Serving in Salonika
Article from the Bede Magazine about serving in Salonica, June 1917
From the Salonica Army,
Trenches,
June, /17
Your letter written on 8th May reached me last Thursday, and I was delighted to hear from you again. It is always interesting to me to hear accounts of Old Bede men and especially those who were contemporary with me. Your notes re the churches have cleared my mind. I might add, that in the Greek churches I have had the pleasure of entering, I have nowhere found a musical instrument. If they do not have music the services must be a little monotonous.
Until now I have met one old Bede student out here. His name is A. Pattinson and I believe he was in Coll. somewhere around ’00-’01. But I am not quite certain about the years. He is in this Battalion and we often talk of the days – happy days – spent in Durham.
I was pleased to hear that Mr. Harvey is now a Major, I trust he will soon be ready to assume duty.
W. Coulson ’07-’09 is in Alexandria. An old pupil of mine has become acquainted with him and happened to mention my name. I expect Coulson will be writing to be soon.
Heat, flies and mosquitoes are our greatest enemies here at present. The heat is awful and it is almost impossible to do work of any description during the daytime. The flies come in swarms and will certainly be the means of carrying disease. Every precaution is taken by the authorities regarding refuse, etc., and absolute care and cleanliness in billets, etc., is enforced. Mosquitoes trouble us chiefly at night-time. The malaria species is to be dreaded most. The bite creates swelling and irritation, and I have seen men with swollen arms and hands, and even with a black eye, the results of bites from these pests. We have nets to close in our dug-outs and bivouacs as the case may be. But even these sometimes prove of no avail against the mosquito.
We have now been issued with our summer kit complete. It compromises short trousers, sun helmet, mosquito nets and gloves for wearing at night-time.
The Bulgar does not seem to have much stomach for fighting. In fact I think he is eager for peace. Stories we hear from prisoners lead one to these conclusions.
I am very well and simply make the best of matters as they come my way.
David Brown,
’07-‘09
Date: Jun-1917
Author: David Brown
Where to find this: https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/palace.green/collections/dc/The_Bede_v13-no3_August_1917.pdf
Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham
