Allsop Diary

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Five diaries of W.J.A. Allsop that cover the period 1915-1917 were purchased by the Mitchell Library in 1920. In August 2012, Geraldine Walsh spoke to Allsop's son John, who shared this diary with the 'Doing our bit, Mosman 1914-1918' project.

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February 1916

7 Monday

Tobacco & Matches issued yesterday Not yet moved. Field work in morning finding wounded in scrub & marshes. In afternoon lecture on Sanitation and swim in Suez Canal. New Zealand Mounted Rifles passed on way across Canal Estimated cost of works at this part of Canal & down 4 to 5 million £ Rained last night.

8 Tuesday

Beautiful day. Had photo taken by Roy near Serapeum filtering works for purifying sweet water Canal for troops. Carrying water by Camels & peeling vegetables. Hororata (Plymouth) sailed down towards Suez A20. Carried queer case of paralysis across to Clearing Hosp. over Canal. One arm useless. Good feed tomatoes & oranges very plentiful here. Minelayer H.M.S. Magnolia passed in Suez direction, dropped life boat whilst going a great pace. 2 guns visible & mines were dropped over the sides. The ship is like a destroyer. Steamer City of Cairo passed in Port Said direction. "Arabia" passed afterwards.

9 Wednesday

Showering. Collecting rushes to [?] with natives whom we made get & carry the rushes. Then they made mats from palm branches & rushes. Cordite in cigarette. Practice in carrying patients in afternoon. Playing cards practically every evening. Railway siding right to Canal bank going on to road completed & first train run along the line.

Last edit over 7 years ago by Lenore
Page 17
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Page 17

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

Last edit over 7 years ago by Lenore
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February 1916

14 Monday

1st Field Amb arrived & went across Canal. "Corsican" Big steamer bound for Persian Gulf with East Lancs aboard Beautiful Day. Lecture on bones By Captain North. Queer march by Major Williams. Monitors yesterday had 2 guns (like 11 in) one forward & the other aft. Anti-Aircraft gun aft square stern, 3 rudders & bright blue funnels.

15 Tuesday

Dull day and showery. Poor exhibition by officers in morning at marching past etc. Signalling. Lecture on breaks on fractures by Capt. Wooster. A.M.C. comforts distributed. My share was packet of envelopes & tin of pudding from Mrs F. Mann. "Ceramic" bound Gulf with 9th Hants aboard. Cheering intense Will we win, yes Are we downhearted Monster P.&O. from Bombay homewards

16 Wednesday

March up sweet water canal and back with full equipment &, taking whole day. Lecture on Antiseptics & dressing of wounds by Capt. Irvine. Orders of day contain reference to France. Huge NZMR camp behind us. 600 camels crossed bridge. Beautiful Day

Last edit over 7 years ago by Lenore
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February 1916

17 Thursday

Glorious morning. Aphis & Scarab returned. Draw only 4 ft of water Scarab is slightly an improvement on the other. 2 Maxim guns & 2 Anti Aircraft. Lecture on First Aid by Capt Donald. First replies to our letters written on Ascanius memorable day & lovely day

18 Friday

Heavy day. Extended order Practising attending wounded under heavy fire. Swim in Canal. Boatload of Pommies for Bombay. "Cornwallis" HMS Port Said way. Trainloads of motor lorries arriving

19 Saturday

Frightfully windy. Sandstorm blowing. Semaphore signalling & carrying wounded. Afternoon off. Turned out beautiful night. Moonlight

30 Sunday

Church Parade. Brig-Gen Tivey [with] cross batons up. Hair cut short. Indian Hosp Ship Suez way. Beautiful moonlight night. Pay day. Tobacco issue

Last edit over 7 years ago by Lenore
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February 1916

21 Monday

Lovely morning. Long route march up Sweet Water Canal. Lecture on Fractures. Semaphore Signalling. Infantry leaving from other side in trainloads Playing 500 after tea. Good looking and rather nice boys selling eggs.

22 Tuesday

Bright day Swim before breakfast. Combined order drill all morning. P.&O. mail steamer "Kybir" passed in Suez direction. Lady on railing. Old chap throwing cigarette tins ashore. Clapping & cheering on board as Richards jumped in water with all clothes on [pins] hat & wristlet watch. Lecture on C.M. Rts & Kings Regs. by Capt Donald. Grand sight as huge troopship with Scotch on board passed for the Gulf. Bagpipes playing

23 Wednesday

Coy. Drill in morning Lecture on Scalds Burns etc. by Capt North in afternoon. Big steamer Northland passed homewards (N.Z. Transport). Infantry going mad Moving at daylight tomorrow. We have orders to move tomorrow

Last edit over 7 years ago by Lenore
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