War Diaries of Billy O'Nell

Dear Diary,
The trip over to the training camps was long and tiring. I’ve never been on a ship or boat before. We arrived at the camp at dusk, sun was just coming over the horizon. I made a few great friends; Harry, Toby and Harley. We joke around and have a great time. Harley is in the infantry so are Harry and Toby.

One night on the boat Toby asked why we had joined, and I thought the same thing. I really didn’t know. Maybe to see the world. But in reality it was my same job. I was working in a post office on the telegraph and now I’m a signaller in the army. Same thing?

We found out that we were going to Gallipoli to fight the Turks! Not the Germans. I went to the commanding officer in charge of my regiment. “reporting for duty sir!” I said. He just grunted and showed me to my barracks.

Training was hard. Since I knew so much about the Morse code and the overall running of things I was assigned to teach the recruit’s a thing or two. We were taught how to repair the communications cables and we found out that me and Clarkey were going to the beach first to land the foundations of the communications. On the beach head. We won’t be there long. We’ll be home before Christmas everyone says. The Turks are going to be running with their tails between their legs! Tomorrow we are bound for glory!

Billy O’Neill
2nd Signaller Regiment. 24.4.1915

25.4.1915
Dear Diary
Our Aussie troops landed earlier on this morning. My they are brave men of ours! I’m writing in s small dugout on the peninsula. Me and Clarkey have had a tiring day. Setting up the cables and such. Bullets whizzing around your head. That’s when I think about my mates. Where are they? Are they alright? Harley landed in the first wave I’m lead to believe.

I was working on repairing and a young man’s blood spatted all over my face. In the terror and sickness I vomited all over my muddy (once clean and fresh) pants.

The flies are coming I’ve had a few buzzing around my crotch area (very unpleasant). The food is horrid-bully beef (if you can call it beef!) We take a week off from the beach head and return to the command ship. I’ve seen and buried many young men on my shift at this dreaded peninsula. They were good men.

November 1.12.1915
We have evacuated! The men are in low spirits. They feel they have not done their job as soldiers. I feel great relief that some of these young boys (gosh their terribly young!) will see another day in relative safety. An ingenious invention was made to fire rifles through dripping water into tins and firing the rifle without anyone actually being there. It may have prevented a massacre on the beaches

I’m writing as I watch ANZAC Cove shrink into the distance. An aura of sadness surrounds the deck, everyone feels they are abandoning their mates. Who no longer draw breath. We are off to France. (More blood shed!!!)

Billy O’Neill
2nd Signaller Regiment- Off the coast of Gallipoli. 1.12.1915

1.4.1916
Dear Diary,
The following days at France have been totally different to the shores of Gallipoli. They actually women here! We take leave from the front every second week. I can enjoy myself with my mates by my side. We get back to the little French towns-drink fine scotch whisky. Well I do because I’m an officer. You need a bit whisky down your gullet once in a while. The Captain doesn’t know of course but I smuggled in some grog to the boys serving at the front. Hey they need something to drown their sorrows.

I’m writing by candle light in my warm cosy room. Away from the front. But even here you can still here the cries of the fallen men. Haunting me until the day of my eventual death. Boom! Boom! Go the cannons in the distance.

Last week the troops moved into position for the “big push” or the battle of the Somme. I was there for the start of the whole mess. The troops couldn’t get quickly to there destination because of the injured and dead scattered throughout the trenches. In a sicking experiences in the chaos. My foot trod on a fellow comrades head. A young boy with glasses. “ I can’t take it anymore” I screamed. “You lousy Kraut (swear word staring with b) shoot me c’mon do it!” I made to jump out of the trench and run into no-mans land. I nearly did but a pair of firm hands pulled me back. It was Harley ( I didn’t know at the time but Harley saved my life and I’ll be indebted to him for the rest of my life) “you don’t want to be doing that Billy mate” Harley spoke in a strong brave voice. I was crying then. “c’mon things be alright I assure you” he said with a hint of doubt in his voice. “yeah” I whispered.

Harley was killed 2 days later he was pulling a comrade from the rubble saying “I have to save my mates”. Suddenly a bullet struck in the eye. Yes Harley mates to the very end my friend. He was awarded the military cross for bravery under fire.

This war is a terrible thing to see. Well I got to go and fix some supper. Some comrades are coming over from the front. Good news or bad news I will face it. Like facing an immense army. Brothers in arms- Harley, Harry and Toby. Especially Harley who made the supreme sacrifice in the name of his mates. My are there any left from Gallipoli? So long ago. So long……

Billy O’Neill

2nd Signaller Regiment 1.4.1916 Yepres