Essendon Gazette, 20 May 1915

OUR SOLDIERS

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

Private J. Wilkie McJunkin, of  Moonee Ponds, now of the 6th Battalion, A.I.F., who left for Egypt on February 2,  forwards two letters,setting out at considerable length the arrival of the 2nd Reinforcements in the Land of the Pharaohs. He describes the journey as a pleasure trip, although in the Red Sea, where they met with cold weather, the soldiers went down in wholesale fashion with influenza. The end of the voyage, from Suez to the Canal, was enlivened by passing British ships and the exchange of greetings, while the bands played patriotic airs. The letter continues:-

"When we came abreast of a big French warship the band played the  'Marseillaise,' while the men stood at present arms and the salute, and then broke into the most enthusiastic cheers. We didn’t forget to answer them in the same spirit. Then the whole population of Suez appeared to come down to cheer us on our way. While steaming through the Canal, past the  entrenchments which had just before done duty in defeating a minor  Turkish  attack, there was more cheering - this time from the 'Tommies' and  Indians. The following morning we steamed into the immense harbour of  Alexandria, which was simply packed  with shipping, the red, yellow, and black funnels of several German boats being in evidence. After a 70-mile trip by train to Cairo and Abassieh, we marched into camp. It was not our luck to remain long at the latter place, which is a splendid camp, and after three  days we were sent to Mena.

"The first contingents are made up of splendid fellows, their physique being excellent. As for their conduct, I found them agreeably refined, and the stuff written about them must have been terribly exaggerated. There is practically no trouble with the troops here, and the few isolated cases to the contrary are surely not worth making such a song about. We have any amount of leave - a full holiday once a week, and we also get our Sunday off. Cairo is extremely disappointing, without even taking its seamy side, I  can state that of all the filthy places I have seen it ranks an easy first.  The abominable smells and filthy and uncouth Arabs that swarm about its crooked streets and by-ways fairly get on the nerves of an Australian, who can hardly understand dirt and poverty as it exists here. Cairo has never borne a good name, but in its present condition, with all the flotsam and jetsam  that has drifted here, it is probably the most immoral city in the world.

You can live like a fighting cock here with a few shillings in your pocket. You get a supper of three eggs and bacon for 5d. or three eggs for 2½d. We are living well here, not eating in tents as at Broadmeadows, but in large messrooms. The accommodation is comfortable, and the "tucker" good. With the extra sixpence allowance our Quartermaster appears to experience no difficulty in giving us ample supplies of porridge, eggs, rice, and other good things in addition to the regulation meat and vegetables. By the way, on leaving the boat we were given rations of beef and biscuits. The meat, much to my delight, proved to be of the Flemington brand [1], and our boys enjoyed it thoroughly and admitted that it was a long way superior to any that had been issued to us before.

"0ur route marches through the sand are not exactly a joke, especially as we do it with our full packs. It seems strange marching round the Pyramids and halting in front of the Sphinx—both magnificent, but melancholy and impressive.  The two largest Pyramids are only a few hundred yards from our camp. They loom out over it, while the  background, a mile away, where the irrigation channels from the Nile run, is vividly green. The nights are intensely cold, and in the morning we find everything soaked in a  heavy dew. It can hardly be wondered at that pneumonia has supervened on influenza,  and that a good many of our chaps have had to go back to the hospital. We have no lack of amusements; picture shows are popular, and here is a canvas—town, where anything wanted may be had at cheap rates.  "Great joy prevails among the men now that they are  about to go to the  front. They have had five months of the monotony of sand and canvas, and are ready to move, even though it means the hardships and dangers of the battle line.   think I will be with them—anyway, I hope so. The Australians are sure to make  good.   They are indeed a sturdy lot, and more than anxious to test their fighting abilities. Soldiers who have seen active service consider them the finest body of men they have ever seen. The English officers say our  troops  are the largest fighting men in the world,  and their weight should tell effectively in a  charge and the hand—to-hand  following an assault. The training has been severe, and many have broke n down under the strain; but those that have emerged from the test are perfect soldiers. It would be terrible if a great disaster overtook them. lt would mean the wiping out of the absolute  flower of Australia. In the first contingent the men mostly came for the experience,  leaving good jobs to do so, and you will find that men prepared to adventure in this way  will not be found wanting in pluck when the crucial moment arrives.

"Now, a word with regard to the effects of the training which has done me much good within the past six months. The regular life and exercise has improved me both mentally  and physically. I am slicker in action  and  thought, my lung power has increased and the discipline and duty sharpen a fellow up wonderfully. Thus the risks run now are not without compensations. I agree with an English Territorial who said recently: 'lf l had to pay the Government £100 for what it has taught me, I should consider it money well spent.' The Australian is not given to paying compliments [2] to officers in the street, but he is not necessarily undisciplined. But give him a chance too distinguish himself, and you will soon learn how he will answer the call. Then, perhaps, the ‘hooray’ crowd in Australia will soon forget the slurs passed on our men and the fair name of our continent by Captain -—— [3] (oh! how he is loved here!) Don’t take any notice of a lot of things you hear. Some people are never satisfied unless they are making molehills into mountains. The Australians have not been drilled in barracks like the English soldiers. They have derived their training in the open air, in night bivouacs and long, tiring marches through the desert. Is it to be wondered at that when they get leave they are like schoolboys out for a holiday? All the same, what I have seen of their conduct has been  most exemplary, and I am proud to be here with them."

[1] The Flemington Meat Company of Ascot Vale canned meat products, and supplied the AIF during the war.

[2] ie, saluting.

[3] Probably a reference to Captain CEW Bean, the AIF War Historian. "[Bean] travelled to Egypt with the first contingent of the Australian Imperial Force in 1914, as a civilian with the honorary title of captain. While he was there he caused some resentment both in Australia and Egypt when, under instructions from General Bridges, commander of the Australian forces, he sent an early dispatch about the rowdiness of Australian soldiers".

http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/1landing/beanbio.html

Essendon Gazette, 27 May 1915

THE CASUALTY LIST.
Much regret was expressed when it  became known that Private J Wilkie McJunkin had succumbed to his wounds.  He was the only son of Mr and Mrs McJunkin of Moonee Ponds, and sincere sympathy goes out at the loss of such a promising young  fellow, who had endeared himself to a wide circle of friends, especially in the Flemington district, where the  genial Wilkie was a great favourite.  He was a Kensington State School boy, and finished his education at Mr S Craig's Grammar School [1], Essendon. Wilkie served his apprenticeship at the printing trade at the office of the "West Bourke Times".  For two years previous to enlisting, he was foreman at the "Donald Mail", newspaper, and contributed to its columns the articles on cricket and football, attracting much attention, and giving the sports a decided fillip in that district.

[1] Samuel Craig's Grammar School still stands on the corner of Park and Parry Streets, Moonee Ponds. 

The Argus Friday 28 May 1915

PRIVATE J W McJUNKIN
Private J Wilkie McJunkin, 6th Battalion (died of wounds), was a Kensington State school boy and finished his education at Mr Craig's Essendon Grammar School. He served his apprenticeship to the printing trade on the "West Bourke Times".

For two years prior to enlisting he was foreman at the "Donald Mail" newspaper and was a contributor to its columns. His articles on cricket and football attracted much attention, and were largely ínstrumental in putting these branches of sport on a much improved basis. The deceased was 27 years of age and was the son of Mr James McJunkin, a well known journalist, of 8 Pascoevale road, Moonee Ponds.
 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1520098

Mr. and Mrs. J. McJunkin, of Moonee Ponds, are in receipt of official particulars from the Defence Department regarding the death of their son, Private J. Wilkie McJunkin, of the 6th Battalion. The details furnished state that death was the result of compound fracture and amputation, and that deceased died on May 5 last on board the hospital ship "Goorkha."

SOCIAL BREVITIES. (1915, November 18). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3 Edition: Morning. Retrieved January 18, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590877