Sergeant Benjamin Kendrick, 9th Infantry Battalion, June/July 1915

The Brisbane Courier

21 July 1915

With Our Boys

Australian Bravery

A Story of Gallantry Modestly Told

Dashed Bad Luck to Have to Leave the Boys

The Mascot of the Ninth

In a letter to his mother (Mrs. Kendrick, Musgrave-road, Red Hill), Private Ben. H. Kendrick, of the 9th Battalion, writes:-

"Just a word to let you know I am getting on slow, but sure, and will soon be ready for business again. This place is the convalescent camp for all troops. I will soon be drafted to the rest camp - in a day or two, in fact. I can get about now without a stick. I limp a bit, but that will soon wear off. This is a fine place for us. There is a nice beach, and we can get plenty of sea bathing, and there is always a bit of a breeze, which is very acceptable here, as it is very hot at present. 

The news that comes through is still encouraging, and shows that our boys at the Front are still doing their bit to keep the old flag flying. I hear that "Buller" ("General Buller" the bull terrier mascot of the Ninth, bred by the writer of the letter) is on one of the warships. He could not land with me. but he is all right. He is quite a "soldier." He knows all the bugle calls as well as we do, and goes for his tucker with the rest. 

You will think it a wonder I am alive when I tell you I collected four bullets from my clothing besides those that really hit me. One went through my cap and down the side of my face and knocked a bit off my left ear. Some of us got a bit nearer to the Turks' guns, and had to retire. That was when I was hit in the thigh, and the others could not wait for me so they had to leave me there. I said, "You go on; I will get back somehow." So I started to crawl on my hands and knee, as my leg was useless. You should have seen my hands and knees when I had gone about a mile. It was very rough country, and the bushes are very prickly, so when I came to a bit of a donga I tried another way - sitting down, and going backwards. It was a slight relief, but I could not move my leg, and it was no use to me being left there. All this time I had my rifle and bayonet, as the Turks were very near. I could see them at times, and I intended not to be taken prisoner, and to sell my life dearly if it came to the pinch. However, after about another half mile or so, I came upon the boys digging themselves in. They wanted me to go straight to the dressing station on the beach, but I wanted to give the beggars a bit back for what they had done to me. I stopped until 4 a.m. when the doctor ordered me to leave. I thought it was dashed bad luck to have to go in the thick of it and leave the boys up to their eyes in trouble. All I can do now is to get well, and I am very anxious to be with them as they get near Constantinople. Australia will be there! 

And now a growl about the mails. I have not received any letters or papers since April, so you will see what our postal arrangements are like. I have been here since May 1, and I know there must be a lot somewhere. Once before I had 18 letters, and as many papers, but I think they might manage things a bit better for us chaps here. 

I was in ___ hospital after I was discharged from No. 17 General. We were treated all right, and had everything we could wish for. Just fancy, this is my birthday! What a lot has happened since last year. I am many miles away from you all, but I am with you in spirit. I have the large sum of 2½d. in my pocket. We do not get any pay until we are discharged into the rest camp, and then one gets the sum of 10/. We all like a few pennies to jingle together. 

I hope I shall get my mail soon, as I should like to hear how you and all at home are getting on. I have a few curios I will send you as soon as I get money for postage, as I shall only lose them when I go to the Front, and I hope that will be soon. Good-bye, and God bless you."

Soldier Identified: Sergeant Benjamin Hugh Kendrick, Service No. 319, 9th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. Returned to Australia, 19 January 1919.

Infantry group with a white dog which the original caption identifies as a bull terrier. (Courtesy: Australian War Memorial)

Sources:

1. With Our Boys (1915, July 21). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 8.
2. Infantry group with a white dog which the original caption identifies as a bull terrier. Australian War Memorial