William Ambrose Cull letter diary, 1915-1918 - Page 131
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[Page 131]
14-11-15
Malta
Dear Dad Mum & All –
I expect you have looked forward to this note from me – written from Malta. I trust that the cable which it is my intention to send to-morrow to you, will reach you, and serve to dispel any anxiety you may have on my account. I would have cabled you immediately upon my arrival at Malta on the 12th had I had THE necessary consideration. However a friend has discovered the whereabouts of the Pay Office, and to-morrow I shall send the cable – I was wounded on the evening of the 5th Novr.
I was sitting in Coy. Hd. Qrs. At the time – advising the Sergt. Major (S M Purcell) and my platoon Sergeant (Sergt Fisher) about some detail, when suddenly a great burst of flame and a terrific explosion caused a very dramatic ending to our little pow-wow. The bomb, the effectiveness of which I can vouch for, is a new type, and seems to have exploded immediately after penetrating the iron roof of the dug-out – which has, in addition, at least a foot deep of earth on top of the iron. It burst immediately over my head, rather a little to the right – yet I escaped with a few small scalp and face wounds – a wonderful escape.
The Sgt. Major, standing some distance from me was killed, while my Sergt had his hand badly knocked about.
The following morning I was taken aboard the hospital ship "Davanha" bound for Malta, and am now very comfortably located in a hospital (really convalescent home) at Hamrun quite close to Maltas principal town – Valetta.