Mosman 1914-1918

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.

March 1916

27 Monday

Dinner at Kassassin scene of old battle Roused out at 4am. Started at 6am in heavy fog and marched to Mehsamah 16 miles. Numbers dropped out. 14th Brigade 5000, 15000 moving this week Slept out but got little sleep.

28 Tuesday

Up at 4 am and continued march at 6.30 bound for Moascar 21 miles. This was a most terrible day. Most of the going was over sand and the weather fearfully hot. Swim in pretty water hole when least expected. From then on it was a death struggle. Numbers dying & wailing for water. In trying to help the poor beggars by giving all our water and carrying their heavy bundles we were exhausted but finished with the few hundred out of 5000. New Zealanders fine display.

29 Wednesday

Another hot day. slept out in desert N.Z. brought us 4 dixies of tea last night and sent their waggons out all night with 8 horses bringing in the men. Horses had a frightful time yesterday. Continuing the rest of our journey NZ Battalions went out with water bottles. Prince of Wales came to see us. Marched through Ismailia to Ferry Post. Aeroplanes flying overhead. Swim in Canal Terribly hot day. Saw [Allworth?]

April 1916

17 Monday

Beautiful Day. Swimming parade which we converted to Ismailia trip. Rode in on Amb waggons which were being returned to Ord. Face to face with Prince when stepping off punt. He was with Gen. Murray, holding a thermos flask. Good look round Ismailia including native quarter. Bought set of post card views. Met [Spoggie?] Cameron W.O. 5th Div A.S.C. missed train. Rode home to crossroads on limbers then from these to our camp on LH. horses bareback. Thrown off. Saw Prince on camel.

18 Tuesday

Water fatigue. Fine Day

19 Wednesday

Lovely Day Making sand-bag pit in morning. Route march in afternoon. Playing draughts at night. Shortages of uniform to be made good immediately on account of our prospective early departure for France