he President, our A.D.M.S., Colonel
Bell. I represented to him that I had long felt I would be compelled
to leave the peninsula, although much against my will, but after three
months' illness my strength had got so undermined that I could stand
it no longer. I took no care of myself, otherwise I might have felt
better now, but since I landed on April 25, I have not been a day off
duty. As Colonel Bell remarked, I should have left Suvla long ago. I
am now writing on a hospital ship, trying to feel that I have done my
bit.

Dickie, who also goes on sick leave, and I decided to go forthwith, so
we packed up all our belongings. We boarded a lighter at the C.C.S.
and came out to the hospital ship "Rewa". The evening as we came out
was beautifully still, with a little haze hanging about the foot
hills, chilly, and we were glad to put on our overcoats. I felt
depressed at being forced to leave, and cowardly when I thought of
those left behind; still on gazing around I felt astonished I had been
able "to stick it" so long. The monotony lately has been very trying;
living on a small piece of ground with the enemy in front and the sea
behind, and no progress being made, could have been nothing else.

_November 9th._--Went to bed early last night and had a. talk with
Major Turner of the 53rd C.C.S. who was in bed alongside. Talking
about our being shelled on Sunday he said his hospital was twice
shelled, getting three shells each time, and they were informed, with
apologies, by the Turks that they were retaliating. On one occasion
one of our naval shells landed in the middle of a Turkish Ambulance.
This confirms my theory that our shelling was an act of retaliation
for something or other. Although the door and port-holes were open
last night I was greatly oppressed by the closeness of the atmosphere,
due to my revelling in the open air for many months.

_November 10th._--We lay at anchor outside the boom of Suvla Bay till
mid-day to-day, when we had got on board nearly 500 sick and wounded,
and we set sail for Lemnos. Our boat is so coated with barnacles that
her speed is reduced from 18 to 12 knots. Two monitors were firing at
Achi Baba as we came opposite it. Each had two guns and the four were
fired together. We passed close to one which gave a magnificent roar,
the like of which I am not likely to hear again for many a day.

The sick officers occupy one table in the saloon, the Staff eating at
a separate table. The lat