Mosman 1914-1918

January 1916

24 Monday

Carrying heavy stretchers all day Trains arriving regularly out of Serapeum with troops of 5th, 6th & 7 Batt late of Dardanelles. They say it was the only thing to do to leave Dard. because neither side could move on account of Machine Guns. One man in our tent speaking about the rat which gave him a fright. Turk caught in barbed wire calling for Allah " soon riddled with bullets. Letter from Bank "Beachy Bill"

25 Tuesday

Actually raining hard last night A most extraordinary thing. Ascanius passed. Sheepskin vests given out - Presented by a [person] from Aust. Chaps all making noises like sheep. Bitterly cold. Thousands of Aust. troops arriving from Dardanelles Pontoon Bridge arrived

26 Wednesday

Bridge built over canal & transport going across all shipping stopped in daytime. Bitterly cold. Kit inspection. List of shortages taken Pay Day. McCabe when giving in his [name?] for a jest asked to be supplied with pair of horns.

Beautiful morning. Long route march to the Bitter Lake. In some places the other side isn't visible. Quite shallow except for the channel. Scenery rather pretty at Canal entrance. Salt thickness over the sand. Had a swim. Lect. on Geneva Conv. of 1864 & 1906. Britain first to sign. Field Amb the most imp. medical unit an army can possess. Capt Wooster referred to instances of Aust. Red Cros abuse at Dardanelles. Good tea Rice & 7 ozs tea bread & strawberry jam. "Borda" passed homewards.

11 Friday

Morning signalling. Afternoon Squad drill by [Bacseich] Corporals. Naval Bridging train arrived. Timber arriving in huge trainloads. Two trains awaiting unloading at siding Surprise at night Bill Lang called bringing Beech from Brighton Guthrie of B.G.S. in Aust C. Dozens of old friends over the Canal & all round us. Still catching live stock one chap caught 15 fleas in his pyjamas. Raid on gamblers

12 Saturday

Carrying patients on horseback. Squad drill (monotonous game). Lovely day. Heard yarn about the 50 lb shell at Gallipoli. "Afric" bound homewards 4th F. Art. Supply column arrived Reading letters & papers from home. These came in the "Arabia" mail

13 Sunday

Monitors Scarab, Aphis. bound in Suez direction. Kyarra & Medic loaded with troops going Port Said direction "Athos" big Indian P&O. & Osterley homewards