Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Halse war diary, 1 February 1916-4 May 1917 / E. G. Halse
MLDOC 2412
[Transcriber’s notes:
The diary describes conditions and events during the South African Horse’s East Africa Campaign from early 1916 to early 1917 in present-day Kenya and Tanzania. The diary describes in some detail the very bad conditions the troops experience: lack of food and water for both men and horses, and high levels of disease such as malaria and dysentery].
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Attested Feb. 1-1916
Left Pretoria 5 4-16 March.
Arrived Durban 7-4-16.
[Arrived] Mombassa 13-4-16
[Arrived] Maktau 14-4-16.
Left Maktau 20-4-16
Arrived Mombassa 21-4-16.
Visited The Town of Mombassa on the 26. spent all the forenoon. Marched in to Kilindini for 1st Pay, Wednesday 26th April 26th 19H6. Drew £1-0.0 15 Rupees
3./5/16
Indian Burial Party attempted to cremate corpse. Unsuccessful. Body thrown into sea. Washed ashore again at night laying exposed – for best part of day.
First fine day for a week:
5th May. Coolie still laying exposed on beach.
a Wreck near town
9th May 16 Left Mombassa for Maktau 6-p.m.
Arrived Maktau 10/5/16 – 11. a.m.
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Left Maktau May 16th BiBi
4 P.M. Passed BiBi. 5-30. 7 miles.
M Buyuni. 8. P.M. 16 Miles from Maktau
Saw first Aeroplane Fly 17th May 1916
Arrived at - ? 18th Trekked in wrong direction for Tavita – 7 miles each way (14 miles) arrived at Tavita 19th May 16. 9,30 a.m.
In sight of Saltpetre Lakes to the S.We of Tavita
Arrived at "Moschi Sat 20-5 16
4th S.A.H. Details moved off to Kondoa Irangi on Sunday 21-5-16 also Machine Gun Section S.A.H. 132 all told
Moschi at the foot of the Kilimangaro Mountains 1.800 Ft above sea level
21-22-23-24-25
Camped at Moschi
left Moschi Friday 26 May 6. am
Trekked 1.8 miles and halted at River
27. Trekked 18 miles without water
Camped at River ?
28 Trekked all Day
29 – Ditto. First Buck Guinea Fowl
30 Ditto – 31 Arrived at Loth Kassali
Lei Loth Kasallhei? 9 A.M. Wednesday
Van Deventer (said) to have captured 18 Germans and 300 or 400 askaris after an engagement "Loth Kassaila"
1-6-16 Under orders to leave at 10 a m or 4 p.m. 8 miles on to ??
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1-6-16 Left Camp Loth Kasallai
2 p.m. Trekked 8 miles. Through rough country timbered with prickly Scrub Undulating Bad water at Camp. Picket all round camp at night burning fires Lions in vicinity
2.6.16 Left Camp 4. a.m. Trekked 15 miles same Country water scarce and bad no game. camped at 7.30 a m. Trekked on at 2-p.m 12 miles camped for night bad water none for Horses or Oxen (4 Biscuits Ration Flour)
3-6-16 Trekked at 4 a.m. for 8 miles camped at Saligion (River?) Trekked till 6 pm Short Rations no water
4-6-16 Trekked 5 am till 9.30 camped at Iouyou till 11 am Trekked again till 3 p m camped for night Rough Hilly Country Boer Families settled on top of hill Spring Water (I.O.U. Iowyou)
5-5-16 Bought feed of Mealies for Horse Pienaars Heights
Lions said by owner to have taken away two head of cattle from inside of Kraal on night of 2nd June. Left Pienaars Heights 4.3 am
6-6-16 – Camped – 6-30 pm.
7.6-16 – Trekked 22 o 23 miles supposed to be 25 miles from Van Deventer – Camped 6-p.m.
7-6-16 Trekked 4.30 am. Coffee 8. am Within sound of Big Guns, supposed to reach destination to night some time. possibility of an attack en route. Reached camp 10. p.m Condorra? Kondoa Irangi
8-6-16 – Camped at K.I.? Aeroplane of ours being shelled at Daylight. Two Shells from Enemy Guns dropped close to our camp probably 800 yds. Trying to hit aeroplane after alighting
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Kondoa Irangi 8-6-16
Moved off to position in the evening about 7 or 8 miles forward to Outpost
9-6-16 Moved again about 4 miles to another position. Drafted to the 3rd Reg S.A.H. (under protest) Moved again on foot to hold position opposite Germans held by our men met Capt Stewart Osmond and lot of Krugersdorp men) to stay here indefinitely
10 6 16 Still on outpost Early morning bombardment on our right front. Germans fired 3 shots at Heliograph Stn. on our left Our fellows sniping Machine Guns brought up to our position in the evening
10 6 16 Reveille as usual stand to arms at 5 am moved at 4 pm to new position on the left shelled by Germans with Shrapnel no damage Escort to Indian Mountain Battery.
12 6 16 moved in the evening to new position in the hills 5 30 pm camped for night Ration for day Flour coffee sugar tobacco meat fresh
13 6 12 Moving up on top of hill. observation post about 50 men extreme left position able first time for week to have a wash and change clothes
Left Sive and Jimsy Fraser on the 9.6.16. saw them for a few minutes on the 11.6.16 Drafted to A. Sqd – 3rd S A H Acting Non. Com’s reduced. Reached top of hill at 6 pm after fearful climb and had then to travel another mile or so for picket post.
14-6-16 Early morning German Guns going as usual away to our right
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Rations issued Flour Coffee. Bacon
15.6.16 Reveille as usual Went to bottom of hill for water 1½ hours ½ issue of beef Two Lieutenants returned to us Been hauled over the coals for asking for carriers to bring water Probably to remain here for some time orders to hold hill
16.6-16 Stand to arms as usual 5 A.M. Rations Bread Jam Sugar, Coffee usual for two days. No picket in the evening for me
17-6-16 Observation post for 2 hours in the morning Nothing happening Bought ½ Sheep the 3rd paid boy 35 cents to bring water 7 pm Guard as usual
18 6 16 (Sunday) Usual Routine 7 am officers read to us a dispatch from Headquarters anticipated surrender of askaris Will in the event of wishing to Surrender advance with a bunch of grass held in the left hand as a token of peaceful intentions But to be extremely cautious in dealing with them as they are very treacherous (Personally I think a German Ruse) supposed to be relieved by Infantry (another probability)
4.30 Germans opened fire on the horses of the 4th with 3 guns 10 pounders 2-7 – and did some good shooting Big guns silent. no askaris came in. Not to our post not relieved
19-6-16 Monday Foggy moring Germans started as usual with big guns as soon as able to see For observation post 12 am 2 pm Received [letter] from Vi dated 1.3.16 also one from Paul wrote yesterday to Vi and Paul (6 horses killed 14 wounded by German guns on the 18th
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19- 6-16 Shifted down from hill at 3.30 relieved by dismounted men, all night in bed for a change
20/6/16 Paid £1:00 shifted camp nearer to 4th to be out of sight of German Observation Post and out of range of their Guns, Germans shelled our old camp in the afternoon and made good practice Lucky we shifted when we did – our Guns silent as usual. 4th Got their day share of shells from the G’s Outpost at night.
21-6-16 Still camped on the flats G Big Guns silent all day night 2 letters from Vi. 12th April 25 April. 4th-6th night in bed
22-6-16 Blank Day Outpost night
23-6-16 Shifted camp 5 miles east into a Kloof. Walked across and saw Sive & Jinny again. New Horse. Night in "bed." Rations issued
24-6-16 – Rum issue Picket for top of Mountain where we were before, told for four days Changed to picket for another hill. Ordered to come down in the morning false alarm came down later on and shifted camp to old place (had to walk). German’s cleared moved again in the evening a few miles [indecipherable] sick men Got an old moke to carry me [on] Horse guard
25-6-16 Sive Jinny Patrol
26-6-16 Moved at 6 a.m from Camp Same old moke got a few miles and had to return moke knocked up issued another brute as bad. reached the squadron off saddle for an hour on into camp near Kondoa Irangi Rd
Rations Bread Flour Coffee Sugar Bacon all night in bed
27-6-16 out on strong patrol A Sqd advance Sgt Hamilton B Sqd killed
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27.6-16 Doubt about Sgt Hamilton. probably lost. night in bed.
28/6/16 Went out with a party of 15 men to patrol place were Sgt H was lost saw nothing but entrenchments that the G’s evacuated. returned at night to hill 60. No Duty at night
(near Hill 60)
29-6-16 Cooking all morning, horses shod quiet day in camp. Outpost to night issue of boots. X
30/6/16 First issue of horse food (mouldy mealies) for a month new horse S135. horse claimed by 4th Sive and Jinny returned from seven days patrol night in camp
1-7-16 Saturday. Sive and Jimny re-joined us in A. Squadron Replenished out stock of food Unger etc – "Unger" Ground Corn’
2-7-16 Church Service Mail arrived 3 letters from As. 1 Vi
3rd Day in camp no duty new horse 50 40 3-7-16
4.6.16 Camp 5/6/16 Camp 6/6/16 Rations for horse
5/7.16 Camp. Still Sugar in Coffee – issue of pants and boots 6th 7th ditto Church Service 8th ditto 9th Church Service morning evening 10th ditto 11th [ditto] 12th Drill 13th Ditto – posted letters to Vi. A. Ad. Lucy. 14th ditto 15-a 16 -17 Smoking concert in evening "Marice Bolta [indecipherable]
18 Camp 19th Trekked 30 or 40 miles camped in Basin scrubby country. Sick vomiting Diarohhea
19/7/16 Camped all day Horse Guard.
21 Left Camp trekked about 5 miles returned to same camp. Bad water
24 Trekked at 8. a.m. about 25 miles. Saw dead body of askari partly devoured by
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wild beasts shot on the 20th one of a German Patrol surprised by Capt Green of the 2nd Reg at camping ground Killed one askari wounded two, pulling water from well till 8 pm.
13-7- 16 Picket all day. askari captured near camp – ex. K.A.R. Church Service
24-7-16 Horse Guard artillery arrived in camp 3 days issue of rations. out on patrol at 4 p.m about 5 miles SE in direction of Enera returned at dusk half way and camped for night. Picket Germans supposed to be in vicinity saw nothing –
25-7-16 Returned to camp at 5 a.m. camp all day –
Wed 26 7 16 Trekked till 6 pm no water or feed for horses. Advance guard ran into Germans with machine guns were the water was supposed to be. A De. Jager Staff Officer badly wounded below the heart several horses shot. Camped for night
27-7-16 Advanced 6. a.m. Long Trek no water for men or horses encounter with Germans and Machine Guns
28-7-17. Advance for water 6 miles, small sandy river supposed to be eleven miles from Dodoma Watered horses and troops unsaddled etc. [Indecipherable] ran into concealed machine guns about four, several casualties on our side. Firing continued till well into afternoon. A Sqd. shot 5 askaris 2 killed 3 wounded on hill to left – (Horses without water for 38 hours
28-7-17 Found one of the 7th Reg early in the morning laying on the road, mile from camp with dead horse been there all night (twelve hours) shot near stomach.
29-7-17 Picket all day on kopka 4 miles from camp. Patrol of 180 men left camp in direction of Dodoma Rly Line Colonel Coens we are to be relieved by 9th tomorrow Rations issue
Sunday 30/7/16 Still on kopke – into camp at 9 am. Col. Coen forestalled by the Germans who have blown up the line and retreated towards Karess[indecipherable]
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31.7.16 on Trek to rejoin our Reg with Col. Coen – probably 15 miles trek passed English Mission Station 12 am Germans have destroyed building and taken the Parson and family prisoners. Natives en route very pleased to see us (apparently) bring nuts milk eggs etc. as presents. "Kikombo" struck the line at 4 pm. Germans had destroyed bridge and blown up the pumping station. Everything will be easily repaired. Germs. supposed to have retired in direction of "Nomogama"? somewhere about 120 miles from here
1 Aug. Camping at Kikombo no Germans
2nd ditto 3rd ditto Picket at night – 3 mile from camp, fired on 3 natives at 12.30
4 Camp convoy arrived issue of Picket 3 days rations Biscuits first since Moschi
5th Sat. Camp all day picket at night.
6th Sun. Patrol called out suddenly Germans in neighbourhood false alarms.
7th Camp guard o’night our native prisoners cattle stealing
7 Camp all day outpost dismounted at night.
8.8-16 Aeroplane passed over camp going over railway line picket at night
9/8/16 Camp Picket at night
Left Kikombo at 7. a.m. 10/8/16 on a 80 mile patrol A & B Sqd. – 100 men – camped first night at big pan great rejoicing among the [indecipherable]
11-8-16 Trekked on to water halted 25 men stay behind Remainder move on towards another village 16 miles away.
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11/8/16 Camped for night half way. Horse Guard
12/8/16 Move off at 5 am to village. Natives turn out in numbers armed with Bows & arrow Spears etc. apparently expecting things to happen. Germans too strong on "ahead" Camp at 7 am. for 3 hours. leave 25 men and return towards camp. Camp at 12 pm till 3 p.m. and move off for the first 25 men
Camped for night. Move off at 7 am. for Railway line – Natives capture two askaris who tell us that our troops have occupied Gulwe (Mpapau) on the Railway line about 50 or 60 kilos from "Kikomba" E.
Trek all day through hilly and scrubby country – no water for horses camped at night about 6 miles from Gulwe no water.
15/8/16 Arrived at Gulwe Stn at 7.am. Germas as usual destroyed pumping plant – Trek on 6 miles more for water big swamp. Plenty water first for 48 hours. Learn that Mpapua has been taken by the 9th and Infantry some casualties. Capt. Green of the 2nd Reg. gone forward to the next Station. picket at night bought sheep first meat for 4 days. Rations and mail expected to day. no news since the 13 June;
16-8-16. Old Letter from (P) Sive – arrived in camp at 11 am. Rations issued 5 days. In camp all day. "No Duty".
17.8.16. Anniversary – 17.8-75 Camp all day. picket at night
18-8/16 Trekked on about 5 miles to fresh camp on Swamp close to Rly Line Big Guns going in distance. Heard of severe engagement between our troops and Germs at some place on ahead. German Guns played a prominent part.
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Reported our casualties about 45 ascertained complete report not to hand – engagement reported to have lasted 9 hours. G’s entrenched and guns well hidden "Kidette? Rly. Stn.
Moving at 5 p.m to rejoin the Brigade on past Kidette? B. Sqd. on Patrol Camp till 3. a.m. at 9 – move off and arrive at Kidete at 7-am. Casualties in recent fighting amount according to Doctor 6 killed 16 wounded No Trains captured – one train overturned and abandoned, contained clothing chiefly. Camping with our Brigade to night:– Rations issued for 4 days again unlimited supply of mealies for horses.
18-8-16 In camp all day
20/8/16. Trek at 4. a.m for Kilossa Station Stopped in neck by German big guns all the afternoon.
(Kilossa Military Station) Camp in same position have to climb big hill at night on picket.
21 – Trek at 5. a.m ½ mile across Rly Line and off saddle. Germans start shelling position where Howitzer’s and Headquarters staff are camped Kept it up intermittently all day. one 9th Reg severely wounded and few horses killed (wounded trooper since reported dead) Up saddle at 3 p.m. to reinforce Major Wilson or Wilkinson of the 2nd Reg. Trek about 7 miles over awful hills leading horses – arrive about dark. Everybody on picket. Our Guns fire a few big shells into Kilossa about 7-p.m. about 4 or 5 miles distant from our outpost.
22/8/16 Trek on into Kilossa & arrive at 8. a.m. Germans retired South towards Iranga. Kilossa prettiest place seen up to date Camp on S. side of town. Two or three false alarms during day: Our patrols fired on and some
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horses shot. Banks on Patrol in evening
23/8-16 Our Reg 3rd moved off out 6 a.m in direction where shooting took place yesterday. Sive and self left in camp horses broke away in evening
Sgt. Smithdorf killed yesterday. warned for firing party at 2 p.m. to day.
Went to funeral – one of firing party.
Moved camp 100 yds. Patrol came in at dark – horse guard.
24-8-16 Camp Kilossa Rumours of shifting forward this afternoon wrote letter to Aunt – Leave at 1.30 pm all mounted men 3rd 4th 9th 1st 2nd Regs in direction of Monogora. 3rd Ammunition Guard. Trek all night, worst night on record only 1 hour sleep heavy dew and slept without blankets Trek on ’till 5. a.m.
25/8/16 camp for one hour breakfast reach camp at 1.p.m. 24 hours trekking men and horses exhausted. Leaving camp again at 6.p.m. for Rly Line W. Side of Monogora – with Ammunition waggons. 20 mile trek to do and do quickly Trekking postponed till tomorrow
Red X Mission at Kilossa contained 5 white and 200 askaris sick and wounded Kilossa 150 kilos from "Kikombo"
26 Still camping at River order to trek at 9. a.m. postponed till some time this afternoon. difficulty getting transport across river Trekked at 12 am. a few miles and camped for night. Bad country for transport lots of timber
27.8-16 Trek at daylight and join
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up with Britts column. Enslins Horse
Rations 3 days overdue. Trek on 5 miles into hills south of Monogora. Germans somewhere in hills Enslins had several encounters previous to our arrival say Germans destroyed [indecipherable] Ammunition in hills and abandoned 9 pounder. Tremendous range of hills like Kilimanjaro minus the Snow anticipate plenty of climbing Church service on arrival in camp. Anticipations realised re climbing.
28-8 16 Trek on foot 6. a.m. through mountains trekking all day. awful climbing. Horses come to meet us at night back to camp.
29-8-16 Continue Hill climbing all day trying to get to German Mission Station. Struck Mission at 2.p.m after a hard days climb picket at night raining, good soaking no rations for 6 or 7 days once issued yesterday no time to cook. ("MGeta")
30-8-16 Shift camp a few miles beyond mission station still raining. to days rations on the road for us. Lord knows when we will get them ("MGeta" Mission Station)
German Naval officers at MGeta Mission sick from the Koeningsburg. "Monogora" supposed to have been taken within the last day or so General Northey reported to only have taken ‘Irangi’ lately, reported taken month ago. All the Generals having a consultation back at last camp (fine night) Stable guard
31-8-16. Rations arrived from the 2nd Reg. the only decent issue we have had since we left the line "Davy Bremmer" wounded at the fire
Moving camp some time to day busy cooking all the morning still no mail. 3 of the 9th wounded and two killed yesterday on ahead
Rations of Bisciuts, Rice, Meal Tobacco, Bacon & Jam. Red Letter day. Picket on top of hill till 12 pm relieved by dismounted men Hell of a climb both up and down. Davy Bremmer sent to Mission Station till cured
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Sept 1st 1916 Left Camp near Mission Station at 6. a.m, trekked through hills leading our horses till 1 p.m some very stiff hills to climb Trekking tomorrow at 5. a.m. Germans evidently going South. Night in Camp
2-9.16 Stand to arms at 5 am till 6.am. offsaddle at 6. a.m. waiting for orders Five different columns of ours supposed to be in vicinity.
Monogora fallen 4 or 5 days ago. News of Roumania having joined the allies. 10.am Trekked off to the hills again per foot to take another Mission Station climbed some awful hills arrived at the place we camped 3 4. p.m. Stayed for night. 4th 5 aM on our left 2nd and other regiments acting in conjunction on the other wing. Picket at night.
3.9-16 Reveille at 5.30 am move off in direction of Mission Farm & Hospital. more hills. they seem endless and bigger each day. camp for a while at 12 30 within mile or so of Mission for snack. Germans supposed to be in possession of hills on other side Station (I have my doubts)
Chingara "Dorp". Reached Station Farm afternoon and camped for night Germans Gone
Plenty of entrenchments Kaffirs looted the Germans Houses before leaving furniture all broken up. picket.
4-9-16 Colonel and Staff arrive on scene "everything safe". Shift camp further up the hill might in camp.
5.9.16 Another patrol on foot Sive an Jinmy Fraser Banks and self left in camp. Time expired for rations and no hope of getting any more
Shift camp at 3 pm further on into neck and camp for night. plenty dead cattle all along the road. G’s not far ahead. big guns going in distance
6. Warned for patrol mounted 10 am. patrolled for about 5 miles. passed 2nd Reg camped at a Farm House they had burned.
Scout fired on about 2 miles ahead of us by G. rear guard camped and sent out a picket of D. Sqd till 6 pm. returned to camp for night.
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7.9-16 Whole of camp shifted forward towards Kisaki. Our sqd advance guard Germans burning every thing in the way of stores as they retire. Got to Depot Mumto in evening after exchanging few shots with rear guard. Everything burning including lots of ammunition camped at waterholes.
8/9/16
Advance Guard for "Kisaki" Military Depot and struck the hottest time the regiment has experienced retired at Dark. no water all day and boiling hot. retired at night to water holes we left previous in morning everybody tired out. on the move from 5 am Friday till 4 am Sat no food or water most of the horses finished Germans in a hell of a strong place.
Big list of casualties Sive another dose of fever. Jinmy’s horse finished.
Major Cowey Lieut Flyme. Anderson. Killed lot of B Sqd. missing. and probably 17 wounded
8-9-16 Laid at Waterholes till 12 pm then move on in direction of camp. stay with 4th Reg for night. our people at water 6 miles away. Sam Harris & Tiffin. Cottingham among the missing
9 Going forward to rejoin our own Reg Joined up at 9. a.m camped for day. Major Cowey buried back at the 4th Reg Camp near field hospital. camp for night at "MGeta" River with 5th 6th Infantry
Germans release wounded prisoners of of ours on parole – promise not to take up arms against the German Govt again. Medically treated by Germans on that Condition
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11-9-16. Monday no orders to move Big Guns going in distance. Supposed to be General Sheppard camp for day
12-9-16 Camp "Rations"
13.9.16 Going forward to take Ammunition to General Sheppard supposed to be 14 miles distant
12.9.16 Rations for six days 3rd of a small cup of rice 2 broken bisciutss 1 cup flour 1 tea Spoon baking powder 1 spoon coffee (sugar 2 spoons full mealie meal 1½ cup for four men.
13-9-16. Trekked on 14 miles East as Escourt to carriers with munitions arrived at dark. camped on small river. few sniping shots on road. Left Sive on River Horse lost. Escourt to ammunition
14-9-16 Moved at 8. a.m Through long grass and scrub camped at 6. p.m 9th Advance Shot one askari and one German wounded and prisoner German outposts sniping in afternoon
15-9-16. Germans shooting at our men in the morning. 2nd Brigade fighting most of day Germans shifted from the river towards the evening. out on mounted patrol in afternoon on Kisaki Rd got an askari carrier [indecipherable] from the Germans. One Officer killed one wounded of the 2 Brig Rumour Kisaki evacuated. Lieut Myburg and ten men gone in to verify
last day of escort ammunitions
16.9.16 Moved on in direction of G [indecipherable] guard, our maxims fire a few shots all the mounted men dug in 9th 4th 5th 6th 3 and 4th Mealies for breakfast.
Most of all regiments forward on foot G’s still in same position Germans sniping all day our men dug in all day got back to camp 1-30 am (Kisaki evacuated) 2 days ago) Gen Britts men in place everything burned
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Result of fighting on the 8th outside "Kisaki" 74 wounded Germans in Hospital 100 wounded askaris, killed no account. Unfit to travel further including some Dutchmen 40 odd. (about 300 casualties
17.9-16 Most of our men forward on foot. 4th Battery arrive at last. 13 pounder quick firers. Rations again very small 1 teaspoon flour ditto rice 3 spoons sugar one biscuit baking powder 1 spoon 1 lb tin beef for three men
shooting intermittently all day heavy firing before daybreak on the 18th five men back in camp none of the 3rd
18th Firing stopped at day break almost as soon as our big guns opened. on orderly for the day for the 3rd Lots of Generals about. Gen Britts. Majors Gen Nussey Enslin Hartigan something on the move I suppose. Germans apparently in good position entrenched Still in same camp all our fellows entrenched
Rations again to day for one day. Cup of flour Coffee Sugar. 2 spoonsful rice 1 cup 3 men All our sqd ordered to advance on foot to new position left flank extreme of 2nd Reg. Lots of big gun shooting on our right some distance away. presumed to be Gen. Hosken. We dug two lots of trenches. per bayonet. hard work. Sive sent me some cigarettes 17th Jinmy Fraser and I together 19-9-16
20th Everything quiet. a Patrol mounted going out from our camp to day (Wrote to Albert) News of Gen Hosken having captured 1 comp askaris, 30 Germans killed. "Report Denied" Laying in trenches all day Usual shooting in afternoon maxims 13 pounders [indecipherable]
Rain all night Laying in mud
21 Still in trenches still raining still the usual shooting miserable day rum at night sleep in trenches
Rheumatism troubling me.
22 / Relief supposed to come out to day the 9th, only a little rain last night. Hope weather clears chance of drying clothes
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no relief. Germans make a half hearted attack on the right. Rations flour, rice 1 cup each sugar 1 spoon tobacco-tin of bully 2 men
23.-9-16 Relieved at 9. am. to go back to camp for a day or so Quiet day
Rheumatism getting bad again rum issued night in camp
24 Sunday. In camp saw the Doctor for Rheumatics ordered back to rest camp 2 miles in rear rejoined Sive. Rumours of whole Reg. being sent back for a rest for a month and to be re equipped Everybody in rags and barefooted. Rain still hanging about. rest camp full of poor devils with fever fearful country plenty big game Elephants Hippos crocodiles etc.
25.9.16. Still in rest camp. Georg Cottinghams body found in the long grass partly burned (2 days ago) No doubt about poor old Sam Harris death; Issue of rations 1 cup flour. 3 bisciuts ½ cup rice sugar ¾ cup 3 men. 1 box matches 8th lb tobacco to last for four days. Still in rest camp.
26-9-16 Sick Parade rest camp full of sick men / still in rest camp
Rumour of 1st Brigade going to Morogora for rest:– Patrol of 3rd Reg gone to Van Deventer about 30 miles
27 No Rations arrived yet. 1 Biscuit 2 spoons coffe & Sugar "Darawa" Rest Camp
28 Rest Camp 7 Biscuits 2 Spoons Coffee 2 sugar. ¼ fresh meat rations. Set of men going to Morogora from Hospital sick on waggons
29 Left Camp per horse for rest camp direction of Monogora Trekked 12 miles camped for night Rations 2 days 12 Biscuits Coffee Sugar 2 Spoons
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30/9/16 Trekked at daybreak about 6 miles and camped for breakfast trekked on again about 12 miles feeling rotten raining camp at dark.
Sunday 1-10-16 Reveille 5. am Still feeling rotten moved at 11 am about a mile handed over sound horses to go back. Sive went to Hospital Rations for two days bisciuts 12 coffee Sugar 2 spoons each ½ lb meat
1.10.16 40 men got a lift in towards Morogora per wagon
2-10-16 Camping same place probably here for some time waiting for transport Nearly all the remainder of men walk on towards river given as 12 miles probably 15 or 20 (not me) to sick Rations again for 4 days biscuits 12 coffee sugar 2 s. fresh meat
3.10/16 Spent a horrible night no sleep and dreadful head. Hope we soon get transport and get out Joe Ashton went to Hospital yesterday
4th 10/16 Still feeling very rotten. sent to Hospital 4 pm thank the Lord Roof over us at last
5th 6th Still Hospital Left for Morogoro per Motor Car arrived late at night via Kisia? [Marked X with corrected spelling at end of page.] 30 miles per car and 15 per rail motor rail reached the hospital about 9 p.m. "bed" the first since Jan.
7th Hospital – Light diet, and Quinine 3 times per day. Saw "Sive" from the Convalacent Camp. feeling better after night in bed
8th Sunday. Hospital feeling a lot better Dr. promised I can rejoin Sive at Convalescent Camp. ordered to go to Remount Camp no transport
MKissia X
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9th Waiting to go to Remount camp still no transport hope to get away to night. Got away per mule Transport.
10th In Detail Camp 1 days rations Mail parcel from Vi. 1 letter No 10 from aunt 1 Mrs B. 1 paper
11th Detail Camp Jimny Fraser rejoined this morning 3 days rations
12th Camp 2 miles from "Morogoro" men left behind at Kikombo rejoined Hetherington & Co.
13th Camp
14th [indecipherable] Sive paid us a visit from the convalescent camp – Rations Flour. Rice. Sugar, Coffee, Tobacco, Salt, Bacon, 1 box matches
Sunday 15th Camp Church Service. Lot of remounts arrived
15 Camp 16th ditto Rations 2 days
17 Camp 18 Camp Sive joined yesterday from Convalescent Camp Rations Paid 15 Rps £1 – first for 5 months
19 Camp no meat yesterday 3rd time in a week Horses issued
20/9/16 [20/10/16] Camp walked into Morogora for a meal. Horses issued to fit men.
21. Camp 22nd Ditto [indecipherable] Guard. 100 Horses lost
23rd Out looking for lost horses met "Lundie" of the 2nd
24 Camp
25 Camp Dinner with Dennis
26 Horse Guard Comforts issued 1 Bag Tobacco 5 pkts Flags between 2 men Unfit men gone back. Joe Ashton supposed to be for Union
27 Camp Issue of clothes Pants Trousers 2 Socks, Shirt, Puttees, Towell
28 Sick Parade Rheumatics.
29 Sive gone back to Sick camp en route for Daresaalam or Nynberg 850 men of the 1st Mounted Brigade Unfit.
HQ orderley for day saw Dennis.
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30. Camp. Rumours of moving shortly 4th lost 5 men killed about the 26th about Kodoma. Supposed to be a force of Germans coming from Tabora. Belgians in pursuit. Gen Northey lost a Colonel captured and some men Germans said to have had the worst of deal
30 Camp. Visited Dennis
31 Visited Sive at Detail Camp 5 mile walk – 9th Reg 150 Strong left for Kilossa
1-11-16 Received parcel from Vi. no letters
2.11.16. Orderley Room orderley
2. Parcel from Vi Letters from Harry
3-4-5-6 Same routine
7 Camp on sick parade
8 News of Gen Northey’s Force having had an engagement somewhere near Rufige River Germans 200 casualties and lost 80 prisoners Our casualties 25 Kaiser Conferred high honor on German Commander Von Letta-Vorobeck
3rd 3rd reg left for Kilossa. I am left behind temporarily unfit
6th Saw Sive in Morogora. Sive had bad attack fever
7th Sick again myself. 8th Sick. bad dysentry
9th Saw Dr ordered to do no duty whatever and am to be examined by board first opportunity. Tin of oxo – 1 milk
10th still feeling rotten, dysentry.
11th Feeling pretty dicky still. Sgt Rabie of the 3rd buried to day "Blackwater"
Dennis came across to visit me – a batch of men passed unfit returned to day as fit
12 Visited Dennis and missed the Medical Board Bad Luck
[Page 22]
13-11-16 Orders to shift camp at 7 am to day. 11 pm now no sign of waggons moved camp at 5. pm about a mile and half E of Morogoro above aviation camp better camp than the last close to water
14th Nov Wrote to Vi and Aunt.
15 Received letter from Addie and one from Harry Butler. Wrote
16 Nov. Unfit men left for Daresalam 7. a.m. to day. 200 hundred observation cases expected in from Kilossa
17th Wrote to Vi. Ad. Harry. B.
18 Visited Dennis went for a ride up to old Detail camp in Phaeton
19 First train from Dar essalaam to Morogoro arrived on the 17th visited Dennis had lunch.
20 usual Routine
21st walked up the hill trying to purchase poultry or eggs no luck
22 Visited Dennis. Met Tim Thompson in hospital Gen Britts in Town
23/11/16 24-25-26 Usual Routine Camp
27 Camp Routine Y.MC.A sent up a few necessaries soap etc
28-11-16 News of surrender of 63 Germans 200 askaris one Howitzer three machine Guns somewhere in the Iringa District.
29 All saddles and bridles to be handed in tomorrow
30/11/16 Routine as usual attack of fever again
1.12.16 Routine still fever
2-3-4 Authentic news of Gen Northeys Force having had an encounter with Germans somewhere South G. N. force buried 71 Germans 300 askaris 500 prisoners – result of months work. Good Work.
5-6 Routine as usual
7th News of 3 of our motor cars being captured and burned on the Morogoro Kisaki Kisaki Rd
[Page 23]
Medical examination of 2nd Brig and 9th Wrote to Vi.
8th Medical examination for whole camp to select men to relieve infantry on lines of communication. Infantry to go forward. I am passed as Unfit.
9 Camp. Routine
10 Went for a walk to Mission Station in forenoon.
11.12 13-14 Ditto [Note in margin: 14th]
16 paid £1-00 16-17-18 Ditto camp 19th Camp
20/12/16 30 men from our camp (unfit) for Dar es salaam en route for Union J Banks among the number
22-23 40 more men left for Dar Es Salaam en route for Union Xmas Comforts Tobacco Cigarettes Potted meat
Raining
24 Left Morogoro at 8 pm. for D E Salaam. arrived 9 am 25/12/16 hell of a journey
25/12/16 drew Kit again for trip home expect to leave for Union to day or tomorrow. Banks, Street & Co still in camp D E S probably leave together
26/12/16 Made a false start for ship at 5.30 am 6 am. order cancelled still waiting a possible chance of going to day –
27-12-16 Leaving to go aboard. 5.30. AM. Left Dar Es Salaam 8.45 am per lighter and tug got to within a mile of our ship and then turned back for some unexplained reason (The Tug too light popular rumour)
28/12/16 Marched down to wharf again, all sailing orders cancelled. our third attempt to get away
[Page 24]
29/12/16 Dar E. Salaam Another attempt to get away from here at 6.30 AM no luck.
Got parcel from Albert in afternoon Pipe Soap Tea Tobacco Cigarettes etc
30/12/16 No attempt this morning to get away. abandoned apparently for the present.
31/12/16 Dar E. S No word of moving to day –
1-1-17 Dar. Es Salaam no word of shifting
2-1-17. D. E Salaam. Rumours of pay to day but no word of ship for home Paid £2.0.0.
3/1/17 No word of moving yet – Kit Bags brought back to camp after being on lighter for a week.
4/1/17 Still in Camp Daressalaam.
5-1-16 Ditto Feed of oysters
2 letters from "Aunt" dated 18th Dec.
6 Jan 17 D. E Salaam. Very bad last night vomiting pains in stomach fish poison
7 Jan D. E Salaam
8th Dar Es Salaam.
9th Rumour of our leaving here tomorrow per Professor Noerman Roll call at 4 p.m. to day for all unfit men
10-1-17. Roll Call 6 am no leaving to day
Still feeling rotten stomach bad. Wrote to Albert an Vi 8/1/17
11-1 17 No sailing to day feeling much better, still no mail
12/1/17 No Ship feeling OK. for a change. Wrote to Jinmy "Fraser"
[Page 25]
13/1/17 Still waiting – Ship in this morning wondering if it is for us
14/1/17 Sunday. Professor Neorman in the harbour but apparently not for us
Galway Castle Hospital Ship in. One + left yesterday for the Union Answered Mrs. Bs letter
15. Another ship in this morning
16-1-17. No News
17. To leave for home per S.S. Professor on the 20th Jan D.V. Camp Inspection by Inspector General Communications. Capt Richardson likened the men in camp to swine wallowing in their own filth
18-1-17 Concert in camp last night given by the crew of H.M. Ship Challenge. very excellent programme. Col Prince informed us that we are to sail Saturday 20/1/17 per Proffessor Noerman, general rejoicing by those who are to sail (Unfit?)
19. Medical Inspection to see who are fit to travel tomorrow per Proffessor.
20/1/17 Embarked at 10,30. am Gen Smutts came on board 12 sailed 12,30
21-1-17 Calm day at Sea. Food on board rotten
22/1/17 Passed Mozambique between 9. a.m. 10 a.m. Calm Sea
23/1/17 Calm out of sight of land since 4 pm. 22-1-17
24/1/17 supposed to reach Delagoa Bay some time to day. In sight of land all day from 9. am. arrived at Delagoa Bay. 6. a.m. 25/1/17 Smutts. V.L. Verter & Staffs disembarked at 9. a.m. sailed again at 9.30. Durban sometime tomorrow.
26-1-17 Sighted Durban 9-30 am arrive 11-a.m. Came ashore 1-pm. Paid 2.30 pm 3£
[Page 26]
27/1/17 Saw Doctor for bad cold sent to Hospital. Admitted 12 am Malarial Fever to spend two days at least
28/1/17 Hospital Quinine twice a day.
29-1 17 Lot of men leaving for Pretoria Hospital to day. Temperature 100 Sent to bed. dosed for fever still a rotten cold
30/1/17 Still in bed – allowed up in the afternoon met some Australian Ladies Visitors.
31-1-17. out of Bed but not allowed down to Town. Inspection of Hospital today
1-2.17. Train for Pretoria 11-20 am
Standerston 8-30 am 2/2/17
Germiston Pretoria 2 pm
Cantonments 3.30 pm (For ten days)
3rd 4th 5th 6th asked to be boarded promised to day or tomorrow
8th Particulars taken for Boa[rding]
9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th To be Boarded practically 2 pm.
Home to JoBerg Saturday 17th Feb. 1917
Rejoined May 4th for G E Africa
[Pages 27 to 34 contain various notes and lists – not transcribed.]
[Transcriber’s notes:
Bibi spelt BiBi
Dar es Salaam variously spelt Daresaalam, Daresalam, Dar essalaam, D E Salaam, D E S etc
German Commander Von Letto-Vorbeck spelt Von Letta-Vorobeck
Iringa spelt Iranga
Kilimanjaro sometimes spelt Kilimangaro
Kilosa spelt Kilossa
Mgeta spelt MGeta
Mombasa spelt Mombassa
Morogoro sometimes spelt Monogora or Morogora
Mpwapwa spelt Mpapau or Mpapua
Moshi spelt Moschi
Rufiji River spelt Rufige
Taveta spelt Tavita
Place names are often misspelt and not all place names mentioned are positively identified or confirmed
There is frequent mention of friends Sive and Jimmy (or Jimsy/Jinny/Jinmy) Fraser but the spelling of the latter’s first name is not clear.
With regard to the diary itself:
The writing is often difficult to read and some parts appear to have been overwritten, possibly at a later date. Entries are brief and sometimes cryptic and punctuation is erratic. ]
[Transcribed by Barbara Manchester for the State Library of New South Wales]