Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Frank Valentine Weir diary excerpts, letters and news clippings, 24 June 1915-1 August 1918
MLMSS 1024/3/Item 6

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Copy from my War Diary

5/1/17
Regiment paraded at 1530 = 3.30 [indecipherable] to SHEIK ZOW AIB [indecipherable] till 0130 = 1.30Am night of 8/9 = 8th " & 9th then marched on RAFA
9/1/17
A Squadron formed Mount Guard.
B – "– in Advance , attacked RAFA at dawn being in touch with 2"L.H. On right their N.Z.M.R. Brigade – (New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade) covered by guns of Ayrshire Battery M.G.S = Machine Gun Squadron.
Enemy strongly entrenched & reserved fire till we advanced along sunken road. ENEMY rifle fire commenced at 1100 yards. Our LINE was held up at 1145 = 11.45 Am. when 300 yards West of MUDHUT
At 1300 = 1 pm we pushed on to ridge C3 above Big Tree VIDE MAP. Took 24 prisoners out of enemy trenches. At this time Major IRWIN was wounded & we had 1 killed and 13 other ranks wounded.
At 1400 = 2pm our advanced troops were shelled by guns on our right thought to be our own

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Casualties now 2 killed and 20 other ranks wounded also 2/Lieut HORDHERN. Our first aid Regimental Post was in sunken road under telephone LINE see Map of RAFA. Our LEWIS guns were well forward with their respective squadrons & 1 machine gun was in position in enemy trench.
At about 1500 = 3 pm our communications were interrupted while 1 mile of cable was got from Signal Officer as we were short [indecipherable] Helio. Fresh S.A.A. (Small arms ammunition was here brought up in bags & Bandoliers. At about 1600 = 4pm rapid fire was ordered & at about 1630 = 4.30 pm the N.Z.M.R. was seen coming over Hill E’55 Redoubt. The First Regiment charged & the Turks surrendered
Our casualties 2 officers wounded. 3 other ranks killed & 28 wounded.

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Evacuation
If you ask me to tell you more re evacuation. Ill try -
Parties were arranged to gradually withdraw on the Sunday 20/12/15 night – leaving a very thin line to hold the trenches to the last, a "Keep" or place of refuge if driven back was formed with water & rations & ammunition, but my orders were to stay in the trench to the last & this order I repeated –
Cuth Fetherstonhough & Alan Gullett both Lieutenants were given sectors under me & we were allowed to pick our few men.
I have the roll of our men – viz
Corporal Kelly
Corporal Mychall)
Sgt Broome ) Tumut boys
Cpl Smithers from Guigne Station
Sgt Frost a Corporal in my troop in S Africa
Tpr Chapman (now an officer)
- Holland
- Fraser
- Bonduson (Bookkeeper from Colombo Plains St
L/Cpl Kingsford
We left the trench at 5 minutes past 4

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on Monday morning, reaching Walkers pier at 4.25 Am – doing in 20 minutes what used to take an hour –
We ran all the way, with Soks on our boots to hide the sound – The big mine with all the surplus High Explosives being fired just as we entered the MAORI sap from No 1 Outpost, a terrific explosion & now the Turks fired everything they had. At the wharf were Colonel ANTILL & the embarkation officer & about 5 others behind us as our barge steamed out they got with another tug on the opposite side of the pier there were no others –
I left in my dugout, Blankets, rubber boots & kit that I could not carry & a letter to Johnny Turk asking him to give any of our prisoners or wounded a fair go –
The hours were long waiting, to add to the deception we walked about the trench coughed & kept firing from different positions. I had spare rifles loaded & placed in position & plenty of bombs, but

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the Turks never suspected us, & we could hear them digging away as usual, improving their trenches or sapping towards us, but while they were digging we knew they did not intend to charge –
Cuth had saved a bottle of whisky & we both had a nip & shared it with the men about midnight -
To be on the alert & in suspense from sundown till 4 in the morning is a long strain, but the men did it well –
I had a telephone from the ops of No 1 Outpost to regimental Head Quarters & so on to Brigade – Reported every half hour but at the finish the Operator at Reg H – Qts cut off before ringing me up so I sent my operator on foot to [indecipherable] what was wrong – he returned panting hard after climbing up the hill , saying "they are all waiting for you hurry up, we are behind time now" –
Of course it took some minutes to gather my men. Got word to Cuth so that when we did reach the

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rendezvous with No 2 Outpost, our O/C Major Granville swore at us being late – We then with the men from No 2 Outpost under Capt Harris commenced the jog trot to the beach –
I often wonder what was going on in Johnny Turks mind – what was in my mind was where shall I crawl if wounded knowing that the Navy would shell every bit of our trenches in the morning when the Turks came & blow out any wounded.
We must admit to hearing a tremendous lot of war stories Blankets oil sheet etc as the Bivoucks were built of these & had to be left so as not to arouse suspicion the night before when the enemy aircraft made their usual reconnaissance - We threw the bolts away of surplus rifles & buried or sent to the bottom of the sea ammunition & bombs –
Someday Cooks Tourists will have boats running to Anzac & many

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of the poor fellows graves will be kept in memory –
Coming away from the wharf bullets flew all over us but the Barge had an iron deck & we lay flat Climbing on board the SS. Two men accidentally fired their rifles hitting the iron side of the boat near the ships Quartermaster who in good strong sailor language told them he "was no b------ Turk" The rifles being still full cock, climbing up a rope ladder it was an easy matter to loose ‘em off –
We then went to Lemnos Island, where the 13th Infantry landed with us & we all marched through the mud to our camp, the Highlanders played their pipes as we & the nurses from No 3 A.G.H.,(where I now be) came & gave us a cheer –
It was lovely to see the gunboats & heavy naval guns traversing every yard of our late trenches, the whole

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hillsides appeared to be an active volcano –
I think all of us thought of our dead mates , our own wounds & our own escapes but I must confess to a feeling of thankfulness to our Maker for getting away from such a hell on earth. I dreaded the winter, the Blizzard was enough & I was suffering from dysentery at the time, & knew in my own heart I’d never see it through. Altho’ my Batman had buried a case of Biscuits & a c/- of Bully Beef for the black days ahead when our men would be on short rations owing to the rough weather –
We had only the open sea, & I never knew the waves so cruel as there, quiet some days & then a fury washing the bodies of the landing party up on the beach with their Bandoliers still on my Batman used to get up early & go for wood (washed up on the beach) one morning he

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picked up an arm by mistake (but noting these horrors it is all over now)
I told you I drew a sketch of our position showing the Island of Imbros & the warships etc:- [indecipherable] some day you might with me to help you paint me a picture of it as you did for Joe – I still have it in my mind & may attempt it this afternoon but I’m tired now –
All in my love little mother

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[ Map Sketch]

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20th June 19[indecipherable]

Tell [indecipherable] that I heard from McKay yesterday that he is all right. I have not seen him yet.
J [indecipherable] B

Dear old Weir
Thanks muchly for your note per Franklyn I have been meaning to write for some time now but I am a poor correspondent and conditions here don’t lend themselves to letter writing. I am afraid I cant give you much information except that the regt is holding its own with the [best. H.V.V. is doing very well but is a little fussy over small things. I really don’t have much to do with him as I have been more or less detached from the Rgt from the start. [indecipherable] is well for that matter so is every one here except for a few colds. Old Gran was the surprise packet. The night the black b--- attacked us he had the hot corner & he handled his men like a good one. He was up on the back of the parapet, how he did not get hit was a marvel [indecipherable]. Hor is much the same as ever you cant get much out of him. The wounded lads will be able to give you a better idea of

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the position than I can. My SS M Knight went to the hospital ship today with a bout of rheumatic fever I think. It is frightfully hot here during the day time today being the hottest day but after the sun goes down it is beautiful. How have you been getting on [indecipherable] work if not too pleasant found [indecipherable] engage. Tell the C.O. that the 15 men he has in training will be most useful. I have another 12 myself at work now. Glad all the horses are fit particularly the roan mare. If you ever get in touch with Sgt Elliot would you try & get a prismatic compass from my saddle wallet & my quart pot & hang on to them

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I don’t want to lose that compass. I suppose Cairo is the same except for the heat. The flies are nearly as bad here as there but they are not quite so tame. Is the Continental still open. I don’t mind telling you we would not mind a day in there just now A hot bath a good meal & a long [indecipherable] are about the 3 things we want most now. Particularly as they have knocked over our rum ration. The reason I believe is that two lads got a bit too much & got up on the parapet & had a race for a bout 20 or 30 yards.
Things have been very quiet lately. I have not seen a Turk for over a fortnight but they are still there as you would soon find out if you put your head over the parapet. The Turks put a few shells over the hills down the valley occasionally & an old Indian Gurka was heard to remark "One shrapnel Englishman he dive into dug out, two shrapnel Indian he dive dugout, three shrapnel Australian sings out b---y bas--- & goes on with his work". It is pretty true too Well goodbye old chap with best wishes to the CO. I am
Yours till the bed breaks
J [indecipherable] Broadbent

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PENINSULAR
GALLIPOLI
To Lieut Weir
Heliopolis
27/5/15

Dear Weir
Well we are right in the thick of it and are getting just as much fighting as anyone can wish for. The trenches are now very good and they are really the safest place in the whole outfit.
Poor old Paddy May was shot dead about a week ago and a lot of the men which we brought over have gone. Con Gilroy was badly wounded and is reported dead but one not sure about him.
We have lost about twice the number as [indecipherable] with you & I in the A42
in same places in the Firing line we are throwing bombs and their effect is very demoralising. Nickolls & Edmonds are both wounded & I think that Nickolls is sure to lose an arm.
The men are being wonderfully well fed. I think better than when they were in Camp. The country is absolutely impossible for Light Horse to work over yet It is really wonderful

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how the infantry ever got here because some of the hills are so steep that you have to crawl up to the trenches.
We granted the enemy an 8 hours armistice the other day and I was in charge of one of the burial parties.
The ground in front of our trench was litterally covered with dead Turks & the sight & smell was simply awful.
The Turks charged on several occasions and were simply mowed down by our fire. They even got into our trenches in places but did not live long there.
If they are sending any more men over you had better try and send Thomas.
The weather here has been simply glorious and we are all living in dugouts in the side of the hills. That is when we are not in the firing line. We went straight into the trenches when we arrived and remained there for [indecipherable].
They have no horses here but [indecipherable] pack mules.
We are allowed to go down to the beach at times for a swim and it is always very acceptable.
It was reported this morning that Roy Hor had died from wounds, but I would not like say for sure. Old C.F. Cox was wounded through the leg and Bridges has died from wounds. Time and paper is precious here so will have to say adieu and will hope to see you with us soon
Kind regards
J.J. McMillan

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1.L H.
Trenches
28/6/15

(Popes Hill)

Dear Frank
Many thanks for letter
I would have written long ago but no one has any envelopes, send along some old sport. They are the scarcest thing on the Penla .I have now to enclose them in Miss Christains letter & have asked her to forward to you
The lads who have arrived at Heliops must have given you all the news. We are in the trenches here on top of a damn high ridge and are just hanging on till a general move. There is a heavy bombardment going on at the Cape now & there is a lot of movement among the ships.

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I say old sport, most of us are fearfully short of tobacco & matches – somehow[indecipherable] – could you persuade the Col to send along say £25 worth of tobacco (say Havelock) & say ½ a packet of matches per man
We are (the Regt) reduced down to about 300 now. ( Why cant we get some reinforcements. You don’t know & none of you over there either) We also want envelopes & paper very badly. Will write you fully when I get [indecipherable] to post paper. When you write enclose envelope & paper for reply. I hear on good authority that during the Turkish bombardment yesterday the Colonel of 8th was wounded.

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& the 2nd i/c & adjutant of 8th were killed & 50 men wounded We had one man killed – Garrett & one wounded.
I am going to see Harold today he is on the extreme left right Cheeroh old sport
Write again
Bruce

Weir Weir

Mr Weir
Heliopolos Camp
Camp
[Postmarked] 1 – VI – 15

Dear sir. - T. Orford
Just to let you know that I am not dead yet but to ask you to send me a few Post Cards & envelopes & I’ll send you the price of them. remember me to the boys there. Tell them moye Halestones clarke . gilroy Harold Baker are killed. . and you will oblige
PASSED
BY
CENSOR

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Anzac
Gallipoli Penla
5/7/15

Dear Frank, many thanks old sport for your letter, I also saw one you wrote to Broady. You must be having a rotten time over there. We are now in bivouac just behind the 2nd line of [indecipherable] and having a rest out of the trenches which we had been in for a fortnight. Johnny Turk attacked us last Wed but got a damn bad dusting our casualties, mostly 8th light Horse, were 12 killed & about 30 wounded and the Ts 300 killed & Allah knows how many w. They say Enver Pasha was somewhere behind encouraging them & they came on about 1000 of them on to our left flank & made a hellish noise yelling "Allah Allah Illallal" the whole time. Broady did splendid work among ‘em with one of his guns. There are scores of them dead along the parapet in front of the 8th & they now have the job of dragging them all in with grappling irons & through their trenches for burial. The General wont let the Turks come & take their dead because we want all their rifles which are being sent to England. We have been very lucky so far as casualties are concerned no officers have been wounded since Nicholl and very few men. Burke in C Troup ([indecipherable]) A Sqdn was killed in the fire trench the other day, enfiladed through the head by a bullet and 1Bg[indecipherable] man was killed & 3 wounded in the scrap the other night

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[Side Note To Page] Send some note paper & Envelopes

(2)
Major Vernon went off in the Hospital Ship to Alexandria yesterday. He is generally run down & is having a spell. They say Alex is full, of officers with no wrong with them. Our men are getting fed up with such a long spell of trench work in the one place. We will all be glad when all our men move forward out of this because it is hot in the valley and the flies are very bad and not nice to contemplate when one thinks that there are dead Turks buried everywhere just (some not quite) under the ground & plenty of Australian graves. The swine are very busy with their shrapnel this morning 5 am & have been ever since 4 am, tearing it along Courtney’s Post which they can more or less enfilade bits of shell fly everywhere. One is not safe anywhere in the whole area. Any moment might be your last wherever you are. I had a good swim yesterday with Broady, Lawrie[?] [indecipherable] & Smith. Major Nash of the 2nd L H was killed last week standing to area behind Pope’s, sniped & Burbeck was grazed with same bullet. One big shell wounded the Col Killed the 2nd i/c & the adjutant of the 8th LH last week & other shells wounded about 30 men. They got on to them properly

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The 2nd LH Bgde made a demonstration against the Ts Left (the Bgde is in on our [indecipherable] trench right near the sea) so as to divert as many Turks when were slipping off to reinforce their mates at or near Achi Baba (south) The 5th Regt & a Sqdn & ½ of 7th Regt went out with the 9th Batt. Inf supported by some guns and got near what is called the Balkan Gun Pits & started to dig in when they were shelled by our own Naval Guns who made a mistake. Our men retired as they had no orders to hold anything & lost 20 killed & 108 wounded. The Naval guns were responsible for half the casualties. Lt Gilchrist of the 7th L.H. died of wounds since & one other is bad (6 officers wounded) The officer Comdg & other officers of 2nd LH Bgde were congratulated by the Genl on the manner in which the affair was carried out the Queenslanders (5th LH) displayed great coolness in retiring & Col Harris was congratulated. I saw Harold t’other day he is alright & the Brigdr too. Col Chauvel has gone away with some internal trouble. Col Johnstone took his place – went away with enteric – Col Hughes took his place – went away with influenza – now Col Braithwaite is acting Brigdr of 1st L H Bgde
Say lad – I lent £ 3 to the Regt to buy extras from Canteen ship & now I want it myself. Cant get it is
[in margin]
there is any chance of the Col sending over any money. The Regt owes Col Merrington £ 5 too
[In Margin]
Will write to the Col next mail
Yours ever
Bruce

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[addressed Envelope]

Lieut Frank Weit
1st Light Horse Regt
Heliopolis
Cairo
Egypt

From O B Ryrie

[page 24]

Gallipoli Peninsular
July 8 1915

All the boys send their love & good wishes

Dear Weir
By last post I received your parcel of writing paper & envelopes & immediately distributed them amongst the different squadrons they were quickly swallowed up. Everybody was on beam – ends for such material & it was most welcome. We have sent a couple of lads over to Lemnos for a few days to try & get some further supplies & a few luxuries such as jam & pickles as well.
We have been doing purely garrison work ever since we landed not having made any attempt at our part of the line to advance at all. Of course we are only a very short way from the Turkish trenches & to do any good would mean a general advance This seems to be hung up waiting on the southern forces but their progress is exceedingly slow & very heavy losses have been inflicted on both sides. Our men are keeping only fairly well a good deal of dysentery etc due a good deal to the inactivity. When out of the firing line they get a chance of a swim

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everyday, The only objectionable feature is that the Turks can still shell the beach pretty heavily though it is remarkable what little damage they do. Broady has told you of his being transferred to 3rd Infantry Brigade as Orderly Officer to Col McLagan though he has not gone yet.
Major Vernon is still off color though he has come back from the Hospital Ship and old Gran who is not too well went off this morning for a few days spell. The rest of the officers all seem pretty well. We get time off to get our heads together & talk over the times we had or thought we had in Egypt & often think of you in that sweltering heat & dust.
Latest tale here is that the Turks crept up to the trenches of a certain L. Horse squadron & stole their wire entanglements & by daylight had them erected in front of their own lines. To add bitterness to the deal they say a note was thrown over from the Turkish trenches reading to G.O.C. Pray do not send any more Australians against us but send as many Light Horse as you like.
When we get up against them again in a charge they will probably change their minds. I got your memo re few piastres I left behind & gave Reid copy of this also. thank for same. There was no occasion to worry.
Kindly remember me to the C.O. & tell him I hope to write again soon.
The pipes came along alright. Also I don’t know if Major Vernon acknowledged them.
Best of wishes old chap hoping you will soon be with us again.
Believe me
Yours sincerely
Moffat Reid (Major)
Killed in Charge Aug 6 1915

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(1)

No 1 ALH
Heliopolis
(Aug 11) 1915
Dear Mother It is a long story the past 10 days. I wrote up to time of leaving LEMNOS & getting into a [indecipherable] steamer from the Knights Templar – We then in the night crowded into barges & were towed ashore prior at dawn.
I left a sentry on the beach to watch the groceries I brought over & the [indecipherable] of whiskey & then commenced to climb the hill to Pope’s Hill where our men are entrenched 50 yards from the Turks.
I reported to Brigade Head Quarters & first reached the trenches as dawn broke at 3.30 A.M.
Then the Artillery commenced & as I thought at the time a terrible amount of rifle fire & shrapnel but really nothing to what was to follow the next morning.

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2

Sent back a fatigue party for the cases (& found the whisky had been stolen & 2 men raving drunk). All that day we were preparing for the following days battle. I came over just in time – was given C Troup of B Squadron as they had no officer.
At 5.30 pm on the 6th the Naval guns opened with 14" shells from Dreadnoughts & 15" from some Monitors. Aeroplanes flew over us. The Sketch of the trenches I was to charge was taken off some photos taken by our Aeroplanes.
In addition to rifles my men carried a Pick & shovel alternately – I carried a Periscope, Revolver, Glasses & Waterbottle – We did not move till 3.30 am Saturday morning [indecipherable] On the evening of the 6th I watched

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the 1st Infantry Brigade charge the Turks on our right under cover of the fire from the War Ships. Great shells of 400 & 500 [indecipherable]weight would lodge in the Trench & up would go Barb wire entanglements, posts & pieces of Turk.
All night long the Naval guns & our artillery kept going – Turks firing Star shells like immense rockets to light up the trenches. At midnight the German officers H° Quarters were supposed to be blown up but our mines were not strong enough & the assault failed.
The Germans must have listening tunnels under us after showing us a Board over their trenches with the notice that "Warsaw WARSAW had

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fallen" they put up another notice saying "he sure to wear your White – Bands" – This alluded to the fact that everyman had instructions to sew a bit of white on the middle of his back & on each arm so that we would know each other in the half light of the morning when among the Turks who are also wearing khaki.
I sewed a bit of old white ships blanket on my back about 6" square and then crawled into my dug out to try & get some sleep as this was my 2nd night without any.
At 3.30 Am in single file we crawled along a dry & up a dry waterfall Bombing Party in the lead – We got to within 50 yards of the Turks ere they heard us, then the fun began – Machine Guns opened on - & a hail of "Bombs"
The first man hit was my Batman little Kitchen – then my Sgt was

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was shot dead – I saw a Turk throwing Bombs out of a communicating tunnel so waited on the parapet & as he came out I shot him with my revolver & took my own [indecipherable] the tunnel – Ere this I had been wounded on the right thigh & my puttee & sock & book full of blood.
One man tried to Bandage my leg but I did not wait, was too warmed up to feel much pain
The Turks began to run & we after them but the casualties were tremendous.
We took 4 trenches but only 10 Officers & men were left to hold it & out of 10 officers who went out 4 were killed & 6 wounded –
It was a general engagement, the forces at Achi Baba were all fighting at the same time –
I do not think the censor

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will block this letter as it is general property all I have written you & it is the first time I have told you so much about fighting –
Now don’t worry about my wound. I am much bruised & a gash of several inches deep & long in my thigh but after our Major gave the order to retire I scrambled over the trenches & rolled & [indecipherable] to the gully where our 1st dressing Station was, here the wounded, not withstanding the myriads of FLIES on the blood, [indecipherable] cracked jokes in a rather mystical way –
Then was given a donkey to ride to the beach but finding another officer Reid Lt. by the roadside who seemed worse than [indecipherable] he mounted & I hung on to the Tail

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Shrapnel & bullets fell all round & by the blood on the donkeys neck [indecipherable] he had been hit earlier in the morning –
At the beach the Dr & orderlies worked like Trojans.
I felt very faint – & commenced vomiting so they put me on a stretcher on piles of biscuit cases –
Beef Tea was given round & water & after about an hour a string of barges towed us out to the Royal Yacht LIBERTY which in turn took us to EMBROS ISLAND transhipped us to the Atlantic Liner CALEDONIAN & thence to Alexandria & then by train to where I write from my No1 AGH Heliopolis – Shot on Saturday, Heliopolis Monday - pretty good –

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We achieved something, but the cost was great
On our left the new landing party made 4 miles inland & when this letter reaches Australia & reports from the Dardanelles are open –
I lost [indecipherable] Kit, but that is a detail, when so many good fellows lost their lives –
Now don’t worry about me I’m writing in bed hence bad writing – I’ll soon be about again & am in good hands
Love to all –Your fond son
Frank
Keep the same address
1st L.H. Regiment & Egypt

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[Official Stamp]
1st L.H. First. 1st L.H. Brigade
A.I.F
30/10/15

[indecipherable]
Anzac

Dear Little Mother
Write you from the Franconia & also posted a sketch of my camp here at Anzac. Diary notes also I shall post as before but the Censorship will be more strict, from here. The weather is better again. I am very fit.
Today both Turkish & our own aeroplanes are up burring away in the sky, ours have a square tail [Sketch] Turks [Sketch]. Guns fire all day & night but one gets quite accustomed to it.
In our dug out I can see an old Bully Beef Tin for a Billy, Golden Syrup, with the fat saved from the Bacon for a [indecipherable] lamp, next our gas helmets then a strop, steel mirror hanging on a Bayonet – and seratim, Revolver Eno’s Fruit Salt in a hole in the earth wall, then a towel Soap & Razor & a water bottle with some Rum.
I sit Here on a sand bag & write you ere turning in but will not till I hear from you; all my love from your fond son Frank
There in letters gone from Egypt I suspect.
I enclose a good 10/- note endorsed by me as Pay for Gallipoli men – with love your son
Frank

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Rough sketch looking towards the sea & to Imbros Island from Bivouac Dug Out No 1 outpost on the hill
Oct 25 1915
Clear day

[Sketch Included]

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ALLAN LINE
R.M.S.

On Route Egypt
December 23rd 1915
At Sea

Mother Dear
You see I got through alright & enclose the last few days of my diary. These have been very fine days indeed & you will see I have Faith enough to be thankful to the Almighty for a calm sea the night we left.
I had for 7 hours at [indecipherable] about 600 yards of Trench from Camel Hump to No 1 out post & 14 men to hold it with without any relief – Posted at intervals

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of about 50 yards. They coughed & lit matches behind the parapet & carried on to the Bluff the Turks – the last half hour was the longest I ever experienced at 3.30 pm I gathered the men & with soks over our boots withdrew at the double to the Beach not before [indecipherable] Hill was blown up with about 6 tons of ammonal ([indecipherable] high explosive) then the Turks opened all the Fire they could but we were in the SAPS, then on board & covered by [indecipherable], they never knew we had gone & I

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from the worry that they shelled the beach at daylight –
So endeth ANZAC another page in a man’s life lived & turned down.
Now we expect to go to the Canal perhaps, anyway we hope to rejoin our horses.
The 1st Light Horse had the honour of the extreme rear guard – as it happened nothing very serious but it might have been otherwise. We will spend Xmas at sea I will think of you all & if not torpedoed well we will be equipped for the New

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Year
Laura writes all’s well with Auntie. I hope you are all the same at home
Young Allanson of the Post Office spoke to me a few days ere we left Gallipoli
Love to All
Your fond son
Frank
26/12/15

Well Mother back again
Here we take our Horses & leave in a week after the revolting Arabs Tripoli way "Senousis" or something like that they call them – Some of our men have gone already – Love Frank
only Lieut in Camp

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No 3 A G Hospital
Abbassia

Aug 7 1916

Dear little Mother

This is anniversary of my wound last year but I’m not at all bad - & will be about again in a month & will go England then & later Australia if possible, anyway I am safely wounded now & I hope you got my cable saying "Nothing serious shrapnel ribs flourishing" –.
My notes will give you some idea of what went on. The Brown horse Albert [indecipherable] was killed by a bomb on the Lines – the smaller horse HLAustin gave was killed under me by a shell before I was hit myself – the Cables will have given you the military news, but we well & truly stoped the Turks & there are now 4500 of them safely interned in Cairo.
After being hit I lay in the sand with the wind knocked out of me & a N Zealander came & offered me his horse which somehow I rode to the Field Ambulance put on the table a dose of ether, bit of shell taken out bandaged up, given a whisky & a cup of Bovril –
Mrs Norman Robertson, one of the Playfairs

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who married Dr Norman Robertson of [indecipherable] has been in – they rather bore one – can’t write or sleep but must talk –
well mother I’m truly thankful to be alive I’m not religious but I do recognize I must be protected by some higher hand - & it is you no doubt praying for me in Australia helps – This war should be about over surely by the time I join in again.
Electric fan is buzzing & clean sheets – flowers & music – everything a man could wish for – the Turks were indeed good to me to send me here – Now in a big building Napoleon built for his soldiers long ago at ABBASSIINA
The papers will tell you about the fight but the Light Horse did it – it was their day out.
Goodnight & all my love to you at home – from your loving son
Frank

[Page 42]

August 7th 1916
Second time wounded

[Page 43]

Frank 2

August 7th /16

[Page 44]

2/4/17
Dear Mother
All’s well I enclose Race Programme run at Anon Wadi also some [indecipherable] of horses & self
Camels
Captured guns
We move up closer to Gaza in a day or two a big fight is going on –
I am fit & well & so is the wife –
Hoping all is well with you
With love to all
Frank

[Page 45]

El Arish
Jany 12th 1917

Dear Mother
I am enclosing my Pay Book as a Record so I will not lose it –
I should hand this in to Field [indecipherable] but prefer to keep it in case of arguments later on.
You will see I’ve spent a bit, but I have the big item 153:16:11 in the Bank in Cairo.
I sent you a Field Service Card to say I was alright as we have had another good fight at RAFA repeating

[Page 46]

what was done at Magdhaba, & capturing the whole outfit, but it was a hard fight as Records will show some day. We only just did it by sundown marching all night, fighting all day we had to march back again all night but we’re top dog all right about here.
I have a new Pay book as this one is filled up –
Love to all & let me know if you if you receive it –
With love to you all
Frank

[Page 47]

Using an old Continental envelope but I’m a long way from there

[Page 48]

[List at top of Page]

[indecipherable]
Killed

93 Bourke
338 Monaghan

Wounded

463 Garrett
176 Harris
764 Robinson
310 Kenny
241 [indecipherable]
318 Myers
460 Horden
409 [indecipherable]
433 Starford
642 Ibbott
112 McDonald
234 Calthorpe

Ari Bournu
Anzac
My dear Weir,
Letter writing exceedingly difficult & unpleasant owing to the cramped positions – The indigestion I have suffered from for a week or so & the flies which are far worse than they were in Egypt. Many thanks for your letters you stick to your post very [indecipherable]. What does happen to our letters to you – only 2 days steam away & weeks seem to elapse before one gets an answer. The few men we have left here are very sick (many of them) [indecipherable] post & I can not lay my hands on any money. In May I went to the Col for money after he had borrowed some £ 1000. The pipes & backy are appreciated but tho’ I hear you sent stationery I have not heard of its arrival. There will be a pound more I hope soon & many will chew the dust. – a good thing to do something as all are fed up with staying in the one spot – we have only gained about 20ft since we came here. I cant get an inch more. Granville is away sick & was on a hosp ship for 2 or 3 days while I climbed thro a [indecipherable] belly with influenza. You must now have quite 30 of our men & it is considered here almost as much a scandal as the Mt Nelson in Cape Town. It meant the work is twice as hard or [indecipherable] here Very hot – not to bad on you but we have no shade or change. Remember me kindly to the Col I trust to get our men back soon,
with 52 new [indecipherable].Yours very Sincerely H.V.V.

[Page 49]

A few letters from the front to [indecipherable] may interest you

[Page 50]

[Note on small page with German (Gothic Script) heading]

Some sort of Pay chit
I think the Germans all carried them.
I took this & a walking stick, that is all the LOOT I took

[Page 51]

[Copy of German Document]

[Page 52]

[Hand drawn map of Gaba Tepe – Gallipoli]

[Page 53]

Send word back re
"What is of most use in Tucker Line"
"What money to bring in Cash – for the Reg.

S.S. Knight TEMPLAR
S.S. Georgina

[ Sketch]

Rough Plan of Gaba Tepe on
ANZAC

[Page 54]

[Printed material not transcribed]

[Page 55]

[Printed Material not transcribed]

I put this in Orders tonight send you copy – on

[Page 56]

[Printed Material not transcribed]

[Page 57]

[Printed Material not transcribed]

[Page 58]

[Printed Material not transcribed]

[Page 59]

Jany 14th 1916
Leaving today [indecipherable]
Trek [indecipherable] Nile
All’s well love
Frank

[Page 60]

"R" Squadron
No 1 Sub-Section
No 1 Outpost

20th November 1915
Inventory "R" Squadron
Rifles firing mark II – 73
"with magnifying sight – 0
"with silencer – 1
Rockets – 12
Pistols, Verey – 1
Ignition sticks - 12
Standard rifle, Wallaby – 1
Loop Holes, iron – 0
Picks – 18
Shovels – 19
Slachers– 3
Wire cutters – 2
Barb wire – 0
Sand Bags (on hand) – 250
Torches Hand Flares – 6
Gas Helmet – 74
Respirators – 0

Bombs
Pitcher – 1
Cricket Balls – 82
Jam Tins – 89
Strikers – 17
Flares – 6
Ball Grenades – 70
Pairs Gum Boots – 2
Gas Spray – 1
Capes

[Page 61]

Weekly to be sent to DHQ by 1800 on Saturday
[Columns on LH Side of Page]
Items – No of Items
Animals
Horses
Mules
Donkeys
Guns
3 P’der Hotchkiss
18 Pounder
4/5 Howitzer
6 in do
Vehicles
4 wheeled
2 "
Machine Guns
Vickers
Maxim
Turkish
Rifles
Firing Mark VI
" "VII
Periscopic
Telescopic
With Magnifying sight
With [indecipherable]
Trench Mortars
Catapults
3 – 7s
Garlands
Flares
Pistol – 19 – 12
Hand – 12 – 6
Rockets
[Between Columns]
To be rendered every FRIDAY
Pistols (Verey’s) – 1 – 1
[Columns on RH Side of Page]
Item – No of Items
Ignition Sticks 4
Matches
Flash Absorbers
Periscopes
Telescopes
Loopholes
Standard Rifle’s
Loopholes (Iron) 2
Masks [indecipherable]
Shields (head)
Tools
Picks 6
Shovels 6
Slachers
Wire Cutters
Barbed Wire Coil
Sand Bags
Torches nil
Gas Helmets
Respirators
Anti Gas Sprayer 1
Board Inventory for Trench store 1
Prs Gum Boots 2

[page 62]

25/11/15
The 2nd Aust. Div has arranged for the following Signals by coloured rockets to indicate hostile attack on various portions of their lines AAA
Russell’s Top – 3 white rockets
Popes – Red, white, red rockets
Quinns – 3 green rockets
Courtneys to D16 incl. White red white
D16 to B8 inclusive green white green
Lone Pine 3 reds

[Separate Item]
Received from Capt Weir
O.C. No1 Subsection
12 double Cylinder grenades
W H James
RSM
1st A LHR
13-12-15

[Page 63]

[Sketch Map]

Plan of No 1OutPost
ANZAC
Plan of Outpost Patrol from Malones Gully

[Page 64]

[Sketch Map of trenches etc]

[Page 65]

No I Outpost
A Subsection
Showing Sentry Groups

Trench Stores
[indecipherable]
[indecipherable]

1-12-15
5 Posts of 4 – 20
1 [indecipherable] – 9
2 Patrols – 8
3 scouts[?] – 3
Firing Line – 40
Reserve [indecipherable] – 20
[indecipherable] – 13

[Sketch Map of trenches]

[page 66]

B Subsection
of
No 1 Outpost

Showing Sentry Posts

[Sketch Map of trenches]

[Page 67]

New Zealand & Australian Division
Precautions against Espionage & Reconnaisance by the enemy
In order to prevent the enemy from obtaining information by means of reconnaisance or espionage the following precautions will be taken,
(1) All places along our line where a close reconnaisance could be carried out, will be kept under constant observation by day & be patrolled by night. If enemy attempts at obtaining information are detected, immediate action will be taken to prevent such information from reaching his trenches.
(2) Immediate and rapid fire will be opened by Anti-Aircraft Machine guns on all hostile craft passing near or over our lines in order to compel them to alter their course & hinder observation.
(3) Every endeavour will be made to prevent unauthorised persons passing along our trenches, or entering divisional Areas.
All ranks will be cautioned against strangers who ask questions.
The A.P.M will arrange for police to be on duty in the main saps leading to, & from, the Divisional Areas.
Brigadiers will issue such orders as are necessary to prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access to the defences.
(4) To guard against the possible landing of spies the A.P.M. will arrange for the portion of the beach within the Divisional Area to be kept under efficient observation both by day and night.
(5) The necessity for preventing information reaching the enemy must be impressed on all ranks.
(Sgd) W.R. Pinwell
Major
General Staff
N.Z. & A Division

[Page 68]

C.O 1st LH regt
Sender’s number BIN425
Day of Month 4
You will withdraw one Squadron at a time aaa
Pass to all troops on left
This is a message I found in my pocket after [indecipherable] on the 4 the August written
in the field while fighting


From1 ALH Bde 0640 [indecipherable]

[Page 69]

To 1st LH

Sender’s Number LAB 22
Day of Month Ninth
Lieut WRIGHT wounded AAA Send one hand cart AAA
Am pushing enemy back AAA All clear on my left

From B squadron Place [indecipherable] Field Time 1035 Signature[indecipherable]
Major

[Page 70]

To 1 LH

Senders Number LAB 1 Day of Month 9

[indecipherable] in squad S 11 A withdrawn AAA

[indecipherable]

[Page 71]

To Capt [indecipherable]

Sender a Day of Month 9
[indecipherable] will withdraw at dark to MUNTAR AAA
Send to Mc[indecipherable] to stay where he is tonight AAA
Telephone will be sent [indecipherable] cable [indecipherable] Bring Squadron MUNTAR A
Troop for outpost tonight & will leave 1 NCO 4 men with horses at spot
[indecipherable] AAABalance of A troop come here & will be posted-Regt here

From A Squadron Place Nejmeh Signed [indecipherable]

[Page 72]

Outpost line E to Nez[indecipherable] post in hollow dismounted
Post I [indecipherable] dismounted
1 Troop
2 in reserve daybreak
Ross will make good time-

[Page 73]

To 1 LH
Sender’s Number 1LH3 Day of month 10

Enemy too strong on left bank of WADI to make SAMTEH AAA
Have watered two Troops in rock pool Wadi Darel Jerir AAA Am holding Hill S 11 B
enemy seen in scattered groups on LEFT bank of WADI and also in WADI

From A squadron Place Right bank WADI SAMETH

Signature [indecipherable]

[Page 74]

To D Troop

Sender LH 2 Day of Month 10

Small quantity WATER bed WADI Pools Square A 6 C

From A squadron Place [indecipherable] 1310 Signature F Weir Major

[Page 75]

Enemy Small guns think in Square S11 A a

[Page 76]

To 1 LH
Sender 1 LHd Day of Month 10

Enemy [indecipherable] guns in square 11 Q36 C AAA Any movement
we all shelled. Will try and advance

From A squadron Place [indecipherable] Wadi Time 1400

Signature Weir Major

[Page 77]

To 1 LH Sender LAB 4

ENEMY reinforcements marching towards KHURBET MEDJEL BEM FADL

From A squadron Place [indecipherable] WADI Time 1500

Signed F Weir Major

[Page 78]

Machine guns in same place –
Very narrow steep wadi
Impossible to ride in centre of wadi – only way to advance is on foot

[Page 79]

Infantry
Reinforcements marching to Saria from direction of Medjel, for last hour

[Page 80]

To NZMR Brigade [indecipherable] Day of month Twentieth

Two men wounded two horses killed

AAA have moved closer your AAA Also 2 NZ horses killed

Left 2 Saddlrey complete on dead horses

Accoutrments of Mc Ivor gone with him on camel -

From A squadron Place [indecipherable] road ½ mile rear BHQ

Signed F.Weir major

[Page 81]

To [indecipherable]

Lieut TAYLOR[indecipherable]AAA[indecipherable]JARRET slightly [indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable]

[Page 82]

0550
Occupy Abu Thillel [?]
Right 2 & 3
[indecipherable] attacking No 1
Turks hold Bluff

[Page 83]

[indecipherable] Enemy hold bluff.

Signed F. Weir Major

[Page 84]

[indecipherable][indecipherable]advanced to BLUFF AAA[indecipherable] held

[Page 85]

TO [indecipherable]JARRET or NCO i/c A &B Troop

Sender LAA 8 Month Twentieth

C&D troops are proceeding on to BLUFF AAA

Col Grenville"s "C" are cooperating along flat AAA

You follow in support

From A squadron Place [indecipherable] right Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 86]

to 1ST Reg Sender LAA 5 Day of Month Fourteenth

Now holding all ABU Tellul [indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable] Bluff

From A squadron Place Abu Tellul right Signed F Weir Major

[Page 87]

TO [indecipherable]

Sender LAA

[indecipherable] to Bluff[indecipherable]AAA

From [indecipherable] Place[indecipherable] Time 0640 Signed F.Weir Major.

[Page 88]

TO Col Bourne

Sender LAA 9 Day of Month Fourteenth

Please send troop of either [indecipherable] to cooperate attack on BLUFF AAA About troop Turks between MUSSABEH &BLUFF near old Reg Head Quarters

From A squadron Place Abu Tellul Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 89]

TO 1Reg From LAA 11 Day of Month 14

Am sending in 18 Germans AAA More to follow AAA

Have taken Bluff AAA
Head Quarters S end of Bluff

From A Place Bluff Time 0745 Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 90]

TO 1 LH

Sender LAB 60

Coming in AAA All quiet

Endorsed on message( Are these of any interest actual copies . F.W)
Place B Squadron Place Basal ? Time 1500

Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 91]

TO 1st Reg Sender LAA 12 Day of Month Fourteenth

Have taken BLUFF AAA Am now attacking VICE AAA have about 100 uncounted ]prisoners AAA Am in touch MASERAH AAA

Command post South end of BLUFF

From A squadron Place SOUTH END of BLUFF Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 92]

To 1ST Reg From LAA13 Day of Month Fourteenth

Send along all spare men possible to gather prisoners AAA
We are holding with very thin line MASAERAH [indecipherable] indecipherable]Bluff

Signed A squadron Place South end Bluff sIgned F.Weir Major

[Page 93]

To 1st LH Sender LAB 61 Day of Month 23

All clear in front AAA Rails&Teleg demolished one mile west of Bridge AAA Outposts in position am in touch with 2LH

From [indecipherable]squadron Place HILL 1270 Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 94]

Copy of my original messages sent during fight on July 14th when we broke German attack & captured many

FW

[Page 95]

1LH

Sender LAB Month 18
[indecipherable] LA 904

[indecipherable]1
[indecipherable]34 Riding 35 Pack 3* 1

*1pioneers
2 H Guns

Signed A squadron Time 1535 Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 96]

1 LH Sender [indecipherable] B 62 Day of month 23 Reply to message [indecipherable]681

17 11 Trooper MORRON Thomas[indecipherable]

Mr Wrights troop reports back all correct

B Squadron Place HI*FA Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 97]

1 LH BRIGADE

Sender 23 Day of Month 26/2

In position

Signed B squadron Night outpost 1830 Signed F.Weir Major

[Page 98)

[Copy of page from PENINSULA PRESS MONDAY,NOVEMBER 1 st, 1915]

Printed at ANZAC & distributed to O/C units Nov 91915
Merry Xmas 1915

[Page 99]

1917
Reconnaissance Patrol
MAP RAFA &Beersheba 1:125000
As instructed I reported to Capt URQUHART at 0730 at El DEMEITA from thence proceeded via IN SEIRAT between the A and I in TAIRE on a bearing of 126' to SHEIKH al NAKHRUR our objective being to find suitable crossings over the WADI EL GHUZZE and WADI el SHERAI & WADI ELMI as far as KHIRBIT – UM - RIJIL.
The various WADIS met with, make a circuitous route necessary, as deep dongas are impassable for any large body of Troops.
TEL – EL – TEMMI is a conspicuous isolated mound on the bank of the WADI – EL -GHUZZE on the EAST of which a crossing has been made wide enough for 8 men abreast & latter not too steep for Guns or Transport – This place is garrisoned by Troop LH & a Coy of Camels[?] from today.
A good view of [indecipherable][indecipherable] can be had from the Summit – the following bearings were taken SHARTA 30' BAIKIT – ABU - [indecipherable] MENDUR 58'

[Page 100]

2

RECONNAISSANCE 10/4/17
Water is being carted & stored in Canvas[?] Tanks at TEL – EL – JEMMI – SHEIKH WABBAN is plainly seen 344' the two white Tombs showing up on Skyline – almost north –
From TEL – EL – JEMMI on a bearing of 90' the road to FARA is crossed & the WADI – el – SHERAI is passable for GUNS & TRANSPORT where road to KITALASA is shown on maps as crossing WADI, continuing due EAST the WADI IMLEISH] is crossed close to KHIRBET – UM – RIJIL here [indecipherable] wells of good water were found
(a) Well 13 feet to water 17ft of water
(b) " 19 " " " 10 " " "
(c) " 9’6" " " " 4’6" " "
A Turkish patrol were here but retired leaving a burning fire – 10 shells were fired from the direction of EL MUNKHEILEH from a mountain gun or Anti Aircraft – small shrapnel – A very good outpost for operations on the EAST side of the crossing over WADI el – SHERAI –
AT KIRRAT – UM – RIJIL four

[Page 101]

3

RECONNAISSANCE
huts here with recent signs of habitation, Pigeons fowls [indecipherable] but no natives seen – WATER good to drink
FARA a tactical point similar to JIMMI lies 190' from RIJIL & is plainly visible from the WADI good water for horses in WADI at spot marked POOLS TEL – EL – JIMMI back bearing from RIJL is 258'
The next crossing over WADI – el – IMLEISH is only fit for mounted troops, work required here to cross guns – a deep well near Palm TREE contained water but as the enemy were within ¾ mile could not test it-
Returning VIA MENDER good water was found in a cistern near broken dam over WADI GUNS could cross wadi here by following the Track only –

F.Weir Major
o/c B Squadron
1st LH

[Page 102]

Copy of an old Patrol Report
Might interest you but don’t show anyone else
FW

[Page 103]

[Race Meeting Program]

[Page 104]

[Race Meeting Program]

[Page 105]

B Sqdn

[Page 106]

[Special Order of the Day]

[Page 107]

[Special Order of the Day cont.]

[Page 108]

[Arabic Text Not Transcribed]

[Page 109]

[Not Transcribed]

[Page 110]

[Not Transcribed]

[Page 111]

[Not Transcribed]

[Page 112]

[Race Meeting Program]

[Page 113]

[Race Meeting Program]

[Page 114]

This is to certify that the KIT of Major F.V. Weir 1st L.H. Regt has been deloused before proceeding to Kantara

9/4/18

CT [indecipherable] Capt

[indecipherable]

Thought I was getting leave so I had certificate ready!!.

[Page 115]

MOVEMENT ORDER
KANTARA MILITARY RAILWAY

[Not Transcribed]

[On Same Page]

A Squadron Secret

INFORMATION 27/6/18

Following from 1 st . L.H. Brigade begins .A A.A.
"ANZAC wire begins AAA Following from AVANTEL begins" A.A.A.
Intelligent Greek deserter attached officers 76 Regiment states A.A.A. Heard from officers attack will take place 28/6/18 by 11th. 26th & 53rd
Divisions A.A.A. Reported large sum will be given Regiment hoisting Turkish flag Jerusalem A A A . Ends A A

M E Wright Capt & ADJ

[Hand written note] Expecting this but the large sum of money!

[Page 116

Owing to collision at Junction Station on May 12 "Bearer delayed
12:5:18
[Signature obscured and indecipherable]
R129
Gaza 7.15

[Date Stamp] RAILWAY TRANSPORT OFFICE LUDD. STN.
Date 6-5-18

[Page 117]

Not Transcribed

[Page 118]

Surveying Report 28th Feby 1918

[Page 119]

[Image]
Isherwood Crest

I do not know who composed this but must send it

I
Egypt land of sin and sunsets,
where my footsteps pause a while.
Where the dusty sore – eyed Arab
Barters fruit with native guile.
Half the world we’ve crossed to reach you.
Hearts were light and hopes were high
Thinking that we came for fighting
But we’re only "standing by

II
May be when our limbs are feeble
And our heads are bending low
We shall tell our children’s children
Of the days of long ago
How, with patriotic fervour
Men came in from far away
Answering the call of freedom
This includes the "standing by"

[Page 120]

III
Uniform and web equipment,
Rifle pullthrough haversack.
Epsom, One Tree Hill & Penrose
Marching out, & marching back.
Company- platoon & section.
Always willing wet or dry,
Till they made the little Army
Suitable for "standing by"

IV
Trains, transport, field – manoeuvres
Tropic heat & horsey smell
Like the incidents of travel
Though we stood them rather well
Seasickness, inoculation
Bivouac beneath the sky.
Fitting us for active service
Also ‘praps for "standing by"

[Page 121]

V
Trudging like a loaded camel
‘Neath the sun the whole day through
Skirmishing to Bul-el Shabat (Town on Suez Road
Marching out to number two
Land of corn and land of "can", "can", – CAN.CAN (Native dance)
Land of Wassah tell us why – WASSA (Latin Quarter)
If we have a little patience
While they stop this "standing by"

VI
I dreamt last night I was in heaven
Things were similar up there
Routine orders – by St.Peter
Colonel of the maxine choir
Polish up your harps & haloes.
Mind the planchette is dry

[Page 122]

We may want you in a fortnight
Carry on with "standing by

[Notes added to this page have been placed on Page 121 near the points in the verse to which they relate]
[Pages 123-127 not transcribed]

[Page 128]

[Not all Transcribed] Taken from Turks at Magdhafah. Stamps,&envelope addressed : Mrs Weir,c/r Mrs Hounslow Corinda Domain Road Sth Yarra & Deneliquen via Melbourne Australia.

[Page 129]

[Not Transcribed]

[Page 130]

Some days after Turks left – Sweet wine cake & honey
[indecipherable] [indecipherable] 12/1/18
35 miles north of Jerusalem – Judean Hills in the background & several Jewish townships settled by ROTHSCHILD [indecipherable] Jews have been to America & are always keen to sell something

[Page 131-136 not transcribed]

[Page 137]

1916
April 13th
Today a long string of camels of the Highland Mt Brigade with Hong Kong Mt Battery go to Kharza Oasis – we are in support – Severe Khamsin Dust storms today – Dined with Fifes Forfar Yeomanry & had "Haggis" a real one – I’m not keen on it in the least[?] – Back to Brigade Head Quarters today as one Brigade has gone & I’m sent to minia to enquire into mis-deeds of 2 N.Co’s up there –
April 14th
[indecipherable]with the Royal North Devon Hussars – [indecipherable] dust storm over natives say it blows away the Plague & fertilizes the date palms by scattering the pollen – This has to be artificially done if palms grow far apart – if not growing in thick clumps they do not bear much fruit unless artificially the pollen is spread from tree to tree

Khamasin

[Page 138]

April 6 Censored
April 7th Sunday
Another week gone, it seems a long [indecipherable] since I walked out of the garden gates three & a half years now – No church parade, as all the Services are in foreign languages – Protestants seem to be [indecipherable] in the minority in the Holy Land. There are Russians Armenians French Spanish Italians [indecipherable] –
14, 15 Censored & 16
17th
In pickle bottles I have Cyclamen, wild Maiden hair –Iris. Tulips. Lavender but summer is coming & all will dry up Gold silver [indecipherable] are dearer & some of the Jews are very clever at trying to get the [indecipherable], the Arabs & others never give change, say they have not, in fact, the first English words many learn are "No Change" –
18th Censored
19th Bought 5 Rabbits for 2/- for Pasteur Institute here, wanted for bacteriological purposes. Many natives being inoculated – a green parrot was imitating their yells, when the needle went in, awful curs – into, cleverness of parrots, natives will spend hours before

[Page 139]

19th
a talking parrot
20th[?]
Still here I suppose this is going to be a long War – Still have the two horses H Austin gave me, looking fit, they know all about soldiering & can tell shell fire as well as I can
[Date indecipherable]
Censored

[Page 140]

1916
Copy
May 13
[indecipherable] today [indecipherable]to Hill 70, hills only sand dunes – Brigade just marched past & covered with dust. They were hardly recognisable. No tents tonight, under the stars again
May 14th
1st Light Horse arrives 10 AM – Busy fixing camp area & more than 120º inside tents last week but better than the cold – We can carry very little kit & it pays to have a few articles of the very best quality only i.e. good pants. Saw young Allanson today & many men that I have not seen for a long time – Captain of the day today

[Page 141]

Diary
June 20th
Some of the Regiment went for a bathe in the Mediterranean today, only four miles away but I have not been yet – It is heavy sand to ride over & men & horses want rest & sleep chiefly –
Off again at 3 AM or 1,500 as we call it on another 2 days stunt[?] to Johnny Turk – The men in the line, always seem to know long before the officers get orders, what is going to happen – like in the Bush where the traveller can always tell you when each station will commence shearing & number of sheep to be shorn
21st
Hot as Hell- Marched all night & all day – Horses [indecipherable] up wont drink brackish water – heavy sand[?] – Destroyed some wells & burnt some huts, took a few Bedouin prisoners – very rough on both the men & horses – We take our wireless plants with us on Camels when the little oil engines begin to work in the dark it sounds just like an aeroplane & then men tumble out, if very tired a Zep would not wake them
22nd
I am trying to write this & get under the shelter [indecipherable] upon my sword – No trees All night another

[Page 142

June 22
[indecipherable] Desert Patrol off the edge of the map – Our interpreter says "High [missing word] Bully Beef, Salt water, Weevilly Biscuits some flies – no good – I go home" – We went to find an aeroplane that had fallen in Turkish country, We found it & took four prisoners - & carried the engine home on a Camel – One learns that [indecipherable] is good with brackish water – a small fly [indecipherable] is good for such flies which attack one at 9 PM each night – Goggles are good for the glare. There are very few ants in the desert; hardly a bird – but apparently endless stars
23rd
Left – at 5.30 PM for Romani? – The whole Brigade fatigued – My horses stood it well – We met 2 Turkish Camel Patrols – both races men’s minds work differentle , when called[?] After a sleep [indecipherable] Halt on the march one man charged the NCo who woke him [indecipherable][indecipherable] a Turk – I jumped up once & [indecipherable] in my sleep, the opposite way to my horses – We halt for ten minutes every hour [?] as we are doing the rounds of the [indecipherable] – The Turkish Aviator & Observer walked to our outposts from the Machine

[Page 143]

23rd
I’ve got a bit of the propeller as a small memento of a big [indecipherable]
Arrived midnight
24th

Letters from home – also D’quin papers etc Sleeping most of the day – Our [indecipherable] [indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable] even short men , like birds, we travel by night like robbers, we stand to arms the best part of the night & we live on bully beef & weevilly biscuits. "Both sides of my stomach & marmalade. I’m sick with brackish water – I want to go home. I & my donkey too tired"
25th
Church parade- did not go – I hear most of our mail has gone to France in error so I may miss a few letters for a while – Sunday dinner – "Fray Bentos" Bully Beef, we all swear by the Queensland stuff, it is much the best – As for the American[?] it was this brand that had fish hooks in it -
28th
Sydney mails of May 15th show a Pontoon Bridge built, not by Australian Engineers but by Cheshires , it isour Camp near them free in the background & the Pontoon Bridge is over a Canal not the Nile – Another Taube over us this morning 4 bombs on K – it is wearisome standing to arm sat 3.30 am & then every time an enemy plane flies over – First time we have seen an Aerial battle

[Page 144]

28th
but our battle plane was not fast enough tho this one fired repeatedly, it was most exciting if watched from the ground – they did travel – The Taube as far as I could see went towards the Mediterranean, one[possibly our] machine got hit in the engine, they were right over us
29th
Court Martial this morning - [indecipherable] Prosecuted Poor beggar, he is charged with "Asleep on his Post." It is no wonder – The sea air & night duties – it’s hard to keep awake -
26th
Enemy aeroplane flew over this morning but did not lay any eggs –
From England I got the Morning Post of June 6th giving full account of the Naval Battle -

[Page 145]

August 3rd 1916
The Monitor sea is a great help, she sends a 2,000 lb shell, lovely to listen to, sailing through the air and landing with a crunch, clouds of dust etc – We have been watching the Turks now, night & day for two months & no prospect of being relieved for a bit, they are getting closer – I am keeping a day’s field messages, which will show you our work but I dare not post it – It is one of my first jobs on returning to bivouacs, to notify Brigade H Quarters, if our losses, which are fortunately slight –
August 4th 5th see Diary
August 6th
A camel cacolet is like a baby’s perambulator, with a little hood – I thought I was right but the girth slipped & broke & I was emptied out, so the M.O. sent me to Rail head in a sand cart. – Before arriving at the Field Ambulance I was put on a table given a dose of ether a bit of shell taken out, bandaged up, given a whisky, a cup of Bovril & started for the Hospital – sent on in a goods train to the Canal, then Red X train, great luxury - & tinned rabbit – Australian at that – Landed here No 3 AG Hospital Abbassia once more – lungs a bit sore but soon all right –

[Page 146]

August 6th (Continued) duly inoculated with anti Tetanus Serum, one more puncture.
August 7th No3 A.G.H . Sisters to wash one, clean sheets, same old charts – I know the routine well – this my 3rd time wounded in a month I hope to go to England – Very stiff & sore but am really thankful to be alive x see notes x IN DIARY
August 9th I am much better & everything going well – the officers got it pretty hot – Here the nurses are mostly new ones but all are very kind but one has to do what one is told promptly – Several officers are insensible & all night you can hear them rambling on about machine guns bombs etc
August 10th (See Diary)
August 11th a number of men have been in to see me "bushies" mostly – I have got very fat here. Same routine & tucker as in No1. This Hospital was at [indecipherable] & the Sisters all experienced they cursed the L.H. keeping them in Egypt till the [indecipherable] came, now they are happy – got something to do. Some more LH officers came in last night knocked out by camel rides after being wounded – its hell in those "Cacolets" –
August 12 Getting on well – hope to get up today.

[Page 147]

Sept 8th
This hospital is in the densest part of London, 260 people to the acre !!!There are 1500 patients here – 24 Officers in my ward alone – The flowers are very beautiful carnations Chrysanthemums & roses & of course all the girls are the same with rosy cheeks so different to Egyptian languor & big brown eyes but I like the view – Went to Pay Office more like a Harem, the number of girls employed there –
9th
One Sister is in charge, assisted by four probationer nurses – they work ten hours a day – very fair orderlies These girls are under a very strict discipline – Cold better but I am not at all fit somehow – Saw some pictures of the battle of the Somme, wanted to compare, life in France & the Desert
10th
Censored
11th
Medical Board this afternoon recommended me 6 weeks sick furlough, but don’t know from what date – Cold much better – All London is streaked at night with search lights above but the streets are dark – Every thing here has increased in price tremendously – London not much altered, plenty motors, crippled soldiers, girls on most jobs –

[Page 148]

12th
I have got a dose of bronchitis but not [indecipherable] back – I am wondering how I would stand a winter in France if I have to go there
13th
Censored
14th
Not much [indecipherable] & the days are slow I am not able to go out at night at all just going along quietly – What a bevy of letters must be following me up, When they do come what a day I will have reading them all.
15th
I went to Head Quarters AIF & got sick leave, one month, hope to get advance. Going to St Ann’s on Sea tomorrow
16th
I leave at noon for St Ann’s, it is warm & I am better – I have a lovely photo of my ribs & [indecipherable]
19th
Raining hard – this place is colder than London I think – Probably go to Ireland end of this week, then return here

[Page 149]

Novr 17th
Personal
Novr 18th

1916
Off the coast of Algeria again quite hot , did some big gun practice [indecipherable] ours – Understand we are to go to – first this will be interesting Must be many letters waiting for me inEgypt. – We have the usual Gymnasium of mechanicals riding horses etc We have many different regiments on board – One Scotch officer at Gibraltar when I admired his kilts offered to lend them to me to be photographed in, he said they cost £ 5 in Scotland. He thought he was doing me a great favor

[Page 150]

Novr Sunday 28
1916
We will be at this time tomorrow am sending you a Cable to say "Arrived Safely" A smooth passage & we have picked up another escort so should be safe now – Weather warm again – Communion Service in [indecipherable] room, I took part – I was thankful to be still alive –
Novr 29
Arrived safely – Presented Skipper & Chief Officers with silver outfits in recognition of their skill –
Stayed the night at Windsor & with a party from ship heard old Ada Reeve sing, "The Long Long Trail", a pretty popular sad story –
Novr 30th
Arrived at -- & got leave to go Cairo to store Kit – I am here at the Base for a few weeks but do not know yet
Dec 1st
You may expect to hear of a scrap within the next few weeks –
Dec 2nd
Returned to Camp no news of Kit so got some more in Cairo, met many old friends there but very few soldiers mostly Tarbrushes now – Got another batch of letters returned from England – I am so "[indecipherable]"

[Page 151

Dec 2nd
to get home news especially at present
Dec 3rd
1916
Going Port Said to look for Kit as do not want to go- without certain Articles – Expect our Regiment to go -- -- & have a fight there, Spend Xmas day there!!
Sorry my greetings to all at Home will be late – Published soldiers letter in Walgett Paper, from our local Parson re Red X works, "I notice lot of pyjamas made by the dear Ladies of W,algett which made me feel in touch with you all !!!
Dec 4th
Major -- & now OC. And his fiancée arrived from Australia & were married yesterday – We give him a dinner tonight. I speak of we, I am in Detail camp awaiting instructions – Am a bit stiff after ridin, being so long away
Found mongoose in my tent, a pet one , of one of the Bengal Lancers, I saw one, once before "out back".

Decbr 5th
Inspecting our meat supply this morning I saw it came from the Argentine – Word has just come for me to join my regiment
Decbr 6
Off to - may be something soon – Xmas greetings to all

[Page 152]

June 13th
Last night a terrific bombardment went on, on our left; the sky bright with flares & shells bursting, results an important forward position taken from Johnny Turk.
Camel Corp had a day’s Sports Carnival & concert in the evening – One item "Musical chairs by mounted camels was screamingly funny – Camels are ridden in a circle, bag on the ground at intervals, on the Band stopping, camels are made to sit on the nearest bag
June 14th
Getting warmer each week & the men are in shorts again, they were issued with helmets last year but so many floated down the canal we have been allowed to keep our hats this year.

[Page 153]

1917
Diary
June 15th
Near here is a Sheikhs Tomb , as in the present or in the past notable men have large monuments. These are dome shaped [Shape] and painted white by mashing up Prickly Pear leaves & mixing with water – Good [indecipherable] marks to take Compass bearings on –
June 16th
Horses are much prized by Camel Officers - [indecipherable] [indecipherable] Open the [indecipherable] again today getting men accustomed to the new High Velocity rifles & ammunition – Dust continues & the Beach seems afar off
June 17th
[indecipherable] General M – our old o/c & one time the [indecipherable] Medical Officer in South Africa – Beach tomorrow at last – Did not go to [indecipherable] A howling dust storm blew all the afternoon – We have lost our good old Padre who is now a Major & at [indecipherable] H. Quarters –
18th
Beach !!! I’ve had a swim this morning & built a "Bivy" facing the Mediterranean just 60 yards from the waves – it is a break to be clean again

[Page 154]

June 18th Continued
The horses should improve here, they were falling [?] away for the last month – No grazing & too many flies & Dust & not enough water – My two are fit & well, not a blemish on either of them –
June 19th
"Ramadan" The month of fasting for the Turks – they do not eat even drink water but have a great spread at Sundown & feast all night, if we would only let them would sleep all day. At the end of the month they are supposed to be most vicious [indecipherable] for their attackers – we had hopes of 1914 men getting leave in Australia but I see "it cant be [indecipherable]"
June 20th
Tomorrow the G.O.C. inspects us, much cleaning up of accoutrements etc. From my "Bivy" I can see Store Ships landing stores by lighters this side of Gaza – the [indecipherable] as we did at Augae[?] – I get a swim a day & am enjoying them – Bombing classes are now popular – as the sea coast swarms with fish

[Page 155]

August 7th 1917
This is the anniversary of my birthday wound last year, but I’m not too bad & will be about again in about a month, will try and get to England then later perhaps to Australia if possible Anyway I’m safely wounded now – My notes will give you some idea of what went on – the Brown horse Albert gave me was killed by a bomb on the lines – the smaller horse was killed under me by a shell before I was hit myself – The Cables will have given you the military news, but we well & truly strafed the Turks & there are now 4600 of them safely interned in Cairo – After being hit I lay on the sand with the wind knocked out of me , a N. Zealander came & offered one of his horses which [indecipherable] I rode to the Field Ambulance, was put on a Table, given a dose of ether & bit of shell taken out, bandaged up, given a whisky & cup of Bovril & started for the Hospital – Here I am, Electric Fan is buzzing, clean sheets, flowers, music everything a man could wish for, &the Turks were good [indecipherable] to send me here We are in a big building Napoleon built for his soldiers long ago at Aygassom[?]

[Margin Note]
The papers will tell you about the fight, the Light Horse did it. It was their day out.

[Page 156]

1917
Diary
August 20th
Hospital – Have applied for leave but do not think I will get it
21st
Went for a [indecipherable] to "Agony Island" as those who are on deck call it – it is one of the old Forts blown up by bombardment
I feel fitter but "short of a gallop" Still packing up & leave for the Desert in the morning

[Page 157]

August 28th
Musketry on Ranges – Wherever a standing camp is made targets are set up to keep the men’s eyes in & to exercise the new drafts of reinforcements, which come along from the Base. Some are Bushmen & some are not. Forty cases of Comforts from Australian C. Fund for the Regiment arrived last night – Tinned Fruit Sauces, Pickles etc some excellent khake shirts for the men – Not the least valuable are the cases for firewood which is always a scarce commodity in these parts –
29th
Personal
30th
Leave party back from Port Said. The men were very full up of things going down, they enjoyed their spell As one of them said "The sight of a pretty girl driving in a Gharry was worth their trip". Innoculated again for Para Typhoid Cholera etc – I forgot how many times this is. Thanks for Grazier with Ralph Anderson & Jack Ellis notices- but sooner go out in a fight than by disease – This is a healthy spot facing my Bivy. I can see trawlers sweeping mines off Gaza – I am only 100 yards from the sea

[Page 158]
33
31st
Bomb practice & Hotchkiss Gun Classes & Gas drill – pity something could not eventuate out of gas to kill scrub and Prickly Pear & rabbits. Feel a bit "dopey" from inoculation but a great deal fitter all round, for my spell in Hospital –
Sept 1st
personal
Sept 2nd
Leave granted 3 weeks in England It will take 3 travelling – I am so thankful - & think I am a lucky man. I will cable from Cairo – Our Brigade is resting here means I get leave – Saddling up now
3rd 4th 5th
Censored
6th
Cairo, disappointed again to find no boat available for about a fortnight – I have applied to go to a school topographicals or senior cavalry
7th
Again going to GHQ I may get away Sunday next.
8th
Still marking time – Am sending some baskets made from Nile Reeds by the natives of Asswan , will do for work baskets –

[Page 159]

[Not transcribed See Page 160]

[Page 160]

24
Novm 27th Skipper says good news through on Marconi last night, he would not say "what" so we must wait patiently till [indecipherable] is reached – Clear fine day & a calm sea once more – Near the Ilshant[?] Rocks, do remember we were nearly wrecked there this time last year
Novm 28th Colder this morning – we should be thankful to be afloat & all’s well – 10 days at sea & only off Portugal. We have men on board who have been torpedoed several times, their nerves are not of the best: When[?] will it all end – I wonder
Novm 29th Censored
Novm 30th
Word has been passed back from our escort that a sunken wreck is not far off & mine submarines – I dreamt last night I heard the crack of a torpedo & ran out into the passage – but all was quiet so went back to bed. Carter’s Liver pills may stop the dreams
Continued from notes Dec 9th
Notes [indecipherable]
To Dec 13th & 14 – Personal – Dec 17 & 18 ditto Decbr 19th & 20th – 21st
Dec 22nd
Rode into Ismailia – the men here will have a good Xmas, Turkey Fruit a bottle of Beer per man Sports on Boxing day – I spent one Xmas day returning from Gallipoli one Xmas day at El Arish & this one here – Reinforcements all pass through training here & & do musketry etc
Dec 23rd Personal 24th

[Page 161]

Decm 25th Got wire [indecipherable]
Had a good holiday – got on board the train tonight-
Dec 26
Camped right at [indecipherable] took charge of draft of men for the front-

[Page 162]

1917
June 20th Continued
One bomb well thrown into as shoal returns many[?]
June 28 & 24 See Diary
"21 & 22 "
25 "26 –"27 – "28 –

[Newspaper cutting re floods at Weir’s home town at Deniliquin &British raid on Ypres not transcribed]

Enclose scraps with the Cable re floods [indecipherable] not know if you care to put in with the Diary-

[Page 163]

[See previous page]

[Page 164]

Thursday Decbr 27th Back at Monascar[?] owing to railway line being washed away by rain have to wait another few days – saw Stanley Brai[indecipherable] he is a cadet in the Flying Corps & may get his Commission
Decbr 28th
On a Court Martial tomorrow, still waiting Railway clearance – Beautiful weather but cold at night
Decbr 29
President of Court Martial – This camp trains men in every branch of the service & is a good refresher but I am an old soldier now
Decbr 30
Censored also 31st & Jany 1st
Jany 2nd
Just got ordered to leave for the Front – this morning – cold & wet – taking reinforcements. We are disgusted at the result of the referendum
Jany 3rd
Just before leaving Monascar[?] I wandered into a Kitchener Hut & was surprised to see in large letters" Presented by Deniliquin & Ernie Armstrong of Gunbar in charge – asked him to post you a photo of it – NB this has not been received
The boat I went to Italy on has been torpedoed every boat I travelled on has gone down
4th
Once more all ranks would like the people to know the good work done by Mrs Chisholm & Miss M’Phillemy at the Kantara Soldiers Home. It makes a man fit for a long cold journey in the open trucks & in the rain

[Page 165]

past [indecipherable] Gaza & other places of interest. Changed trucks at a place near [indecipherable] & arrived 10 am on 5th Jany at the regiment – raining hard
Jany 5th Censored –
"6th
Jack Mack came into my Bivy & had a yarn – Just received plum pudding [indecipherable] Special Services today – but cancelled owing to rain. The country is bare having been eaten out by Turks, but grass should grow. We get 28 inches of rain in 12 weeks in Jany & Feby wettest months of the year
"7th
Everything wet – Field Officer today – roads awful – Wood plentiful – we are bombing [indecipherable] here at present in the air – Am glad to be back again
8th
You remember me speaking of a Captain Hurley Antarctic Explorer on SS Malta – attached to War Correspondent here – he took photos of 1st Light Horse Brigade today, on the march – Hurley is a most interesting man to talk to – We have no candles & the days are short so under the blankets is the best place
9th
The whole landscape mud & water – Johnny Turk quiet No enemy aeroplanes – Hope for warmer weather in March
Jany 10th to 19th missing
12 days missing from jany 10th to Jany 21st inclusive [remainder indecipherable] L.W.

[Page 166]

1918
March 11th
Raining still – A cake arrived from London, is’nt it wonderful of the Army postal Service – Turks being driven back & we hope to be relieved tomorrow & enemy Turks over but no bombing. A mountain Battery got a shaking yesterday & [indecipherable] men have been passing us all day – We can see _ behind us quite plainly – it is built on a hill & we expect to be back that way again soon – .
Not withstanding the cold I am fit & well
12th
Our outpost in a Cave – raining all day – Can see Jacko’s fired in front – he is jumpy & fires flares & bombs at intervals – We have been successful in our Stand here as the papers will tell you
13th
Still drizzling[?], we have not had time to bury the dead Turks yet; this hill is littered
With debris of the fight – Expect to go back to __ for a day’s spell very cold & rough on the horses up in the hills
14th
The cave I camped in had been used by Bedouins – I am therefore lousy not had my clothes off for a week

[Page 167]

I shall return to Australia when the War ends – No word[?] of going back yet.
Collected 214 Bedouins today. They live in caves, Donkeys & all together, & are very poor –
See Diary
March 19th
I do love to get home news & to hear[?] All’s well – Can’t understand my cable not reaching you I sent it Dec 15th –
20th
Move postponed owing to Jordan being in flood anyway I am staying here – with details – the regiment will be away some days – Still wet – Rain saved the men a lot during the last fortnight.

[Page 168]

21st March
We are camped in a Russian Monastery tonight – I move into Franciscan Convent about 4 miles away & take over Brigade details for a week – We hope after this stint to get back to __ warmer there – Boots only last a short time on these rocks

[Page 169]

March 23rd
Rations are short but better times are ahead when the railway works well – If anyone wants to know what to send a Light Horse man, a quart pot[?] in leather case is the thing, it is unprocurable in Cairo – A Parcel arrived from Benduck, full of good things, have written my thanks
24th
Jerusalem – Went to Holy Sepulchre Calvary, joined in Greek Service Armenians Jews Catholics all have their own chapels, inside the old Crusaders Temple – Then on [indecipherable] Mahomets Rock at Omar Mosque This time I was allowed to go in, after taking off my shoes – or boots
Had the Military Governor to mess tonight
25 & 26th See Diary
27 & 28th "
29th
Good Friday
Went Jerusalem to Holy Sepulchre & everywhere bells are ringing & Jews Syrians & Armenians are dressed in their Sunday best. Found on arrival at church we would have to stand for 5 hours. The service being translated in seven languages so we did not go in but went to the Mount of Olives instead.

[Page 170]

March 30th
After midnight tomorrow (Easter Sunday) anyone of Greek religion or Russian can kiss any pretty girl he meets until mid night on Monday as long as you say "Christ has risen" our soldiers are looking forward to it – Enclose a [indecipherable] from Rachel’s tomb –

[Page 171]

Monday May 13th

Returning from Cairo – travelled all night to Ismalia Gaza & Ludd for Jerusalem reached the regiment near __ in dust and flies – Had a train collision broken both engines & my teeth also received bruises, but fortunately no one killed –
14th
[indecipherable] enemy planes overhead – Feel sore from shaking [indecipherable] – Nebi Musa – Tomb of Moses is close here, & is a place of veneration, strange to say to Mohammedans !!!
15th
Move tomorrow to our old camp – here we are on the Wadi [indecipherable] – camped on an old Roman Rd to Jericho near where Elija was fed by the ravens – Down this Wadi the Christians fled from Jerusalem in the days of their persecution. Centuries before this, these caves were inhabited by prehistoric man, now used by Bedouins
16 – 17 – 18 – 19 See Diary
20th
President of Court Martial today – There is a very brilliant star, you may remember me mentioning it in the old [indecipherable] days – it rose then over Ogratina now we are further on, it shines right over Bethlehem. I often wonder if it is the same as mentioned in the "Old Tradition" – I am detailed to raid a village in the morning

[Page 172]

21st
Raided Village – Women gave me a bad time with their yells & clamour – Bought 8 eggs & Four [indecipherable] 2 Bundles Onions some wood for 15/- - This village is in Arub Wadi where Pontius Pilate made an aqueduct from the spring to Jerusalem & was sent back to Rome for spending too much money about 18 Centuries ago – This water channel is now being unearthed by British for a new supply to Jerusalem

22 – 28 to 28th See Diary

[Page 173]

1918
May 30th
Field Officer today – Jim Ayres read me letters from old [indecipherable] – very interesting I don’t get half letters from girls I used to have !! before I was married. My Bivy is comfortable, tho’ very small cannot sit straight even when on the ground. Flies are bad but we have peace at present & in France it must be Hell –
May 31st Censored
June 1st
Bad news from France taking Soissions. How will it all end – Rode into -- where Cavalry Camp the dust becomes dreadful & ones eyes suffer
2nd Went Church Parade
3rd
Procession in _& all notables around turn out to hear the band play "God save the King – I did not go as am on duty
Very erratic the mail these days
4th Censored 5th 6th 9th 8th see Diary to June 21st
June 21st
Cannot use clinical thermometer in the daytime, the more it is shaken the more it goes up till it breaks
Australasian Feb 2nd says "Rabbits within 42 miles of Perth are causing

[Page 174]

quite a scare," Germans within 42 miles of English Channel results in 1 Recruit at show in Australia My belt is going up hole by hole, will not be so portly after another three weeks.
22nd
Still in trenches – just got 2 Australasians Allotments of Royal Show – it seems not many about like fighting, or is it a job only for the willing men – 125 in the shade or perhaps I am feeling a bit bitter – See Diary 23rd & 24th

[Page 175]

July 5th
President of 3 Court Martials today- Very hot too
Was out last night moving again under shell fire. All ranks will be glad to get out of the valley
July 6
Out on a wiring party again & finished the job
July 7th
Blood tests taken for Malaria this morning Mostly Indians & Australians in the Valley, not considered fit for "[indecipherable] – Horses still well but Dopey" – Gas drill
again, all usual duties of a mounted unit, means more work for men than infantry – Been issued with steel helmets again, too hot to handle
July 8th
We have been warned to expect an attack today but it did not come off, only an enemy plane or two – still a good many partridges around here notwithstanding the shelling - they do drink whatever the "Field" may say about home birds – Blood tests are easily taken, prick top of finger & smear a slide –
Pages 176 to 184
Commencing on 24 April 1915 are a series of envelopes from Lieut Weir 1st
LH AIF addressed to Mrs Weir "Bronte" Deniliquin NSW.
9th & 10th See notes
11th & 12 Censored
13 – 14 See notes up to 26th Censored 28th 29th Censored see Diary
27 Censored
July 30th Meteorological report week ending July 13th 1918
True shades – 110 – 110 – 117 – 5 – 116 – 110 -107 .3 [indecipherable] so we had no work
31st See Diary
1st August "
1918

[Page 176]

[Addressed Envelopes]

[Page 177]
[Not Transcribed]

[Page 178]

[Addressed Envelopes]

[Page 179]

[Not Transcribed]

[Page 180]

Photo May –
([indecipherable] puts Photo P.R
Mr Cutler Brigade Car
Goodbye
Scyces corrected
Medal arrive

[Page 181]

[Addressed Envelopes]

[Page 182]

[Addressed Envelopes]

[Page 183]

[Addressed Envelopes]

[Page 184]

[Pages 184-188 are printed Extracts From A Soldier’s Diary. Not transcribed]
The writer appears to be Weir since some extracts correspond with parts of the written text]

Clipping from THE TIMES WEEKLY September 10 1915 "Forcing the Dardanelles."

[Page 190]

Note on map: Wounded here Aug 7th 1915 Bloddy Angle

[Page 191]

Clipping from Pall Mall Gazette 11-1-17 "Brilliant Success In Egypt."

[Printed Material]

[Page 192]

Clipping dated Monday November 8th 1915 PENINSULA PRESS "Wireless Messages.’ Pencil note:You see how up to date we are

[Note: Reference on page 34 to Franconia is to Her Majestys Hospital Ship]

[Transcribed by Eric Hetherington and Adrian Bicknell for the State Library of New South Wales]