Pages
Page 6
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
Page 7
January 1916
6 Thursday
Sandstorm still going and weather very cold 7th engineers arrived. Met number of Mosman chaps including [Bill Bennett] & Jim Kernaghan
7 Friday
Still on light duties. Telephone attendant.
(Jupiter was apparently doing good work in the Baltic according to [?. Sy?])
8 Saturday
Stretcher drill & first aid on field. H.M.S Glory passed going Suez direction. H.M.S Jupiter also passed in Port Said direction Football match. Amusing to Victorian
9 Sunday
On guard. Big steamer Marwarri sailed down towards Suez
Page 8
January 1916
10 Monday
[crossed out section] Jack knives issued. Off duty
11 Tuesday
Digging trenches & dugouts Still suffering from boil
12 Wednesday
Light duties. Result of Boil Rumours that war would only last 60 days and that we will be back to Sydney under 6 mos. (Like all other tales) Preparation round Canal advancing rapidly
Page 9
January 1916
13 Thursday
On guard all day & reading
14 Friday
Route march along Railway line short lecture in afternoon Fall in 7 pm. Finding wounded in the dark. Carried 2 12 Stone weights Stretcher drill Heard cable was received at home.
15 Saturday
Lecture on Morphia Inoculations and use of Iodine Afternoon off. Writing letters Beautiful day
16 Sunday
Church Parade. Very good. Chaplain Beveridge wishes us to drop his rank because he considers he isn't entitled to it. General Wilson came down Canal in motor launch. We were lined up on the bank. Train landed on opposite side of Canal. Hunting for curios of last fight
Page 10
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