Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"TREATMENT OF WOUNDED. THE TURK AS A FIGHTER.

Mrs. Julia Chapman, of Haly Creek, near Kingaroy, sends a letter from her son, Private J. S. Chapman, 2nd Light Horse, with the remark that it may relieve the minds of some mothers to know how kindly their sons are treated and cared for. He was wounded on July 24, and writes from a hospital at Malta:-

By the time you get this letter I hope to be back at the Front doing a little bit more. I am glad to tell you it was only a slight wound. That is why I sent a cable. Men have been reported killed whom I know never received a scratch, and if such a thing as that hap- pened to mother it would about cut her up. I was at a loophole at the time. A pill hit the edge, and shot across and entered my temple, but did not go through the skull I suppose I am too thick headed - not a bad complaint to have in these parts just now. Under the X-rays they took the lead out, and I am getting on first rate. Talk of a kick from a colt: it is a fool to a whack from a bullet. We came from the Front in a hospital ship in lovely weather. And I can tell you the way they treated the wounded on the ship and in the hospital is splendid. No one seems to be able to do enough for us. At Malta, on landing from the ship, we were met by ladies of all countries. They loaded us with cigar- ettes, lollies, drink, and everything you can think of - a bit of a change from the trenches. I can assure you. There are several hospitals and a lot of our boys. Do you remember Oscar Dunn? He was killed in a charge by the 5th L.H. We are all infantry men now - horses are not wanted. Better on foot than not at all. Charging and hand-fighting is night work, and is not the best fun in the world, I can promise you. The Turks will not stand the steel. They run for all they are worth - maybe just as well for them. Bombs and shrapnel, also a few Jack Johnsons, are flying about all day, with- out doing much damage. They are not much with big guns, but as rifle shots I would back them against any in the world. Next September it will be 12 months since I enlisted. I do not think it will last 12 more. The Old Flag is flying. and is likely to. Good-bye. I must leave off now to get my head dressed." - from the Brisbane Courier 27 Sep 1915 (nla.gov.au)