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War Diary Ernest Bertwistle
War Diary of Ernest Bertwistle 1914-1916
War Letters of Ernest Bertwistle
War Letters of Elizabeth Bertwistle
A Short Biography of Ernest Bertwistle
Ernest Bertwistle in the Dress Uniform of
The East lancashire Regiment
The 4th East Lancs Regiment, Territorials, mobilised on the 5th August 1914 after war was declared and volunteered f Bertor foreign service. They were assigned to Egypt, for garrison work, in order to release regular troops stationed there for service elsewhere. The 4th East Lancs sailed from Southampton on the steamship Deseado on the 10th September, in company with the 5th East Lancs and the Divisional Staff. They reached Alexandria on the 25th September and entrained for Cairo where they were to garrison the Citadel. Life consisted of training, inspections, parades and marches. By the end of October however Turkey had entered the war and there became a real prospect of active fighting.
War Diary of Ernest Bertwistle 1914-1916
On the 5th of August 1914 the Battalion was to undertake something that had never been known before and that was the mobilisation of Territorial Force for which our Battalion was one. After 15 days receiving kit etc., we marched on the 20th to Chesham Road Camp where the Battalion underwent a course of field training and counter-marching until the order came to move to Southampton, which we did in two troop trains for embarkation for foreign service.
The Battalion embarked on the 10th September on the "Deseado", strength 30 officers and 1000 men; also on board was Major Gen.Douglas CB, DSO, commanding East Lancashire Division and staff, along with the 5th East Lancs Regiment. Leaving the dock side about 3 pm we sailed in the bay to await the escort that was to guard us on our voyage at sea; the name of our escort was Nirvana, and after a voyage of about 10 days we arrived at Gibraltar, where we stayed for about 5 hours; then we moved off again; this time it was Egypt.
We landed at Alexandria on the 25th September, disembarked and entrained for Cairo, arriving in the evening at Cairo Citadel Barracks, taking over from 1st Battalion Worcester Regiment, where we had to see our first life in barracks; arriving in the dark we could see nothing of the place. We had to live in till the morning of the 26th, and a sight it was to see the rooms and the walls round the Barracks, and from there we could see the whole of Cairo and surroundings, but the town itself, well, it was like marching through wonderland and the smell, well, one got used to that the longer he stays in town.
Day by day rolled on and still did work until the 14th December, when the Battalion changed quarters to Abbor Hilmi Barracks. Still in Cairo to undergo Brigade training over the desert sands; from here we commenced the long march to the Renown Third Tower, which the men loved very dear.
On the 20th December (1914) the Battalion furnished two Companies for lining the streets on the occasion of the Accession of the Sultan of Egypt and a sight it was to see the natives' different Regiments. Everything passed off well and we returned to Barracks after a hard day's work in the sun. On and on passed the days till the 28th January (1915), but before passing Christmas, I must say that we had a very good day, with good meals, and at night we had a concert.
Now I will go back to the 28th January (1915), and still far away from home. This day we sent our first draft of invalids home, all good lads having been broken down by the hard work given them and downhearted they were to have to leave the boys. They sailed on the S.S.Glengorn Castle for England. On the 30th January (1915) we moved to Heliopolis and I think that we have seen enough sand that will last a lifetime.
Having seen all that was of interest in Cairo, we left on the 16th April, where we entrained for Port Said, where we got the first sight of the one and only Suez Canal, to do duty on the defences of the Canal in relief of the 69th Punjabis Indian Expeditionary Force, who embarked for the Dardanelles.
After seeing the sights of Port Said, the Battalion received orders on the 5th May (1915) to pack and embark for the Dardanelles, sailing on the 6th May at 7am, and after a sail of about three days we arrived at the seat of war. Disembarked at Cape Hellas and went into bivouac on the top of the cliffs about three-quarters mile east of the Cape.
Here we saw what we had never seen before, and then there was the sound of screaming, shells and bullets; this is what is called the famous Gallipoli Peninsula, arriving on the 9th May (1915) the one and only 1/4 East Lancashires are to fight for their country.
Men of the East Lancshire Regiment at Their Ablutions
In Gallipoli: The Sign Reads "Keep Smiling"
At 9pm we received orders to move in Brigade Bivouac about a mile further in. After we had got acquainted with the deadly sounds, the Battalion moved on the 11th May forward into the advance trenches about 2000 approx. SW of Krithia relieving the Home Battalion of the RN Division. A and B corps went into the firing line and C and D in support and reserve; in this move we lost 1 killed and 4 wounded, these being our first casualties.
12 May 1915: Firing trenches were in action with the Turks between 10pm and midnight but no casualties
13 May 1915: This day A and B corps were relieved by C and D with only 4 wounded
14 May 1915: All company engaged in improving trenches and communications
15 May 1915: A relieved D company; B company relieved C. The firing trenches which were forming a re-entrant, were advanced at night. Major Carus with his men rushed out and dug themselves in about 50 yards from the Turks; these trenches brought us in line with those occupied by the Lancs. Fusiliers on the left and the French troops on the right.
16 May 1915: New firing trenches completed with 2 wounded
17 May 1915: C & D companies in firing line; 3 killed, 2 wounded. Now we are beginning to feel the effects of the war.
18 May 1915: The Battalion was relieved by the R.N. Division - commencing at 3am and moved to a bivouac about one mile W. for rest after the strenuous exertions of the past week, during which the men had been working almost day and night improving and extending the trenches, and about 6pm we were very heavily shelled by the Turks with shrapnel for about 2 hours, the shells bursting in and over the dugouts constructed during the day; here we lost very heavily for one day and finished with 4 killed and 18 wounded; everyone of us tried to roll ourselves up as small as possible to try and escape from receiving a wound.
19 May 1915: On this day we only had an odd shell or two; this being so, we only had one wounded.
20 May 1915: A few more shells with two wounded this day.
21 May 1915: We moved forward into the firing line once more but not without the Turks letting us have a few more shells, leaving about 7pm. We had one more wounded.
22 May 1915: A and B companies moved out from Bn. bivouac at 7pm and occupied reserve trenches astride "Krithia" road. The French troops on the right of the line heavily engaged with enemy; day, evenings shrapnel and bullets falling frequently in the Battalion bivouac in the valley; this day finished with one killed and 4 wounded. At 10pm a report having been received that A and B company had not come in touch with Lancs Fusiliers.
23 May 1915: Still in dugouts by brown house. East Lancs wounded along with a few more snipers.
24 May 1915: Still in the same dugouts; too many bullets round here for my liking and the Turks gave us a few shells, wounding a few more men.
25 May 1915: Moved out of dugouts near Pink Farm, led by our Adjutant; lost our way and wandered about for a few hours till daybreak and lastly arriving the place waited; this day down came the rain and it was over the **** or almost to the knees (rotten).
26 May 1915: Today we were attached to the Worcester and Essex regiments so that we will have more pluck and fight better alongside our backbone army.
27 May 1915: Went into reserve trenches to await the next move. Shelled very heavily by Turkish guns.
28 May 1915: Still in reserve. Shells, a few from Joe Turk but ours was many; our ships and land guns bombarded the Turkish trenches and the Australians and **** and sniper advanced.
29 May 1915: Still in the same place
30 May 1915: Still in reserve
31 May 1915: Still out of firing line
1 June 1915: Went in to the fire trenches
2 June 1915: Not much doing today; just a few shells flying around. 3 killed.
3 June 1915: Not much doing; just a few more iron rations. Our casualties - killed 32, wounded 51. That is up-to-date.
4 June 1915: This was the day that our men showed our people at home what they were made of and won a name that will live for ever. The big guns opened with a bombardment and at the hour given, left their trenches and charged the enemy. The Turks fled all ways but sorry to say some of the lads came through all right and others fell.
5 June 1915: The same as yesterday; a general advance along the line. Smart work by our lads.
6 June 1915: Heavy shelling by enemy trying to recapture what they have lost. The Battalion move to reserve trenches.7 June 1915: Quiet day.
8 June 1915: Still nothing doing
9 June 1915: As per yesterday
10 June 1915: Moved to No.1 support trenches, Krithia Nullah
11 June 1915: Still in support
12 June 1915: Very heavily shelled with lyddite
13 June 1915: Rather a quiet day
14 June 1915: Quiet morning but a bit of a burst towards night. Casualties five
15 June 1915: Not much doing
16 June 1915: Quiet day
17 June 1915: Heavy firing on both sides but no-one moved. The Adjutant having had enough, left us and went into Hospital.
18 June 1915: Nothing much doing today.
19 June 1915: Rather rough morning; plenty of firing.
20 June 1915: Moved to reserve trenches.
21 June 1915: Moved to firing line to relieve the 6th L.F.
22 June 1915: Div. relieved by the K.O.S.B. and was heavily shelled by the Turks.
23 June 1915: Plenty of shells from Joe Turk guns. One or two casualties.
24 June 1915: More shells and still in reserve trenches.
25 June 1915: Nothing much doing; a German bomber hovering round our lines and dropped a few bombs but with no success; our ships opened fire on Turkish village and set fire to the headquarters of German General.
26 June 1915: German bomber hovering round, a few bombs and off back.
27 June 1915: The Turks bombarded our trenches.
28 June 1915: Bombardment by our ships and land guns on the Turkish line and our men the allies did a small advance.
29 June 1915: Quiet day; only a few shells from Asiatic Army.
30 June 1915: Another quiet day; thought we were going to have a storm at night but it passed over very nicely.
1 July 1915: Quiet Day
2 July 1915: Nothing doing
3 July 1915: Quiet all day but poured down with rain at night
4 July 1915: Just a little bombarding of the Turkish trenches
5 July 1915: Nothing doing
6 July 1915: Moved from support to fire trenches
7 July 1915: Nothing much today
8 July 1915: Joe Turk having a rest
9 July 1915: Joe Turk wakens up and sends us a few shells
10 July 1915: Things not quite so lively today. Just heard a good rumour, going back to Egypt; fell through, rotten
11 July 1915: The battalion in support. The Colonel having had enough was relieved from having command of the Battalion and left at 10am, embarking at 11 am for England. Colonel Lindsley took over command
12 July 1915: Bombardment of Turkish trenches and an advance by the R.Scots and French
13 July 1915: Bombardment and charge by Scots and Naval Division
14 July 1915: Moved in support trenches
15 July 1915: Quiet day
16 July 1915: Quiet day in fire trenches
17 July 1915: Still in fire trenches
18 July 1915: Received orders to move back.
19 July 1915: This is the first that the Battalion left Clapham Junction to have what has turned out to be a real rest in some well sunk dug-out, near Pink Farm, for which the Battalion have well earned more then awaiting orders to what may come.
20 July 1915: Another day come and still in rest bivouac
21 July 1915: Still in rest camp and this is the day I was ordered to join the Battalion
22 July 1915: Still in rest camp
23 July 1915: Here is the new batch from home; 291 all told and a poor lot they are. I knew about two of them.
24 & 25 July 1915: Still resting
26 July 1915: Still in rest bivouac and had another inoculation, this time for cholera. I don't know what will be the next complaint.
27 July 1915: Still having well earned rest
28 July 1915: Still in rest bivouac with digging parties going out
29-30-31 July 1915: Still resting
1 August 1915: Nothing much doing again today, only digging and sending our Sergt.Major to hospital and Rowlands being put up as acting (more swank)
2 August 1915: Still in rest bivouac and making the best of it. Turks still shelling the Lancashire beach.
3 August 1915: Still resting; a Turk aeroplane passed over our trenches; men gone out digging. Just been to the stores to make a cross for one of our officers Lieutenant Heywood; had tea and returned.
4 August 1915: Up at 5 am, just in time to see our aeroplane returning, perhaps from an air raid, four of them, or maybe looking for one of the Turks. Anyway there was nothing much doing, just a few shells and that finished the day. P.C. home to my wife
5 August 1915: Up at 6 a.m. just in time to see German aeroplane drop 2 bombs and off back with 2 of ours after him but could not catch it. Anyway the day rolled on and we got a surprise; Joe Turk had the cheek to drop 3 shells in our camp, but no-one hurt and at 6 p.m. 1 German and 1 Turkish aeroplanes sailed over and dropped two bombs and that finished the day. Letter to my wife.
6 August 1915: Another taube (type of aeroplane) flying round; nothing doing in the morning but at noon the order came to be ready at a moment's notice to move, which at 7 o'clock the first company moved off into the 2nd Australians line; this day there was a bombardment of land and ship guns, the British capturing two trenches; this commenced at 2.30 and finished at 10pm; all night the Turks tried counter attacks but failed on their attacks. We got 500 men and 20 machine guns prisoners
7 August 1915: Bombardment commenced again 7am; two companies off in the fire line and captured 3 lines of trenches but almost lost theirs only for the supports. The Turks keep trying with their counter attacks but no avail. Our companies returned about 10 p.m.; one of the biggest days we have had.
8 August 1915: Sunday and still holding on; plenty of shells flying round; just missed our house not in dodging bullets; Turks try an attack but failed; seeing to rations; big night. Letter home to wife
9 August 1915: At 2.30 a.m. the Turks try an attack; our men mowed them down. After this things were somewhat quiet and at 4 p.m. the Battalion moved to the redoubt line; had a walk up and returned to sleep in 2nd line; just another attack by Joe Turk and fell asleep, not till seeing plenty of water go up to men in firing line. 12 midnight our chaps having made an advance of 300 yards, dug themselves in and held on like madmen.
10 August 1915: Moved my things up to redoubt and have had plenty of running about; still holding on and making good. 4pm B was relieved by C company and they held on and are expecting making it stronger tomorrow.
11 August 1915: Nothing much doing; Turks very quiet, must be resting or something
12 August 1915: Plenty of work clearing up fire trenches and at 6.45 the Turks made an advance and it was held for about 4 hours; we lost a little of the trenches but got it back bit by bit; everybody well on the watch all night. Letter home to wife.
13 August 1915: Nothing much doing, just holding them in their places, the Turks, and at 12 o'clock we were relieved by the R.Scots and not before our lads wanted it; we lost a few good men killed and wounded and now we are once again in rest bivouac near beach, very tired; plenty of work this day.
14 August 1915: Up at 6 am, nothing much doing, a few shells amongst us - no damage. Digging party out.
15 August 1915: Up at 5.30, issue of rum to men and had breakfast. Letter to wife. Adjutant gone in hospital; church service in the rest camp, not till dark, heavy bombardment by the French at midnight
16 August 1915: Nothing much doing, Turks resting
17 August 1915: Letter to wife. Still resting. Inspection by Army Corps Commander; all kits and dugouts clean. Change in the weather, looks like rain but passed off alright. Letter to Pa and H.Lewis.
18 August 1915: Another batch of 189 men of the 2nd/4th East Lancs landed here. Quiet day. Just a few shells at midnight.
19 August 1915: Just a drop of rain. Just another move order came at 12 to be ready at moments notice. A Company left us at 3.30 for Eshe Lines. Captains Birtwistle and Dixon gone in hospital. 7 o'clock Turks giving our trenches a bit of a bombarding; the Battalion moved 500 yards near the beach. I did not move that night. PC home.
20 August 1915: Nothing much doing. Moved my belongings after breakfast; looks like a long rest; hope so. Finding plenty of guards and digging parties. Rather cold this at night
21 August 1915: Another quiet day still in rest bivouac
22 August 1915: Order came to move at 12 noon; left the place at about 2 o'clock onto the Gullay beach and slept in the cliff side. Quiet day.
23 August 1915: Up at 5am; had a walk along the sea-front and then a wash in the sea; quiet day
24 August 1915: Still on sea shore. 50 of A Company gone in firing line; not feeling so well.
25 August 1915: Quiet day by the sea
26 August 1915: Just two shells and 5 wounded, for a change lucky shot by Joe Turk. Still by the sea
27 August 1915: Quiet day by sea a bit rough
28 August 1915: Nothing much doing where we are. No rumours
29 August 1915: Received one pound of my pay. Quiet day
30 August 1915: Moving higher up the cliff. Good view. Had good tea; herring and apricots, at same time watching gun boat firing; shook the cliff side.
31 August 1915: Up early 5am and breakfast consisting of fried steak and tomatoes; plenty good; very nice for a change. Had a walk to the store. Battalion on parade on beach for one hour's drill; 5.30 waiting for my tea (salmon and chunks); had walk along beach then off to bed. Very quiet day.
1 September 1915: The first of the winter months we are told, which is rather cold and windy. Plenty of working parties out today. Good feeding today. 9 o'clock off to bed after writing home.
2 September 1915: Nothing much doing on this side of the hill. Plenty of digging parties out; doing a lot of running up and down issuing blankets to men, a bit cold tonight
3 September 1915: Quiet day, lazy day for fatigues, had a good view of what seems to be a convoy of ships, led by first class battleship, but too far out to say if they are full of troops
4 September 1915: Up early, parties out, report came in that two transports and mailboat and gunboat gone down, torpedoed by Turkish torpedo boat, which was afterwards sunk; no further report about it
5 September 1915: Sunday; Letter home, quiet day by the sea, teatime, order came that half of Battalion was leaving us, A Company to the 5th Manchesters and B Company to the 6th Manchesters.
6 September 1915:Up early. A and B Companies march off to join other units at 9.30. Don't know what they will do with us next. Nothing much doing.
7 September 1915: Just another move about 100 yards further back, still on the cliff. This makes the tenth move since we landed, or since I landed; first time today to see a woman since we landed and they were nurses sailing by on a steam punt from off the hospital ship (not feeling so grand today)
8 September 1915: Feeling better. Quiet day. More men leaving us
9 September 1915: Busy day. C Company and half of D Company gone to join the L.F. up in firing line. Marched off at 4pm
10 September 1915: 5 new officers joined us this morning, what for I don't know. Quiet day. Received an order to get ready to go to Alexandria; running about till late getting orders; had supper out of parcel received from home (mince)
11 September 1915: Up at 4am to brigade Office at 5am; left bivouac for landing pier at 5.30, arriving at 6.15; embarked on lighter Ermine for Lemnos and sailed at 8am from the Gallipoli Peninsula, arriving Lemnos at 12 noon; here we disembarked the sick (110) officers and men and at 1.30 embarked on a paddle boat and sailed to the Aragon, got aboard to await orders; left her on a steam launch for Mudros to stay the night. Had a good tea on Aragon with butter and thin bread, with sweet buns to finish with.
12 September 1915: Up at 5.30; had breakfast in Sgt. Mess at 8.30, awaiting orders. The orders came to embark on steam tug for the Aragon to receive orders. Leaving Mudros at 1 pm by tug; off the tug on the paddle boat and waitied alongside the Aragon till 4 p.m. and then received orders to embark on the cattle boat called Knight Templar, arriving and boarding her at 5.30 and sailed out of Lemnos at 6.30 p.m. for Alexandria. Good night’s rest after being told off to small boats.
13 September 1915: On board, up at 6am. Good bath, change of clothes, then breakfast consisting of steak, bread, butter, jam and coffee. Parade at 10.15; next your own boats changed drinking water and made all ready for if wanted. Dinner, roast mutton, baked potatoes and boiled rice. Quiet. The Pass alright.
14 September 1915-Tuesday: Still on the water and making the best of the weather. Very good meals all day; expecting to reach Alexandria tomorrow about 10 o’clock.
15 September 1915: The day of my birthday and arriving in Alexandria harbour at 12 noon but did not disembark until 4.30. Got on the car to Mustapha barracks; had tea; met 2 of our sergeants; got a blanket and got down for the night.
16 September 1915: Had a look round the barracks; found the kit sheds; did a little work and had a look round Alex at night; met Pem Isherwood.
17 September 1915: Just a little more writing making out rolls; went to Nile Cold Storage Co. Had tea down Alex; met Pem and had a look round for Jack FINN and found him.
18 September 1915: Worked till dinner and went to meet LEWIS at 7 p.m. Talked all night till 10 o’clock and then for home.
19 September 1915: Went down to orderly room to meet officer; after we received orders was invited to have ride with him to Alexandria in carriage, and very nice it was, and then we drover to St Mark’s church to service, which I also enjoyed. had dinner in town and met Lewis, Pem and Finn, so we had a car ride to the gardens, returning for tea in town and at night had a look at the pictures, arriving home at 10.30.
20 September-Monday: Received orders that no kits have to go back; awaiting orders; saw Lewis off at Sidi Gaber station at 9a.m. and then off back to kit sheds for a few hours.
21 Septemebr 1915: Still waiting orders; received message to meet officer at 7.45 where he is staying, that’s the Savoy Palace Hotel. No orders so shall stay a few more days.
22nd September 1915: (Letter home) Nothing much doing. today; having a very nice rest.
23rd September: Still awaiting. orders. Had a walk down to kit sheds.
24th September: Still resting in Alexandria. (Letter home)
25th September: Just had a letter from Sgt. Lewis and been to see him in hospital; at night had a concert in mess.
26th September: (Letter home) Received orders to embark on H.M.T. Inkosi to sail tomorrow; had a look at gentleman's house at night and it was very nice, arriving back to camp about 10.30.
27th September: Up early, down at kit sheds about 8 o'clock, motors loaded up and off to boat at 8.30, arriving on the quay side about 9.30; got all officers' kits on board and settled down waiting to sail; the boat left at 7 a.m. and at same time had dinner 2nd class.
28th September -Tuesday: Still moving along slowly; meals very poor. Slept on deck this night; did a day's duty as ship's orderly sergeant.
29th September: Quiet day; nothing doing to alarm us. Parade in lifebelts at 10.30. During the day the body with lifebelt floated by, also lifeboat empty.
30th September: Slept on deck; last night much cooler. Got wireless that a boat had gone down. Torpedo boat came alongside this morning at about 8.30, put up a few signals and then left, but came back to escort us into Lemnos and now we find out that the boat that left Alexandria an hour before us has gone down; everyone well on the lookout; in all I hear that three have been torpedoed and just miss us. Up to now we only get the name of one and that's the Toronto.
lst October 1915-Friday: Outside Lemnos in a fog and just missed ramming a boat during the night by a few yards; anyway all went well and we arrived at Lemnos about 10'o'clock only to hear that a boat had gone down with 1000 troops on her. Noon awaiting orders. Landed.
2nd October (Letter home) Still waiting orders. Just heard the good news from France. The Star Liner just arrived in with 6000 troops aboard in the name of Olympic. Our troops going ashore in batches. We landed ashore about 4 p.m. and Turks head Mudros West there we stopped the night (rotten).
3rd October:Up at 6 a.m.; went with officers to Camp Comdt. Office for orders. Officer gone on Aragon for orders; return myself to camp; seen officer at 6 p.m. and we report tomorrow at 3 p.m. on the Aragon. One more night here.
4th October-Monday: Up and ready early: left camp for landing stage at 8.30 and sailed on ferry boat run by sailors at 2.30; had a good sail round harbour and then went abroad the Aragon only to get orders right away to embark on the Ermine for Cape Helles, which sailed at 4 o'clock and landing, the Peninsula at 9.30 and slept on board all night.
5th October: Up and clean shave and was at 4 a.m. ready to go ashore. Landed on shore at 6.30 and sat waiting for transport cart till 10.30, then set off on beach side to my Battalion; as I went along I met Mr. Bennett, the Q.M., so he showed me the way to where the Battalion had moved to, landing his dump about 1 p.m.; there I stayed the night where I had a good night's sleep.
6th October: (Letter home) Left the dump at about 2 p.m. to report myself to the Battalion, arriving at 4 o'clock, only to be sent back to assist the Q.Master, landing back at 7 o'clock and got down for the night.
7th October: Up at 6 a.m. and commenced making a new home.
8th October: (Letter home) Still on with my house but at night it commenced to rain so could not live in it; was not quite finished. Slept with Mr. B. Saw a duel in the air today but both got away safe.
9th October: Still on with winter quarters.
10th October-Sunday: (Letter home) Plenty of shells on beach but quiet around here.
11th October: Turkish taube flying round; airgun had a shot but missed. Just had 2 shots near us; only one slightly wounded. Having my teeth repaired.
12th October: Quiet day; doing odd jobs on the dump.
13th October: Still at the dump. Up went a trench by Joe Turk; 6 men in.
14th October: (Letter home) Joe Turk got a little more ammo and is letting it fly around.
15th October-Friday: Nothing much doing.
16th October: Quiet day; packing up stores for Battalion going for rest.
17th October: Battalion left about 7 a.m. for Mudros to have its long earned rest. I myself had to do what was left and act as Sgt. Major (rotten job).
18th October: (Letter home) Rained all last night; feeling a bit out of sorts.
19th October: Up at 2.30 a.m. to visit sentries and back to bed; off to beach at 9 o'clock and got my teeth. Posted the men and got off to bed.
20th October: Nothing much doing. 4 new officers landed from England.
21st October-Thursday: Turks aeroplane came over this morning, had a look round; we fired but missed her; then after dinner came a few shells very near us; she must have seen something. All passed off very well. New officers left for instruction with 8 Manchesters.
22nd October: New draft from 3/4 E.L.R. landed about 40 men; very busy. Order came for them to join 8 Manchester’s. Left us in Eshi Line at 4 p.m. Rained all day.
23rd October: Still raining and cold; quiet day till 11.30 p.m., then order came to be ready for an attack as the Turks were massing behind birdcage and Gulley Ravine; all pass off alright.
24th October: (Letter home) No attack was made last night. Quiet day.
25th October-Monday Nothing much doing.
26th October: 15 more wounded men returned to us. Quiet day.
27th October: Sending 27 men to the 6th Manchesters tomorrow. Nothing much doing. Duckworth off to hospital today.
28th October: (Letter home) Quiet day. Send off the 27 men at 4.30 and we get relieved by the 10th Manchesters tomorrow.
29th October: Waiting for the 10th Manchesters to come; they arrived at 2 p.m. We left at once for Gulley near Dump.
30th October: Got settled down. Quiet day.
31st October: (Letter home) Nothing doing. Still waiting for Battalion.
lst November 1915-Monday: Expected Battalion today but not arrived. Quiet day.
2nd November: Battalion arrived back and marched to G. Ravine. I joined the 2nd Mr. Dump and rode down to beach for rations for the first time from here. Just about 4 shells came at us about 5 o'clock; one man and two mules hit. Quiet after that.
3rd November: (Letter home) Went down to supplies. A few shells from Acia landed in the water; one above any landed near a rowing boat, just missed him by a yard. Quiet round here.
4th November: Still knocking about. Quiet day.
5th November: As before.
6th November: (Letter home). The same.
7th November-Sunday: Still going along.
8th November: Still the same.
9th November: Nothing much doing.
10th November: (Letter home)
11th November:
12th November:
13th November: (Letter home) Issue of winter clothing.
14th November:
15th November: The night of all nights wind, rain and snowballs, a night like the 25th of May but it only lasted about one hour, but it was long enough; my little house managed to stick up.
16th November: (Letter home) Turkish taube sailed over, dropped a bomb and left.
17th November: Same as before; nothing doing, but a very bad night of wind and rain.
18th November: Cold day and a very bad night; thunderstorm.
19th November: Quiet day; a few shells from Joe Turk.
20th November: (Letter home) Still going on.
21st November: Rations drawn at night instead of morning.
22nd November:
23rd November:
24th November:
25th November: (Letter home)
26th November: Bad night for rain; wet through.
27th November: (Letter home) Day of promotion to A/R.Q.M.S.
28th November:
Nothing from 28 November until 6 December
6th December 1915: Promoted A/R.Q.M.Sgt.
7th December: A touch of the back yard trot not so bad.
Nothing until 21st Dec.
21st December: Still going on; a very wet day.
Nothing until 28th Dec.
28th December: Battalion received order to prepare to be relieved which came at 2 o'clock; being in the firing line at the time was a welcome message and the line was took over by the 9th Worcestershire Regt. The Battalion marched down to W. Beach and sorry to say that one man was killed and 3 wounded when being relieved.
29th December: The Battalion embarked at 1.30 this morning and sailed for (don't know), also Q.M. and all went off very nicely as far as I know. I got my orders to proceed to V. Beach with baggage, landing there at 9.30 p.m. but had to go to W. Beach and there stopped for the night: no sleep.
30th December: On the move early, 5 o'clock; loading commenced at 6 a.m. on lighter at No.3 pier, then when finished at 8 a.m. was took out to boat and transferred baggage on to Shatworth Force and sailed away from Lancashire landing (but not before having a shot put at us which came within 10 yards); 12.20 p.m. then off we sailed to Mudros, arriving at 6.30 but too late to get in so we had to stay out all night and sailed in on the morrow
31st December: Sailed in at 11 o'clock and land on shore at 4 o'clock and joined the Battalion. New Year's Eve.
1916 1st January: Quiet out of danger of shells and bullets and able to walk about and what a change it is.
2nd January: Still at Mudros.
7th January: Had a ride round Mudros.
12th January: Advance party left this morning on H.M.S. Mars for somewhere. Handed half our blankets in to Ordnance.
13th January: Had a ride round Mudros; got back at 4.30. The order had come to pack up and embark tomorrow.
14th January: Embarked from Sarpi Pier at 11 a.m. and boarded the Arcadian at 12.10.
15th January: After being in harbour all night we received orders to sail at 9 a.m.; after we got to sea we was told off to boats and got our lifebelts. Dining 2nd class.
16th January-Sunday: Had a good hot bath; went to church parade at 11 a.m. and the day passed along alright.
17th January: Up at 6 a.m. but no land in sight but saw it at 12 noon and arrived in harbour at 2 o'clock and stayed on board all night.
18th January: Boarded the train at 12.30 for Cairo station at 6 p.m. where tramcars conveyed us to Mena Camp.
19th January: Nothing much on this day.
22nd January: Went out to meet Lewis and then to some civilian friends and had a very nice evening.
24th January-Monday: Went up to Citadel to Lewis; sent off a parcel home; landed back to Mena about 10.30.
25th January: Lewis came to see me at Mena and stopped all night. Very busy; leaving tonight at 7 o'clock for Tel el Kebir; arrived at Cairo station at 10 o'clock by car; boarded the train at 10.30.
26th January: Arrived at Tel el Kebir at 4.30; plenty of troops here.
27th January: Heard that we move again in a day or two.
28th January: Still waiting to move.
29th January: Order came to move; down came the tents at 9.30; all baggage on the siding at Tel el Kebir by 12 noon; boarded the train at 4 o'clock and left at 4.45, arriving at Shallufa at 8.30; marched over the pontoon on to the Desert Camp, arriving at 1 a.m.
30th January-Sunday: Getting all baggage across the canal and seeing to rations.
9th February 1916: Left Shallufa about 12 noon for Geneffe, about 4 miles further down the canal; my staff travelled. by light railway. It is wonderful to see the large boats pass along the canal.
14th February: Played officers at football and got beat 3 0; holding back for bets.
15th February: Played again today and got beat the same.
19th February: Moved from Geneffe back again to Shallufa to make a small dump as the Battalion go on the desert tomorrow; sending rations to the Battalion by camels; shall see how I go on tomorrow.
20th February: Things go along alright with the camels.
29th February: Had a walk to the Boss at Geneffe, only about 4 miles along the Canal. Got back about 3 in the afternoon.
2nd March 1916: Bad day for winds; a terrible sand storm; can't find your way on the Desert.
9th March: Accident; sprained my ankle; not bad but enough to stop me from knocking about.
7th March: Arrival of the Q.M.S. Duckworth.
18th March: Appeared in Orders as Sgt.
26th March: Send to Battalion for Extract of Battalion Orders.
28th March: Made an application for my rank.
29th March: Left by train at 9 o'clock p.m. for Port Suez.
30th March: Arriving at Port Suez at 3 a.m. after a lot of shunting about; slept in luggage van till daylight then unloaded baggage; landed on camping ground about noon.
31st March: Setting out Camp and looking after rations for men.
lst April 1916-Saturday: Nothing much doing today.
4th April: Battalion arrived at Suez
5th April: Discharge came; interview Adjutant
6th April: Received warrant and left Suez at 5.45, arriving at Ismailia at 8.20; changed again to Benha 12.15 and arrived at Alexandria at 5.40.
7th April: Landed alright and met Lewis.
17th April: List of names for home; embark tomorrow on HMT Arsova.
18th April: Parade at 7.30, arriving at the dock about 9 am; marched on board at 10.30 and allotted messes.
19th April: Gangway taken down at 11 a.m. after we had lifebelt parade; had been sailing about 4 hours when siren sounded and everybody ran to their places.
20th April: Passed about 10 boats this day; also patrol boats; the day passed off alright.
(Good Friday): Rather cold and rough.
22nd April-Saturday: Still going but can't say where.
23rd April-Sunday: Still sailing round and round, for why can't say; the Captain knows best.
24th April-Monday: Sailed through a very dangerous part; sea all marked with oil. Expecting to arrive in Gib. tomorrow.
25th April: Arrived at Gib. at 6 a.m.; went on guard at 4 p.m. Sailed from here at 5 p.m. along with French gunboat as escort.
26th April: Escort still with us; sailing along very nicely, changing course a few times.
27th April: Nothing much doing., going through the Bay. Escort no longer in sight.
28th April: Bit of' a rough sea; all the better, for that will keep away submarines. Expecting arriving England tomorrow at 6 a.m.
29th April: Up at 11.30 for a look at England; could not see it; passed Eddystone at 6.15 and arrive in Plymouth Sound about 7.30; waiting to be tugged in; arriving at 10 a.m. in dock. Marched to rest camp at 10.30 and arrived about 4 o'clock, with rumour that. we should stay till Tuesday but not so, as we left at 7.45 to the station at Plymouth, leaving there at 9 o'clock en route for home.
30th April 1916: Arrived Crewe at 4.30; next stop Preston, which we got to at 6.30 and had to wait till 8.45 for train to Blackburn, arriving at 9.45 and walked in the house at 10 a.m.
Home once more.
Judged unfit for further foreign service, Ernest served out the rest of the
Great War in stores at Ripon.
Certificates of Service for Ernest Bertwistle Left 1898-1908
Right 1919
Certificates of Service for Ernest Bertwistle Left 1898-1908
Right 1919
War Letters of Ernest Bertwistle
Ernest Bertwistle With Officer
NOTE: Very few letters from Sergeant BERTWISTLE were kept by his wife
Southampton postcard post marked 10 September 1914
Dear Wife, By the time you receive this P.C. we shall be on the water. We left Bury @ 1 o’clock & landed here @ 1 o’clock after a weary 12 hours in the train. The boat we are sailing on is the Royal Mail (Deseado) Yours Ernest
16th September 1914; on board H M Transport Deseado
Well, as you will know, we left Southampton on Thursday @ 5 o’clock & sailed @ 5 knots an hour till we landed to Sandown Bay their (sic) we had to wait for the other Convoy (that is 17 ships altogether), it is a fine sight to see them just @ present in 3 lines, that is 5 in a line with a gunboat in front & one behind) it took them a day to get into line & then we set sail. It was a bit rough and raining but it was not rough enough to make me sick. But anyway we got to the Bay of Biscay & instead of sailing through in a day & a half it took us over two & a half days, so you can tell the speed we are going at. Today we are off the coast of Spain. If I look through the porthole of my bunk I can see it so we are in the land of sunshine. I believe we are expected to land Gibraltar tomorrow morning. I don’t know that I can tell you much more about the voyage, only we are travelling 2nd class and it is not so bad, the sleeping is extra, a nice little bunk for two and four. There is LEWIS, FRANKLAND, & DUFFY & myself in here, but I must make one complaint & that is the eatables. I am not eating as much as I should like to but that does not matter as long as my health is good well I think it ought to be I had nothing to do @ camp [Chesham Fold] & I have done nothing on board (oh by the way I am telling a lie) I commenced yesterday with working in the printers shop printing the ship on this writing paper & postcards - I mean to say helping the printers. I forgot to tell you that we have General Douglas on board our ship so we have to be good but they give us until 9 o’clock & then we have to go to bed some of us I for one go to bed every night @ 9 o’clock. I will write again when we get to Egypt. I think we are going there so if you have not written to me you might drop me a line or two when you get this & remember me to all at home & tell them I will write to them when I get to our station.
I think by the time you get this (Kit) we should have landed or near too, so I will close with love to you & our Baby (you might ask Baby whose little girl she is for me Liz & let me know & give her these also xxxxxxx & then I know she will not forget her playmate)
By bye for the present Your xxxxx Ernest.
27th September 1914; Citadel Cairo Egypt
Just a short note to say that we have got to our barracks. We arrived @ Alex @ 7 am on the 24th. Left there by train for Cairo. Got there about 10 o’clock at night & after about 3 mile march got to our home.
You talk about a Country, I do wish you was with me Sis if it was only just to see Cairo, it is a lovely place & every morning a nice blue sky. If we look out of the room window we can see all the town. I have not been in the town yet but I think I shall have a look before I leave it. Up to yet we have only got our helmets but I have got a pair of shorts, there are trousers cut off at the knees & the money I must not forget to tell you about that every time you buy something you loose a farthing it is some kind of Duty on it. The married folks left here this morning (Sunday) for England, some were glad & others were sorry to leave it. I wish I had you living in one of the houses. I think this is all, I am pushing to catch the mail.