Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Reynolds diary, 30 January- 4 November 1915 / Wynfrith Revell Reynolds
MLMSS 1172
[Page 1]
Wed 3rd Horse Picquet
Sun 7th Mess Ord
Mar.
Sat 6th Mess Orderly
Tues 9th Xtra ½ hr Picquet
[Page 2]
Satdy 30th Jan Went from Maadi to Zeitun Marched it mounted Dept abt 9.30 am arr 2 pm.
Sunday quiet day Mess orderly.
Mon 1st Feby.
Tuesday Field day out by an oasis all day went into town.
Monday Major Fulton said possible six weeks to the front.
Wed Out all day. Picket at night
Thur Out all day Met Lance in city
[Page 3]
Fri Long march all day & fiasco of an affair
Sat 6th
Quiet day Wings died
Posted to Mater & Cousin
Sun 7 Quiet day Wings funeral Mr & Mde Snow came out at 5 am Went into Heliopolis with them and Butcher in evening. Watched the pictures from Pension Verandah Back for feed up.
Mon 8th. Off mounted in good time to the range only fired five rounds when called in.
[Page 4]
I scored a 12 group at the 100 yds just missed eight. Eat our ration at midday then at abt 3 we all marched out into the desert. Messed about all day until dark Dismounted & waited & then about 9 we started to dig trenches after a feed of bread & cheese & water. It was hard The soil, also d-d dark candles & rags improvised for light. Much remark about the tucker we were expected to dig trenches on. Dig Dig Dig of Dollys. Back to camp 2 am
[Page 5]
Tues 9th Another field day out early until about 3 30 pm.
Happily we were allowed to feed up early & go to bed.
Thurs 10th
On Regimental guard at 8.30 am until next day Peaceful rest.
Sat 13th Went into Cairo with Wright & to Zoo.
[Page 6]
Sun 14th Quiet day
Went into Heliopolis in evening with Wright & had bath etc
Mon 15th Went Shooting Hell fire in charge on return trip of course a galloping affair right up to the troughs. Lecture in evening by Viney
Tues 16 Shooting again We did fairly well especially in the schillouette firing Mess orderly.
Wed 17 Out for field firing until 3 45. Our Squadron did very well I was horse holder. Lecture by Viney on the
[Page 7]
shooting & no losses for "C" Squadron Also lecture by Rowell on his trip to the Canal & the 1st Turkish attack Also re the closing of all bars when the Austs went to Ishmailia.
On this morn for the first time the Sgt Mjr posted the picquet
Six months for them to learn this.
[Page 8]
Wed. 17th Mar
Roll Call 6.30. Water & Feed Bkfst 7.45 abt 9 Saddle up Drill order About to file out when ordered tie up horses again & clean up tents & place all kits outside. This done after much dressing & so on.
Rode out. Some scouting etc On return rearguard action. Officers brought out of walletts, bottles of beer biscuits etc & had a feed in front
[Page 9]
of men. Sports eh? Fulton also told us in concluding a speech re manoeuvres which chiefly hit the officers that cleanliness meant efficiency & that we must save our money & spend less on beer & ciggers & more on polish.
Return at two. Individual feed up. Done. Next order stand to feeds. Done. Feed up. Dinner. Item 3 fall in again To groom etc until the High Commissioner
[Page 10]
had been along, & groom while he passed. This he did with full gold laced staff with red fittings. Brains perhaps but no appearance. Dark suit black knee boots & glasses Black hat. felt That over. Water horses. Feed. Fall in draw shirts & socks. Tea. Dry feed. fill nose bags. Had to tidy kit bags & bedding as it had been set on.
[Page 11]
Capt Viney Most D - Viney
Whence does your language flow
Your carmine yells
And blankeys hells
Even the troopers glow.
Capt Viney.
Most Deviney
Whence are these swears you know
In a school of state
With a penny slate
What a lot those kids must know
[Page 12]
Save your money
8 When tempted with a sandy thirst
7 When the risk in the deserts done
8 Just slake your thirst with water
A can of boys beer’s piastre one
Save your Money.
When eating stew for seven days
Multiplied by seven without end,
And you feel you’d like something solid boys
Just buckle your belt to the end.
Save your money
[Page 13]
When the officers call grub
Pudding & pies remember pray
That they have stars on their shoulders
They’re built in a different way.
Save your money.
When gum has glued your inner man
For days beyond recall
Remember your boots to polish boys
To fleshy lusts don’t fall
Save your money
[Page 14]
Five bob a day they told you
Would be your daily legal pay
But they knocked you down to two bob boys
T’is just their usual way
Save your money
8 Don’t fill your guts with luxuries
7 At the hill Robbery Co
8 Go buy a tin of polish, Boys
6 And give the heads a show
Just think of the grub you’re getting
And the duff you never see
Buckle your belt up tighter boys
Buy a tin of the great Kiwi
But always turn out neat
[Page 15]
An army will march on its stomach
Napoleon its said did say
But Nap only imagined Europe Boys
Its Viney who rules today
When temped with a sandy thirst
When the daily Bull cross o’er
At the rag time routine’s end
Just slake your thirst with water boys.
[Page 16]
You’ll notice the officers daily
Their bottles with water fill
They never drink beer or spirits boys
So follow you leaders will
If you come far away to fight
Then kill in a kinder way
Dazzle the your foes with your polish Boys
Blinded they’ll lose the day
Each fortnight when you get your pay
Buy polish & cleaning gear
Perhaps & cake & or ginger beer Boys
But dont for Gods sake buy beer
[Page 17]
When you’ve eaten stew for endless days
Just think of the grub you’re getting
And the Duffs you never see
Dont pine for a meal square feed
Buy a tin of the great Kiwi
Buckle your b
[Page 18]
Riding one day desert across
I saw a queer object on a brown horse
His leg were like shafts
His toes in the air
His words were the best of Billingsgate fair
For a boys Brigade Captn his language was rare
For an ex state School master his lang was rare
[Page 19]
23rd Mar Tuesday
Left for Meadi Sham fight en route arr about 4.30 Spent evening at Mr Heaths till 12 am
24th Went on by road to Helouan beside river Nile arr about 2 45.
Usual mess up over watering.
The General Godley came & inspected the lines as soon as all was settled
25 Left Helouan Reached Meadi
Six inches between Viney horses!
26 Left Meadi
Fight did not come off or we so nix
[Page 20]
of it Arr camp abt 3 pm
Night friday 16th Apl returned from Barrage & left same night for Luxor arr next morn at 8 a.m. went to Karnak
Barrage trip Short tucker & messing up on the horse swimming biz. Also no pay. All stony broke.
Note – July. When will it dawn upon the organisers of a modern army that doctors or properly qualified men are those who should see to the scientific feeding of troops A tin of milk. So little & yet so much.
[Page 21]
Apl 21 Left for Helwan. Stopped at Maadi that night.
Helwan, Thursday night Friday half day Sat Silly sham fight in hot sun
Sun to the Sakara Pyramids, & tombs of Bull & Ti
Hell of dust storm there Back by 4.30. Quiet evening in the town
Monday March morning some of Major Fulton’s BS re advance & halt & distance Noon bathing parade
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School girl treat at own expense No dinner one dixie 31 men out – Growls Ducked all noon; night we left for Meadi at 7 pm our Regmt only one which marched light out & no smoking Heads might have heard some remarks re the whole outfit. Mr Fulton’s 4 o’c cricket match.
Meadi 12 noon. Lines down & sleep. Tucker nil.
Return Tuesday to Helio no tucker for midday & no meat for tea usual jam etc
[Page 23]
May 12th
Came to anchor on Eastern side of the peninsula at some Bay Heavy bombardment down coast We moved up the coast noon off a supply base They were giving the Turks hell on a coast ridge all noon & night. Heavy & continuous rifle fire above supply base Also the base was being shelled by shrapnel for a while.
We landed per Torpedo boat
[Page 24]
Colne about 9 pm. Landing stage Bullelts spitting in the water around now & again on the way. One or two hit the boat. We proceeded up the track towards the trenches & near the top bivouacked for the night to the music (?) of the rifle fire & the sing of the bullets I slept some Our chaps took the whole piece so far jolly quietly & did not show much excitement.
[Page 25]
J’son thought he might catch cold with the sweaty walk up & then resting. Up at 4 & stood to arms.
Fine dawn Still firing One fellow carried down head tied up quiet.
Heard there had been terrible losses & the chief hill the objective was a mass of killed & wounded so much so as to hamper further action
[Page 26]
Turks having gained by force of numbers.
13th
We moved up a gully about 8 or 9 am & camped in old dug outs which we improved The Sharp shooters made it pretty hot down the main vally about 10 & got 6 of B Squadron. The bullets sing continually I went for water for a dozen or so & It was pretty lively about then. Don’t like the Shrapnel or Mixed
[Page 27
pills. The firing overhead & then bust with a vicious bang which in itself is nasty.
Also, the explosion knocks the dirt in the dug outs down on us While building a barricade near Headquarters on main track Saw several wounded carried down One had got it in elbow & leg & was biting the collar of his over coat to ease his
[Page 28]
poor nerves. We finished the Barricade about five.
Then returned & boiled the billie for tea – Biscuits tea & butter.
A welcome feed Amount of caste material from clothing to rifles lying about is surprising in a way.
Heard one fellow blown to bits on the beach by shrapnel. Met Rexon at the water hole. Can’t imagine coming out of this
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scathless.
Seems impossible
13th May. At 11.30 about 16 of us from "C" Squdn went trench digging on left near flank (Communication trench) Maxwell & self worked together. A pretty lively fire overhead whole time. We had to run for it going & coming back as a sniper was at work on about 150 yds of main track & one man "Irish" was killed & another badly wounded.
Godley missed it by a few seconds going down hill with
[Page 30]
Madame R.[indecipherable] Maadi (Egypt) (Near Cairo)
Edward D. [indecipherable]
[Page 31]
You Coxcombo
What did you join the army for
Was it for glory gain stars need you on yr shoulders to be a harlots swain
13th
Birdwood & the staff the bullet hiting the road bank just behind him. One went between Butcher & myself when we made our dash There were many hitting the bank on each side as we waited for our sprint. It was like a rabbit side stepping a strap
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In the evening they poured several shrapnel & grape into the bushes about 20 yds on the beach side of our dug outs Booty Butler was hit by a bullett in the leg (in the knee) & had to go to hospital.
Wright went to beach with dysentery & Johnson with a boil The latter I can’t stick. Dave Downey & Con – Cunime came along in the evening & stayed for a yarn. It was good to see them again.
[Page 33]
13th his yarns were amusing & lurid No doubt the landing & driving back of the enemy was a thing which no regular forces would have succeeded in or attempted. Only an amateur army would have been so daring & fool hardy. It must have been a fine piece of work.
14th Saty On reliefs of communication trench digging all day till 4 30 pm Under rifle & occasional shrapnel fire hardly had near
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squeak. Then 10 of us under Sgt Burbury went down to beach for bathe & to fill water bottles. Shrapnel came along close when half way & we ran for it. Two exploded close to us, one drove the sand into my right hand the next sent a piece across the sole of my boot below the instep when on the trot. The sea was sprayed in front of us while undressing but we had our dip & it was refreshing The first wash I’ve had since landing.
[Page 35]
14th
Filled bottles & back Yarned & tea til 8 pm when turned in Up at 10.15 to work on a barricade which kept us going until about 2 am.
About 1.15. The enemy sent up a sort of star shell which was evidently the signal for a hellish fullisade of rifle fire & apparently bombs & was kept up for about 15 minutes.
15th Sunday.
The firing was slacker today then since we landed & we all put in
[Page 36]
a fairly quiet day.
16th Mon
QMS fatigue in morn 5 15 then on road fatigue from 8 am – 12 noon. our mtn guns gave the trench of enemy at head of valley a lively time all morn & we saw some lovely hits.
One man flew in the air & his clothing apparently in shreds after him, another was later deprived of his rifle which went away in rings into the gully.
The smell of the dead.
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Washing. 10
1 Breeches
5 Hanks
1 Singlet
1 Shirt
1 Towel
16th Mon is not at all pleasant & many of the poor fellows lie rotting in the sun where the RMLI made a bold & useless charge some days ago up a face sleeper [indecipherable] a house roof. In the burial ground at foot of hill are many graves & one of our fellows feet you could see sticking
[Page 38]
out in its boot while the big grave waited for the next. At night I was on fatigue at 8 pm again, digging a way & bank which went to fill sandbags for a new barricade near B Viney’s hole Copley in charge. Our party came on three corpses buried where we were digging & the smell hung heavy. A lovely night with the cresent of the three day old moon & never a cloud. Rumour that Hamilton has given the enemy 4 days in
[Page 39]
Land of the cheerful sun
Land of the endless sand
Land of the Turquoise sky
Land of the [indecipherable] band
which to surrender.
Two big howitzers are on the beach today. A lot of the sniping has stopped. Bed 2 30 am Tues.
No rain after our long spell. Viney has been reading text books on barricades & its his new hobby.
17th
Opened with several shells down the valley with the enemy’s
[Page 40]
Albert Sion
Etude de Maitre
Brouaro Avocat
4 [indecipherable] El Soufi
Cairo
P.C. Tite
The Hollies
Byron Road
Harrow on Hill Mid.
[indecipherable]
Pension [indecipherable]
Garden St No. 12 1st Floor
Nr Soldiers Club
2/746 Gunner James Lance
No 3 Battery
N.Z.F.A.
[Page 41]
17th heavy guns which made our fellows laugh at first. But one landing within 50 yds of their holes made the tune alter a little & there were one or two pasty faces. I was asleep at the first & thought it was our naval guns & came out to see what was doing. Was not pleasantly surprised at the real facts. To be blown to cats-meat at short notice without firing a shot would be a little off.
[Page 42]
Reported one man near road blown free of his arms & legs poor devil. Young Bell
A perfect morn with a lovely sea & a splendid sailing breeze. Shrapnel pretty busy today so far. The Indians do great work with their transport up the hill to store base Also one infantry man & his donkey who fetches down all those wounded in the feet or legs that he can get. Story man on stretcher with bearers Shrapnel bursts near Bearers bolt & wounded one jumps up & runs
[Page 43]
for it. Another man comes to Dr asks if he is busy with hand over his eye. Eye shot away & bullet through his head. Saw one fellow badly smashed on stretcher pale & bloody smoking cigarette.
The glories of war.
Miss Thurlow
High St
Epping Essex
Evening same day
Their big gun again drops two shells into the valley not far below "Shrapnel Gulley" or
[Page 44]
Elizabeth St as I call it & raised great clouds of muck. Butch and I went up to a little "possie" on the hill side to see it It then ranged the hill side & gradually worked along to the big bluff where it put in it’s last shot before it knocked off about 7 pm
18th We all slept in our bandoliers ready.
At about 1 am or moon set a terrific fire burst out on all fronts & the din was awful This was kept up till near dawn & in fact after twice we were marched up the road to the barricades & back again. Saw many
[Page 45]
wounded & dead this morn, some horribly messed up. A Sniper put in some good work on the opposite bank while we waited to go up to trenches. Got one fellow through the upper leg whom Balmer carried down at some risk. The next got it as far as I could see in the stomach & he was bandaged up in his dug out & Robinson helped to carry him down. He looked to have got it badly as we saw him later at the F H & he was like death then
[Page 46]
Ten minutes before full of health & vigour next the relics of a man. War is pretty sure enough & picturesque to those who sit at home & write about it from their office chair or study. Pity some don’t know more of the putrid side of it such as we experienced when we went into the trench on the left flank about 1 or 2 pm with several corpses rotting in the sun between our lines. They were blown up with putrifying gases faces to the sun We had a hot 15 min while the NZs on our left made as we heard
[Page 47]
a charge to drive enemy back. Capt Lewis got shot in the chest just as I felt a flank fire & called a warning to him. The bullets & sand flew & we did some firing. I used the periscope a good deal & watched the shots our chaps made at times. The big gun got a couple more shots into the valley about 3 pm & also one or two on or near our trenches. She was supposed to have been silenced too.
Our chaps behaved jolly well I think & there were no signs
[Page 48]
of fear. What I felt was curiosity & excitement
At 9 PM we went to the firing line again Butcher & self on observation post on extreme left in small sap. Might hot corner & I had to occasionally pop my head up to see what was doing on our front.
Hell of fire all night which petered out at dawn & we were relieved at 10 pm Hand grenades given us with most amusing instructions at 12 m n.
[On pages 49 to 54 inclusive there are a number of drawings of what appear to be local men and some horses.]
[On pages 55 and 56 there are drawings of the heads of men with Turkish names.]
[Pages 57, 58, 59 there are drawings of camel heads.]
[On page 60 there is a drawing of a building and on Page 61 a drawing of a man, seated, with what appears to be a description of the person thus –
White hat white & grey stone copper colour face & shadow blue coat Blue indecipherable]]
[Page 62]
19th May At about six a general armistice was made by Turks & white flag show all along the line Our Amateur officers as I always expected made a hash of it at a critical time & allowed the officer of the Turks a German to come right up to our advanced trench with several Turks Three came in But after an hours parley & the enemy having seen all there was to be seen
[Note in Margin "Thursday"]
[Page 63]
were permitted to return to their trenches & at once a hot fire commenced. Such are the methods of our amateur officers.
I don’t expect to see dawn as we are a mere skeleton army here & no reserves to reinforce
This spells finish here if they charge & are massing at the
[Page 64]
back as it is said they are doing. To finish damn all amateur armies & especially officers who were blasted canvassers & storekeepers in their native land
This should read 20th & I am perhaps a day behind in my date tho’ the days are correct.
[Page 65]
Friday morn 21st
We had a night of Qui Vive & the fire was pretty hot at times also the fighting on our right which was kept up well & the machine gun had a hot time & I hear did great damage We did enjoy our tot of rum in the morn & it is most welcome. I slept all morn & at 4 pm we went into the the supports while I went into the front firing trench as they were short a man or two. It was not an unusually
[Page 66]
lively night.
We stood by all day Saturday as supports & it rained in the morning
Butcher & self remained in firing trench until 9 30 am & the rain turned everything into mud & we were in the hell of a mess Snatched about 2 hours sleep at our spell time in a small hole
In the supports again at 7 pm & I was on guard at corner (left.) A very quiet night & we stood to arms at 3.30 At 5 we dismissed Whit Sunday & I was
[Page 67]
QM fatigue Sadlier gave me a fine tot of rum on coming off & I got Kenyons rag out real well.
Saw Hudson in the morning on way back Slept all morn with Butch in a dug out at hill base
A silly fatigue at noon which I passively resisted Cleaning the gully of tins. Into the trenches again at 4 pm. Self firing line at old loop hole same place I had near shave at former night. Letters from Tassy KMW & KW
[Page 68]
Vernon joined warned to keep low as our howitzer is to shell with lyddite in a few minutes
Mon 24th
A wonderful quiet night which kept us all on the peep. I had several looks over our trench was made much shallower by removal of bags We gave them shots at times Early in the evening we used our Japanese bomb thrower which it appears does great damage & goes up a great height & then falls nearly vertical. Firing trench 9 – 1.30 The Armistice was on at 7. A great night
[Page 69]
Great number of dead buried & the stench was awful. The position gruesome. Turks largely in the majority. Godley & many staff men up all morn twigging the field. Only heard one shot fired all day. Concluded at 4.30pm Shooting commenced again about 5 pm.
[Note in margin – E. Norman. Nelson.?]
In supports all night on ammunition guard Nothing special, heavy thunder & some rain.
Saw Scan & another a Corp of Engineers this evening yarn re battleship & the guns a little ruse which scored about 1200 of the enemy.
Biscuits & jam with Balmer
[Page 70]
at 1 am.
Tuesday 25th
Came out of supports at 5 am & turned in at 5 30 & slept till 7 & bed again in dug out Had a good sleep till 12 30. During the morn a battle ship was sunk (torpedoed?) just in the bay. I did not see it. Noon the torpedo destroyers & the airship were making great search while the battle ships went out to sea.
HMS Triumph.
In the trenches again at 4 pm. After a wet after noon. Things damned cloggy.
Quiet night. On alert but little doing. [indecipherable] hardly awake all night.
Beastly blowflies off the buried dead come
[Page 71]
into the trenches for want of place to go. They give one a clammy feel.
Just off the dead.
Dawn hours (Geo) shot dead while in trench just prior to relieving & going off. Took too much chance. G’gow gave [indecipherable] some plain facts on phone re the sniping & our mens reply
Took up our new posse (Wednesday 26th) about midday. Rotten quarters Butch Seymour & self went down with Dolly for bathe in evening. Troops landing under shrapnel or case shot from gun boats. Lovely evening. Quigley got it in the foot
[Page 72]
Thursday 27th May
Quiet day. felt off colour Rather depressed about loss off Majestic. Airship over head noon dropped bomb or two on enemy.
Up left trench at arms midday & again at 12 30 am till 3 30 No one knew why. B.S.
(Friday 28) Went to see Tom B about 11 am on right flank.
IX Platoon C Comp 1st Bgde. Sgt now seems well & as his old self. Had lunch with him. Good trenches Young Bailey shot by snipers in morn & killed also Hdqtr Staff fellow. Sniping damnable All efforts to cope with it
[Page 73]
seem feeble. Ch’l a damn old woman. Up to 4 pm seems a quiet day. Some talk of a confab between Allies & Turks Went for swim in evening Some got strayed with Shrapnel & Butch was hit in the arm while on his way back.
We were turned out at 3 am Heavy fighting especially on Quinns post.
[Note in margin – Sat 29th.]
We saw a lot of it in distance Turks charged A shell shrapnel & bomb duel for about an hour We kept filing up & down the Comm trench all morn. A heap of dead in gully on right 10 we tied up, kits etc & again went up hill
[Page 74]
& kept going up & down till about 3 pm. NZs walked over us & then we went right to top Stayed there about an hour then came down again & settled into dug outs again. The messing abt cost 4 NZs their lives at one corner.
[Note in margin – Bailey killed.]
Saw the Aeroplane in evening drop four indications over Turks lines. Picquet all night. McDolly kept in her posse all night Shes a great officer.
Sun 30th Quiet morn about 1 pm we all stood to arms a fairly heavy attack on our front shrapnel, shells & machine guns which was kept
[Page 75]
up till about 5 pm Slowly dying down Turks repulsed & it is said one or two machine guns out of action & two trenches taken. Alf Cook hit in arm while standing outside posse. Quiet night a few of us quite F.U. with the Rag time Farce from which the RT is never absent.
Mon 31st. Quiet morn lay in & slept all morn Aeroplane & the job below spotted submarine perhaps. She seems to do some great work Webster shot at noon while carrying timber up road. Dead.
It seems unnecessary waste of life to have men
[Page 76]
Men in hospital to shave or be shaved each morning
[Note in margin– Posted to Denys & PC to Mater & Mrs White.]
Mon 31st May
doing fatigues up main road in board daylight. I’d like to come out of this affair sound even if wounded but the chances do seem small.
Turned out at 12 m n for a barricade building fatigue. Kept at it as long as sand bags lasted which was till 2. None of em had any tiers. Sgt B is not in high favour with his men.
Tue 1st June
Quiet day Rumours of move to L.H. Several of my chums are quite agreed that this whole LH & Aust Army (?) is managed up
[Page 77]
This book if found should I be killed is to be sent without fail to:-
Mrs Reynolds
47 Gunterstone Road
Kensington W
London
Mother
Also
Mrs K.M. White
Wattle Park
Glenorchy
Hobart
Tasmania
[Page 78]
to putty & that the Englishman or ex African is not wanted. On Sap cutting fatigue from 6 – 10 pm Turned in Quiet night. Heard today of Dave Downey’s death by bomb. A damned fine fellow a real loss. Blast this blankey war.
Wed 2nd On fatigues. Met Lyte. Yarn in evening till late
Thur 3rd Fatigue morn Moved to gully in evening below Popes hill
Friday 4th Fatigues till midday or 2 pm. Then quiet till night. Yarn Sgt Scan noon. Also Hamilton Sgt Paul Shot dead. Brown Big firing during night Some talk of charge from Quinns. Big cannon
[Page 79]
ading by warships down coast from 1 – about 6. Goeben reported sunk again At Quinns there was another abortive charge which caused some useless loss of life No officers led the men & only one non com. Drove Turks were driven out but our fellows could not hold the trench they took. Slept this night will kit on.
Saturday 5th June
Up to Popes hill 8 – 12 improving & finishing support trench. Weather very fine. Quiet for rest of day Bathe in evening until shrapnel began. A yarn with Lyte & Lt Alexander & Swainy in evening till 9. Turk prisoners brought in from party at trenches while I was in signallers office Quiet night. Stood to arms Sunday morn 4 am.
[Page 80]
Sun 6th June Road making up Dead Mans Gully morn & in sap 4 – 8 pm on Popes hill noon. Quiet.
Called on Tite in evening.
Mon 7th. Quiet day. No fatigues. Tom B came up in morning for yarn. Seems well, Bathe first parade noon. Elfick. No shrapnel. Met Cumine later. Tuft hair present fad. Up to Viney’s Folly at dark under McCloud. Fine night. Some heavy firing & star shells. Visited Tite & Alexander at 7 – 8 Had short letter from Mater with enclosure. Posted Mtr in F L.H.P.
Tues 8th A quiet day in Vineys Folly. Heat unpleasant & no shade. Relieved at 8 15 Some tucker & to bed. [indecipherable] picquet.
[Page 81]
Capt B can’t say I like him he a morose & conceited sod. Tho’ he appears not to be
Wed 9th. Left the gully about 9 am. Usual messing & delay The Planets don’t seem to become any more efficient Stomach bad all day Another bit of not cleaning up all the other dirty squadrons old tins etc. Into the trenches as supports about 8 pm. Some talk of a charge to come off. Rumour many of our ships sunk by submarines somewhere.
Thur 10th Into trenches at 5 I spelled till 12 md, then till 5 am in firing line Quiet night Out at 5. Cold night. No rum Damn Band of Hope Army. To act as men & be treated as boys. Bread.
[Page 82]
Fri 11th Slept & lay down all day. Into supports at 7 pm Quiet night & cold Slept well. Yarns colera among Turks. Many our fellows sent away high temperature. Talked of Peace. Splendidly fine weather. Never join an army again under amateur officers. What about Aust. Democracy.
Sat 12th June Into trenches 5 am Seymour & self into look out. Some shelling of enemy by battle ship early & enemy shelling our right flank trenches. Yarn. Fall of the big hill 971? Our ships through narrows? Slept noon. Into trenches about 7 pm I was near Ludby & Solea who were look outs. Officers & non-coms had the jerks. Out at 5. Tea & to bed. Sun 13th June.
[Page 83]
Slept in all morn. Heavy bombdmt down coast. Turks said to be driven this way. QM Fatigue noon. Saw Tite. Quiet well. Into supports at 7. Good sleep. S.T.A. at 3. Into look out at 5 with Seymour. Posted PCs to Mtr & Mrs D. & notes to Mrs F & KMW per Vincent. Big gun duel in morn & our night got it pretty hot.
Mon 14th Trenches. Observation Pst Fairly quiet
Tues 15th Supports. Bombdmt on coast Quiet our way. Enemy shelling
Wed 16th Relieved from Trenches about 9.30 am. Removed to Gully by Hdqtrs Staff. Severed partnshp with Seymour. Tea with Tite & Swainey. Met Cooper. This are worse than the bullets Far more annoying Godly supposed to have some
[Page 84]
Wed 16
good news to impart soon Wish they’d issue rum again Heard from M.T.L. Men are mostly fed up with this eternal fatigue racket & stationary posts. More disheartening than fighting. Most men lousy.
Thur 17 Quiet Usual little firing. Aeroplane now & again drops bombs during this period. Reported – first two trenches at Gaba Teke taken. Reported troops landed to North. – Bulgaria has come in also Greece. Cheval ill & away also Johnson. Tom Called morn
Fri 18 Swim
Sat 19th Swim
Tea with Tite.
Sun 20th Heavy bombardment at Cape Helles all day & evening Went down & had yarn
[Page 85]
with Tom in evening. Found him well.
Mon 21 More bombardmt early Heard from Mater Four hours fatigue 12 – 4
Tue 22 Quiet day News of success of our or Allies force South Bathe in eve Missed shrapnel. Two caught it one in water. Some thing doing with battleships Aeroplane & another boat about 8 or 9 miles out. C Squdn officers most stuck up – upstarts of whole bally crowd bar Clarke & Bennett is both fool & cad. Down to Tite in evening Most peculiar blister on moon
Wed 23 Fatigue 12 – 3 Bathe after. Very hot day Price Hobart had his arm cut nearly off below elbow by shrapnel case when bathing. Beastly wound. Tea with Tite & Co.
[Page 86]
Thur 24 June. As usual quiet day. Fatigue at 8 pm – 12 m n.
Fri 25 Quiet day. Weather Very hot.
Sat 26 Same Little doing. Weeks shot with Shrapnel. Turks Ammn is improving in explosive power They also have a new bomb fired by gun which has a fiery track.
Sun 27th A short attack by enemy in morn abt 5 am Otherwise very quiet day. Our battleships appear to play hell for couple of days or so down coast (Achi Baba) & then cease for week to give enemy time to repair damage done. We comment on it. The planets appear to have might easy time & devote it to discovering fatigue
[Page 87]
for the men. The hillside side now is a maze of saps The rum is quite stopped & I see no lime juice at all Rations a farce a times 11 Small spuds for a troop 30 men sent down for 3 bags of mail. Bunny Bennett tries to cure N of swearing!! The ignorant pigs McCloud has not yet returned from hospital. Very pleased to see that Federal House has had to debate treatment of troops in Egypt & food etc Someday I hope there will be a day of reckoning with the curs of officers from top to bottom with few exceptions. What about Young of NZ infantry & Dug out King.
7.15 pm 28 June. Nothing special quiet day. Still very hot.
Tue 29 Firing still on down coast
[Page 88]
Mon 28 June Heavy firing towards Achi Baba by Battleships another landing effected. Counted 24 small mine trawlers & torpedo destroyers lined between Imbros & there. Firing all day Midday a fizzle on our front on right reported trenches taken from Turks Own men went too far & fired on by own side. Some big old shells on our hill side Also shrapnel. Another display at night with fire works & cheering (Eggs.)
Fine swim in the dusk with Arthur
Tues 29th June. Ctd A heavy fire opened up all along own front abt 9 45 pm as well as heavy bombardment down the coast. This with the cloudy night & the flares made
[Page 89]
it look quite an inferno.
Wed 30th We had to stand to arms at 1 am. As only just got to sleep was wild as we most were.
(The aeroplane which dropped the papers on Sunday night asked us Austns to come over to them & we would be well fed etc & were only mercenaries.)
Five dead in morgue one of them a Turk. Said to have been the Ottoman Guard who attacked on left. Drunk or partially. 250 left dead or badly wounded in front of the trenches.
We went into trenches in morn. Rotten trenches, shallow narrow & enfiladed on both sides. No possie supports Heavy thunder storm at night & some rain not too pleasant. Some firing at night. No rum just when needed
[Page 90]
Thur 1st July Out of trenches at 5 & to blankets. Rested to 12 Out of sorts. Feel need of different tucker, want tinned milk & cocoa or coffee. Officers can buy or obtain all they require but a private even if he has money can get nothing Day in day out Bully Sun bathed for weeks, bacon & cheese & jam. None of them bar former too bad but the stomach revolts at the eternal sameness No fruit preserved or otherwise
Rice second time to day - Bennett roots Bob Harrison up with his foot. Bob curses him. This is a fair idea of what one can expect from such officers (cads) as we have. Dolly McLeod is back. Heard him say he’d lost a stone, but he’s gained no savoir faire. Makes no attempt to greet his men or ask how things are going
[Page 91]
I think they daren’t. Many men sick & many very weak. Into supports at 7 pm after handful of boiled rice for tea No stomach for anything. Sgt Trimble killed about 7 pm Bullett burst his brain open. Heavy sea on the beach.
Fri 2nd July Went into trenches at 5 am. A rum issue. Marvellous. Trenches at 7 pm till next morn
Sat 3rd Out at 5 am Sleep all morn till fool S.M. woke me up To call on Tite noon. Supports at 7. Some rain in night
Sun 4th Into trenches at 12 We all feel the need of a canteen or the need of somewhere to purchase such things as coffee milk etc. At present unfavourable. Letter from Jeannie 3rd
[Page 92]
& paper from mater.
Sun 4th. Submarine rptd in offing at noon. Into trenches at 12 pm till 5 am Mon. Reported – Bulgaria [indecipherable] Turkey – French Transport sunk 6 lives lost. Quiet day night Letter from Cripps 9th June
Mon 5th July. In supports all day & night.
Tues 6th Into trenches at 5 am – 12 & 7 pm to 5 am
Wed 7th when we went down the hill to reserve gully 12 of us right away into Vineys folly. Draws lots to leave 4 & I got out. Went to tea with Tite. met Kirkwood there. A tot & home at 9 pm .
Thur 8th Fatigue at 8-12 a argument with Mjr Glasgow re the fatigue which was
[Page 93]
later refer d to Bell per Rowell Eight of us on peq noon for late fatigue – Bell as nervous & white as sheet. Griffin the swine lied as usual. Result an extra four hour fatigue. I spoke to Griffin re the business & he lied again Bell refused to hear what I had to say. Convinced he shielded Griffin & he is what I always believed an arbitary self aggrandised weak unjust prejudiced cad. Such a thing could not have happened with a fair man His phisiognamy is a give away. It’s the worst of having cads as officers. In evening while we were on the fatigue he came & worked for a while The usual crack hearty game of his kidney. I’ll get even
[Page 94]
Fri 9th July. To Walkers Ridge in morn with Arthur Foster for rice & curry also scored some beans & beef. [Note in margin] Bathe. Quiet noon. Cooked a good tea with curry beef onions & rice. Best feed for weeks We go into outpost about 8. Persistent rumours of a move soon by our Brigade.
Sat 10th On outpost all day Heavy shelling of Kabid Baba
Sun 11th. Fatigue 6 – 10 finished in good time Bathe Heard from Mater & Mr B Guard in evening 9 till 4 am
Mon 11th. [12th] Fatigue 2 – 5 contract so finished fairly early. Tile came & had a curry tea with me & later I went down to get water can Crowd damnable poor devils
[Page 95]
Mon 11th [12th] Some have to walk nearly two miles – Heavy shelling Achi Baba
Tues 12 July [13th] Heavy gun firing in morning on our front & enemy shelled Courtnays during noon Rather many casualities going down to beach. Had a good bathe in evening with Besier. Called on Tite on way back met a S.M.
who knew R.E. Wright well in Fiji. Posted PC & letters to Mater & PC to Janet.
Wed 13th [14th] Stand to Arms. At 3 am then told to carry on till 4 am. To move off at 8.30 am for Popes Post Up packs & moved off. Many got to top of hill & some half way then were told all to go back again as we were not wanted & so back again to our possies & unpack. This is the best our Heads (!) can do after 11 months of it. Waste of mens strength & temper in this heat.
[Page 96]
July Wed 13 [14] This eternal Duke of Malborough gag is getting monotonous
Heard from Butcher.
Took over the job of S.P. in evening vice. Harry Taylor returned to troops
Moved down in evening to Biv’ near Mortuary
Bathe in evening.
Thur 14th [15th] Took over new duties. Inspected Steeles & Saps during day. Bathe at night with Jenkins & Mac T. Splendid night Tea with Tite. Drew rations
[Included adjacent to this paragraph are the following words – Tite took Bwoods photo & ours]
Fri 15 [16] Inspecting Steeles & Saps. Fixed up possee noon. Bathe in evening Fine night. Tried hard to buy some milk. NG
[Page 97]
Sat 17 Same as Fri
Sun 18 On Morgue all day one man in. Shot through head
Mon 19 Inspected Steeles & saps work. Cleaned up road noon with Kiwi Jenkins & Murray Very hot day. Talk of early advance or move Reptd. – Andrianople in hands of Bulgars Also 100000 turks reinforcements. The balloon up today. Much reconnaissance going on it appears.
Tues 20 Much same as day before. Missed bathe as all bathing stopped after 7.30 PM. So had soap wash Second since we arrived
[Page 98]
Wed 21st July I took on cooking for the SP did not go out till noon when went see Tite. The charge is to come soon it appears All preparing for an attack or conter ditto. Fine bathe in evening with Bill Jenkins Tea late & most unusually pleasant free fr m flies
Thur 22 Another quiet day Aeroplane making great reconnaissance. Shrapnel vainly trying to bring him down. More yarns of attack. One dead Turk in Mortuary. Shot while trying to cut our wire entanglements. Some shelling in evening by our guns S.P. Corpl slept with his Sqdn who were cutting a trench on side of dead man’s gully
[Page 99]
Thu 22 July. The charge is supposed to come off tonight Slept with boots on.
Nothing however came off. Kiwi returned in the night.
Fri 23 Cooking for SP’s Called & saw Tite in evening The Turks attack has not yet come off. Slept with boots on again.
Sat 24 Cooking. Went for Bathe with Bill Jenkins noon. Enemy giving beach a warm time with shrapnel & big shell. Some of former burst very close & peppered within arms length. Rum Issue. No attack came off this night. Much discussion re officers General opinion seems the same. They (the majority) are a lot of vain self-seeking selfish pigs.
[Page 100]
Sun July 25 Mon 26 Tues 27 still much as usual. Am still cooking for our little crowd.
Wed 28th A sharp burst of firing in morning about 4 am. Bugle was blown on Courtenays by our fellows or NZs & loud cheering. Made enemy fire like the deuce for some while. Tues a young fellow, name Reynolds in Morgue shot in heart N.Z. Enemy have a big sort of explosive bomb like cannon ball which they use at times now. Makes hellish explosion Piece of shell fell into our possie in afternoon & tore newspaper on my knee.
Thurs 29th Quiet day. Heard in evening that a Brigde of Ghurkas had landed & possible more on Sunday with Light Horse left to man trenches in support.
[Page 101]
Also letter & enclosure & papers from Mater Taube came over evening
Fri 30 In or about possie all day. Nothing fresh. Sharp burst of firing about 5 pm
Sat 31st Taube overhead early dropped several bombs one fell quite close to our possie. Could hear falling. To call on Tite in evening. Report 14.000 000 shells will be fired on Achi Baba in all or now by Allies. Some firing in evening. Godley made some shake up over water this date. Yarn re the Taube dropping bombs in own lines. Bathe noon. Splendid Heard Elfick wounded in leg with shrapnel on Fri Posted to Mater Eustace Lady S PC Cripps & Mrs White
[Page 102]
Sat 31st July Met some our troop at Beach. 48 strong in Squadron now 30 odd for duty.
Rolled overcoats on outpost. Light horse I heard 700 strong out of 1500. Percentage of sick everywhere too heavy. Still hot & dry. Bits of bomb & shrapnel fell near possie at night. Attack on right Two trenches reported taken
Sun 1st August
Quiet day played cards with Morrie noon. Still hot & dry.
Mon 2nd Still nothing doing Made some dice. Called on Tite in evening. Alexander gave me three eggs. Bust ‘em don’t eggs in your shirt
[Page 103]
especially when shirt has no buttons. Damn.
We talked of the so called Advance. The opinions of L & I are not optimistic They are giving out rum again now. Courage. A la demi John.
Tues 3rd. All talk is of the move.
Wed 4th. Tite & Cooper came to tea & voted it a blow out. False attack by our front at 9 pm. The Aust & Col generally seems to lack an eye for method & thoroughness
Thur 5th. Called on Tite in morn. They cleared over to left in evening & same with NZs. Bill Jenkins left & Fred Price went away sick The move begins soon I hear Tommies landing every day or night now
[Page 104]
Fri 6th Some bombardment at night & action on left
Sat 7th Things very lively early Heavy musketry rifle gun & battleship fire.
Many dead brought down to Morgue a false attack early to screen operations on left cost the 1st & 2nd Light Horse dear on Popes & Quinns also the Welsh Fulisiers up Pope’s gully & the Light Horse on the left Walkers. Our little corpl did not turn up all day & it is said he has gone over parapet with his brother who was a bomb thrower. The losses are pretty heavy on this front at least 26 in Mortuary & 8 or more
[Page 105]
up the road. Some shelled to pieces. The valley seems to be blood & disorder I did some rounds & helped at Mortuary on which Mac was until 11.30 pm.
Reported self on behalf of SPO to Capt Farr at 4 30 or 5 & was told to carry on He also said we were within 150 yds of top of 971 & they were doing well on left tho we had had a bit of a dusting here. To bed late & very tired To be a soldier it is also necessary to realise that ones life is of very little value when history has to be made.
Sun 8th Stanchan killed by shell splinter. He was breathing his last when I looked in at Red X
[Page 106]
Sun 8th Woke early big gun fire & the general circus Then 3 shells came close to our possie & burst below woke the boys up. They became more frequent & close & one drove several loads of earth just on to my late bed. Then we bolted for it. Place thick with smoke & dust. Wandered homeless till 9 when we went back & had some tucker. Discovered they were 75 m/m shells percussion. 11 dead still in Mortuary. Did a fair round in morn. Mac on Morty. Saw Capt Tan 2.30. All serene. Up to Walker’s Ridge Met Cheval. Reckons things going fair to good on left. Jack Clark & self to summit for look at scene. Great. Ambulance busy. Many ships all sorts. Guns along beach. Sapping on
[Page 107]
flat. Horsemen. Down Cantby Gully. Leinsters gone. No more in Mortuary. Had good tea & then home (?) to bed.
Mon 9th Things still lively on the left it appears & large numbers of wounded being sent in also plenty of rumours Commenced collecting rifles & equipment
Tue 10th Nothing very fresh Hill taken – Hill retaken Hill not taken at all etc etc Corp Villis not yet found or body in. Turks gave the valley the dence of a shrapneling in the morning & got some Terriers.
Wed 11th Heard from Eustace also paper from Watson Butterworth & Jacobs injured by own bomb. Former serious Seymour had arm smashed
[Page 108]
by bomb possibly lose it. Collected some more rifles etc. Things much cleaner One body in A. Squad 3rd. Very quiet day so far as firing is concerned. 2 men & a mule sniped down road. Capt Farr does not seem so d-d cheerful as a week ago Met Lieut Margills & another on the beach. Had short yarn. Bathe. Detail of 3 men & Corpl on shifting tins from Morgue to destructor. Bill Jenkins said to be Killed.
Birdwood’s manifesto admits very heavy losses this means most severe I should say.
Thur 12 Fri 13th Sat 14th Things quiet & nothing
[Page 109]
of any special mention Pretty busy & much to see to
Sun 15th Made a biggish round this day.
Got Merrington’s rag out re tins & waste Poor devil Bathe in evening & a sharp dose of shrapnel as a finale Camm QM Many rumours but no news
Mon 16th . Busy day. Rumours sunken troop ship with Hampshires on bd Also captured Turkish submarine in nets at Lemnos. Farr Comes from Devon stock. Busy day. New sanitary matters to see to. Visited Courtney’s V.B. Yarn we all go to left. Muir return to his Batt. A scheming dog.
[Page 110]
Open Letter to The Officers
Notes
The service from whence the officers drawn
The original appts made in a holiday spirit for what was thought to be a holiday trip.
Now the error. Too late The state of turmoil since the commencement Orders & counter orders The uniform. The pay The Manual.
The want of correct discipline. Pin prick tactics are not discipline Actual offenders not punished but nearly always the whole squadron The food. The meal hours. The example of the officers
[Page 111]
of the AIE Force
The element of youth in the force. Youth may be efficient but experience of men should count. The boy scout element. Horseman ship does not make soldiers.
Polish not achieved with sand & dust & 16 hour days Active service when it suits them. Others parade & polish.
The duties of an officer
1st duty to his men Their food & comfort Soldiers boot laces – Six mths for this progress Whose to blame.
There must be some duffers as we can’t all be privates
[Page 112]
Tues 17th Wed 18 Thur 19 & Fri 20 Everything pretty much as usual
Very few dead coming in at our Morty & not much firing Benetto came to tea on Thursday. His comments on the treatment of the sick at Lemnos are sweet. Chaos & incompetence RAMC on boat across.
Throw in 1/- each & can get you some cakes. 8/- = 1 small box of inferior cakes.
Dr Campbell & his stretcher to the landing stage. The latrines at Lemnos etc. The doctors & officers who go away sick when any engagement is coming off. Goucher of 2 ALH one of em.
Can’t all be his. Copley has gone now & officer from another Squadron is
[Page 113]
Queries Re the lst time cavalry charge - ?
Re the rifles piled when digging trenches Which side.
appointed to take his place Rumoured Greeks are into it. We all hope so.
That Japan has given Turks 10 days to open Dardanelles That we are all going away to recuperate at a place where there is no beer. What about the officers Mac F & his yarn re Mjr Bourne. Dismount to receive Camelry. The Ghurka who cut the turks head off.
The Turkish champion bomb thrower
Have not met a man yet who
[Page 114]
once away from his squadron is anxious to return. They all seem to hate it.
Saty 21st Aug. Met Kim Went up to Cantly Gully. Heard Grace was dead. Hard luck. Milk 1/6 tin from Lyons & glad to get it. Snipers had a couple at me in morning. Jack Clarke has got hit in the throat this happened several nights ago Serious but perhaps not dangerous.
Posted this week to Mater Eustace & Photo to Mrs Brooks. The nights are getting colder & the days closing in. At midday (?) heard had to be examined re home commission. Dr Mainwaring examined me Lt I believe
[Page 115]
Some demonstration at 3.30 by our front as a general attack was taking place on left flank in day light Heavy firing on left all noon & night. The bombing by our men on Quinns seemed specially good. Absence of machine gun fire noticeable. 29th Div I believe it is have landed on left also 5th Aust reinforcements.
Sun 22 Before breakfast did Walkers saps & firing line Courtneys & main sap. Former of last two very unsanitary.
Snipers had two goes at me early. One close. I am pleased with notice re saps
[Page 116]
Sun 22 Bathe noon below Snipers Peak Mac T unwell & off duty. Jock came to tea.
Mon 23rd Fatigue of Leinsters at 8 am took down rifles & ammtn & equipment from Popes Cross roads. Turks snipers been busy – caught two. Had burn at incinerator in morn.
Tues 24 Wed 25
On our front things quiet Was up on Quinns & saw some of the boys. Seemed glad to see me – Letter from Denys.
Butcher returned from Egypt. He slept at our possie Lyte & Swaney came to lunch & brought half bott rum & took
[Page 117]
away some things in tucker line
On left we have a well & they say Anafarta
Thur 26
Busy day Heavy rally at night twice. Near shave of shrapnel at Morgue noon
Fri 27 Heard from Mtr papers from Whites & home & goods from Denys Another busy day Burn at incinerator noon We move round to left they say soon.
Jack Riley & Gleeson sick Met them going into rest.
[Page 118]
Sat 28th Woke up stiff in joints & sore of head
Sun 29 Still feel old & rotten. Rested all morn
Mon 30th Went to doctor in morning. Pills & to lie down Evening come tomorrow
Tue 31 Sent down to Hospital in evening 103 ° Sun sent aboard
9th Sept arr in Cairo No 2 G.H. off S.S. Salva
Oct 16th Went into Cairo & drew £ 10. First trip into the city since return Met Mr C Sinder.
Oct 24. To Ghiza Zoo with Brookhouse & Baird Met Sisters Lehmann at 2.30 & had a most pleasant day.
[Page 119]
Tuesday 26th Oct.
Left Ghezireh at 11 by motor lorry. Station Dept 12 o’c. Reached Montazah about 4 pm. Not a pleasant journey. Hungry to bed. First impressions not very good.
Wed 27 Posted to [indecipherable] Sister Lehman, & Card to Base office.
Thur 4th Nov Posted to Mr & Mrs Cripps also Massingham
[Page 120]
Max Butcher
Meadow Cottage
Rose Vale
Hoddersdon Herts
Sargen C. Evans
C/o Hurtcutat Street
Bulimba
Brisbane Queensland
[Page 121]
B of E Note 10/- [indecipherable].038399
Night Morn & the stars are fading
Into the paling with her sky
Dawn rosy wakening
Bid the night grey good bye
Eve & the stars are peeping
Out of the darkning – blue
Night with her jewelled mantle
Bids the hot sun day adieu
[Page 122]
Heels & Soles
3/9 a set
Phillip’s Patents Ltd
Dept F
142-6 Old St E.C.
Oiled silk socks 6/- per pr
Swaine & Adeney
185 Piccadilly W
[Page 123]
Appln No 47033
Egyptn Gaz. Alex.
[Page 124]
The psychological difference between an officer & a man In all things military from food to blankets.
No canteens for men to purchase such articles as milk or coffee or currie Officers can procure all they need (from observations) The teetotal veto also does not apply to the Commd rank. Also how easy for an officer to get a sick spell & how hard a man How patriotic for an officer to refuse to go second in Command (Stoddart) to a man of active service knowledge (Glasgow) & so get the Command.
[Page 125]
Abt 19th Oct Posted shawl to Mrs White & letter to Sylvia
[Page 126]
James Spicer & Son
30 Craven St London
Sat y 6th Mar
Wrote to
Girand Headley & King
Aunt Phyll
Mater
Reid & PCs to Miss Gratin & again to Mtr in interval
Mon 15th Mar
Posted to Aunt Phyllis & enclosed papers
Sun 28 Mar Gave Eustace letter to post to Mrs White & Mrs Stevenson
Posted to Mtr & Mrs W [indecipherable]
18th Apl.
14th Oct Posted to Mater & Peyton
[Page 127]
Lance PT 10
Seymour – 15
Watch – 5
Supper – 16
Dks – 16
Tram - 4
Cab – 5
Confec – 4
Wright – 10
Butch – 5
Dks – 7
Tea – 3
Tobacco – 5
Tooth Paste – 2
Washing – 7
Sgt A Sutton
c/- S. Sutton
Durants
Park Road, Radlett Aust
[Page 128]
Blackman 5
Ferguy – 10 – Paid
Seymour – 5
Butch - 21, 20 Paid
Wright – 88 ½ + 6 £ E 1.100
Nick – 25
[Page 129]
Compton – 3323 = H
[indecipherable]
4th March
[indecipherable] pd
[indecipherable] pd
Wright 65 x 5 + 6 ½ + 10 = 86 ½
Seymour [indecipherable] – 15 = 9 + 5
Seymour – 10/-
Butcher – 20 + 10 8 + 3 = 41
41 – 5 – 36 – 15 = 21
8th 3 21 owed
13th
Wright Ps. 10 86 ½ - 10 = 76 ½
Butch – 5 – 15 from 13th on
Wright - 5 + 5 + 6 – 15 27/3/
Wright + 5 + 76 ½ + 1 82 ½
[Page 130]
[Not transcribed]
[Page 131]
[Not transcribed]
[Transcriber’s notes:
Pg. 19 Meadi probably Maadi, Helouan probably Helwan
Pg. 84 Gaba Teke probably Gaba Tepe]
[Transcribed by Rosemary Cox and Rex Minter for the State Library of New South Wales]