had Reveille at 2.30am and started out at 3 o'clock. We went about 15 miles and then the battle started.

We took up five positions and then came home, started about 3 o’clock and arrived home about 6 o'clock

so you see we had a big day that day.

I got a letter from Cis today. I don't know what has happened this week we got a mail on Wednesday and

one on Sunday too so I'm blowed if I know what things are comin' to now-a-days.

Just fancy Harry's being engaged, you didn't tell me who the young lady is. In case I forget tell Cis that Don

Morris is here and wishes to be remembered to her. I was out last night with some boys to a musical

evening at an Egyptian doctor's place and met him there. There are a lot of people here called Coptic's,

they are Egyptians who are Christians and they nearly all speak English. It was very funny there. I had

some cigarettes, and on one side of the packet was Arabic writing and on the other English. So I was

looking very hard at the Arabic and one girl asked me if I could speak Arabic (Irita arif Araby) so I said

(Anna arif Araby musquits) I speak Arabic not well). So she asked me to read what was on the packet then

I turned over the packet and saw the English and so read the Arabic then of course they were quite

surprised that I could read as well as speak it. Good Gag eh? Bestest love to everybody

from Leslie

Great joke about May or Maj eh ?

Sunday 27th Mar. Helmia Camp, Eygpt. Notes on back 27-3-15 rec 27-4-15

Dear All

I write at you hoping you are well as it leaves me at present except for a plastered head the result of a kick.

I was going through the horse lines and one hard-case of a horse bumped me into another. The horse

resented this method of approaching her so she let fly with both her hinds, one got me in the ribs and the

other on the side of the ‘ed and sent me flying about three yards just like a comet. I believe it was very

funny, It's lucky how I escaped so lightly but as soon as I felt that she was going to kick I ran into her or

rather fell towards her 'cos I couldn’t possibly have got clear enough to miss it. Well the doctor reckoned

that it saved me - well never mind I had 3 days off on that account so I'm quite satisfied.

The Maoris arrived here at 9 o'clock on Friday night and the remainder of the troops have been coming in

dribs and drabs until today when the last arrived bringing 80 horses for our Brigade and a lot of roughies

they are too. About half of them have colds, some very bad, some more got strangles and the majority

lampas? I think that’s the way to spell it, they get lumps under the jaw and can't eat hard food very much

like mumps.

We’ve be going away tomorrow for the last fortnight but have been prevented by a large French force

arriving at Alex and blocking things up generally at least so rumour has it. The latest rumour is that we're

going to Roumania (remain here) but we can't do that 'cos we'd all be dead with the heat you see we've not

been issued with drill khaki uniform and those units who have been detailed to stay have been.

We've got a hard case chaplain here. Bush King, one night he was running a concert here and in

apologising for the non-appearance of someone he started off "Ladies & Gentleman" which caused a roar

but he put it off by saying that there was at least one Lady here "Madam Rumour". Very good eh or as the

niggers say, "Iuies keteer". I'm sorry that I can't write any more at present but many happy returns to Arthur

on his birthday and to anyone else who is having or has had one this year.

Your loving son and brother

Leslie.

Undated noteWould you please send a pair of sox thick ones every month cos we can't buy thick woollen ones here

everything is either cotton or silk. Les.

25/1/15

The Infantry are (is) is leaving at 9 tomorrow for the canal in full war kit on account of a Camel Corps being

slathered up and a number being finished and so we expect our orders tonight. Anyhow you'll hear before

this reaches you. Love Les.

6/7/15

Dear All,

As you'll see I'm still alive very much so but of course you'll not be surprised at that 'cos you've heard that

the Turks can't shoot for nuts & although a few of us got hit it is only by the shell that came our way 'cos

they don't know where else to go if they're aimed at us well it’s exceptional bad shooting cos I don't

suppose 5% of them burst close enough to us to make it dangerous in fact by the way they send them over

and shout they either haven't seen us and are searching or else they've seen the flashes of the guns and

it is a recognised thing that its almost an impossibility to range a battery by that mans. We are the only

Colonial troops here the others of Brigade in fact everyone but out little battery are up at Anzac Cove a wee

bit north of Gaba Tepe. I'm sending a "Peninsular Press" our daily paper but I don't know whether the

Censor will pass it or not it might be valuable later on.

I have just had a few envelopes sent over. So am using them all up at once otherwise someone else will.

We are still getting pretty good tucker but its always the same old menu, now and again we start at the

bottom & go up for a change but it’s not the success it might be. I won't turn my nose up at bread pudding

any more and any other fads of mine have been lost, its either take what you are given or else. All the

same its good stuff here and the only complaint is - no green stuff or no change.

Best love to all

From your loving son

Leslie.

Dear All

How are you all keeping out in dear old N.Z. One wouldn't believe how dear a few dirty old streets &

buildings become to anyone until he is away from them. Things are very quiet here now (we haven't fired

for five days, this is the sixth). The canteen at the base has been closed & another: person is, I think,

opening, the sooner the better ‘cos I'm out of shaving soap & toothpaste and its too long to wait 2 or 3 days

before shaving, well just a wee bitty.

Would Mother please send some of my money to England to be kept for me by some of my relations, she

will know best which is the most suitable, nearest to (unknown location). If she would it is much nearer to

me than New Zealand. Egypt is only a fortnight away by post and that is where we'll go to I think unless

France, so if she would send it pretty soon & let me know in 3 consecutive letters who the addressee is

there would be more chance of letters reaching me. They sometimes go astray and it’s no wonder either.

I've not much idea of the value of money in England but it would be for amusements and small trips mainly

I should judge of course if the war should finish would get clothing etc to bring home but it would be no use

to me now. I suppose about £10 would do, you'd have a better notion than me so don't let that suggestion

carry much weight.

There is a chance of your having done something in this line already but dad will understand and know

exactly what it is I'd like. We've been getting just praise for our shooting and its only necessary to speak to

the infantry and you soon think you're a real marvel the way they open out. But of course that’s "non to do

wid me" its our O.C. We've just to do as we're told its all mechanical at our end. There's a good bit of

dysentery and diarrhoea going round the whole forces in fact its uncommon you are if you don't suffer the

latter. I think its all on account of the flies cos they're round you in myriads, you 'can't keep them off your

food. A slice of jam and bread is green with them in well before you've put it down and they'll often fly into

your mouth after a piece the Lord only knows where they've been previously. Then just below us on the

beach there are 12 dead horses within 3/4 mile to be buried. They're well blown up, look something like as

if Litty’s been at them with a bike pump and you can guess what the stink is like, worse than when you get

Palliser to share a cask of C.L.O. They have a party on to remove these horses but its not large enough,

they have been there for 10 days at least. Apart from petty grievances of this sort, things are going very

well & contentedly. One bit of fun, an officer just arrived has gone through a list of first aid so he "taps"

those who have "dia" & um's & ah's and says "take that" (Brandy) everyone's sick.

13/7/15

Have just received Mum's 3 letters 11-27/5 & 4/6/15 and Arthur's 17/5 also Auckland Weekly also two

parcels, sox and Mo-Jo and “by gum its good, quite the bestest I've even tasted”. I was just going to write

and ask you to send some along occasionally just for a change. We had a big scrap here a couple of days

ago and the infantry did well all along the line we had some pretty close shaves too "high xplozif" and the

scrub about 100 yards in front of us was set afire what oh! We were firing at intervals of 20 seconds then

the fire became so bad that the left section had to stop so that meant twice as much for us to fire. However

we kept on until it got too ‘ot and then we had to take what scrub was still left off the vehicles and put the

fire out. In the end ours was the only gun that was really affected, one wagon being burnt pretty badly (had

to be replaced that night and a good quantity of stores lost. It’s great fun trying to put the fire out and

shrapnel and "xplosif" still comin’ over strong, its something worth doing, you get so engrossed that you

don't think of the risk. Anyhow the gun was in action very shortly afterwards and is still going strong. The

only gun in the Battery by the way that hasn't been overhauled at the base absolutely OK sweet as a nut. I

was just having a boscar feed of steak and onions fried by myself, we get fresh meat for that use about

once a week, well it was just cooked when the mail came - result cold feed - but it was good all the same. I

forgot to say that I'd received 2 Posts and a Dominion. Is the I.H. Anderson in the casualty lists the one who

used to cake- walk behind the counter, ask Cis?

Bestest love to all specially that hard case Litty

Leslie.

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 9-5-1915Dear Mum

Ashore 5 days before Arts’ birthday late at night shrapnel bursting all round us now but very few near

enough to hit. No casualties in Battery yet. No rain sun all the time good tucker – bacon, bully, biscuits and

jam. Had swim today in sea? Don’t be alarmed at no letters OK. Getting good at gymnastics ducking into

trenches when we hear a specially wicked whizz. Aeroplane flights ten times daily for the special benefit of

troops, good fun here after the first day or two. Best love to all. Tell George and Sis also. Ask George for

stuff to put in water bottle to make water fit for drinking. Water very suspicious? Dysentery likely.

Your loving son Leslie

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 29-5-1915Dear All

Living well here, bacon once a week, 2-oz rum, 1/8 pt [pint] twice a week, still plenty of food & good stuff

Very hot here all the time

Best love to all

Leslie

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 26-5-1915Dear Mum

Everything OK. Got my safe position: good food & plenty only wet twice bit xciting at times

Love to all

Loving son

Leslie

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 4-6-1915Dear All

Still having a fair time had to go way up forward with a telephone wire last night rotten job coming back is

the worst in the dark the Turks were expecting something I think. Anyhow we’d run for about a hundred

yards and then they started so we had to duck for about half an hour it was rotten while it lasted but now it

seems like good fun. Food still very good and good weather. I swim in the sea every day.

Best love to all, Cis and George

From Les

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 11-6-1915Dear All

Thanks for the mail, sox and? Paper. Still having a fair time here the only trouble is jam, one tin for four

days and it generally goes in one or two meals, get bread every day now about 6 or 8 oz a day good stuff

too. Sorry you’ve got rheumatics so badly I had it in left shoulder one night and it gave me a fit but it is OK

now.

Best love to all

From Les

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 23-6-1915Dear All

Thanks for yours of 5/5 received last night also paper of 5 th containing supplementary casualties list would

like you to send all NZ casualty lists across because we only hear of casualties that occur in our own

Battery. Heard that George was anticipating a move to Westport or that locality, from a Westport girl but

have had no word from him for quite a while. Got a letter from Harry last night and one from Elsie two mails

ago but no word of it then. Still getting good rations bread, biscuits, jam and bacon (one slice per man per

day) but it’s good. Nothing much just at present, trench bombarded two days ago for about 10 hours it was

a great sight. I went forward for three days not long ago and the first night the Turks sent in a lot of Jack

Johnsons. It seems that each Army goes mad for a while at times and kicks up a roar of smoke and dust

sometimes with success sometimes otherwise but when it’s only an unlucky shot that gets one and so

we’ve been lucky in the extreme here. Witnessed an aerial scrap.

Les.

Post Card from Leslie from Gallipoli dated 2-Jul-1915Dear George

All OK here, good weather and food and plenty of it. Good time here except at nights when the bullets

come over in hundreds at times

Best love to all

Les

The following news item is an extract from the Peninsula Press of May 19 1915 which Leslie sent home to

his parents. He added his own little note to this extract, which pointed out, was referring to Anzac Cove,

North of Gaba Tepe.

PENINSULA PRESS.

No. 7. Wednesday, May 19, 1915 Official News.

Turkish Attack on the Australians.

Last night and this morning two determined attacks were made on the Australian position. The first attack

began at midnight and was easily repulsed; The second started at three in the in the morning and

continued until 10 am, and was strongly pressed with heavy rifle and machine gun fire, supported by guns

of every calibre from 9.2 downwards,

General Liman von Sanders, the German leader personally directed tile operations for which two fresh

divisions, numbering from 15,000 to 20,0000 men had been brought from Constantinople. These troops are

dressed in light uniforms, which seems to suggest that the supply of khaki is exhausted.

Both attacks failed, though the Turks displayed great bravery and determination advancing in masses to be

mowed down by our fire. After the last assault had failed the enemy kept up an incessant musketry fire all

day but did no damage.

Daylight showed the Turkish dead lying in heaps in front of our trenches. In one spot eight acres were

covered with them and the dead alone can safely be put down as no fewer than 2000. Including wounded

the enemy’s losses must exceed 7,000. Our men are very pleased with the nights work and only hope the

Turks may come on again and that General Liman von Sanders may direct their attack.