BARRETT ALH 1915 2 OCT - DEC
1st October 1915 Friday
Main Guard.
We fell in two deep and at the slope to hear a Court Martial Sentence read out, this morning. The prisoner, an Australian was escorted by two sentries and he was charged with having been drunk on sentry duty and having stolen two tins of condensed milk from Government Stores. The A.P.M. read the charge first and then the sentence. He was sentenced to 3 years penal servitude. The prisoner flinched at that. Reading on the A.P.M. said that the sentence was commuted to 3 months field punishment. The man was so dazed that he had to ask afterwards what he got. One silly fool told him 3 years and 3 months. The shock of hearing himself sentenced to three years stunned him and he failed to hear the rest.
The Greeks and Gipoes had a bit of a scrap today. Sticks and knives.
There have been some fighting on the Peninsular during the last few days and a lot of prisoners have been taken I hear. The Border Brigade (86th?) comprised of the Borders, K.O.S.B., S.W. Borderers, and Inskillings (Skins) returned to the trenches today..
News from France. 120,000 German prisoners taken.
Graham WHYTE shot in Tower for leading air raids over London (this is a beaut).
2nd October 1915 Saturday
Saw Dentist this morning, whether he could refix my bridgings. He said he would have to send away to get the job done and to come around in the morning. What does that mean?
"Pay Bob" this morning. Paid 2 Pounds and all in new silver shilling pieces. Bought 2 tins of salmon, 2 tins pineapple (1/- per tin), a pipe (1/-), worchester (6d), and biscuits to make up 7/-
The Greeks have packed up and the new canteen has thousands of pounds worth of stock, 10,000 Pounds worth I hear. The Major running it reckons he has lost 1,000 Pounds in transit. Broachit, hardly believe it. He has eight or ten marques packed to the roof with stock. Supposed to be run at cost price.
Something going to happen on the Peninsular I fancy. Very heavy bombarding going on last night. Weather warming a bit after the cold spell a few days ago.
Turkish prisoners guard tonight. One I was talking with and who asked me, "Haf you any bread?" and, "Haf you any jamba?" "Jamba very good." Says, "Turky prisoners no good, me Greek." He was at Gaba Tepe. "Warships bom, bom, Turkish dead plenty." "Machine Gun Germans." He could talk a smattering of English and some French.
He had another Greek with him, "English fight for cross, Turk for moon and star.", pointing to a dozen Turks praying he laughed sneeringly, "for Mohamet."
One of the Turks was singing or praying in long drawn out notes, reminds one at times of a bagpipe. Some of them have good voices and at nighttime it sounds not too bad tough a trifle weird. There are many long drawn out notes where it seems that the singer is trying to see how long he can keep going without drawing a breathe.
3rd October 1915 Sunday
Dentist says he can not fix my bridging at present, alright.
Latest is. Two Monitors have managed to get up the Narrows.
At sunset tonight there was a terrible din going on in the direction of the Cape, so I went up on the hilltop. Could see clouds of white smoke rising from Asiatic side opposite W Beach, but hard to say whether this was result of shell-fire. Got up there a bit too late. Can see Suvla, Anzac, Gaba Teppe, Archi Baba and the opposite side of the Narrows plainly. Could make out Turkish shells bursting over the trenches and beaches. Also, I saw our planes on the aerodrome coming to earth, a fine view.
****** DRAWING OF PLANE ******
Band from the HMS Cornwallis playing at the YMCA marque this afternoon. Marines dressed in white with peaked caps bearing red bands
***DRAWING OF CAP BADGE***.
The bandsmen have to join as boys and one or two were well in their teens.
Re French victories, 23,000 is the number of prisoners, as the War sheet has it today, (not 120,000!)
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY October 2nd .
The King sends his appreciation of good work done and trusts our health is excellent.
Replying the Brigadier Ian HAMILTON says, "Thank you regret unable to render favourable account of health of troops, and the Kings good kind words will spur the men on to fresh deeds etc."
Rumours of things doing on Peninsular but heard nothing definite.
A Royal Army Medical Corps man, with prisoners, tells me some of the Turks have got consumption. One bloke had the top of his finger blown off. He was invalided in Constantinople for 3 days! We have a Sergeant Major who was in the Suez camp area. He is allowed a batman and a separate tent.
4th October 1915 Monday
I see the Turks are on the Gipoes job of road making today.
Heavy bombarding going on, wonder how the two monitors are getting along.
Main Guard.
Got posted over a tent at the Military Police camp containing a young Dutch A.B. He was employed on the water boat, a steamer of 8,000 tons running between here and Lemnos. He was found in possession of a camera and had taken a photo of our airship and hospital ship, and was arrested on suspicion. He understands English perfectly but talks it like a Dutchman. Been all over the world and boasts he is a proper sailing ship man. Served in Dutch Army and Navy and was in some East India expedition. Lived for two years in the States and has been in Alaska. Very interesting chap to converse with and he likes talking alright. He has got a black eye, a fellow sailor, a Greek, gave him with a broom before he was arrested.
5th October 1915 Tuesday
"Fritz" has been over this morning and dropped a fine large bomb, quite handy to us, and just as we were discussing the latest Buzz. Peace Conference with Turks and the leveling of Chanak. The anti-aircraft guns did not give a very brilliant display.
LATER
Fritz did no damage that I can hear of. The two monitors got back safely and did even better than was expected. They silenced several forts and nothing has been heard from Chanak for a day or two.
"Drake" has just introduced me to some real navy baccy. The whole leaf is rolled into a round tapering plug and bound round with hemp cord. The sailors have a particular name for it. It is very damp and strong and is rum soaked. This plug weighed 8 ounces and cost 3/- per pound. Canteen is selling smoking mixture at 1/- per tin of 4 ounces.
Austria has intimated to Romania that munitions must be allowed to pass into Turkey and Russia has given Bulgaria 24 hours to decide on to which side of the wall she is going to jump.
6th October 1915 Wednesday
Saw an Australian paper today, August 2nd, where a big recruiting campaign has commenced in Australia. HOLMAN was to open it in New South Wales, with an appeal at Sydney Stadium. Returned soldiers entered the ring and were received with cheering. Holman was howled down.
7th October 1915 Thursday
Water Guard tonight.
Spent 9/- at canteen this morning. Cambridge sausages 1/6 for ½ dozen, tin of pineapple 1/-, salmon 1/-, butter Irish 2/3 per pound tin.
Met a RFA man who was a reserve and was called up in Australia. He is glad he joined in Aus. He has 150 Pounds to his credit and it makes 10/- difference per day to his pay. He is probably a Sergeant but can't understand why the difference is as much as 10/-.
8th October 1915 Friday
On Water Guard today. Four water tanks, barge shaped, are filled from the water ship, which lies about 300 yards from shore and pump the barges full. She in turn is filled with Alexandria water I think.
Duties, only authorised persons to use tanks. List and amount to draw kept by sentry. Challenge all persons after 9.30 p.m.
H.M. Ships "Cornwall" and "Cornwallis" have relieved the "Exmouth" and "Lord Nelson".
Fine dinner, roast joint. Roasted in suct in ordinary dixie. Essex man good cook entered France August 11th. Wounded in June. For overstopping his leave he was sent out here. 29th Division after 2 months in hospital.
Bit about a well-known regiment who were boomed for a stirring charge at beginning. He reckons that their behaviour was anything but commendable. Like S.M D- of L Battery RHA which kept up a fire under great odds, two men and S.M. left to man gun everyone else ousted. S.M. now a V.C. and an Officer. Men D.C.M. S.M. was behind a haystack. Men kept the gun going.
9th October 1915 Saturday
PEARSON left us for the Peninsular (via the Medical Board Lemnos), this morning.
I turned down a chance of G.H.Q. orderly.
Conversation I over heard:- An old Indian Soldier, a regular, conversing with a little Welsh Corporal. Regular is from Lancashire.
Lanc: "What gets me is that these Australians get 6/- a day and we get a lousy bob. And some of them can't handle a rifle (means can't always do 'present' or 'examine' with exactitude, I spose).
Welsh: "But they don't get any bounty."
Lanc: "Oh! We will all get a bounty, it was 10 Pounds in the Boer War."
Welsh: "No. Instead of a bounty the Australian Government gives the 50 Pounds when they go back and six months full pay."
Lanc: "Australia must be a good place."
10th October 1915 Sunday
Turkish Prisoner Guard. Turkish prisoners now have a galvanised iron shed to cook in. Sick men have an Ep marque to live in. They have been issued with blue serge or tweed suits and full kits are being given out to them, was watching the way they eat. About eight squat closely around each dish and they dip spoons.
Cornwallis band playing at Y.M.C.A. today. Mostly boys in Marine band. Peaked caps and red band, white top. Blue serge jackets with brass buttons and the band badge on the neck. White trousers.
About sixty men have left camp for the Peninsular in the last three days. No Australians. Whist German Whist Euchre Lights out.
11th October 1915 Monday
Got a job on "ordinance fatigue", about a dozen of us shifting boxes of boots, mess tins, service caps - bales of blankets, tents etc. - hard work.
Hear that the 1st, 2nd and 4th (not the 3rd) Brigades are resting at Lemnos. The 1st Brigade L.H. is at Suvla Bay. Also hear that the New Zealanders have left the Peninsular for a spell.
Saw a couple of redoubtables today. Admiral de Roebuck is in charge of naval operations and Flight Commander Samson. The former is tall and grey and neither fat not thin - clean shaven and would make a good C of E parson to look at.
Samson has charge of the R & C out here and is the airman that the Germans offered 1,000 Pounds for, short of stature, medium build and a Captain Kettle beard - blonde -
I hear that the Egyptians are all to go back, commenced a medical examination of them and the majority of the first dozen they went through were found to be infected with some form of syphilis.
12th October 1915 Tuesday
Ordinance Fatigue today.
Aeroplane fatality. The chap who does the fancy dives and banking or whatever they call "spiraling" over did it and turned turtle. Machine crashed to the ground. Pilot had both legs broken and the observer killed, almost every bone in his body smashed.
Am anxious to see what happens to "fritz" when he pays his next visit. On the cliff just above the pier is a 12 pound anti-aircraft gun. There are others on the opposite side of the camp too. The battleships are at a disadvantage because they have to wait until fritz gets into the opposite direction to the camp as the shrapnel may damage our own people.
Weather turning cold and have had one or two thunderstorms otherwise the sunshine continues. Ever since I arrived in May the sky has been as clear as if it were Australian.
13th October, 1915 Wednesday
Ordinance fatigues finish.
Asked Orderly Corporal therefore to put my name down for the 'peninsular'.
The Egyptians road making. Two rows of them standing facing the leader, who stands facing towards them. They are supposed to be ramming the metal down. "Halyar heyli." says the leader and swinging the rammers across in front of the other foot they drop them with a "Unmen dahlah" all together and so on chant and chorus. They don't put any weight behind the rammers but merely let them drop with their "unmendahla". Its heart breaking to watch them.
14th October, 1915 Thursday
**** **** ** today casualty post. Half the guard thickered on r***** ceg****
Bulgaria has declared against the Allies I hear.
15th October 1915 FRIDAY
9.00 a.m. waiting for whistle to face I am going to Mundros and if passed by Board of Medicine back to Peninsular. Barry wanted to get us all shickered on rum last night. Am sorry to say good bye to Heliditch, Barry, Grice, all good fellows and we got on fine together. Drake Battalion of Royal Navy Division, 11th Battalion of West Australia, 9th Battalion of Queensland, respectively.
Leave at 9.30 a.m. in a rough sea for Lemnos. Headed well out towards the Peninsular before turning and some were sick. Shells bursting south of Atchi. Hull trawler we are in told that both Imbros and Samothrace are volcanic islands. At sea a volcano can be seen quite distinctly among to mountains. This was active about 5 years ago. On Samothrace is a dormant volcano. There are thermal springs on Lemnos.
Got into Mundros nearing dark. Went to the "Arragon" the G.H.Q. ship for instructions. Transferred to another trawler and landed at West Mundros.
Walked about island until about 10.00 p.m. looking for our camp. Walked miles. Directed this way and then the other. It was a mess up. First glimpse of an English woman's face for months. Passing through the 3rd Australian General Hospital, which is laid out like a small town, we saw lots of nurses. Had a feed of bully beef and bread and dossed outside for that night.
The trawler was armed with a small gun mounted on a circular wooded platform, built well forward.
16th October 1915 Saturday
Find myself in Base Detail Camp.
Reveille 5.30 a.m. and fall in at 6.00 a.m. I went off to the Dentist at Australian General Hospital No.3 Canadian Hospital in the vicinity. Acqutanias now with funnels painted yellow and the red and green stripes that denotes the hospital ships. Waited all morning and had one tooth filled and made appointment for December 1st to have bridging taken out and impression for plate taken.
Walked over to Greek village in afternoon. I saw Miss Asquith the Prime Ministers daughter out riding with her brother. Bought lemon drinks, dried figs, apples, brown bread (Greek pattern) and biscuits.
It is fine to be among Australians again.
The 1st 2nd and the 4th Brigades are on the island resting also Maoris and some New Zealand infantry. No Light Horse units here. My idea is to wait here and join the Regiment when they arrive. I'll have a week here at any rate and see what turns up though I could stop 2 months I believe.
Latest War News. Austro-German Force are in Belgrade and a Bulgarian attack upon Serbia has been repulsed.
17th October 1915 Sunday
After breakfast thought it about time I had a wash seeing that I had none since Friday morning. No water available in camp. So had a ½ mile walk to a well and had a shave. Church parade compulsory. Hundreds of Tommies lined up. When they got the order "Form fours" and "right" the heels clicked as one. One of our fellows (50 or so of us), remarked, "My word they drill well. We couldn't do it like that and I'm not going to try."
Singing was very half hearted although they brought a harmonium into action towards the end. Two whiskered old chaps officiated, though the Dean of Sydney (a well built clean shaven chap with glasses) was there. One of them said he liked to see us merry and bright and the other thought it fitting we should partake of the communion afterwards as it would perhaps be our last opportunity - (cheering words). First Church Parade I have been on since commencing to be a soldier.
18th October 1915 Monday
Latest War News. Greece had declared war on Bulgaria.
At 8.00 p.m. about 100 Australians and New Zealanders came in. From Malta and England. Board sitting yesterday but did not go up. Have just about made up my mind not to wait for teeth but to go back to Regiment at first opportunity. Little Ebenezer WARD of the 10th is here now a Lance Jack.
Village of Portianya. Main street merely a lane but paved with slate slabs. In center village opens onto a sort of court yard about 30 yards square in center of which is a spreading tree protected by a wall nearby is the village well. Greek cafes with gorgeous decorations. Houses are solidly built and all two story. Where convenient there is a big vine trained around the cottage. All the yards I saw were paved with slabs and surrounded with high stone walls. Most of the cottages have iron bars at the windows. Been round here been the scene of many a conflict with Turks who used to come in force and abduct the Greek women of marriageable age. Away back on the top of a high hill and perched on the very peak is a solitary big building white and which is a monastery.
20th October 1915 Wednesday
While having breaker Sergeant appears on scene and notifies all A Class men to parade ready to move off at 8.00 a.m. Fall in and I am handed web equipment, which has to be assembled, 30 rounds and 3 days iron rations. There is a very young English Lieutenant in charge. Afraid we will miss trawler.
10.00 a.m. He walks to fast to suit. Presently he is heading along the road at head of 16 men and about 40 well in the rear. Presently those men become aware of the situation and commence to fall back too. This makes the laughable sight of our Lieutenant striding along with swinging cane at the head of four men. The rest are 80 or 100 yards behind enjoying the joke. Presently he wakes up and halts and explains that we must hurry if the boat is to be caught. Anyway he had too much sense to rouse.
Get on what looks like a Thames ferry, thence to Khedival line packet. Small steamer. El Kahira. G.H.Q. "Arragon". "Packet of Woodbines" (five funnel Russian cruiser), Lord Brassafe Yacht now a hospital ship for officers. The proud "Acqutania" is another hospital ship. Two dismantled (or rather with guns stripped off) warships which are being used to transport troops from England. Two funnelled with funnels side by side. English and French man-o-war, latter painted enamel or grey blue. Dozens of French and English transports. An English gunboat whose deck seemed wholly occupied with one monster gun. Painted grey and white in triangles and zigzags, a bit futuristic.
Several fast looking cross channel Isle of Wight and Isle of Man packets being used to convey troops to the Peninsular. All armed with formidable looking guns. Twelve pounders I should say. One of these came close and we could hear the hum of her turbines. Twin screw with two funnels at a rakish angle. Painted black and around each funnel three black and around each funnel three broad red bands. This is the same packet that passed us going out of Mundros a few days ago. Loaded with troops whose khaki seemed to blend fine with the blackness of the boat and racing along at a good speed, she was a sight for sore eyes.
Some of the packets have had special platforms built projecting from sides of ships, port and starboard. So as to give the guns plenty of sweep.
Moving out we passed a balloon boat. The crew gave us a cheer and some of them asked as whether we were down hearted. Most roared "No." Some "Yes." One wag added to the "No" "But we soon will be."
I bought a feed of meat and potatoes from the Maltese cooks, for a bob after the officers' mess had been served. Maltese crew. Jack Tars aboard of course. Forward we had a cargo of hand and mortar grenades and ammonal cartridges for blasting purposes. Left about 4.00 p.m.
Figure 3 Anzac Cove towards the end of the campaign
Arrived Anzac at 9.00 p.m. Got ashore in steam lighter to a pier, new to me. Not the old landing but nearly ¾ of a mile up shore. Walkers Ridge about opposite. Some new features. Maltese labourers. Hand truck railway. English officers. Marques and tents under shelter of cliffs. Guide sorts us out and we start off. Points out roughly direction and saps we are to take and leaves us after coming about 1.4 mile. Luckily I met a solitary 3rd Light Horseman who took me up to Regimental Head Quarters. Went into signal office and Bill BOYERii being on duty lent me his blanket and dugout for the night and I sleep the sleep of the just. Bill surprised to see me and asked what I had done with the rest.
21st October 1915 THURSDAY
Here we are again!
And on the Camel Hump and glad to be here and hoping that we don't go (If we spell at all) to Lemnos top do it!
Attached to B Squadron with Reg JEFFCOTTix, corporal now, in charge. Fine roomy signal cabin, which is our living room as well. Galvanised iron roof and three beds made of pine boughs. Good tucker cooked by Squadron cooks (a welcome alteration) three hours on and six hours off. Table made of box for phone and here I am pipe in mouth snuggled in overcoat and blankets one of Arnold BENNETTS books (The Card) to read. All sniping is done on premises. Just step about six yards and you can bang over parapet at Turkish trenches till hearts content.
Instruction for night, 4.30 a.m. call Sergeant Major SLATER, 4.50 a.m. call Leuit MacFARLANE. Report Squadron standing to arms when told to do so by Sgt Major. 5.30 a.m. pass on word to dismiss stand to arms. Parade when received from H.Q, during day and night report hourly. Do me. Phone to ear all time on course. Captain VINEY is now in charge of B Squadron. Tracked to beach for a wash in the briney this afternoon. A few shrapnels were bursting about 400 yards towards Suvla but very high up. Passed through No.1 outpost (1st Light Horse I believe) lines coming back. Firing very slack. Nothing like Monash Valley. B Squadron has 4 officers at present. Captain VINEY is the C/O. with Lieutenants DERRINGTON, COXALL, MacFARLANE. Jake CLARKE I notice is here, Captain Kettle beard. The other B Squadron signaller is named WALSH. I am taking place of man named YARRA , both strangers.
22nd October 1915 Friday
Weather cold, dull drizzly. Can't keep warm.
"Albion" put a broadside in just over our heads this evening. About six guns I should say and the shells burst almost simultaneously.
A few of the changes I notice:-
Major BARRET is Officer in Charge of the Regiment, Major PRIESTLY is second in charge, Adjutant Lieutenant ROWELL, Quarter Master Lieutenant KENYON late Q.M. Sergeant. Corporal MASON who got the DCM on Quinn's Post for engineering work is now Sergeant of No.4 Troop B Squadron. SCOTT who got shot through the knee on the first day had his leg amputated. MacKENZIE went to England with Enteric fever. OTTOWAY is in England. SAUNDERS got as far as MALTA. Blue went away with a red label marked "concussion from bomb", he had been taking a lot of phenacetin and had gone quite off his rocker.
A lot of out lads who went to England have got Commissions. The DOWS are on MP work in England. JACOB and HARRIS have gone home. PONSONBY has a postal job in Alexandria. BOOTH is a corporal in Heliopolis. ROBINSON is in England. MARSHALL has gone away ill. SMITH, BOYEN, LOMAX, HOCKING, DICKSON, Sergeant REED, and JOHNSON are still here. Some have been away and returned.
Drake of C Squadron is Regimental Q.M.S. Doc WILSON is now a corporal and such a hairy one that I did not recognise him. Captain LEWIS who was shot through the lung is said to be developing consumption. Major FULTON has not got back the use of his arm yet. Lt. DICK O/C of A Squadron. Captain VINEY now a Major.
Not a bad one:
A man was taken down to the beach ill. After the Doctor had examined him he turned to one of his mates who had come down with him and said, "Is he married." (the man must have been pretty crook), "No so, he told me this is the worst he has ever been." Answered his mate.
Major GLASCOW is now Lt. Colonel in charge vice stoddart who I hear has returned to Australia. Lt. METTLETON of 1st Light Horse was killed. Col. ROWELL's complaint was meningitis (something like that). Colonel CHEVAL in now the Brigadier General.
23rd October 1915 SATURDAY
Still very cold. Some of the things I notice on the beach.
Absence of shrapnel such as we had it in old times.
Maltese Labor Corps camped in marques.
Hospital for sick men minor cases.
Egyptian civilian labourers.
Yankee contraption drilling machine being assembled on the beach under supervision of Yankee civilian, who I heard was drawing 40 Pounds per month.
Lt Col. MIELL's grave, a wooden cross and a big stone.
Light Railway.
Ghurkha fatigue parties.
Steam tender rigged up and painted like hospital ship and flying big red-cross flags, conveying sick and wounded to hospital ship.
Y.M.C.A. canteen selling cake, groceries etc.
An engine room and pump to pump water from the water boats.
24th October 1915 SUNDAY
YARRA has left with scarlet fever. MORTIMER had enteric. I am using two of the blankets MORTIMER left behind and one of YARRA's. Met a chap up in the trenches today who's face was familiar. He afterwards came round to look me up, but I had gone to the beach. He left an empty envelope postmarked MORGAN S.A. and addressed to Pte. N.P. WATSON 4th Reinforcements 3rd Light Horse. Afterwards recognised him as an old Morganite.
Who should I see on the beach drawing water today but Percy BOTTING. Went and spoke to him. He has been here some time and has been away ill. He left Abbassia went to Alexandria.
25th October 1915 Monday
Mixed lot of Reinforcements arrived during the night. Some were from 7th Light Horse and 8th Light Horse. Wounded men returned and other old hands. Corporal JONES and Jerry PHILLIPS are two I know. They say our 9th and 10th Reinforcements are at Heliopolis. SANDERS was detained at Lemnos marked "B". Don ERQUARDT, who was acting Regimental Sergeant Major at Helioplis and has joined up with this Squadron. Also, HEDLEY who was acting Q.M.S. and is now the Sanitary Sergeant here. Bill BLUE has died of meningitis. Neglect Corp. HERTZON and Sgt ROBERTS returned to Regiment.
Artillery has been very busy on both sides today. Shrapnel and high explosive continually are bursting on the flat. Probably after guns. We have a light railway across there somewhere. At about 7.30 p.m. Gun Boats and artillery around the extreme left were giving it what ho. Then the Turks threw in some big howitzer shells over near the Indian Mule Transport. It is anticipated that we are to go to Lemnos for a spell in two or three week's time. WALSH bought a safety razor from JEFFCOTT for 5/-. I paid 12/6 new. WALSH went down to HQ said he paid 10/- and got 12/6 for it. Some business. Turks are sniping over this Camels Hump a lot at nighttime. According to map we are camped in Sax Li BIET DERE and the spur up ahead in CHANAK BAIR. Fishermen's Hut is the battered stone walls about 400 yards down the gully.
26th October 1915 Tuesday
Corporal JONES has returned.
Greece has been informed that we don't agree with her interpretation of the treaty between her and Servia.
Watched our batteries bombarding a new line of trenches near Chanak Bair, great sight. One of the fellow located a sniper on snipers nest (the position Eyr P. Wanted to take) and we gave him some "hurry up". We have the superiority of force, that is we can fire over the parapet from Camels Hump with comparative safety, whilst they do not dare show a finger. It is quite mild tonight after the last 3 days of chill.
27th October 1915 Wednesday
At about 11.00 a.m. today Turks bombarded with shrapnel and high explosive all along the line. Very vigorous and a great din. Splashing up the earth on the hills and in the gullies all around us.
Sea was very rough today. Too rough to send sick and wounded men away. Meeting of heads of Regiments today re the Brigade going away for a spell. Whether to go as a whole or in parties.
The wind has changed from north to south and it is quite warm again. I did not think such a sudden change if temperature possible. Previously the wind was from the north and penetratingly cold.
Crook in the stomach again, we all are. What ever is it in this place that upsets us so quickly. The Reinforcements are as bad as the old hands. In some cases they are away sick after one week only of this climate.
King is now appealing for everyone possible to come forward and enlist. The end is not in sight. It is far from it here. The task we have here seems an impossible one now that the Turks have dug in.
28th October 1915 Thursday
Paid 10/- today. Weather quite mild again.
has a swim and a walk to Anzac, went over the hill to Brigade Head Quarters, passing an old Turkish fire trench on the way. Picked up Turkish cartridge cases and some card boxes or cartoons showing plainly that the Turks are getting cartridge ammunition from Germany. Printing in German and Turkish. "Deutch Ammunition Fabrickin Karbshrue".
A steamer, an old one, is being grounded and filled with stone etc. Just outside number 7 and 8 piers. So that handling of cargo at the piers can be facilitated during rough weather. The Mule Transport Indians make rings out of copper from the Turkish shell cases and selling them
29th October 1915 Friday
Saw what is called a "Wallaby" rifle stand or loophole. Very clever idea with a little curtained loophole. Like the periscopic rifle we are using, it is, I should think, an Australian idea.
They tell me Corporal COX has gone away to get an idea of his in reference to machine guns, patented. A chap named STEWART in the Machine Gun Section who is a draftsman put the idea on paper. COX was a private. He was made Corporal and when Lt. SMITH left he had charge of the Section. A photographer by trade and only about 20 or 21 he knows more about machine guns than any man in the Regiment. In fact he is machine gun mad.
Lt. SMITH has returned to Australia, Sergeant WELS has been promoted to his position. We have been issued a silencer for working with that wallaby loophole, also telescopic sights.
30th October 1915 Saturday
Called upon Percy BOTTING in Anzac Gully. He is very snug, with a roofed dugout, lined with blankets and a wooden bunk. On the way back had a swim and saw one of the New Zealand Howitzer Battery Guns in action. She is located behind the Maltese Labor Corps camp and was firing indirectly at the blockhouse on Chanak Bair. Hear that a General MUNRO had been appointed in Sir Ian HAMILTON's place. Hamilton has gone to Salonica. MUNRO some how did not turn up and now our General BIRDWOOD has the job. So PERCY says. Frank B. coming to Light Horse as a sergeant. Mark and Stanley are coming as sergeants too, so he says. Will B. is also on the way, Percy is a batman to an Officer. I returned loaded with papers and a loaf of bread. Haven't been issued bread for three days.
(5.11.15 according to signature on a Field Force order Major General C.C. MUNRO is in charge)
31st October 1915 Sunday
Sergeant REED has notified I am to return to Head Quarters. This is because I am the only telegraphist in the Regiment and am considered worth having at H.Q. It seems that being able to operate is to be a disadvantage to me. It is only in the squadron that I have a chance of promotion. Going up into the trenches to have a few shots with WALSH. We saw a Turk on Snipe's Nest look over the parapet. He wore one of our hats. After someone had a shot he ducked. Fired a few rounds at a Turkish periscope peeping out of the trench. Rather difficult shot at 200 yards. Perc BOTTING came up to see me in the afternoon, and I showed him over Camel's Hump.
The Wallaby Loophole is in place. It is used on conjunction with a rifle fitted with telescopic sights, curtained loophole. Rifle clamped in, swings horizontally by means of pivot, adjusts vertically by thumbscrew.
We got word from Brigade that a Turkish officer was expected to surrender to us. If he gave himself up to our patrol or outpost we were to take him to Divisional H.Q. straight away. He was to be put to no unnecessary inconvenience. Packed gear and returned to H.Q., occupied Harry CONIGRAVE's old dugout. LOMAX Geo. has taken my place.
Fire occurred in scrub near Fisherman's Hut and the men putting it out were harassed by snipers. I hear the wired buzzing with request to keep Turkish fire down.
NOVEMBER 1915
01/11/1915
On duty for 24 hours, starting at 9.00 a.m. Two hours on and four off. SCHOFIELD now does all the cooking for us. A terrace is being dug and after a roof is put on we will have to occupy that instead of our dugout.
"Stand to Arms" has been altered from 5.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m.
Eight thirty p.m. Turks are directing machine gun fire down this gully and their bullets are going over, singing like a flock of birds. Bullets are landing in the scrub on the opposite side of the gully all day. They can do no damage there. The rough weather has strewn the beach with wrack. A tugboat has been blown ashore near here and shells have been going over at intervals towards it. Turks trying to make it not worth our while to try and drag her off. Latest rumor - we may have a fly at SALONICA. In any case we leave here shortly. Lemnos has been condemned as a camp for troops I hear. On account of diphtheria outbreak.
02/11/1915
ROLLASON of B Squadron, McFARLANE's batman was shot in the rear portions while standing in the Dere in front of Regimental Q.M.s bivouac. Not serious 'tis only a flesh wound.
Cutting scrub this afternoon for our cook house.
Signallers paraded this morning for rifle inspection. Ammunition to be kept free of dirt. We are not to use Mark VII ammunition, Mark VI.
03/11/1916
Turks gave us a bit of a "hurry up" this afternoon. Their seventy fives were bursting shrapnel over our bivouacs and of course we all had to take cover. No one injured but Billie BOND had a narrow escape from a pellet which penetrated the "dropensary" roof. These seventy fives were captured by the Turks during the last Balkan war, I believe, from the Serbians.
Tonight (and it usually occurs as night falls) the Turk are training a machine gun down this gully, on the off chance, I suppose, of damaging the mules bringing up munitions and provisions. A mule train scurried by this afternoon while we were getting schrapnel and how they managed to escape I don't know.
I had to take the daily statement to Head Quarters and just hurried some.
Regarding the scrub fire in Sarfi Biet Dere on the 30th a Head Quarters message tonight says that it was caused by carelessness. That had a south instead of a north wind been blowing it would have swept our lines, that lives were lost in extinguishing it, that C/Os are to see no fires are lit in vicinity of shrubbery.
04/11/1915
Had a swim in morning. Afternoon paid a visit on Percy.
Very rough sea, beach strewn with rubbish. At Anzac completely blocking road at southern end, pile of seaweed 5 feet deep over track. Mule carts are having a time of it.
Rumoured that BULGARIA is having serious internal trouble.
At 9.00 or 10.00 p.m. I woke wondering how soon we would have to "stand to arms". War boats were firing and vigorous rifle fire going on, on the left. It appears that the underground trench we have been busy on for weeks was used as a firing line for the first time two or three nights ago. All we had to do was to break through the crust. This was dome and advanced out trench some considerable distance towards the Turks. Tonight they tried, unsuccessfully, to drive us out.
Received first mail from home since returning from Lemnos. Clive is in camp in Victoria. Something to do with motors. Will and Mark BOTTING have left for the Front. Doug has passed his primary, passed in all 7 subjects. Frank has entered for Senior.
05/11/1916
Jack WALSH (B Squadron) has gone away. That leaves one out of the four reinforcements we received four or five weeks ago. Perc (Pip) JENNER came in to see me this morning. He is in the 27th Battalion. I'm to go up and see him at first opportunity.
The new fire trench, I hear, was a success. The 2nd Brigade Light Horse, were in it. From the new trench, which was only a very short distance from Turks they bombed Jonnie Turk out and took their trench. Casualties were slight and they gave the Turks whatho when they counter attacked.
ASMEAD BARTLETT, so bulletin says gets 3,000 pounds a year and expenses, why the salary for General GODLEY is only 1,700 pounds.
( Later. The fire trench was occupied without any trouble and from this fact it was imagined that the Turks have mined under it.)
06/11/1915
Captain VINEY, in charge of B Squadron is now Major. Lt. Colonel J.B. MEREDITH is temporally in charge of the Brigade. Brigadier General CHAUVEL has been appointed temporally in charge of the 1st Australian Division.
Got some canteen stores today, very disappointing only a tin of herrings and a bottle of Bovril.
SANDERS came back from MALTA today, also, TAYLOR who was at Imbros, groom to an Officer.
Orders regarding self-maiming out. Anyone who does this will be evacuated no further than MUNDROS, no matter how bad he is and will not be removed from here unless case is very serious. One of our aeroplanes were dropped today, by the Turks. She came down gradually with her engine stopped, into the sea near Suvla, where two picket boats from a hospital went to effect a rescue. A bomb arrived here today somewhere near here with a very menacing whine, did not explode. Looking up saw a German 'plane decorated with black crosses passing overhead. They seem to think the Turks will give us some heavy bombarding any day now, and preparations are being made to meet it. Big supplies are coming to here through BULGARIA. The way I saw them firing at a sailing ship a mile or more out to sea. Firing a couple of dozed or more big howitzer shells seems to show they have plenty of ammunition.
07/11/1915
Today the Turks fired with machine gun, rifle and shrapnel every time an aeroplane comes near. Expecting to repeat their success of yesterday.
Last night at sun down we subjected 'Snipers Nest" to a vigorous bombardment with high explosive. Major "Annie" BARRETT went into Field Hospital yesterday and went on hospital ship today. Major "Bull" PRIESTLY, in charge of Regiment. SANDERS had an experience something similar to mine coming away from Lemnos. A dolly little English Officer in charge, he began to storm when the men broke lines to get a drink, someone told him to "Go and get ____." and the rest laughed. There upon he exclaimed "You're a savage lot of cats." And the mob roared.
A new fire trench is to be opened up on Popes left tonight, and we are warned to be vigilant as it is to be expected Turks will counter attack in which case artillery will co-operate.
08/11/1915
One of Q.M.S. Bob PAPP's :- Was walking down the Dere, moonlight, came across a chap lying in a stretcher bandaged up.
"Hello old chap where did you stop it?"
No answer.
"Did you stop one matey?"
He ventured once more.
"I say cobber...." he commences again and looking up he caught sight of two chaps digging and one looking down eyes him and says "Oh, he's dead."
09/11/1915 TUESDAY
War Office advising that it may be expected on reliable information that Turks will use gas. So that precaution of carrying gas helmet on person is being enforced. Saw a fine gas helmet today, with two round goggles which screw out and rubber tube penetrating outside. You take the inner end of the tube in mouth and exhale through it. Being a valve you can not use it to inhale.
10/11/1915 WEDNESDAY
Party of three Officers and 60 men left for Mundros for a months spell. Lieut. ROWELL (Adj) has gone away ill. Lieut. MacFARLANE (acting Adjutant). Lt. Col. S.W. GLASCOW D.S.O. in charge of Brigade party. Captain BELL D.S.O. in charge of Regiment. Captain MAINWARING and Lieut. COXALL in party. No Sigs.
War telegram says Lord KITCHENER is to pay visit the theatre in the East. Serbia seems to be getting a bad time "Retreating in good order".
Transport "Ramadan" sunk in Aegean sea. About 200 Indians Troops drowned.
Heavey bombardment of the ridge opposite on the other side of gully with shrapnel and high explosive of all calibres. It lasted about an hour and at times six howitzer shells would burst on the hill almost simultaneously. Played up havoc around Brigade and Divisional Head Quarters. Wireless Station at the latter was blown skywards and three men with it. A lot of 2nd Light Horse were killed on old No.3 post.
11/11/1915 THURSDAY
Lady Hamilton Gift Fund. Received some cigarettes backseesh. Four packets.
Rising at Khartoum. HEATLY (Corporal) was telling me how a Regiment was formed from the 1st Brigade base detail camp at Heliopolis to go mounted to Khartoum to help quell a rising which had occurred there. The niggers or Bedouins had slaughtered a company or more of Sudanese and captured some of our guns. The full details will not be known until the war is over and nothing was said of it in papers. A Squadron, I think, was risen from the 3rd, but the rebellion or whatever was quelled before they were needed.
Submarine during the week a submarine was sighted off here on two consecutive days. The destroyers were rushing about in a great flurry as a consequence.
12/11/1915 FRIDAY
On duty. Very chilly and some rain wetting floor of my dugout necessitating my having to improve the property. We got to work and made a brazier out of an oil drum and put it in side of wall. I took an axe out and collected some roots. It works fine.
Lieutenant ROWELL promoted to Captain.
Heard a band playing in the distance this morning. Belongs to Brother Turk I think. We don't possess such luxuries.
13/11/1915 SATURDAY
H.Q Reinforcements NCOs and men arrived last night. Four signallers among them. Alex CHALMERS among them. He has gone to B. Squadron. Two men have come on Headquarters. KEANE and STEWART.
Request to Surrender. I remember the occasion on which the following was tossed into out trenches, but have only just been able to get a copy:-
"Surrender. Your position is hopeless. Your water supply is cut off, and all your transports, with exception of three have been cut off. Three supply ships laoded with stores have been sunk.
You are fighting under contract to the greedy English. Not for any hatred of the Turks. If you surrender we have plenty of food supplies and will treat you well.
The Triumph has been sunk, also another battle ship indispensible to the Allies. Your position in the same as the Allies in Belgium, Russia, and France.
There is not one of the Allies on German soil.
Surrender.
Why this usless bloodshed?
'Hurry up'."
A Casual Customer.
A man out of the 2nd Light Horse was struck in the arm by a bullet during the evening. He did not report to the Doctor but went on sick parade next morning.
13/11/1915 SUNDAY
Milk Issued Day. One tin "Ideal" unsweetened.
Lord Kitchener arrived yesterday and the following will appear in Army Corps orders (telephone message).
'During his visit to Anzac Lord Kitchener said that he had been commanded by the King to say that His Majesty was very pleased with the work done by the troops and that the whole Empire was proud of them'.
Gas Alarm today for practice purposes. Everyone to turn out with rifle and full equipment and respirator on and fall in at respective posts.
Cook is sick today and new man STEWART is helping him. New man will probably be detailed as extra cook for H.Q. New Doctor who took Dr MAINWARING's place has gone away with typhoid. Major BARRETT's illness turned out to be the same and we have heard that Lt ROWELL has it. CONIGRAVE has written, his illness it typhoid. A great deal of it going about.
Bread pretty scarce lately and we have been living on biscuits mastly. Our issue tonight panned out to be half a slice per man.
14/11/1915 MONDAY
Beachy Bill was opening out on Anzac beach today. See four shells bursting simultaneously over waters edge. Maltese selling 1 pound loaves of bread at 1/6 per loaf, candles at 1/- each.
Court Martial of Private BURNS. Sleeping on outpost duty. Sergeant MASON D.C.M., laying charge. Sentenced to 10 years by General GODLEY. Sentence quashed by General MUNRO and BURNS acquitted. MASON now has Pte EDWARDS also of B Squadron on same charge. To get the necessary evidence he brought Sergeant UCHQUART on scene and told him to take his rifle. Then woke the man and asked him what had become of his rifle.
16/11/1915 TUESDAY
Some shells burst over C Squadron terraces today, causing us to take shelter. Stomach upset today eating McConachies ration.
17/11/1915 WEDNESDAY
One of the Engineers camped next door (5th Field Coy Aust Engs) stopped one. Corporal Ray WOON stopped one yesterday. Strong gale today with very rough sea running. At about 8.00 p.m. heavy thunder shower fell at the same time vigorous bombing and rifle fire commenced from the direction of Walkers Ridge, and the Regiment stood to arms. I have noticed that a sudden squall or storm has often had the same enlivening effect before. Owning to the fact that there was no water to wash dishes this morning SAUNDERS and REED had an argument re the cooks and REED threatened to run SAUNDERS. Result heart to heart talk re our cooking system and REED gave us the chance to do our own cookery. Food has been very much off of late and making fellows discontented. However, we have been drawing little to cook. Haven't seen an onion or dried vegetable for a week or more. It is months since we last had fresh potatoes. Still we are getting frozen beef pretty regularly. Although bread supply often puts us on biscuits for two or three days at a stretch. McConachies ration upset me yesterday. I paraded sick today to get the benefit of the sick diet which our AMC dish up. It was arrowrs at teatime. "Funk hole" a term I learnt today indicating a cavern like excavation in which to shelter from shell fire.
18/11/1915 THURSDAY
Anzac is a wreck.
Only one pier (Williams I think) that opposite Walkers Ridge is left intact and the steamer which was purposely grounded and filled with sand just outside saved it. Director of works boat we call it because those words are painted in big letters in its side. This steamer is split in two pieces and all the sailors had to come ashore a small tug is sunk just near this pier has been wrecked during the night two men were drowned and the waves are washing across her deck. The shore is sprinkled with dead mules washed up. Further round I saw a mule with its hind quarters blown of by a shell. At old Anzac proper all piers are gone though a good portion of them (Wilson's I think) is left. Heartbreaking litter along the beach. Broken pinnaces, cases, spars, etc., etc. Mule traffic difficult as waves have washed the road almost away. No loading or unloading being done and only war vessels and one hospital ship in sight. All the lighter craft have taken refuge elsewhere.
The tug Gaby is said to have been sunk going outwards with out Xmas mail to home. Nuisance. I had a lot of stuff written.
Turks are taking advantage and making it a hell along the beach with their shrapnel. I saw several hit. There will be plenty of fatigue parties on the beach for a while. Saps full of water and mud after the heavy rain last night. Saw one or two 'funk holes' with a foot of water in them too. At Divisional H.Q. these funk holes are a feature. You descend down a deep trench until the surface is 15 to 20 feet above you, and then into a cavern. Everybody's doing it. In expectation of the extra shells Turkey is going to get from or through Ferdinand's little country, these holes are being made everywhere. Saw Max JONES today. Spoke to me but I could not place him. He is a Corporal and has a Charlie Chaplin mo. 11th Light Horse reinforcements and is being drafted into the 9th.
Visit to 27th Battalion. Pip (Percy) JENNER asked me to come up and see him. Found them at the top of Walker's Ridge in Rest and Reserve Gully, which is where the Greeks were bayoneted over the cliffs by the Turks. They are in reserve. There are 24 signallers and all are on H.Q. now though they are still on Company paysheets, (the original company signallers). One Lieutenant (1st), and Sergeant and 4 Lance Jacks or Bachseesh Corporals. They work 2 men to each shift so that they have twice the number of men on duty that we have. They have not been in a charge yet. Every ten men and one of them is jaundiced. They are on half rations.
Health Precautions. Latrines are to be made fly proof by means of box seats. No food to be left by men in their dugouts. Body lice are not so bad as they were during the warm weather, but fleas are more plentiful then ever I have seen them before.
18/11/1915 Continuation
Corporal WILSON and two men brought a prisoner in early this morning. Proclaimed himself as an "Arabic Turk" and a bomb thrower. The neat little device fastened to his tunic over the left breast and the bomb attachment on shoulder straps proclaimed this latter fact. The device was for striking match-head bombs and consisted of a sort of sand paper surface enclosed in a leather wallet with a cover flap which lifted upwards. I was to guide the party to Divisional Head Quarters but owing to having to wait for daily statements did not do so. Ragged black overcoat. Puttee on one leg, piece of cloth wrapped around the other. Small green fez. French boots someone said. No rifle but ammunition pouches full. About 30 years and no size. No less that seven garments on, but mostly thin. Covered in mud and looked as if he had been lying in slush all night. Gave him cigarettes and a drink of tea. Handkerchief tied over his eyes. Afterwards got quite cheery and laughed when walking through puddles in sap under guidance of two guards.
As all his bullets were snipped (dum-dum) we should have shot him. Came into outpost waving a green handkerchief on a stick as a flag of truce, at Camel Hump.
19/11/1915
At a little before 10.00 p.m. we got a message to the effect "696 Bty will shell Sniper's Nest at about 2200 hours" D Battery Howitzers.
Scottie went up to ridge above and watched the sight. We were close enough to get the burnt cordite into our nostrils. SANDER S went to Field Hospital tonight and I shifted into his dugout on the assumption that he has typhoid. I came on duty in his place. Weather calm again and fine today, bit chilly out of the sun. For the last three days I have been getting "diet" from the medical orderlies, consists as a rule, of arrowroot or mazina and rice and milk also beef tea. Mail to hand today. Five handkerchiefs small and a mysterious piece of crochet which I afterwards learnt to be a face washer.
Latest - Clive, (according to Mum) has bought a two seater motor car. KEANE tells me he is an old Gawlerite. Archie and Harry K. are his brothers.
20/11/1915 SATURDAY
Cook, SCHOFIELD, has got jaundice and may go away at any time to Field Hospital. Very cold and windy today.
21/11/1915 SUNDAY
NO ENTRY
22/11/1915 MONDAY
NO ENTRY
23/11/1915 TUESDAY
Arthur SCHOFIELD gone with jaundice. Lot of it about.
Scottie has gone offsider cook.
There was an attack made on the Apex last night and of course Turk got the worst of it.
24/11/1915 WEDNESDAY
Weather clearing up again.
Corporal JONES, JOHNSON and Roy DICKSON have returned to C Squadron and are manning the night phone in the trench in SAX LI BIET. LOMAX, George, is transferred to A Squadron Signaller in charge or acting Corporal. HOPE from C Squadron accompanies him. Only six signallers doing duty on HQ now so that we get duty every other day. I learnt today that I was recalled from B Squadron by Brigade orders. SANDERS, Frank, case has been diagnosed as consumption and he had gone on to England to be seen by a Specialist. He had pleurisy a month or so ago and that was what was giving him trouble here. WALSH of B Squadron has gone with malaria fever. We are to be very careful as to lice and the Doctors say it is the cause of typhus.
Captain LAURIE brought in an aero bomb, which an aeroplane tried to kill us with a few days ago. It stood about a foot high and weighed about 20 pounds. The outer skin of cast iron electrically welded. A brass cap on top with Turkish characters on. The outer skin was of some alloy familiar to white metal. We are burying though I think MASON wanted to take it to pieces (MASON got a DCM for hazardous mining operations). But considered highly dangerous.
Turks bursting shrapnel over the bottom of the DERE causing two Second Light Horse men to be killed and several wounded.
25/11/1915 THURSDAY
Pieces of skull and brain lying thickly in a spot on the track indicate a dangerous zone, which I didn't waste any time moving over yesterday afternoon. Had a pretty close shave from shrapnel getting over it.
A 48 hours period of voluntary quietness on our part commenced yesterday. Turks have got it into their heads we are going to evacuate and to kid them on to attack we are encouraging them by only indulging in artillery bomb and rifle activity when a favourable target presents itself. An advanced has been made in the southern second by the 52nd Division near Krithia. A good length of trench and some bomb stores were captured. Different combinations of colored rockets, red, white and green have been arranged to signify upon which post the Turks are making an attack.
Pretty strong rumour that the 27th Battalion are embarking tonight under sealed orders (probably for Salonica).
Later: Re 27th Battalion they are still at the Rest Gully so that the rumour was a "mulga".
26/11/1915 FRIDAY
NO ENTRY
27/11/1915 SATURDAY
Rum issue on account of cold. Drizzly, wet night with a heavy thunderstorm preceding.
Owing to Jim KEANE being a very bad scholar and writing undecipherable messages he has been put on cooking and SCOTT is taking his place.
I am in charge of one station and Licker SMITH in charge of the other.
28/11/1915 SUNDAY
This morning when Scottie woke me at 3.00 a.m. to go on duty he invited me to come out and see snow. It was then bitterly cold and had been snowing for about a couple of hours. Daybreak presented a beautiful but unpleasant sight. Its snowed off and on during the day and being off duty I got into my dugout and kept well between the blankets. Blowing bitterly and the terraces are terribly slushy. My dugout lets the cold in and it is impossible to get warm with all my clothes on and with 3 blankets and a canvas sheet and a ground sheet underneath. Spent a horrible night trying to sleep.
Rum issue on account of the cold.
29/11/1915 MONDAY
On duty today. Get duty every other day now.
Daybreak, clearing sky, frozen mud and pools of wet. Peculiar sensation to me, expecting to go slushing through a pool of mud to find it as hard and as unyielding as rock. The snow stayed on the ground all day and thank goodness the sun was not strong enough to thaw the mud or would have been an awful mess. Snow still on ground (11.00 p.m.) but evaporating slowly. It is not running away as I expected but dissolving slowly, mostly into the air. I scratched around among the engineers dugout next (just vacated) and got a lot of bags etc. and a blanket and then set about trying to make my dugout (bomb-proof shelter in military parlance) more cosy.
Another Rum issue tonight. But rough weather will see us without bread and raw meat for a few days I'm thinking.
Arthur SCHOFIELD has returned from the Field Ambulance and is to go on duty on the phone. Ernie JONES had gone away now.
30/11/1915 TUESDAY
This morning, having to go to the ADMS with medical report, I unthinkingly took road running parallel with the beach while on my way back all of a sudden I heard bullets zipping all around me. The Turks were potting with a machine gun from SAIR BAIR ridge. I commenced to run to get into the sap. The zipping ceased and I slackened up. Then he opened up again nearer this time and there was no stopping me until I was safe in the sap. I suppose some German was grinning. A pretty close call I consider it was.
The 20 pound pear shape bomb was exploded by a party of which I was one. We dug a small cavity under a bank well up a vacant gully and placed the bomb cap inwards and base outwards and wrapped in paper so as to make a suitable mark. Got well under cover 30 to 40 yards away and shot at it with rifle. About the fifteenth bullet must have hit the vital spot and exploded it. Though I think at that close range every bullet must have hit the bomb. The air and earth around us simply shivered with concussion. We dug in the loose earth afterwards and found the cap and fragments of the outer skin which we saw was some soft metal similar to white metal.
Fine today. Very cold and now snow is very slowly disappearing from the ground.
01/12/1915 Wednesday
Have been in charge of every station have been ****. Sergeant READ asked me tonight if ***** take stripes, if they were offered and replied ** **** *****. He said I would have had them by now had I not been away sick. ***** *** ** ***** *** * *** **** ** *** ****** *** ** ** **** * ** ****. I told him I did not care to take promotion over *** ***** ** **** ******* has been acting corporal C Squadron until Corporal JONES returned to duty which pack his temporary stripes away. Now that JONES has gone away Dickson has a chance of getting corporalship permanent.
Fine day but snow still lying on ground in places and pools still frozen. Am glad to get roots for the fire, this weather. It gives one a chance to warm himself. A big fatigue are working under cover of darkness digging a new road higher up the hill above the old one in the bottom end of this Dere just where the Turks have been making the road impassable during the day with shrapnel. Killing mules wholesale all the convoys move under the cover of darkness at present. A rotten job during this bad weather. Especially as a light is impossible.
02/12/1915 Thursday
Went down to Anzac Gully to see Percy B. this afternoon. Noticed Army Head Quarters has shifted from that gully. Gone to Imbros. G.H.Q. now at Lemnos. General MONRO in charge of whole eastern operations as far as English at Salonica and the Peninsular is concerned. General BIRDWOOD is in charge of all the Divisions on the Peninsular. Percy says 60 men died of exposure to cold last night. An Egyptian also snuffed it. Beachy Bill is still doing damaging work and got a few victims while I was there. I saw a few bodies sewn up for burial and plenty of bloodstained stretchers. Water shortage among the Anzac people and on ¼ ration. Hope for relief tomorrow. The one pier at Anzac is now rarely used and this part of the beach presents quite a different appearance to formerly. (Watson's) . All the business is now done at Walker's Pier opposite Walker's Ridge which appears to be immune though I saw some shrapnel burst out some distance from it showing that the Turks were trying their best.
Later:- Re Army HQ. Still here but shifted one gully nearer to Walker's.
03/12/1915 Friday
Snow and ice has now thawed and the trenches are terribly boggy. Overcast all day and some very light drizzle. Not so cold but some are pessimistically forecasting snow. Issue of rum every night now and extra blanket issue is approved making the total (officially this is - in reality it will make my total five) three. Rubber mackintosh capes and hip boots have been issued as trench stores (gum boots) cheese is part of the regular issue. Anyone who likes lime juice can get as much as they want as no body seems to trouble to draw it. Army Corps Commander general GODLEY was around today. Army Corps Headquarters are shifted to Imbros. First Australian Division Headquarters is a sight for sore eyes, wooden doors and windows. Walls of double thickness of sandbags and in some cases made of ammunition boxes filled with earth. Galvanised iron roof made shrapnel proof. Going to brigade tonight it was very dark and felt my way along the saps in places with a stick. Noticed that the Turks were flickering a searchlight onto the clouds in one place on the left and on the other on the right flank. Noticed that it illuminated the gully and I could see clearly though the source of light must be over a mile away and was only reflected from the clouds. In this was the Turks can illuminate our lines without exposing the searchlight to gunfire.
04/12/1915 Saturday
Major PRIESTLY is now temporary Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment.
Cooks gave us some duff today made of issue flour. Food is very much off lately. Have not tasted fresh meat or bread for over a week. On account of damage to piers and shipping Imbros beach (K Beach) is strewn with lighters, tugs and pinnaces. I notice the wounded being taken out in open ships. Boats towed in string by a picket boat. Middies in charge of each boat. At each stern is a 6 foot pole with a tin flag (Red-cross) attached. The Field Hospital is full of men with frost bitten or trench feet. HEATLY is down there with his feet like balloons and toes going black. Heavy bombardment going on somewhere today. Lone Pine I hear. The Turks recent bombardment of that position caused more casualties than we care to admit. Lone Pine is evidently the worst and most exposed part on the line. Like Quinn's Post in the days of Yore.
05/12/1915 Sunday
Compulsory Church Parade this morning.
All men and officers fully armed. All men not on duty attended. No working parties today unless absolutely necessary.
Turks bombarded Divisional H.Q. very heavily today with high explosives. Most powerful high explosives I've seen the Turks use yet. Reported casualties 16 killed and 25 wounded. This occurred at the Field Hospital, which is directly behind the next ridge to Div HQ, and is in a direct line with it and the Turks unfortunately. It is about the only place where a Hospital is possible. Can't take it out on to the flat because that is thick with out guns. Said to be 150 out there. Where ever they go they run into concealed batteries or HQ of some sort. Licker SMITH has gone into C Squadron temporally to work Sap phone with DIXON in place of FOSTER who is doing HEATLEY's job.
Bought a tin of Ideal unsweetened milk from JEFFCOT for 2/-. A chap selling pineapple at 3/6 per tin. Maltese 1/6 for a pound load of bread.
06/12/1915 Monday
Turks attacked "Apex" this morning. Easily repulsed. Reported that Russian Army has invaded Bulgaria through Rumania.
06/12/1915 Tuesday
Lt. Col. FULTON returned this morning from England.
08/12/1915 Wednesday
A yarn from Anzac. One of the Egyptian labourers stole a jam tin bomb and took it to his dugout. That night he lit it in their cookhouse, full of expectation. Half a dozen others were gathered around and they took the bomb to be a new sort of lamp. Presently stretcher-bearers were much in demand and 6 damaged Gipoes were carried to Hospital.
09/12/1915 Thursday
A big white aero with black crosses passed overhead today, firing a machine gun. Two of our machine-guns open fire on her. Saw no damage done to either side.
While down at North Beach (Anzac) the other day what looked to be the same machine passed overhead and dropped a bomb into the water nearby. It came down with a swishing noise but splashed harmlessly into the water and was aimed at a crowded and busy pier (Williams).
Lieutenant Colonel FULTON returned and took command of the Regiment a couple of days ago.
Latest rumour. That we are to be reorganised as mounted Division under Brigadier General CHAUVEL. He is said to have left for Alexandria today.
Reinforcements for us are said to have returned to Egypt after getting as far as Lemnos. The parties spelling in Lemnos are not returning to the Peninsular. In view of the latest developments in the Balkans there may be some truth to it. Though we have heard this sort of thing before.
We have been getting oatmeal for breakfast for last 2 or 3 mornings and doubtless we will get it fairly often during the cold weather. Bread is scarce, first issue (about enough per man for one meal) that we have had for about a week, today. Issued also with Bovril tubes, enough to make 5 cups. Got a 2 lb. loaf of bread from Percy B.
10/12/1915 Friday
Witnessed a very heavy bombardment by our warships this morning. A couple of cruisers (obsolete type with a stumpy bowsprit and a bulge below the water line like monitors, but equipped with up to date guns.), a big 4 funnel war ship and a monitor. Another monitor lay south but did not seem to be participating, perhaps except as a spotter. One of our planes hovered overhead and plenty of destroyers and minesweepers circled around. The four vessels lined up and started pouring in heavy bombardment from their biggest guns. Their target must have been a great distance away because I could hear no explosions of shells. The volleys were pretty continuous and rapid. Mostly too rapid to count the number of flashes, but on one occasion I counted 8 flashes to a broadside. Concussions terrific as the ships were fairly close into Anzac. At times the 4 funneller was enveloped in brown smoke. Must have kept our gunners working at top speed for over half an hour.
Bottom left hand corner tooth giving trouble and made a fine day miserable.
11/12/1915 Saturday
Small landing stages are being built on the beach. Which signifies something.
Also men and munitions are leaving here. Maltese and European Labor Corps have left. Major VINEY has gone attached to 2ne Australian Division on Staff as Assistant QMG and AAG (or something like that).
Lieutenants DICK and BENNETT are promoted to rank of Captain.
12/12/1915 Sunday
Beaches very busy last night.
Fifth and Sixth Battalions, English Mary Battalion people. Artillerymen (Tommies) supporting 4th and 6th Light Horse. Ammunition, howitzers, mule Transport Corps, ambulances have been leaving during the night.
Loading stores etc today. Intense activity. Something doing alright.
Captain LAWRIE O/C B Squadron and Lt. DICK of A Squadron
EVACUATION of ANZAC
13/12/1915 Monday
Second Light Horse are taking over our posts today and we are packed up to move off at any moment (mid-day).
Knew nothing of this until this morning. Weather permitting we go abroad transports tonight. Expect to go back to Egypt and thence, goodness knows, perhaps Persian Gulf, perhaps Salonica. But horses next time I imagine. Seventh Infantry Brigade left last night I hear.
Evacuation seems to be in the air. On duty all day and very busy. At about 5.00 p.m. the 2nd Light Horse took over our signal station. At about 7.30 p.m. we moved off single file down the Dere. We were to report to no.2 post, which was the appointed assembly place. No smoking or talking, everything to be done as silently as possible, "We must think of the lads staying behind and not spoil their chances of getting away.", the Colonel said.
All spare baggage such as blankets and signal stores had already been taken to the beach under cover of darkness. Everything we could not carry, heard afterwards, would be burnt. The 10th had filed down the Dere a head of us, part of the 9th and 8th are staying, though I heard that all of the 9th were in the covering party. We took sap over hill to Brigade, but when we got to top found that only HQ and MGS were with us. I was sent back to pick up Squadrons. Met Lt. BENNETT and C Squadron. Bringing them up sap when word came up line that Major PRIESTLY had decided to go on to the pier. Awful mess up and Colonel FULTON had messengers out everywhere picking up the fragments. I could see why things got so confused.
Packs and baggage was awfully heavy and the pull up that Brigade hill (old No.3 Post) very exhausting.
Arriving at No.2 Post, which was assembling place for Brigade, we sat upon out packs and waited a couple of hours. We were near and facing the beach under the shelter of No.2 Post. Good job howitzers do not bombard much at night, because this spot is very dangerous from shellfire during the day. Three transports could be made out lying about half a mile off shore. Also brilliantly lighted hospital ship. Like a butterfly among the moths. The transports were small and had no lights. We arrived at the pier an exhausted body of men, everyone has his pack full of momentous. Some pretty weighty, such as shell caps (Turkish), and as most had a lot of tinned stuff on hand when orders came to move (from last canteen stores) there was a good deal of salmon etc in packs too. We were carrying much more than we should have.
Beach crowded with troops. Mules being loaded. A light trestle bridge is being built out to the break water boat. Looks as if we are going to embark troops from it.
Another wait and then we board a chuffy lighter, which takes 15 minutes to steer into satisfactory position along side the Abbassia, which is to take us to either Imbros or Lemnos.
Crowded everywhere in holds and every available space on deck. Lucky enough to get in the hold, though pretty stinking and rat smelling.
Time 1.30 a.m.
Moon had gone down by this time. When we started from our bivouac at Destroyer Hill the moon (at ito ½) was hidden behind clouds though even then it was pretty light and I should think the Turks with good glasses could have seen us, though the rifle fire was no stronger than usual.
Sea calm, and it is to be hoped it remains so or the evacuation will not go smoothly. All spare loose and tinned fish, fruit etc was finished up during the day, so that most of us had the feed of our life. I heard a man went over the side of the lighter and disappeared, but I have my doubts or you would have heard more about it. I was meditating which would have been the best chance, a cat tied in a bag or a man with pack and full kit up if he went over the side, which is a feat easily performed on slippery decks and no railings.
Very depressing affair. To think of the 100,000 casualties and the thousands of good men underground, to think that it had all been for nought. Perhaps the only purpose served was to attract the Turk's attention from Russia. Of course we don't know yet whether it is to be a partial or complete evacuation. In any case men are to be martyred shortly. At the pace troops are leaving I should say the climax will arrive before the week is out.
Some, unthinkingly, are very joyful at getting away and although one can't help feeling please when he thinks of a return to some sort of civilisation, if its only an Egyptian one, the thought of those staying behind and the abandonment of our hard won position depresses me.
14/12/1915 Tuesday
I hear that the party (1/3 of Regiment) comprised of portions of the 1st Light Horse Brigade which was spelling at Lemnos left for unknown destination about a fortnight ago. 12th Light Horse, or that part which was attached to the 1st Light Horse, took over our post at Camel's Hump. Portion of the 9th Light Horse are aboard this boat. About 40 came away. Lt. Col. FULTON is Commanding Officer aboard transport. Lt. MacFARLANE is the ship's adjutant.
Reveille at 6.30 a.m., breakfast jam, dinner noon, tea 5.00 p.m.
Had a few hours sleep in hatch, rats squeaking all night. Entered Mundros in a fog. Going in consequence at a very slow pace. Sirens and bells keeping up a shindy all around and progress very slow. Arrived at anchor at about 11.00 a.m. Destination is still uncertain. Salonica, Suez Canal, Baghdad are all mentioned as likely. Hear there is likelyhood of trouble on the Canal. After dinner we boarded the transport, "Karroo" North Shields. I think there will be 2,000 troops aboard by the time we sail. 1st and 3rd Light Horse Brigades (in part), 53rd Division (part), Ambulance and Signal units. We get no issued of tucker until tomorrow morning. Canteen is not open. Two large biscuits one each for breakfast and dinner. At teatime some generous friends of mine let me have a cut in at a tin of salmon. Had a bath, glorious, went and chucked my louse-infested shirt over the side. This boat had a couple or more trips from Australia as a horse boat. I think that on the 1st occasion she brought part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade and on 2nd the 9th Light Horse. Parts of the fittings are still in the mess deck. The framework of the horse stalls, 12 men to a table, 2 mess orderlies per table, changed every meal.
15/12/1915 Wednesday
Eleven a.m. Still in Lemnos harbour.
Very cold and worked up windy, slept under mess table. Two blankets but very draughty, as hatch is right overhead. Stewed steak, ¼ lb. Bread and tea for breakfast. Life belts issued to each man. Should not think weather is favourable today for evacuation. 10th Light Horse in same mess room. Destination seems to be Alexandria now, almost a certainty. 5.00 p.m. left Lemnos, very cold night. Slept under the table, every piece of available space, tables, on and under, covered with sleeping men. No hammocks on his deck, as there are no fittings to affix them to, this previously being a horse deck.
16/12/1915 Thursday
Weather cleared
17th December 1915 Friday
Parade at boat stations 10.00 a.m. Balanced right on edge at the stern of our ship is a 12 pounder gun manned by His Majesty's Marines. She had a practice shot at a box while we fell in. At the bow are posted two machine guns continually manned by the M.G.S. of 3rd and 10th Light Horse.
Tucker pretty good, coffee and porridge for breakfast, meat and vegetable stew and tea for dinner, pickles, jam, butter and biscuits for tea. Issue of bread in morning.
During afternoon we passed some wreckage. Looked like the wooden framework usually built over the companionways of a troop ship. We circled around it and went on our way. The very erratic and irregular course we are taking testifies to the nervousness re submarines. We are tacking almost like a sailing ship. It is said that the wake churned up by propellers remain visible for a long while and would give away our direction to a submarine. Travelling on the surface. That may not be the prime reason. Up in the crows-nest are two little Lascans, so slim that the breeze might blow them down. Right forward is a third. These constitute the lookout and the officers give them great praise for their keenness of vision, picking up objects with the naked eye that the officers cannot seen without the aid of glasses. Most of the crew are Calcuttites and are the lightest, feathery make of human being I've ever seen. Pretty black with beaked nose and brown eyes they are a race of weaklings.
18th December 1915 Saturday
Land in the distance on the port side. We seem to be hugging some coast and what land it is causing a lot of debate and puzzling. Late last night we passed a big revolving lighthouse on that side.
Flour has run out so we are living on biscuits. Coffee and stewed meat for breakfast. Evacuation to be brought to a close, yesterday or today I hear. There is a possibility of us staying aboard ship on arrival to keep news of evacuation from spreading. The officers say that they were nervous of piece of wreckage we passed yesterday, fearing a submarine may have been lurking underneath. From the bridge a body seemingly clothed in blue overalls was seen tangled among the spars, swollen and shapeless. As day wore on our course became straighter, the danger of subs becoming less. Some of the land we sighted on our zig-zag track yesterday I hear was Crete.
Beautiful moonlight and we had a good evening's entertainment, given impromptu. Part singing by Welsh R.A.M.C., sacred sentimental and gleeful songs. Beautiful voices and most of them have had some training of some sort. Nothing vulgar about the repetoiur either, quite the opposite. I have often read of the delight the Welsh take choir singing. Songs in Welsh language recitation and monologues, the taffies completely held the floor to themselves.
EGYPT
19th December 1915 Sunday
Arrived in Alexandria about 2.00 p.m. Already the sun shines fiercer. Each day since leaving Lemnos, however, had been warmer than the last. We have taken probably a day longer than we should have because of our zigzag course, which was changing every 15 minutes. We steamed in under our own steam to the further end of the harbour and dropped anchor. Nearby is one of those obsolete warships, which were stripped of most of their guns and converted into troopships.
Passed what at first looked like a pleasure yacht flying a gigantic Stars and Stripes, nearly as large as herself. Getting closer we saw 4 small guns protruding from portholes. "Guarding Yankee interests" I suppose.
Several steamers were decked with strings of flags, including two flying Russian flags. It is the anniversary of the Sultans accession. One small American cargo steamer has painted in gigantic letters along the whole length of her black hull, GARGOYLE of NEW YORK, U.S.A.
Greek vessels have the prosaic Greek flag of blue and white painted all over her sides. The more conspicuous Italian flag is to be seen. Transports of all descriptions, some containing troops are berthed in the harbour. Alexandria is wholly an artificial harbour. Main breakwater is of loose stone. At the entrance are two quick-firers commanding the mouth.
Concert on deck tonight. Mostly Welsh talent. Came down stairs and watched the gambling for a while. I amassed a few bob and lost it again at banker. 10/- notes were flying from hand to hand like dirt.
20th December 1915 Monday
Boarded our train at about 9.00 a.m. after a scratch breakfast. We were unlucky enough to be allotted to a horse truck, not to clean, and nothing to sit on but our kits.
Some very amusing incidents occurred going up to Cairo. Outside Alexandria the line runs through miles of reedy swamp on which are nigger fishing boats and camps. We sighted a giant flock of ducks. A regular volley rattled from over the trucks and from the carriage windows. I almost imagined myself on a armoured train in action. Plenty of nigger boats and nigger camps scattered among the reeds and I hope there was no casualties among them. One fair size boat with half a dozen occupants were directly in line of fire. Scuttering darkies everywhere.
The Police were supposed to prevent natives from hawking refreshments and fruit and were to be barred from the platforms. I have never had much of an opinion of the Police although they certainly look very smart. At one end of the station they came on the scene too late to find fellows buying through a big double gate. The Police got among the Gipoes, belting into them with sticks and canes but they seem quite impervious to this sort of treatment, a good deal of belting and shoving among the crowd and then they began to make an impression, of course our chaps had, in most cases, change to get or the actual goods. The gate went down flat, smashed with the impact pinning some of the nigs underneath. Men, woman, and kids went flying in all directions and our chaps among them.
The nigs were only too eager to have a chance of getting something for nothing and the consequence was that although in most cases the soldiers went back empty handed and in the remainder of cases lost the whole contents of baskets. Most carriages had supplies of road metal aboard to deal with this sort of customer. When sighted from a distance, and nigs retaliated quick enough and proved themselves quite adept in the art of slinging rocks. A chap was saying that near here on his last journey over the line soldiers and villagers had a pitched battle on opposite sides of canal near the bridge, which crosses to the station. The train left the station amid a perfect volley of railway metal from which everyone had to seek cover in bottom of tracks and carriages. These incidents which occurred in more or less modified form formed the most entertaining part of the journey. The nigs quite deserved it. They try to take down at every opportunity and charge exorbitant prices. But there are always a few extremist and I saw one fellow throw rocks at niggers and camps while we were in motion. The Egyptian is a repugnant individual in the main and instils chronic dislike. I can feel no sympathy whatever to the spawn. Treat them kindly and they gull you or imagine you are frightened of them.
The country is much the same all through and a good idea of the life of the fellaheen and the irrigation system can be gathered from the journey. The road looks to be very good and at one or two places we saw native convicts road making, under supervision of armed warders. All along the line and especially at bridges are sentries. Egyptian soldiery, wonderfully spick and span. Sentinel boxes and tents. Reminds me that on the flat in front of Abbassia barracks were squads of smart looking men practicing bugling, bandsmen. Something after the style of a circus man directs a horse around the ring standing in the centre. Was a lot like putting a piper through his paces.
A good journalist would have material for supplying articles out of our trip.
Disentrained at about 4.30 p.m. and marched a mile or so into camp passing through military camps most of the way. Men running out into intercept all along the route. We were a puzzle to them. Light Horse equipment and infantry promiscuously scattered. Tommy's boots and tunics. All sorts of headgear, even Ghurkas'. Some puttees and some leggings, some carrying blankets like swags, we were a variegated looking mob in fact we were a new species to the military life of this place and I doubt whether such a motley looking crowd of British soldiers have ever walked through a Cairo byway. A few men had Turkish rifles and bayonets, discreetly covered from Officers' eyes by a rifle cover. One man had a kukri slung on his belt. Some men were in Tommy slacks others were wearing shorts. This even applied to officers. Lieutenant WELLS had infantry breeches and puttees, Tommy cap with ear flaps, dirty tunic and disgraceful boots purposely mutilated on account of frostbite. Scarcely a sword belt among them. Lt. WELLS wore nothing pertaining to an officer but his stars and revolver. As far as I can remember the officers were, Lt Col. FULTON, Mjr. PRIESTLY, Capt. LAWRIE, Lt. DICK, Lt. BENNETT, Lt. COPLEY, Lt. WENDT, Lt. MacFARLANE, Lt. DERRINGTON, Lt, KENYON, Lt. WELLS, Lt. DERRINGTON, Lt. OBORN.
Assailed everywhere by questions. What are you? What reinforcements are you? What boat did you come from Australia in? Did you come in the Ceramic?
We were chuckling all the way.
After telling the truth a few times and told we were liars we gave it up and commenced to ask, "Have the Narrows been forced yet?" and other equally facetious questions. We were a staggering, to most, who came out to meet us, the variety of equipment (everyman could carry what he liked and how he pleased) stunned them. As they were mostly reinforcements and had never seen campaigners on the trek, we will excuse them. Struck everywhere by the growth and permanent appearance of the camp. Strange faces everywhere. Find that reinforcements up to the 12th consignment have arrived. We have no sleeping accommodation and are dossing anywhere in or outside the mess sheds. If we want to eat we must wait until "the regiment" has eaten. So find all of our old accustomed positions occupied by strangers and our horses being ridden by strangers fills us with a sense of being left in the cold. Not that anyone is complaining because I don't suppose it could be helped.
21st December 1915 Tuesday
Suffered a raging toothache last night. So I decided to get leave and go up to town to a good dentist. On Roy DOUGLAS's recommendation I called in to see a gentleman named Dr. Alexandre GARABDEIAN of Lyon University. Found a fussy, polite little gentleman who is very smiling and sympathetic. He takes out broken bridges and proceeds to bore rotten tooth. I stood it for a while but when he commenced to bore the nerve out I nearly kicked him over. So he decides I am "too light" and put creosote in the tooth and a temporary filling. "Open much" he says. He almost embraced me consolingly at one moment and when the drill did damage he gets in first and exclaims "Blooda Basha". He tut-tuts all the time things are not going well. My 10/- note deposit paid to me on Gallipoli and bearing the Arabic superscription he intends to keep as memento as it is the first he has seen. Appearances may be deceptive, as he appears too slight to trust with the extraction of a refractory molar. He injected cocaine and tried to bore then but no use. So I went out and up to Cairo in agony. Three hours later I was back in the waiting room pacing like a madman. Never felt such excruciating pain before in my life. But strange enough it went away without any further aid from Alexandre. He consoled me and advised applying cold fomentations. He is going to charge 10/- for each crown. Afterwards went up to Cairo and enjoyed a good tea.
No aches tonight, thank God.
22nd December 1915 Wednesday
Went to Alexandre again today. More boring and then he gets out a minute auger and commences to pull nerve out. The corkscrew grips and then out it comes. Alexandre remarks I have stood it for months on the Peninsular and yet - All very well for him.
23rd December 1915 Thursday
According to paper Evacuation was successful. Lieutenant General MONRO is to succeed General HAIG in France. After another visit to dentist I went up to Cairo. Put in an afternoon at Egyptian Museum. Rameses II was there but looking very careworn and thin in his mummy case. It was he who (it is thought) oppressed the Israelites. Mummies have fine golden hair. One old Pharoah has eruptions of the skin, supposed to be smallpox. Mummified cats, hawks, human livers and other parts of anatomy. Papyrus, sarcophagi and gigantic statuary. Wooden dolls and models found in tombs illustrating ploughing, baking, butchering oxen, roasting and goose and other forms of cookery. Metal workers, graneries and all sorts of industries and domestic occupations. Two companies of Nubians, one archers and other spearmen with shields marching in fours are masterpieces. Each man stands about a foot high and each company is in a big glass case. God Horus is laughable. Dined well on wild duck and fish and went to the Kursall Music Hall. Seems to be a lot of troops and artillery moving towards the Canal during the last few days, although at present one hears of no fighting going on there.
24th December 1915 Friday
Met Charlie BROWN this morning. 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance. He has not been to the front and seemed disappointed now he will have no opportunity to see Anzac.
25th December 1915 Saturday
Marched out on desert and were presented with Xmas presents by ladies. List in rear of book. We merely wore side-arms with infantry belt to distinguish us from the rest of the Brigade who were mostly reinforcements. We held the place of honour being first to receive our presents. Afterwards the Colonel addressed us referring to us as campaigners and seasoned veterans.
26th December 1915 Sunday
no entry.
27th December 1915 Monday
Commenced to reorganise today for mounted work. My old "Rory O'Moore" is dead, a broken rib. So I have Murphys "Bob". A most peculiar coincidence. His identification number is the same as mine, 709, front and off rear. A7, 709. Hind ditto 3 L.H., S6. Bay gelding, stodgy.
28th December 1915 Tuesday
Saddlery issued today and went for a mad gallop on desert. Sergeant REED's horse bolted with him. They all are pretty fresh, barring Bob who has a cold.
Coming home tonight to bed from the City, the camp was astir with news that we leave here tomorrow for west of the Nile to scrap with Bedouins.
How am I going to get my teeth finished? Have been going to a Dentist for about a week and he has only half done the job.
Licker SMITH was clinked for jobbing a red cap. He got 28 days. Detention Barracks at Abbassia, arriving there he asked for clean change of underclothes on grounds that he was lousey. This caused quite a commotion especially when he demonstrated by catching two or three. The matter was reported to the Governor straight away and he ordered that SMITH be sent back where he came from immediately, so that he is put in detention at Heliopolis Camp instead.
29th December 1915 Wednesday
Issued with full kit clothes and all. We are due to leave at 6.00 p.m. and I spent most of the day in Heliopolis with Dentist.
Later. Postpones till 9.00 a.m. tomorrow otherwise I would have no hope of getting my teeth done. Four visits today, 11.00 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 3.30 p.m., and 9.00 p.m. We are to keep pestering Bedouins from raising and to keep scattered bands from joining up.
Posted a parcel home, including my presentation watch, enclosed a Turkish pouch, empty cartridge shells and bullets, shrapnel pellets and coins, French, Greek, and Turkish.
Colonel FULTON gave us a lecture in evening in mess shed, outlining plans for the next few days. We are to be on the march for four days and are doing the job on our own. We are to be very careful about straggling or possibility of a cut-throat. Halt at every 10 minutes to the hour for spell to adjust saddlery, spell horses etc. Ten minutes after starting there is to be a halt for this purpose. Men are to refrain from "halloing" runaway horses. An extra blanket is to be used as a saddle blanket. Thin and light and this extra is to sleep in. Usual felt blanket is to be four folded. We are to travel very light discarding all that is not absolutely necessary. Change of underclothing, shaving kit and towel is the sum total.
Went to Dentist at 9.00 p.m. He had sent mechanic up to Cairo branch to get bridges done and did not return until 12.00 p.m. Got into camp 11.30 a.m.
30th December 1915 Thursday
Left for Western Frontier.
Plenty of bustle this morning. Went out of Camp at about 9.30 a.m. marched along electric train line into Cairo. Arrived at Barrage in evening. Stinking fine dust chokes. Heavy fog during the night. Horses breaking loose and walking about the sleeping men. At a point in Cairo when we halted to spell the horses someone passed me a big piece of rock chocolate, to break a piece off I used my bayonet and almost cut the top of my finger off. Was afraid I would have to go back, Babe FRY gave me first aid and so I carried on although temporarily disabled. We took a road, which runs parallel to the railway and good asphalt. Scot STEWART's horse disabled by kick by another horse. My 'Bob' is very out of sorts with a cold and was knocked up at the end of the journey. 2nd Light Horse transport supplied us with rations at Barrage and there was a small quantity of beer and bread to be bought from nigs. Fixed a line between two trees to the horses. Distance by road, 35 miles.
31st December 1915 Friday
Arrived El Wardan at about 4.30 p.m. after travelling all day. At about 11.00 a.m. we came upon the western edge of the Nile valley. Crossed Nile at Barrage. We travelled along the edge of the desert. No road. A railway and canal runs along our right and we are proceeding north west direction. Advance and flank guard out. I was sent out with left flank guard as the signaller. Lt. KIDMAN in charge. Brigade camp of Tommy infantry camped at Wardan. Very sandy country and our party kept close to the ridge of sand hills sending scouts out in pairs to reconnoitre them. Owing to heavy sand we had to ring our horses at night as pegs would not hold. String of camels dumped rations and fodder alongside us as soon as we arrived. Tibben, and barley, a small quantity of bran almost negligible quantity and no maize. Small bread issue. Jim KEANE officiated as cook. Bully, cheese and bacon, meal biscuits.
Distance about 18 miles.
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