E.S. "Gordon" Lacey - Diary 1

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Ernest Stanley "Gordon" Lacey grew up in Mosman. His parents lived at 'Richmond', 24 Rosebery Street. He went to school locally and worked as a mail assistant at Mosman Post Office before enlisting in 1917. Wounded for the first time in May 1918, he returned to his Battalion, the 53rd, in August, just before they were to take part in two key actions, the Attack at Anvil Wood and the Battle of St. Quentin Canal. Lacey was hit again, by shell fire, on 29 September, and died of his wounds at the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen on 9 October 1918.

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"Miliades" A28 at 7am Pulled out of the Bay off Garden Field. Weighed anchor & started at 1.45pm. Got sick about 4 miles off Heads. Friday Saw 4 Waterspouts in the afternoon. Sick until Monday morning. Got (6th Aug) right about dinner time. Land sighted during the afternoon. Purple mountains with snow capped peaks in the background (New Zealand) Tuesday morning. Sailed in between two big heads. Reefs running out from shore. High hills stretching all around. Dropped anchor off Wellington

Last edit about 11 years ago by twofruits
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The town appears to be rather scattered but very pretty. Shut in by high hills on north and south lower ones to the west. Everything seems very quiet after Sydney, no ferries, and high hills all around with houses perched here and there. There is a very limited amount of shipping here. 8th Aug Weighed anchor about 4.30pm Wednesday after receiving prisoners who deserted. Thursday. At sea again and seasick as usual. Nothing interesting from Thursday up till Tuesday. Weather changed then. Beautiful days with

Last edit about 11 years ago by HelenVSmith
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hardly a cloud. The water is the most beautiful blue I have ever seen. The phosferous at night is a picture. Sailing with all lights out now. Frequent life belt drills. Friday 17th Stiff wind blowing, sea got up again. Lost money belt again. Saturday Went to Church service with park in morning Sighted steamer about 3p.m. on Port bow. 3..30p.m. land in sight tot he Port side. Turned out to be Pitcairn Isld. Passed within about 8 miles. The Isld is a hilly place. could not see much of it as night was coming on

Last edit about 11 years ago by HelenVSmith
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as we passed. We signalled the ship at dark. She was going with all lights showing.

Sunday 19th Smoke of steamer still showing, but dissapears later. Nothing noteworthy until 23rd Thursday. Preparations made for firing 6 pounder gun. Unsuccessful striker pin broken. Friday. Gun fixed 2 rounds fired. Flying fish very interesting. They spring out of the water and fly along for a good distance & then shoot back into a wave. Sometimes there will be one and at other times there will be a whole fleet of them. Awnings put up over poop & well deck

Last edit about 11 years ago by twofruits
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Sunday 26th. Church Parade. As usual do nothing but read eat & sleep. First publication of the ships paper "The Dummy Funnel" It is strange to be wandering around the ship with short trousers on like a schoolboy, when about four months ago I had given up all hope of going to this calm weather still prevailing. Wednesday. 29th Another infernall guard. Thursday. Came off guard this morning and sent to poop for musketry. Suppressed excitement on board, everybody waiting for tomorrow when we expect to see land. Friday, land on the port bow.

Last edit about 11 years ago by twofruits
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