The

Kangaroo Marines

By

CAPT. R. W. CAMPBELL

Author of "Private Spud Tamson"

CASSELL AND COMPANY, LTD
London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne

First Published 1915

DEDICATED
TO THE
CONQUERORS OF ANZAC
AND THE
MANY KIND FRIENDS I MET
IN
AUSTRALASIA, EGYPT, AND THE DARDANELLES

PREFACE

I am not an Australasian, I am a Scot. Therefore, I hold no specialbrief for the folks down under. But I am an Imperialist—one filledwith admiration for our overseas Dominions and the self-sacrifice ofour colonial cousins. They have played the game. They have astonishedthe world. They have even exceeded our own expectations. Let us notstint our praise. Let us write deep in the annals of our literatureand military history this supreme devotion, this noble heroism. And inthe greater Councils of Empire let us see to it that these sons of theMotherland have a say in settling affairs.

And I can claim at least the right to write about our gallantAustralasians. I have lived in Australia and New Zealand. I haveserved on a Sydney paper and with the New Zealand Herald. I have metevery Premier (Federal and otherwise), from "Andrew" Fisher to "Bill"Massey. And, during my stay, I made it my duty to study the CitizenArmy—a National Service organisation.

This was before the war. And this army was founded by "K" and theGovernments of Australia and New Zealand. Did they see ahead? One isalmost tempted to think so. In any case, the possession of a GeneralStaff and the framework of a National Army ensured the rapidmobilisation of a voluntary force to assist the Motherland. This forcewas armed, clothed, equipped and staffed from the existing militaryorganisations in Australia and New Zealand. You have heard of theircourage at Anzac; you have read of how many have died.

Anzac is the cope-stone of Imperialism. It is the grim expression of afaith that is everlasting, of a love that shall endure the shocks ofyears, and all the cunning devilry of such as the Barbarous Huns.Hence this little book. It is an inspiration of the Dardanelles, whereI met many of our Australasian friends. It is not an official history.I have, in my own way, endeavoured to picture what like these warringBohemians are. The cloak of fiction has here and there been woundround temperamental things as well as around some glorious facts.

I hope I shall please all and offend none.

R. W. CAMPBELL, Capt.
October, 1915.

CONTENTS