When I saw this photo on Brian’s site,
Bushboy’s World, I knew I wanted to
write something. Here it is. Thanks to
Brian for the use of his wonderful photo.
The old bicycle leaned against the shed wall in Gallipoli, 1915. Private Thomas Webb had ridden it through dust and danger, leather saddlebags stuffed with dispatches too sensitive for the telegraph.
The green canvas bag held rations …. hard biscuits, a tin of jam. The pale linen pouch concealed folded maps, pencil-marked with troop positions. The rolled leather bundle on the front fork? Letters, dozens of them, from mothers and sweethearts, promises of home.
Thomas never read them. That wasn’t his job.
On a Tuesday morning in April, he made his last run between command posts. The bicycle came back without him, bags still full, chain still ticking softly as it rolled to a stop against a stone wall.
Someone propped it there. Nobody moved it.
If only bags could speak.
NAR© 2026
This is “Diggers of the Anzac (This is Gallipoli)” by John Williamson
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
So evocative, both picture and story!
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Thanks Liz. I loved that photo the moment I saw it I knew there was a story to be told. I’m so glad you enjoyed my post.
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Aww, a tragic end
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Yes, the way of all wars.
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So true 😞
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So sad …such a waste .
A that for nothing . 💜
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Very sad. 💜
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Thomas was on his way to becoming the Australian Paul Revere, but somehow that never happened.
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Yes, war happened. It has a way of changing people’s lives forever. Thanks, Jim.
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Very nicely done my dear!❤️
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Thanks so much, dear D ❤️
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Oh, my heart. This was a good one, Nancy.
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Thank you so much, my friend. Brian’s photo worked its way into my heart; I had to write about it. ☺️
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How heartbreaking! So well written.
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Thank you, Jodi. I was so moved by Brian’s photo, I had to give it a voice.
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I love when that happens 😁
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Fabulous story from my photo Nancy. A ghost bicycle is so good 😀 I like your and ai’s rendition of my photo.
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Thank you for this beautiful comment and for allowing me to use this very special photo, dear Brian. I am delighted you enjoyed my bicycle story. 😌
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Oh, what a mystery. Nicely done, Nancy!
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Thank you, Brenda. So pleased to know you enjoyed my story. 😌
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The stories they could tell! A delightful take on the picture, Nancy.
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Without a doubt! Thank you very much, dear Keith. 😌
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