Letters from the hospital ship 'Maheno', No 2.

Hospital ship Maheno. Ref: 1/1-002212-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23193984

A small series, of unknown length, highlighting letters from the hospital ship, 'Maheno'.

Part of my ANZAC Commemoration in the year 2020.

Name: John Francis McGrath
Enlisted: 27 Jan 1915
Unit: 17th Australian Infantry Battalion
Fate: Returned to Australia, 12th May 1918
Source: Australian War Memorial

Letter as it appears in the Nambucca and Bellinger News (NSW : 1911 - 1945), Friday 5 November 1915, page 5

A Wounded Australian. 

Mr. and Mrs. McGrath, Macksville, are in receipt of a letter from their son— Private John McGrath — whom it was reported was missing. He is again at the front. The following is an extract from his letter ...

"I suppose that you have heard long ago that I was wounded in action on August 27th. I was hit five times in about ten minutes. The first four did not hurt, but the fifth one did. They were all bomb wounds. I walked down to the beach, about two miles distant on my own. I reached there about 9.30 p.m. and by 11 o'clock I was on the hospital ship "Maheno." We went to Lemnos where we stayed two days, afterwards going to Malta. After three days stay we steamed for England. Arrived at Plymouth Sound we boarded the train for London. We travelled all night reaching our destination at 6 next morning and were sent in motor cars to the King George hospital, about 10 minutes drive from the station. At the hospital we were treated like lords. Although we had only been there three days the gentlemen sent round their motor cars and carriages for us, and took parties of us to their clubs, giving us as much light refreshment as we can consume. Sometimes we are taken to their own homes. I have seen many of the principal buildings in London. The hospital is near Trafalgar Square. All the visitors ask to see the Australians. They think we are great men and give us enough smokes to supply a town. Our hospital suit is a royal blue tweed suit, white shirt and red tie. We are not allowed out on our own. 

Ten days after receiving my wounds and while on the boat I was operated on. A piece of steel about an inch long was taken out of my neck. This wound was caused after a bayonet charge on August 27. We received 200 rounds of ammunition and then advanced against a Turkish position. Our instructions were to take three lines of trenches. We advanced through our trench, dug for the purpose, for about half a mile and then into the open. For half a mile we had to cross open ground. The order was given to "fix bayonets and charge." Our course was down a hill about 200 yards, and then up the hill into the Turks' trench. I formed part of the second party and we made for the second trench which we took. Others followed and we had almost, the third trench taken before I was wounded. The Australians succeeded in taking both that and two more trenches before next morning. I was in the trench three or four hours. I was not badly wounded and am nearly well again. 

I was lucky in being sent to London. It was well worth being wounded for a week or two. I will now be ready for another shot at the enemy.