Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
James Lindsell diary, 1 January-28 December 1916
MLMSS 7991/Item 2
[Transcriber’s note:
James Charles Lindsell (1502) enlisted in the 13th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements, on 11 Dec. 1914. His Father, also James Charles, (1572) enlisted in the same unit on 16 Jan 1915. They both became Sergeants and were both in Cairo, Egypt at the date this diary was commenced.]
[Pages 2 to 9 from Collins’ Handy Diary for 1916 not transcribed]
[Page 10]
No 1502
Sgt J.C. Lindsell
M.G. Instructor
Imperial School of Instruction
Zeitoun
Egypt
S. Sgt Instructor
Aust M.G.T. Depot
Belton Park
Grantham
England
[Page 11]
Bear in Mind
“The lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time"
“Remember Anzac" and “Be Prepared"
JC Lindsell Sgt
[Page 12]
Ode to “Egypt"
Land of sweat & smelly sox
Land of sand & of rocks
Niggers heaven, oldies hell
Egypt sunny land farewell.
Only to be back there again
JC Lindsell
Xmas 1916
[Page 13]
January, 1916
Saturday 1
Get my baggage ready to march out
At 10 am we receive our certificate.
March into 4th Training Bn. & am sent to “A" Coy.
Write letter home & pass evening w/- [with] dad
[Page 14]
January, 1916
Sunday 2
Went to church parade & then had dinner w/- dad
We went into Heliopolis Music Hall
Had supper at 9.30 & turned in about 10.30 pm.
Monday 3
All men returned from M.E.F. are paraded with a view of returning to our battalion. But hear no further news except that the 4th Bde is at Tel-el-Kebir
[Page 15]
January, 1916
Tuesday 4
No news yet as to our probable movements. Put in the afternoon repairing a watch in dad’s workshop. It rains all afternoon & night & the water penetrates through our flimsey wooden houses & makes things very unpleasant.
Wednesday 5
Write a letter home & generally waste the morning. Go on a short route march with the Coy in the afternoon. March through Matariah & see one of the famous obelisks a small replica of Cleopatra’s Needle.
[Page 16]
January, 1916
Thursday 6
I found out today that when my name was sent in to go away with the details to join Battn. that it was struck off the list by the adjutant but I could not find out why. We have a very good concert in the Picture Show tonight
Friday 7
Draw P.T. 500 pay & just afterwards get orders to report back to School of Inst as a M.G. Instructor. 9/13 get orders to march out on Saturday morning.
[Page 17]
January, 1916
Saturday 8
The 9/13 march out at 7 am & I do likewise shortly after. Take my baggage down to school in the afternoon. Dad’s Bn. remove back to Zeitoun from Aerodrome today.
Sunday 9
Write letter home. Spend the day reading up work for next week. Meet several old friends back from the front, one is now Sgt. in my place & is one of three old hands left in the Platoon
[Page 18]
January, 1916
Monday 10
A lot more Machine Gunners expected in some time today & I am told I will have to take a class.
About 5 pm they arrive in hundreds & the work of putting them into tents & getting them some grub took up several hours.
They are in a bad way in regards to clothing & money.
Tuesday 11
I am given a squad of 20 men from the 6th Bde M.G. Secs.
The first day is very trying But after getting into the swing of things it comes quite easily.
[Page 19]
January, 1916
Wednesday 12
Mum’s Birthday
After the mornings work was over I went onto Cairo to try to get some Bostock Books the afternoon being a holiday
But owing to the wreck of the “Persia" these books are not available.
Everything they cannot find any other excuse for they blame on to the “persia"
Thursday 13
Very dull & signs of rain
Work as usual
Go with dad over to L.H. lines & score a pair of leggings.
The 1st L.H. Regt are to ride to Wardan starting at daybreak tomorrow
[Page 20]
January, 1916
Friday 14
Work as usual during the day
Go to Helmia camp pictures at night w/- Dad.
Nights very cold & it is hard getting up at 5.30 am
Saturday 15
Exam in Description takes up best part of the morning
My class do rather will.
After lunch I go into Cairo have dinner & go to Pictures
Turn in about 11 pm
[Page 21]
January, 1916
Sunday 16
Make another move this morning.
All the M.G. Instrs. are put into several new tents in another part of the camp
Have tea & play cards w/- Dad.
Monday 17
Morning, Instruction Care & Cleaning.
& Afternoon Judging distance out on the desert.
Very tired so turned in early
Very windy all day
[Page 22]
January, 1916
Tuesday 18
Exam. Care & Cleaning.
My Class do very well average 98.2 %
Wednesday 19
Work as usual no half holiday
After Tea I went into Town & put in a couple of hrs at the American Cosmograph to break the monotony.
Night very cold
[Page 23]
January, 1916
Thursday 20
Work as usual
Semaphore Exam after dinner
I made a little table & book shelf this evening & it looks O.K. with a white cover on top & some red stuff on the sides & front.
Friday 21
Work as usual in the morning & after dinner march to Abbassia Range to fire Grouping & Traversing practice
return in time for tea
[Page 24]
January, 1916
Saturday 22
Exam “Mechanism" this morning
Spend afternoon w/- dad & make arrangements for going out tomorrow
Get a letter from Aunty Emily
Sunday 23
Go into Cairo w/- dad & have a long walk through the Native Bazaars & watch the Arabs making rope
Have dinner in town & turn in about 10 pm.
[Page 25]
January, 1916
Monday 24
Work as usual
after dinner get guns ready for the range
in the evening make a lot of cartridges ready for the stoppages tomorrow
Tuesday 25
Range practices stoppages
My foot is very sore & troublesome
Weather cold & we are very glad to get back home to dinner
[Page 26]
January, 1916
Wednesday 26
March to range again this morning.
Fire competition
Go to Helmia camp pictures at night.
Thursday 27
Exam Stoppages & 1st written paper.
Fine Concert in Sgts mess at night
Turn in about 11 pm.
[Page 27]
January, 1916
Friday 28
Final paper & inspection of guns
Am very glad it is over & we have a week’s holiday to look forward to.
Saturday 29
The men returning to Tel-el-Kebir march out at 10 am.
Spend afternoon & evening w/- dad.
[Page 28]
January, 1916
Sunday 30
Nothing to do
Men returning to Ismalia march out
After tea go to pictures
Monday 31
In the morning shift out of tents into Mat huts, 3 men in a room
Very nice & private
Catch 4.15 express to Alexandria arriving about 8 pm & put up for the night at the Royal Hotel
[Page 29]
February, 1916
Tuesday 1
After a beautiful sleep we get up & have a look round the town After dinner we go in a gharry round the docks & have a look at the shipping
Nearly all ships are armed w/- light naval guns.
Turn in at 2 am
Wednesday 2
Same as yesterday but spend afternoon in the park & have a look at the Refugee camp where several thousand Armenians, Albanians & Syrians are being looked after
At night visit a couple of shows & turn in at 2 am
[Page 30]
February, 1916
Thursday 3
We rise at 10.30 am & after breakfast went for a long tram ride
Walk along the sea front during the afternoon
Catch 11.30 pm train back to Cairo
Friday 4
After a very cold ride of nearly 7 hrs we arrived back into Cairo & getting home about an hour later went to sleep till 11 am
[Page 31]
February, 1916
Saturday 5
The men for next school march in at 10 to 12 am.
Write letter home.
Sunday 6
have a muster parade this morning & try to sort the mob out a bit
At 9 pm several hundred men march in from Tel-el-Kebir & Ismalia
Meet several; old cobbers two are now officers.
[Page 32]
February, 1916
Monday 7
Instructors are told of to their squads. The Machine Gunners are divided into 3 wings, No 1 is composed of all officers, Sgts & cpls.
I am given a class of 18 N.C.Os.
Some from A.I.F. N.Z.E.F. & B.E.F. but all turn out decent fellows
Tuesday 8
Go ahead w/- Description of Gun & put in a couple of hours stripping the gun.
Some of my men have not had anything to do w/- a gun before & every little thing must be gone into thoroughly.
[Page 33]
February, 1916
Wednesday 9
Go on to gun drill today the new hands are very awkward a first but only want a little practice
Half Holiday
Thursday10
Strip gun again & start asking questions about the parts of the gun & their various duties.
Make each man explain some part or some part of the principle etc.
[Page 34]
February, 1916
Friday 11
Work all day priming the class up ready for their first exam. Most of them are in a mortal funk.
Weather cold & damp.
Saturday 12
Description Exam takes up all morning, but I am disappointed at my class, they did not do well at all, but had a hard examiner & used some hard words on him, but better luck next time.
Our Colonel returns from his holiday & everybody glad to see him back
[Page 35]
February, 1916
Sunday 13
Write letter home in the forenoon. It is so long since I have heard from mum that I find it hard to put anything into letters.
After dinner take dad to the Zoo, & see the new wonders of a hippo & several splendid Giraffes.
Have dinner in Cairo & return at 8.30 pm
Monday 14
Peg away at the care & cleaning subject; the men a very keen to learn.
Have great hopes for them.
[Page 36]
February, 1916
Tuesday 15
First thing exam in care & cleaning & I have pleasure in stating my class had highest average.
Have tea w/- Dad, evening cold & inclined to rain.
Wednesday 16
Work as usual & at night I visit the Casino Kursaal. The “Revue" is absolutely the prettiest thing I have yet seen staged, the music & costumes & really fine & altogether a show worth seeing.
Turn in at 1 am
[Page 37]
February, 1916
Thursday 17
Instruction as usual, Semaphore exam & get guns ready for range practice tomorrow.
Go & have a chat w/- Dad & play a couple of games of Bridge.
Friday 18
A most distressing accident occurred this morning. An Instructor was demonstrating w/- a Garland Grenade Mortar & live grenade, when by some means the grenade exploded in the gun C.S.M Kirton was killed & 5 others more or less severly wounded.
[Page 38]
February, 1916
Saturday 19
Exam in Mechanism takes up until 10 am. Do a bit of writing.
Go into Kursaal w/- dad & enjoy the show a second time
Sunday 20
Church parade at 10 am.
Write up diary & letter home
Spend afternoon & evening w/- dad & go to pictures
[Page 39]
February, 1916
Monday 21
The whole school went out on an attack scheme in the early morning
After dinner we put in a couple of hrs on stoppages.
Draw P.T 200 pay & have a long chat w/- an old pal now a Lieut.
Weather getting warm again
Tuesday 22
Machine gunners go out on a Tactical scheme returning at 8.30
Morning on stoppages & afternoon reviewing notes.
At night I go to see a big old Roman picture “Cabiria" very good.
[Page 40]
February, 1916
[Page 40]
February, 1916
Wednesday 23
Before breakfast we do another lot of Tactical handling.
At 9.30 am we start the written paper.
After dinner I clear up & put in the evening w/- dad.
A big lot of reinforcements leaving his Battn for the Canal
Thursday 24
Exam Stoppages
The short time we have had to put in on stoppages made it rather hard on the new chums.
I am going into the Sgts mess now for our wind up concert.
[Page 41]
February, 1916
Friday 25
Early morning we do a little practice in Gun mounting & get our gun & Tripod ready for the standard tests
After breakfast we examine all squads at Drill
After dinner inspection & in the evening I went into Heliopolis for a walk.
Saturday 26
First thing I heard this morning was “Cookhouse" at 8 am.
After breakfast we had a muster parade & issue of certificates.
After dinner all men for Ismalia & Tel-el-Kebir march out
At night I went to pictures w/- dad
[Page 42]
February, 1916
Sunday 27
After breakfast I wrote a letter home but forgot to post it
After Dinner Dad & I & Dad’s boy went for a run into Cairo & out to Rod-el- farag the Nile docks.
After Tea we went to the American Cosmograph
Monday 28
Monday morning was spent making the dugout more like a home & less like a dump.
I also received a welcome surprise got a parcel from home sox etc. God knows how long it has been coming.
Spent evening w/- dad
[Page 43]
February, 1916
Tuesday 29
I took a long walk out on the desert & fired a few shots w/- my pistol to see if it would still go off (it did)
After dinner I went into Town for a ramble returning about 10 pm tired out.
March, 1916
Wednesday 1
Poke about all morning & after dinner went over to Dad’s & played cards till nine then went home to bed & read a book till 1 am.
[Page 44]
March, 1916
Thursday 2
Caught the 12.45 train from Cairo out to Barrage. This Barrage is situated on the Nile Delta & consists of a number of Weirs & Locks & used to regulate the Flood Waters of the Nile in this particular region. The whole is a very fine piece of Engineering & looks very fine surrounded by magnificent gardens,
Friday 3
Having discovered that Jack Davidson was w/- the 1st T.B. I set out to find him & was lucky to strike first try. Very pleased to see each other & had a lot to say about old times
Played cards in the evening w/- Dad.
[Page 45]
March, 1916
Saturday 4
The men for next school march in all day.
A large detachment of British West Indies Natives are here this time
I have managed to get a beastly cold.
Sunday 5
Muster Parade at 9.30 am
Find again that we have a lot more men than we had arranged for, about 750 Machine Gunners
Had tea w/- Dad & went to Pictures at Helmia camp
[Page 46]
March, 1916
Monday 6
First thing we had to sort the mob out, officers, then N.C.O’s. & then all the men in their various units
I got another class of N.C.O’s. & my own gun.
Several units brought Vickers guns about 6 in all.
Tuesday 7
Carry on the good work having a fairly good mob including a Cpl from the Royal Flying Corp.
Going to the store tonight I met another one of my old Platoon now a Sergt in the present 13th Btn.
We are all wearing shorts again days very hot.
[Page 47]
March, 1916
Wednesday 8
Morning work as per usual. Afternoon half holiday.
I put in a couple of hours extra with a couple of new hands
Have tea w/- dad play cards
Thursday 9
Men are showing a bit of improvement in the work.
We had a rather easy day two long lectures taking up about 3 ½ hours.
Tonight I made another little table.
[Page 48]
March, 1916
Friday 10
Work as usual during the day
After tea several of us went for a walk to Zeitoun & had coffee & cakes
Wrote a letter & sent some stamps to Amy Bryant & finished up by giving one of my pupils an extra hours work.
Saturday 11
Exam on Description takes up all morning.
After dinner went along & had tea w/- Dad & go to pictures
Make arrangements about going out tomorrow
[Page 49]
March, 1916
Sunday 12
As soon as dinner was over Dad & his boy came down & had a look at my “dugout" which is plentifully decorated w/- pictures etc.
Going into Cairo we went on the tram out to “Vieux Caire" (old Cairo) to have a look round
Finished up by going to the Kursaal
Monday 13
Start seconds weeks work
Put the class through a final run over ready for tomorrows exam. All seem ready for it.
[Page 50]
March, 1916
Tuesday 14
Care & Cleaning exam took up to dinner time
After dinner we carried on as per syllabus
Weather very hot during daytime
Wednesday 15
Work as usual nothing to disturb the peace
After tea I went to Heliopolis to put my watch in for repairs
Met an old chum & had a long talk over old times (Fred Williams)
[Page 51]
March, 1916
Thursday 16
After the parade this morning I got two bundles of letters, one from Mum dated 4-1-16 which gave me some pleasant reading.
After tea went & played cards w/- dad & had a long chat about the various things the letters brought up.
Friday 17
Sent off a cable to be despatched to mum. Every spare minute I get during the day I spend answering my letters.
In the evening I went into Heliopolis to get my watch from the jeweller
8 am to 1 pm on Abbassia Range
[Page 52]
March, 1916
Saturday 18
As soon as dinner was over, at the invitation of several Scottish Horse Sgts, I went to the Army International Football match on the E.S.R.I. ground
After a pleasant convivial evening we turned in about 11.30 pm.
Shortly after 1 am it started raining & came through our roof wetting us unpleasantly
Sunday 19
Spent best part of the morning drying clothes & blankets & mating a permanent shelter out of some timber we pinched for the job & a wp sheet.
Have a high tea w/- dad & go to the pictures.
[Page 53]
March, 1916
Monday 20
Day begins with the usual “scheme" starting with reveille at 5.30 am, but as soon as the men march out we were free to go back to bed if we wished.
After breakfast we had a long lecture.
Afternoon “Standard Tests"
Tuesday 21
The early part of the morning we went out on the desert “Tactical handling"
Very warm & quiet all day.
[Page 54]
March, 1916
Wednesday 22
Forenoon on the written paper which towels ‘em up The questions set are far more severe than last exam.
Afternoon on Drill & stoppages
Spent evening giving dad a lesson on the M.G. he was an apt pupil
Thursday 23
Exam Drill
My boys do very well, as also on their note Books, all but 3 got 100.
Afternoon on stoppages.
[Page 55]
March, 1916
Friday 24
Exam stoppages this morning.
I was lucky to draw blank & have no class to examine.
My boys do fairly good. results of paper come out & are a great shock marks very low.
I have 4 specials
Saturday 25
Parade at 8.30 am to receive certificates.
At 10 am the first parties to leave march out & continue until only a few men are left who are to leave tomorrow
[Page 56]
March, 1916
Sunday 26
Last of ‘em marched out & we are glad to see their backs.
spend afternoon & evening up dad. Go to Helmia Pictures
Monday 27
All New Zealand Instructors marched out to rejoin their units.
About 4 pm my chum & I went into town to see some friends of his. at 8pm we dined at the New Obelisk Restaurant. went to Kursaal & walked home getting into bed at 2.30 am
[Page 57]
March, 1916
Tuesday 28
Got up fresh as daiseys, had a wash & breakfast then went up to see dad.
After dinner went out w/- an old Pal from Liverpool Harry Grove
sent £10 home & had a real good time
turned in 11.30 pm.
Wednesday 29
Very quiet all day reading & poking about
Very hot & sultry after sundown cools off
Play cards w/- dad & the boys
Write letter & up my Diary
Turn in at 11 pm.
[Page 58]
March, 1916
Thursday 30
After dinner we went into Head quarters to get a couple of application for Com. forms.
Went to friends at Choubra & then to pictures
returning to town at 11.30 we had supper at the Obelisk
Friday 31
Just after dinner dad sent for me He is to be boarded for Australia & we had a nice job sorting out his gear, what he should take what to leave me & what to discard.
He is to be at No 3 General Hosp. at 9 am tomorrow.
[Page 59]
April, 1916
Saturday 1
Soon after breakfast the men for the new school marched in.
Keep coming in batches all day.
After tea we went for a walk to Zeitoun
Sunday 2
Men continue to come in all day. I was on duty from 12 to 4 pm.
No word from dad.
At 4.30 pm I went into Cairo for a final ramble before starting work tomorrow.
When I returned about 9.30 pm, I found a note from the store to come & get dad’s bag as they were going to Tel-el-Kebir at 6 am tomorrow. I got ‘em.
[Page 60]
April, 1916
Monday 3
We have got a motly crowd in this time.
It took us two hours to sort them into squads
I am given 19 men & a gun from the 13th Bde M.G. Coy.
See Theo Perry down for bombing course.
Tuesday 4
Continue the good work.
Most of my lot are working men & object to so much writing.
We are working on the summer programme
6 am to 8 am
9.30 am to 12.30 pm
4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
[Page 61]
April, 1916
Wednesday 5
work as usual in the morning
Half holiday. I went to Luna Park Hosp. w/- dad’s bags which he was glad to get.
Afterwards went w/- my chum to see friends in Choubra. spent very pleasant evening returning 11.30 pm.
Have another boarder.
Thursday 6
Easy day. morning spent stripping description
After dinner I walked over to see dad.
Afternoon, Lecture, then we marched out to Matariah to carry out J.D. tests.
[Page 62]
April, 1916
Friday 7
More lectures & description
After tea went for a walk into Zeitoun along the avenue of gun trees for a breath of fresh air
had a nice cup of tea & cakes & got home about 9 pm
Saturday 8
Exam all morning.
After dinner went to have a chat w/- dad & hear that he is booked for Australia to go by the “Karoola"
After that my chum & I had dimmer in Town went for a chat to Patti’s & then finished up at the Kursaal getting home at 1.30 am
[Page 63]
April, 1916
Sunday 9
After Church Parade walk over to Dad. have lunch there & stay till about 3 pm.
came home & wrote two letters home.
Monday 10
Richie’s Birthday
After dinner I went over to see dad as usual, - found that they had no word of going yet.
[Page 64]
April, 1916
Tuesday 11
Today when I got to the hosp I was plainly told that the men for the Karoola had left at 6 am.
He had telephoned to the school as soon as he knew but no message had been given to me
As soon as I got back I wrote him a letter to Suez.
Wednesday 12
Work as usual
At dusk sky looks very over-cast & we expect the awful sand winds known as the “Camseen" (phonetic spelling) so called because they continue for a period of 50 days on & off.
Khamsin
[Page 65]
April, 1916
Thursday 13
The dreaded wind commenced to blow just after sunrise gaining strength all day until about 3 pm it was not possible to open ones eyes.
The sand drifts into every crack & hole making it impossible to keep it out.
Friday 14
After blowing all night the Camseen x abates after sunrise x Khamsin
Altogether it has done a whole heap of damage it will take us a week to get clear of the dust
[Page 66]
April, 1916
Saturday 15
My chum to [took] me to a friend to meet am American Lady whose name I forget
had a real pleasant afternoon.
After dinner at 8.30 were on our way to the Kursaal when I met an old chum & we had a regular reunion
got to bed 1 pm
Sunday 16
Church parade
Had a sleep all afternoon & went into town about 6 pm. Met Jack Steriker & went w/- him to the Egyptian theatre.
The entertainment consists of two songs each lasting ¾ of an hour & one Can Can dance lasting about ½ an hr.
[Page 67]
April, 1916
Monday 17
Were treated to a splendid aviation display this afternoon, a small tractor Biplane looped the loop no less than 6 times in about 20 mins.
Went for a long walk in the cool evening.
Tuesday 18
This morning my chum was sent to Hosp to have his ingrowing toenail cut out.
[Page 68]
April, 1916
Wednesday 19
stoppages & standard test
After dinner I went to see my chum in Hosp.
Thursday 20
Work all morning on standard tests
Afternoon on stoppages
[Page 69]
April, 1916
Friday 21
Anniversary of the first Wazza fire.
finish of the exams & glad it is over.
Saturday 22
No certificates this time
The men start marching out at 10 am.
go to Pictures at night
[Page 70]
April, 1916
Sunday 23
The last of the mob are gone & we have peace & quiet once more for a week anyway.
Monday 24
Put in a quiet day at home
After tea went to the Kursaal Very poor show.
[Page 71]
April, 1916
Tuesday 25
Caught the 4.15 express to Alexandria. Arrived about 8 pm & put up at the Windsor Hotel
After dinner went roaming round town till 12 mid. Turned in very tired
Anzac Day
Wednesday 26
had a lovely sail on the Harbor & a swim off the breakwater.
in afternoon went to see the Catacombes & Pompey’s Pillar
Both are splendid pieces of work one on top of a hill & the other inside the hill.
[Page 72]
April, 1916
Thursday 27
After another day on the Harbor & a beautiful swim & a couple of good meals we caught the 6 pm train for Cairo.
Friday 28
Had a lazy day & in the evening went out to Choubra w/- my chum who was discharged from Hosp today.
[Page 73]
April, 1916
Saturday 29
Went for a run round Cairo this afternoon & after tea to the empire Cinema
My chum Wrigley has received his commission in the 5th Div.
Sunday 30
Went out to Patti’s for dinner & had a real good afternoon
in the evening we went to the American Cosmogaph
[Page 74]
May, 1916
Monday 1
Started work on the 14th course this morning. I’ve got NCO’s this trip
Tuesday 2
Carry on the good work
Weather getting very hot The afternoons are simply awful.
[Page 75]
May, 1916
Wednesday 3
Half Holiday
go into Cairo for a run. & then write a couple of letters
Thursday 4
Keep working & smiling
My chum leaves for his new job.
[Page 76]
May, 1916
Friday 5
Judging distance test this afternoon.
Heat is increasing every day.
My class is getting on well with the work
Saturday 6
Anniversary of MY landing on Gallipoli.
Exam in description took up all morning.
After dinner I went to the Pictures
[Page 77]
May, 1916
Sunday 7
Got up late After Church parade we had dinner & a good sleep. about 5 pm I went into town & had Tea & went to the Ezbekieh Gardens to hear the R.W.F. Band.
Monday 8
Start work again preparing for the C & C exam tomorrow.
Weather still scorching.
Get several letters & answer them
[Page 78]
May, 1916
Tuesday 9
C & C exam my class do very well.
Afternoon, the use of cover stunt.
Wednesday 10
Work as usual.
A lot of time is being taken up by lectures which gives very little time for Mechanism
[Page 79]
May, 1916
Thursday 11
Work as usual
Very hot & windy
Go for a walk to Zeitoun in the evening
Friday 12
Work as usual through the day.
The summer heat struck us today in real earnest & a hot wind was blowing enough to frizzle the hair off our bare knees impossible to go into the sun without helmets on.
[Page 80]
May, 1916
Saturday 13
Exam Mechanism, my class very anxious one Sgt got no marks at all.
After dinner went into town & out to Ghezireh garden later to Kursaal
Temp 119°
Sunday 14
After lunch I went out to Patti’s & later to another friend with Miss Patti
Met several nice young ladies & 3 more British N.C.Os.
All to leave Cairo & Heliopolis stopped to A.I.F & N.Z.E.F.
Temp 115°
[Page 81]
May, 1916
Monday 15
5 am to 9.30 am Tactical scheme.
When they return a lot of the men fell out sick on account of the heat.
After breakfast Lecture. After dinner we had to demonstrate use of Graticules for overhead & indirect fire
Temp 112°
Tuesday 16
Early morning. Tactical handling & gun mounting.
After breakfast Stoppages & S.T.
After dinner we had a lecture & stoppages.
Temp 113° at 2.30 pm
[Page 82]
May, 1916
Wednesday 17
In the early morning parade we practiced standard tests.
After breakfast the N.C.Os had their written Exam & the Instructors corrected & marked their books.
A number of “Stokes Trench Howitzers" arrive
Night Operations
Temp°
Thursday 18
Put in all day at stoppages & Standard tests.
Weather much cooler only 99°
Am now going to the usual concert.
[Page 83]
May, 1916
Friday 19
Exam “Standard Tests" before breakfast & “Stoppages" after.
Weather positively cool only 91°
Go for a walk into Heliopolis returning at 10 pm
Saturday 20
Early this morning the men started to march out & we were very glad to see their backs
Read pretty well all day & go into Heliopolis again on the evening
[Page 84]
May, 1916
Sunday 21
Got up when the breakfast bugle went.
After breakfast I went for a walk to the old Helmia camp. It is like a city of the dead.
After tea I went for a long walk round Matariah in the cool.
Write letters home
Monday 22
We were granted leave again today & after dinner I went out to Patti’s & made the acquaintance of their son who returned from the Italian front on Thursday last
[Page 85]
May, 1916
Tuesday
spent the morning reading & writing & after dinner went into Cairo & later to the pictures
Wednesday 24
I took my pistol out on the desert & fired a few shots to see if it was O.K. results satisfactory.
After tea went into Cairo and to the Empire Cinema
[Page 86]
May, 1916
Thursday 25
Mopped about camp all morning & after dinner went out to Pattis’
Guiseppe had gone to Port Said for a few days to visit some relatives.
After supper several more people came in & we had a glorious time till 11.30 pm
Friday 26
very warm again
very little to do, so do nothing but read & smoke & smoke & read.
After tea I went to a picture show in Cairo.
[Page 87]
May, 1916
Saturday 27
With the first streaks of dawn the new mob start to march in.
Practically no Australians as these are all in France or under orders to go.
Sunday 28
Still more men keep coming in all day.
After tea I went in to the Ezbekiah Gardens & listened to the Rifle Bde Band. returning to camp early & getting ready for tomorrow morning
[Page 88]
May, 1916
Monday 29
on the first 5.30 am Parade we start squadding & I get a class of seven officers, which is the biggest piece of luck I have had yet.
Tuesday 30
Am going to have an easy time this course. All my officers have some knowledge of the gun & require very little explanation.
Weather takes a turn for the heat again
[Page 89]
May, 1916
Wednesday 31
Half holiday today
Too hot & lazy to do anything except try to sleep which is almost impossible.
After tea I went to Cairo for a change of air but came home early.
June, 1916
Thursday 1
Weather continues stifling & oppressive & would bring a thunder storm every day under the same conditions in Aust. But it never thunders here.
Rumours are rife about all Australians leaving at the end of the course
[Page 90]
June, 1916
Friday 2
Final run over stripping & description & getting exam papers ready.
Go for a walk into Zeitoun after tea. The cool breeze is very refreshing after the hot sweaty day.
Saturday 3
Description Exam takes up all morning, my little class do very well.
After dinner I went out to Patti’s spending a very pleasant afternoon & evening, returning at 12 pm.
[Page 91]
June, 1916
Sunday 4
Church parade over we do some more lazing too tired in fact even to go to town.
go to Matariah in the evening for a blow.
Monday 5
Put in all day on working up the points for tomorrows exam on Care of Gun.
More rumours of our leaving, but no orders.
[Page 92]
June, 1916
Tuesday 6
Put in the early morning on the minature range but had a lot of trouble w/- the gun.
Work as usual during the day.
Am beginning to get worried, have had no letter from home since March.
Wednesday 7
Working hard on Mechanism now for next Sat.
Class did very well yesterday, even better than Sat last
[Page 93]
June, 1916
Thursday 8
Work as usual all morning & after dinner get the guns & Amtn ready for the range tomorrow.
Rigged an old belt filling machine & it did very good service in filling 20 belts in an hour
Friday 9
Reveille 4 am
Breakfast 4.15 “
Target Party 4.30 “
Waggons 4.45 “
Range 5.30 “
first shot fired 6.15 “
Each man fired a group of 20 rds & a traverse of 60 rds at Khaki targets at 400
Gun works perfectly fired 1300 Rds without a stoppage.
[Page 94]
June, 1916
Friday 16
final exam & packing.
officers behaved very well to me.
Two got specials & all were over 95 %
Damn good.
Saturday 17
March out of camp & go by special train to Tel-el-Kebir
After being shunted from one place to another we eventually landed in the 14th T.B.
perched on a great sand hill miles away from anywhere
[Page 95]
June, 1916
Sunday 18
wake up in our new home, completely disgusted
No rations yet.
At 4 pm tents arrive & are erected 14 men per tent
Monday 19
Went to Tel-el-Kebir Rifle Range w/- a company of reinforcements.
shooting was simply awful men have never had any proper instruction.
splendid walk out & on the way back I sniped a large bird in a tree at 60 yds w/- my pistol
[Page 96]
June, 1916
Tuesday 20
Started the morning by a three hour route march along the Port Said Road.
Forenoon I gave a lecture on camp sanitation & discipline
Afternoon a muster parade for all ranks.
Wednesday 21
continue training of company
[Page 97]
June, 1916
Thursday 22
same as yesterday
afternoon the usual sand storm is worse than ever.
Friday 23
same as yesterday
[Page 98]
June, 1916
Saturday 24
same again
getting pretty ghastly
Sunday 25
Church Parade
After breakfast we sleep till dinner
After dinner we sleep till it gets cool then go for a walk
[Page 99
June, 1916
Monday 26
Route march again
We returned terribly hungry & tired.
No parade till evening
Tuesday 27
parades as usual
The heat is terrific in our bell tents & the dust is fearful.
But we seem to get on alright, nobody is dying.
[Page 100]
June, 1916
Wednesday 28
12 instructors were sent on the H.Q. staff of the CTB & BD, we have here a splendid mess which sells splendid cheeroots.
Thursday 29
This morning there was a huge split up of the camp. All details were cut up into Bdes. ready to go to their units.
about 4 of us are now without a job for which we are truly thankful.
[Page 101]
June, 1916
Friday 30
Went to Ismalia for a swim
very nice town on the Bitter Lake (Suez Canal)
July, 1916
Saturday 1
Ismalia again
[Page 103]
July, 1916
Tuesday 4
work as usual
Wednesday 5
work as usual
[Page 104]
July, 1916
Thursday 6
work as usual
Friday 7
work as usual
very hot & dusty
were enoculated
[Page 105]
July, 1916
Saturday 8
Went into Cairo on special Leave train at 06.30
returning at 1915 (7.15) pm.
bought a watch.
Sunday 9
Issued with web equipment ready for Embarkation
[Page 106]
July, 1916
Monday 10
Full marching order Parade for us this morning.
Tuesday 11
Instructing Musketry
5th Div Detail
[Page 107]
July, 1916
Wednesday 12
Musketry
5th Div Detail
Thursday 13
Not too well.
[Page 108]
July, 1916
Friday 14
My Birthday
Went on sick parade
X second time in the Army
Farewell dinner in Sgts Mess. CT & GBO HQ
Tel-el-Kebir
Saturday 15
nothing to report
Damn hot & windy
[Page 109]
July, 1916
Sunday 16
Went to Ismalia for a swim
Monday 17
Route March for training camp nothing for us
[Page 110]
July, 1916
Tuesday 18
Musketry Instructing
Wednesday 19
Musketry Instructing
Devil’s own job trying to knock sense into thick heads by means of rusty rifles.
[Page 111]
July, 1916
Thursday 20
Rifle Range work w/- 4th Div Details
Fishing in canal
Friday 21
Rifle range 4th Div Details
Fishing again
[Page 112]
July, 1916
Saturday 22
Rifle range again
return for dinner
Sunday 23
nothing to report
[Page 113]
July, 1916
Monday 24
Have take over duty as Grenadier Instructor
Tuesday 25
Started on new grenade course
[Page 114]
July, 1916
Wednesday 26
wrote letter home & posted it
Thursday 27
Received “Sydney Mail" & note enclosed dated May 10th
[Page 115]
July, 1916
Friday 28
14th Training Btn & 1st Div Details are ordered to march out today
Saturday 29
Went to Cairo on leave.
had a couple of good meals
bought a few needfuls & left.
[Page 116]
July, 1916
Sunday 30
Loaf round camp all day
go to pictures in evening
Monday 31
correct information at last.
We are leaving Tel-wel-Kebir tomorrow
pack up & make all tight
[Page 117]
August, 1916
Tuesday 1
Muster Parade 5.30 am. strike tents 9 am stack Baggage & clear up the old ground.
Parade & march to train at 4.30 pm. train consists of open trucks
Reach Gabbari dock, Alex at 1 am
Embark on R.M.S. “Franconia" All Sgts allotted 4 berth cabins.
Wednesday 2
are woke up by steward at 7 am
Good breakfast
inspect ship play cards till dinner
Still got my little red Box “Boite Rouge"
[Page 118]
August, 1916
Thursday 3
We sailed shortly after breakfast. Accompanied by a destroyer.
Franconia armed with 6" gum mounted right aft.
Told off to life boat stations & have to carry life belts wherever we go.
Friday 4
continue to move on a Zig Zag course to Malta which we expect to reach Saturday morning.
Boat stations at 10.30 am.
spend a couple of hours on the signal bridge.
[Page 119]
August, 1916
Saturday 5
same as yesterday
read a good deal. have got hold of a book worth reading “Valley of the Moon" Jack London
Sunday 6
Reached Malta about 6 am & spent about 7 hours in Masa Scirocco harbour
8 pm just come off signal bridge 16 knots.
Anniversary of our attack on Suvla Bay & the Lone Pine charge
[Page 120]
August, 1916
Monday 7
Made good time all day
Making in direction of Marseilles, so our destination is now certain
Tuesday 8
In sight of the harbour about 2.30 pm.
Pulled into wharf by tug at 5 pm.
First to disembark when all were off we marched behind the band to rest camp about 2 miles from the town.
got into tents about 10 pm damned tired
[Page 121]
August, 1916
Wednesday 9
This is the prettiest little camp I have ever been in. A small hollow, sloping from all sides to the centre surrounded by trees right against the train line.
After dinner went out to the public bathing place “Bains de Mer" Chatalory beautiful.
Fine Town.
Thursday 10
Played banker & won enough for tram fares.
[Page 122]
August, 1916
Friday 11
spend the morning in camp & run out again in afternoon for a swim.
Saturday 12
same as yesterday
[Page 123]
August, 1916
Sunday 13
Divine service in morning & bathing in afternoon
Monday 14
same as Sunday except no church
[Page 124]
August, 1916
Tuesday 15
same as yesterday
Beautiful place
Wednesday 16
go for long car ride & swim
[Page 125]
August, 1916
Thursday 17
Left Carcesson End of our holiday
Move out of camp to train in the morning
depart amid cheers from population
stopped for tea. Hot water provided
Friday 18
after a (you know) sort of night we stopped for breakfast Raining
Magnificent country all farms & gardens
settle down for another night
Pass Paris but do not see it
[Page 126]
August, 1916
Saturday 19
The last stage of the journey completed
Arrive at Havre in afternoon & after long march made camp again
obtained some rations & TEA
spent very cold night
Sunday 20
mooched about all morning
After dinner were moved back to the docks & embarked on the “Queen" for Blighty.
spent an awful night
men were sick all round me but I escaped
[Page 127]
August, 1916
Monday 21
Disembarked on southampton docks & waited round all day
At about 5 pm we entrained for Salisbury Plain.
Arrived at Tidworth stn at 7 pm. Men marched to Parkhouse camp. I went on baggage motor
Got into huts & turned in about 11 pm.
1 year since I was wounded
Tuesday 22
Our quarters rather good. Large wooden rooms containing 30 men & mess tables for same, electric light.
Walked into Shipton Bellinger a village about a mile from Parkhouse.
[Page 128]
August, 1916
Wednesday 23
doing nothing & getting a bit “fed up"
rains nearly all the time & everything is cold & dismal
If this is the summer, God help the winter
Thursday 24
wrote letter in the morning
played cards until tea time & walked to Tidworth to the theatre to see the “Play"
Tidworth about 3 miles from our camp.
Located old Tom Kennedy & his crew
[Page 129]
August, 1916
Friday 25
walked out to Bulford camp to see the New Trench system
Not bad but containing many glaring faults
played cards all afternoon
Saturday 26
played cards all morning & after dinner walked into Tidworth
After Tea for which we paid 1/10 each went to pictures, very poor class.
returned about 10.30
[Page 130]
August, 1916
Sunday 27
Went on church parade but it rained si hard they had to dismiss the parade after the first Hymn
Monday 28
Nothing doing
Went to see Within the Law at the Garrison Theatre in Tidworth
[Page 131]
August, 1916
Tuesday 29
Nothing doing
Wednesday 30
Received 2 letters from Mum & 1 from Rich. (the first for six months)
Answered them immediately.
After tea we got our marching orders. we are to leave for Grantham, Lincolnshire, it is the training centre of the M.G. C.
[Page 132]
August, 1916
Thursday 31
Stacked our kits right after breakfast Marched out of ParkHouse at 8.30. Walked into Tidworth Stn & caught local train to Andover Jnct. at Andover caught L & SWR to London. Left train at Waterloo & took tube to Kings X & had dinner at Earl Roberts Home caught scotch Express for Grantham.
After some trouble & a 4 mile walk found our new Home.
September, 1916
Friday 1
Parade at 6.30 am but not wanted until 9 am.
Find we cannot get our furlough yet, but will be able to get weekend leave to London
Have to do a refresher course on Vickers Gun & then go on instructing again
Decent town
[Page 133]
September, 1916
Saturday 2
Route march for troops. but I am detailed for other work & miss it.
After dinner went into Grantham. evening to pictures, returning to camp at 11 pm are startled by loud hooter, all lights doused & traffic stopped. “ZEP. RAID"
But it never came near us. English people panic stricken at the very thought of it.
Sunday 3
No report out yet about ZEP. Morning cold & dark.
[Page 134]
September, 1916
Monday 4
Total:- one Zep totally destroyed by fire & gun fire & fell down near London.
Airman gets V.C.
Tuesday 5
Work as usual
System very slipshod not like old school.
[Page 135]
September, 1916
Wednesday 6
Went into town after duty for a walk
Went to Theatre
Thursday 7
Town again & pictures
Half Holiday for shops.
[Page 136]
September, 1916
Friday 8
Photograph of whole depot taken by a new fangled panoramic camera
Saturday 9
Left Grantham on 9 – train for London
Arrived in time for dinner
Had a look round town & went to Theatre.
slept at “Earl Roberts Home
[Page 137]
September, 1916
Sunday 10
up early & after Breakfast went off round London & over Bridges & looked over buildings etc
returned to Grantham by train leaving Kings X at 8.45
Very tired.
Monday 11
Work as usual
stayed in at night
[Page 138]
September, 1916
Tuesday 12
Visited pictures
Battle of Somme on July1
Proof of Photo arrives
Wednesday 13
Half Holiday & sports
spend afternoon in town.
[Page 139]
September, 1916
Thursday 14
Moved into other Huts same lines
Warned for school of Inst Harrowby.
Friday 15
Received letters from Home.
Got damn cold in head
completely disgusted w/- England
[Page 140]
September, 1916
Saturday 16
rained nearly all day so did not move out of doors till evening
Sunday 17
Got up for breakfast and then went back to bed.
Got out about 10 am & went for a walk to get an appetite for dinner
[Page 141]
September, 1916
Monday 18
Work all day & at 4 pm was warned to be ready to march out to Harrowby camp at 5 pm
arrived there we were dumped into wet tents
awful night COLD ----
Tuesday 19
Start work on course
Have found room in huts for us, so we are again snug.
[Page 142]
September, 1916
Wednesday 20
Work continues
go into Town for some books after tea
Thursday 21
Work continues
A lot of notes to write but interesting enough.
[Page 143]
September, 1916
Friday 22
are living with an awfully nice lot of Tommy Staff Sgts.
have a real good time
Saturday 23
Work half day
spent quiet afternoon
[Page 144]
September, 1916
Sunday 24
slept in till breakfast.
Went for a walk
Monday 25
work again
[Page 145]
September, 1916
Tuesday 26
work continues
Wednesday 27
work continues
Went to Theatre at night
[Page 146]
September, 1916
Thursday 28
work as usual
Friday 29
work as usual
[Page 147]
September, 1916
Saturday 30
work half day
After dinner went to Nottingham
fine town 5 women to every man
Met a Mr Watson of Sydney. Paragon Hotel Circular Quay
October, 1916
Sunday 1
slept in again
[Page 148]
October, 1916
Monday 2
work
Tuesday 3
work
[Page 149]
October, 1916
Wednesday 4
work
Theatre at night
Thursday 5
work
[Page 150]
October, 1916
Friday 6
Received letters from home.
work
Saturday 7
work half day
[Page 151]
October, 1916
Sunday 8
slept in
Monday 9
work
[Page 152]
October, 1916
Tuesday 10
work
Wednesday 11
range work
[Page 153]
October, 1916
Thursday 12
Range work
Friday 13
work
[Page 154]
October, 1916
Saturday 14
Four of us get orders to return to Belton park.
I reported in the afternoon & found quarters.
Sunday 15
slept in
[Page 155]
October, 1916
Monday 16
Loaf again on Piquet Rains all night
Meet an old friend Lt Congdon
Tuesday 17
Loaf again
[Page 156]
October, 1916
Wednesday 18
Find a job at last
Theatre at night
Thursday 19
work again
[Page 157]
October, 1916
Friday 20
work
Saturday 21
work
[Page 158]
October, 1916
Sunday 22
Went for long walk to Belton House & rambled through the fine gardens.
Monday 23
Move from M to L lines
L Lines not yet vacated by the Tommies so are very cramped.
[Page 159]
October, 1916
Tuesday 24
Huts clear at last but do not move yet
remainder of the boys return from Harrowby
Wednesday 25
Huts allotted this morning am back w/- my cobber & all is well.
[Page 160]
October, 1916
Thursday 26
work
Friday 27
Catch train for London at 1.30 pm. Arrive 4 pm
Book rooms
Book seats in Chu Chin Chow.
rains all night
[Page 161]
October, 1916
Saturday 28
visit Horseferry road.
get new pay book but no feloos
go to play in evening
Sunday 29
Visit Victoria & Albert Museum & National Art Gallery. Both rather good.
Catch 5 pm train home.
[Page 162]
November, 1916
Wednesday 1
Write numerous Post cards & long letters home.
send packet of badges.
Pay day.
Thursday 2
Mud is something awful.
[Page 163]
November, 1916
Friday 3
Nothing to report
[Page 164]
November, 1916
Thursday 23
Escorted large draft into camp & discover a man has measles in my Hut.
Send him to hosp.
Friday 24
Removed to isolation camp for 21 days.
[Page 165]
November, 1916
Saturday 25
received a letter direct from Dad
answer it
Sunday 26
church parade.
Write to Mum
[Page 166]
November, 1916
Monday 27
Do nothing but eat, sleep & read.
Received letter from Dad.
Tuesday 28
Do a little squad Drill
Rotten
[Page 167]
November, 1916
Wednesday 29
Continue to loaf around
Thursday 30
Its going to be a fair beggar in this outfit.
There is nothing so hard to do as absolutely nothing
[Page 168]
December, 1916.
Friday 1
Some more drill to keep warm.
Saturday 2
Route march.
Went through villages of Barkston & Belton. very pretty in the morning sun.
[Page 169]
December, 1916
Sunday 3
Church parade in Canteen
Parson was a huge, fat man who did not seem to suffer by England’s food shortage.
Played football against Tommies
They won.
Monday 4
Very cold again
Am feeling very tired after yesterdays march
Receive letters from Mum & rich
[Page 170]
December, 1916
Tuesday 5
Very cold afternoon & evening.
Expect a real freeze at night
Wednesday 6
Muster Parade & Route March
Everything frozen hard & Trees etc covered with frost, very pretty.
[Page 171]
December, 1916
Friday 8
Fired Pt. I G.M.C on Alma wood range.
Had to wade through oceans of mud.
[Page 172]
December, 1916
Saturday 9
Rained nearly all day so we were unable to go on our usual march.
Sunday 10
Dodged church parade.
Played Football against Tommie
(They won)
[Page 173]
December, 1916
Monday 11
Very cold & windy
Tuesday 12
Some men went to range this morning but it was too foggy to see targets
[Page 174]
December, 1916
Friday 22
Very cold & snowy
Nothing to report.
[Page 175]
December, 1916
Saturday 23
Finish up work for the holidays
Sunday 24
big preparations for tomorrow
[Page 176]
December, 1916
Monday 25
Great day. big fall of snow last night & all is real Christmassy
1 pm Everybody full
6pm Everybody drunk.
Tuesday 26
A lot of sore heads
still freezing
[Page 177]
December, 1916
Wednesday 27
Some men still on leave but expected back today.
Raining
Thursday 28
Received letters from Dad & Miss Coulson & papers from Dick.
[Transcriber’s note:
Pg. 19. J. Bostock, author of machine gunner’s handbook etc.
Pg. 61. J.D. = judging distance
Pg. 69. Wazza fire = Cairo riots
Pg. 94. T.B. Training Battn
Pg. 161. feloos = filoosh = money
M.E.F. = Middle East Force
R.W.F. Band = Royal Welsh Fusiliers]
[Transcribed by Pter Mayo for the State Library of New South Wales]