Mosman 1914-1918

February 1916

3 Thursday

Letter from [Ted Geach] England Orders to prepare for departure to Tel-el-Kebir. Everything packed up and sent to Railway. H.M.S. Jupiter passed in Suez direction. Big ship with funnels side by side. N.N.M.R doing our transport. Carried patients across Canal to clearing hospital Preparations have advanced rapidly on the other side. Road, Heavy & Light Railway. 7 Battalion. 2nd & 3rd Brigades Trench mortars. Lion sunk 2 Battleships & 1 Cruiser news from passing ship

4 Friday

Slept in old building used as Barracks at time Canal was being built, trouble with bugs Pipe run across the Canal with Donkey engine on the other side to pump water across. Bugle calls again being used.

5 Saturday

Slept in old buildings again last night killed 5 bugs on me this morning. Digging Dugout. Letter from Bank. Not allowed to visit Port Said. We are now attached temporarily to the 1st Division For some time there has been doubt as to where we would go. We were with the 10th Indians for a time, then other Aust. Div. wanted us. Now it is thought that we are forming a new Division with the 4th, 8th & new Brigade of Re-Infs from Cairo so that we will be the first to go into action, most likely France.

6 Sunday

Turks abandoned Canal Attack. Caught a bat. Roy bought Camera. Malwa passed for Australia. Ladies

February 1916

24 Thursday

All prepared for moving presumably to Tel-el-Kebir, when orders came to say that through railway disorder we can't go till tomorrow. We have been exactly 3 weeks in suspense. Tin 1/4lb. Condensed milk and 4 packets of cigarettes given out

25 Friday

Cleared camp. Heavy day transporting luggage. Lively train ride to Tel-el-Kebir, finally getting settled at 11 o'clock. Put on piquet all night. Camped on old battle ground of 1882 where Kitchener & Gordon fought in the Soudan War. This is a tremendous camp yet far ahead of Liverpool in administration.

26 Saturday

Setting out new camp. Visit by Harold Alcock, Hughie Steanes & Reg Cannon, Hughie took our photos. Went down the lines at night. Gambling frightful & drunkenness very evident. All old units being split up.

27 Sunday

Doing nothing all day. Visited Lennie Rial and stayed talking to him all afternoon Quirk called to see me

March 1916

2 Thursday

Route March round earthworks of old battlefield. Tel-el-Kebir was the last of Soudan wars where the enemy were completely surrounded Bones lying about. Infantry now engaged in burying remains Signalling all afternoon. Saw Lennie & Allan Bruce. Fun at Canteen chap eating crockery

3 Friday

Stretcher drill in morning Warmest day since leaving Aust. Fearfully hot. Ridiculous having to turn out with Tunics on. Parade hours altered Nothing from 11.30 to 3pm then French lesson. Very funny indeed. Pictures at night.

4 Saturday

Stretcher drill in morning Otherwise a quiet day On guard at night Cricket match

5 Sunday

On Guard. Cricket match 8 ambulance wagons & 2 G.S. carts from 4th Light Horse F.A arrived to join our unit 60 odd horses also arrived

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

20 Monday

Inoculated, Artillery A. S. C. and numbers of troops leaving Tel-el-Kebir for France (presumably) Military Canteen now open [?] Graves mostly Scottish on other side of line

21 Tuesday

All day off. Saw Aust. mail going through to Cairo 4 Iron barred trucks. Met Ginger Smith & Cullen (spring healed Jack) of the Artillery. They left today Helmets issued. Tunics & long drill pants arrived. Artillery practice Plum pudding aswell

22 Wednesday

Still off duty. Eventful day Prince of Wales inspecting the camp accompanied by Gen. Irvine brother to our officer. Escort chiefly Indians. After saluting each regiment gave 3 cheers. Gas helmets arrived. Mail Day.