Mexborough and Swinton Times February 22, 1919
Wombwell Officer at Baku
Interesting news concerning life in Turkey the Armistice has been received by Mr and Mrs Joseph Upton, The Old Homestead, Wombwell from their son Lieutenant Harold Edward Upton (R.A.F.)
This Lieutenant Upton joined Mediterranean Squadron in September last. Later he was transferred to a Russian expedition, and is now at Baku.
Writing from Mudros, he states:— “We couldn’t of course, wake much fuss on this Ireland when the Turks gave in, but we, David as well as possible and arranged a dance in the Greek Village. The natives like farm-hands but a thousand times more docile. I sat behind the door watching the natives come in.
I’ve heard of people feeling ill with laughter, but I had to go outside to relieve my feeling,. When my fit and passed away I returned to the room and round the dancing in full swing. The Greeks were running round first one way and then the other like children playing “Ring-a-roses’ in fact. I think “Ring-a-roses” is their national. dance. They tried a polka but no one F.eeraed to know what it was.
Crossing the Black sea, he writes: “I have just been on the top deck watching the porpoises in the water. It is a fine sight. I am just commencing to write before commencing my two hours work in the ship’s bunkers. We are on our way to Batum, and as the boat has only about half its, usual crew, and as we are all anxious to reach our destination, all the officers and men have volunteered to help in the stoke-hold. My shift commenced at 10 to-night and finishes at 12
The Turks seen quite decent about their defeat, but everything is terribly scarce. The poor devils are starving. They offer £40 per pair of thigh boots, and £20 for a pair of ordinary ones. That will give you some idea of the state of things.
My friend and I had a cup of coffee and to tea each in a café and the bill was 15 shillings. We nearly fainted. Another fellow hired a cab for about a mile and a mile and ½ and it cost him £5!
Charming place to spend a holiday!This