- This is a transcript of the first of five World War I diaries of Dr William Aitken, which detail his daily activities as a member of the Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance. This diary commences in October 1914, with preparations to leave Wellington on board a troop transport (the Arawa) as part of the large convoy of ANZAC ships to Eygpt. Aitken describes the route via Hobart, Albany, Freemantle, Colombo, Aden, the Red Sea and Suez Canal to Port Said before disembarking at Alexandria for Zeitoun Camp near Cairo in early December. An incident at the Cocos Islands involving the German ship Emden is described.
- Aitken describes treating soldiers for various ailments and injuries, vaccinations for several diseases, visits to local archaeological sites. He spent a period of time nearer to the Canal in Gare when the Turkish forces attacked the area.
[MS-1334/001]
William Aitken
Lieut. N.Z.M.C.
N.Z. Expeditionary Force
1914.
[end of page]
Sept. 23.
Reveille 4.am, struck
camp. Left for Palmerston N.
at 8.a.m, arrived there
and entrained at once, but did not
leave till 10.30. Arrived Wellington
3.p.m. Detrained men & horses
and marched to wharf, where we
embarked on the H M.N.Z.T
“Maunganui”. Given a
cabin with Bryan, Wellington
Infantry, Milne, and I myself.
Fled the couch, slept
comfortably in bed the first time
for six weeks.
Sept. 24th. In afternoon
attended inspection and
par send off at Newtown
Park. Inspected by Earl Liverpool.
22,000 people present.
Marched back in the rain
& reembarked.
[end of page]
Sept. 25th. Orderly medical
officer for the day, had
nothing to do, but examined
a man with ped. pub.
We were expecting the Governo
General to come aboard at
eleven and then depart; other
transports were waiting in the
stream. However General
came aboard, and announced
that we would not sail for
three weeks. Mounted men
& horses to go ashore on Monday.
Sept. 26th. Was officer of
the guard, and
officer in charge of the
Gangway. Guard consisted
of Sergeant Goodrich,
Corporal Hadler [?] , 1 bugler, and
fifteen men, was on duty
24 hours.
[end of page]
Sept. 27th. Was orderly officer
for company. attended
divine Service at V shed.
Wrote a lot of letters.
Ambulance quarters are on in
the Smoking lounge, on the
boat deck.
Sept. 28th. Again orderly officer;
got into trouble for not
being up at six. a.m.
However it all blew off,
nothing happened.
Horses were taken off the
ship up to the barracks.
Sept. 29th. Tuesday. Sent
out to the Mirimar [sic]
Camp; as Medical officer for
the Otago Mounted Rifles
7th & 12th Regiment Squadron.
Malone [?] was sent to barracks.
[end of page]
Took with me Corporal Fitzgerald
Privates Foord & Flintoff.
Arrived Mirimet [?should be Miramar] at 4.30.
and reported to Captain Glendening
Adj. Met several old High
School boys; shared a tent with
Wilson, Machine Gun section
Otago Infantry.
Sept. 30. Mess in a marquee,
very different from the
Maunganui but rather glad to
get away from Brass hats.
At mess Colonel Bachop talks
& the stinkers listen.
Sept. Oct. 3. Sent a case of pneumonia
into Wellington Hospital
- Naylor; had only a
slight temperature 101.
Also set in Sethford, who
received a kick in knee.
[end of page]
Oct. 4th. Sunday Went for
a walk on the Seatoun
Heights, and saw the South
Island, across Cook Strait.
Oct. 6th. Went with the
Regiment on a Field
day to Happy Valley. Rode
Dr. Builasen’s [?] horse. Came
back through streets of Wellington
a very enjoyable but dusty ride.
Sent another case of pneumonia
into the Hospital.
Oct. 8th. Spent most of the
day at rifle range during
musketry practise: Did some
shooting myself, made an
insignificant score, but hit
the target every time however.
Sent man to Hospital,
complained of epigastric man
[end of page]
pain, tenderness in both iliac
fossa; cleared up in five
days, thought to be abdom.
influenza.
Oct 10th. Sent man to ships
Hospital on Hawke’s Bay
suffering from pleurisy.
Expeditionary force, about
5000 men, marched to Lower
Hutt Racecourse, inspected by
Governor, and then marched back
again. Had a rough
mount to ride, very hard to
hold, was the Horse presented by the
Albany St School to Bringhers [?]
Covered about 30 miles; a
terrible windy & dusty day,
when we got back to camp
found all the marquees and
some tents blown down. Mine
was up however. Near [sic] got
[end of page]
blown off my horse, rounding
into Evan’s Bay; also nearly
lost my hat & puggaree.
Oct 11. Spent the day in camp,
in Evening went with
Captain Hammond C.Y.C. [Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry]
to visit his friends in Te Aro.
Found them out, and waited
till they came from church.
Had a good supper, but missed
the last car Home, to Mirimar [sic],
& had to tramp it, 7 miles
Held medical inspection 500 men of the camp
& got five cases; four were discharged.
Oct. 12 [corrected from 13]th. Sent a man into the
Hospital, with pneumonia.
All the tents were taken down
& all straw burnt up. Hospital
tent left up. Two Japa
H.M.S. Minotaur, and the
Japanese War armoured cruiser
Ibouki [sic], arrived in Harbour
this afternoon; came from Chinese
[end of page]
squadron. Attended a child
that had been injured some-
how or other by a horse.
Found it had 2 teeth loose and
abrasions of the lower lip, and
black eye; Parents were Danish
named Dahl, and had to
ask the child my questions in
the Danish language although
it could speak English.
Men bivouacked in the open
Slept on the ground in Hospital
tent along with MacIntyre,
McCurdy; Howie sat up all
night writing letters.
Great excitement during the
night, patrol sent out to
capture Germans, who were
signalling at Island Bay out to
Sea, returned two hours later,
Had seen nothing, but empty
motor-car at on roadside.
Found a man with ip- [?] history, but
murmur, & skin trouble, discharged.
[end of page]
Oct. 14th. Day of Embarkation
First lot of Otago Men left
Mirimar [sic] at 4.30. a m for the
Hawke’s Bay; next l[o]t 6 o’clock,
& last lot at 8 o’clock.
Camp was all cleared up then;
& I left with my three men
boarded a tram-car – for the Wharf.
Went aboard the Arawa, and
reported to Captain Home; have
a cabin on portside, along with
Home & Webb; got my trunk
shifted from Maunganui,
and then went for a final walk
upon up town. Dined up town.
Got Doug & Pete a present.
Came back at and and
examined some men from
the battery; then went aboard
as it was near sailing time.
The Arawa left the wharf at
- p.m. great crowd on the
[end of page]
wharf; band played It’s a long
way to Tipperary. Enthusiastic
send off, many women in tears.
Arawa anchored off Evan’s
Bay among the other transports.
Oct. 15th. Lay in the stream
all day, nothing doing,
wrote some letters home.
Am in the second mess.
There are about 1400 men aboard,
including 70 odd dor officers.
There are 200 odd horses aboard.
Oct. 16th. Just on six oclock
the armoured Cruiser
Minotaur, from the Chinese Squadron,
followed by the Ibouki, Japanese
Armoured cruiser, next the Psyche,
3rd class cruiser, came steaming
down the Harbour, followed by the
Maunganui & ^4^ other cruisers
transports.
[end of page]
Next came the 3rd class cruiser
Philomel, and the Arawa
followed her and the remaining
four transports followed next.
A fine sight though it [to] see
the 14 vessels in line passing
down the harbour. We
cleared the heads, and
made through Cook Straight t:
Once through the transports
went in two lines of a^by file^. The
Maunganui leading the
starboard line, and the
Arawa the Port line. The
Minotaur keeps ahead of the
fleet, the Ibouki on the
starboard side, the Philomel
on the port side, & the
Psyche in the Rear.
A lovely day, and the sea
was very calm. Last we
saw of N.Z was Farewell Spit
just before dark.
[end of page]
In the afternoon lectured to the
men from the Grand Hotel and
also from the Clarendon from
3.15 to 3.45. Lecture was on
personal ship sanitation and
lectured in the Clarendon Hotel.
My first appearance before the
public; very doubtful about
how it sounded to them;
but they listened intently.
Oct. 17th. Sea was pretty rough
and the ship heaved a lot.
My turn for sick parade.
half way through I felt very
queer, and soon had a
good vomit, and felt better.
Nose bled at same time.
Had a good breakfast, but alas!
was good anyway I had not
to make a rush from the table.
best luck. After that lay down
[end of page]
& took my Mothersills capsules
pink & brown [?] according to the
directions. By eleven oclock
I left felt all right, and had
my dinner just as usual
at and also the meal at
night, with no further results
Oct 18th First Sunday at sea.
Attended physical ex drill
in the morning 7 to 7.30 am
Very rough sea, & vessel
rolled & pitched. Did not
go to church parade. A great
sight to see the other transports
rolling & pitching &
shipping the water, but I
suppose we look just as
bad to them. Met Winkie
Austin, one of the Mounted
Signal troop:
[end of page]
Oct. 19th. The sea was calmer
today. No fatalities
among the horses yet,
they all seem as if they
were fool [?should be fed] up of it already.
Lectured in the Clarendon Hotel
this afternoon on Personal
Hygiene. A great uproar when
I came to washing, said
they get no water. I am
sure it is not their fault
if they can’t get a wash.
Sighted a school of whales, saw plenty
of spouts, but they were far off.
Oct. 20th. Capt Home observed
a case of German Measles
amongst one of the men that
was transferred from the Arawa Waimana
Have got him isolated along
with four contacts. Have not
seen him yet. This
afternoon was washing day,
a great collection of clothing
is hanging up to dry.
[end of page]
Oct. 21st. Sighted land just
about six a.m. Very
large six sick parade; entered
the Derwent Estuary about
7.30. a.m. Passed the Organ
Pipe Rocks reminded me of
the Giant’s Causeway.
Very glad to see land again,
wooded hills, scattered
farm houses, and fresh green
cultivated patches amongst
the bush. Very nice
harbour; passed the slit [?]
tower. Hobart is about
fifteen miles up from the
sea, arrived there the
starboard line went along
side the wharf to take in
water, and the men went
ashore for march. The
port line lay off Belle Rive
During ean afternoon had
[end of page]
boat race. Won by Artillery
men, Colonel Johnston, Cox
easy first; Mounted second
Colonel Meldrum Cox; Infantry
third Colonel Malone pulled
stroke, next came the Staff
sergeants; & the machine gun crew
last. A good race, for second place
Hobart looks a very pretty place.
There is a German steamer, a
prisoner of war, lying in the
stream. At 6 p.m the
starboard line came out to the
stream, all except the Maunganui
and 7. p.m we moved up to the
w Ocean pier Wharf. No one
allowed off. Warships are
coaling hard. Colonel Chaytor
& Captain Thoms came aboard about
- p.m. Surprised when Capt McDonnell
came & hunted me up, and took
me along to the orderly room to
[end of page]
Colonel Chaytor. He asked me
about my batman; told me
I did not report when I came
aboard the Arawa, however I did
both to the acting O.C. and the orderly
room. He asked why I did
not bring aboard my military
record sheets & Huddocks.[?] I had
no orders about them. However
I had to wait and go with them
to the Maunganui for them.
Waited an hour for them to get them
& then they told me to get them myself.
Hunted up the record clerk he was
in bed; processed my papers
allright [sic] & arrived back on the
Arawa at 11.30 p.m. Everybody
seemed to be recovering from a
very severe seasickness on the
“Maunganui”
[end of page]
Oct. 22nd. Reveille 5.30.a m.
breakfast at 6.30. Started off
on march from sup ship at 7.30 a m.
all the men from the portline of transports –
a very good turn out. marched round
the botanical gardens to Cornelian
Bay – halted there by a “beautiful
garden of roses” and was given some
beauties by the lady. (they now
adorn our cabin – carried them back
in my hat – real beauties.) marched
round in a circuit; pace was pretty
stiff and the roads were rough.
Hobart town looks well from the
harbour, but is a ditly dirty
place, poor buildings although
there are some very fine buildings
& residences. The hotels took
my fancy – seemed to be all
bar and small places like the old
English days inns, most of them looked as if
they were descended from the convict days
[end of page]
Troops were inspected by the G.O.C on
the way back. People of Toms Hobart
were very good, brought out apples &
biscuits. Arrived back on the
ship at 11. a.m. Nob No one was
allowed leave, although Webb
got ashore to get some drugs. He
got a new glass in my watch – best
luck. Great crowd on the
wharf to see us off.
Some Tre men were doing a
great trade in selling apples
& crayfish. Many ladies bought
cases of apples & threw the
apples on board to the men, real
sports most of them. Bought a
case of apples myself.
We left the wharf at noon
and went back to an anchorage
off Belle Rive. At 4. p. m
the Minotaur & Ibouki left
their got under way; the
[end of page]
transports soon followed, all except
the Waimana which was having
some repairs to her anchor hoisting
gear carried out; she left about
two hours later We arrived
at the heads at before dark,
and waited there until darkness
had set in before moving out
to sea. Early next morning was
awakened by the fog signals about
3.a.m. The Arawa was using both
her whistle & fog siren, ship was
rolling heavily, and I thought I
might roll off my bunk at any
minute, several large crashes, from
falling crockery. Byt
Forgot to state that all lights are
covered up at night, & only the
masthead lights & port & starboard
lights are shown. Attended lecture
on Military Etiquette by Colonel
Johnston, was amazed [?] his high
opinion of the N.Z.Troops.
[end of page]
Oct. 23[corrected from 21]st [sic] Fog had cleared when
we got up. 6.15;
started reading practical anatomy.
at temporo-maxillary [?] region
in the morning. In afternoon gave
a lecture on the “Care of the
feet”. got some very curious
questions afterwards about corns,!
use of French chalk as a preventative!
Now bound for Albany
across the Australian Bight.
distance 1500 miles.
Oct. 24th [corrected from 22nd]. Musketry practice
on board; ship drew
out from the rest; target
was drawn behind.
Lectured on “Water” in
the afternoon. Attended
a lecture on Field
Engineering.
Having very good weather,
Ibouki now on the port side.
[end of page]
Oct 25th . Attended divine service on
the boat deck. First edition
of the ‘chorus” published
“We are but little children week [sic]
Our tumy aches [?] are not strong
And when the ship doth roll
and creak
We can’t contain it long.”
Record run yesterday 274 miles
A roan horse of the Amm. Column
died & was lirsted [?probably hoisted] over to its
watery grave. Sighted a whale
spouting this afternoon.
Oct. 26th. First burial at sea
of a N. Zealander. Corporal Gilchrist
in the Ruapehu. The Ruapehu
came into the centre between the
two lines for th service at 3.45 p m
In the morning was standing
talking to Mrs Johnston on the
starboard rail, watching a
[end of page]
school of whales in the
distance, when suddenly one
came up to the surface about
20 yards off the Arawa, it went
off at a great rate. It was a
small one, and had a vertical
dorsal fin.
Oct. 27th. Having a very good
time aboard, good weather.
Lectured on Clotting and colds
In the evening listened to a good
lecture on Machine Guns by Captain
Rose.
Oct. 28th. Sighted land about 7.am.
morning was rather misty, as we
got nearer land we could make out
a large number of vessels lying
in the Harbour. About ten
o’clock, we cleared the Heads in
two lines, and proceeded into
[end of page]
the outer Harbour, where we dropped
anchor on a gun being fired from
the Minotaur. On our way in
we passed the H.M.S Melbourne.
Our convoy with the exception of
the Ibouki, went into the
inner Harbour, along with the
Maunganui. There are 25
Australian transports lying at
anchor here in Albany. They
look a miscellaneous collection,
not being painted in the
regulation war paint like our
transports; some are very large vessels,
two vessels funnels, the Orvieto &
the Militiades [should be Miltiades], others are sma a
great deal smaller. The N.Z.
fleet looks a long way ahead
of the Australian fleet, & more
business like besides bearing the
H.M.N.Z.T. while the Australians only
have A L. The H.M.S Melbourne
guards the entrance at night.
[end of page]
In the afternoon, the Philomel,
the Pyramus & the Ibouki left
for f Fremantle. We had
another boat race, the same crews
as before competing, and the
Field Battery again showed
their supremacy – Col. Johnston – Cox.
Oct. 29th . Lay at anchor all day,
idly swinging in the tide;
only thing of interest was the arrival
when a tender came alongside
& came Colonel Will, and Captain
Thoms came aboard. Lovely
evening, and the W.I.A band
played, very a one on the top of the Grand Hotel
Galley. Wells Linematograph
silene [?] hauled or lead by
Commander Newton. R.N. said a
at Got a case of appendix; in morning
had pain at umbilicus, no temp, saw
him at 4.30, complained of pain over appendix
slight tenderness; pulse 80. temp 99.8.
at 11.30 pm His pain was worse, p 106. temp 101
[end of page]
the lad had same kind of pain
three weeks before Captain Home would
have operated right off, had we not been in harbour.
Oct. 30th. Appendicitis man sent
ashore in a tender in the morning
Temp down to 99; patient slept
don most of the night. Captain Home
went with him. Colonel Fenwick,
Major Newton & ambulance squad
came out in the tender also to
attend patient. At present it is
very warm, and we are having a
lotus eaters existence, lying
idly at anchor; spend most of the
time gazing at the Australian
transports. At night took a splinter
of wood ¾ inch long out from under
a man’s small finger nail.
Oct. 31st. Another hot day.
The Arawa is not going up to
the wharves to worst luck, and we
will not see the town of Albany.
I shall must say that Australian land looks
very uninteresting from here. Man
with finger complaining of severe pain
in it.
[end of page]
Nov. 1st. At six. a. m the
Minotaur, followed by the H M S
Sydney, came past us, heading
for the sea; next came the
Orvieto, and after her
followed in line 26 of the
Australian transports.
The N.Z Fleet got under
weight [sic] at 8.25 a.m,
and proceeded out in their
two lines, and the rear was
brought out up by the H.M.S.
Melbourne. The Australian
fleet formed a very long
line curving out to sea
and we could just pick up
the leading vessels with the
naked eye. Once out at sea
the Australian fleet took up
their positions in three lines,
they are well spaced out.
The N.Z. Fleet brings up the
[end of page]
rear, in two lines, and in the
middle line with the middle
spaces. The Arawa now
leads with her line on
the Starboard, followed by the
Athenic, Ruapehu, Orari & the
Waimana. The Maunganui
leads the portline, followed by the
Hawke’s Bay, Star of India
Limerick, & Tahiti.
It is a beautiful day, and a
glorious sight. There is great
speculation as to which is to be
our next port of call, some
favour Colombo, others Cape Town.
We seem to be following round
the coast. Saw three flying
fish. Divine Service was
held at. 10.30 a m. A
beautiful day and a lovely
evening. Man brought into Hospital
with severe abdominal pain. Had eaten
a tin of salmon on his own! atropine gr 1/50.
[end of page]
Australian Transports.
Hymettus
Geelong
Orvieto
Pera
Omrah
Clan Macquorkadale [?should be Maccorquodale]
Medic
Argylleshire
Shropshire
Noroo [?should be Karroo]
Ascanius
Saldanu [? should be Saldanha]
Natuna [?should be Katuna]
Euripedes
Star of England
Star of Victoria
Port Lincoln
Wiltshire
Afric
Kororata [should be Hororata]
Narere [should be Marere]
Rangitira [shouls be Rangatira]
[end of page]
Contd
Suffolk
Lenalla [should be Benalla}
Anglo-Egyptian
Armidale [?should be Armadale]
Southern
Militiades [Miltiades]
[Note from checker: I have used spellings of ship names listed in https://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmat.htm]
New Zealand Transports.
Maunganui
Tahiti
Ruapehu
Orari
Limerick [should be Limmerick]
Star of India
Hawke’s Bay
Arawa [?should be Arana]
Athenic
Waimana.
[Note: checked against list in http://navymuseum.co.nz/worldwar1/ships/troopships-that-departed-new-zealand-during-world-war-one/]
[end of page]
Escort [s].
H.M.S. “Minotaur”. armoured cruiser
14,600 tons displacement; 22 knots
4 – 9.2 in. 10 – 7.5 in. 16 – 12 pds
5 maxims, 5 torpedo tubes.
crew. 850.
H.M.S. “Sydney”.
Second class protected cruiser.
5,480 tons displacement 25 knots
8 – 6 in. 4 – 3 pds.
4 maxims, 1 boat gun
two torpedo tubes
H.M.S. “Melbourne”;
same class as above
“Ibouki”, Japanese Cruiser
Armoured cruiser.
147, 620 tons displacement ; 22 knots
4 -12 in, 8 – 8 in.
14 – 4.7 3 – 1.8
4 maxims; 2 boat guns, crew 820.
[end of page]
“Nishin”, Japanese Armoured Cruiser.
7,630 tons displacement, 20 knots
4 – 8 in 14 – 6 in.
10 – 3 in 6 – 1.8.
Two maxims; 4 boat guns.
crew 500.
S.M.S. “Emden”
3,600 tons displacement.
25 knots speed.
10 – 4.1 inch
8 – 5 pounders 4 machine guns
2 torpedo tubes
Crew 321.
[end of page]
Nov. 2nd. Lectured on Value of
Physical exercises. Lovely
evening and beautiful full moon.
Im Case of tonsillitis with a rash.
Australian fleet is slower than
ours; day’s run 222 miles.
Nov. 3rd. Sea rather rough, and
a stiff head wind is blowing.
Still much speculation as to
our route & destination, we are
still standing well off the coast of
Australia, heading North-west.
The bush lawyers, etc are hammering
out this question in the Grand Hotel.
Joined by the West Australian transports
& Ibouki. Pyramus passed us
in the. port, on her way back.
Ibouki on the starboard; Melbourne
brings up the rear. Lectured on
Typhoid & Dysentery. Started at
French class. Great spot to
see the other transports rolling in the
heavy sea, especially the Anglo-Egyptian.
[end of page]
Nov. 4th Still heading nor’-west,
looks as if were heading
for Colombo, although the captain
said he had sealed orders for
Cape Town. Lectured on hygiene
of the Mouth. Reported that
there was an appendix operation
on the Maunganui; she stopped
all the morning, & did not get
her position again till near six.
Wrestling match on the boat
deck, between Robinson ^W.M I.^ ex
champion of Scotland &
& [sic] Hine, W. Infantry, middle
weight champion of –
for a purse of £10. Robinson
secured the first two falls
A very good match, & the winner
generously divided the purse with
the loser. Sent two cases of
German M. [easles] into infectious hospital.
One of them “Dr [“] Perrin. These were the
first cases since our first case.
[end of page]
Nov. 5th. The Minotaur came
down the lines today &
signalled we were going to
Colombo. She also signalled
the N.Z Fleet. “Station keeping
and general attention to convoy
orders, especially as regards
lights, very creditable, sorry
cant say the same of the
Australians.”
Some of the Australian fleet are
a blaze of lights at night,
while it is very hard to
make out the N.Z. fleet; they
are invisible at 3 miles.
We are 2465 miles from
Colombo; at present we are 24°.S.
& 106° E.
Lectured on Venereal diseases.
We are now in the tropics,
crossed the tropic of Capricorn this
afternoon. Awnings are up
& it is getting hotter every day.
[end of page]
We are sleeping on deck at
night, but they have to get up at
3 a.m, for the crew hose the decks
down then. Concert was held
on the boat deck this evening;
a great success.
Nov.6th. Five more cases of
Rotheln [German measles] to-day; infectious
hospitals now full, looks as if
were in for an ship epidemic.
Starting lecturing to the
Brigade Ammunition Column
in the Hotel Cecil; subject
Camp sanitation.
Hoisted a horse overboard this
morning, the third so far.
Tonight we are well up within
the Australian lines
Yesterday afternoon the Orient liner
fo Austally Osterly, passed close to the fleet.
[end of page]
Nov. 7th. Too true we are in
the tropics; today they held
an inspection of all ranks in
full marching order!, after that
ships sports were held; some
good boxing. Ship’s captain
calculated that it was 5 ½ miles
from the first Australian boat in
the fleet, and to the last New Zealander
in the rear, and abo nearly 2 miles
across the three lines.
The subs. held an indignation
meeting after dinner to night;
resolved that Purdy, B.A.C.
approach the O.C. ship.
At Colonel Johnston’s lecture at
night it was simply stifling
subject, German, French, English
Artillery. Dry canteen doing a
roaring trade in iced drinks.
By G.O.C [General Officer Commanding] orders, officers are allowed
only to wear white clothes only after 4 p.m.
Had a military hair cut at ships Barber
[end of page]
Nov. 8th. Appears as if something is
doing in the naval World. The
Minotaur steamed down the lines, and
after signalling the Melbourne, went
off at full speed in a S.W. direction
The Melbourne then took up her position
at the head of the convoy.
Divine Service held in the morning.
Mightily hot during the day, fog came up
at night in afternoon; concert held on boat deck ;
first rate; we evidently have some
first class performers aboard.
Nov. 9th. Great excitement.
At 6.31 a.m. MacLennan, a N Z. trooper
on duty in the wireless room of the Arawa,
heard S.O.S. repeated once among the
different messages that the warships
& convoy were sending. He awakened Daw,
wireless operator, at once; who tuned
up his instrument for the message, &
recognised it was the Cocos Islands
[end of page]
calling. He says he could tell by the
spark [?speech], that it was them, for he has
often talked to them before. He got the
S.O.S. repeated about fifty times,
and this message also, “a strange
warship appeared early this morning
at entrance to Harbour”. Daw
states he could tell that the operator
at Cocos Islands ^by his^ hand, was trembling
with excitement. All of a sudden
the messages stopped from Cocos;
he only spoke for about five minutes.
Evidently our escort had not got
this war wireless message for they
were communicating with each other
and had their instruments set for it
and 5 mile radius. Out of its 41
vessels, the Arawa was the only
one to pick up the message.
We passed the Cocos Islands at
midnight 40 miles to the East.
Daw called up the Maunganui
[end of page]
by un wireless, but could not get her,
but he ultimately got her by semaphore;
he only wirelessed the Melbourne.
Within 40 minutes the H.M.A S
Sydney left for the Cocos Islands
at full steam. This She was on
the port side & nearer to the Cocos.
This was about 7.10 a m.
Daw states that at just after
nine o’clock the Sydney
signal wirelessed the Melbourne
& Ibouki to come at once.
Evidently she was within sight
of the messages enemy. The
Germans as soon as the Sydney
starting [sic] calling, did her best
to th confuse the messages
by sending stopping anything [?] at their
keep key [?] Daw explained
that the Sydney must have
had a stronger plant, for
they got her call after a while.
[end of page]
The Melbourne and Ibouki
left at once, steaming at full
speed on our port for the south.
The former signalled, “Decks cleared
for action; convoy full speed
ahead”. There was great excitement
& speculation aboard, but no alarm.
However, in about an hour, we
noticed the both the cruisers
had stopped, and wer had
turned & were moving ^ahead^ with us
on our port side.
About 11 a m. we got the
following signal. “Emden
ran aground to save sinking
from the Sydney; after this
another one, saying Minotaur
full speed for convoy; am
chasing collier Sydney.
Then another. Emden done for
2 deaths 13 wounded on Sydney.
Daw considers that the wireless
[end of page]
[line written across top of page]
Contin of fleet at noon. 11°S. 97°E.
station was shelled just after
He the Cocos Operator had sent his message? ?
Great performance for Arawa & the N.Z.
who played an important part
in the catching of the Emden.
Evidently the Germans Emden
had not meant to attack the
transport, in fact had no
idea of our presence. Cocos Islands
had has heard her & the collier
using the telefunken system;
they communicated this to the Minotaur
The Emden thought she would do for
the Cocos wireless station, but &
this brought about her capture.
The wireless operator at Cocos
must have been a brick.
Tonight there were special orders
about lights, and it was is very
hard to make out the different
transports. It is thought there is
another German cruiser about,
the Konigsberg.
[end of page]
9th Nov. 1914.
6.31am. 10/777 Pte. W.P. Falconer on
duty picked up from Cocos Island
S.O.S. and strange warship at
entrance, sent repeatedly He woke
wireless operator Daw. In a few
minutes Emden tried to block
out messages by continuous
interruption. Daw tuned his
instrument differently & managed
to keep Cocos Islands messages
through Emden’s Block.
Immediately reported to the
Naval transport officer & tried
to get the Maunganui & Melbourne
but other stations working
blocked the messages
6.45am. Waimana said, Signals
quite good, but could not get
the Maunganui
6.50. Signalled successfully to
[end of page]
the Maunganui, by semaphore.
7.4. Maunganui got message
through to the Melbourne.
7.10. H.M.A.S. Sydney, left
for the Cocos Islands.
9.32.a m Sydney sending code
messages. Emden trying to block
by working at the same time.
9.47. Everybody ordered to stop signalling.
11.7. H.M.A.S. Sydney to H M.A.S.
Melbourne.
“Enemy beached herself to save sinking.”
11.27. Sydney to Melbourne.
“Pursuing Merchant collier
11.28. H.M.S. Minotaur spoke
asking for movements of enemy.
11.41.a m. H.M.A S. Sydney to all
stations.
“Emden beached & Done for”
noon. Casualties 2 killed & 13 wounded
(on Sydney.)
[end of page]
10th Nov. 1914. H.M.A.S. Sydney reports
No further apprehension re Emden,
ashore on North Cocos Islands.
Foremast & Three funnels down,
& she has surrendered, while
Sydney is intact a & proceeding to
Direction Island. Do not know
when she will join convoy.
She is remaining to take off all
guns & will probably land
wounded prisoners on Direction
Island. She is also to report on
condition of cable.
[end of short page]
Nov. 10th. Last night Ruwo Daw heard
vessel using the telefunken
system, but for a few minutes, but
it was not repeated. Thought to
be the Koningsberg, but do not know
where she is. The Nishin is
steaming far ahead of the fleet.
Very hot today; many men
parade without tunics, & with their
belts; some in pyjama sl suits,
light shirts, some only with trousers.
Canteen doing a great trade in iced
soft drinks. The horses we now
exercised in the Shelter deck; they
have sacks tied round their hoofs;
they walk up and down, just as
if they were on terra firma.
The exercise run brings down the
puffiness of their legs, especially the
draughts and ½ draughts.
Ship run 250 miles; the best
we have done since we joined the
Australian Fleet.
[end of page]
Nov. 11th. As the water in the bath-
rooms is very warm, owing to the
water being used as a cooler in the
engineroom, the officers had a
hose down bath on the shade deck at
six. a. m. It was grand, although
the water was slightly warm.
Announced that all letters to
N.Z. will be censored. Will save a
lot of writing. Lectured to the
- & C. column on “Water Supply”.
Nov. 12th. At sick parade,
man with appendicitis; his
fifth attack in 9 months. T 102°. P 80.
Operation at 6.45p.m. in first
class smoking lounge. Webb
gave the anaesthetic, Captain Home
operated, & self assisted. Present
also were Dr Linklater, Captain
Dobson & Corporal Mulligan.
Patient went off very well.
Passed Empress of Russia, auxiliary
steam cruiser steaming South.
[end of page]
in the afternoon Late in the night
the Empress of Japan, passed south
____________//______________
Kidd’s incision; caecum very
hard to expose owing to retro post caecal
adhesions; gentle pulling loosed the
retrocaecal tissue, & caecum
came forward; the appendix was
pointing directly upwards, behind the
caecum, and bound down to the
adhesions by caecum by adhesions
all along its length to the caecum
With As it was being pulled forward
it burst, & pus escaped on to
surrounding tissues. Appendix
was with difficulty seperated [?] all
along its length; the caecum was
deeply grooved where the appendix
had been; this area, with stump
of appendix was closed in by a
double line of purse [?] string
suture. Op. took 1 ½ hours:
Drained pasteurily [?]; fats marbled with H2O [?]
Patient did very well after operation
no vomiting. Boat kept going;
very steady. Position 1°S. E.
[end of page]
N.Z. transports & H.M.S. Hampshire, went
ahead of Australians & the Ibouki. Faster boats.
_______________//_______________________
Nov.13. Crossed the Equator
A proper ceremony had been
arranged, but it was postponed till
the next day, on account of the wet
weather; however the men took a
thing in their own; and started
ducking each other in the sail that
had been put up, between the
middle hotel and the horse boxes.
They were throwing each other in, also
off the horse boxes. The sail
was on the deck, with about three feet
of water in it. I got chased, from
the top of a water tank, via top of
write wireless house to boat deck,
to officers quarters; escaped but was
at last caught in the orderly
room, then taken along and ducked.
Just after this, there was a man
injured his knee on the hatch,
had him removed to Hospital was
examining him, when Captain Hudson V C [?]
[end of page]
[line at top of page]
Position 1°N time. 3.40
rushed in, saying that Webb
had broken his neck; rushed along
& found him lying on the hotel. He said
“I have lost sensation, I am paralysed
my neck is broken”, repeating this.
Captain Home arr arrived at once,
had him removed on stretcher to our
cabin; only diaphragmatic breathing,
exparaltitis [?]over around at upper
part of thorax & shoulders; ^ upper and lower limbs paralysed^ conscious.
Reported to Maunganui & General
Godley sent Colonel Fenwick &
Captain Bell across immediately.
Operation deemed inadvisable.
Watched Webb all that night; ( thus
was not up with appendix man.
Morphine gr ¼ well every three hours
Napter
Nov. 14. Webb continued in same
condition. During afternoon got only
low. T.106°. P.68. Repentic [?] 10.
Rallied towards midnight T 101. P 76.
[end of page]
When it came to Webbs turn, he
was taken on to the top of the Horse
boxes; and instead of having the
others duck him, he said he
would dive in himself, and he
pushed the others aside & dived.
No blame attachable to anyone.
Medical enquiry & also military
enquiry was held.
Nov. 15. At reveille we were in
sight of Ceylon; a joyous sight
after being a fortnight at sea.
Came up to Colombo at 9.30 a. m
& went inside the mole.
Colonel Thomas, & Captain Hercus
with a stretcher squad came
aboard to help with the removal
of Webb. He was in just about the
same condition. He was slung
very gently over the side on a litter hatch
to a tender. He was taken to the
[end of page]
Colombo General Hospital, and
operated on that afternoon.
Operation performed by a local
native doctor. One of the lamina ^6th ^
was found to be fractured & depressed
it was removed. Seemed to
fracture interiorly, & no injury
to the cord. Came through the
operation very well. Captain
Home was present.
Some of the men got leave
in the afternoon: did not
get ashore myself.
H.M.A.S. Sydney arrived
from the Cocos; also the
Empress of Russia, with
the German prisoners. Sydney
only shows one hole in her
starboard side, well above
the waterline. Wounded
were taken ashore.
There is also the Melbourne
[end of page]
& a Russian armoured cruiser in
the harbour. The Russian was
chased into Colombo, by the Emden.
She ran away, rather than fight.
The Australian fleet arrived in
the afternoon. A great scene
in the harbour; the shipping is
great; cannot count all the
vessels here. The real orient!
natives in boats & canoes
ba[r]tering around us. Taking
on water from a barge. The
warships are coaling hard.
Spent the afternoon watching
the jabbering Cingalese [sic];
Sleeping on deck now.
Nov. 16th. Went ashore with
- M. Macdonald. First took a
rickshaw out to the Hospital
2 ½ miles, the native said.
Found Webb in a very low state
[end of page]
Temp. 107. did not recognise me
Very fine Hospital.
Next went off to the
Cinnamon (Victorian ?) Gardens. I
The gardens are very beautiful
the flowers are magnificent,
it was too hot to walk
about. Next went off to
see The Temple. A dirty
broken down place, they
wanted us to take off our
boots, but we were not
having any, so we came
away, only getting a glimpse
inside. The rickshaw men
sweated like horses. Children
run along side singing [?]
to-ra-ra -a boomde-ay or
Yip –i-addy in i ay; &
beating their chests with
their elbows. Plenty of
beggars about. Passed
[end of page]
the Native quarter. The streets are
very clean, but the natives houses
are rather ramshackle.
Arrived back in Colombo. did a
lot of bartering with the rickshawman,
wanted to charge 7/- for the ride.
beat him down to 5/-.
Went with to the Hotel Bristol
for Luncheon. Met Glasgow
Barnett there. After Macdonald & I
wandered round seeing the sights.
Some very fine buildings; streets
very clean. the bullock waggons, &
yaks; motor-cars, tram-cars,
rickshaws. Bought some post
cards & posted them home.
As the boat left for the outer
harbour at 4. p m we made
our way back to the wharf about
- p. m, Had a very good day;
and plenty of “Master”, and
holding out of their hands –
[end of page]
Colombo – Aden 2100 miles
Aden – Suez 1307 “
Suez – Southampton 3150 “
Total 6557 miles.
[end of short page]
Many other boats report that
they first heard the Cocos message
& reported it first; but they
didn’t; they heard the Arawa’s message
to the Maunganui & Melbourne; for
they reported in their messages, “strange
warship approaching entrance”,
while the original message was
“strange warship seen at entrance”.
The former is what the Arawa reported
to the H M S. Melbourne; & they
picked it up.
[end of short page]
[continues from before the two short pages]
“No fatha, no motha, me very poor
hungry” but all the same they
looked very well nourished.
Captain A.V. Short N.Z.M.C.
came aboard just before we
sailed.
We have German prisoners aboard.
from the Emden. 1 engineer lieutenant
two warrant officers and 30 men
The men are mostly stokers, very
few gunners remaining alive.
Went outside the mole and
anchored at 4.30. p.m.
Nov. 17th. Great fleet of catamarans
out fishing. They sail very fast,
the natives keep the sail soaked
in with water, making the sail glitter in the
sun. The Australian and N.Z. transports
left at 11.30, with the exception
of the Australia starboard line of
10 vessels, fast boats & they
remained behind to water
[end of page]
Escort. H.M.S. Hampshire.
The German Engineer lieutenant
gives a very glowing account of their
experiences. They had a party ashore
when the Sydney arrived, with 4 maxims
They destroyed the wireless station &
cut eight callers. This party
eventually escaped on a schooner.
German casualties 130 men killed,
30 wounded. The fire of the
Sydney was deadly; her shells
exploded accurately, and the picric
acid fumes killed ^a^ great many men.
The german gr shells did not explode
when they hit the Sydney, & some of
them were thrown overboard.
The Sydney opened fire at 10,000
yards, the German guns were ineffectual
at this range. The germans were
asked to surrender, but would not.
The Sydney went into 5000 yards &
the duel commenced. (Lasted 1 hr 45 mins
altogether)
[end of page]
The Emden was riddled with shells.
The gunners on the starboard gave
it up, mutinied & threw the gun
blocks overboard. However the some
say the Captain ts could not
surrender, for the fire had
destroyed the ropes & they
could not haul down their
own flag to hoist the white
flag. The Emden caught fire
& was finally run on to a
coral reef to save sinking.
Nearly all on the decks were
killed, only three gunners escaped
death. The Captain, & the Crown
Prince escaped. The stablehold[?]
hands & Engineers came off best.
The Sydney came of went after
the collier, which was scuttled
by the crew to avoid capture. The
crew went off in the boats. As
she heeled over, the Sydney put
a broadside into her, to make sure.
[end of page]
The Syd survivors put in a terrible
night; no water; and there was great
agony; the wounded were taken off
by the Sydney next day
The Germans aboard ^ the train[?]^ seem
very happy & contented. They
do most of the fatigue work.
When one of them was told
that the Ibouki & Melbourne were
goin ready to go into action
against them, he said “Mein
gott, I am glad it was the
Sydney and not the Ibuki [sic].”
Most of them aboard the Emden
were getting very tired of their
buccaneering life; they could not
get fresh water, the food
was bad, & the engineer says
many of them were suffering
from shock. They all have
great respect for their captains
cleverness. (Von Muller)
[end of page]
A mild exp epidemic of
sickness, colic, vomiting &
diarrhoea has appeared on board,
thought to be due to the new
water. Of course I did not
escape, had a very rough
time in the evening took Ol Ricini
3 p; felt worse after it.
In the night Carrington along
with the same trouble, had
to get up to attend to him.
Several other officers, men &
some of the crew are bad also
Nov. 18th. Feeling better
but stayed in bed till
dinner time. Was rather weak.
Aubry Sho has an attack of
tonsillitis, in bed also.
Appendix man, has done very
well – both wounds healed first
intention; got up today.
[end of page]
Captain Home started the typhoid
vaccinations on the Machine gun
section & some of the officers
in the afternoon. Wilson &
Lepe were very bad, also a
great many of the men!
Started going to lectures on map-
reading.
Nov. 19th. Started inoculating.
About one dozen objectors,
Captain Home spoke very forcibly
to them – only made it worse I
think. Did about 2/3 of the troops.
Short still in bed, but
better to-day. A short
memorial service was held for
Webb, who died on the previous
day at 2. p.m. The G.O.C.
Colombo, wirelessed this out &
also that they were giving
him a military funeral.
Let Captain Home vaccinate the officers.
[end of page]
Ships carried out fog practice
this afternoon.
The men are not so bad
to-day after the vaccination
as they were yesterday.
The sea is very calm, even as
calm as the proverbial mill-pond
It is not so warm now.
Nov. 20th. The Ibouki with the
rest of the Australians
came up early in the morning.
The Maunganui & Star of India
(starboard line) & the Arawa
and Athenic line (port line)
left the rest of the N.Z transports
with the Australians, and went
off to with the Ibouki for
Aden. Eleven fast ships from
the Australians are following us.
Tried to dye [corrected from diye] my shirt khaki
with pot[potassium]. permanganate &
picric acid. Created a new colour
[end of page]
Did no inoculations during the
day but in the evening did Mackenzie
& assistant, the Martin, MacDonald
& Morgan. Then I was vaccinated
by Short. Clarkson, who happened
to be passing, rushed off to bring
all the subs, but they arrived
just too late. No doubt they would
have liked to see me done.
In the evening a mock court-
martial was held. It was funny
at times, but rather slow.
Could not laugh much for the
pain at the site of Inoculation,
slight swelling, and felt
all right except for the pain at
locally. Motto for the Day
“War is an affair of inoculations”.
Nov 21[corrected from 20] th [sic]. Collision between two
of the Australian transports,
Shropshire & the Ascanius.
[end of page]
No details to hand; evidently
the collision was not severe. Two
men said to have jumped
overboard. Funeral this
morning on the Maunganui
death of Lewis of the Mtd Field
Ambulance.
Felt rather rotten all day. Home &
Short wer vaccinating. Started
wearing a Cholera Belt on the
at night.
Nov. 22nd. Attended Divine Service.
After that inoculated a small
number of men; also talked
seriously to some objectors; only
reason they would give was that
“They objected; they didn’t believe
in it”. etc”. [sic]
Ship run 292 miles. The best yet.
Attended one of the German prisoners;
great experience, trying to find out
if he was constipated – [two words illeg. ?have flask?]
[end of page]
Nov. 23. Passed the Island of Socotra
this morning – famous for its
bitter aloes. Inoculated a few more
men, & some obje converted objectors
also. Writing letters home.
A most glorious sunset, couldn’t
describe it. Got a cold, feeling
very stuffed up with in the head.
Had a yarn with Lieut. Haas.
Nov. 24th. Beautiful sunrise 6. a m.
The sea was calm & still, not
a movement of its surface; the sea
was all colours with golden &
fiery colours, reflected from the
rising sun. The Sky was
beautiful, a most gorgeous scene.
Sighted land during the
afternoon Southern Coast of Arabia.
Vaccine objectors set to work
picking rotten, stinking potatoes.
Two changed their minds & were done to
night. Ships run. 296 miles.
[end of page]
Nov. 25th. Reached Aden 6. a. m.
Shot fired across the bows of the
Arawa, to make her change her
course; anchored just past the forts.
Some of the Australians went inside
to coal; including the Shropshire &
Ascanius, the latter badly dented
on her port bow; the former a bit
smashed up astern; nothing severe.
Ten English transports in port here
taking English Territorials to Bombay.
No leave granted; spent the day
watching the boatmen & gazing
at the rugged short shore. Very hot.
Aden is described as the “Whiteman’s
grave.”
Rest of the fleet arrived 4. p. m
& anchored outside.
[end of page]
Nov. 26th. Left Aden 6.a.m.
Escort H.M.S. Hampshire. Parted
from Ibouki, who has escorted
us such a long distance safely.
Have great confidence in the Jap’s.
She accompanies the English Transports
to Bombay.
Sailed along the Southern Coast of Arabia,
rough rocky mountains, partially
covered with sand, glimpses of the
desert; a thick haze makele spoils the
view. N.Z. section arriving ahead
of the Australians.
3p.m. Passed the island of Perim,
Straits of Bab-El-Mandeb
(Gate of Tears).
Now in the Red Sea.
8.00 7.30 p.m. Excellent concert on boat deck.
9.30. Steam pipe burst in Engine room,
Arawa stopped, & we were sent right
back on the Australians. However we
were going at full speed to gain our
position when I turned in at 10.15.
[end of page]
Nov. 27. Passed Twelve Apostles 5 a.m
was not up early to see them.
Short & I helping Lieut. Mackenzie,
dentist to examine & report on each
mans teeth; do about the 150 men per hr.
Some mouths in a very bad state,
the owners should never have passed
the medical exam.
Passing several English transports
going in the opposite direction.
There are 40 (?) Indian transports
following behind us about 100 miles
in the rear. One is greatly impressed
by Englands power & reserves at
a time like this
Lieut. Haas teaching his German
sailors (the prisoners) English.
Short & self had a yarn with
Haas in the evening. He says there
were two engagements when the
Emden was sunk. The morning
after the Emden was sunk &
[end of page]
when the Sydney came back from
the sinking of the collier the the
Emden was fast on the coral
reefs & still flying the German
flag. The Sydney signalled her
in semaphore which she Emden did
not understand; the Sydney then
opened fire: the aim was
deadly & it was this last
engagement when the greatest no.
of the Germans were killed. The
Emden hauled her flag down.
At the opening of the fire many
of [the] Germans jumped overboard &
they were cut very badly on
the coral Haas is very sore
about this. His best friend was
killed during this shelling. One
of the yo Emdens doctors jumped
overboard & broke his leg, he
reached shore, but died.
[end of page]
Nov 28. Red Sea full of small
Islands. Said to be the second
Hottest sea in the world, and it is
also said that it never rains over
the northern part of the Red Sea.
Passing English transports all day
long. Since leaving Aust N.Z.
we have passed only one
steamer that was not a transport,
the Austrerly [does he mean Osterly?] the rest have been
either warships or transports.
Great excitement, unexpected
news.
“Prepare for probable disembarkation
on Tuesday”
The Orvieto & Maunganui
have gone on ahead to make
arrangements.
The Arawa is now the N.Z Flagship
& has taken the Maunganuis position
in the starboard line
[end of page]
Nov. 29. Started the inoculations
against typhoid this morning
(second injection 500 milligm
same as he first dose.)
Some of them are worse this time
than previously. Did not affect
me near so much the second
time as it did the first time.
Were inoculating all day, and
also for one hour in the evening.
Saw a guard (over the prisoners)
playing draughts with a German,
while on duty.
Continually passing other steamers,
the Red Sea must be a great
highway.
Kit inspection; serving out
identification led discs & mess
tins.
[end of page]
Nov 30. Helping Mackenzie to
examine the mens’ teeth all
day; would I think I wouldn’t
care to be a dentist for nuts
Feeling allright after my inoculation
yesterday. Wrote letters home.
- p.m. Entered the Gulf of Suez,
can see land on the starboard
also to port. The transports are
now in line ahead – one long
line with the Arawa leading.
Saw Mt Sinai in the distance,
a rocky looking peak. Padre Green
very excited, says he has a fine
inspiration for his sermon on Sunday
- p. m. Passed the Deathless
Lighthouse to starboard.
A stiff head wind blowing –
getting colder.
Still getting cases of German measles,
the type is getting severer; men come
complaining that they have influenza
very like it, but for the rash.
[end of page]
Dec. 1st. Reached Suez 7. p a. m
dropped anchor about 9. p a. m.
visited by a great many officials
& also native boatmen, & merchants.
Later in the morning we dropped
back to where the H.M.S. Hampshire
lay & transferred the German
prisoners aboard her; and also some
N.Z frozen mutton & beef.
Came back to our former
anchorage. The country south
of Suez is very different to what I
expected. High mountainous country.
1.p.m. Pilot came aboard &
we entered the Canal, the Arawa
still leading the long line.
The Southern entrance to the Canal
is very pretty – Tewfik– looks
an ideal place. Further on
the canal runs through sandy
country & sandhills; here & there
there are rows & patches of trees
[end of page]
and on our port for a great deal
of the way there is very green
vegetation – along the fresh water canal.
The ‘Gares” [?] are very picturesque.
Continually passing dredges.
We have a guard, served wit with
ball ammunition, and also an
18 p.q.f[18 pound quick firing gun] & a machine gun mounted
in case of any Turkish sharpshooters
on the banks.
The Canal is guarded by Indian
Troops; we ha passed Royal
Engineers, 126 Baluchistan Rifles &
Gurkhas’s camp. They have their
posts well trenched & barb-wired.
The Indian soldiers cheer us, and
ask “who are you”.
Passed through the little Bitter
Lake, an[d] at 4. p. m. the
Great Bitter Lake.
- p. m. Wrestling match between
Lieut. Murray Urquhart of Toko
[end of page]
Taranaki & Trooper Robinson
who won! Weather rather cold
Beautiful moonlight night, &
we are gliding through the canal.
Searchlight in our bows to show
the course. Looking out through
the porthole, I thought the
ground was covered with snow,
not being accustomed to the sand.
A beautiful scene at night.
7.30. p.m. Excellent concert on the
boat deck.
Suez Canal, 87 miles long.
(66 miles actual canal; 21 miles
the course runs through Lake Timsah,
Great & Little Bitter Lakes.)
Width average 320 feet.
Missed seeing a great part of the
canal, owing to us passing through
most of it at night.
[end of page]
Dec. 2nd. Dropped anchor in Port
Said at 12.45 p a.m. We
only took 12 hours to come through
the canal; we did cut it out.
Was awakened about 1.a.m. by a
terrible screeching & jabbering.
It was the natives starting to coal
the Arawa. Got up & saw what it
all meant; & then went back to
bed & slept throughout all the din.
Up Up at six a.m; vessel finished
coaling.
Maunganui lying on our starboard
& in about 7 the Burmah from
Glasgow came in & anchored on
our port. She had English passengers
for Rangoon. The ladies aboard
seemed very interested in the N. Zealanders.
Bumboatmen flocking round; great
fun watching some boys fight
over a handkerchief; very
quick at diving for pennies.
[end of page]
There are three British warships here
(one a dreadnought the “Swiftsure”) &
also three French cruisers, & three
British Torpedo Boats.
The scene in Port Said is one that
would always be remembered.
No one allowed ashore.
Watched the natives coaling the
Dumcree; they work very hard at
it, running up the plank with a
basket of coal, dumping their load, &
then whooping down the return
plank. Their chanties are very weird.
- p. m. Got going again.
Great cheering as we passed the
warship especially the French –
did not think they could cheer so
well; passed the Euripedes
& Wiltshire, more cheering.
The Northern Entrance to the canal
is also a fine one; very fine buildings
along the canal; monument to De Lesseps.
Bound for Alexandria to disembark.
[end of page]
Dec.3rd. 6.a.m. Laying off
Alexandria, looks a very large
city. The Arawa lay outside, while
the remainder went in; finally the
Arawa, also steamed in, and
we anchored in the basin at 10.15 a.m.
very near to the Limerick & Star of India
(Saw a great many old Varsity boys)
The largest port we have been to yet;
there is a large number of German
prize vessels in this port (Their
value makes up easily ^& over^ for what the
Emden done [sic] to our merchant vessels.
- p.m Arawa steamed up to the wharves.
The Limerick & Star of India are the
only N.Z. vessels not discharging.
Started discharging. What a scene
of bustle & apparent confusion there
wharves is to be seen th on the
wharves. Men are entraining
from the Maunganui, Orvieto, Euripedes
& Athenic. The natives, appear to
[end of page]
be composed of all sorts. They
flock on to the wharves, but are
driven away by Sudanese policemen
with whips. Am not able to make
out the different races; can only
recognise the Sudanese who are
very dark skinned, & the Turks who
wear the Fez & pantaloon arrange-
ment. They fight each other on the
slightest provocation, but it is rather a
tame sort of fighting. The native
conjurers are very clever.
The horses that pull the cabs &
lorries are very light & scraggy.
There is a continually stream of
lorries laden with sacks of cotton
seeds going by all day.
7.30 p.m. Went ashore with Short. Drove
in a cab up to the square. The horse galloped
all the way there, for half an hour.
At first we went through some
dark narrow streets, and I wondered
[end of page]
where we were bound furd for.
We turned & twisted about in
the narrow streets; very tall buildings
4 storey on either side. We gradually
got into the shopping area; but
the shops were new & old little cafes
or cigarette shops, or fruit shops,
The square ^of Mahomet Ali ^ is a very fine place;
very fine & tall buildings there;
& large shops. Mostly French.
We left the cab & walked around
the square; afterwards aH met Major
Saunders & Capt Mackenzie with a
guide, who took us off to a
“decent cafe” Met Baight [?]
who said “he was filling his uniform”
Took a motor ca car back to
the docks; she did fly through
the sho narrow streets.
Arrived aboard just on ten oclock.
The ride we had up to the Square,
was the most fascinating; absolutely
great.
[end of page]
Dec 4th. Went aboard the Maunganui
in the morning. Ambulance
company went to Zeitun [should be Zeitoun] the day
before. Met Captain Hercus, the
only officer left. Adr
Spent the rest of the day, watching
^from the ship^ the throng of natives, all very
new & fascinating
German measles cases sent into
isolation Hospital ashore.
- Company Wellington Infantry
entrained & departed at 2 p m
At night went ashore with
Ma Aubrey Short again. Met
Hugh Short, Hunter Will, Garf
Mitchell & Cameron in a café;
then we had a walk around
came back to ship early as
they had to be aboard the
Star of India by nine oclock.
Native quarter smells abominably;
so do the natives; can always
tell when one is near.
[end of page]
Dec 5th. Clahan [?], Clayton,
Godfrey, Lepe, McDonald, Johnstone
& Nielson transferred to the Athenic
which is going straight to England,
taking the N.T.O’s & Mrs
Braithwaite & family.
Short ordered back to the Star of
India.
Brigade Amm. Column & the Battery
left entrained in the afternoon
& left at 4 o’clock. Col & Mrs
Johnston left by the same train.
Very little to do except gaze
orver the at the crowds on the
wharf from the ship.
One of the ships crew got caught in
th a winch – attended by Dr Linklater
fracture of right femur.
At night went ashore with
Captain Short, Q. Mc[?], & Lts. Urquhart
& Wells. Went to the Keral [sic- Kerala] &
the Moulin Rouge music halls,
everything in French; Je n’ai pas comprends.
[end of page]
Dec. 6th. Entrained at 11.30 a.m.
& left at noon. Officers had
a first class car, very fine. We were
very fortunate in travelling
up during the day, for it was
a delightful trip. A lovely day
– Sunday. I never pictured Egypt
as being so fertile – of course we
were travelling through the Nile
Delta – fields of ripe Indian corn,
which they were cutting & gathering;
cotton fields & green patches of
young lucerne, & other green crops,
just through the ground; the
different kinds of gr greeness [sic]
of everything was wonderful;
every inch was cultivated, & what
also drew our attention was the
black soil.
The fellaheen seemed very
friendly to us all the way; they
ab collected in crowds at the stations
[end of page]
and viewed us with great interest.
- p.m. Saw the Pyramids of
Ghizeh, far off in the distance –
rather misty.
5 p.m. Arrived in Cairo, just on
dark, looked a fine Plat city.
Shaidil Then went backwards along
another line to Humideh Helmieh (two
stations past Palais de Koubbeh,) &
very near to the camp.
- p.m. Detrained & then marched
into camp about one mile.
Found the camp situated on the
edge of a desert very close to
Heliopolis (place most
fashionable suburb of Cairo).
Served out with a cup of cocoa,
a bun & cheese; very good –
Then went off & reported to Colonel
Thomas – found I would probably be
transferred to the Wellington Infantry
Regiment – me & the other Mtd Fld.
Amb. Officers.
[end of page]
During the evening I also came
across Major O’Neil who
introduced me to Colonel Batchelor
& Colonel Begg. & Capt Murry.
At 9.a.m went with Haddich
down to the station to get our
qu kits & my sleeping bag.
Old Jehu charged me 4/-.
No tents were available so
we had to do bivouac on the
desert sands. Turned it [in] at
eleven. It was very cold during
the night, a heavy dew
& the desert very heat [?]. – at th but
I slept very sound.
[end of page]
Dec. 7th. Reveille 5.30. a m in the dark.
Spent the morning having a
look round. There are close on
20 thousand British Territorials (Manchester
Regiment camped at the same place
as we N. Zealanders. They have been out
here three months.
The camp is just at the edge of the
desert which stretches away to the
South, & to the North is the Heliopolis
Oasis, which is a residential area
Got a tent with Capt. Home in the
Officers lines attached to Headquarters
(C Company).
No medical stores arrived yet.
Went into turn town with Mackenzie
met an English Gentleman in the
Car, M de Chamberlain, who told us
were [where] to go in Cairo. M. de Sault’s cafe,
the Kersaal [sic: Kursaal], etc & pointed out the various landmarks
We went & saw Shepheard’s Hotel, walked
through, after that we went to the
Kersaal [sic] music hall started at 9.30 p m.
took the train home at midnight.
[end of page]
Dec. 8th. Living on Army Rations –
bread very good – half white &
half brown.
Spent the day in camp fixing up
the tent, & getting the floor
hard hardened up.
Dec. 9th. 108 men on sick parade
at 6.30. a.m. Mostly influenza.
1 man sent to Hospital with pneumonia
& another with German measles
(morbilli)
In the afternoon went to Cairo,
met Withers & Jory, L who has
been appointed L M.O. to the
Field Artillery Brigade, at Zeitun.
Went into Cairo together.
Took six spools to the Kodak Co.
for development. Returned at 5. p m
met an Armenian gentleman in the
train, who remarked that the physique
of Australian & N.Z. troops was better
than the English Territorials
[end of page]
Dec. 10th. 104 men on sick parade.
influenzas, colds, sore throat, coughs
In the afternoon, went over to
the remains of a ruined city ( its granzoid [?]
to hunt for relics of the past;
found enough beads for a necklace,
thought I had something good, when
I unearthed an urn, but it
had been broken across in half.
About Large amount of human bones
lying about.
We are encamped over the site of
the ancient city of Or
(Heliopolis); Wher where
Moses received his education &
where Joseph got his wife,
4000 years ago.
In the evening went to the Modern
city of Heliopolis for postcards
& stamps.
Wrote letters home.
[end of page]
Dec. 11th. Our Our tent was
shifted further up the lines.
Wet canteen has been opened for
the N.Z. men. General Godley was
opposed to it, but General Maxwell
said it was for men soldiers, and not
for school-boys. A very good
thing; prevents to a great extent
the men going off to Cairo for
liquor; & no danger of them
drinking to excess here.
Saw a p.[ost] m[ortem] on a horse
which had died from a twist
at the ileo-caecal valve; (thought
to have died from eating sand.
Stayed in camp, this afternoon &
evening.
____________
Dec. 9th. contd.
Notice of my transfer ^to W.I.R^ in Divisional
Orders, to take effect from this
date.
[end of page]
Dec. 12th. In camp all day,
but in the evening went into the
Cairo to the Kodak Company for my
developed films & photos. Charged me
40 piastres for 48. (six rolls.).
Most of the photos turned out fair,
but bad luck that most of the ones
of the warship were spoilt
(however we were supposed to take
no photos on the voyage of warships
or transports)
Dec. 13th. Sunday.
Infantry Brigades attended
divine Service, at 10. a. m.
The G.O.C was present; afterwards
inspected the troops.
Stayed in camp in the afternoon
& evening. Captain Home went to
Museum.
[end of page]
Dec. 14th. Marched out with the
Regiment at 8.30 a.m. six miles
across the desert; had a ration with
us; che went through some exercises &
returned at 2.30. p.m.
Pretty tiring marching over the desert.
Dec. 15th. Marched out again,
across the desert.
The Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps
has been attached to the Wellington
Infantry Regiment. They arrived
in camp today.
8 officers & 220 men.
Previously they were encamped at
Abassin [sic: Abbassia] for six weeks.
[end of page]
Dec. 16th . Went with Mackenzie
to see a neighbouring
ostrich farm. Got some of very
fine photo snaps. The old Arab
in charge informed us that the
ostriches for the. Auckland [?] ostrich
farm were bought there, & that
his son had been in N.Z. but
it was too cold & off he had
to return.
Teaplanters on sick parade, some
with leech bites; tropical sores
malaria.
At night went into Cairo with
Mackenzie. Visited a curio shop
got them to show us some fine
things but did not buy any.
Went to Pathé Frères Pictures &
later to Sault’s Café.
His Highness Prince Hussein Kamel Pasha
eldest living Prince of the Family of
Mohammed Ali
[end of page]
Dec 17. Marched out to parade
again.
Today all those unfit for
service were sent back to New
Zealand on the Athenic.
Got rid of a great many
dodgers & wowers.
Dec 18. Sick parade now held at
6.15 a.m. Very many of the
Ceylon men are suffering from boils.
One man has a bad boil ulcer on
his leg; he calls it a low
country tropical sore – many
others have leech bites, which are
very hard to cure. Three of them
sent to field hospital with
malaria; & one with a bad
carbuncle.
Today Egypt was proclaimed
an English Imperial Protectorate; Turkeys
Suzerainty was thrown off. The new Sultan
of Egypt is ←
[end of page]
Dec. 19th. Started for the
Pyramids with McColl, Urquhart,
Morgan, Narby at 1.15 p. m.
Went into Cairo & hired a motor
car from Shepherd’s Hotel. We
simply flew out there, the fastest
I have travelled in a car. We
hired a guide at Mena House for
a shilling each – first went to the
Sphinx and then to the Sphinx temple
The old Sphinx seems in danger of
being covered over with sand again
In the temple the blocks of granite
& alabaster are great, & the way they
are evenly fitted. They were brought
from the quarries at Assuan [sic – Aswan].
Paid Arab 3 piastres to light a
magnesium ribbon in a ^dark^ tomb. The
tomb was empty, but the blocks
were very large in its roof.
Had a camel ride up to the Pyramids
Nearly fell off when he sat down.
[end of page]
Engaged a gaffir [sic: ghafir] to guide us up
for sixpence each. Off we started
we soon reached a difficult part, &
the guide remarked it was very dangerous,
& tried to raise his price to 1/-, however
we made to set off without him, &
that fixed him. The ascent is easy,
but rather a bit of an exp exertion.
We climbed up Cheops. 470 451 feet high.
Had a magnificent view from the
top & also a cup of Pyramids
coffee, which was very refreshing.
Pyramids are built of limestone
brought from the Mokatam [sic: Muqattam near Memphis] quarries
across the Nile. The stones of which
it is composed are sufficient to
make a wall four feet high & 1 foot
thick round the whole of France.
This is from Cheops alone.
The descent is rather difficult, one
has to be very careful so the gaffir
said, to some say it is worse
[end of page]
than going up, but I do not
think so.
Unfortunately the motor was
waiting for us, for we had
spent too much time admiring the
view of the Nile Delta & Cairo
from the top of the Pyramid & had
not time to enter see the interior.
Arrived back in Cairo about 5. p.m
Went to the New Khedivial
Hotel and had a hot path.
bath. Had dinner at 7.
and then after a stroll down the
large train streets, which were just
thronged with people we took
the train to Zeitun at 10. p. m
Received my first mail from
New Zealand. one letter
[end of page]
Dec. 20th. The Otago & Wellington
Battalions left at 7.a.m
& went by train to Cairo to take
part in the procession. They lined
a part of the route. Home & I
missed the rain, & later I went
in with Mackenzie & saw the
procession from the top of the
Grand Continental Hotel Bus at
the Opera Square. The Procession
was a short one; the new Sultan
was well received by his subjects.
They did not shout nor cheer, but
there was plenty of handclapping
Returned to camp at 11 a.m &
stayed in camp that evening &
afternoon.
[end of page]
Dec. 21st. Out with the regiment
drilling again.
Dec.22nd. Marched out again to
parade ground in the African desert.
More letters from N. Zealand.
Dec. 23[corrected from 24]th. [sic] Australian Light
Horse & the N.Z. Division went
on a route march through Cairo.
Left Camp at 9 a.m & marched to
Cairo through Abasia [sic], then along
the Sharia Abbas to Pont Limoun, &
then down the Sharia Hamel; the
troops were reviewed by General
Maxwell, while passing a spot
between the Grand Continental &
Shepheard’s Hotel. Just as the W.I.R
came up to the saluting base, we were
stopped by a native funeral.
General Maxwell stopped the troop
to allow the funeral to procede
[end of page]
down the Sharia Bulac.
Great crowds turned out to see us.
the C.P.R.C [Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps] came in for a
great reception from the people, marching
very well.
We next were marched along through
the native bazaars & native quarters –
out on a route march, but very
evident it was to impress the
inhabitants – 10,000 troops; each
man with 20 rounds of ammunition.
We wound around through the bazaars.
It up & down narrow streets thick with
natives of different races; & suddenly
came out on the road to Abassia [sic].
Halted at 1. p.m on an empty section
for dinner. Had ten minutes for
lunch & then had to set off for camp.
Marched through Abassia [sic] back to
camp along the Sharia [sic] Selim el Awal
Reached camp 3.p.m; having
marched about 16 miles.
Sore heel & blistered toe, worse back.
[end of page]
Dec. 24. Had to stay in camp
because of foot, which feels easier
today. Printing & fixing photos to send
to Neil.
Xmas Eve. Slept in camp; beautiful
starry night.
Dec. 25th Xmas Day.
Church parade at 8.15 a.m.
Last night the NZ. contingent
arrived at 9.p.m from London.
After church parade, McColl, Mackenzie
Wells ^Hunter^ Narby & self set off for
the cle Citadel. Took train to Cairo
& then by cab up to the Citadel.
The view from the terrace on the southern
rampart is very fine.
English Territorials & Indian Soldiers
occupy the citadel.
Visited the Tomb Mosque of
Mahomet Ali, very beautiful
& often called the Alabaster Mosque
[end of page]
but it is said to be a copy of a Mosque
in Constantinople. Mehemet [sic: Mehmet] Ali’s
tomb is here.
The Guides tell some awful lies
about their mosques Josephs Well
(really Sabahedin well – Saladdin [sic: Salah ad-Din])
Had to put curious old slippers over
our boots. The Mamelukes were
murdered by Mehemet Ali close on
here.
Went back to the Opera Square, & then
took a motor car back to camp.
Christmas Dinner. Turkey, green
peas, cabbage, potatoes, plum pudding
& fruit, at our own mess. The
turkey & pudding were excellent.
had returns of each. Knight laid out.
In the afternoon went to Cairo [?visit] again
& took motor-car out to the Zoo.
Very interesting & wonderful. did not
see half & must go back again.
Returned to camp at six p.m.
Feeling very tired.
[end of page]
Dec. 26th. Boxing Day.
Stayed in camp all morning,
Capt Home & Colonel Malone went
off to the Pyramids.
In the afternoon McColl and I
rode over to see the Virgin’s Tree &
the Virgin’s Well. The guides swear
it is the identical sycamore that
the Holy family rested under when
they fled from Egypt, but the
guide book says it is the actual
spot, but the original tree has perished
Also in The guide told us that
the well was a sour till the Virgin
tried to drink it, and it became
sweet.
Also visited the Obelisk; the
most ancient obelisk yet she
remaining in Egypt.
Took a ride around a native
village. Horses went to
market over the camels.
[end of page]
Dec 27th. Church Parade for the
Infantry Brigade. General Birdwood,
General Godley & the Hon T Mackenzie
were present.
Very hot day, & for the remainder of
the day stayed in camp.
Wrote letters.
Dec. 28th.
Dinner now at 6. p. m.
Mess, army rations & 2/- per day extra.
After dinner went to walked
to Abassia [sic] with Capt. Home.
The men from out regiment were all doing well.
Met Fraser & Foord, both patients
also Andy Begg, who was
night attendant in a ward.
Abassia [sic] Hospital very fine &
good operating Theatre 200 beds
- Zealanders lucky to have
such a hospital to go to.
[end of page]
Dec. 29th. Pte Pollok Ruahine Hawke’s Bay Co
sent over to Fld. Amb. with smallpox.
Saw him on Xmas morning, when he
complained of a sore throat, difficulty in
swallowing; both tonsils were enlarged &
inflamed Temp. 104.
Next morning he felt a little better
- 100; but in the evening he had
a morbilliform rash on the exterior
surfaces of the forearm, and also
about his ankles (none on the body)
Took him along to Captain Home –
decided it was probably a
rash accompanying the tonsillitis.
Next evening there were two or three
pimples (what they looked like) on
his face; next day patient w felt
allright tonsils still enlarged & throat
still inflamed. Patient ang complained
of only slight pains in his back.
Two or three pimples were to be seen
on his back.
[end of page]
Next morning the back pimples on
his face & back had increased in
numbers. Some had also appeared
on his arm. They were small &
very discrete, not no marked inflammation
around them – Probably a varioloid form.
Patient was taken away from Fld. Amb.
by Egyptian authorities.
Galloped out to training ground for
the contacts, who are were sent to Fld. Amb.
for isolation
Capt Bell died at Abassiah [sic] Hospital
Had gone there to prepare for operation.
Dec. 30. Whole of N.Z. Expeditionary Force
marched past in line. General
Birdwood & the Hon. T. Mackenzie.
A fine performance & credit to N.Z.
Was not present having to look after
some cases to go to Hospital.
Fld. Ambulance seems to be
dive the boat [?]. Sent over a case
of scabies for admittance; would not
anoth admit. Capt Home wrote Colonel
[end of page]
Will, who ordered them to admit him
Also went over to obtain lymph for
vaccination, would not give me
any although they had 2000 tubes of it.
In afternoon went to Mtd. Fld. Amb.
to relieve their officers, who had
gone to attend Capt. Bell’s funeral.
Dec. 31st. In camp all day
also at night. About midnight
the boys started to get merry,
marching up and down with
the bands playing & singing –
showing what good spirits they
were in. However it was disturbing
the O.C. sleep. He charged out
in his pyjamas, seized a
trombone off one man, who
took no notice of him & was
playing a march on his own.
This rhetoric & reasoning distressed
the [illeg. word] & quietness reigned, till
[end of page]
Ruahine Company marched in at
3 a.m back from a night
march, with bagpipes. This
brought forth another charge from
the O.C. (evidently a bad sleeper,
Jan. 1st. 1915.
Parades as usual.
Went to Cairo in the afternoon
& returned to camp for dinner.
Jan 2nd. Had to attend
orderly room to give evidence
against a pioneer, who
refused to obey a sergeant.
He got 14 days C.B.
Lieut McCallum came to visit
us & stayed to dinner.
Mail from N.Z. Received
six letters. no less.
[end of page]
Jan. 3rd. Church parade 9.45 a.m.
After luncheon went to the
Egyptian museum with McColl
& Narby. The museum is said
to [be] the largest & also to contain the
most valuable of ancient antiquities
in the world. Saw the mummies
of Rameses II & Menhotep [?should be Amenhotep] &
many others. Jewellery & statues
very fine.
Went for afternoon tea to Groppi’s
The French pastry got a caning.
Wrote letters home in the evening
Jan 4th. W.I.R. commenced
Battalion training.
Met Ritchie & Scannell.
[end of page]
Jan. 5th. Received letters from Uncle
Will & Will Johnstone from Royal Henley.
Uncle Will says he is attached to the
Lancashire Fusiliers stationed at
Sutton Hull. Says he is fed up with
the British War Office for sending
him there. Went to Cairo in evening &
got my developed films.
Jan 6th. Went out with the
regiment to do attack practise.
Got terribly dusty at the end.
Rode Captain Homes Horse.
Jan. 7th. Khamseen started to blow
from the South West. Clouds of
dust & sand sailing by the tents,
luckily the wind is not strong
enough to blow the tents down.
Very disagreeable outside; while
inside everything is covered over
with a layer of sand. Parades off
all we can do is too[sic] sit inside
the tents.
[end of page]
Jan. 8. Left camp at 8.a.m, the
whole batallion [sic] parading at war
strength; &marched for three
hours along the Suez Road.
Were inspected at 11. a.m. by the
Brigadier. Left for camp at
1.p m.
Very windy & dusty again,
welcome rain fell at at dark, but
did not last long.
Rumours that we are going to
be shifted to Suez next week
Jan. 9th. Sir Thomas MacKenzie
addressed the N.Z. Force this morning
He said he could assure us that
we would go to the front when
we were fit.
Generals Maxwell & Birdwood also were present.
In the afternoon went into Cairo
with Urquhart. Afternoon Tea at
Groppi’s & then went down the
[end of page]
Mousky – Sharia [sic] el Mousky.
Visited the bazaar, bought two 1
cushion covers. one 42 piastres, the other
& a ladies scarf 70 piastres. Bargained
for the two of them; bazaar [?]
owners gave us a cup of tea
while we were bartering.
Had dinner at new Khedivial Hotel.
Then went to Picture Show and
at 10.30 went to the Mille Nuits.
Jan. 10th Captain Home & some more
officers went off for the day, going
from Ghizeh to Memphis on
Camels.
This afternoon Wells, Narby, & self
went for a ride over towards the
Nile. Horses are not taking
gue kindly to the camels yet.
[end of page]
Jan 11 Three Companies started
musketry Practise at Abassia
Range. Rode out & there all
day. Came back with Captain Rose.
Fired 10 rounds
- p. m Started Vaccinating
Did 250 247 men before 9 oclock
247 men in 1½ hours.
Jan 12th. Rode out to the Range again
There all day.
Vaccinating at night. Taranaki 50
60 Ceylon privates po received
commission Indian Forces & leave
for the Canal tomorrow.
Jan. 13th. At Range again. Walked out & back.
Made 14 (out of 20) at 500 yards
“Daily Mail Plum Pudding at
Mess Tonight” ozs IV each
Vaccinating Ruahine Co.
Other M.Os say they can
only do 100 men in 4 hours
[end of page]
Jan. 14th. At Range gain [sic].
Made 12 (out of 15) at snapshooting.
& 9 at the running target (3 hits).
Vaccinating at night again.
Got Sewell to buy a pillow for me.
Jan. 15th. In camp all day.
Vaccinating at night.
Jan 16th. Vaccination seems to
be taking very very well.
Very fine arms. Many men,
who boasted that they had been
four or five times without
taking, have taken beautifully
Very good lymph, this Egyptian
stuff, better than N.Z Govt. Stuff.
Jan 17th. Vaccinated some
more men.
Two cases of Herpes Zoster today.
Went to Luxor Park at night.
Scenic railway very thrilling.
[end of page]
Jan 18th. Most of the men
have beautiful arms.
Rode with Narby over to the
Abassia Hospital, & then
through the nature lands over
towards the Nile & arrived
back in camp at 5.15 p.m.
Jan. 19th. After great representations
to the Colonel & Brigadier, the
battalion parade was ordered off
The men were not in a really
fit condition for parading.
Only a few have not taken
Those who have taken well &
complain of headache,
pains in the back, chilly
feelings, feverishness.
Temp. 100°- 103°.
Some complain of sick-feeling
vomiting etc.
Vaccinated the Colonel!
[end of page]
Jan. 20th. No leave allowed to
troops until further notice.
Busy attending to men
complaining of the results of
vaccin atin ation.
Thermometer went down to freezing
point last night
It Vac. seems to affect stout [?] people the most.
Jan. 21st. Very dull day,
threatening to rain all day
but did not.
A “Gypsy boy” helping at the
officers mess. Wants to learn
the language, working for no pay
“A khnut.”
Jan. 22nd. Heard Artillery fire
for the first time today; our
batteries practising.
Captain Galbraith C P.R.C met
with serious motor car accident, this
afternoon.
[end of page]
Jan. 23rd. General Godley
addressed the officers of the force
at 8.30.a m this morning.
Touched on several matters of
importance. Said we might be
called on to move to the front
any time now.
Went down the Mousky with Wells
Took a guide and visited
a mosque, silk bazaar, shoes
bazaar, spice, & scent bazaar
Very interesting to see them
grinding lals [?] to make spice
(also adding dried orange peel &
other refuse) & working at hand
looms making silk.
Returned to camp & let Captain
Home off for the evening
Was vaccinated at noon.
The mosquitoes seem to love me.
[end of page]
Jan. 24th. Left Cairo at 9.30 a.m
for Badreulen [?], Party consisted of six
other officers, and Suliman, the guide
who had everything arranged, tickets
donkeys, lunch backsheesh. Morning
was very misty, but as neared
Badreulen [?], reached at 10.35 a.m, the
mist lifted, & the sun came
out. We then mounted our donkeys,
& set off for Memphis, which we
reached about half past eleven; here
we saw the ^two^ colossal statues of Rameses
II & the Sphinx of Memphis.
Very little ruins of ancient Memphis
are to be seen. Next we went
on to Sakkanh. My donkey was
called Ginger beer, other names
were Angelica, Whiskey & Soda,
Roosevelt, Automobile, Telegraph.
Donkey riding is very comfortable & Easy
Passed through the native village of
Sukhart [?], & then came out on to the sand
[end of page]
and up into the hills. At Up till
now we had been travelling through
fertile country & villages – fiel
feddans planted with clover, cucumbers,
tomatoes, melons. Arrived at the tombs [at Saqqara] at 12.30
First visited the Tomb of Mera and
his two sons. The tombs are now
underground temples, consisting of
chambers, and passages, with
paintings & sculptures on the stone walls
In the tomb of A – Isa (?) which was
evidently a temple where nursing
was taught, for there were drawings
showing obstetricians delivering a woman
In the tomb of Mera, Mera was
shown playing chess with his wife.
We next went up to Mariette’s
House, & had lunch there. Suliman
produced a hamper, and we had
2 fowls, ham, ^roast^ meat, boiled eggs
bread butter, & oranges, pears, apples &
bananas.
[end of page]
After lunch we visited the
Tomb of Thi, where the sol
sepulchral chamber is reached by
going down steps, & then down a long
subterranean passage. In this
tomb the colours of the paintings are
wonderfully preserved. Next we went
to the Serapeum, the mausoleum of
the Sacred Bulls. This was wonderful.
The large subterranean passage,
about twice the size of a railway tunnel,
cut out of the solid rock, underground;
It contains 24 granite sarcophagi.
Went inside one of these sarcophagi.
No remains of the bulls were found in
any of them. We each had a candle
& it all felt very eerie The
sarcophagi built of ^single^ blocks of granite,
and each stands in a chamber off the
main passageway. Weight of sarcophagus. 75 tons
Next went on to the tomb of Pth
Ptah-Hetep, where the drawing of the
[end of page]
animals is excellent.
Passed close by the Step Pyramid, which
Mariette reckons to be the oldest
historic building in the world, for it
was built to King Mnephes [nowadays attributed to King Dioser].
Also saw the Pyramid of Uras.
Left for Badreulen [?] at 3.30 45. &
went back by a different route.
Caught a train at 5.5 p. m and
arrived back in Cairo at 6.15. &
then went on to the Zeitun Hotel
for dinner, & then donkeyed
back to camp.
Jan. 25th. Went down to the Royal Grand
Hotel at Zeitun for a bathe,
and just after I got back, word
came out that the Turks were
advancing, and that the N.Z.
Infantry brigade was off in the
morning. The news spread
rapidly round the camp,
[end of page]
and cheering & Maori Haka’s broke
out at once. Excitement ran high,
and very soon the bands started
playing Rule Brittania [sic], & other patriotic
tunes. Even the N I R band got
its tail up & played Tipperary &
Everybody’s doing it.
Many thought it was a rumour,
but soon after dinner out came
the orders to pack. & the serving out
of ammunition
Did not get to bed till midnight,
had to pack up extra gear
Jan. 26th. Up at 4.30.a.m.
Breakfast six a.m. & marched
out of camp at seven, with
N.W. Co & Bay Co & p ½ of Ceylon.
Marched to Palais de Koubbeh &
entrained but did not leave till
10.20. The rest of the Batallion [sic]
did not leave till 12 30.
[end of page]
Arrived Zagazig at noon and had
lunch at 12, arrived at Mehatet
el Kubri [may mean el Mahalla el Kubra] at 4.30 p. m & found
part of the Otago Batallion [sic] there
before. Went into Bivouac opposite
the station, about mile and ½ from
the canal. Noticed three warships
in the canal. During the night
was awakened by shots, machine
gun, & occasional gun fire.
Did not last long however 3.30.a m
Jan. 27th. Kaiser’s Birthday.
Cox prophesies that it is his last.
Marched out of bivouac at 8.30 a m
for Canal Bank, a little over 1 mile
distant, arrived there the men
took up position on banks of canal,
in what trenches were there, and
also set to making new trenches
where required. Battalion taken
up a line on canal bank over
[end of page]
nearly three miles long, reaching
from Shaloufa [?] (station on Canal) to
Captain Home be about 5 miles from Suez.
Captain Home established two
regimental aid posts, he taking the
one at headquarters, and I the other
at above the ferry at Kubri, at the
Taranaki Headquarters.
Rained for one hour at lunch time,
^got^ very muddy.
The Indians tell us that the Turks
came up to within 300 yards
of the trenches last night, & they
judged they there are about 200 of them
Taranaki Co is in position just north
of the Ferry at Kubri, on the left of
No 3 fort, on the west side of the
Canal.
Aubrey had established dressing
station very close to us.
Getting bully fr beef & army rations
Slept very comfortable.
[end of page]
Jan 28th. No disturbance at night.
Patrol of Indian Lancers ^Imperial Service Cavalry^ went out
& report nothing seen of enemy.
No. 3 post seems very strong from
this sight; manned by Indian ^Punjabis^ troops
& two searchlights, one in the post
& another on dredge. Bomb proof.
2 Otago platoons went over last
night as reinforcements.
Nothing doing during the day.
Had a swim in Suez Canal.
Jan 29th. Submarine, first I have
seen, went through the canal this
morning. Travelling Fast.
Australian & N.Z Transports, 15 of them
went through the canal this morning.
Great cheering when the N.Z mounteds
went through, the infantry were
loaded at Suez & entrained up
to Zeitun last night.
Two gunboats now patrolling up &
down the canal.
[end of page]
Jan. 30th. Alarm at 4.20. a. m.
while battalion concentrated at
Kubri Ferry. Turned out to be
only practising alarm movements.
Very pretty to watch the searchlight
playing in a semi-circle, along
the sand ridges in the distance.
Returned to camp about six o’clock.
Men spent the day improving
the trenches.
Some Two more transports went through,
one the H.M.N.Z.T.10 (Knight of
the Garter) Prolonged cheering.
Several passenger & cargo boats
went through. The Persia &
the Orseva were crowded with
passengers & gave us a warm
reception, just chucking
tins of cigarettes overboard, which
our men swam out and got.
Saw an aeroplane for the first time
flying east for observation purposes
a very pretty sight: very graceful,
[end of page]
Jan. 31st. Sunday. church parade held
at 8.30. a.m. after that the men
were started off on improving the
trenches.
Last night the sentries of the
Wellington West Coast Company
were fired on by the Turks from
the opposite side of canal, a
few hundred yards south of
of [sic] Post No. 2; our men did not
reply.
The “Arabia” passed north,
looked f very inviting, offering
all the comforts of a home.
“Hullo, Johnny,” the greeting between
New Zealanders & the Indian
troops. The Ghurkas are wonderful
little chaps, and in military
significance are just ‘it’ as regards
drill & smartness.
Reported desertion of four Punjaubis [sic]
from No. 3 post, last night.
[end of page]
Feb. 1st. Men still at work on
their trenches, they all make
excellent navvies.
Mounted Patrols of the Imperial Service
Indian Cavalry go g out morning &
afternoon & have nothing to report.
After tea was sent down the canal
to No. 2 post as M.O. Went over
in steam launch. Post commanded
by Major MacLeod, & composed of
Ghurkas, two platoons of Otago men
& two platoons of Taranaki Company
Slept in behind the trenches, ^400 men altogether^ rained
a little slightly but soon passed
off. Night was dark, and ^an^ attacker
was expected but did not take place
Turks are supposed reported to be 12 miles
off this post at Bab el. Bir Mabeink
with outpost at Bir Gemel Gebel Bur [Gebel means hill or mountain]
Gebel Raha is the name of the
range in our front.
[end of page]
Feb. 2nd. Went back to headquarters
in the morning, and was sent down
to the gare opposite Post No. 2.
Blew terrible sand windy.
Stayed the night at the Gare, slept
in the maltese Cart[?]. About 12.20.p m
the Turks started firing, thought
it was at No 2 post, but it was at 3
at Kubri. They fired for almost 1 ½ hours
and did no damage.
Feb 3rd. Wellington Battalion
went out of the trenches, back to
camp Alimento, and Otago went
into the Trenches. Taranaki Co went
into Kubri Post & Ruahine went
into the Shaloufa [sic] Post.
In the afternoon received orders to
proceed & stay at No. 2 post.
Got back there just before dark, rowed
across canal by people of gare (attended sick
men there night before.
[end of page]
Feb. 4th. Rained for almost 2 hours
last night, got put my oil-proof sheet
over me, but got slightly my
blankets wet. Slept through it all
North Otago Company and a double
company of Ghurkas in No. 2 post now.
2nd Battalion of 7th Ghurka Rifles
Capt Statham discovered footprints
of three men and a dog on the left
flank out towards the canal bank &
also marks where they had been in our
dug trenches, thought that the marks
are made by some of the Baluchi deserters
& a Turk, retant [?] dogs are being used
to carry messages from behind our
lines to the enemy. About midday
two officers shot a dog, on the canal
banks east side. It was in very good
condition and made off towards the
Turkish position. I bled harness marks
behind the foreleg, on the brisket.
At night several intermittent lights
[end of page]
were noticed, and judged to be
coming from an isolated house far
back from the railway. House under
Observation. Captain Statham,
his butler [?], Mathieson & two Ghurkas
went out at night to catch the
owners of the footprints but returned
& reported nothing seen. Reported attack
at Ismalia yesterday Two N.Z. wounded.
Canterbury & Auckland batallions [sic] were in the fight
Feb. 5th. Had a professional talk
with Mean Jan, sub assistant surgeon
Indian Ambulance, it is [this] morning.
He aired his views & knowledge on
pediculosis & bacteriology.
Late in the day went ^walked^ over to Camp
Memento and had dinner there, rode
back again about five.
During the day reconnaisance made
from Kubri post. Party consisted of
2 platoons of Gurkhas, 2 platoons Taranaki
Hyderabad Lancers & ^Battery of ^ Marilet [?] Territorials
Advanced up to the Turkish position
[end of page]
where they were shelled. They returned
again to Kubri ^for all the Turks cleared out^ One Hyderabad Lancer
was shot through the head.
Lights seen to be signalling again,
also a light replying from the Turkish
Position.
Feb. 6th. Sent a man off to Fld Amb.
with Tren Barbas[?].
Took a few snaps
Nothing to be seen of the Turks
today.
No lights signalling at to-night, party
sent to surround the place.
Captain Statham, Hickley, with several
Ghurkas went out just after dark
to try and catch the blighter, who
spies on this post; and who leaves
his footprints so clear. They stayed
out allnight [sic], but their plans were
spoilt by one [of] our patrols firing two
shots at them ending the night
[end of page]
Feb. 7th. Sunday.
A party of 5 Ghurkas and 2. N Z.
went right out to the enemies
trenches, but could see nothing of
enemy.
- M.S. Triumph went North
through canal this afternoon. (Tsingtao)
The Ghurkas greeted her with British
cheers, and the tars replied – then the
New Zealanders cheered & ^gave^ hakas
It was wonderful to see how the Ghurkas
cheered; showing their loyalty, &
also admiration for the Triumph.
Got a tent up at our bivy, Major
Mitchell, Severo [?] guns Wilson & myself
in it.
Feb. 8th. Aeroplane reports
nothing to be seen of Turks
at their position at Bir – Gemel,
left a number of prepared trenches
behind them.
R.M.S. Majola passed north today
[end of page]
Feb. 10th. Quiet day.
Crossed the canal, and went
for a stroll up to Kubri. Ferry.
Met Sid Fitzgerald & Bell at Amb.
Lines
↖
(Feb.9 [corrected from 10]th) Padre Ross, Hickley & Wilson
went down to Suez for supplies
& a days outing.
The Warwickshire came through
to day, chucked about a dozen tins
of cigarettes & tobacco overboard.
The Ghurkas now are swimming
for the tins; great delight of the
others when one Ghurka fell in
off a boat with his clothes on.
Feb. 11[corrected from 12] th. Mean Jan and his
ward orderly were transferred to
Suez this morning, and his
place was taken by Kishan Lal
sub-assistant surgeon, 135th Ind. Amb.
and one a.b.c. man.
[end of page]
This ends my “Sherlock Holmes”
stunt for the present
Had a swim in the canal.
Diarrhoea rather prevalent just
now, attribute it to clay &
dust getting into the food.
Afternoon. Went to Campiemento [? nearest NZ camp was Ismailia]
took a short cut across country,
across land which was very
mucky, being tidal covered.
Kept going in a straight line
till I came to the Sweet water canal.
This blocked me, and I had to
walk along its bank, for a taking
me out of my path, finally I
for ^came^ to a boat & got a native to
row me across. Reached camp
& got two letters from Home,
written during Xmas Week.
Was introduced to General Mellis,
and also to Captain Home’s wife,
who is going as a nurse in Suez
hospital. Could not stay long – Had to walk
back before dark
[end of page]
Feb. 12th. Sewell, Broad, & Perrin
came over from Campiemento
this morning, for a day’s outing
& swim in the canal.
Sewell thoughtfully brought me
a change of underclothing &
clean towels (his own that
he had not used)
Tur[k]ish Horsemen seen just at
dusk, watching our position
Feb. 13th. Tracks of two horses
found this morning up to within
500 yards of our trenches; fresh
tracks & must have been Turks.
came straight up & turned back.
Steamers are now passing through
the canal at night (don’t know why)
Major MacLeod still investigating
the lights signalling in our ^rear^ late; they
dis have dropped off of late, & the
enemy are not showing any lights
in our front now.
[end of page]
Feb. 14th. Sunday. Church Parade 9.a.m.
About eleven o^c^lock a dead body
was noticed floating north up the
canal; the mail boat picked
I it up, & then handed it over to
the gate-keepers who were ordered
to take it some distance north
from our post. The body had
been over a week in the water;
there was a bullet wound in the
lower part of the back close to the
spine; one the right leg was
missed ^ing^; taken off clean just below
the knee ( very evidently ^done^ after it had
been cast into the water.
The gate-keepers said it was
the body of a Syrian, & we
came to the conclusion that it
was one of the enemies men, who
had been shot in their attempt to
get pontoons across the canal; (but
I could hardly see how it f would
[end of page]
float so far south (about 30 miles,)
& then be floating back again
The clothing was not military, & there was
absolutely no means of identification
only a knife & an empty purse being
found on the body.
Major MacLeod had it buried at
once over the north from the post.
Great excitement this afternoon.
The Ghurkas had a lot of rum
served out to them.
I noticed some of them going back
for a second lot.
Feb. 15th. Post was inspected by ^five Generals
Generals Douglas, Bingley & Younghusband.
by General Wilson & General Mellis
& staff; seems they decided to
keep up this post; not to abandon it.
The place was full of brass hats.
200 Turks done for down at
Tor by Ghurkas & Egyptian troops
last Friday morning.
Paid some mess bills this evening [written over correction].
[end of page]
Feb. 16th. Three Two passenger boats
from India went past this
morning; both had a large
number of women & children
aboard, presumably officers wives
& families.
Very near I sunset the
Ghurkas did a Limbu dance,
in our honour. This is the native
village dance; which is danced
by the men and women, when
gathering the rice in November.
They linked arms, and went
through a lot of different steps
with all the time making a
peculiar noise in their throats.
Very neat footwork. A subadar [sic]
explained to me that they did
not do it very well, for the
men were from different villages
& each village had a dance
of its own.
[end of page]
At the finish our men gave
a Maori Haka, which they
enjoyed & handclapped.
Later on in the evening the N.Zers
song sang popular & ragtime songs,
while & the Ghurkas sang
native songs alternately.
This evidently because of the North
Otago Company going out of the Post
tomorrow. A very close friendship
seems to have sprung up
between them.
Kishan Lal informs me (that
when I asked ^what^ his decoration was for?)
that he was with Colonel Younghusbands
expedition into Thibet. He went
as far as Gog Gangati (?); 100
miles from Lharsa [sic].
Fresh dog tracks are seen on canal
banks, so about 500 yards north of Post
every morning, & sometimes accompanied
by fresh human footprints. Major MacLeod
has asked me to procure some strychnine for him
[end of page]
Feb. 17 [corrected from 18]th. North Otago Company
went back to Campiemento this
morning, & the Otago Company came
here to take their place.
In the afternoon I walked into Suez,
went across the mud flats, and then
through the native quarter. Took
me a little over an hour. Made
several purchases for the mess
in the Price [?] Colmar. At the English
Groceries asked for ½ doz packets of
rolled oats. Could not get native
to understand me, “Roll of sanitary paper”
he says. After visiting some English
chemists, and also the Public Health
office (where the clerks were very aggravating)
I finally got some Strychnine Sulphate
at a Greek Chemists.
Suez is not a very inviting place
by any means
Caught a train at 5.30 p. m for Kubri
& than walked down to No. 2 Post. then
rowed across canal in boat; & reached here 7 pm.
[end of page]
Feb. 18th. Sentry noticed two
men walking in from the hills
about 1 ½ miles out at 11 a.m. Major
McLeod at once sent out a patrol
of Ghurkas under Hickley. The
Ghurkas doubled out nearly the whole
way, as the Hyderabad Lancers
had been sent out from Kubri
to bring them ^in^ also. The Turks
made towards our men, who
just got round them as the
Lancers galloped up. We had a
fine view of it with the glasses.
They were deserters, one a Turk (?)
who wore khaki trousers & puttees
rest native dress; & the other was
a Beduin [sic]. Both were thin, & the
Turk had two wounds; which I
judged were caused by a scimitar,
a small wound above the left knee
& a scalp wound on the back of
the head. He had them dressed
with a piece of paper next the wound
[end of page]
Both Septic
& part of his own clothing for
a bandage. The Beduin [sic] tried
to make out he was friendly, but
they were both sent down to Suez
under a guard at 4.30 on the
mailboat. I was surprised to see
how quick the Gurkhas were
to carry out water & chappaties [sic] &
rice to where the prisoners were kept.
In afternoon walked up to Kubri
Ferry to Wellington Headquarters, as
they are now defending the west bank
of the canal.
Reviewed a Witness from Aunt Lydia
Feb. 19th. Rather misty today.
Gurkhas versus N. Zealanders
at a game of soccer football
won by N. Z. Afterwards the
- Z. gave an exhibition of
Rugby, which delighted
the Gurkhas immensely
Huge yells of delight, whenever a man
went down in a good collar, or a scrum.
[end of page]
At 5.30. p.m. went out with
the major & a Gurkha
to lay the poisoned meat for
the dogs. Sent Set four lan baits.
Major showed me the marks &
signs on the ground; & also where
they had spilt oil on the ground
in two places.
Feb. 20th. None of the four baits
had been touched – no marks
to be seen about.
About 3 o’clock got orders to
go back to Wellington Regiment
at Headquarters at Kubri,
Scannel being sent down from
Campiemento to take my place.
Left the post about 5. Sewell
meeting me with Cart to take
my stuff up.
This morning a body consisting
of Bikaner Camel Corps & a two
company of Baluchis went out
[end of page]
300 camels
into the desert; intending
to go 40 miles out to east to
establish a depot for petrol
for the aeroplane, to allow her to
go out another 60 [corrected from 40] miles. Thus
reporting over 100 miles east of canal.
Feb. 21st Sunday.
Rather warm; went for a
swim in Canal. Practising
overarm stroke.
Canal at Kubri is 200 yards wide
Feb. 22nd. Aeroplanes flying
by about every hour; seem
to be two of them very busy
today.
H.M.S. Ocean went north
through Canal this morning,
on her way to take part in
the Dardanelles bombardment.
[end of page]
Feb. 23rd. Shifted up to Wellington
West Coast Company hd. qrs.
to establish dressing station there
They occupy west bank of Canal
from Kubri to Shaloufa.
Took Bastings & Broad with
me.
During afternoon, scouting party
came back. Infantry went out
15 miles, & camel corps out 35
miles, while aeroplane covered
about 100 miles, & saw enemy
retreating, about Nelhl [?],
dropped a bomb amongst them
to hurry them up.
Also saw several dead camels.
Reports state that the Turks
are quarreling [sic] amongst themselves.
[end of page]
Feb. 24th. Took a stroll
along sweet water canal,
wonderful how irrigation
turns the sandy desert into
rich fertile land.
Fourteen years ago they say there
was no vegetation in this region
but now there is a strip of
cultivated land, trees & palms
on each side of the sweet water
canal.
Feb. 25th. Making preparations
to leave Canal.
R.M.S. Orontes passed
through Canal this
morning.
[end of page]
Feb. 26th. Up early, marched
to Kubri Ferry & then to
Kubri railway station, arrived
there at 9.a.m; & entrained
at 11.15 & left at 11.30.
General Mellis & many English
officers came to see us off.
Captain Home went by an
ent earlier train at 9.30. a. m.
Between Neficha and
Zagazig we passed the
battlefield of Tel-el-Kebir,
I saw the earthworks thrown
up by the Egyptians; & also
the Graveyard where the English
Soldiers were buried.
Arrived Zeitun about 5.30p.m
each detrained, and
marched off to camp; &
found tents up ready for us.
Thankful when I saw my
trunks & kits, allright [sic].
[end of page]
No signs of a to meal
forthcoming for the officers, so
Narby & I went over to the
Grand Hotel at Zeitun and
had dinner at 7 o’clock.
Returned afive after eight
& after visiting the military
picture show, went to
bunk, after a long day.
Put on a new pair of boots
in the evening, & took the
skin off one ot of my heels
Feb.27th. Had breakfast
at the reinforcement officer’s
mess; very strange but was
sitting next to one of the
Hardies, and did not know
- Later in the day he came
along & spoke to me, for he
heard my name, & knew I
was with the force.
[end of page]
Very dusty & windy in Zeitun
today. The camp is very large
now, for 2 Australian Infantry
Brigades, & 1 brigade of the
Australian Light Horse, are camped
over at the Aerodrome.
Now in tent with Morgan & Lee.
Captain Home sharing Major Hert’s
tent.
Feb. 28th. Sunday.
Dusty & windy.
Stayed in camp. Messing
with Shepheard & Narby.
Feb. 29th. March 1st. In afternoon went
to Cairo with Narby; visited
several shops but bought very
little. Had tea at Groppi’s
about five o’clock – fashionable
hour here for tea. Then strolled
round; t the had dinner at
[end of page]
Saults – went to pictures
afterwards.
March. 2nd. Ninety-seven
men on sick parade.
March. 3rd. Divisional Training
of the combined Australian &
New Zealand Division.
Left camp 8 a. m. & returned
at 7.15. p. m. Put in some
solid marches, hot & dusty
ran by all water ran out,
& we had a terrific thirst
My regimental number is
changed to 10/159A.
March. 4th. Examined & wrote
reports on 13 men to be
invalided back to New Zealand,
also examined 13 8[corrected from 7] men for the
detention prison. George Gooch
came along to see me.
[end of page]
March. 5th. Shepherd, Narby, &
self went to Cairo, where we met
Major Charters, and we drove up
to the Citadel – drove through the
Abdin quarter, where I had not
been before. Found Egyptian
Stores closed; then drove round &
back of Citadel to Arsenal,
but Shepherd coul could not get
pistol ammunition. Had lunch
at Groppis & then took train
back to camp.
Divisional training night manoeuvres
being carried out tonight
Division leaving camp at 8.30. p. m
Am remaining in camp to
look after our sick.
March. 6th. Regiment returned
at 9.30. .a.m.
Appears we have about another
week to spend in Egypt.
[end of page]
Printed photographs for Neil.
Attended medical board to give
evidence.
March. 7th. Sunday.
Brigade Church Parade,
General Birdwood & General
Godley attended.
Went to Luxor Park in evening.
Very windy & dusty.
March. 8th.
Very dusty & windy
Out on night manoeuvres,
Infantry Brigade Training
practising night attack
formations.
March. 9th . Divisional orders
contained notice of my promotion
to the rank of Captain; dating
from the 20th November.1914.
[end of page]
March. 10th. Brigade training.
A scorching day, with a dry
hot wind; out on the desert
towards the third tower.
The water in our water bottles
became very warm, & it was
unpleasant to drink.
Returned to camp at 3 30.p. m.
Attended orderly room to give
evidence; poor beggar got 14 days C.B.
A terrible thirst
In evening went with Narby
to Helmieh Military Picture Show,
Along with four other about four
other officers to judge the singing
of some of our troops
March. 11th.
Very Dusty and Hot.
[end of page]
March. 12th.
124 men on sick parade.
30 returned to duty.
70 light duty.
18 excused duty.
6 men sent to Hospital.
Divisional Training Did not
go out stayed in camp.
In evening went to Gault’s for
dinner, & spent evening in Cairo.
March. 13th. Obtained an order
for horse from adjutant, &
went down to Headquarters to
get it signed by Major Reid. D. A Q.M.
Saw him & he said he did not
need to sign it; advised me to
take it to the A.D.V.S.
Could not find it him.
[end of page]
March. 14th. Went down to the
Abassia Remount Camp, taking
Sewell with me. Found Tayler
who is the vet down there, and he
showed me around. Told him I thought
him I thought it would be best
to get my order signed at Headquarters
first before picking the Horse, but
he thought otherwise, & said pick the
horse first. He showed me a few
he picked out. Satisfied he is no
judge of horses. We then went to an
Australian sergeant major, and he
said he could lay me on to some-
thing good. He brought out a
beautiful chestnut, and they put
the saddle on him, I went to
get on him, but I changed my
side mind, for just [when] I went to
swing up, he reared & started
to buck & kick.
Next they brought along another
[end of page]
chestnut, whom they said was
quite quiet. He looked it, but
as soon as they put the saddle
on him he tr tried to buck
the saddle off. Went to
market a treat; but Sewell
rode him with the saddle off,
& then I also had a ride on him
bareback. I told the Sergeant
major, I wasn’t a buck rider, &
to come off his game. One
of his men said, Its suicide
to ask a man to ride that
horse, & he was promptly told he
would be sent back to the
Infantry. I judged these horses
were brought off the ranges in
a mob & sold to the Government
in Australia. However I finally
picked a black beast, nice
& quiet; & then went up to
headquarters to sign for him.
[end of page]
But they told me they would
not issue him to me, for they
had no orders to do so; &
before I t could get him I had
to get the signature of the O.C.
Australian intermediate Base, & then
get it countersigned by a Colonel
in the Kair-el-Barracks.
Arrived back in camp at 2 p.m.
Went to pictures in evening with
Shepherd & Narby.
March 15th. Went down to Colonel
Young, A.D.V.S. about my Mount;
Captain Home gave me a mount note
to take to him. He gave me the
choice of two horses that he out
the dozen he had there; and I
chose the black mare, which seemed
to be the better of the two. The
vet wanted me to take the other,
but I didn’t like the look of one of
[end of page]
one of [sic] his hoofs, & he seemed
very seedy & low in condition
Sent Sewell down to get horse ^No.2697^ Reg No.9.
Lookarded very threatening all the afternoon
and about four-o’clock it started
tow to rain, & it rained heavily for
a quarter of an hour. It cleared
off, but we had another short heavy
shower at night.
About 7. p.m. a man broke
his rit he right leg, both bons
bones just above the ankle. He
was wrestling with another man
& each had the toe hold on the
other. Attended him, applying
temporary splint & sent him
off to Abassia Hospital by
Motor Ambulance.
[end of page]
March. 16th Thundered good oh
about nine o’clock and
rained very heavily for quarter
of an hour, and then cleared
off altogether.
Captain Home & wife leaving
for Luxor by tonights express.
He has obtained four day’s leave.
Reveille was at 4 oclock
this morning. (Morgan reminds
me.[)]
March 17th. The High
Commissioner for Engl Egypt.
inspected the N.Z. Camp
at 4.p.m. this afternoon.
At 5.15 the Infantry Brigade
marched out to Bit-el-Shatt, &
on the way was joined by the
Australian Brigade. We
bivouacked about eight oclock,
& at two next morning an
[end of page]
attack practise & trench digging
was carried out. Slept very
well on the ground.
March 18th. Arrived back in
camp. at a quarter to seven.
Spent easy for day in camp.
Drew pay in evening.
March. 19th.
Went for a ride on new
horse; went along very
nicely, not afraid of camels
or donkeys.
Got cover and nosebag for her.
In evening went to picture
show.
March 20th. Captain Home &
his wife returned from Luxor.
Went to Cairo in afternoon.
First went out to the Egyptian
[end of page]
State Railway workshops with
Shepherd & Narby to inspect
transport which was being
repaired there.
As usual went to Groppis’s
confiserie [?], and then to the bazaars
down the Movsky. Bought
some things in the brass bazaar.
Visited a scent & perfume dealer
& he would persist in dabbing
scent all over us. Bought some
narcissus scent.
Dined at Gaults & then went
to the Kursaal.
March. 21st. Sunday.
In evening went with Narby
to St Andrew’s Church, Shaun [?]
Bulac. Rev. Mr. Gillan preached.
Swarms of locusts flying about –
like flocks of sparrows – they are large
& fly slow; not very high; yellow &
canary [?corny] colours; all seem to be flying out
over the desert.
[end of page]
March. 22nd.
The Combined Austr New
Zealand & Australian Division
was reviewed by Sir A. Mc. Mahon
& General Maxwell.
First an inspection was held,
& then a march past, which
took some time.
Caul Could not see much for
dust & also for swarms of
locusts. I was riding my
horse, and had a bit of a
joy-ride, for she was not used
to the movements of the infantry
& did not like them flashing
their bayonets at her. She
neighed furiously, went when the
generals & staff went rode by.
March 23rd. Swarms of locusts
flying through the camp all day.
The Padre imagined it to be a plague.
Went to pictures in evening.
[end of page]
March 24th.
Brigade training in outpost
duty on a canal north of the
camp.
March. 25th. Thursday.
Left with party from W.I.R
at 5.30. from Matariehfor
Cairo. Party consisted of 72 men
& eight officers – Major Brunt,
Captain Cox, Captain Green,
Lieuts. Morgan, Wells, Hugo, Wilson
& self. We were bound for
Luxor on an excursion, arranged
by the Egyptian State Railway.
Cost for officers 275 P. T.
Left Cairo at 8. p.m. on the
Cairo-Luxor Express. We had
a 1st class coach; & were
very comfortable; getting a
a [sic] good sleep.
Distance Luxor-Cairo 450 miles
[end of page]
March 26th.
Arrived at Luxor at 9.10. a.m.
& were driven to the Luxor Hotel
where we had a tip-top breakfast.
At Luxor railway station it
seemed as if the whole population
of niggers had turned out to seek
see us.
The men were formed into three
parties; each party having a
dragoman for it, and they went
and did the Temple of Luxor
in the morning, while the officers
with their dragoman Ameed, went
& saw Karnak, Avenue of
Sphinxes, Great Pylons; the
columns of the Great Temple
and Hypostyle; Obelisks of
Thotmes [sic] and his daughter,
Sacred Lake of Karnak, &
the various smaller temples.
[end of page]
At noon we drove back to the
Hotel and had dinner.
At one oclock we left for the
Western bank of the Nile.
We crossed the Nile in a
sailing boat, & found donkeys
ready of for us; and off we
set across the Libyan Plain for
the Hills. We were accompanied
by an official of the sleeping car
company.
We first rode to the Valley
of the Tombs of the Queens, &
first visited the Tomb of
Queen Nefertari Mienmut [?Meritmut],
wife of Rameses II; who was
considered the most beautiful
woman of those ancient times.
next the Tomb of Queen Amenochops –
for (wife 0f Rameses III)
The paintings & colouring in these
temples are wonderful, considering
[end of page]
they are said to date from 2000 B.C.
We also visited the Tomb of the
Mummies.
Next we went off to the
Temple of Medinet Habu
built by Amenhotep & Rameses III.
Decorated with great battle scenes.
On our way back we visited
the two Coll Colossal Statue
of Rameses II [question mark above name]. One of which is
called the Vocal Memnon, from
for it is said to have emitted
sounds when the rising sun shone
on it.
We crossed the Nile again,
& arrived at the Temple of Luxor
about a little after four
o’clock. Luxor ^Temple^ is not so
large as Karnak, but the colonnades,
& its obelisk of Rameses II
are very fine.
[end of page]
We reached the Hotel at 5. p.m.
had tea, and then drove off
to the Station. Train left at
6.10. p.m
We were all very tired Hugo
and I got an apartment to
ourselves, and soon were fast
asleep. The train journey seemed
very short that night.
The men all seemed satisfied
with their trip, & the arrangements
made for them. It cost them 167 ½ PT.
March 27th.
Arrived Cairo at 7 oclock a.m.
Took our films to Mitris,
and then went for breakfast
to Groppis.
Caught train at 9.30 for Camp
Yesterday the 3rd. Reinforcements
& Maori contingent arrived
On our marching into Camp we
were better [?later] for reinforcements
[end of page
Maoris are encamped nearly
opposite to us. Their camp is
an object of great interest, &
there are a lot of people come
to see them & very curious
to see the Maoris.
March. 28th. Sunday.
A very dusty and windy day
& Church Parade had to be
put off. In the afternoon
the wind died down somewhat
& great swarms of locusts
started to swarm over the camp.
The air was positively black
with locusts.
One man got a bite in the
back form from a scorpion.
He reported at once; and there was
great considerable swelling at the spot, & pain
I rinsed it & washed well with
pot. permang. Swelling went
down almost immediately and man did
allright
[end of page]
March. 29th.
This afternoon the Combined
New Zealand & Australia
Division were inspected by
General Ian Hamilton; then
there was a march past. It
was terribly dusty; the worst
dust we had ever been in.
General Birdwood also was present.
March. 30th.
Brigade Training. Started at
6.30. a.m.
Working in conjunction with
Field Ambulance.
Had 10% casualty. 30% being Serious
Returned to camp at noon.
Very hot day.
March. 31st.
Very hot.
Went to Demeradache in evening
[end of page]
April 1st.
Reveille at 4. a. m. Left
camp at 5.30 in a route march
arrived back in camp at noon.
Infantry brigade day.
At 5. p. m. the General & some
friends arrived in the Maori Camp,
where they were entertained by
some hakas, and maori singing.
Narby and I went over & got a
very good seat (right behind the General)
The Hakas were very good, so
was the singing.
April. 2nd. Easter Friday.
Lee, Wells, Narby & self, went
out to the Barrage after dinner.
Gardens there are very pretty;
very hot, and we viewed the
gardens from a trolley, shoved
along by two niggers.
Had dinner at Obelisk, & then
[end of page]
went to picture show, when we
came out we found out there had
been a riot broke out.
We got back to camp as soon
as possible.
April 3rd. Went into Cairo
this morning to arrange to
send money by the bank to N.Z.
Came back to camp & found
all leave stopped till further
notice.
April. 4th. Sunday.
Very dusty and hot.
April 5th. Very dusty & blowing
a gale.
Native celebrations of Sham-el Nessim
(supposed to be the day of cool
breezes)
[end of page]
Maori Contingent left for
Malta via Port Said this
afternoon.
Divisional orders today contained
notices that I was to remain at
the base.
Sent in a protest right away,
so did Captain Home & Colonel Maloni
Malone.
April 6th.
Force making preparations to
leave. Appears the Mounteds are
not going for the present.
April. 7th.
Departure of Battalion postponed
for 48 hours.
Very disappointed at not
getting away with the battalion
Went into Cairo this afternoon
with Shepherd.
[end of page]
April 8th.
Infantry & Artillery making
preparations for leaving.
The Mounteds are not going
at present.
April 9th.
In afternoon went and
reported to Colonel Thomas
Senior Medical Officer at the
Base.
Taranaki & Ruahine Company
Marched out of camp at
11.15 for p.m. for Pont de Koubbeh
Railway Station. At 12.30 Padre
Green & I went down to
see them off & say goodbye to
them. Then we returned to
camp, & had just time to
say Goodbye to the W.West Coast
& Hawkes Bay Company before
they marched out of camp at 2.a.m
next morning
[end of page]
April 10th.
Something felt wrong all
day today; the old camp
had quite a desolate appearance,
for they pulled down all the tents
except the officers
Went to Cairo in evening.
April. 11th. Sunday.
Shifting camp this morning.
Our new camp is down nearer
headquarters, where the Wellington
Infa Auckland Batallion [sic] was
encamped before. All the
infantry reinforcements in camp
here. Have a tent to myself,
and Sewell has arranged
everything very nicely.
Met Honey Bishop & Ralph
Abercrombie today.
In evening went & saw Connor
& also met Widdowson.
[end of page]
April. 12th.
Mail arrived today, and
it brought me four letters,
four Otago Witnesses, and
one copy of the Otago Daily Times
April 13th.
Very hot winds blowing today.
At noon, Padre Green’s
thermometer showed the temp.
to be 114°F in the tent!
Gee, it was hot.
Joined reinforcement Battalion
Mess, which has just started.
April 14th.
In morning went for a walk
round to the site of ancient
Heliopolis, where the Obelisk
stands, for a snap photo of an
stone grinding old stone grinder.
[end of page]
April 15th.
Giving Widdowson a hand
with the sick parades of the
Base Details, along with
Campbell.
April 16th.
Weather much cooler now,
very cool breezes blowing
from the north.
Went over to Heliopolis with
Hartnell in the evening.
Did the curio shops, but
did not buy anything.
April 17th.
On duty today.
Received news that the
N Z. Division is still at
Alexandria.
[end of page]
April 18th. Sunday.
Australian 4th Reinforcements
arriving. They are coming into
the Zeitun camp; & are
encamped on the sites of the
Otago & Wellington Old camps
In afternoon went over to the
officers marquee to write letters.
Got started, & then Captain
Bush King arrived; a few
minutes later Father Richards
arrove [sic], then came afternoon
tea, & later another padre came
in, Green.
Result only one letter written
the whole afternoon.
April 19th. In morning
engaged writing reports of
men to be boarded.
Army form B 179 (form for
invaliding) requires to be
[end of page]
filled in ^in^ triplicate in
medical officers own
handwriting.
I was kept going.
Ceylon officers came to say
goodbye – they are off home
for Commissions Major Hall Browne
going to the Surpilais [?];
Captain Blair to the Lancashires
Ferguson to the Worcesters.
Berge left 2 weeks ago with
the remainder of the C.P.R.C.
over a platoon or so to form
General Birdwood’s bodyguard.
The C.P.R.C. who got
commissions have been attached to
the Australian Reinforcements
April 20th.
Wrote reports on a
few more men.
Went to pictures in evening, and
then down to the Otago officers mess
[end of page]
April 21st.
Very hot day.
April 22nd.
Lovely and cool morning.
Went on a visit with
Padre Green, ^& masters [?]^ to south old
Cairo. Engaged a Dragoman,
Moses at Port Limoun.
Went out there in the car.
First we went to the Nilometer
on Rhoda island, crossing
the Nile, on a boat.
Obtained a lovely view of
Ghizeh from Rhoda Island.
The Nilometer, is a column
about 30 feet in height, built in
the middle of a well like chamber.
It is in the Southern end of the Island;
& the well communicates with the
Nile. Average nine of them.
Nile is about 26 ft at Cairo
[end of page]
We then crossed to Old Cairo
again and went off to visit
the Coptic Churches, which are
situated with the walls of the
old Roman fortress – the
old only remains of it, being its ruined
walls and strong gates.
First went to the ^Coptic^ Church of El-Adra,
next to the coptic church Alore Sephin [?]
Here there was were beautiful wood
carvings, mosaics, & screens; also
a mummified Arm of St Maconius [?],
used in faith healing.
Abu Singeh [?] was the next church
In its crypt, the Virgin Mary &
Child consoled [?] themselves after
their flight to Egypt
Next we went to the Mosque
of Amni [?Amr], the oldest Mosque
in Cairo; but it is partly in
ruins – contains over 200 pillars
Here we saw the pillar which
[end of page]
transported itself from Mecca
to Cairo, on being struck by with
a whip by the Caliph Omar.
The next object of interest to this
miraculous column is the
Needle’s eye. Two columns close
together, through which only men
of the highest lumite [?] can pass
through. Our guide I managed
to squeeze through twice,
& proudly sho told us he was very
good man.
The start of the aqueduct of
Saladin begins at old Cairo.
It carried water to the Citadel
about three miles off
We finished our sight seeing
about 12 oclock, then took the
tram back to Cairo & caught
the 12.30 to Zeitun.
[end of page]
April 23rd.
Went to Cairo in evening.
April 24th.
Very warm.
News of the landing of the Allies
at Bulair and Eros.
April 25th. Sunday.
Spent the day in bed, having
had vomiting and diarrhoea
early in the morning.
It was unbearable the heat.
lay in my pyjamas & singlet
simply perspiring all day.
Considerably better at night,
although feeling very dicky
on it.
April 26th.
English officers, are for
training battalion arrived
[end of page]
to supervise training of men,
and also to instruct officers.
They have all ^just^ returned from
the front; and they all speak
with hesitancy about the position
in France. They evidently have
had enough of France.
April 27th.
Colonel Will has returned from
England; he is still A.D.M.S.
N.Z. Exped. Force, & is taking
charge here again.
Dearsley, Green & self went
into Cairo to get some photos
in evening.
[end of page]
£9 – 4 – 0 articles obtained from
Govt. Stores in Wellington.
______________________________
December 12th drew £5 -0 – 0
January. 16th “ £5 -0 – 0
February. 1st £3 -0 – 0
March. 1st. £5 -0 – 0
March. 18th £15 -7 -9
April. 2nd (5522 pay) £56. 12.9
________________________________
________________________________
April 16th. £8 – 0 – 0
July £3 – 0 – 0
Sept £5 – 0 – 0
Sept £5 – 0 – 0
Oct. £7 – 0 – 0
Oct 20th £10 – 0 – 0
Dec [?Nov] 22nd £2 – 0 – 0
Dec. 13th £5 – 0 – 0
Dec. 22nd £5 – 0 – 0
Jan 11th £5 -2 – 11
[end of diary]