Mosman 1914-1918

January 1916

3 Monday

Stencilling in Q'M [Close?] [list crossed out] Heard that there was a bit of a fight at [Hockley's hollow] a few hours after we left never verified

4 Tuesday

Long march very sore after the last one. [crossed out] 29th left for the [crossed out] [front]. Launch sunk in Canal with ammunition, Rifles & kits aboard. Afternoon off for washing. Hard work washing clothes in cold water.

5 Wednesday

Off duty all day suffering from boil or abscess. Not sure what it is. Frightful sandstorm blowing. Bitterly cold. Fragments of news being posted up at Orderly room. Corp. Fallon won his case regarding Ismailia charges

January 1916

17 Monday

Digging Dug-out. Xmas Comforts given out. I got flanel shirt. Mostly from Mosman people. Raft capsized in canal. 17 men aboard including chap who was in our tent tonight. One man drowned. Engineer made reference to some bonza graves over the other side which he hopes to handle. German Major will probably be [?]

18 Tuesday

Long Route March along fresh water creek to Bitter lakes then back along the Suez Canal retiring to camp after 1 pm. First Aid lecture Engineers rapidly constructing elaborate trenches on other side. General [Godley] carried out inspection of camp Monitor passed in Suez direction. Hospital ship & big P&O. India liner.

19 Wednesday

Stretcher drill & lecture on application of bandages. Kitchener's Vultures of Heliopolis a few at Serapeum. News that on Monday we move to Ismailia

January 1916

20 Thursday

Stretcher Carrying. Trial trip over new line on this side of canal. Engine pushing one carriage in front of it. O.C. & others went Ismailia to select new camping ground. On Guard 4.30 pm. 500 Camels arrived with transport of Indians from Ismailia.

21 Friday

On Guard. Camels crossed Canal Rumours that 8th Brigade are to be used as reserves in Ismailia whilst all the other troops form the 1st line extending as far as Serapeum

22 Saturday

Col. Shepherd arrived. Stretcher Carrying. Mails delivered. Very striking scene when Implacable came back up the canal bands playing & bluejackets cheering whilst all soldiers on shore rang out deafening cheers. Most impressive

23 Sunday

Church Parade. Serg. from 29th Inf run over on railway. Both legs cut off. Terrible sight. Soon died.

March 1916

6 Monday

Very warm day. On Q.M Fatigue. Saw Field Bakery. [?s] out beautiful breads 22,000 loaves a day. In afternoon saw Sherring on Artillery cart. Passed Sandford and saw another Liverpool friend who is now in Art. Art going to form howitzer battery Troops moving by a fortnights time

7 Tuesday

Hot day. On Cooks fatigue carrying water Measured for helmets, drill coats, short pants and puttees Capt North & Capt Donald taken from us thus spoiling the unit.

8 Wednesday

Visited Ismailia to get Red Cross Cases & money. Huge Camp there larger than Tel-el-Kebir. Seven Aeroplanes up Everything prepared for departure to France in few days time. Saw RHA enroute for France Passed Gen Birdwood's House. Warships Monitors & French ships on lake at Ismailia. This is a very pretty town. Train guard told me history of Tel-el-Kebir battle.

March 1916

9 Thursday

Making bricks and building ovens for cooks. Abt 40 new men arrived from AMC details Don't know what is to become of them.

10 Friday

Big mail arrived. On water fatigue for cook house. Took 4 horses down for water. Heard that Snowy Wilcox & Stanton are here

11 Saturday

Out for field work in morning with waggons. Rain fell heavily about dinner time preventing cricket match with 8th Eng. Raffle for Bill Capt North asked me to go to Ismailia tomorrow

12 Sunday

Visited Ismailia saw Bill Bailey. Troops now on the move for France. Came back with Baker W. O. of Camel Corps. Saw young Lenehan on Ismailia station