Anzac Day: War letters to home

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

This Sunday marks the 106-year anniversary of the first landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

For many of the 16000 soldiers, April 25, 1915 marked their first day of combat.

And by that night, 2000 had been killed or maimed.

We remember our Aucklanders who served in the war with their letters to friends and loved ones back home.

Here is VAD nurse Mary Bernadette Stapleton's letter to her parents:

May 22, 1944

Dear Mother, Dad and family,

After returning from a perfect honeymoon and saying farewell to my darling husband, I will waste no more time in telling you all about the wedding etc.

We did intend to write while we were still together but although Bert started a letter on several different occasions, none managed to get further than the first two lines.

So we finally decided to give up the idea and to both write separate screeds later, so here goes.

Well I was kept pretty busy at work until the day before the wedding, as the wards were quite full.

Bert was due to arrive on the Friday and I of course, had worked up quite a bit of excitement by the time he finally got here.

I expected him during the afternoon, but when 6 o’clock came as I came off duty, he still hadn’t turned up and I was getting a little bit worried as the roads in this part of the world are really treacherous and sure enough when he did get here about half an hour later, he was shaking like a leaf.

It appeared that the back axle had broken and almost threw them off the cliff.

Of course that meant we had to leave the car here and send it back to base as it was impossible to get another axle before the big day.

After tea and when all in sundry had come to offer congratulations etc. we finally escaped and went for a walk.

Later we went and sat in the car, which was jacked up in the A.S.C. lines.

Then followed one of the most thrilling moments of my life when Bert put on my engagement ring, which until then, I had not seen.

He had received it from Egypt a few weeks previous, but both being very sentimental, we decided to wait until he could put it on, although he really would have liked to send it to me before as he never liked the thought of me not having one.

It is a lovely little ring and although I would not have a say in the choosing of it, it is just what I wanted.

Three diamonds on the straight claw setting, and all gold.

It also has a sweet little box, which at that time also contained my wedding ring, which is plain gold and very neat.

Well I still had a day’s work to do before I became Mrs Crispin and Saturday morning found me on the job.

I had finished all my packing before Bert came and except for a few last minute jobs, I was very well organised which was just as well as things turned out on that fateful Saturday.

During the morning Bert saw Father Henley and finalised all arrangements.

The Best man arrived and Eileen, Bert, Jim (Best man) and I all had lunch together at 1 o’clock when I came off duty.

I was doing a divided duty and was due back at 6 o’clock to work my last 2 hours.

Now for the tragedy.

At 2 o’clock the four of us and Father Henley went off in two Jeeps to get flowers from the palace gardens, to decorate the church.

I had never been in the palace grounds before that and as they stretch for miles and are beautifully laid out, complete with pools, waterfalls, numerous statues, lawns, trees etc, it was a most thrilling trip.

The road led up the mount into a lodge, which is now used as a General’s Rest Home and here we got from the garden, lovely trails of tiny cream rose buds.

We almost filled Father Henley’s Jeep with them and then set off down the hill again.

On the way we stopped to pick some white blossoms, which looked lovely on the trees.

We had to leave our cars on the roadway and walk in through the trees to get the flowers, we went in and coming back to the road, I slipped, fell and split my knee open.

It all happened in a minute and I didn’t think it was bad at all and tried to hide it from the others who were a little way behind.

However, the blood was soon pouring down my leg and Jimmy smartly put me in his Jeep and brought me back to hospital as fast as he could go.

Of course he never gave it a thought, as poor old Bert was left standing.

I believe they had a bit of a row about it later, but he explained to Bert that he just didn’t think and realised my leg was bleeding pretty freely, so they soon patched things up.

I of course did not want to report officially, so went straight to my own ward and struck two of the M. O’s just having afternoon tea.

I asked one of the sisters to have a look at it and doctor Owen Johnson immediately stepped forward.

I tell you I felt pretty disappointed when he said, “ This is a nasty mess. I am afraid we will have to take you to the theatre and clean it up and put in a few stitches.”

I remember being heartily sick at this stage and then Bert arrived on the scene.

Everyone was simply marvellous and had no doubt that they would get me to the altar at 11 o’clock next morning, but you can imagine what I felt like about things.

Bert helped to carry me upstairs to the sick Sister’s ward and I went to theatre at 4.30pm.

Everyone was terribly upset and Bert said he couldn’t move an inch without someone else coming to enquire about me.

I came out of anaesthetic about six (no ether now but pentathol,) which is injected into a vein at the elbow and knocks you out in about half a minute and has absolutely no after effects.

Simply marvellous stuff and Bert sat with me all evening.

Of course I had simply dozens of visitors, who just could not believe what had happened.

The cut was right across the kneecap in the worst possible split and was cut to the bone, necessitating four stitches.

They doped me up well that night, but I felt pretty awful the next morning even so.

I had my knee dressed again about 8 o’clock and doc said I could go back to the mess.

An ambulance came for me at 9 o’clock and two lads carried me down to it and then I am afraid I went all to pieces, so that when we arrived at the mess, they had to take me in on a stretcher and put me in my bed.

I tell you it was a pretty grim show, when I was due to trip up the aisle in a couple of hours time.

I had suggested the night before that we would not get married, but both Father Henley and Bert decided that the wedding would go on even if I had to be married in bed in the ward and that did not appeal to me at all.

Well I had a good stiff brandy and with the help of Eileen and several other girls was soon up on my feet and dressed for the occasion.
I had a lovely pair of silk stockings (a present from Miss Shore) new shoes, my white satin undies, my uniform starched and ironed by myself and a new veil. I really felt that I looked very nice and so did Eileen, who was dressed the same.


Father Henley came to see me in my hut and I went to confession. I of course intended to go the night before.

He then said I was to have a cup of tea and some biscuits and then I went into the lounge where Leo McCarthy was waiting for me.

The bouquets did not arrive until just on eleven and they were really lovely.

Mother I do wish you could have seen mine, it was white roses, Lily of the Valley and MaidenHair Fern and white ribbon.

Eileen's was very sweet too, being in shades of pink and blue with pale cyclamen ribbon.

Miss Shore’s had a pale apricot bow and similar shaded flowers.

Father Henley's car was at our disposal and the church tent is just around the corner so we didn’t waste much time getting there.

Well honestly, the crowd completely staggered me, the church was packed full and outside the crowd seemed to stretch for miles.

I somehow managed to get up the aisle to the strains of the Bridal march and could see poor old Bert was shaking like a leaf.

It was a very hot day and the perspiration was running off the poor darling, who was in battle dress.

The altar looked lovely, being done with Arum lilies and the trails of roses decorated the sides of the tent.

Father had arranged everything so that we stood up all the time for the marriage ceremony and I sat all through Mass.

After signing the register we came out and I never saw so many cameras in my life ( and films are supposed to be absolutely unprocurable), then we went for a drive once more to the palace gardens.

Eileen and Jimmy were following in Jimmy’s Jeep.

By this time the effects of the ‘dope’ were wearing off so they stopped the car and we got out, as the pain wasn’t half so bad while I was standing up as when I was sitting. It was a nearly perfect day, the sun shining brightly and not a breath of wind or a cloud in the sky.

We then went back to the Mess for the luncheon, the tables looked lovely and over a hundred sat down, including the Colonel, Matron and sub Matron, Father Henley, Father Finnegan (2 British G.H.) many officers from Bert’s Battalion, also officers, sisters, nurses, management and 0urs from here.

And not forgetting Jack Grigg, who was really my only relative present.

The cake was really lovely and we are only sorry that someone didn’t get a snap of it. (Ah but they did as Berna found out later) It was two decker, beautifully iced pale cream in colour and a silver vase (kindly lent by one of the sisters) of lily of the valley (real) on top.

We had ham, salad, green peas, hard - boiled eggs (cut in halves) oyster patties, jelly, fruit salad, cream, whiskey, gin and wine.

The usual toasts were honoured including one to the Bride and Groom’s parents, proposed by the Colonel and replied to by an officer of the M.C.Btn. Leo McCarthy proposed the toast to absent friends.

Bert had worried quite a lot about his speech, but when the moment really came, it was just no trouble at all and he spoke very well indeed.

After we cut the cake we all adjourned to the lounge, where it was handed around and the beer, which had been on ice all morning, was produced.

I then had the time of my life kissing all the handsome officers etc.

Some even sneaked back a second time, much to the annoyance of my darling husband, who didn’t miss to notice what was going on.

We had intended to get away about two o’clock, but it was 3.30pm before we finally left in Father Henley’s car for Positano. Jimmy and Eileen, Gwen and Tommy came along in the Jeep for part of the way, then we stopped, finally said farewell and were at last on our own, with the prospect of two glorious weeks away from the rest of the world.

Before going on to tell you about our honeymoon, I suppose you would like to hear about the wedding presents.

Well we got 17 pounds 7 shillings in cheques, an inlaid picture, decanter set, cocktail set, rose bowl, two vases, two pairs of inlaid book ends, glass tray, card box, cup and saucer, lovely sweet stand, also a super fruit stand.

We were really very lucky as things here are a terrific price and at an Army wedding, presents are not expected.

The drive via Naples, Pompei and down the coast to Positano is truly a beautiful and breathtaking ride, but I am afraid I don’t remember much about it that day.

The old knee was aching like mad and I felt every bump in the road.

The driver was very careful and we finally reached our hotel about seven o’clock and a cup of tea appeared immediately, also a doctor who was staying there stepped forward and perched the old leg up on a pillow, while we were waiting for our bed to be made up.

We had a lovely room, which opened onto the balcony, overlooking the sea below.

Everyone was simply marvellous and we had dinner served in our room, and I soon brightened up enough to unpack and then with the help of my darling husband, (who really makes a super nurse) I finally got to bed.

Then, (quite unintentionally) he afforded me a good ten minutes of entertainment, and I am sure I never laughed so much in my life.

He started to get ready for bed and found that Eileen had sewn up his pyjamas. I soon produced a pair of scissors and the showers of macaroni fell from the pockets etc. and there he was struggling away manfully and of course every step he took (in bare feet) on the strewn floor, made him leap around in fine style.

It was really the funniest sight I have seen for a long time and he took it well in such good sport too.

Well although I was a bit handicapped for the first four or five days, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our glorious honeymoon.

For these first few days all our meals were served in our room, but later I used to get as far as the lounge and with the old leg perched up on a settee, we would partake of our lunch and dinner there.

We always had morning tea and also breakfast (sometimes as late as 10.30) in bed.

Lunch was at 1.30 and dinner at night was at 8 o’clock.

We always had tea in our room, about five in the afternoon and although we were quite content with bread and butter in the beginning, before the fortnight was over, we added a couple of eggs to this meal.

Eat!! We simply could not satisfy our appetite, for example, breakfast the last morning consisted of an omelette, a pork sausage and 3 fried eggs each, not forgetting bread, marmalade and tea.

We had perfect weather all the time and after the first few days, got out on the beach quite a bit.

We were staying at the Hotel Miramare, which is an officer’s hotel at present, having been taken over by the Army, but still run as before by the old proprietor.

We had been there five days when another officer offered Bert his car for the day to take me for a drive.

It was very nice of him and we really did appreciate it.
We lost no time in getting ready and off we went to Sorrento.

We spent a lovely morning shopping and I got some lovely linen.

Frightfully expensive but as Bert says it will last a lifetime and he is such a dear.

We spent about 25 pounds in less than an hour and then went to the T.W. to have lunch.

Our shopping included a beautiful tablecloth (8 pounds) and two lots (six in each) of embroidered serviettes.

We bought two inlaid boxes and two dolls in National dress, one for Rita and one for Anne, but we are not sending them as we still hope to be able to deliver them personally before very long.

After lunch we went back through Positano and on to Amalfi, which was the big English tourist resort in peacetime and was actually the spot where the Duke and Duchess of Windsor spent part of their honeymoon.

We were back at the hotel for dinner and later entertained Eileen, Gwen, Tommy, Maj. Hugo and Capt. Feltham (two of our M.D.s).

They were all on leave and came to visit us.

We soon got to know the other guests at the hotel and enjoyed their company at various times.

One morning we all moved around to the next bay and the rest of the party went for a swim, while I looked on from the beach.

There was a cute little bar perched up the cliff, reached by a windy stair, way up the side of the cliff. We all went up for a drink and found all the cast of the “Merry Widow”, (which had been playing in Naples) there, including Cyril Richards and his charming wife Madge Elliot.

Positano is noted for its pottery and we bought several pieces of it on the last morning of our stay there.

There is a lovely church there where we went to Mass on the Sunday and although we did feel guilty every morning when we heard the bell, we never got there during the week, the main reason being that there were about a thousand steps descend and ascend and I just couldn’t make it too often.

We ran into many people we knew on different occasions and then the last few days Leo McCarthy and Paul Adams (another of our M.O's adma and an old friend of Bert’s), were staying down there and the four of us had a lot of fun together.

It was a sad day on Saturday when we had to return here.

We found a huge pile of mail including many cables. Bert also expects to find a pile awaiting him at Ad. Base.

Of course we got a great surprise to learn that Pat was married and I can hardly believe it yet.

I sent them a cable yesterday and addressed it home as I don’t know their address.

Of course we are dying to hear all about it, but I guess we will talk it over when we get home.

If they are half as happy as we are, they will be right.

We both say we would never be single again, under any circumstances.

So Paul has finally left N.Z., we presume he is now in Canada.

I do hope he thinks to scribble a note sometime. Also included in my mail were a cable and airgraph from Bob Steele, he mentioned having been to see you all and was impressed with my nice family.

Also an airgraph from Mrs Thomas, saying she had seen Bert’s photo, so we presume you and Mrs Crispin have been exchanging them.

She is such a dear and has written several lovely letters and has made me really feel a member of the family. I do hope there is a letter for Bert from you Mother dear, as he is a little disappointed that so far none have appeared.

He is such a fine lad and so very sincere, that I am a little disappointed too that you did not trust my judgement, but I know you will have received details by now and I understand truly I think I am the luckiest girl in the world to be the wife of Bertie Crispin.

I don’t know when I will see him again, but that is how it is in the Army.

Of course I will miss him terribly and am looking forward to the day when we will be together and we firmly state that no one will ever separate us again, not for long anyway.

Well dear ones, I am going to write to Mrs Crispin also today.

I go back to work tomorrow in Officer’s ward I think, but as two girls have gone off duty sick this morning, it might be changed again before tomorrow.

Well dear ones, many thanks for all your good wishes.

I will under(take) to write to all my relatives and friends who so thoughtfully remembered us. In the meantime. Lots of love to all at home.

From Your loving daughter, Berna xxxx xxx