Gallipoli - Royal Irish / Lancashire Fusiliers - Officer’s Letter – Suvla, November 1915
An outstanding original First World War manuscript letter written by 2nd Lieutenant Litellus Russell Muirhead, later a noted travel writer and editor of the Blue Guides, immediately after his arrival on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Please see below for a full transcript of the letter and wartime service details of the writer and recipient.
Dated 12 November 1915, Muirhead identifies himself as serving with the 5th R.F., attached 9th Lancashire Fusiliers, 34th Brigade, 11th Division, B.M.E.F.
Written to his cousin Langdon, he opens the letter with “I am now really, actually, & undoubtedly ON ACTIVE SERVICE, in fact on the peninsula.” The letter gives a highly readable first-hand account of his journey from Mudros to Gallipoli, his arrival in the Suvla sector and his first impressions of the trenches and life close to the firing line following a visit to the Northern Suvla and Cape Helles trenches.
Gallipoli content
Muirhead describes:
One particularly evocative passage reads: “I live just off Holborn in a hole in the ground 6 x 4 x 4 surrounded with sandbags & waterproof sheets.”
Format and condition
Original handwritten manuscript letter in pencil, comprising four pages and dated 12 November 1915. 18 x 11 cm. Original folds, a little minor wear and age toning. Writing is neat, clear and highly legible. Please refer to the scans for details.
Transcription
From 2Lt. L. R. Muirhead
5th R.F. attd. 9th Lancs Fusiliers
34th Brigade 11th Division
B.M.E.F.
12.XI.1915
My dear Langdon,
I am now really, actually, & undoubtedly ON ACTIVE SERVICE, in fact on the peninsula. Many were the vicissitudes which I underwent before getting so far as this. A rough account of them may interest you.
First of all we received marching orders at our camp, called, I believe, West Mudros. With a morning’s notice we packed our belongings [five of us Fusiliers] & marched down to the ferry which was to take us on board the Aragon, the H.Q. ship, whence we were to embark on the ship that was to bring us here.
The ferry was an hour late, so we missed the boat, & leaving our kits on the Aragon, we were packed off to an officers’ rest camp at (I think) E. Mudros. To get there we had over a mile to walk with full packs but we were right worthily entertained when we reached there, chiefly owing to the exertions of the Mess Sergeant who is an ex-steward of the “United Services” Club. He secured
[page 2]
us tea & supper, & tents. Rogers of the 7th R.F. & myself drew blankets for the party & a few mattresses, of which there were not enough to go round. You may be sure we secured some for ourselves, by means of which we spent a comfortable night, except that there were others besides ourselves in the blankets.
That, however, is a minor evil & not to be complained of overmuch.
The next afternoon (i.e. Tuesday) we managed to get away successfully & after an unexpectedly comfortable voyage, on which we secured a supper, (ham & tea & bread & jam), a night’s rest on the saloon settee of a Bristol Channel pleasure steamer, & a cup of tea next morning at 5, just before landing on this remarkable place which looks like a gigantic rockery, being covered for the most part with scrubby acorn-bearing bushes & yellow rocks & boulders.
We are at present in support, but the Adjutant took me for a stroll & the other 2 officers who have been attached to this battalion up “Bond St.” to the firing-line and back via Oxford St., Oxford
[page 3]
Circus & Holborn. I live just off Holborn in a hole in the ground 6 x 4 x 4 surrounded with sandbags & waterproof sheets. The weather is still warm when the sun is shining, but when it gets behind a cloud, as just at present, things become a bit chilly.
People who have been to France talk about the hardships & privations of war; but they are within 20 miles of civilisation, & 24 hours of England & they can get what they want in a reasonably short space of time, whereas here we can’t get anything except rations & a few canteen stores; a packet of biscuits is a luxury & as for chocolate …
On the other hand the Turks do not use poison-gas whether because they are sportsmanlike fighters or because the winds are so violent that they would blow it all away, I don’t know.
None the less the fact remains that the real hardships of campaigning are to be found here. All the same there is a certain fascination in dug-out, & provided I don’t get too seriously damaged by shrapnel or
[continuation]
other missile, I shall be quite happy considering. We are going in reserve near the sea to-night & may be able to get provisions more easily.
In the meantime I remain,
Affectionately your Cousin,
Litellus R. Muirhead
2Lt. 5th R.F. attd. 9th L.F.
BMEF
LANGDON MUIRHEAD
Langdon was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. He was killed in France on 29 September 1918, aged 20.
MILITARY SERVICE
Litellus Russell Muirhead had an exceptionally wide-ranging and active First World War service, spanning multiple distinct military fronts across Europe and the Middle East. Detailed official biographical details and wartime records map out his active service between 1915 and 1919:
Regiment and Commission
Chronological Service and Theatres of War
Muirhead's military history shows he participated in nearly all the major Mediterranean campaigns before deploying to the Western Front: