Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Blake diary, 1917-1919 / Frederick Blake
MLMSS 784

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If Found kindly forward

Mrs E. Blake
Chellas
75 John St
Petersham

Diary Trooper F Blake

Australian Camel Brigade
Field Amb.

Later
Transferred A.M.C. to Anzac
Mounted Division

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1917

Jan 22
Left Sydney for Seymour Camp Victoria by express 7.25pm
Big crowd on platform to wish us good luck and safe return.

Jan 23 Arrived Seymour 1 pm after a tiring journey due to overcrowding. Met at Station by Officer & Sergeant Major & marched to Camp some 3 miles distant.
Arrived at Camp, pitched tents & turned in very tired. First impressions this camp unfavourable & from remarks made by occupants could be better (“Time will tell")

Jan 24th
Reveille 6.30 AM. Allotted

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Sections. Ambulance at present comprised 3 Sections A, B & C. A Section N.S.W. B Section Vict C Section S.A & Queenslanders. A. Section under S Major (some bouncer) B Section Sgt (dapper little Englishman) C Section Sgt (lusty youth) who shut his eyes when giving commands & trusted to providence to pull him through. The day was spent in squad drill with Lecture thrown in after Tea. S M informs us chaps from N.S.W that we need not think we could play up in Victoria if we were allowed to in N.S.W. He informed us in delightful language that they had a barb wire fence and he was not frightened to use it. A foolish remark for a man in his position to make.

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on such short acquaintance. I told the Boys I thought his bark was worse than his bite. Fine lot of fellows in Unit
Jan 25th
First riding test very funny. On leaving N.SW unit was formed hurriedly and nobody worried whether one was a Horseman or otherwise. Same thing occurred in other states. Unit was formed at three days notice as Mounted Ambulance for Camel Corps & expected to sail in a week. However after Breakfast the order was given to fall out all who could ride. Out of fear of perhaps not going away everybody made up their mind that they could ride. Our O.C. Capt Heath (a sport) said we will see whether you are all Jockeys. We

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marched across to Light Horse stables & saw the mokes. A Horsey looking individual informed the OC that the Horses were rather fresh (NB. They looked it). The OC with a smile said we were all accomplished riders. We felt like whistling some cheerful ditty (The Dead March perhaps) However when the order was given to saddle up it resulted in one rush for the Horses that looked quiet (my tip things are not what they seem) However with assistance we all saddled up & formed in line. A Sergeant Major appeared and made a few remarks on the handling of Horses. His remarks were full of eloquence & perhaps his occupation prior to enl was a Auctioneer. We were told that we were each to do a gallop

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in turn at certain interval. One started all right, then they all started and what a mess. Some galloped to the river, some in circles and some cleared back to the Stables. A number fell off & my neddy went for his stall. Had I not ducked in time would probably have woke up in Hospital Thus ended our first Riding Test. About 50% failed.
Jan 26th
Route march to Goulbourn River along road leading to Trawool .Rations on Route, Bully, Biscuits & Tea. Distance about 16 miles by road.
Jan 27th
Leave to Melbourne. Marched to Seymour station catching train about 12 pm Arrived Melbourne 3pm.

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My first visit to this City. Tom & I spending week end at Oakleigh (Toms Uncle) Caught 4.30 pm train to Oakleigh then cab to Notting Hill. Spent pleasant week, end driving & viewing district.
Sunday Jan 28
At Oakleigh
Monday Jan 29
Rose at 4.30 AM to catch 7.30 AM train back to Seymour arrived camp about Noon
Tuesday Jan 30
Semaphore Signalling today. Advised not to throw our arms about like scarecrows.
Wednesday Jan 31
Concert down time in evening. Very good show.

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Thursday Feb 1
sailing postponed on account of Raider out. Troops from all states banking up in Seymour.
Friday Feb 2
Weekly route march, across fields to Goulbourn River, across Railway Line & back through old Seymour Town. Route marches very enjoyable.
Saturday Feb 3
On duty, off in afternoon. Went fishing to Goulbourn River with some of the Boys. Change from Camp
Sunday Feb 4
Washing day (nuff said)
Monday Feb 5
Waggon Drill & Lecture
Tuesday Feb 6
Signalling, Evening wrote letters

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Wednesday Feb 7
Same old Drill all hands anxious to get away. Boxing contests at Stadium in evening.
Thursday Feb 8th
Riding exercise again better display than previous day.
Came a cropper over log fence. Feel like having meals off Mantelpiece.
Friday Feb 9th
Very enjoyable Route march to Trawool some eight miles from camp along a country road shaded by trees & the Birds whistling merrily. Across the bridge at Goulbourn River and on arrival at Hotel had lunch & impromptu Concert spending a very pleasant couple of hours.
Arrived back at Camp about 6 pm.

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Saturday Feb 10th
On leave again. Journeyed to Brunswick for weekend. Had a pleasant time. Cable trams very amusing & cause of much argument between N.S,W. & Vict.
Sunday Feb 11th
Visited St Kilda the place of Vict similar to Manly of Sydney but poor imitation. Toured city on Cable Trams. In regard to streets Melbourne wins otherwise not in it with Sydney.
My opinion Victorians very hospitable people. Speaking personally Tom & I have been treated very well over here.
Monday Feb 12
Back to Camp. What a bleak & desolate place Seymour seems after leave. The food here is what may be termed plain (& very)
The YMCA & others supply the long felt want of a change if one is financial.

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Tuesday Feb13
Usual routine
Wednesday Feb 14
Stretcher drill today
Remarkable different methods of NCOs giving command. Our S.M. glares & yells. At – ten – shun. The pretty English Sgt (full of style) gives us a twang about it so At – ten – sheon While the lusty youth also a Sgt. shuts his eyes makes faces & yells shun.
Fine concert at stadium in evening by Melbourne Concert party.
Thursday Feb 15th
Riding exercise again all day
Friday Feb 16th
Our weekly Route march again to Trawool very enjoyable

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Saturday Feb 17
Hearing we are not sailing for couple of weeks. We NSW men who sacrificed final leave to get away as we thought have applied for it. Applications referred to Headquarters. Unfortunate to day on duty S Majors mess. Why should we have to be their servants. Its only compensation (a good feed).
Sunday Feb 18
the good old Church Parade. Wrote letters & cleaned equipment
Monday Feb 19th
Very heavy rain today.
Out Riding
Tuesday Feb 20
Route march to Granite some 8 miles to foot of Hill. Signs of old granite mills here from which it bears its name. Returned about 6pm.

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Wednesday Feb 21
Raining like
Woke up in water. Sham fight on today. Plenty of fun
Thursday Feb 22
Final leave through. Left for Sydney 6pm. Had good trip over
Friday Feb 23
Arrived Sydney 12 noon
Saw Mother, Fred & Glad again. How pleased they were to see me. I really think those who love us feel it more than we do on parting. Spent quite evening at Home & enjoyed it.
Saturday Feb 24
Visited Garrison Hospital in morning surprised to hear poor old Jack Smith dead. Buried today, went to funo funeral

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as bearer. Poor old Jack one of the best.
Evening Glad & I visited Theatre.
Sunday Feb 25
Last day at home, spent quiet day and caught Melbourne Express back to Camp
Monday Feb26
Back to the old home again with its stew, bread & jam & plenty of work.
Tuesday Feb 27
Usual routine
Wednesday Feb 28
Riding morning, afternoon resting night, sham fight collecting wounded not permitted return to camp until supposed patient brought in.
Thursday March 1
Photo of unit taken. Final equipment served out. Expect to embark Monday. All week end leave cancelled. Pretty rough

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on Victorians whose homes are in Melbourne
Friday March 2
All hands excited at prospect of sailing. Leave granted. Left for Melbourne.
Saturday March 3
Spent week end at Oakleigh. Tom’s uncle & friends gave us a fine time.
Sunday March 4
Caught special Train back to camp in preparation for leaving in morning. Wrote letter in Evening
Monday March 5
Medical inspection. Bruckwood, Squires, Fletcher, McKinnon turned down medically unfit. Word came through sailing postponed until Thursday.
(Bad Luck)
Friday Tuesday March 6th
Nothing doing.

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Wednesday March 7th
Date of sailing indefinitely postponed. No reason given, seems to be some danger. Troops from all states banking up. When will we leave this hole with its bread & jam (Plum) and stew.
Thursday March 8th
Usual drill all hands fed up at turn of events.
Friday March 9th
Our weekly route march this week to rifle butts then cut across country striking Goulbourn river & returning home by Trawool Rd distance appro 20 miles.
Saturday March 10th
On duty week end. .
Sunday as Saturday
Monday March 12th
Building Bivouacs & improvising splints stretchers etc

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Tuesday March 13
Another day on horses. Had some good gallops which finished up in a race. Charley[?] Woods winner. Jimmy Woodcock leading when his neddy misjudged jumping trench & landed him in it. The evenings drag here
Wednesday March 14th
Day out in sham fight with L H. Regiment. Officers simply do not know what to give the men to do to fill in time while we are waiting. Everybody fed up including myself.
Thursday March 15
Rain heavily all day did our best to keep dry
Friday March 16
Inspection by General Featherstone leave granted from tonight. Arrived

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Melbourne midnight. Had trouble in getting a bed. At last Tom & I managed to get in Coffee Palace. During the night there was a fight in the lane below. We told them to clear out & Tom emptied a bowl of water over them. They abused us the boys hopped down but they cleared out.
Saturday March 17th
Spent weekend at Dr Moores[?] at Canterbury. Had a fine time. Tom & I spent time playing tennis. In evening music. Fine family.
Sunday March 18th
Had a walk round district.
Monday March 19th
Caught 5.57 train from Canterbury to Spencer St. then back to Camp.
Tuesday March 20
Spent day Semaphore. Good fight at night at stadium

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Wednesday March 21
Usual routine. Plum Jam still hot favourite for tea.
Thursday March 22
Riding exercise, Squad drill & Lecture in evening
Friday March 23
Route march to Reservoir & surrounding hills, about 16 miles
Saturday March 24
On Duty S. Majors mess the Sergeant Major’s
Sunday March 25th
Same as yesterday
Monday March 26th
N.S.W boys very discontented with Seymour Camp & no wonder. It is the worst camp I was ever in. I predict trouble if system not changed.

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Tuesday March 27
Easter leave talk of the camp. Many N.S.W say they intend to make complaint on going to Sydney.
Wednesday March 28th
Sailing date postponed again until April 18th. We are fed up again. Nothing unusual here.
Thursday March 29th
More NSW reinforcements marched in to day. Saw George Steed & Billy Williams. We informed them of our good home.?
Friday March 30th
Usual route march to day. Rained heavily coming home
Distance about 18 miles
Saturday March 31
Did not go on leave. Want to

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make use of Sydney leave next week.
April 1 Sunday
I & some of the boys went for a swim to the Goulbourn River
Monday April 2
Leave for Sydney from Good Friday night. Deputation paraded to OC asking for permission to go Thursday & be home for Good Friday Informed department too busy carrying Tourists to supply trains for soldiers.
Anticipate trouble.
Wednesday April 4
All hands have to pay 38/- before going on leave for fare. Another roar [possibly war]. Only way out for us to have a Kentucky which we did & raised sufficient for our unit.
Thursday April 5
Informed drill as usual on Good Friday. In My opinion bad

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judgement by heads. They are only stirring up strife & trouble. Disturbance in camp which may have ended disastrously only for some level headed Officers. O C of camp I was told conspicuous by absence.
Friday April 6
Our OC took us out to hills & we had a yarn to fill in time. Pity he was not in O.C. camp position. Although stern, he is just & in my opinion a born leader. Left for dear old Sydney at 7pm.
Train absolutely packed.
Saturday April 7
A very cold journey across. Was one change at Albury station from one train to other. Packed in like Rabbits for export. Have come to conclusion some people are of opinion that Soldiers are Cattle.

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Some of us are civilised.
Arrived Sydney 1pm. Home once again. Had a pleasant re-union old friends.
Sunday April 8th
Went to Manly Glad. One did not think he would see our dear old Arbour so soon again.
Monday April 9th
Went to Easter show, great crowd present. Does not seem as if there is a War on. However much better to be cheerful & miserable. Hate idea of saying Good Bye again. Left for Melbourne 7.15pm. Bidding Goodbye I will never forget. Never will I come to Sydney again on leave again. The old Lady takes it too much to heart. Whatever comes or goes the memory of this night will live forever.

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Tuesday April 10th
arrived at Camp 3pm after tiring journey. Most of us I think has a touch of the Blues
Wednesday April 11th
S major had a brain wave [indecipherable] while we were away. New orders all tents to be down before first parade. What a scramble to get on parade ground in time. Sgt B. (the lusty youth) entertained us this morning. He closed his eyes, yelled shun and fell over a wire. He rose asking us sarcastically was there anything funny, some wag said you and we thought he would go mad. Half an hour extra [indecipherable] physical jerks. Sgt not a bad old sort troubled with bad temper.

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Thursday April 12th
Usual routine. Rumoured we are sailing next Wednesday
Friday April 13th
Weekly route march. Along Trawool road to bridge, thence along side Goulbourn river. Quarter of an hour spell at farm on track where we were entertained by music Tea & Cake. The hospitality of the Victorians is very marked. Marched to Tallarook where we halted for lunch. From Tallarook back by road through old Seymour, to camp. distance approx 22 miles. A most enjoyable day spent in the good old Australian bush among the finest scenery
Saturday April 14th
On Duty weekend.
Only 6 of us. Unlucky to be one of 6

Sunday April 15
Wrote letter, reading, etc

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Monday April 16th
More Drill putting in time
Tuesday April 17th
Riding exercise, Lecture.
Concert in lines in evening
Wednesday April 18th
Guard duty to day our S.M is considered a Military crank. Very amusing. Going through procedure changing guard. Everybody fed up. S.M at his word. Jim B supposed to be on duty at Guard room. Your humble expected to march up with guard, halt & proceed with Military manoeuvres. Jim B. supposed to challenge & call out guard. This is what happened. Marched up to Guard room. Jim B. instead of challenging said in a dramatic voice (Who are these people) Little Ernie a Corporal appeared from nowhere & said I’m if I know

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Result collapse of Guard with laughter. SM. Went mad & dismissed us with disgust
Thursday April 19th
Nothing doing. Big march tomorrow over hills
Friday April 20th
Marched to foot of hills & climbed to summit where we had lunch. At 1pm moved on to Reservoir where Charley & Jimmy managed to fall in wrestling. Followed gully right down to base, rough going but beautiful scenery, coming out on road about 1 mile below Trawool Hotel. Had tea here Concert, returned back to Camp tired but happy at 8pm
Saturday April 21
Tom gone to Sydney for week and could not go myself again & go through another good bye. Went to Melbourne

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with Charley & Jimmy. Arrived 5 pm stayed at Coffee Palace visited Luna Park at St Kilda in evening
Sunday April 22
Morning visited Botanical Gardens
Fine Gardens but the want an Arbour. Afternoon writing YMCA evening visited friend at Brunswick.
Monday April 23
8 hour day in Melbourne. Saw procession, in afternoon visited Aquarium & sports. Here Charley saw a girl & became wildly excited. Told me he was quite sure she was to be his future wife I advised him to have a drink & forget it. He stalked this Girl for three hours & eventually spoke to her. He was quite blue after she had gone. Tried to make appointment & failed. Total assets between us 4/10. Decided to make a trip to the Tivoli & see Ada Reeve in the Gods. Arrived

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early & to my surprise saw Charleys divinity waiting with Ma presumably for early door rush. Charley became wildly excited, smiled & bowed & made himself a general nuisance to others nearly landing us both in a fight. He squeezed his way up near them & shrewd boy engaged Ma in conversation. He suggested he should procure tickets as it was probably his last night in Melbourne and he felt very happy. He asked would he secure a box & save waiting. My mind began to wobble a box & supper for 4/8
Ma said certainly not & I breathed freely. I saw Gus. L. passing, I rushed over to him & asked for loan of a pound or two. He could only manage 2/-. Ma told Charley off to get the tickets for her & daughter the borrowed 2/- bought Choc’s for Charley We arrived

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inside secured our seats & I engaged Ma with the latest news from N.S. While Charley was making the pace.
The show was good, all was well & we arrived back at Coffee Palace with 2d. Charley tells me her name is Dulcie & he intends coming to Melbourne next week if we do not go away. He is sending home for money. He has gone stone mad on this girl.
Tuesday April 24
Returned to camp by 7 AM train from Melbourne arriving about noon Wednesday April 25
Semaphore signalling commonly known as scarecrow drill
Thursday April 26
Training for sports to be held at Seymour tomorrow Anzac Day Charlie tells me Dulcie & Ma coming up tomorrow wants me to look after Ma

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Friday April 27
Review of Troops in morning afternoon sports. Our unit successful in relay race. Good days sport
Saturday April 28
Charley sneaked to Melbourne persuaded me to take his place wish him luck. She seems a nice Girl & Charley is a straight go’er. Wish my little girl in Sydney was closer
Sunday April 29
Seymour absolutely packed with interstate Troops. There has been no sailings since January.
Monday April 30
Usual routine. All hands seem to be losing interest owing to constant delay in sailing

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Tuesday May 1
Two day Route march to Yay starting tomorrow. Distance there & back is approx 50 miles full pack & marching order. Out for record, resting today
Wednesday May 2
Started for Yay 8 Am. Arrived at 4pm record for distance. 7 failed to see it out and were brought on by waggon. Yay is a pretty little country town principally devoted mixed farming. Inhabitants very hospitable and most of us spent evening at various private houses, sleep slept at Shire Hall.
Thursday May 3
Left Yay 8.30 People lined streets to give us send off. Had dinner at Sherbrooke bridge. Arrived back at Camp at 5.30 pm 6 failed to finish.

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Friday May 4
Everybody stiff & tired. Had easy day. Informed we are sailing on 10th inst by Booarra
Saturday May 5
Weekend leave to Melbourne arrived 4.15pm. Spent afternoon strolling round Town evening visited St Kilda
Sunday May 6
Went down to Port Melbourne to see transport.
Monday May 7th
Many rumours in train. It is said 21 Transports sailing on Thursday.
Tuesday May 8th
Packing Black kit bags, final medical examination Wrote letters.

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Wednesday May 9th
Review of troops embarking tomorrow practically whole camp will be emptied
Thursday May 10th
Rose at 4AM struck. Marched to station to catch train to board Troopship. At last we are off. On arriving at wharf relatives & friends not permitted on pier. A darn disgrace & insult to the Victorians. Many of who thought relatives would be permitted on wharf. For myself made no difference as I had said good bye. Felt very sorry for others & think it was very harsh of Defence authorities. Moved out from Pier at 12 noon amidst silence. (what a send off. Anchored opposite Sorrento.
Friday May 11th
Very funny last night, swinging Hammocks

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Some of the Boys had falls. Day passed quietly, settling down to new quarters. Still anchored
Saturday May 12th
Spent morning on Deck games, Weather very cold & boisterous. Dropped anchor about 5pm Passed through rip & heads of Pt Lonsdale & Nepean.
Sunday May 13
Very rough to day, too rough for me, “Seasick." Feel as if I do not care what happens.
Monday May 14
Feel a bit better to day, still rough & cold. What a night. Soldiers lying everywhere.
Tuesday May 15th
Not quite so bad today. Transports keeping close together escorted by Destroyers Brisbane & Melbourne. Boat Drill all

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hands allotted positions on rafts
Wednesday May 16th
Still rough & cold. On guard tonight.
Thursday May 17
Informed we are off Trade Route & keeping well South. Believe our old tub Boorarra not the worst boat judging by the pitching & tossing of some of the others.
Friday May 18th
Full dress parade on deck. What a scramble in rough weather. Destroyers Sydney & Melbourne returned weather too rough. Counted 11 Transports. Believe more at Fremantle
Sat May 19th
Morning spent in games.
Afternoon all universal kits stored in hold.
Sunday May 20th
Weather warmer still rough. First church service on board. Simple but impressive ceremony by Padre. seems rather stand offish

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Monday May 21
Land sighted at daybreak. Rottnest island. German Concentration camp. Lighthouse each end sea very calm. Albatross prominent during first part of voyage. Beautiful birds with large spread of wing.
Tuesday May 22 Moved into wharf through Breakwater First impressions of Fremantle quiet & rather pretty place. No leave granted but promised route march in afternoon.
Major OC. Transport gave lecture. Several Queenslanders made a break for shore and about 50 broke through guard. At 2pm route march to North Fremantle. All hands angry on walking. People gave us fine reception & gifts of Fruit & Cake very acceptable as food on transport could be better.
One notices the quietness of places like Fremantle after Sydney even Melbourne.

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does not seem to have the bustle of Sydney.
Arrived back at Transport about 5pm enjoyed change very much. Sent views of Fremantle home & to Glad. Wharf crowded with people as we moved out at Sunset. A beautiful sight a sunset in the west after a warm day. The last rays of the sun in a blood red sky of fleecy clouds, the various colours of dresses & costumes, the many coloured streamers & the sea as a background made a perfect picture. All hands were pleased at the pleasant break in the monotony of a sea voyage.
Wednesday May 23
Sea beautifully calm, some 25 missed the boat including 2 from our unit. Convoyed by Japanese Cruiser. P. Sydney & Boorarra for Egypt others for France. The Convoy consists of

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Boorarra – A42 – Egypt
Port Sydney – A24 – “
Marathon A74 – France
Tofua – NZ 83
Shropshire – A9
Clan McGilvray – A46
Ascanius – A11
Benalla – A15
Tiranni – NZ
Wanganui[?] – NZ
Woolocra[?]
HMAS Doris escorted in conjunction with Japanese cruiser until sundown. It is said this small vessel fired first shot in Jutland Battle.
Thursday May 24
Empire day Concert on board in excellent weather. After dark Jap cruiser had sailing vessel under observation & searchlight for considerable time. No lights permitted on

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deck at night & all Port holes to be closed while lights on below.
Friday May 25
Sea calm, Boat alarm Quiet day
Saturday May 26
Saw first flying fish today. Sea seems to have turned a deeper Blue Believe we are in Indian Ocean.
Sunday May 27
Church parade Quiet day
Monday May 28
Received Wireless on board that Transport Transylvania sunk in Meditteranean. Perhaps (‘Furfie’)
Had mock trial on deck in afternoon very amusing. All hands well.
Tuesday May 29
Sea beautifully calm. Have had good weather since leaving Fremantle. Flying Fish numerous. Ships Sports start to day Fire alarm started during progress

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of Sports. Caught us all napping. Whata scatter for Lifebelts & to take up positions on rafts.
Wednesday May 30
On Guard Finish of Mock Trial. Violent Storm in evening Drove all hands below. Deck sleepers were all wet. Tropical downpour. On Guard makes one think of Australia and those he left What a day if all goes well and he returns. The good old Southern Cross is still visible
Thursday May 31
Expect to cross line some time soon. Great preparations in hand
Friday May 3 Jun 1
Rough & Windy Crossed line father Neptune & staff in full swing visited all the boys & we all had free bath.

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Saturday May 4th June 2
Very rough & squally. Saw several small birds. Expect to reach Colombo Monday
Sunday May 5th June 3
Church parade. Writing to post tomorrow
Monday June 4
Porpoises plentiful round ship. Saw Russian Cruiser passed spot where wheat ship was sunk. Several small boats & Dhows noticed as we approached Port. Entered Colombo through Breakwater about 1 pm. Looked very pretty. Discolouration of Water inside breakwater very noticeable and some 2 miles outside. Natives here very funny. Great Divers. Dive for pennies. Port Philip Sydney anchored beside us. Beautiful Sandy beach to be seen backed up by Green Lawns & pretty Bungalows hidden among the palms. Busy Coaling.

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Tuesday June 5
Sailing to day no leave granted. OC & some officers went ashore. We were told our name stank in Colombo.
Much discontent on board and a very indiscreet remark for an officer to make. Boys busy exchanging coins & Buying fruit Left Port at 2pm
Wednesday June 6
OC. Transport made himself unpopular by prohibiting Queenslanders to enter sports. Result all hands pulling out.
Thursday June 7
Fire broke out in coal bunker no cause for alarm. Flying fish Sword fish very numerous.
Friday June 8
Full dress inspection on a scorching Summer’s day O

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Saturday June 9
A scorcher today, sea calm
Sunday June 10
Church service & usual quiet Sunday.
Monday June 11
Measles very bad on board. Hospital overflowing due to bad ventilation (my opinion) Fire broke out again
Tuesday June 12
Rough weather again Lecture held down below on the antics of a Camel by one who told us he know nothing about them.
Wednesday June 13
Whale’s sighted to day. Championship Heavyweight Boxing Tournament won by Alexander N.Z. Trumpeter caught by wave, result smashed Collarbone

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Thursday June 14th
On Guard Championship Tug of War Queensland victorious. 1 case of Meningitis on board. Passed through Hells gates entrance to Red Sea about midnight.
Friday June 15
Passed Lighthouse Isle of Perim at daybreak also three small islands. Land in sight most of morning. Looks very barren & mountainous.
Afternoon passed three small islands called three Brothers & the 12 Apostles. Not a sign of vegetation to be seen They stand out black & desolate & the weather is a scorcher.
Saturday June 16
Out of danger zone. Lights permitted at night. Dolphins plentiful & amuse us by their springing from water.
Passed Dutch steamer outward bound

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also Mail steamer. Weather beautifully cool today which is exceptional for Red Sea.
Sunday June 17
No land in sight today
Church service as usual
Monday June 18
No land in sight. Kits brought from hold. Our sea voyage nearly over for which most of us are glad. A long sea voyage under Active Service conditions is pretty monotonous. Passed two islands. Was told P & O Company vessel wrecked here & Company erected Lighthouse
Tuesday June 19
Sighted mainland on one side Egypt the other. Arabia rough barren country. No sign of civilisation or vegetation. Hammocks handed in as we expect to dis-

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embark tomorrow. Reached Port Suez at sunset sunken ship just outside harbour. Seven Dutch ships in Harbour Aeroplanes circling round. Novelty to us
Wednesday June 20
Disembarked at daybreak. Our first introduction to the Egyptian who put the hard word on us for Cigarettes & Backsheesh as he called it. Boarded some cattle trucks & away we went. Imagine our condition, a boiling hot day, full dress, an open truck and travelling up till 1 O,clock practically through sand. The native Town of Suez is a very ramshackle affair. Looks to me like a mass of mud hovels with flat roofs and the occupants dirty. Arrived at Moascar the military detail camp and had to

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walk 3 miles through soft sand & drag our kits with us. some did not last. On arrival we found ourselves in the middle of a large stretch of sand with very little tucker & our camp to erect. It was called Isolation “it looked it"
However we managed the job & how I slept that night on sand & my first night in Egypt.
Thursday June 21
Reveille 4.30 AM Very hot day. Number of aeroplanes flying over Camp with the Red & White & Blue rings.
Seems a pretty desolate spot. They tell us we will be here for a few weeks for Isolation. Straightening up camp
Friday June 22 On Fatigue (nuff sed)
Saturday June 23
Erecting Field Hospital. Leave not permitted from Camp until Isolation lifted

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Sunday June 24th
Church parade in morning. settling down in camp. Feel the heat very much. Am not at present very much impressed by this Country.
Monday June 28
Inspected by OC & Camp Commandant. Troops pouring in at main camp.
Tuesday June 26
Moved camp about ½ mile Suppose they wanted to give us something to do Saw what they termed a mirage to day. Caused I am told by the heat on sand. It is hoped that the promised land Palestine is superior to this.
Wednesday June 27
What beautiful Sunsets & Moonlight nights they have in this country Makes one think of home.

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Thursday June 28
Lecture by Colonel Croll[?] or future OC upon conditions prevailing in this country. Very interesting. Wrote letters to home. The average Gyppo seems a pretty dirty individual & always on the borrowing stakes Backsheesh he calls it. It seems to be the custom here for the old man to ride on the Donk & his Woman folk walk. Gyppo Woman seem to have a very graceful carriage when walking due they tell me to carrying large Earthenware Jars on head
Friday June 29
On fatigue. Great commotion in Camp. Individual betting 5 to 1 War is over. Hard to believe. Wonder if he has dingbats booked £ 5 to £ 1 on knowing nothing. Canteens pretty stiff with prices.

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Saturday June 30
Swimming Parade to Bitta lakes some 2 miles from Camp. Our march lay through main camp & dump at Moascar. Camp absolutely packed with thousands of troops proceeding to the line. Aussies, NZ. Scotchmen, Irishmen, Londoners etc. Average Tommy seems a little cove compared to Australians & N.Z. New Zealanders struck me as a particularly fine body of men, well built, big & seemed fine fellows. Our way lay along a well made metalled road leading to Ismalia with the sweet water canal alongside the road. It is remarkable the traffic along this shallow canal. Barges very unwieldy vessels, manned by Egyptians (usually pretty dirty) carry surprising loads of Horse fodder & rations. We crossed over the Canal at London

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Bridge manned by our well known friends the Military police and down to the lake through a clump of date palms & small gardens. What a rush by the young Gyppos selling Oranges, Dates, & Peanuts. The lake looked very enticing on this very hot day & we lost no time stripping and enjoying our first swim since we left Australia. The water of the lake is very salt and is connected with Suez Canal. Two warships lay at anchor & many small boats, Launches & Feluccas were on the lake. We returned back to camp about 5 O’clock after a very pleasant day.
Sunday July 31 1
On Duty all morning afternoon Cricket Match Knock Outs v. Dug Outs. Victory for K. Outs by 3 runs

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Monday July 2
Inspection by General Royston known as galloping Jack. N.C.Os arrive from field. In a new unit such as we are all NCOs lose their rank on arrival. NCOs drawn from other units who have seen service. Very hot day. & beautiful moonlight night. On duty all night, naturally wonder on such nights as these how all are getting on at home What a change a few months can make in a man’s life.
Tuesday July 3
Our first Sand storm. Windy as sand in everything including Food “What a lovely country" EGYPT
Wednesday July 4
W.O. arrived today from 3rd Light Horse Field Amb Seems a good sort.

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Thursday July 5
Mail arrived. Our first mail since leaving Ausy. All the boys excited. Pleased to hear all are well at home & with Glady. Charlie tells me Dulcie is sending him a parcel
Friday July 6
Riding test. Practically all passed. Saw first dummy gas attack to day & Scotchmen manoeuvering.
Rumoured that big attack coming off.
Saturday July 7
Usual drill. Looking forward to getting out of isolation Started Bridge tournament to day to pass away long evenings.
Sunday July 8
Inspection by A.D.M.S.

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Monday July 9
Inspection & address given by General Royston. Some 3000 men in Isolation camp Riding exercise in afternoon. Smash of two planes to day. Both Pilots killed
Tuesday July 10
Riding again today. Was thrown & dragged across sand with foot in stirrup. Lucky was not hurt. Concert & sing song in evening. Getting more accustomed to hot weather.
Wednesday July 11
First pay day drew 350 Piastres 1 Piastre = 2½ in English money Usual camp routine
Thursday July 12
Very funny today. Went over to remount & we had to saddle up & ride Mules. Of all the obstinate

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animals in the world the Mule wins. For a time after we were mounted there were Mules & the boys everywhere. The remount boys rounded us up again. Fine horsemen these fellows. Saw Tom disappearing over horizon on the neck of a Mule. One of the Mules [indecipherable] caught in Red’s belt & he thought the Mule was trying to have a meal from him.
Eventually we got into formation but all day these dam mules played up. They have a mouth like iron & have formed opinion that only thing to do when they bolt is to sight sit tight & ride them. Remount boys tell us they have just arrived & need breaking in. I believe it.
Barnsfather would have found some good material for his sketches could he have seen us today.

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Friday July 13
Handed in all surplus kit to day. Saw Camelian to day. Funny little animals something like a lizard. Peculiar point is that they can change colour. Useful as fly catcher. Egypt commonly called land of Flies, Sand & Dirt. All well
Saturday July 14
Usual routine. Hot windy day
Sunday July 15th
Isolation lifted today. Now we shan’t be long.
Monday July 16
Leave to Ismalia today Tom Charley, Jimmy & my self went in

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Ismalia pretty little town with its level asphalt roads with large trees on each side making it cool & shady. Hired Gharry a vehicle which are extensively used in this country and resemble a vehicle known as a landau in Ausy. Very comfortable to ride in. We drove through the Gardens which looked beautiful & down to the lake. From here round town Ismalia is only a small place and is inhabited by all Nationalities chiefly Gyppos. Quite a number of Frenchmen hold good positions in connection with administration of Suez Canal. We visited all the shops with their Souvenirs & Curios. Went through Arabic Quarter (a filthy place) & generally had a good time. The lock at Ismalia is a very ingenious

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affair. One sees the flat bottomed barges as previously described waiting in rows of perhaps a mile long for the lock to open & water to find its own level. I wonder why the average Gyppo is such a dirty man. Indian & Greek shopkeepers seem to have a good hold here. We had a good meal
at café quite a change after camp food & started back for camp at 7 pm. Imagine our surprise on reaching London Bridger where (our “friends" the “Military Police" Guard") to be placed under arrest for breaking Leave We were escorted back to Camp under escort of Bayonets. (Explanations are no use with these coves) On arrival at Camp the mistake was discovered & the brainy APM was not man enough to apologise but quietly faded away. Thus ended our first leave in Egypt

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Thursday July 17
Some of the Light Horse Reinforcements leaving to join units. Since we left Ausy we have lost 10 of our unit (medically unfit & in hospital accidents)
Wednesday July 18
Inoculation ParaTyphoid 24 hrs off duty wrote letters.
Thursday July 19
Mail in today. Disappointed only Victorian letters.
Friday July 20
Usual routine
Saturday July 21
On night duty some of the boys gone into Ismalia.
Sunday July 22
Heard we are moving about Wednesday. Will be glad to get out of here.

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Monday July 23
NSW mail arrived to day. Exceptionally hot. Flies bad
Tuesday July 24
Usual routine
Wednesday July 25
Preparing to move
Sect Quartermaster Lieut Phillips arrived today inoculated again
Thursday July 26
No parade today, Moving tomorrow
Friday July 27
Left Isolation camp for Cairo 9AM Very hot day, some march to station with kit. Six of the boys left behind. Very dissapointed. Caught train Moascar 10.20 AM. My first view of this portion of Egypt. The journey down was very pleasant through the

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cultivated areas so well irrigated. The natives still farm as in the olden days one reads of in the bible You see the old fashioned plough with its one piece of wood drawn sometimes by Bullocks, Donkeys or even Camels. I did see one drawn by a camel & Donkey which struck me as being very amusing. The seed is cast broadcast as of old. The old fashioned Wells & methods of cutting the grain is a wonderful sight to one who has not seen it before. The villages are usually a cluster of mud houses, flat roofs used as a rubbish heap, narrow lanes, where Goats, Dogs, Fowls & family live all together. There are no signs of sanitation & the wonderful thing is that they do not all die

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disease for a Gyppo village has a odour distinctly its own.
At the stations the Gippos make plenty of noise with their Eggs are cooked etc. We passed through Tel el Kebir the graveyard where some of the fallen if previous wars lay at rest. It looked very pretty with its abundance of flowers & Greenery & appeared to me to be well looked after. Tag a Tig was a junction and appeared a Town of Fair size. We arrived at Cairo at 1.20 pm & were bundled into two Trams & taken to Abbasia some two miles from Cairo. Here we camped near 14 AG.H & 31st General Hospital. We placed in large huts near a refreshment room which sold everything a soldier needs

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at a reasonable price. On first appearance camp impresses me as very favourable.
Saturday July 28th
First leave in Cairo. Left camp at Abbasia & hired a donk for 2 piastres. Across the sand to Heliopolis Car Very fine & up to date Electric Railway carrying 1st & 2nd Class passengers.
The journey is only 10 minutes from Heliopolis to Cairo. Tom Charley Jimmy & I went to view the sights. On arrival at Cairo we were surrounded by Gyppos of all ages wanting to clean Boots, sell all sorts of rubbish. However we cleared them out & hired a Gharri for two hours to drive round. Cairo to my mind is undoubtedly a Continental City One sees all Nationalities. How

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eager the majority of the business people seem to want to sell (Australians particularly) a number of souvenirs & rubbish. The streets in many cases are very narrow & the Trams make one incessant clanging with their bells & the yelling of the excitable Egyptian Drivers. Trams are Electric but small. We had dinner at Petrogad a first class Hotel finishing the evening by a visit to the Kursall (Vaudeville House) One could spend hours sitting in a Café watching the Cosmopolitan crowd pass by. Drove back to camp & sneaked in just after roll call.
Sunday July 29
We visited Pyramids & Sphinx today. Situated some 10 miles from Town. Drove out in Motor Beautiful drive along absolutely flat road.

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asphalted most of the way and shaded by trees. On way down from the City across the River Nile over a massive bridge, then along the banks of the River for some distance passing the Gardens & Zoo. Along the banks of the Nile are some beautiful stone water frontages residences. Some of them owning some magnificent Houseboats. On arrival at Pyramids which are situated close to Mena Camp we had our first view of the Sphinx & Pyramids at close quarters. What a magnificent piece of architecture they are. We engaged a guide also donkeys to ride round & view them. We went inside the large Pyramid having to take off our Boots & crawl in. One wonders by what

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means they managed to raise the huge blocks of stone in position. A Fortune teller informed us how these Pyramids were built by Billy Hughes 2000 B.C. It was Sunset on leaving and the sight was magnific last rays of the sun shining on the Pyramids was a remarkable view. We spent the evening driving round the Native quarter of the Town. The Native quarter is absolutely filthy. Prostitution in Cairo seems to be a business so the less written of Cairo’s morals the better
Monday July 30
We had a try out on camels today. Our education is not yet complete enough to justify us riding. We had explained to us, the art of tying of the knots in saddling and

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just a few of the camels peculiaritys. I am making a few remarks of my impressions at present of the Camel. It does not strike me as being the most graceful or fascinating animal I have seen.
He seems. I quote he as my Camel fortunately or unfortunately (time will tell) is of that mal sex. The Camel strikes me as a haughty individual & seems to fix one with a glassy stare. This long legged, humpty backed & knock kneed animal does not make one feel as if he could ever become intimate. The Camel has a dandy set of Teeth & is I am told fond of using them. I saw a youth this morning cutting out distance and a unwieldy object chasing him looking like

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a Tank but on closer inspection turned out to be a Camel. The lips of a Camel are flabby & hang down inviting you to tickle them (Dont) When one approaches a Camel he usually makes a gurgling sound and throughs out a balloon sort of arrangement and bubble. This we are told is a sign of pleasure. Let us hope he never gets angry. However I anticipate some fun when we first saddle up & mount for our first ride.
Tuesday July 31
First ride on Camels today (what a day) We saddled up in sections & were told on the order to mount to draw the Camels head round by the head chain place one foot on his neck, cross legs and gently slide into the saddle, then

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make the Camel rise & form into sections. This is what occurred. On the command prepare to mount we drew the head round & Jimmys Camel nearly had Breakfast off Jimmys leg. On command mount the fun started Bill Bayley being a short cove could not step on the Camels t neck so made a spring for it & missed burying his nose in the sand. Half the Camels started to rise & some of the Boys clinging to the saddle, the saddle slipped & they did some spinning nose dives. Camels all over the place. OC. Nearly went mad. Result four men in Hospital & some of the others have the wind up already.

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Wednesday Aug 1
Feeding, Grooming & a watering parade. A mornings work with a Camel. Bad Aeroplane smash this morning. Pilot killed. What a thirst a camel has when he does drink. I think my Camel has all the Ticks in the world judging by numbers I found on him this morning. On Picquet at night. Have christened my Camel Hobo because he hums.
Thursday August 2
Leave to Cairo this afternoon. Visited Citadel where prisoners are kept. Well where Jacob was cast. Visited blue mosque & others. At Blue Mosque there is an Altar where cripples & sick people pray under belief they will be cured. A fine panoramic view of Cairo can be seen from tower of the Mosque

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I saw at one Mosque a pit connected to river Nile. Its sides were at one time covered with knives so that when persons were thrown in the pit their bodies would be thrown in the Nile be cut into small pieces on reaching bottom
Friday August 3
Camel riding to day with better success than last time. Visited Luna Park in evening. Luna Park situated at Heliopolis the cleanest & most beautiful place I have seen in this country. Wide, well made streets & big substantial stone building. Was I am told built for a second Monte Carlo but authorities would not permit it. Luna Park is a pleasure

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resort similar to White City Sydney. We had a most enjoyable evening.
Saturday Aug 4
Visited Zoo at Cairo. Zoo situated 3 or 4 miles out of Cairo. Very nice place to spend afternoon. Was surprised at extent of Gardens & collections of animals & birds. There I heard the Egyptian Band. It struck me that the main object of life of most of the performers was to blow as hard as they could on the instruments. Had Tea at YMCA Gardens where praise must be given for the fine unselfish efforts of a few Ladies & Gentlemen in the interest of Soldiers. Evening we visited Kursall seeing the old comedy again Charley’s Aunt
Sunday Aug 5
Came to Town. Heard Welsh Concert Band in Ezmekiah Gardens.

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In evening had walk round Native Quarters & took tram ride to Rod El Faraq situated on banks of River Nile. We hired Felucca & sailed over to where there was a very large Melon patch. Sunset on the Nile sets one dreaming of Ausy.
Monday Aug 6
Back to our old friends the Camels. Riding, Grooming Feeding etc. Wrote mail evening.
Tuesday August 7 Went into Cairo. Saw Egyptian Wedding. All concerned seemed wildly excited over the event & dressed in Gaudy clothing,
Might add that higher class Egyptian is entirely Westernised in his mode of address dress. My remarks

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in this Diary only applies to the lower cast of Egyptian. An Egyptian funeral is also a very noisy affair. Spent usual pleasant evening.
Wednesday August 8th
Went into Cairo on a round of visits to various Mosques. Inspected one which we were told was 3750 yrs old. We saw the vaults, gardens and the roof & some of the walks were inlaid with Gold & Carvings. One place was shown us by Guide which consisted of an air tight room where prisoners were shut in & smothered & then on being taken out were thrown down well into Nile. We also visited Mohammed Assan Mohammed Ali & Blue Tiled Mosque. All of them possessed luxurious Carpets, windows of coloured Glass beautifully matched & massive Marble pillars

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The Blue Tiled Mosque was the prettiest. It is electrically lighted by thousands of small lights & we saw them switched on. The effect of these artificial lights on the glistening marble is a sight worth going along way to see. We then visited one of the turrets & had a magnificent panoramic view of Cairo. From here on to the Citadel where I understand some of the long term prisoners are kept. We saw the spot where a German Spy was shot. Joseph’s well & returned to Town after a most pleasant afternoon. In the evening our Unit gave an open air concert which turned out successful.
Thursday Aug 9th
On Picquet Picket usual Routine to day.

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I have missed a page so intend devoting it to my
impressions of Bethlehem
I visited Bethlehem on June 5th. The distance from Jerusalem is about 7miles. The first sight on the road is the old Greek Church where Elijah rested. Then we come to Rachaels Tomb where Jacob buried Rachael & proceeded on his journey to Hebron. At the entrance to the Town is the well of Bethlehem. Down below Bethlehem is the pasture of the Wilderness where David kept his sheep. On the slopes leading up to the town are the cornfields where Ruth gleaned.
From Bethlehem looking Eastward the view of the Dead Sea in the distance & the mountains of Moab is a fine one Solomons pools supply water to the Town which is conveyed by an Aqueduct. Bethlehem is built on

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two hills & like other Eastern Towns has narrow cobble stone streets. The dress of the inhabitants is noticeable particularly the head dress of the women.
I saw the Manger in the Church of Nativity where Christ was born & it impressed me very much. The birth of a Daughter in Bethlehem is not looked upon with much rejoicing. With a boy it is the reverse. The Bethlehem people struck me as being of a much superior type than any other place I had seen in Palestine. They tell me it is impossible to buy a Wife for less than £ 50[?] in Bethlehem. The girls are prettier than in most parts. In fact Bethlehem is looked upon as a superior place which to my way of thinking is correct.

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Friday Aug 10th
Visited the famous Mouskey or better known perhaps as the Bazaars. The Mouskey proper is the main street going from Ataba-el Khadra the tram junction right up on to the Desert to the hills & Caliph Tombs. The Bazaars are called by various names & lead off into many little streets & blind alleys. We saw the Goldsmiths Bazaar & Silver Bazaar where Gold & Silver is beaten & turned into various articles, a few steps further on one comes to the brass work carved & plain. All sorts of Jewels whether genuine or otherwise I do not know but they looked genuine to us. We saw the Sudan Bazaar where we saw Ivory Ostrich Plumes & Animal skins. We passed into the scent Bazaar from here to where they were weaving silk. Boys of tender years work in this ill ventilated hole. Anything from a

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needle to an Anchor can be bought at the various Bazaars. The streets are so narrow that the shops opposite are within a few feet of one another. The average frontage is about 6ft & one see the proprietor of these shops or rather stalls sitting on his haunches. A great business is done in Curios many of which are faked. It is a wonder to me that half the population of Cairo is not wiped out living under the conditions they live under. I suppose we notice the difference so very much coming from Ausy where our own folk live under healthy conditions. It is my belief that half the lower cast of Egyptians have no fixed place of abode but simply sleep just where they can. What a surprise our home folk would get could they see these places.

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Saturday Aug 11th
On duty
Sunday Aug 12th
On duty
Monday Aug 13th
Last night in Cairo before leaving for the line. Sent home parcels & had a good time
Thursday Aug 14th
Inspection of unit by Major Buxton
Wednesday Aug 15th
Night ride on Camels. Saddling in dark. Rode 5 mile unsaddled & saddled 10 minutes allowed. Capt. S. informed us if anybody had a spill they would hear from him. He was the only one who fell due to his Camel putting his foot in a hole. What Joy among the boys.

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Thursday Aug 16th
Camels & equipment handed in today. Moving on Saturday
Friday Aug 17
Packing up leaving early tomorrow.
Saturday Aug 18
Reveille 3.30 AM. Told off for baggage Guard stations. Main body left at 7pm. I. J.B. & Cpl M leaving by luggage train at midnight. We placed all gear in truck sealed it & spent a wild day in Cairo. Who knows we may not see it again. A small half starved little dog followed us about all day so we took him on the strength & took him with us.

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Sunday Aug 19th
Arrived at Kantara 12 noon. Found on arrival no arrangements had been made re baggage or Rations. After seeing various R.T.O. Officers & others Cpl made arrangements for G S Waggons to take baggage to Kantara East. Kantara is the large Army Dump & stores. Situated on Suez Canal. Kantara East we were allotted an open truck & made ourselves as comfortable as possible with the baggage. We left Kantara East at midnight
Monday Aug 20th
Hot roasting day. Rafa, El Arish, Raffa & other various military centres passed during the day. Arrived at Sheik Naran[?] about 6pm after a rotten trip across the desert. Slept this night in truck.

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Tuesday Aug 21
Moving baggage to Camp some 2 miles from Railway. Built our Bivvy Tom & I went to bed tired out. During evening heard Artillery in action. My first experience of hearing the guns.
Wednesday Aug22
Luck was in today. Four men told off for duty at Marakat Rest Camp while unit resting out of the line.
Bert F. A Mc [indecipherable] & myself the lucky four. Rode from Sheik Naran to Marakat on our Camels a distance of about 6 miles across sand principally with occasional orchards on route. Marakat rest camp is facing Mediterranean. On arrival we were to take the place of four Scottish Horse chaps who were to return to their unit. They left a good bivvy facing the water in nice clean sand & sheltered from wind.

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Thursday Aug 23
Rose at 6.45 AM. Breakfast 7 AM. On duty until 9 AM. This Camp will do me. Food is good. Duties light & plenty of surf bathing.
Wednesday Friday Aug 24
My first view of two German Taubes today. Flew over camp, very high in air. Heard Monitors shelling Gaza & could see flashes up coast
Saturday Aug 25
Cricket match today between staff & patients of rest camp. Patients won by four runs.
Sunday Aug 26
Two Taube overhead today. Flew much lower than on previous occasions. Wrote letters afternoon.

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Monday Aug 27
Boys tell me at this camp that losses at Romani, first & second Gaza were much heavier than officially reported
Tuesday Aug 28
Captain Sutton arrived in camp to day. Gave offer to join his unit as Sanitary Inspector. May take it on if Tom is willing.
Wednesday Aug 29
G. Cameron came over with patients Informed us our holiday would be over next week as we would be recalled to unit. Received mail.
Thursday Aug 30
Swimming nearly all day. Beautiful moonlight night. About 9.30 pm two Taubes came over dropped two bombs. Put the wind up one.

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Friday Aug 31st
Usual lazy day, on duty, swimming & reading.
Saturday Aug 31 Sept 1
Bombardment going on all day & night. Monitors & Warships must be shelling hell out of Gaza
Sunday Sept 2
Flies very bad today. Hot day usual routine.
Monday Sept 3
Had the wind put up today. We were lazing in bivvy half asleep when bomb dropped too close to be pleasant. One wishes at these times that he could fade away until excitement over.
Tuesday Sept 4
Wrote mail sent home snaps.

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Wednesday Sept 5
Derrick Hudson rode over today from Canunis[?]. He is attached to Div Train. Says he is on a good wicket. We were surprised at four Camels being sent over for us to return to camp at once. I suppose our good time is finished now. Arrived at camp at 5 pm & found that Tom had made a fine bivvy during my absence. What a fine pal he is.
Thursday Sept 6
On night duty. Afternoon football match between our unit & Scottish Horse result S.H. 4.0
Friday Sept 7
Another scorcher today. Snakes & scorpions fairly plentiful in this quarter. Water some miles away so we are limited

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to one bottle a day Sports day. Races, Horses & camels. Good days sport.
Sept 8 Saturday
Gas Parade today. Taube over Antis firing but no damage
Sunday Sept 9
Dust storm today. Sand & dust everywhere including food. This land of Milk & Honey so far has proved a myth
Monday Sept 10
Again it blows usual routine.
Tuesday Sept 11
Watering camels, a days work Water some 7 miles away at a place Tel el Fara better known as Tel el Jimmy, the water lies in a Wadi Bed & it was a Turkish stronghold of no little importance. It is an ideal place

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for defensive work & the dug outs & redoubt used by the Turks are still to be seen. There are some very fine gun positions among these hills having a fine range of the surrounding country.
Wednesday Sept 12
Applications called today for Engine Drivers, Firemen, Station Masters. Rumoured men who have had 1000 days service to go home on leave (they deserve it)
Thursday Sept 13
Two Taubes overhead today dropped a few pills but did no damage. Transferred to Sanitary Inspector section Anzac Mounted Division. Tom & I transferred. We were told Sanitary Inspectors were needed & as we held Certificates were transferred.
Friday Sept 14
Left Shuk Naran 10 AM for Marakat

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to join new unit. Sorry to leave boys & if we strike as good crowd in new unit as those we have left we will be lucky. Arrived section 7 pm reported & Joe Fraser returned back to unit with Camels.
Saturday Sept 15
Our new unit resting right on beach. Met Percy Knight. Were allotted our horses & gave them a swim.
Sunday Sept 16
Rumoured two more divisions arrived from Salonica.
Monday Sept 17
New Camp situated on beach some 2 miles below Marakat with the Blue Mediterranian to bathe in. Swim Horses every morning while Anzac Division resting.

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Tuesday Sept 18th
Rained a little this morning First rain I have seen since landing.
Heard Anzac Div band this afternoon. Nothing much doing while in this camp so Tom & I having a good time..
Wednesday Sept 19
Moving tomorrow to Abbasia. Australian Division taking over place here for a spell. Allotted Horse. Seems a decent old Neddy. Jet black Star on forehead. Wrote mail.
Thursday Sept 20
Moved to day. Very windy day so had a most unpleasant trip across the sand. Arrived at new Possy about 4 pm. Tom gone to Rafa on duty.

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Friday Sept 21
Tom arrived from Rafa so we are sharing bivvy again Jacko came overhead to day. Put wind up us but dropped no pills. Saw Scott, Bailey & Cameron on way to Marakat for spell. My neddy on seeing Camels, bolted bolted & threw me.
Fortunately no damage.
Saturday Sept 22
Inspecting Batterys attached to Division, Inverness, Ayreshire & Somerset. On way to Batterys passed deserted Bedouin village. Anti Air Craft guns hidden here for Jacko’s benefit.
Sunday Sept 23
Camp situated next 1st Light Horse Field Amb & about 2 miles from Aerodrome which lies at a place called [indecipherable] O.C. granted leave.

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to England Staff Sgt Williams in charge
Monday Sept 24
Very hot to day. Flies very bad. Usual daily routine
Tuesday Sept 25
Went to Canunis a village some 3 miles from camp. Usual dirty native village with its mud houses built any how & the roofs used to throw rubbish on.
Wed Sept 26
Four days bombardment in progress. Giving Jacko a rough spin. Rumoured big offensive coming off shortly. As many troops as can be spared from the line are resting.
Thursday Sept 27
Donkeys arrived on desert from Cairo. Very funny trying to take them to water. They are to be used by Batmen & grooms owing to shortage

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of Horses
Friday Sept 28
Nearly lost my number today. Jacko overhead Anti firing. Shell case fell in camp missing me by inches. Mail very much overdue. Reinforcements arrived to day.
Saturday Sept 29
Rumoured Austria turned it in & Scotties have practically captured Gaza. What a desolate hole it is here. Nothing but sand, flies & heat. General Allenby visited division to day.
Sunday Sept 30
Hot as Hell. Sandstorm blowing. Ant nests & scorpions in bivvy
"Fed up"
Monday Oct 1
Eight hour day in Sydney Wonder

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how they are all spending the holiday. Would give anything to be able to spend a week at home & see them all again.
Tuesday Oct 2
Wrote mail. no sign of any mail yet. Rode over to Bedouin camp with Tom to give our neddys a feed of grass. Would not change my horse now we know one another.
Wednesday Oct 3
Rumoured big air raid coming to morrow night. Two planes over lines observing to day. Rumoured big stunt on 10th. Hope there is anything is better than this dull monotony.
Thursday Oct 4
New Zealand mounted band gave us a tune today, usual routine.

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Friday Oct 5
Usual daily visit by Jacko in planes to see what was doing. Was told today that all Turkish planes were manned by German Officers & at present were superior to ours. Believe another Ausy Flying Squadron is being formed to fix Jacko.
Saturday Oct 6
Quite cool this morning 2ND Brigade sport in progress Tom came over from 1ST Brigade & we had a good day at sports. What is wrong with the mail Sunday Oct 7
Moving to Bulah on 17th All water sterilised on account of Bilharzia

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Division under orders to move out at 1 hrs notice.
Monday Oct 8
Usual routine
Tuesday Oct 9
Saw fine scrap in air to day. Two Taubes came over & one of our planes gave them a go. Brought one Taube down near Somerset Battery lines & drove other back to Turkish lines.
Wednesday Oct 10
Mail arrived today after a long break. All well at home. Heavy sand storm in afternoon. Column moving up closer to Gaza
Thursday Oct 11
Heavy bombardment in progress. Jacko over observing in planes all day.

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Friday Oct 12
Two new Batteries arrived to day moving into position midnight. Tom came up from Rafa. All dumps being moved up from Rafa & El Arish to Shelal. Getting Horses fit for coming stunt. Beer a Sheba rumoured our objective.
Saturday Oct 13
Sultan’s funeral in Cairo. Soldiers armed in case of native rebellion. French, Indians, Jews, British West Indias, Tommys, Irish, Welsh New Zealanders Italians & Ausys on this front.
Sunday Oct 14
All ranks warned of prevalence of Spies. A snake came in Bivvy today & curled up in Blankets. Finish Snake

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Monday Oct 15
Another dust storm. What a desolate God forsaken hole this part of Palestine is. Sand seems to work its way in everything.
Tuesday Oct 16
Saw another air scrap to day. Hun brought down secured piece of wing as souvenir.
Heavy bombardment. Seems general opinion we are likely to move any time now.
Wednesday Oct 17
Hot day. Flies & Sand bad
Mail in afternoon. Received two parcels so cheered up

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Thursday Oct 18
Troops moving up towards Gaza. Every appearance of something doing shortly. Tom came over today attached to Battery’s as Inspector
Friday Oct 19
We heard to day that Turkish were suffering heavily from sickness.
Looking like rain
Saturday Oct 20
Division moving up to Shelal to night Battery moved up to Shelal returned to unit. Struck decent patch of grass to day. Neddy had a good time
Sunday Oct 21
Visited old pals at Ambulance. They are attached 20th Army Corp. 2nd Brigade moved up. We are moving tomorrow. Tom rejoined unit from 1st Brigade

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Monday Oct 22
Preparing to move. Wrote mail sent spare kit to dump.
Tuesday Oct 23
Waiting for orders New Zealanders moving to night. New O.C. arrived to day Capt Fitzhardy R M O 1st regmt] Wednesday Oct 24
Still waiting instructions. Everything ready to move at short notice.
Thursday Oct 25
Weather getting cooler. They tell us the stunt will be all over before wet weather sets in.
Friday Oct 26
Mail arrived today
Lucky to get it before moving out
Saturday Oct 27
Moved to Shelal arrived about 3 pm

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Rained in evening. Shelal is the big railway dump some 10 miles from Gaza. Heavy bombardment at night.
Saturday
Sunday Oct 28
Moved camp to fresh site nearer water. Played football match against BWI. Moved out from Shelal
Thursday Nov 8th
Have not had time to write Diary owing to constant moving since Oct 28th We moved out at dawn one morning across old Tel El. Jimmy correct name Tel el Fara & proceeded by way of Kah[n to Beersheeba. The weather was hot, roads dusty & entered Beersheba about 10 Oclock Beersheba having

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just fallen everything was chaos. Our horses were in fine condition and they needed it all as was proved. At Beersheba we tried to water horses but failed. The horses had no water since dawn. Beersheba struck me on first impression as a small place of not very much importance. It was not until later that I knew what a bearing it had on Gaza which fell shortly after. We rode out from Beersheba which was practically a mass of ruins owing to our bombardment by artillery & found ourselves on the road which was absolutely blocked with traffic. The wounded were coming in freely & what a rough spin they had in the big motor waggons. After

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many delays we camped on side of road as it was absolutely useless trying to find our division. We slept with horses saddled as we never knew when we would have to get a move on What a thirst we all had. It must have been well on towards daybreak before we camped & at daybreak we rode back to Beersheba to try again for water. The Engineers were busy on the water supply. Most of the wells we heard had been mined. After many hours we were successful and returned back to camp & moved on. Beersheba is connected by railway & the rolling stock had all been mined. Souvenirs were plentiful but anything of a weighty character could not be carried

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We got into touch & were told to proceed to a place called Tel El Sheria[?] which we did. Going along the track there were dead & wounded about & we did what we could. We met a few who had lost touch of their units & were on the same lay[?] as ourselves. After wandering about we decided to camp & our S.M. proceeded to try & get in touch with Headquarters. Failing in this we pushed on & intended to strike Tel El Sheria[?] as quickly as possible. We very nearly met with disaster. Tel El Sheria[?] had not fallen and we would have probably rode into the Turkish lines. This would have meant capture or practically the total destruction

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of our small party. On our arrival at Tel El Sheria[?] which was at night we were too tired & worn out to do anything but unsaddle roll up in blanket & go to sleep. Next morning on waking we found we were sleeping in a Turkish Ordnance dump where some English Infantry had had a bad time in taking. The gully was full of dead horses camels & men & we had been sleeping among them. The stench was not very bad as the bodies had not started to decompose. People in Ausy have no idea what it means to see men meet death often in its most violent form away in a country away from civilisation. It makes one think

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Friday Nov 9
Today we were sent out foraging for tucker for ourselves & horses. We are down to Biscuits only. S.M. went over to railway to try & get in touch with Headquarters. Wally Evans & I found a redoubt and on going inside we fell over a wire. We thought it was all up & fully believed it was mined. However nothing happened and after clearing some of the Turks out we came across a fine lot of grain. We found a few live Turks hiding here. Turks in small parties were wandering about wanting to be captured as they had no food.

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Sat Nov 10
The bridge across the Gully had been mined & blown up by Jacko before leaving thus rendering railway useless.
Sunday Nov 11
Dust storm today Attended wounded & cleaned up our camping ground
Monday Nov 12
Four of us spent day foraging for horse feed & food. The Turk left a complete Bakery, Ordnance & Field Hospital in his hurried retreat. We found a number of wounded Turks in the Hospital & some of the Gun positions. We came across Medical supplies & in a store near to the station a quantity of onions & wheat

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A good find with rations so low
Friday Tuesday Nov 13
Bedouin Tribe came hanging round today. Buzzed them off. Found Capt Travers an English officer dead & stripped. What dogs these Bedouins are.
Saturday Wednesday Nov 14
Abundance of dogs here. Flies so bad during day that it is impossible to eat. Stench from dead bodies of animals unbearable. Salvage corps busy burying dead. Tom bad with septic sores. Cannot at present locate division
Sunday Nov 18th
Have been down three days Dysentry. We moved today to Huj. Owing

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to no hospital being handy. I had to ride with the rest of the Boys. I suffered the tortures of Hell. On our ride to Huj we passed large quantities of abandoned stores. Arrived at Huj but found Division had moved but a few hours. We were just about done & as rations were low our SM. decided to strike across Country to Gaza for rations & to find whereabouts of Division.
Monday Nov 9
Rode to Gaza. On way across had an argument with Bedouins. Arrived at Gaza dusk & secured good supply of Bully Beef & Biscuits from an Officer of Egyptian Labour Corp.

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Our trip across Gaza we saw our first sign of grass. On our way one saw the recently occupied positions of the Turks & there were plenty of bombs left about for the unwary to be caught. A favourite method of Jacko is to leave a bomb in a heap of straw or among Horse feed . I turned my old Neddy out on the grass & faithful fellow that he is, he was so hungry that he could not eat fast enough. We are all tired out & simply lay on the ground and went fast asleep in a few minutes.
Tuesday Nov 20
Heard Division at Ramleh. Moving up there tonight.

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Had a look round Gaza today. The town which we had to make three costly attempts before it fell. It is nothing but a mass of ruins the result of the constant shelling by monitors off the coast & our heavy artillery. The Minaret which the Artillery spared on account of it being a place of worship by the Mohammedans was found to have been used for observation purposes. A large shell we found was lying at the foot of the Altar & unfortunately failed to explode. Had it exploded it would have blown the Minaret to
-. There was hardly one building, House or Hovel which had not been

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hit. Many bombs & traps were laid before Jacko surrendered. About dusk we moved from Jil Gaza bound for Julius.
Wednesday Nov 21
We rode all through last night & arrived at Julius just before daybreak Julius is usual type of native village consisting of one or two decent houses where the head men of the village lived the rest being hovels.
We are now getting into decent country & Oranges are plentiful. Rain fell this morning & continued all day. As we were without shelter we were soon soaked
Thursday Nov 22
Rain continued & we slept or tried to in the mud. We

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moved on towards Railhead Half way along road we were told it was a short cut across country. We took it & arrived in Ramley about 3 pm. Our horses are showing themselves weary owing to the rough time they have had Ramley seems rather a large place & on first impression strikes one rather forcibly with its white buildings. Such a contrast to the hovels we have passed. It is connected by Railway and is surrounded by Orange Groves & Orchards.
Friday Nov 23
At last we have caught up with Division & moving out to Jaffa this afternoon.

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Moving again. It seems recently we have wandered all over Palestine & I feel I could sleep for a week. Our way from Ramleh lay along a good road through very pretty country. The green orchards & red tiled houses was a revelation to us after such a spell in the desert. It reminded me very much of the Northern line of N.S.W. Before reaching Jaffa we rode right into a scrap at Dieran and did some first aid among the Boys. We entered Jaffa about four in the afternoon with the New Zealanders. Our small section had the honour of being the first Ausys to enter Jaffa. Turks hidden in the houses of Jaffa & the boys busy rooting them out

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Saturday Nov 24
Jaffa fine town & the largest I have seen in Palestine. It has one main street. Large Town Hall, Gardens, Band Stand & the outlying portions of Jaffa is very pretty.
The Convent here is a very fine large airy building built of stone. The French civilian hospital is also a massive place. Germans principally occupied the best houses & one on going into the Town can easily realise what a hold Turkish capital had here. We pitched our camp on some beautiful white sand situated handy to the Surf & Town. Hope we have a decent spell here

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Sunday Nov 25
Our way to water lays about 3 miles down a red road with Wattle & Gum Trees plentiful. I never expected to see this out of Australia. The Turks are shelling particularly the water so there is still plenty of excitement.
Monday Nov 26
Town is well occupied with Hebrews & Bedouin & swarms of Hebrews are returning with their Donkeys laden with all manner of goods. Some of the shops are reopening & the Jew is out to do business in Souvenirs & take you down if you stand it. Jacko shelling. Auckland Reg suffered heavily taking this place

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Tuesday Nov 27
All troops when on leave in Towns to be armed. Numerous spies still about. Several have been caught signalling & directing enemy Artillery from roofs of houses. Air raid through night.
Wednesday Nov 28
Jacko bombed Jaffa today No Anti Air Craft guns here yet. Jacko knew this & flew low. He bombed the town systematically killing Jews & Bedouins & by some strange coincidence did not get one soldier although the Town was full. Jaffa is situated on the coast of the Mediterranean & built right down to the Waters edge. It has a fine beach for surfing

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& during the few days we have been here we have been busy swimming the Horses
Thursday Nov29
Working on water supply at Jaffa civilian hospital. Bombed again today. Jaffa particularly its outskirts is a pretty place with its red tiled houses, & Orange Groves.
Jacko received a surprise to day, Anti Air craft guns were brought up during the day night
Friday Nov 30
Sent to Ramley to day, road quiet until within 3 miles of Ramley where road was under shellfire. Got through safely

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Saturday Dec 1
Returned to Jaffa Found the boys standing to owing to Jacko shelling Some spies were caught signalling & directing artillery fire from housetops. Taubes came over at night
Sunday Dec 2
Visited Jaffa & visited ruins near the shore. Saw remains of House where Simon Peter supposed to have stayed
Monday Dec 3
Looking like rain today
Received some parcels. Anzac Divisional Post Cards Christmas Cards came along today. Posted some to friends. In afternoon visited foundry

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Tuesday Dec4
Raining today. My old Neddy looks picture of health owing to good spell & ample rations.
Wednesday Dec 5
Moving back to Richon Le Zion tomorrow for good spell out of line.
Thursday Dec 6
Sent on advance guard Reported Col Cave 1ST LH.FA. Heavy rain & set in & spent miserable night in rain.
Friday Dec 7
Still raining heavily. The rainy season has started in Palestine & we understand it is on the cards we will be here until after Christmas. Saw Camel Corp & some of my old pals trekking back to Raffa

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for a spell. The camels have the mange & most of the boys badly need a spell so they are to be isolated
Saturday Dec 8
Mud everywhere, raining heavily. Unit arrived today wet through.
Sunday Dec 9
Camped in open. Rain & mud , everything in a hell of a mess.
Monday Dec 10
Beautiful fine day so we proceeded to make camp. We secured a lovely position on a slope among some good old saplings. The village lies some 560 yds at the back of us and it looks very pretty sheltered among the trees.

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Tuesday Dec 11
Taubes came over today observing & we saw a very fine air duel unfortunately no machines were brought down.
Wednesday Dec 12
Taubes raided Ramley to day. Ramley with its tall spire & tower of the forty martyrs looks beautiful
Must visit Ramley at first opportunity. Rechon is a quiet country village. Its principal products seem to be the wine industry, nuts & oranges.
Some of the Orange groves are irrigated to perfection. One being camped here could easily forget that there was any War. The occasional visits of the Taubes however keep us

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reminded. We went to Jaffa & bought two small pigs today in hopes that we will be here for Christmas. Many of the Jewish children had never seen pigs and they were a source of amusement to the children. How pleased the Kiddies seem to be that we are here. Our immobile section coming up. We lost 20% of our strength last stint
Friday Dec 14
Beautiful sunny day. Spent day grazing my Horse & cleaning & repairing saddle. Referendum notices posted up. Presentation of Medals in Village today. Population village estimated 600.

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Saturday Dec 15
Voted on Referendum question
Rain coming up again. However we are more prepared for it this time
Sunday Dec 16
Bitterly cold & windy to day Wrote mail
Monday Dec 17
First Brigade moved up into Trenches to relieve New Zealanders Fine again today.
Thursday Dec 18
Rode into Esdud to day to bring some of our boys back. Esdud now a big dump & railway station. All speed being made to bring up Railway as quickly as possible

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Raining heavily again. Signallers below us flooded out. The Arabic name for Richon is Ayn[?] Khua[?]
Thursday Dec 20
Still raining had to move horses Rode to Canteen for Christmas supplies
Friday Dec 21
Saw Squadron of our planes flie over today laden with pills for the Turks.
Saturday Dec 22
On half rations & roads impassable on account of heavy rains which is also destroying Railway
Sunday Dec 23
Prospect for fine Christmas very poor. Cold, wet, miserable

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day
Monday Dec 24
Preparing for Christmas dinner. Wet to day
Tuesday Dec 25
Christmas day Wet & Cold. In morning we went to church service in a huge wine cellar. The service was conducted by Padre Waddy. After the service all hands could get as much wine as they wished. As usual several abused the privilege & made fools of themselves. Our Christmas dinner was a success. What odds if we did get wet eating it. The toast of the day Absent Friends & may we all be home Christmas 1918. Word came through the division would

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move to morrow
Wednesday Dec 26
It was raining & cold & the roads were in an awful state. We were bogged several times crossing a flat near Yebnah. Yebnah is the usual type of filthy village. Our Horses were absolutely bogged at times & there was nothing else for it but to get off & sink in the mud ourselves. A few Horses were drowned . The Artillery we passed seemed to be hopelessly bogged in the mud. We arrived at Ezdud just on dark and what it a mess it was. It was under water A train there was practically marooned. The dump was

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under water and we had the pleasure of seeing our precious mail just arrived floating all over the shop. Here a number of Camels, native Drivers & English troops died of exposure. We made our way to the Sandhills & arrived absolutely exausted. Thus we spent Boxing day 1917.
Thursday Dec 27
Bitterly cold today.
Have heavy cold & cannot speak. We straightened up camp.
Friday Dec 28
weather clearing up, spelling.
Saturday Dec 29
Received some mail, wet but readable.
Sunday Dec 30
On water guard Ezdud.

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is supposed to be one of the oldest villages in Palestine. It was here that there was once a 7 yrs siege. There is nothing to remind one now of its importance for it is a evil smelling filthy place & the inhabitants look as though they are degenerating.
Monday Dec 31
There was no excitement. The old year passed quietly away. Most thoughts I think were wondering if the coming year would bring the war to a close.
1918
Jan 1
Raining again. The dump & Railway is just about a mass of sand.

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Wednesday Jan 2
Visited ruins of Esdud to day. This place was at one time occupied by Philistines. Was besieged so the story goes for 27 yrs before it fell. Out of Camel Train which left here yesterday for Richon a distance of 10 miles only 120 arrived.
Thursday Jan 3
Usual routine, Raining like hell.
Friday Jan 4
Still raining
Saturday Jan 5
Heard Conscription failed. Transport torpedoed outside Alexandria. 7000 Infantry at Suez supposed to be for this front.
Australian Div moving back to

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Beilah for spell. Do not envy them trip through bad roads & mud.
Sunday Jan 6
Drew for leave to day. Lucky to win. Expect to go to Cairo leave in about weeks time.
Monday Jan 7
Received Mail from Ausy. Usual camp routine
Tuesday Jan 8
Weather cleared up again. Beautifully fine. Went for ride to Yebnah.
Wednesday Jan 9
Went over to 1st LHFA. Farley on leave to Port Said. Some Turkish Planes over observing today. Flying very high.

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Thursday Jan 10
Sent corp paper home. Left Ezdud for Cairo 6pm in open truck. Very cold country flooded. Noticed big improvement in size of dumps.
Friday Jan 11th
Arrived daybreak at Rafa. Beautiful morning. Crossed the old desert again Arriving at Kantara about 11.30 AM. The dump at Kantara since last I saw it has altered wonderfully. It now employs an army of men principally B class. Had dinner at Chisholms shower, shave & caught Egyptian mail to Cairo 1-20 arriving Cairo at 5 pm. The country all down looked in first class order. One could see the natives with the old style plough. The wells where

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the water was drawn & the old style threshing. On arrival at Cairo I went round to Anzac Hostel & to bed. The first sleep in a decent bed for some months
Saturday Jan 12
Morning Took Tram to Abbasia where General Hospital is situated. Afternoon visited Gezeria[?] Kit stores situated some two miles from Town across River Nile. Bought some Bead Snakes & other work from Turkish Prisoners. Tea at Grappis (some meal) & evening Concert Party.
Sunday Jan 13
Spent morning at Bazaars buy few things. Met Cpl Vine at hostel. Evening met some of the boys & had a good time round City

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Monday Jan 14
Went to Heliopolis & Luna Park. Heliopolis as I have mentioned before is a beautifully laid out city & fine buildings. One would not think War existed in Gay Cairo.
Tuesday Jan 15
Leave finished only 3 day flutter. Caught 11 AM train back to Cai Kantara. Arrived just after two. Crossed Canal & once again boarded the old trucks. Left Kantara 5.25 pm to rejoin unit.
Wednesday Jan 16
Shivered all night in truck 3 days leave not worth trip. Arrived Raffa 6 AM. Khan Yunis 7 AM Bulah 8 AM Gaza midday & Meged 3 pm. Held up here owing to wash away on Railway line. Drew rations. Moved on again 5pm. Saw 2 engines derailed

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lying on side of line. Believe they met Head on Collision. Arrived at Yebnah 7pm slept in Scotch camp.
Thursday Jan 17
Had breakfast with some Scotch lads. Fine fellows. Waiting for wagon to come over to Dump for Rations. Arrived at unit 12 noon. Our new camp situated just outside village. Wadi [indecipherable] some 3 miles from Richon
Friday Jan 18
Tom gone on leave to Cairo. Best camp site we have had yet. Jacko was over observing today.
Saturday Jan 19
This camp will do for me for some time. Good climate plenty of fruit & food.

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Sunday Jan 20
Heads expect Jacko to start raiding. Ordered to dig in. Clipped horse. Made bivvy comfortable.
Monday Jan 21
Football match between NZ v Div team. Good game. Football competition commenced in Division. Every prospect of long spell here.
Tuesday Jan 22
Old [indecipherable] rejoined unit usual routine
Wednesday Jan23
Football again. This afternoon Band Concert. Everybody getting fit again

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Thursday Jan 24
Brigade sports today. Went over to races. Jacko arrived while sports in progress but dropped no pills.
Friday Jan 25
Section Horserace Sweepstakes. Won by Ivan 2 Ginger [indecipherable] 3 Buller Good days sport. Posted snaps & parcel home
Saturday Jan 26
Received mail from Ausy. Everything right. Football afternoon.
Sunday Jan 27
Caught coming from Ramley in

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heavy storm
Monday Jan 28
Still raining. Flat under water. Heavy going on horseback Have usual cold
Tuesday Jan 29
Weather cleared up. Saw beautiful Air duel over camp to day. 2 Turkish planes attacked one of ours & after a very exciting duel, one of the Turkish planes crashed & the other had to fly for home.
Wednesday Jan 30
Major Leggitt from corps inspected today. All satisfactory.

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Thursday Jan 31
Nothing doing
Feb 1 Friday
Kicked by mule at Water Trough. Usual Routine. Oranges plentiful.
Saturday Feb 2
Jacko over today. Getting monotonous here with nothing to do.
Saturday Feb 9
Last week there was nothing much doing. We have had plenty of windy, cold & wet weather. We hear a Bachelors tax has come into force in Ausy. New Zealanders Brigade moved out into trenches somewhere round Jerusalem .

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Sunday Feb 10
Reported German Division reinforcing Turks Washaway on Railway again railway up as far as Ramli. Divisional sports postponed indefinitely as we may be moving out at any time.
Monday Feb 11
The villages round here look lovely. All the fruit trees are in blossom and it is the commencement of spring.
Tuesday Feb 12
Football Match Auckland v 6th light Horse. Good match won by Auckland
Wednesday Feb 13
Trains running again. Jews & Natives very cruel to domestic animals. Reinforcements 6 arrived for unit today.

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Thursday Feb 14
Jacko over today Football match between Auckland v Div Team also 1st Reg v 6th Reg Inspected as usual.
Friday Feb 15
Sent to orange orchards in district to find number of wells & condition same. Rest NZ Brigade moving tomorrow
Saturday Feb 16
Sent some Maltese Lace home to day. Fine day NZ. Moved out for Jericho 1st Brigade moving tomorrow. Reported Australian Mail sunk. NZ Band played at Richon. Harrison transferred 2ND L.H.F.A.

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Sunday Feb 17
Ground in this part of Palestine worked on following principle. Owner of ground lets it out to inhabitants who get paid according to harvest Baron Rothchild the American millionaire subsidised a lot of this property.
Monday Feb 18
Transports N.Z returned roads too bad.
Tuesday Feb 19
N.Z. bombed at Jericho. Inspected as usual. 10 days stunt on. Out of this little lot.
Wednesday Feb 20
Anzacs & N.Z. reported fighting out of Jericho

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Thursday Feb 21
Raining again. Davis transferred to 14th A .G.H.
Friday Feb 22
Wet day. Anzac Anzac mounted Div arrived Jericho this morning Casualties light.
Saturday Feb 23
Showery day usual routine.
Sunday Feb 24
1st Brigade & N.Z returning tomorrow. Scottish met with heavy casualties.
Monday Feb 25
Jacko over today. Dropped few bombs.

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Tuesday Feb 26
Jews Christmas. Jews travelling up & down all day. Jews very mean people.
Wednesday Feb27
Went over to Ludd & Ramley Visited Tower 40 Martyrs. Fine panoramic view from here.
Thursday Feb 28
Usual routine.
Friday Feb29 March 1
[indecipherable] village at Wadi
[indecipherable] [indecipherable] promoted to L Cpl
Saturday March 2
Warm day Kiora Cove published today Only four copies available for unit

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Sunday March 3
New Zealand band at Richon. Only band in Richon division which sticks to Division
Monday March 4
Rode over 1ST Brigade to see Sgt Beny[?]. found he had gone to hospital with bad knee. Received paper & mail from Home
Tuesday March 5
1ST Brigade moved out to day. Supposed to be returning in few days. Will be glad when we move for a change.
Wednesday March 6
Very windy to day. Rumours of moving in few days.

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144
Thursday March 7
Moving on 13 March. Direction said to be Jerusalem.
Friday March 8
Raining today. Had sports in afternoon to relieve monotony.
Saturday March 9
Demonstration of Sanitation given by Capt Sutton to the Jews of Richon. These people seem to have no idea of sanitation. This to my mind is why there are so many flies among these villages.
Sunday March 10
Made application for separation allowance today. Saw Air fight by our planes & Jacko’s. One of our Scouts attacked by four Taubes.

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Monday March 11
General Allenby inspected to day. Riding in shorts forbidden
Tuesday March 12
Received our Christmas Box to day from Red Cross. Better late than never. Moving to morrow. On the whole we have had a very pleasant stay here.
Wednesday March 13
Moved out at 9 AM today carrying one blanket, Waterproofing, Overcoat & Rations. Our way lie through Rambi which is now a large dump, second to Ludd About three miles from Rambi we halted for forty minutes for lunch. Then moving on to Latron where we camped

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Our halt for lunch was situated about one mile from a small village called El Kubat. We arrived at Latron which is situated at foot of Judean hill about 4 pm. Some 15 miles Jerusalem.
Thursday March 14
Anzac div left Latron 7.30 AM for Jerusalem. We started to climb Judean Hills Country is very mountainous & barren. Passed through Kuryet[?] El Enab or village of Grapes. French had possession of this place in pre war days. Beautiful stone church to be seen here. I noticed Bedouin Men, Women & Children working on roads. Oranges are scarce up here. The road is a good road but the side track we took was

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very rough. It was impossible to ride in places. Passed many small villages en route and saw some very fine panoramic views. Included among these were Rambi with its spire. The coast in the distance. There were also some fine positions commanding the roads which had been held by the Turks. One seeing this country would think these positions impregnable. We passed the house where John the Baptist was born and entered Jerusalem about 4 pm. Passing through Jerusalem we camped on Mt of Olives some three miles from Town.
We were tired out & had just pitched our Bivvys when we were ordered to move to

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another site in Jerusalem. Arrived there about 8 pm and slept in open. It rained during night and in morning all hands were drenched.
Friday March 15th
Foggy morning. Seems like home to hear the clocks striking the hour church bells ringing. Left for sightseeing 9 AM. Riding along road we passed English Cathedral a massive stone building, the German[?] Hospital Damascus & Jaffa Gate. These gates with others are the entrance into old Jerusalem. They are a tremendous height about 90ft. foundationto of Jerusalem wall supposed to be 40 to 50 ft depth & walls 40 ft high. We rode round the outside

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of the walls. Having a fine view of the valley of the Kings. We were told that the track we rode round consisted of rubbish as it was the custom in the old days to through all the rubbish over the walls more particularly when in a state of siege. The walls were we were told were 20 to 30 ft higher in the old days. The rubbish however has gradually built up so the walls are higher on the inside than on the outside. We then rode out to the Mt of Olives when it started raining We kept going to the Town of Ascension. This is the spot where Jesus was supposed to have ascended into Heaven It is a church having a tall spire

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some 150 ft high & from here you can see the country for miles.
We saw Virgins well. Palace where Kaiser stayed on visit to Jerusalem now occupied by our G.O.C. We visited Garden of Gethsemane a small but very historical spot. In here they have small figures representing Christ & his Disciples We rode round narrow track & looking down into the valley saw Roman Church with its five gold capped Domes also Tombs of the Kings & the road winding towards Jericho. We returned back to camp through Jerusalem & in afternoon visited inside the walls on foot. I saw the Mosque of Omar also known as the Dome of the Rock. The dome of the

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rock was built AD 918 & occupies former site of Temple of Solomon. It is a fine piece of architecture Within the building are three concentric colonnades with columns of polished marble. Then comes the central hall over the rock, the hall is circular and is surrounded by columns of polished marble. Built above these is a dome The dome externally is covered with brass plates, gilt, while the building itself its floors & its walls and the drum are ornamented with marble & mosaics. From here we went & stood on the old Battlements & had a good view of surrounding country. From here we crossed the courtyard with its old Roman Pillars still standing.

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We then visited the wailing stone. This presents a wonderful sight. An enormous wall against which the Jews wail & pray hammering a nail in between the crevices of the wall. From here we went through some of the streets. They were so narrow that one from upstairs could easily shake hands with person on opposite side. We saw one or two other Mosques & entered the Holy Sepulcre. The church of the Holy Sepulcre is the modern representative of Churches erected in the Emperor Constantine in AD 325 – 6 in honour of the places which were believed to have been the respective scenes of the Crucifixion & Resurrection of Christ. The chapel stands on a

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platform a little above the floor. The entrance is by a low archway. Inside a narrow passage leads to the top. In the chapel of the Angels 15 lamps are always burning & in the centre is a fragment of stone that closed the mouth of the Sepulcre. The tomb is a marble bench while above are 43 lamps the three Communitys owning 13 each & the Copts 4.
Saw Crusaders grave at entrance also service in church.
Returned back to camp after having spent the most interesting day since I left Ausy.
Saturday March 16
Still raining We were washed out of camp last night. Took refuge in Jews house & stabled Horses. Division not moving

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until weather clears.
Sunday March 12
Raining like hell, Afternoon went to enthronement service at Cathedral Jerusalem All the heads present Saw model in fretwork of New & Old Jerusalem. Bought photos same. Had ride round outskirts of Jerusalem.
Monday March 11
Still raining & cold. Sent out to point 5 miles out. Returned & reported to unit. Moving out to Jericho to night.
Tuesday March 19
Moving postponed on account heavy rain. Standing by ready to move
Wednesday March 20
Weather cleared. Moved out about 6.30 pm. Road congested with

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155
traffic. Travelled until 2 AM
Passed Bethany about 8.30 where all the Mongrels in the place started howling. Down hill travelling all the way. After passing Bethany country wild & barren. Had a few hours sleep near Telat El Doon[Talat ed Dumm] on side of road.
Thursday March 21
Plague of Caterpillars & very hot here Remarkable views of hills & villages< valleys. We had great difficulty in watering having to go right down to Wadi [indecipherable] over rough narrow uneven track
Friday March 22
Movement cancelled until bridge complete over River Jordan. Our boys having difficulty with bridge owing to Turks shelling & bombing

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We are at present camped at side of 60th Division
Saturday March 23
Mosquitoes very bad here. Very hot owing to low elevation & surrounding hills.
Sunday March 24
Artillery action brisk again. Heard Jacko blew up bridge.
Monday March 25
Moved out 7 pm. Last night Halted at River Jordan until daybreak Crossed River Jordan daybreak. Moved into position side of hills. Moved to another position after lunch. Artillery fire brisk. Tribesmen plentiful here. We are told they are very treacherous
Tuesday March 26
Moved again Stunt started kept

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busy. Good grazing for horses & just in this spot Partridges, quails & wild flowers plentiful. Tribesmen here strip wounded & dead. Saw cases my own eyes Jacko retiring.
Wednesday March 27
Fine warm day. It is said White man cannot live in this valley in summer time owing to heat & valley being 1200 ft below Sea level. Jordan River flows from Sea of Gallilee to Dead Sea. Have seen Dead Sea. Water so salt that one cant sink in it. Bringing in Wounded. Moved to another position on Main road at dusk and camped at place called Shunet Nimron

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Thursday March 28
Jacko bombed to day at daybreak. Gave us hell. Casualties coming in fairly heavy Transport cannot get along owing to only one road and that in bad condition owing to rain. Capt Sutton & seven of us moving out to night to advanced dressing station. Bombed again just as we were saddling up 18 Taubes. Did a fair amount of damage. No Anti Air craft guns here so Jacko had it all his own way Moved out at 5.30 & moved to main road towards Esault After going up road for about ¼ mile we turned on to a Goat track. Several times we were compelled to dismount & walk owing to the roughness of the Country

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We crossed a Wadi I believe it was near Ain Sin[?]. About every 3 miles we passed a patrol Only for these patrols I think we would have been hopelessly lost. Just on daybreak we located advanced dressing station of 2ND LHFA unit. The Casualties were heavy owing to no Artillery.
Friday Good 29th March
We were exceptionally busy all day. Stretcher bearing, bringing in wounded & despatching them back to next station. There was heavy fighting all day the New Zealand Brigade particularly Auckland Reg suffering severely Our position I believe is known as Birket

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El Enab. It was raining heavily & bitterly cold all day. By midday our few tents were full of wounded & the rain pouring through. We found three large Caves & had to use these accommodating about 200. All Waggons, Camels & horses which came our way were commandeered to carry wounded to Jericho some 15 miles. A party of slightly wounded set out on foot. We have no rations & things are in a deplorable condition.
Saturday Still raining & cold. Busy bringing in attending wounded. None of us have had any sleep since leaving Shunet Nimron Messenger

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arrived from Headquarters to tell us to get out at Daybreak Impossible as there is 250 wounded to get away.
Sunday March 31
Still raining & very cold
Artillery cannot get up owing state of roads. Our boys evacuating positions Camel Field Amb arrived to help get wounded away 10th Division evacuated midday. We got away at dark after 2ND Brigade & all troops retired Chances of getting out were not too bright. It was very dark so much so that you could not see a foot in front of you. The Camels with medical supplies kept falling in the soft going

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& several of these we had to leave. We rode all night through mud & water & at day break Monday came across a patrol.
Monday April 1
The Turks at this time were practically on us in large numbers & it was only the darkness which pulled us through. 3 of our boys were caught through going back for some gear.
We rode on till we reach Esault situated half way in the hills of Moab & had breakfast Bully & Biscuit & pushed on for Shunet Nimron arriving about 2 pm. We were so worn out that we slept all afternoon & night without waking

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Tuesday Ap 2
Turks are concentrating & another scrap is expected. The Armoured Cars have gone up to Esault to hold the road. We crossed the Jordan again today & took up again our old positions. Coming along the road it was pitiable to see the Women & Children trying to get back to our line, knowing that the Turks would Massacre them. We were bombed crossing the River & finally camped near Mt of Temptation on Jericho flat. Worst stunt I was ever in & in my opinion we received a hiding this time.
Wednesday April 3
Jacko bombed at dawn all

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hands except pickets in bed. Soon got out of bed. Killed a number of horses & wounded & killed Troops. The Turk is trying to put the wind up us and we are at present having a very rough spin.
Thursday April 4
1ST L. horse captured Turkish patrol last night 1ST Brigade digging trenches just over Jordan. Both sides shelling heavily. All hands ordered to dig in.
Friday April 5
The weather is exceptionally hot here & flies very bad.
A number of the lads are getting sick. All Details I am told are coming down from Jerusalem. It will make things easier for we are very much under strength.

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Saturday Ap 6
Visited Greek Monastry near camp today. It is built on Mt Forty[?] also Mt Temptation next to it. This monastry is built in the face of the cliff of stone & inhabited by a few monks. Practically a impregnable position
Sunday Ap 7
An absolute roaster to day Temp 120 degrees had to go across River on message While over, Jacko started leaving some coal boxes. Was night before I could get back.

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Monday April 8
The Jordan Valley is some 14 miles across from one range of hills to the other. On one side the hills of Moab on the other the Judean hills. The Jordan River practically flows down the Centre.
Tuesday April 9
Butler evacuated Hospital Davidson taking his place. Posted parcel home I received from Jerusalem to day. The horses here feel the heat as well as us. What a boon it is to have a decent Horse. Very hot & dusty. Jacko shelling.
Wednesday Ap 10
Lost one of our St. Sgt to day. If things go on like this there

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will soon be nobody left
Thursday Ap 11
Turks made an attack to day across Flat. They advanced in close formation & we waited until they were practically up to wire before fire. The Artillery let fly putting a barrage at back of them preventing them from getting away. They were machine Gunned in front & shelled from behind & were repulsed with very heavy losses.
Friday Ap 12
Another Bomb raid this morning. Turks have retired back into the Hills of Moab after their bad mauling yesterday. It is hot here

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Saturday Ap13
Sent to NCOs school at Moascar. Good news will now have decent spell. We journeyed to Jerusalem by motor lorry. Steep grade all the way. Much cooler in Jerusalem. Stayed night at Jerusalem
Sunday Ap 14
Left Jerusalem by Railway small gage for Ludd also known as Railhead. The Journey was down hill all the way to Ludd. There we had Tea & changed Trains to open truck and broad gage for Kantara.
Monday Ap 15
Arrived Kantara 11AM crossed canal & caught Egyptian mail after lunch for Moascar. Arrived there about 3 P.M. School made up of about 42 members drawn

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from various units
Tuesday April 16
Parade hours this school 5.30 to 7 AM 9AM to 11AM. 1pm 3pm. Course lasting 6 weeks Met several old pals
Tuesday Ap17
Wed April 17
Our instruction started this morning. Troop drill. Semaphore signalling. Visited Ismalia in evening. Rather pretty little town with trees planted in streets. There are some decent Houses & Streets & as usual some slums in Arab quarter.
Thursday Ap 18
Semaphore Squad Drill. Troop Drill Concert in YMCA evening by Hot Totties. Moascar not much altered from when I landed.

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A decent change here. No horses to look after and no pickets . A decent rest
Friday Ap 19
Stretcher drill. Words of command Lecture on Clerk’s duties Discipline Etc.
Saturday Ap 20
Went for swim over to Bitter lakes. Water very salt but enjoyed ourselves. Evening pictures Ismalia.
Sunday Ap 21
Saw Stone to day who used to work at same shop as I.
No parade after a church parade
Monday Ap 22
Words of command lecture on reading & setting maps.

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Tuesday Ap23 Gale blew this morning Two planes from school came croppers. Field Amb drill dismounted Communication Drill Lecture Guard Duty What a farce these schools are. Some of the things we have here we never use.
Wednesday Ap 24
Posting Guards, Discipline, Rifle Drill. Afternoon Lecture on map setting.
Thursday Ap 25 Anzac Day
In morning we had a memorial service. Sports rest of day.
Concert in evening by Lena Ashwell Concert party. These coves in base camps have a good time.

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Friday Ap26
Extension, cleaning rifle, Firing etc usual routine.
Saturday Ap27
Went for swim in lake. Evening Pictures
Sunday Ap 28
Church parade went into Ismalia Took sailing boat on lake. Enjoyable day.
Saturday May 25
The past month has been very quiet We have spent the time in Drilling, Signalling, Riding etc.
I have seen onertwo smashes from Flying school Since I left unit I have heard that they have had another go at Jacko & got knocked back again.

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At the Lena Ashwell Concert party I met some of the old boys who I had not seen since leaving Sydney School finished to day & my leave commences Monday to Alexandria. C. Speering D Harold & myself going together. The school has been a pleasant break from the Field but became very monotonous towards the finish I hope this will be my last school
Sunday May 26
Hot day did not go out.
Wrote Mail.
Monday May 27
Left for Alexandria by 9.30AM train from Moascar. It is now harvesting season & the natives

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are busy in carrying in their crops.
Some of the places particularly the Railway Stations were gaily decorated with flags in honour of the Sultan’s visit. We saw the Natives irrigating the crops & chopping the Tibbin[?]. Arrived Alexandria 3 pm. Put up Windsor Hotel. Visited Noriza Gardens & had a run around Town. Alexandria seems a nice city much nicer than Cairo. The streets however are so narrow. Returned back to hotel & once again slept on a soft bed.
Tuesday May 28
Alexandria strikes me as being more of a Cosmopolitan City than Cairo. There are all Nationalities here & most seem prosperous

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We roamed round town most of the day enjoying ourselves by looking at the shops & buying some Souvenirs. In the evening visited Theatre.
Wednesday May 29
Went out to City Bish & St Stephens in double decker tram. The suburbs of Alexandria are very pretty & we saw some fine gardens. Would not mind spending a few months here. We passed the Racecourse & Casino. Evening we all had a night out. The trams of Alexandria are similar to those in Cairo. Small & uncomfortable. French Gardens very pretty
Thursday May 30
Visited Catacombs, Dissapointed in same. Caught 2 pm Train from Alexandria back to Moascar
Arrived Moascar 7pm when I received

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mail My trip to Alexandria was very enjoyable though hardly long enough. My impressions were favourable & I prefer Alexandria to Cairo. One see practically every Nationalitie in Alex & Cairo. The morality of Alex seems just about on a par with Cairo, pretty low
Friday June May 31
Inoculated this morning Left Moascar 1pm Very hot day, sandstorms crossing desert.in open Very unpleasant travelling in open truck.
Saturday June 1
Arrived at Ludd early this morning where we had to change trains for Jerusalem. Arrived at Jerusalem 7pm. On our journey which was a steep grade all way we passed

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many villages & small farms. At several places we saw the stone Terraces so common to the country round here
Sunday June 2
Heard Germans had advanced 15 miles on French front. Heard unit were at present camping at Bethlehem Struck camp about 11 AM
Monday June 3
It was a has been a beautiful day to day. Fine , sunny & cool. We are at present engaged in oiling the wells round here to prevent the breeding of the Malaria Mosquito. There are some massive stone buildings in Bethlehem. Personally I like Bethlehem in preference to Jerusalem

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The people seem superior to average Jerusalem people. We are camped among Olive trees and amid good surroundings. The weather is cool and at present we are having a good spell.
Tuesday June 4
This morning we were oiling wells & in afternoon examined Aquaduct which brings supply of water from Solomon’s wells to Bethlehem.
Wednesday June 5
visited Bethlehem today. Very much struck with this place will write my impressions later.

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Thursday June 6
Went out to N.Z. Brigade Field Amb. Temporalily attached. Camp situated at Solomon’s pools about half way between Hebron & Bethlehem. These pools are there in number of considerable depth & size. At present they contain water so we are in a handy position as regards watering. There are snakes in these pools & in vicinity. Solomons gardens all that is left of them lie a little lower down from the pools.
Friday June 7
2ND Brigade came in to day from the valley looking absolute wrecks. Heard we will be moving in few days

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Saturday June 8th
Lovely day again. Rode into Bethlehem to see some of the boys. Mail arrived.
Sunday June 9
Rode out towards Hebron on message to Wellington & Canterbury Regs. Very windy day. Good news arrived from French front
Monday June 10th
Looking like rain today. Rode out to Hebron. Usual type of Palestine City.
Tuesday June 11
Fresh issue steel helmets issued to day Received mail & papers from home. We were inspected today by Gen Clayton. This means an early move I suppose.

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Wednesday June 12
Heard rumour to day that our division may be going to France. Causing mild excitement.
Thursday June 13
Saw Monastry built on old site of Solomons gardens. Parts of the old garden still intact. Moved out from Solomon’s Pools to Telat El Doon [Talat ed Doon] at 5pm. Sorry to leave this camp. Passed through Jerusalem about 10pm arrived Telat el Doon[?] 7 AM. Friday Very tiring trip with Camels
Friday June 14
Scorcher today 4th Brigade came up from Jordan Valley 125 % degrees to day & no shade. Fine choking dust flying owing to constant stream of horses watering Telat El Doon[?] also known

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as the hills of Blood is situated half way between Jerusalem & Jericho. A more desolate place it would be hard to imagine. There is no sign of vegetation Just the barren hills on each side. The heat at this place is terrific. Perhaps it is because it is situated in a natural pocket.
Saturday June 15
About 7 pm we saddle up & moved towards Jericho It was a moonlight night but not a breath of air. We arrived in the valley about 2 AM & camped at the foot of Mt Temptation just beside a small running stream which I think was a small tributary

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of the Wadi Kelt
Sunday June 16
Jacko over at daybreak this morning Very nearly lost my neddy to day during shelling. Auckland Reg went into Trenches last night. Moving into position to night
Very Hot day
Monday June 17
Sent out on message to Auckland Reg. Had great difficulty finding them. Very nearly rode into Turkish Lines. On arrival back at Camp Found the boys moving up to their old position.
Tuesday June 18
Wrote mail, getting very hot here Several of the boys evacuated with Malaria. Jacko

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over again. Scorpions bad here also snakes. Fortunately we are at present camped near water thus having the opportunity of a shower & bath. Wednesday June 19
Turks shelled today. Badly hit Jericho. From our camp can be seen the hills of Moab where the Turks have a strong position. In these hills the big gun known as Jericho Jane is situated.
Thursday June 20
Heat very bad. Turks concentrating near River Jordan. With the exception of Artillery fire the front has of late been very quiet. Heard first class lecture on Malaria.

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Friday June 21
The Fireflies in certain parts of the Jordan Valley are brilliant at night. Today we rode over to the Dead Sea through Jericho. Jericho is now practically a mass of ruins. The famous City of olden times lies buried. Its population consists approximately of about 200 all told and of these 200 there are few which are up to the ordinary standard of the Native. We rode through Jericho & started for the Dead Sea. We failed to reach it owing to the Turks Artillery. This Flat is undoubtedly the wilderness so often mentioned in the Bible.
The white dust is now up to

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the Horses knees through the constant passage of waggons. The dust gets in everything & is most unpleasant.
Saturday June 22
Went over to 1ST FA today Just as Tom & I landed there Jericho Jane dropped one in the camp & we had to get down for our lives. We were in a funk hole for nearly two hours while Jacko heaved them all round the camp. Killed several horses.
Sunday June 23
Jacko shelled us again to day. The weather here is bringing responsible for a number of us having a heat rash & Septic Sores. There is very

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little chance of getting them better while we are here
Monday June 24
Scorpions in the valley are very numerous. Several of the lads have been bitten. Snakes are also fairly plentiful. It is practically middle of Summer here & the average Temp is anything about 120 ° .Here they were told it was impossible for White men to live in the summer. However here we are & from all appearances likely to remain.
Monday Tuesday June 25
Same old routine today. Last night the Artillery had a fly

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and there seemed to be something doing. However we were hauled out to stand too but nothing came of it.
Tuesday Wed June 26
We were told today that Jericho Jane the big gun which was giving us so much trouble had been located & destroyed. Four heavy howitzers supposed to be coming up here to night. Turks gave Auckland Reg bad shelling this afternoon.
Thursday June 27
Another scorcher. More shells stood to Horses on side of hill for over two hours. He cleared up part of our Division. Wellington

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Brigade Tran, Headquarters & Vets lost Horses. Very few other casualties. Towards evening we had to stand to again
Friday June 28
Very hot to day. All hands busy burying horses which Jacko killed yesterday.
Saturday June 29
We had a spell to day as there was not a shot fired on either side. Rumours of a stunt coming off. If we stay here much longer we will have no men. Reported Jacko shelling Jerusalem dump with heavy range gun. In my opinion it is going to be a

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tough job getting Jacko out of the hills. It is such a natural defensive position & he has had plenty of time to prepare his defences
Sunday June 30
Artillery fire heavy through night. Usually in the middle of the day in the Jordan valley there is not a sign of life. It is too hot for anything. The flies would drive one mad & every night one needs to make an inspection of his bivvy for scorpions etc. The life here is one long monotony. We would welcome anything for a change
Monday July 1
Jacko gave 1ST Brigade who are down near bridgehead a fairly lively time to day. The Batterys

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Inverness[?], Ayreshire & Somerset which are in a good possy by Bridgehead
Tuesday July 2
Heavy Artillery Action just at dawn I was told that Medical Officers estimated we would lose 50 % of our strength down here through Malaria. Most of us are pictures with septic sores & heat rash.
Received parcels & mail.
Wednesday July 3
Taubes over today. They received a rough spin from our planes. The sickness is becoming alarming. Those who are left are pretty well washed out. Of an evening just after sunset we can easily distinguish the fires in the Turkish lines. How we wish we were in that position.

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among the hills where it must be cooler. Cannot understand why the Turks do not mass their artillery among the hills & give us a much rougher spin. They evidently must be short of artillery for they were never in a better position than they are in now in my opinion since I have been here.
Thursday July 4
Malaria & Dysentry increasing All the Wadis being oiled to prevent breeding of mosquitos. Canalisation is also being undertaken by large bodies of Indians.
Thursday July 5
Usual routine Things quiet to day

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Saturday July 6
Usual routine
Sunday July 7
Very windy clouds of dust in valley. Turks shelling today.
Monday July 8
Sunday July 14
During the last week there has been nothing out of the ordinary.
Jacko has been shelling at various times and the weather has been exceptionally hot. The boys are just about fed up with this place & would welcome anything for a change. Last night we had a bomb raid just about sunset &

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there was heavy Artillery fire during the night. We had been standing to since daybreak as a stunt was expected.
Monday July 15
Still shelling on both sides.
The Division secured 500 prisoners principally Germans. The Germans with Turkish Troops attacked just after dawn. Two first Brigade outposts were captured. The fighting continued practically all day and the last posts were recaptured by counter attack. To give an example of how fond the Turks are of the Germans. On this occasion so prisoners tell us the Germans were to be used as storm troops backed up by the Turks. Everything went all

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right for a while. When the Boys began to hold their own, The Turks turned & fired on some of the Germans. German prisoners captured expressed their feelings pretty forcibly as to Jacko’s treatment. A number of prisoners were knocked out through want of water. A day in the Jordan Valley with its heat & dust is bad enough for anything without running short of water. What looked like a serious affair for us turned out as the day wore on to be a complete victory
Tuesday July 16
Las night was a busy night for most of us getting the wounded & sick troops through to the clearing station at Jericho.
The road was bad & blocked

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by heavy traffic. When the moon went down the fun started.
We became tangled in the barb wire & had great difficulty getting out. The Australian Div who were at Telat El Doon[?] came down by forced march to reinforce Anzac Division if necessary. Fortunately it was all over before they arrived. The number of prisoners taken in this small scrap amounted to about 1500. Things are quiet tonight.
Wednesday July 17
Taube over observing this morning. 1ST Brigade shelled at Water parade this morning. Lost number of Horses & 21 Casualties.
Thursday July 18th
Another scorcher today. Moving

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out tomorrow night for spell. Everything quiet. Australian Division relieving us in this sector
Friday July 19
Busy preparing to move. Moved out about 7 pm. Arrived at Telat El Doon[?] about 11 pm.
Up hill travelling all the way
Saturday July 20
Staying a couple of days here. Water shortage for horses. Had to ride nearly to Jericho for water.
Tuesday July 23
The last few days there has nothing doing. We are simply waiting movement orders to proceed to our next camp.

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Wednesday July 24
Received wire to report to 1ST LH. F. Amb. Proceeding to Richon. Saddled up & left Telat EL Doon[?] about 4 pm. Passed through Bethany about 7 pm Jerusalem 9 pm & struck 1ST Brigade camping at the village of Enab situated some 5 miles out of Jerusalem
Wednesday July 24 Enab is the usual type of Bedouin village. Very dirty camp site owing to number of Troops camping on their way to & from the valley. It is usually only used for one night. We are leaving here for Latron at 7 pm tonight

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Thursday July 25
Left Enab 7 pm last night. It was a beautiful moonlight night and the road was clear. The journey only occupied four hours to the foothills as the travelling was all down hill & the road in good order. We are moving tonight to Wadi El Neins[?] near Richon.
Friday July 26
We moved last night about 7 pm. It was a beautiful night. We arrived at our old camp site which I had not seen since March. just on daybreak, Today I put up my bivvy and am looking forward to a good spell here.

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Saturday July 27
Grapes & Melons are plentiful just at present. The fruit is very welcome after our long spell in the Jordan valley.
Sunday July 28
Rode to Jaffa today. Jaffa much altered since I was last there. The town has developed & business is in full swing. We had a dip in the surf also giving our horses a swim.
Monday July 29
Took a trip to Richon to day. One of the prettiest little villages I have seen. The Jews seem well contented & prosperous.

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Thursday Aug 15
There is not much news to be written. Since we came here we have had very little to do.
There are all sorts of rumours current as to our future movements. We have spent the time quietly having occasional sports, concerts.
The spell here has done us all good including the Horses. There are rumours of a big offensive early next month. Tomorrow we are moving to Latron
Friday Aug 16
Left for Latron at 7 AM. On our way passed camp of the Artillery belonging to Australian Division. Arrived at Latron at the foot of the Jordan

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hills about 4 pm. Camping here to night. Moving on again tomorrow morning.
Saturday August 17
Left Latron 9 AM proceeded through the Jordan Hills to Jerusalem. We arrived at Enab about 2 pm & camped here.
Sunday Aug 18
Staying here until tomorrow. Horses & men in good condition.
Nothing doing to day
Monday Aug 19
Moved from here 2 pm for Jerusalem. We arrived on outskirts of Jerusalem about 5 pm & halted 1 hr for Tea. It was cold on the hills. After Tea we moved out passing through Jerusalem

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about 8 pm. The inhabitants were watching us from their houses & shops. I am convinced there are plenty of spies in Jerusalem. Passing through Jerusalem we took the Jericho road & arrived at Bethany about 10 pm. There we halted for a few hours.
Tuesday Aug 20
Moved about 3 AM. It was pitch dark & cold. The division resumed its journey towards Jericho arriving at Telat El Doon[?] about 9 AM. We are staying here until tomorrow.
Wednesday Aug 21
We left Telat EL Doon[?] at 5 AM.

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arriving at foothills in afternoon where we camped preparatory to taking up position in the line. Taubes visited us & we were also shelled while watering. Once more we are back in the old Jordan Valley. Where we are there is no shelter so expect Jacko will give us hell
Thursday Aug 22
Contrary to expectations things were quiet to day & about 8 pm we took over from 3RD LH.FA The position we are at present occupying is one of the worst in the valley. We are some 3 miles from Water camped between two hills. Going to water is like taking a ticket

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in Tatts. You maybe lucky or otherwise The Turks are constantly trying to shell the watering area. To get to water you are compelled to cross open country Thus the excitement.
The 1ST Reg are camped at Mersalarba[?]. 2ND Reg in between two hills to the left & 3RD reg with Headquarters behind the hills. Machine Gunners are down in the Wadi bed which is quite dry & not a bad possy. The sick & wounded unless urgent are brought in by night & one needs to be very careful as direction is easily misjudged.

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Friday Aug 23
The weather is exceptionally hot & one feels fit for nothing here. Things are quiet but it is rumoured an attack is expected at any time.
Saturday Aug 24
Jacko shelling to day
Everything ready for expected attack.
Sunday Aug 25
Went out in Sand Cart to 2ND Reg. to day. We had great difficulty finding them owing to number of attacks.
Monday Aug 26
Usual routine to day. Weather still very hot

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Thursday Sep 5
There has been nothing much of interest to write, Both sides have been doing more shelling. Our old enemy Jericho Jane has opened up several times but fortunately they have missed us. It is remarkable how well the horses stand the heat. It is no uncommon occurrence to see them sweating on the line. Most of us have Septic Sores. My hands at present are very bad. There is no chance of sore hands getting better while one has to look after Horses. We are changing with the New Zealanders tomorrow night. The camp is situated some 5 miles back in a good possy, near water.

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How pleased we shall when we get up out of the valley. It has been an eye opener for the Turks who it is said confidently expected us to retire on Jerusalem. It is the thoughts of getting out of here which makes one able to stand it.. Scorpions are numerous & a bite from these pests is no joke. Flies are bad & with other pests do not make it by any means a desirable camp. One on seeing Jericho as it is now, with the turret of the Mosque & the hovels which constitute this place can hardly realise that in the old days it was a big city. There seems to me no doubt that the

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valley is the wilderness so often mentioned in the Bible. I often feel that I would like to explore some of the Goat tracks which can be seen riding up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem.
Friday Sept 6
We moved last night to this position changing over with the New Zealanders. This is one of the best positions in the Valley. The Wadi Kelt[?] where we water is only about 5 minutes from camp & water for bathing is plentiful.
Saturday Sept 7
Off colour on Sick Parade
2ND Brigade had a successful

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smash at Jacko last night down by the bridge. We have been busy lately making Dunny Houses [or Dummy Horses]. It seems very funny. Our planes are overhead daily from morning till night. They are keeping the enemy’s planes high in the air to prevent them seeing camouflage. The dummy horses are standing in rows, & among the dummy camps & giving Jacko the impression that we are reinforcing this Sector strongly with troops. We hear the Turks are concentrating strongly opposite in the hills of Moab. We hear there is a big stunt coming

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shortly but our forces intend to strike is not known. Our Horses are as well as it is possible to be in this climate and I think most will welcome the stunt to get out of here.

Sunday Sept 8
In Hospital

Monday Sept 9
Machine gunners moved to more protected possy to day.

Sunday Sept 14
The last week I have been off colour & was sent

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to Jerusalem rest camp for a weeks spell. This rest camp is run by the Division for the troops in Jericho. It has been found that many of the boy’s if they can get a week’s spell, it often saves what may be a serious illness in Hospital.
We caught the Motor Lorry at Jericho & were taken to the rest camp situated about one mile from Jerusalem in a building which was at one time a Convent. We arrived here about 5 pm & found it very cool after the valley. The difference in climate is easily understood when the Jericho flat is 1200

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ft below Sea Level & here is about 3000 ft above sea level. On arrival we were examined by Medical Officer & then issued with Tobacco, & Comforts from Red Cross Depots. The grounds were covered by EP tents among olive trees. What a fine home this is compared to what we have been used to.
Sunday Sept 15
Here there is nothing to do. The food is excellent & we spend our time reading, writing & yawning. I went into Jerusalem to day to have a look round.

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Wednesday Sept 18
We hear the big stunt is about to commence. This camp is closing up & every available man is going down to the valley for what we hope the final smash. Excitement is running high. I have enjoyed myself here. It has been so quiet & such a change to be away from Horses for a while. Have heard we will all be rejoining our various units to morrow.
We heard a heavy bombardment in the direction of Nablus during the early part of the evening.

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Thursday Sept 19
Left Jerusalem Rest camp for Jericho. Arrived about 11 AM & camped near dump until horses arrived. We had the wind up today. They started shelling. We were camped next to ammunition dump & this is evidently what they were after. Every minute we expected the lot to go up in the air but once again we were lucky.
Friday Sept 20
Our Horses came today & I rejoined our unit. It is known now that the Turks have been misled as to

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our movements & everything points to the Turkish Army being smashed at an early date. The valley here is only held by our Division, English Battery & Indians.
The Turks concentrated big numbers of troops opposite thinking that the attack was coming from the valley. At some places there is practically no [indecipherable] line only patrols out. General Allenby head quarters at Jerusalem were only a blind. Some little time prior to this date Troops were coming down in the valley by day & leaving by night. The attack opened up at Nablus & our Boys sneaked up the coast surrounding

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the Turks. It is bad luck us being out of it here but we expect to move in a day or two. Things are quiet here but would not be if Jacko knew how thinly the line was held. A large dump was built out towards the Dead Sea & Bedouins were told that it was for the Australian Horses. The Sheriff of Meccas[?] forces we understand are swinging round by the Dead Sea & expect to link up when the cordon is complete.
Saturday Sept 21
Good news keeps coming through. Our forces on the coast are pushing on capturing many prisoners. We hear that the

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Australian Div & 5th Mounted Brigade are practically at the back of the Enemy.
Sunday Sept 22
Haifa was captured today also complete Aerodrome & thousands of provisions.
Brigade preparing to move out. We are moving at day break
Monday Sept 23
Moved out at 5 AM towards River crossing about 10 AM.
We moved on to Shunet Nimrin about 7 miles across flat from Jordan River. Once again we are here but I think this time there will be no turning back. The 1ST Brigade are ahead somewhere and the Turks are retiring. We moved on again

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at 2 pm up the road towards Esault. Progress was slow owing to our transport & the hilly nature of the road.
We passed great quantity of stores, rolling stock, guns & equipment left by the Turks in their hurried retreat. The Handley Page bombing planes played havoc among the Turks constantly bombing them as thy retired We saw the gun Jericho Jane which gave us so much trouble overturned in the bed of a Wadi. We kept going until 9 pm and camped on road about 3 miles below Esault. That night we had no sleep due to Mosquitos

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which were there in swarms.
Wednesday 25
Yesterday the road was blocked & we only proceeded a few miles
Today we moved at 6 AM Thursd passing through Esault about 9 AM. Esault lies practically half way up the hills of Moab & a fine defensive position it is. One wonders on looking down on the Flat from here, why the Turks did not concentrate heavy Artillery here & simply shell us off the flat.
Casualties among our Troops are exceptionally light but the Turks have suffered heavily. Thousands of prisoners are coming through & Transport

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blocking the road makes travelling slow. Getting supplies is a big undertaking as the railway is finished at Jerusalem & they have to be brought in by Motor Lorry a distance of over 40 miles. We arrived at village about 6 pm & opened up 3RD receiving first. We had bout 40 casualties pass through during evening. The great difficulty here is that there is no Transport available for wounded. Receiving stations have been opened at Esault but the casualties have nearly 50 miles of travelling to do before they reach the casualty

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clearing which is at Jericho.
The stench of the dead Horses Camels etc is very high & it is proposed to put the prisoners on the job to bury them.
Thursday Sept 26
The war is practically considered as good as finished in our sector. Numbers of prisoners came in to day and we are all on short rations owing to the prisoners having to be fed. A sorry crowd they looked. Some were mounted but the majority were in rags,
When they came near the water they simply charged at it like a lot of

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animals. They seem glad to be captured. Turkish ponies are roaming all over the place. There are any amount of Souvenir’s to be gathered but we have no means of carrying them
Friday Sept 27
Our present position is at Whalem a Sarcassian village of white houses. The Sarcassians are undoubtedly favourable to the Turks and view us no friendly eyes. Yesterday they fired on small parties of out chaps. German machine Gunners at Amman fought at their guns practically to the last man. Estimated number of prisoners is now 35000

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Saturday Sept 28
Moved on to Amman railway station last night to form another dressing post. Beautiful country here. Another heavy haul of prisoners arrived to day. We camped just below Amman Station. The position was covered in stones & there were hundreds of dead horses & camels about the camp.
Sunday Sept 29
We are waiting here for 6000 Turks who have been cut off in the Desert. They cornered by the sherif of mecca’s forces & ours. It is only a matter of a few days when they must come in. Where we are camped is at Amman Railway station situated

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about ½ mile from Amman Village. The Railway is the Mecca to Damascus line. Amman proved a prize to the Boys.
It is here that our campaign is ended. Beyond this we are told is a 50 mile desert. Practically the whole Turkish Army has been captured & Jacko is completely smashed. The area round here is a sight to see. Amman station is blocked with Jacko transport, They have practically left every thing behind. There are dumps with any amount of equipment. Dead Horses & Camels are all over the place & the smell & Flies [indecipherable] are very bad.

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Monday Sept 30
We are expecting to move in a few days to a better camping ground. It is impossible to stay here for long or all hands will be in Hospital. The weather at present is beautiful & large numbers of Turkish prisoners are coming in daily.
Teusday Oct 1
We rode down to the Water troughs about one mile from station with a number of prisoners to bury the dead Horses. The 1ST Brigade are camped near this area.
Wednesday Oct 2
Had a look round Amman Turkish Hospital & Aerodrome on the hill to day. We hear

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that there were two trains of Turkish wounded deserted on the railway. First train passed through Amman to day. Efforts are being made to get the wounded Turks into Hospital. The Turks left the Hospital equipment & lots of Medical supplies
Thursday Oct 3
Cleaning up Amman Railway station Malaria getting bad in Division. The trip to the clearing station occupys two days from here. The Brigade is going out today to bring in the wounded from the desert. We hear they are starving & in a bad way.

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Divisional train is accompanying them with all the G.S. Waggons available.
Friday Oct 4
All hands preparing Hospital for reception of wounded which are expected some time to night. The site selected is an old German hospital. The Germans always had separate Hospitals & quarters & lived better than the Turk. Any thing was good enough for the Turk. The Germans had the best of everything Judging by the number of bottles found empty they must have had a picnic.

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Saturday Oct 5
The Turks arrived last night about 8pm. They were in a pitiable condition. They were starved & the wounded had not had their wounds attended too. A number died coming in & others after they arrived. We worked all night making them as comfortable as possible. Today a convoy of Motor Lorries came and took them further down the line. Most of them were unfit to travel but there was nothing else for it. I have found by experience the Turk is done without water. They have no other beverage & unless

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they get plenty of water they soon throw up the Towel
Sunday Oct 6
Another batch arrived to day. It was a beautiful day to day and we will all be glad to get out of here.
Monday Oct 7
Malaria is getting very bad. It is now about 12 days since we moved out & they tell us it will take that time to develop. It is surmised that the Division was infected through sleeping in the Jordan Valley after penetrating the Turkish lines. Our unit is getting short handed and other units are

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similiarly affected . Reinforcements are not yet arriving & I hear there will be none available until we move back out of Malaria country. The state of affairs at present existing proved conclusively that the methods used in the Valley & elsewhere viz Canilisation & oiling stagnant pools with Kerosene did to a very great extent keep it down.
Tuesday Oct 8
We have received good news from all fronts & we all think the war will end this year. It is rumoured that all 3 yr & over service will shortly be going home.

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Wednesday Oct 9
Division moved up on the hill today. We are moving to Amman tomorrow to open up a receiving station. We are practically down to half strength. The situation is getting alarming. It is just as well we beat the Turks before the Malaria got a hold. Otherwise we may have been up against it. Five of the boys lost their lives today through examining a bomb they picked up. It exploded with disastrous results. Bedouins from surrounding villages are here looking for plunder.

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Thursday Oct 10
Today we moved into village of Amman taking over a small stone building as a Hospital.
At the back of us is the remains of a huge Amphitheatre of roman days. It is worth seeing. Tiers upon tiers of large stones formed in a circle & used as seats to look over the arena. We are exceptionally busy here. The boys are brought here from the various units camped some two miles out. We keep them here for the night & if they are fit to travel they leave by Motor Lorry at 4 AM in the morning for the next station at Esault. From Esault to Jericho, Jericho to Jerusalem

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& down the line to the base camp.
Friday Oct 11
We have heard the good news to day. The Germans in France are being badly beaten & hostilities are likely to cease at any time.
There is some kind of Plague in Amman. It is estimated 40 are dying daily. It is a big percentage for a small village.
Saturday Oct 12
We are losing men every day going to Hospital with Malaria. We opened this station with 12 of us & O.C. Today there is only 3 of us & O.C. Our duties are heavy. Every day we are up at 4 AM & generally finish about 11pm We are getting more patients

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than we can handle. There is however no chance of relief so we will have to hang on. It is estimated that 40 % of our Division have caught Malaria.
Sunday Oct 13
Still on Hospital duty. Meet all my old pals going through to Hospital. Malaria at present shows no sign of abating.
Monday Oct 14
We expect some reinforcements tomorrow. The O.C. has wired to Jerusalem for them. Impossible to carry on indefinitely under these conditions. The weather since we have been here has been beautiful. I have not

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had a chance for a ride & although the horses are only a couple of hundred yards from the building I have not seen them.
Thursday Oct 15
We heard today unofficially that hostilities had ceased. The hills are patrolled by Indians. We heard to day that the Sircassians & inhabitants of Amman were arming. They will get a rough spin if they start playing up. This afternoon I went to the top of the hills. It is a big plain in parts covered with stones believed to be ruins of some ancient city. Some reinforcements arrived to day.

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Thursday Oct 17
The weather still keeps fine and the climate at present is very much like our Australian weather. There is nothing of importance occurring. The Division is getting weaker every day owing to Malaria. It is believed we are staying here until the Sherif of Mecca’s forces take over this sector.
Friday Oct 18
Went over to Div Headquarters. On the way saw Turkish landing ground & all that is left of machines stationed here
Saturday Oct 26th

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This last week I have been down to a slight attack of Malaria. To day the Sherf of Mecca’s arrived here.
I had heard such a lot about them that I looked forward with interest to meeting them. I never saw a more undisciplined lot of Troops. All hands seemed to go where they liked & do just as they chose. Some were mounted on Camels, some on Horses, Turkish mules & Ponies others were on foot.
They seemed fairly well dressed but there was no uniformity among them. They have the reputation of being plunderers & I must confess looked it.

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The headgear worn by them showed them off to advantage It is similar to what the Arabs wear. As a matter of fact most of them are Arabs, but we are told that most of their officers are British but wear the Head dress. It is said they take no prisoners. However they look a wild & woolly crowd. How they show up in action I do not know but they have some good work to their credit. They are to take over the Town in a few days & then we are going to do a 7 days Trek to Richon for a spell & HOME in the near future.

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Sunday Oct 27th
We were told today that the Division lost 50 % of its strength. We hear we are moving back on Nov 1. The Sherif of Mecca’s forces are camped at different places here in Syria & it is said they are taking over full control. The inhabitants hate them so there is sure to be some trouble.
Monday Oct 28
We are preparing to move. Some Indians have arrived to take over Possy. The Sherif Mecca representative was in town to day where there was a ceremony preparatory to its handing over.

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238
Sunday Tuesday Oct 29
All hands will have to lead spare Horses. Some of our fellows are done already God knows how they are going to stand a 7 days trek. We have only two NCOs Bert & myself. The SM is going to hospital. The boss is down but says he will ride & we are 60 % below strength. I will not be sorry to leave Syria. The Tribesmen here are a treacherous crowd & the inhabitants although they state they are pleased with us well away.
Monday Wednesday Oct 30
We are leaving on Wednesday

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The Trek will be in easy stages to spare the Horses. This I expect will be our last long Trek.
Thursday Oct 31
We are all pleased that the campaign is finished. Our days of travelling seem to be numbered & it is said we will soon be going home.
Good news continues to come from France. The Germans are on the run & the betting is 6 to 4 that it will finish next month. What a grand Christmas it will be if the world is at peace again. Received mail to day. All well.

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Friday Nov 1
We moved to day New Zealanders moved a few day’s ago. We passed through the narrow lanes of Amman about 9 AM. This is one of the dirtiest villages I have seen. It is situated between two hills which are ideal defensive positions, hence our failure to hold this place on two previous occasions. From Amman we rode some miles across a plane & then down the winding road to Esault situated as related before practically in the centre of the hills of Moab. On arrival at Esault we camped just off the

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road for the night. It was pitch dark on halting By the time the horses were watered & fed it was midnight. We therefore had very little rest
Saturday Nov 2
We continued our journey to Shunet Nimrin today. It was only a short trip some 12 miles We arrived early in the afternoon & enjoyed a good wash in the Wadi. On our way down the Esault road we saw the signs of Jacko’s recent retirement although anything of value had been removed to our dump. At various turns of the winding road we saw a fine panoramic

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view of the whole Jordan Valley. It seems more remarkable than ever that we were able to hang out in the Jordan Valley when the enemy held such defensive positions as these. We camped at the foothills preparatory to resuming our journey across the valley to morrow.
Sunday Nov 3
We proceeded from Shunet Nimron to day & crossed the Jordan Valley probably for the last day. It was very hot and a heat haze hung over the Valley. What a desolate place the Jordan Valley is. Practically barren with mountains of Judea or the Judean Hills they are termed facing us

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& the mountains of Moab behind. We saw all the old positions, Barb wire entanglements etc which we had no time to notice on our advance. We crossed the old Jordan river which flows into the Dead Sea which I hope never to see again . It resembles its name as there is no sign of life & nothing can live in it. On taking a swim one is covered in Salt on getting dry & a fresh water bath is desirable. We continued our way to the Foothills & expected to camp here for the night. On account of the dangers of Malaria we were ordered to push on to Telat El Dump[?]. We passed the

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244
Australian Cemetry where some of our boys are resting. I could not help thinking there are many places in the Jordan Valley where we camped that white men will not walk again. The road from Jericho to Telat El Dump[?] is very steep, Our horses were done on arrival and a lot of transport could not reach here owing to Horses being knocked up.
MondayNov4
We rested at Telat El Dan[?] to day owing to Horses needing a spell. It was hot & dusty. We had very little shelter so it was a relief when the day was finished.
It hardly seems true that we

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will not be travelling over these well known roads again. One is glad to know it is true but I think I will always remember the night rides too & from the valley.
Tuesday Nov 5
To day we moved on to Jerusalem. It was an easy days ride distance about 10 miles. Unfortunately our waggons were held up owing to the steepness of the road near Bethany. The Last horseshoe bend as it is known is a particularly steep piece over about a mile & our Transport horses could not do it. I had to go back with a spare hack & hitch them into their

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team. We eventually arrived in Jerusalem about 7 pm & camped some 2 miles out on the Bethlehem road. It was cold here. Reinforcements were awaiting the Division at Jerusalem.
Wednesday Nov 6
We passed through Jerusalem about 7 AM bound for Latron at the foothills. It was a very windy day. Going through Jerusalem the people watched us quietly moving on. It seems to me as a whole the people of Palestine do not seem to have much time for Australians. Going down the hills we saw some beautiful Panoramic views

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We had mostly come through these places by night, or by forced marches & before did not have much time to admire the scenery. Just after passing the house where John the Baptist was born one sees a fine view of Jaffa, Ramley, Ludd & the sand hills with the blue Mediterranean in the distance.
There are also terraces upon terraces of stone & in some places the road runs perilously close to a sheer drop of many hundred feet. We arrived at Latron about 4 pm & camped for the night.

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Thursday Nov 7
Left Latron about 8 AM & proceeded on the last stage of our journey. We passed through Ramley just after 12 and arrived at our old camping ground about 2pm. Fortunately we had fine weather all the way & fairly easy stages.
Friday Nov 8
As we are likely to be some little time we are making ourselves as comfortable as possible. There are plenty of tents available now & most of us have made wooden beds. Richon at present looks its best. We are expecting the rainy season any time now so are preparing for it.

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Saturday Nov 9
We heard today that all 1914 men are going home almost immediately. They will be back in Ausy by Christmas. There is not much to be done here so we should have a good time.
Sunday Nov 10 Rumoured today that Germany had thrown in the towel. The boys are beginning to get excited. We have now built an open, oven kitchen & mess hut so are living under decent conditions for this country. All hands are looking forward to the day when we start for Ausy.

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Monday Nov 11
Today about 5pm the news came through that Germany had thrown in the Towel. Needless to say there was wild excitement.The Batterys were firing, Torches & Flares made the skie seem like day. The horses stampeded in our lines and it was some job to catch them. Everybody was happy for after 4 yrs of war Germany has at last been brought to her knees.
Tuesday Nov 12
2ND Brigade sports today. There is very little to do now except enjoy yourself as well as possible under the conditions.

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Wednesday Nov 13
To day was wild. The wet season is upon us & we had plenty of wind & rain. All our tents blew down & a nice job it was putting them up again. As far as we can understand we are here until after Christmas.
Thursday Nov 14
Still we & cold nothing doing. New Zealand sports were supposed to be held today but were postponed on account of rain.
Friday Nov 15
New Zealand sports were held today in fine weather. General Allenby attended & we all witnessed a fine days sport.

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Saturday Nov 16
Second day of sports Beautiful day. The inhabitants if Richon were at the sports today. We heard today that permission had been granted to build a Racecourse also, that we were to be photographed by official photographer. The Horses are looking well & fit & have earned a rest now that the campaign has finished. We have no complaint to make here as the heads are doing all they can to make our time of waiting until embarking for home as pleasant as possible. We have plenty of sports, football, & one can get leave to visit the various Towns handy.

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Sunday Nov 17
Today a few of us rode to Jaffa for a swim & general look round. The Town has been cleaned up and there is a remarkable difference to when we first entered it.
It is now quite a business place & the inhabitants as is usual in this country try to palm off practically worthless souvenir’s on our boys at top prices.
We returned about 6pm after a very pleasant day.
Monday Nov 18
Today we visited the villages of Wadis, Heatean[?] & Dieran. They are still the same sleepy villages we saw last time we were down. These are Jewish villages. There is a Bedouin village

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near the camping ground called Surafend. The Bedouins here are thieves and are always after Horsefeed, rations & Clothing. There is sure to be trouble if this thing is allowed to go on.
Tuesday Nov 17
to day there were 800 horses shot out on the sandhills. They were all aged Animals or worn out. It seemed a pity that they should meet with this reward after faithful service but it is better so that that for should they fall into the hands of the Bedouins or Jews they would have a rough spin. The Bedouins & Jews as a body are very cruel to Animals.

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Saturday Nov 30
The last week or so there has been nothing of interest to write. We have built a Divisional Race course with stand & Steeplechase track. All the good horses are in training for the coming Divisional Races which promises to provide a good days sport. First day Race Meeting. Second day Children’s & Divisional sports. The kiddies of Richon are delighted at the prospect. We have had several inspections by our OC in preparation for the inspection by Div, Corp Generals & GOC. General Allenby.

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This we are told is the last time General Allenby will inspect our Division. We have had the Odds On & Brigade Concert party of an evening and on the whole having a good time. The 1914 men have left for home & it is expected we will get away in the New Year.
Sunday Dec 1
We were inspected by Gen Chaytor the Div General to day. He is most popular as the leader of the Anzac Division. It was a warm day & we were all polished up like Jacky. The General complimented

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the Division on its appearance.
Monday Dec 2
Inspection by Gen Chaytor today. Gen Chaytor is in command of the Australian & New Zealand Mounted Troops on this Front
Tuesday Dec 3
We had a Donkey Polo match to day. It was the funniest thing I have taken part in for a long time. The little Grey Donks seemed to enter into the fun & when the feed up whistle blew they all cleared out for home & ended the game. Auckland Reg are holding a race meeting tomorrow to pick out the best for the Div Races.

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Wednesday Dec 4
Auckland & Wellington both held races today. We saw the Philistines Concert party in the evening who gave a good show.
Monday Dec 9
The last few days have been wet & cold so there has been nothing doing. I have spent the time Reading, Writing mail & playing cards
Tuesday Dec 10
Weather has cleared up again & today we had our Photos taken by the official Photographer

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A New Zealand picket was shot last night by a Bedouin. Excitement is running high among the Boys as what Headquarters will do in the matter.
Wednesday Dec 11
The crowd went mad today. Unless something is done they threaten to burn down the Bedouin camp. Things are looking ugly. I do not think it will come to this but I think it is time Headquarters moved on the matter.
Thursday Dec 12
Last night the Division exacted revenge on the Bedouins at Surafend & a camp situated near the lines. They surrounded the village & asked for the guilty

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man. Some trouble occurred and they brought the Women & Children out & killed every Man in the village. They burnt the village to the ground & returned to their units. It was a severe punishment but when one comes to think of the small parties the Bedouins have got hold of at different times & at various places they badly needed a lesson. There is sure to be a big row over the affair & it is rather a pity that it happened. However my sympathy is with the Boys for these wandering Bedouins have been a curse right through the campaign. Today all that is to be seen is the

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burning village. The Ambulances are busy getting the wounded into Hospital & burying the dead.
Friday Dec 13
Divisional Races tomorrow. There was a rumour flying around that the Races are to be postponed owing to the trouble a couple of days ago but we have heard nothing about it yet.
Saturday Dec 14
To day turned out fine & we had a fine days sport. There were six races on the programme. One Steeplechase & five flat races. Race books were printed & sent up from

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Cairo. All the riders in the various races wore racing jackets with their own colours. It was a sight worth seeing.
The New Zealand Brigade Band rendered popular music & the Tote was going in full swing. Most of the boys rode over and there was one long string of Horses just outside the course. There was a good number of Civilians from the various villages principally Troops. The different Troops were well represented Indians, Tommys, French, Italians B.W.I. Gypo’s Australian & New Zealanders. There was only one accident in the

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Steeplechase & fortunately that was not serious. We spent one of the best days sport we had spent in this country.
Sunday Dec 15
It rained again to day. We received Reinforcements to day. To morrow is an inspection by G.O.C. General Allenby. We anticipate some trouble over the Bedouin affair.
Monday Dec 16
Inspection was held today in the square just outside the Artillery camp. The General Turned us down. He gave a lecture to the troops & told us we had committed an offence which the Turks

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never did. He finished up by saying that once he was proud of the Anzac Division now he was ashamed of them. The Divisional & Brigade Generals were dumbfounded & the boys were so quiet owing to it coming as such a shock. The whole Division is disgusted at the treatment received. It was certainly a regrettable incident but it did not merit the punishment, or the remarks which were made.
Thursday Dec 17
To day we moved to Jaffa Raffa. If it had not been for the Bedouin incident we should probably have been here for Christmas. Last night

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heavy rain set in and the prospect of a ride does not strike me as being pleasant. About this time last year we accomplished the same trek under somewhat similar conditions. We left camp about 9 AM. We were supposed to reach Succarea[?] but failed to get through the mud just outside Yebnah. We camped in the mud. The road was fairly good until we reached Yebnah after that it was simply a mud flat.
Wednesday Dec18
Moved on towards Megil arrived there about 9 pm. Our

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transport Horses are done.
Crossing the flats near Edud we were axle deep at times in mud & water
Thursday Dec 19
Today was fine & we reached Gaza about 1pm. Gaza has altered considerably since we were here last. It is now a big receiving hospital. The Town has been cleaned up & the cemetery has been laid out thoroughly. The Australian & New Zealand Forces lost heavily at Gaza at different periods.
Friday Dec 20
We left Gaza about 9 AM moving

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on to Beilah. The roads were good & we arrived about 1pm. We camped near the large hospital here
Friday Saturday Dec 21
Today about 2pm we arrived at Rafa which is to be our camping ground until we move for home.
Sunday Dec 22
Nothing doing straightening up camp.
Monday Dec 23
Returned to Richon to place captured Turkish wagons on the dump at Ludd. Tommy came with me & we took the

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Train to Ludd. after leaving Gaza it rained & we arrived at Ludd wet through. We slept that night in the Canteen
Thursday Dec 24
We walked from Ludd to Richon to day & borrowed a pair of Horses from Bridging train. We caught the 5pm train from Ludd arriving at Rafa about 6AM next morning.
Wednesday Dec 25
Christmas day. We spent a good Christmas. The weather was fine & we had plenty of Food & Drink. Our Boss told us today that we would soon be going home.

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Thursday Dec 26
Boxing day. They held a race meeting which provided a good days sport. Old Tom left us for home to day.
Friday Dec 27
Farewell inspection by General Chauvel to day. He complimented the Division & stated he was proud to have them under his command.
Saturday Dec 28
Another Race meeting to day Preparing for a days sports’ meeting.

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Sunday Dec 29
There is very little to do. We have made ourselves comfortable & expect to have a good easy time here.
Monday Dec 30
Dad Williams returning to New Zealand. The boys are beginning to move for home now.
Tuesday Dec 31
The last day of the old year. The boys have a celebration on to night, a Concert party is coming over tonight.

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Wednesday Jan 1 – 1919
The old year passed quietly and another year has commenced. It is said that all the Troops from this front will be home in Ausy for Easter.
Jan 20 – 1919
We have made ourselves comfortable at Rafa. It is getting monotonous waiting for the time to go home.
There is very little doing.
Three times a week we have lectures under the Educational scheme. We have Race meetings twice a week, Football & sports to fill in the time of waiting.

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The beach is about 3 miles from here & occasionally we ride over for a swim. The horses have all been graded A, B & C class & we expect to lose them. A & B class are to be kept. C class we understand are to be shot. There is plenty of leave kicking about & next week tomorrow I am spending a week in Cairo
Tuesday Jan 21
Going on leave to night by the 5pm train. I expect it will be my last leave in Egypt for we will shortly be going home.

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Wednesday Jan 22
Left Rafa in the usual old Trucks about 5pm last night. It was a cold trip down & we arrived at Kantara about 6 AM. We walked across to the other side of the Canal & had breakfast at Mrs Chisholms at the Canteen then catching the 8.30 AM train to Cairo.
We arrived in Cairo about 1pm and stayed at Soldiers Club.
Tuesday Jan 28
Arrived back at Rafa about 6 AM. I had a fine weeks spell. During my stay I visited all the old sights probably for the last time. I visited

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Heliopolis, The Barrage, Sphinx Pyramids & had a general look round. During my visit there was heavy rain in Cairo & we saw the City in flood. The streets are flat & the footpaths are graded to the shops. Naturally when the heavy rain set in the water all so flowed into the shops.
On the Heliopolis Electric Railway the walls collapsed for a distance of about 50 yds holding up the railway for a few days. A spell away from the Horses undoubtedly does one good also the change of diet. I met a number of my old pals on leave & from

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the 14th General Hospital. I expect some to be going home
Jan 29
Great excitement today about 200 men belonging to the Division are going home. I believe I am among the lucky number to go Transport duty. We are eagerly waiting for the news to be confirmed. To night we are having a little celebration & farewell party to some of our pals.
Jan 30
Last night was a wild one Tom & I are leaving by the Train to night to report at Moascar

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& expect to leave for Ausy in a few days. I feel anyhow & have put the day in getting ready. It is now 6Oclock and we will be leaving in a few hours. Those that are going are busy saying goodbye to their pals. We are all pleased that the time has at last come to leave for home although one will lose some good pals. I trust whoever gets my horse will look well after him for he has been a good faithful pal to me during Active Service. Had I my choice in the matter I would have liked to have brought him home to Ausy. There is no doubt I have had some good times since I

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have been with the Anzac division. The Division has been in some tough corners in its time and has always acquitted itself well. In my time we have trekked from Rafa to Amman on several occasions.
My opinion of Palestine is that it is a much overrated country. Certainly some of it is very fertile and would give good results but water seems to be the trouble in many parts. The Light Horse in Palestine have had a lot to contend. When out of the line we have had no opportunity for visiting. At the best it meant a trip to Cairo or Alexandria where practically

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outside Soldiers one met very few who spoke the English language. The time has arrived for us to saddle up so my further impressions must for the present be discontinued.
Jan 31
We left for Rafa last night in a crowded Troop train. The usual trucks, very uncomfortable & not much room. However this we did not mind seeing that a few days we expect to be on board. We arrived at Kantara just on daybreak & caught the Motor Lorrys to the other side of the Canal where we had breakfast & resumed our journey

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to Moascar by the Egyptian mail. On arrival at Moascar our pay books were collected and we were allotted bell tents six to a tent.
Feb 1
The duties of the camp are very light. They are busy equipping us for our trip. There are plenty of new clothes to be had & some of us are badly in need of a rig out. We are going to Ismalia to night to buy a few things before embarking. Everybody is happy at the prospect of sailing on the Ceramic in a few days time

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March 4 1919
Influenza broke out on the Ceramic & we were delayed nearly a month. During the month we had several fake alarms that we were off. Half a dozen times the boat lists were made out but failed to materialize. It was a miserable time waiting in expectation. We had the easiest time I have ever had which made the time pass very slowly. With the exception of a dozen men for Guard duty & the fatigue party there was mostly nothing to do. We spent the time going into Ismalia & the various Concert partys.

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which came to the YMCA. To morrow we are supposed to embark on the Port Sydney for Australia. The boat lists are out & we are to embark at Kantara which is situated about half way on the Suez Canal.
Excitement reigns high for it is generally believed that we will be going at last. Latest cable news from Australia reports the Spanish Influenza has obtained a firm hold in Australia. Judging from all reports it is a serious thing & seems to have the wind up them. All hands are busy packing for to morrow we have what we hope our

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final kit inspection & I hope that this will be my last night in Egypt
Saturday March 5
The day has come at last. At 10pm we were marched out of Moascar by special train to Kantara. We were all in the best of spirits knowing that at last we were on our way. We arrived at Kantara about 12 noon & Motor Lorries took our kits over to the other side of the canal. By 3pm we were all aboard the Troopship Port Sydney our future home for the next few weeks. About 4 pm

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the Troopship moved out & to my delight moved off down the Canal. It was my first trip down the Canal & I had the opportunity of seeing what a wonderful piece of work it was. Once more we take to the hammocks for sleeping purposes.
April 14th
There is little to tell. On the morning of March 6th we were in the Gulf of Suez & well on our way to the Red Sea. Coming through the Red Sea it was fairly cool.
We coaled at Colombo after 12 days out of Suez Influenza was

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pretty bad so we were not permitted to land.
The trip from Suez to Colombo was smooth & very pleasant. Unfortunately we had a case of Smallpox on board which proved fatal. From Colombo to Fremantle we had good weather. What a difference it was coming home to what it was going.
Going there was plenty of work & coming home we had practically none. Between Colombo & Fremantle we were inoculated against Influenza. We were fortunate to have the Flying Corp Concert party on board & they gave some good Concerts. The Orchestra was also very much appreciated. We had

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to pass the Medical Officer at Fremantle & no leave was permitted owing to the Spanish Influenza. The Western Australians disembarked here. From Fremantle we sailed to Adelaide. The same procedure in regard to Medical examination was in vogue here. South Australians disembarked here. From here we sailed to Tasmania down the East Coast. It was rough & cold & our course lay close to the Coast. The Coast was very rugged & rough. We sailed up steamed up the River anchoring about seven miles below Hobart. The Tasmanians 16 in all disembarked. What a waste

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of money it is to commission a full Troopship to go from Adelaide to Hobart for 16 passengers. The climate the one day we were here was beautifully fresh & invigorating. We left Tasmania the following day for Melbourne. The trip was uneventful & we anchored just inside Port Phillip heads. The Victorians were taken to quarantine by lighter & we proceeded to Sydney.
Next day we were steaming up the New South Wales coast. I recognised the various places along the coast. We entered Sydney Harbour about 10.30 AM on the morning of April

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14th. What a beautiful place it seemed after our absence. We anchored just off Watson’s Bay & the Medical Officer came on board. We were then ordered into Quarantine for a week. This caused much dissent among the Troops as we were a clean ship.
All Sydney were wearing masks so the passengers on the Manly boats told us. Next day we went into Quarantine at North Head & were compelled to stay there for a week. That week seemed to me to go very slow,
However we were well treated there having nothing to do.

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Comforts Fund looked after us well with parcels & we had Pictures & Concerts during the evenings. On Easter Monday we were removed from Quarantine. All hands were up at daybreak getting everything ready to go home. The Ferry came about 9 AM. On boarding all hands were issued with masks & they took pains to tell us that they were to be worn on the face & not in the pocket. To the accompaniment to Cock a doodle dos we landed at Wooloomooloo & met our relatives & Friends. It was the day we had been looking forward

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too for such a long time.
At 2 pm I journeyed to the Barracks received my suit of Civvys & discharge. Once more a Civvy and in the best country in the world.
I hope never again to go through the same experiences but must confess that now it is all over I would not have missed it under any circumstances. There is no need to write how pleased those at home were on my return. The house was gaily bedecked with flags & everybody was happy. I now close my Diary feeling a better man for my experiences in the Army & am fully convinced had

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Germany won life would not have been worth living

[Transcribed by Eric Hetherington and Margaret Russell for the State Library of New South Wales]