Moorhouse, Ernest William

No.93 – L/Cpl Ernest William Moorhouse – 16^th Battalion AIF

 

 “I Don’t Like Saying Goodbye”

 

Ernest William Moorhouse was born in Hobart, Tasmania to Miles and Henrietta Moorhouse on the 14^th of July 1892. The family of 8 later moved to Western Australia and settled in their house “Apsley” in Finnerty St Fremantle.

Ernest Moorhouse proved to be a very talented child and while attending Fremantle Boys School he won a State School Bursary. He attended Fremantle Boys School at the same time as one Albert Blamey, was teaching there. In World War Two, Blamey became Australia’s highest ranking Military Officer and even back in 1903 he keenly imparted into the children his knowledge of military affairs during his command of the Fremantle Boys School Cadet Company.

Moorhouse was a member of the Cadets, and after he left school he stayed in touch with the military as a member of the 11^th Australian Infantry Regiment for a period of two years before seeking a discharge.

During this time he was also highly involved with the local Presbyterian Church, helping out with fund raising, teaching the children at Sunday school and other duties where he was needed. Ernest fitted these activities in where he could around his employment at the offices of the shipping company McIlwraith McEachearn & Co. where he was employed as Paymaster & Clerk. His talents as paymaster were to be utilised when he embarked for service overseas with the AIF.

 

(Photo below Ernie Moorhouse and fellow staff at McIlwraith McEachearn & Co - Ernie 2nd left)

When war was declared in August 1914, Moorhouse was living at his parent’s house in Finnerty St, he took leave from McIlwraith and McEachearn, and offered his services to Australia, enlisting on the 10^th of September 1914.

After initially signing up, Moorhouse was sent to Perth for the medical examination at Swan Barracks to see if he was fit for active service overseas. The Medical Officer, Captain Roy McGregor, found his measurements of 5 feet 5 & ¾ inches, chest measurement of 34/35 & ½ inches and weight of 133 lbs to be within the required limits and Ernest Moorhouse was sent to Helena Vale for further training.

On the 16^th of October 1914, after approval by the commanding Officer Lt-Col Pope, Ernest was assigned to C Company of the newly forming 16^th Battalion with the rank of Private and the service number 93. The 16^th Battalion, part of the 4^th Brigade, was initially formed up into a Western Australian & South Australian unit, with the majority of the men coming from WA.

The initial training at Blackboy Hill camp at Helena Vale was very strenuous as men were being changed from their civilian life into soldiers.

 

“The long forenoons on squad drill, rifle exercise, signaling, gun drill and trench digging………The afternoons with either a repetition of the morning or else some tactical work in the hills around Blackboy.”

 

For two months this training was carried out and “Espirit-de-Corps was very high.” As the battalions of the 4^th Brigade were all from different states, it was decided to get them all together for further training at Broadmeadows camp in Victoria, so on November 21^st 1915 the 16^th Battalion left Helena Vale for Fremantle where they embarked on troopships for Melbourne.

Under command of Colonel Monash the 4^th Brigade settled down to more training at Broadmeadows camp, and sporting events were also held, in which Ernie took part. These helped the men take their mind off the “monotony of drill and training”. Rumours were always circling around camp as to when they would be embarking for service overseas and after the 4^th Brigade march through Melbourne it was thought that embarkation was close at hand. So it was that on the 22^nd of December 1914, the 16^th Battalion embarked on the ship A40 H.M.A.T. Ceramic. Ernest Moorhouse kept a diary of events after leaving Melbourne.

 

Tuesday December 22^nd

Left Melbourne in Troopship Ceramic for port unknown. On guard from 7pm till 11pm.

 

Wednesday December 23^rd

Came off Guard 10am

 

Thursday December 24th

At Sea. Nothing special.

 

Friday 25^th December

Christmas Day. Nothing special except Church parade 10am

 

Saturday 26^th December

Boxing Day. Nothing of Importance

 

Sunday 27^th December

Fatigue Morning

 

Monday 28^th December

Arrived at Albany 3am and found several other boats in harbour. Anchored in Sound. Fatigue Galley.

 

Tuesday 29^th December

In Albany. Began Machine Gun Section drill at 10am. Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

According to the 16^th Battalion unit history, much remained to be done on arrival in Albany “in finalising and correcting returns of stores, pay & personnel etc. Unfortunately no shore leave was granted in Albany to the Western Australians of the 16^th Battalion and so on the 31^st of December 1914, the Ceramic sailed from King George Sound, where;

 

“as the shore faded away the thoughts of many a man of the Old Sixteenth were with the loved ones whom he was leaving behind and the idea would intrude that possibly he might never see them again.”

 

Thursday 31^st December

Left Albany at 9am in company of Suevic, Persic, Berrima, Port Macquarie, Ulysses &Themistocles. Convoyed by submarine.

 

Friday January 1^st 1915

On Guard 9am to 1pm, 9pm to 1am. Picked up SS Arrino. Burial from another boat.

 

Saturday January 2^nd

Machine Gun Drill 10am. Off Guard 9am.

 

Life for Ernest on board the ship was one of endless fatigues, drill, training, church parades, clerical and galley duty. The main items of interest for Ernest on this voyage were the passing of the islands of Minikoy & Socotra.

 

Friday January 8^th

1pm Mess Orderly, Received orders to write letters which were to leave for Ulysses (censor) at 3pm. Lovely sights, perfect day. All boats drew within a few yards of each other. 1 boat left Ceramic & Persic for Ulysses with letters. After boat returned got under way again. Rained during night.

 

Saturday January 9^th

Raining in morning but cleared up in the afternoon. Evening noticed stars Southern Cross and Frying Pan visible astern.

 

Sunday January 10^th

Church parade 9.45. Examination of vaccination. 2pm inoculated. 3.30 pay. Evening arm sore. Funeral Vestalia 8pm. Southern Cross etc only partially visible. Crossed equator about 11am.

 

Monday January 11^th 1915

Full marching order parade. Suffering with attack prickly heat.

 

Tuesday January 12^th

Left other ships except Persic & Runic and sailed for Aden district. 13 other boats put in to Colombo. Lecture on Egypt by Captain Townshend.

 

Wednesday January 13^th

Sanitary fatigue. Afternoon and evening nothing special. SS Plassey & one other boat. Indian transports

 

Thursday January 14^th

Passed quite close to island (fair size) at noon. Saw natives in canoes with palm leaf sails. Very pretty. Name of Island Minokay? Wreck of tramp steamer west of island. Natives fishing. Lighthouse northern end.

 

Sunday January 17^th

Guard 9am. Relief 9am to 11am, 3pm to 5pm, 9pm to 11pm, 3am to 5am. Caught Influenza. Noticed Southern Cross rise about 4am. South large planet rose S.W 4am. Passed Passenger Liner sailing east 4.30am. Two headlights well lit up. Probably P&O Mail Steamer.

 

Monday January 18^th

Off Guard 9am. Sighted Socotra N.E. of Africa at 11am. Very steep side. On our port side in the distance caught sight of and chased a little dhow. Thought she might be on illegal errand. Nothing done to her though. Cleared island 6pm.

Island of Socotra. Looks very barren and rises from sea very steep on all sides. Rather large. Took us from 11am to 6pm to pass it. Belongs to Turkey. A small dhow slave dealing. As soon as she saw us she made for shore. We

chased her but she had both wind and darkness in her favour. It was to risky for us to go close in shore so she escaped.

Our course should have been between the island and mainland (Africa) but there is a chance of that passage being mined. Hence keeping to the outside of the island.

 

Tuesday January 19^th

Fire alarm 10.45am. Sighted a light on starboard bow 10pm. Wrote 10 letters in afternoon.

 

To much relief of those on board, the mainland of Africa was sighted as His Majesty’s Transport Ship Ceramic pulled into Aden Harbour. It meant that the sea journey was near an end. Unfortunately over the next few days a few troops on board would succumb to illness and would not reach their destination, Egypt.

 

Wednesday January 20^th

Land sighted on starboard side from 5am. Sighted Aden about 9am. Entered Port between 1pm and 2pm. RMS Morea in harbour, also converted cruiser Empress of Russia. All afternoon spent in watching the bum boats and the sights ashore and at sea. Evening watched the landsights, then went aft. Band played and we sang choruses to Naval men on Empress of Russia. We sing a chorus and then they sing. Coaling all afternoon and night.

Aden; Naval coaling station. Entrance south of harbour. Entrance guarded by guns on the east side. Dangerous entrance as rocks on either side and passage is very narrow. Most outstanding feature of Aden is its rocky nature on the east and south side. Town itself is on the north side of harbour (which is very narrow) and the Barracks, post office and large buildings East & south at the foot of the hills.

Walk along the sea front is very pretty. Coal is stacked in yards & steamers are coaled from Lighters with bagged coal. Natives do all the work, everything is done by hand. Luke Thomas & Co Coaling Agents, Bum-Boats come along side the steamers and sell their goods. Boats pulled by negro boys & all nations sell the goods. Remarkable sight, red headed niggers.

Aden is garrisoned by half company of Indian troops, a regiment of Territorials and RGA Troops. Each night at present the Indians are posted on different hills as outposts. There are no wharves in Aden harbour. Boats anchor in the bay and everything is either brought out or taken off in Lighters. All tugs and boats are manned by Blacks.

 

Thursday January 21^st

Watching bum boats all morning and afternoon. Private Robertson F Coy died last night. (Death from Pneumonia & measles)

Body sent ashore 10am to be prepared for burial. Funeral party and firing party (F & E Coys) went ashore 1.45pm. SS Porto & SS Akbar (from Bombay) 8am. RMS Morea sailed 9am. Great cheering. Re-innoculated 3pm.

 

Friday January 22^nd

Rather ill through inoculation all morning. Empress of Russia sailed 8am. We left moorings and steamed for mouth of harbour. 9am anchored outside. Lecture on attack 10.30am. Sent postcards afternoon.

 

Saturday January 23^rd

Rest of troopships arrived at 9am to 11am. We took up our positions during morning. Received mails from home 4pm. (Washing afternoon). Got under way with rest of ships at 6pm. 2 Funnel Auxiliary Cruiser arrived in Aden 6am. Concert 8pm.

 

Sunday January 24^th

Passed through straits of Babel-Mondeb 2am. Perrin light(?). RMS Moloya passed 9am. Private Carleton 15^th Battalion died from Pneumonia 2am. Burial 12 noon. (Death aboard Persic during night). Passed island on our starboard side 2.15pm. Lighthouse highest point, small island very barren

 

Monday January 25^th

Mess orderly, nothing special. Grand day

 

Tuesday January 26^th

Grand day. Caught sight of some land during afternoon. Wife of Captain of ship came on deck. First white woman seen close since leaving Melbourne. Constitutes a world record, 1 woman sailing with 3000 men. Washed Pyjamas, Kit Inspection.

 

Wednesday January 27^th

Sighted and passed an island port side 2pm. Sighted mainland 3pm. Lecture on laws and customs war 3.30pm. Private Agator 15^th Battalion died from sunstroke 5.40pm. Buried 8pm in Suez Bay. Raining heavily evening.

 

Because of the threat of Turkish attacks on the Suez Canal, most ships sailing through erected defences on board to guard against rifle fire.

 

Thursday January 28^th

Arrived Suez 6am. Very cold. Anchored in bay all day. Rather hot. Lecture on ‘Supplies in Wartime’ by Lieut Vassey 3pm. Reports received re Turks. Vessels barricading starboard side against attacks from Turks. Anchored in bay all night. Bright moonlit night. Pay 8pm.

Suez. Situated at the S.E. entrance of canal. Very barren land in vincinity. On the west of the bay is a ridge of mountains. Very barren, nothing of interest could be seen of town from ship as we anchored some distance from shore. On the north side of bay is a long sandy desert. On the east is the entrance of canal with mountains in the background. Mouth of bay faces south. At the time we arrived a British Cruiser was in harbour.

Sunset was magnificent. Colouring was perfectly glorious. Effect on the still sea of the setting sun with the shapes of 25 steamers at anchor in bay, one steaming into bay, besides smaller craft beside the colour of the sand was past describing. Colour of mountains during day was Grand.

 

Friday January 29^th

Left mooring for canal 9am. Passed HMS Ocean on our starboard side 9.10am and entered canal about 10am. Dockyard and canal works at entrance on left, Suez left in distance. Indian troops occupying right of canal with trenches and barb wire entanglements for about 8 to 10 miles. New Zealand troops left of canal entrenched with other Indian troops. Passed HMS Minerva about noon and a Torpedo boat about 12.30pm. Entered bitter lake about 12.30 and passed RMS Orsava and RMS Persia with 5 or 6 other ships at entrance of Lake. French gun boat sighted and we anchored in Lake abreast of about 3.30pm. All other boats and ourselves anchored at North end of Lake to allow Blue Funnel Liner to enter Lake. Ulysses, Themistocles, Borda, Persic & suevic sailed through other entrance at 5pm. We remained at anchor.

 

Saturday January 30^th

Mess orderly. Left anchorage at Bitter Lake 8am. Lecture on Egypt by Adjutant 9am. Passed French Man-of-War Requin 10.30am. Parade with full marching order 11am. Passed HMS Clio on our port side 12 noon. Passed Cantara (a township on right side of canal about 1.30pm. Huge camp here consisting of camels, horses, mules with Indian, British & WA troops. Artillery from WA). Passed HMS Swiftsure on our starboard side. 1.30pm Pte Jenkins 15^th Battalion died from Sunstroke during the morning. Wrote letters till 4pm. Arrived Port Said 4pm. HMS Prosperine in harbour, also SS Kyarra. Hospital ship FMS Atlantique in port. Various other ships also.

Evening walked about deck till about 8.30pm. Wrote letters. Two aeroplanes flying about.

Port Said is at the northern end of the Suez Canal. Canal about 90 miles long. 2 Bitter Lakes during canal course. Fresh water canal running parallel to canal. Also railway line. Suez Canal is very pretty on the west side about 6 miles from Suez entrance. On arrival at Port Said you notice first on the right the Vacuum Oil Co. and Shell Oil Co.’s store. On the left is a low sheet of water with docks at the widening of the canal.

On our arrival we found “Kyarra” in a little towards the north. On the left is a very pretty drive. Some large hotel is also in the foreground facing canal. All buildings of Port Said very pretty. Coaling is done from lighters by native labour. Planks are put from lighters and natives run up planks with small baskets on their heads. About 150 on each lighter.

 

Sunday January 31^st

Up at 5.30am. In Port Said Harbour at anchor till 8am. Weighed anchor and drew outside harbour, dropped anchor 9am and remained at anchor till 4pm when we got under way for Alexandria. Very pleasant day, sea perfectly smooth and lovely coloured. Jellyfish in sea. Beautiful sunset.

Church parade 10.45am. Wrote letters and made up parcel for Harry photos etc. Lecture re Egypt after church parade by Capt. Townsend.

 

Monday February 1^st

Arrived at Alexandria 7am. All morning spent in viewing harbour watching bum boats. All ready to land but did not do so. When we arrived at Alexandria SS Glenarry Castle (hospital ship) and American cruiser Tennessee in port. 150 other boats as well anchored in bay.

 Alexandria is at the north of Egypt. Connected with Cairo by rail about 100 miles long. Alexandria is about 90 to 100 miles west of Port Said and the harbour is very sheltered. The mouth of the Harbour is at the Northern end of the bay. The whole of the inside of the harbour is nothing but wharves and piers. Evidently this is a very busy port as 150 steamers were in port on our arrival. Very modern arrangements re: coaling. Elevators run baskets from ships holds to the heap on wharf or trucks. Natives man all the boats and the train etc in this port. Buildings and boats all brilliantly coloured. Alexandria at present garrisoned by Territorials (about 2000)

 

Tuesday February 2^nd

On guard 9am.

Very heavy gale sprung up with bitterly cold wind. Could hardly stand on boat deck. Endeavoured to berth between 8 and 9pm but could not do so. Guard 1pm to 3pm & 7pm to 9pm, 1am to 3am & 7am to 9am.

Tennessee sailed for Jaffa for Syrian refugees

 

Wednesday February 3^rd

Off guard 9am. Berthed 10am. 15^th Battalion went ashore during morning. Sick ashore also.

 

After 6 weeks aboard the transport ship, the men of the 16^th Battalion were about to step ashore in Alexandria.

 

Thursday February 4^th

Last meal aboard Ceramic. 7am disembarked. 9am train left Alexandria about 9.45am. Arrived Cairo 3.30pm. Left by train for camp at Heliopolis and arrived at Zeitoun station 4pm. Marched to camp and arrived here 5pm. Saw Turkish prisoners on train on way to Cairo. Had tea at 6pm. Went to town 7pm. Arrived back 9.30pm.

The train journey from Alexandria to Cairo, through the Nile delta all the way until about 2 miles from Cairo. Along the sea front NE from Alexandria for about 10 miles then turn E. for a short distance. Then you make a turn S. and cross one the Niles arms. Through the whole of the journey (about 120 miles) the scenery is nothing but cultivated swamp land. Canals are run from the Nile right through the whole of the country. No fences.

 

After arrival in Egypt, the 16^th Battalion set up camp in the desert at Heliopolis, just outside of Cairo, where they joined the 1^st Light Horse Brigade, and the New Zealand Brigade. The Company system was now reformed and Ernie became part of “A” Company.

Over the next two months Ernest and the rest of the 16^th Battalion were to train hard in the desert, with also a little recreation time to see the sites of Egypt, in particular the pyramids and Cairo. Cairo’s sights & smells certainly left an impression, and not all were good.

 

Friday February 5^th

Revellie 6am. First parade 7am. Physical exercise. Breakfast in No.2 Mess. Platoon drill morning. Afternoon Harry Truran 11^th Batt came over. Went to Cairo at night saw sights. Awful.

 

Saturday February 6th

Drill all morning. Afternoon leave from 12.30pm. Received letter from Harry. Caught car to Mena camp. Saw Pyramids and all old chums in the 11^th Battalion. Back to tent 11pm. Bought gear from chemists 20 P.T.

 

Ernest was a regular letter writer to his friends and family back in Australia, and spent many nights writing to loved ones, either in his tent or at the American Mission.

His added Clerical duties saved him from many onerous training and parades.

 

Sunday February 7^th

Church parade morning. Afternoon wrote letter home and to Connie. Evening went to American Mission.

 

Tuesday February 9^th

Was leaving for march in morning when Captain sent me to help make up pay sheets. At them all day. Evening went to Heliopolis for walk.

 

Wednesday February 10^th

Reveille 5.30am. No early morning parade. Left for march 8am. 20 pounds ball ammunition. Very big march. Home 4.30pm. Evening received letters from Gran, Carol, Marie & Jennie. Wrote letters home.

 

Friday February 12^th

Field day. Reveille 5am. Along Suez Road. Home 3.30pm. Wrote letters night.

 

Sunday February 14^th

Ration fatigue morning. Afternoon was shown through mosques by Jack Mahommed. Met A Fahanny in street during afternoon. Went to YMCA to enquire re church. To hotel for tea. After tea went to St Andrew’s church service. Very Good. Had a look around Cairo after service(went in 6pm) and back here about 9pm.

 

Tuesday February 16^th

No work today. Kit inspection morning. Afternoon wrote letters. Had a look at Patients in hospital at Palace hotel.

 

Thursday February 18^th

Breakfast down town with Pat Hannigan. Nominal Rolls all day. Wrote couple of letters at night till 8.30pm. Sent in to Cairo with 7 other people for prisoners. Arrived back at camp 2am.

 

Saturday February 20^th

Rolls morning. No morning parade. Afternoon bought quinine pills & pectoral for flu. Cost 18 Piastres. Bed 7pm.

 

Sunday February 21^st

Church parade 9.15am. Wrote letters before dinner. Afternoon Vic Marshall and I went to Pyramids. Climbed to top of Ciops. Saw Sphinx also buried temple. Home & bed 9pm.

 

Monday February 22^nd

No parade all day. Afternoon went to Abbassia Barracks. Saw Quartermaster 2^nd Egyptian Army. Evening wrote letters. 

 

Tuesday February 23^rd

Battalion parade morning. No parade afternoon. Went on guard 5pm. Relief 9pm to 11pm; 3am & 5am; 9am to 11am; 3pm to 5pm. Post No.1 Guard tent.

 

Wednesday February 24^th

Guard all day. Off guard 5pm. Went to Cairo to Rev Gillans social evening 6pm to 9pm. Very enjoyable time.

 

Thursday February 25^th

Field firing all day. Received mail 15 letters and numerous papers etc. Wrote letters at night.

 

Friday February 26^th

Did nothing all morning. Afternoon village fight in old Heliopolis. Wrote letters at night.

 

Monday March 1^st

No parade all day. Afternoon went to Abbassia Barracks. Evening walked around town.

 

Tuesday March 2^nd

Battalion parade (trench digging) all day. Evening wrote letters.

 

Wednesday March 3^rd

Divisional day. Did 25 mile march. Home 8pm. Paid 9pm. 14/-

 

Thursday March 4^th

Day outposts and trenches. Home 4pm. Down town for washing etc. Wrote letters evening.

 

Friday March 5^th

Attestation Papers morning. Wrote letters afternoon. Alarm 8.30pm. Took up an untrenched position 8 miles Suez Rd. Attacked at dawn by N.Z.6/3/15

 

Saturday March 6^th

Arrived back at camp 9am. Slept all day. Wrote letters at night.

 

Sunday March 7^th

Church parade 9.30am. Communion 10.45am. Wrote letters afternoon. Evening American mission.

 

Monday March 8^th

Battalion drill all day. Evening went down Heliopolis for eggs.

 

By this time, Ernest and the 16^th Battalion were becoming very well trained, physically fit and drilled in the art of war. Practicing rifle shooting, machine gunning, building entrenchments, bivouacs and going on manoeuvres night and day had the Battalion in a high degree of readiness. Continued inspections by Generals had the troops wondering how soon they would leave for the war.

 

Tuesday March 9^th

Wrote out list of shortages for platoon during morning. Afternoon shooting at Abbasseh. Evening wrote letters.

 

Wednesday March 10^th

Brigade day.Home early had a shower. Nothing at night.

 

Thursday March 11^th

Ration fatigue morning. Afternoon Brigadiers inspection. Evening wrote letters

 

Friday March 12^th

Divisional day 6am to 5pm. Battle with Territorials. Biggest day since joining. Evening wrote letters.

 

Saturday March 13^th

Pay morning. Afternoon social at St Andrews church & Continental Hotel. Grand time. Speeches by Sir Alex Baird, Rev Millington, Miller, Plaint & others. Photos taken in afternoon. Came home to American Mission.

 

Sunday March 14^th

Church parade 9.30am. Went to town after watch, later afternoon went and saw patients at hospital. Later wrote letters. To American Mission at night.

 

Monday March 15^th

Practice at bivouacking during morning, raining after dinner and at night. Left camp 3pm and bivouacked at 8pm. 12 miles along Suez road. Out post duty at night.

 

Wednesday March 17^th

Platoon drill morning. Left camp 5pm for Divisional night operations.

 

Thursday March 18^th

Home from night operations at 9am. Wrote letters morning. Afternoon 2.30pm rifle inspections. Evening down town and recovered my watch. Wrote letters after.

 

Friday March 19^th

Day of rest. Morning went and had a look at Ancient Heliopolis. Saw Virgins Well, Virgins Tree etc. Afternoon wrote letters.

 

Saturday March 20^th

Platoon and company drill all day. Evening wrote letters.

 

Sunday March 21^st

Church parade morning. Afternoon wrote home and then went for a walk to Ancient Heliopolis. American Mission at night.

 

Monday March 22^nd

Inspection by General morning. Afternoon medical inspection. Evening 5pm guard. Relief 7pm to 9pm; 1am to 3am; 7am to 9am; 1pm to 3pm.

 

Wednesday March 24^th

Left for bivouac 1pm between No.2 & 3 towers. Picquets & outposts.

 

Thursday March 25^th

Brigade field day. Rear guard action. Arrived back camp 4pm. Wrote letters at night.

 

Friday March 26^th

Battalion field firing. Back 3pm. Paid 16/- at 4pm. Evening went to American mission for letter writing.

 

Sunday March 28^th

Mission morning and night. Met Edgar Milson at night.

 

Monday March 29^th

Inspection Sir Ian Hamilton afternoon. Morning company drill. Evening letter writing.

 

Tuesday March 30^th

Rest day. Morning washed clothes, afternoon wrote letters. Evening Picquet Heliopolis.

 

Wednesday March 31^st

Reveille 5am. Breakfast 5.45am. Left for Bivouac at 7am. Arrived at Marg. 12 noon and piled arms. Beautiful place among palm trees and wheat fields. Had holiday all day.

 

Thursday April 1^st

Left Marg for camp 8am, arrived back 11am and washed clothes and wrote letters all afternoon. Evening spent at American Mission.

 

Friday April 2^nd

“Good Friday”. Nothing doing all day.

 

Saturday April 3^rd

Left camp 7am. Marched through ancient town towards Nile. Bck at 2.30pm. Guard 5pm.

 

Monday April 5^th

In service 200 days. Parade 8.30am. Inspection of War equipment by Colonel Braithwaite. Packed up valise and kit bag ready to leave. Afternoon wrote letters and made up pay sheets. Evening wrote letters.

 

Thursday April 8^th

Morning parade 7am. Semaphore 9.30am – 11am. Then posted letters. Afternoon short parade to find clothing short. Evening wrote letters.

 

Friday April 9^th

Wrote letters all day and evening. Handed in one blanket first thing in the morning.

 

Letter of April 9^th 1915 to his friend George Davidson, written from Heliopolis Egypt.

 

Dear George,

                        Just a line to say ‘au revoir’ to you before we leave Egypt and its sands as a dream that is passed. My only hope is that the next sand that we have to face may be those of dear old WA. You can’t tell me that WA is sandy after this place George. It’s the best land in the world absolutely.

I believe that we leave here at 2am in the morning, so if that’s the case we will be on our way to ‘somewhere’ on Sunday next. Wherever we may be I will never be able to forget all you chaps and the girls that we all had great times with. How I should like a good old sing-song now!

George, I tell you straight ‘There are no friends like old friends’. It’s the truest saying I know. May we all be spared to meet again and have many and many another good time together.

I don’t know that I have any news to tell you George as I have sent letters to the lads of the office, and one hence, besides one to Bill and to Harry which I suppose you will see, so I am merely writing this to say ‘ta-ta’. I hope that matters at the church are going along satisfactorily. Please give the members of the board of management my kindest regards and say ‘au revoir’ to them for me. I hope that the organ fund is getting along alright and that sustentation fund is also flourishing.

Wish the members of the church every success during the next year and every prosperity for me.

At the Sunday school next Sunday after you get this, tell the children that in this letter I wished to be remembered to them all and wish them all good luck in the future-for the school I mean. I often think of the church and school and wish I could be back again.

Look George, I tell you between ourselves that this life isn’t all it is pictured. You certainly have good times, but you also have rotten times, and times when you are lonely and feel fit for anything but your duty. And when we get into active service on the field I suppose it will be worse still, but at the same time I am quite as eager as anyone for it. We have a lot of old scores on Germany and Turkey to wipe out haven’t we?

Please give your mother, Mrs Boyd, Leo, Arnold & Jessie, Marie, and everybody else my kindest regards, and say ta-ta to them for me.

Ta-ta (I don’t like saying ‘good-bye’ as it seems to be meant as if I wasn’t going to return) George and take a word of friendliness from me. You are doing your duty just as much by staying with your ma as by coming here. Perhaps when things get worse (if ever they do) and we are all more or less “hors de combat” then more men may be needed, but until then you look after your mother old man.

Be good George and kindest regards to all,

Your sincere and grateful chum,

“Tommy”

Thanks for the two booklets which I have enjoyed reading very much, and also the Presbyterian which I got this week. If I had a few more bob I should have liked to have sent home a few keepsakes to you, but I don’t think we will forget each other without them etc.

 

During this time the 4^th Brigade received orders ‘to hold itself in readiness’ to leave Egypt shortly. They were about to head for Lemnos Island off the coast of Turkey and for Ernie he would shortly be promoted to Lance Corporal.

 

Saturday April 10^th

Medical inspection 7am. All morning I worked at list of kit bags and contents for Platoon. Afternoon struck tents 12.30pm. Wrote three post cards and said goodbye to AMC fellows. Wrote Arnold Large.

Had tea 5pm and drew rations 6.30pm. Left camp for march to Cairo 7.45pm. Arrived Cairo railway station 10.30pm. Entrained 11.30pm and left for Alex. 12.15am.

 

Sunday April 11^th

Arrived at Alexandria 6am and detrained. Had scrap of food 7am and went for walk around dock. Watched French troops and troopships morning. Went for march through Alexandria returning 12.30pm. Had lunch, went aboard “Ganges” and had a talk to some of the French Flying Corps.

Had photo taken on board for Government Cinema.

The “Haidar Pasha” an iron deck packet of about 1000 tons built in 1912, rather more fitted for collier than troopship.

Left and went further round wharf and went on board “La Proivec”. Returned to steamer 3.15pm. Had another swim and then fell in at 4pm. Embarked on “Haidar Pascha” at 4.45pm. Drew out from wharf at 6pm. anchored in harbour 7pm. Made bed and settled down for the night at 8pm after having a bit of tea.

 

Monday April 12^th

At anchor in Alexandria harbour. Weighed anchor at 4pm and steamed N by W. Tea 5pm. After tea met Stapleton who is with reinforcement. Heavy sea on quarter S.E wind, great many sick. Engines went wrong way 7.30pm. Drifting about all night.

 

Tuesday April 13^th

Sighted and passed “Orsova” 8am.

Got under weigh 9am. Very heavy sea still running all day. Course north by west. Slept on fo’csle head at night. Very srong wind and heavy sea all night. Bitterly cold.

 

Wednesday April 14^th

Still steaming N. by W. Sighted and picked up lighter drifting about off course. Took her in tow. Beautiful day with rather heavy swell. Lieut. Dunstan told me re Lance Corporal and gave me some books. Among islands of Archipelago from 5am and all day. Paid 10/-.

 

Thursday April 15^th

Steaming N.N.W in Aegean Sea. Islands on both sides from Wednesday morning. Entered harbour at Lemnos Island 6.30pm & dropped anchor. Just as we were entering harbour a cruiser passed us coming from the harbour and another steaming towards the entrance. Torpedo boat came to meet us. Harbour mouth at South West of Island. Large rock shaped like whale with signal station at entrance. Harbour full of ships. After entering the basin turns east, then north. Beautiful basin of water and good depth.

 

Friday April 16^th

Weighed anchor at 9am and entered harbour dropping anchor abreast of Hospital ship “Sicilia”. At 11am we dropped anchor again (After Naval Officer came on board) and dropped anchor again in middle of harbour. Fully 100 ships together at anchor. 20 to 25 Cruisers and battleships, several torpedo boats & destroyers, submarines, rest troopships and Hospital ships.

All morning on Fos’cle head watching sites and taking mental notes. Lemnos is an island about 20 miles square I believe, and is evidently inhabited by Greeks (for most part) who could be seen from deck ploughing the fields etc.

In the distance snow clad mountains are easily visible.

Some of the warships have been in the “Scrap”, H.M.S. Queen having no after funnel left, and H.M.S. Agnicourt with her middle funnel rather badly damaged.

Doing alright on biscuits and bully beef. Orders are out in afternoon re disembarking.

Lecture by Colonel Pope at 8.pm re our part in the scheme of attack on Turkish forts. Learnt that a Turkish Torpedo boat had been caught by a French Cruiser some hour or so after we had come along.

 

Saturday April 17^th

Shaved 8 or 10 during morning. Paid 1/-. Spent morning carrying rations. Afternoon lounged about and read for a hour or so. Evening talked on fo’csle head till 9pm.

 

Sunday April 18^th

Divine service 7am, and after service breakfast. Had best wash since being aboard. Afternoon had sleep and at 5pm watched aeroplane flying around. Reports received re Naval engagements and land fights

 

Monday April 19^th

Disembarkation test all day. Landed from “Haidar Pascha” in one of “Queen Elizabeth’s” Mine Sweepers, and from her into rowing boats. Left ship 9am and landed on island 10.30am. Marched along road for about a mile and halted till 2pm.

Bought 3/- worth of chocolates, nuts, raisins, spring onions and biscuits etc.

Left at 2pm and marched to top of hill by seashore. Embarked in rowing boats at 3pm, then transferred to Mine Sweeper HMT 448 and from her to our own troopship. After tea had sleep on forecastle head and then to bed.

 

Tuesday April 20^th

Were to go ashore but owing to rough weather the trip was abandoned. Blowing a gale all day from W.. Very cold. Stayed in between decks all day reading etc. After tea spent some time on Forecastle head.

 

Wednesday April 21^st

Very wet day so stayed under cover all day. At evening in orders of my promotion to Lance-Corporal. Congratulations galore. At 9pm batch of letters from WA arrived on board. Got letters from Harry, Will, Beattie, Jennie & Elva Jarvis and Sunday Times of 14/03/15. Read letters and went to bed.

 

Thursday April 22^nd

Received razor from Harry, and Sunday Times 21/3/15 first thing in the morning. Spent till 10am shaving different chaps, rest of afternoon was up forward in the sun. Afternoon wrote Beattie, Harry, Elva & Jennifer Jarvis. At 5pm received letters from Mr Gilbert of Birmingham, Gran, Dais, & Tom Elder.

Evening had instructions to pack our kits ready to go ashore. 3 days issue of rations. V Marshall sewed on (L/Cpl) stripe. To bed about 9.30pm

 

Friday April 23^rd

Inspection of equipment etc. for disembarking 10am. Talk by O.C later. Afternoon washed few clothes then watched Hydroplane. Later interested in the departure of various troopships from harbour. Warned for “Guard”.

Evening talked etc. on fo’csle head.

 

Saturday April 24^th

Corporal of Guard from 9am. Reliefs 9am to 11am, 5pm to 7am, 1am to 3am.

Listened to lecture by Major Baker.

Exit of troopships from harbour at 5pm. Only 50 left in Port.

 

The battalions of the 4^th Brigade didn’t land on the shores at Gallipoli until late on April 25^th when they would go to the front line in support of the Australian & New Zealand troops who had already landed.

When they came ashore the 16^th Battalion was sent to a crucial part of the front line, which later became known as Pope’s Hill, named after the 16^th Battalion’s commanding officer.

Popes Hill was successfully held by the 16^th Battalion, but it was open to Turkish sniper fire from a nearby ridge called Russell’s Top. These snipers were to cause many casualties over the next few days.

Sunday April 25^th

Off guard at 9am. Parade and inspection. Lecture by Lieut.Col. Pope 7.45 am after church parade. Examined war maps and learnt our part in operations after parade.

Left moorings at 10.45am and passed out of harbour of isle of Lemnos 11.30am en route to Gallipoli Peninsula to engage in taking forts. Arrived and fell in on troop deck 5.30. Was watching the bombardment from deck from 3pm. Grand! About 40 warships bombarding coast, lively action taking place when we anchored in Bay. Disembarked to destroyer “Ribble” at 5.45pm and from her to rowing boats.

Shrapnel all around Boat. Landed on beach (in a foot of water) and were hurried away at once to reinforce the firing line on 2^nd Ridge from beach. Told to hold it at all costs. Dug in and kept on guard all night. Lost 4 killed and Capt. McDonald and Lt Elston taken prisoners. Disquieting reports re 1^st contingents first action.

Monday April 26th

Holding ridge all from dawn. Nothing of importance. Several attacks repulsed and several of our chaps killed.

Tuesday April 27^th

Still holding Ridge. Had charge of 2 sections in firing line during morning. Narrow escape from snipers afternoon. Evening in firing line and repulsed an attack. At night was put in charge of trench to look out for snipers.

Wednesday April 28^th

At dawn discovered several snipers in hollow and shot a few. Rest retired. Had anxious night. Still holding ridge and waiting reinforcements. Relieved at 7pm for the night. C Amos killed.

Clarence Amos was a friend of Moorhouse. Prior to the war he was a Baker from Perth.

 

Thursday April 29^th

Entered left flank firing line at 8.30am. Anxiously awaiting relief from Indians or Naval Brigade. 3 days and 4 nights in trenches. Rather quiet. Turk tried its old trick.

On April the 30^th, having been in action for 5 days since landing, the 16^th Battalion was relieved for a rest, though it was a rest camp in name only as no where on Gallipoli was safe from snipers or artillery. This was particularly evident in Monash Valley which was overlooked by Turkish positions on Bloody Angle, the Chessboard, the Nek & Baby 700. An attack was organised for the night of May the 2^nd to capture these positions. In this attack, the 16^th Battalion was to play a major role in the capture of the position called ‘Bloody Angle’. According to the Official Australian historian the 16^th Battalion were in good spirits as they filed up for the attack;

The sound of the bombardment was inspiriting. At 7.15 when it eased and lengthened, the 16^th turned to the right and climbed the steep side of the valley head. The bombardment had completely subdued the enemy……Not a shot was fired on the 16^th so long as it was in the gully. But when the climbing men reached with a cheer the top of the ridge connecting Quinn’s with the Chessboard, a heavy fire was opened on them. The extreme right of the 16^th clambered over the northern most trenches of Quinn’s Post…….The rest of the 16^th advanced a few yards over the level summit and began to dig a trench line in prolongation of Quinn’s Post. Their supports, immediately below the crest of the hill were singing ‘Tipperary’ and ‘Australia Will Be There’. The sounds of their voices and of the cheers as they topped the hill was carried far down the valley to Brigade Headquarters. The Turks also either heard this sound or saw the flash of their rifles, for a fierce fire was turned upon the spot from the Turkish positions on the Nek and Chessboard. This fire was from the left rear of the 16^th. It struck the supports on the rear side of the hill.

It was during this phase of the attack that Ernest Moorhouse was killed in action. The attack, despite the bravery of the men involved did not succeed and the 16^th Battalion suffered casualties of 8 Officers and 330 men which was slightly more than half of the men of the battalion involved in the attack. Les Wallis who grew up in East Fremantle survived the assault and wrote home to his brother that;

 

“At 12 o’clock Sunday night we were entrenched where the enemy had been. I cant speak of our dead and wounded-too sad Jimmie…bullets were again flying around me like flies, one past my cheek, one grazed my shoulder, one hit my ankle. I’m scratches all over…It’s a sad sad day when we land in Fremantle, if we ever do, what’s left of our old 16^th West Aust Batt.”

 

After the battle a soldier reported having seen his body. Pte SC Evans of the 16^th Battalion came across a body that was missing its identification discs and visual identification proving impossible; he was identified by a pay book found in his tunic pocket. Chaplain Wray of the 4^th Brigade was also there to verify the paybook taken from Moorhouse’s body. The paybook apparently has bullet marks through it.

Unfortunately the spot where Ernie was buried was never marked and so Ernest Moorhouse became one of the many thousands of missing Australians to be commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing.

For his family back in Fremantle, it was a heart wrenching wait for news as Ernest was initially posted as Missing believed killed, and despite exhaustive efforts to find more information, none was forthcoming. They received many letters of condolence, including one from a workmate of Ernest’s.

Dear Mrs Moorhouse

                                    It is with more genuine grief than I can express that I learnt that Ern had fallen in action. At a time such as this word seem so empty and do not convey all our deepest expression. May I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy with you in your trial in the loss of a brave son and a man who was always held in the highest esteem by his friends as a bright and a good pal, and one who gave his life in a noble cause, that of his Country fighting for the right, and it is merciful that God spared him the pain of being maimed for life.

If there is anything I can do for you, you know I would only be too anxious to help you.

Believe me, Mrs Moorhouse, to remain a friend of Ern’s and

                                                                                    Yours Sincerely

                                                                                    Oscar Provis

 

It wasn’t until April 1916 when a Court of Enquiry was held, that Ernest Moorhouse was officially declared ‘Killed in Action’.

His personal effects, including his bible and diary were soon sent home to his family, who while they were alive, never forgot him, and whose descendants still remember him. For many years after the war on May 2^nd, a memoriam column in the newspaper would appear for Ernest.

 

Moorhouse: On May 2^nd 1915 on Gallipoli’s stern heights, our loved boy, Ernest William, of the 16^th Battalion in his 23^rd year gave his life for his home and country. Parents, brothers & sisters at Fremantle keep his memory fragrant.

Calm is thy rest in thy soldier bed,

With the alien sky above thee;

Thou lies at peace with the gallant dead;

Who had learned to trust and love thee.

& a few years later;

Moorhouse: On May 2^nd 1915 on Gallipoli’s stern heights, Ernest William, beloved son of M. and H.E. Moorhouse, brother of Harry and Cyril, Daisy, Vera and Nina of Finnerty St Fremantle. One of the 16^th Battalion heroes who has slept for ten years in an alien land.