Item 02: Fred Hamilton-Kenny letter diary, 5 December 1914-26 February 1915 - Page 58
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[Page 58]
I told you we were cleared for action & in instant readiness – still – I got ashore both am & pm – I learnt how my SBA had been behaving ashore – pretty disgracefully – My estimate of his character was more than correct – Mr Bumpus calls him 'au ullage'. you can look up ullage in Webster – Mr B generally knows what he is saying –
"This isn't Harry Lauder's navy – my son" – is another of his sage remarks –
About 5 pm a gun recalled the crew – Smoke had been seen on the horizon – The Blue Peter was up at the fore & a single blast from a 4 pounder soon had every officer & man tumbling inboard from whaler & cutter & skiff –
For a bit all was excitement & then it washed out – Two rounds of revolver cartridges have been served out to each officer in case of boat attacks – I have mine nice & handy – I wonder what it wd feel like to shoot a man – perhaps several men –