No Better Death by John Crawford

Author:John Crawford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography/Military
ISBN: 9781775591924
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
Published: 2008-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

The armistice at Anzac called on 24 May 1915 to bury the dead. In the distance the Turks are burying their dead.

Malone Family Collection London

I saw a German officer. I hated him at sight. His manner was most offensive. Our men were burying a line of Turks who were so decomposed that it was almost impossible to lift them, and of course a sort of line or trench had to be dug. This pig accused us of digging a sap. A rotten job to bury their men and then to be accused of sapping made me wild. I told some of our chaps if he said any thing more to squash a dead Turk on to him. He snarled, but got more civil.

We got Wilson’s body and also that of the Bugler lad Bissett and buried them. I am glad. I am quite satisfied about our nerves. The most awful dreadful sights and yet no awe or dread. A great regret that, the killed cannot be buried at once. It is a desecration of the human body to leave it shot up, and unburied for long.

I had no lunch, but got some tea and biscuit and jam at B/Gen Russell’s HQ thanks to a Captain Levin50 whom I had met at Palmerston North some years ago.

At 4.23 the armistice ended, and the firing recommenced. I had a good look at the Turkish soldiers they look good, and well fed and clothed, and seemed cherry [sic] and friendly enough. At 7p.m. Hawkes Bay Coy gave a concert, but the rifle firing became so furious and noisy that it was impossible to hear, so we sang God Save the King and went to bed, at about 7.30p.m.

[MSX 2552]

24.5.15

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