|
Spelling has been maintained where possible.
Script added by Kemp is included in brackets and editorial comment in square brackets.
Inside front cover
Pte W.D. Kemp
16th Waikato
Auck. Inf. Batt.
N.Z.
Please forward
Mr D. Kemp
Roto-o-rangi
Via Cambridge
Auckland
N.Z.
First Page
Diary 1915 Feb 3rd 1915
Within firing line on Canal
[JANUARY]
Ismailia Camp
On Monday 25th we were pitching tents for the Australian reinforcements, and it was very warm. After tea I went up to the Taranaki lines to see George Thomas and they had just received word to pack up and get ready to entrain at nine next morning so I cut away off back to see what our orders were, but it was about two hours afterwards before we got our orders, and there was great excitement through our camp. It was midnight before we were finished getting packed up and our 150 rounds of ammunition served out, and then we decided to take a little rest for the night
Tuesday 26th. We were waiting about in the morning but fell in at two and marched to the Zeitoun Station where we entrained for the Canal. We left the Station at half past three & arrived at Ismailia about seven. We only had to go through the fence and we were in our camping ground piled our rifles, & laid our beds out for the night, of course we were in the open.
Wensday [sic] 27th. Six of us on fatigue stacking tin meat cans tin biscuits, barley meal, hay and several other things. Finished at four P.M. had tea, & went on again at 9 P.M. carted bread & meat from the railway station to the Depot. Got to bed at midnight.
Thursday 28th. Were drilling & had lectures during the day, and very hot marching through the loose sand. Did our own cooking.
Friday 29th. We had a review during the morning before some General and other Officers, the names I do not know as yet. He as much as said it depended on our work that day wheather [sic] we were put into the firing line, or kept as reserves. But judging by subsequent events we must have proved satisfactory although he did not say so. Mic Paine arrived from hospital at midnight & said he saw J. Peek [?] and spoke to him for a few minutes.
Saturday 30th. Had a fairly easy day and had a little drill, and then marched down to canal & had a swim. After dinner we had relay races & thirteen platoon top the score. While down there we saw some Australians & N.Z. troops sailing through the canal. Got back to camp had some tea, then went up town for some foodstuffs. Ismailia is a very pretty place situated in the midst of palms, and other trees. To see it from where we are one would think it was just a forest but and lovely drives to the lake on the Canal. Mic & Alex received note from Charley Neber [?] passing through the canal. He threw it off the transport & one of the 3rd Coy boys which were on guard on the edge of the Canal swam out and got it & brought it back to camp & in the evening he came to our tent & gave it to Mic & Alex it was very curious getting them like that
Sunday 31st. Had church parade in morning had dinner, and about two o clock orders came out that thirteen platoon to prepare for outpost & had to fall in as soon as possible. We marched out of camp about four miles, & relieved the Gurkas of their Post on the banks of the canal. They are very good trenches. The distance from our trenches to the other side of the Canal is 200 yds. Six of us maned [sic] the trenches that evening & I was one of them. Two of us went on at a time, for two hours on & four hours off during the night, no Turks came in sights. A party of Indian troops passed our front, on patrol and came back about four hours later.
[FEBRUARY]
(Monday 1st.) In the morning we were releived [sic] by a fresh party of our boys & we had a spell for the rest of the day. We took some rice out with us & boiled a dixy for breakfast & it was tip-top. Several ships passed through the Canal while on guard there. About four (PM) the sixteen Platoon came down to releive our platoon, so Tony & I went on to the ferry, about one mile away to get the transport to go back & get our blankets but he had to much of a load on, & had to leave them but just as our platoon was on leaving some camals [sic] came along, & they packed the blankets on two of them & brought into camp. Tony & I came on & got some tea boiled for the boys. I forgot to state that there was a very unfortunate accident on Monday morning. There are about a dozen (R) A.M.C. attached to their battery in case any of them are wounded, & two of these were sleeping in a trench which they had rigged up to put wounded in during the shrapnel firing, & was covered over with board & two feet of sand on top it collapsed & [they] were buried alive. I went over to their camp to get some water, & they took me to see the poor fellow, & they were very much cut about. It was a great pity they should loose their lives in such a manner.
Tuesday 2nd. Practised entraining in the morning, & light drill in afternoon. Heard firing over canal not far from us both rifle & big guns very warm, a little rain last night. Some of the Cant. Batt. Left hurriedly tonight in armoured train & all our leave stopped so we may see some fun very soon.
Wed 3rd. Sargeant came round half past five in morning woke us up & said we had to be on fatigue at ¼ to six. We loaded kit bags carted them down to the depot. Seen 36 Turkish prisoners in the train on their way to Cairo. Met John on the platform. After tea seen some four hundred Turk prisoners some badly wounded, also a Spy & West Aferican [sic]
[Footnote] 1020 Turks captured. Trains stopped running, & boats stopped from going through the canal. Officer in charge of the Turks which was a German hoisted the white flag & when our officer went forward shot him dead then the Indians nearly wiped them out.
Thursday 4th. Did a little drill in the morning. In camp in afternoon & went on fatigue from eight P.M. till ten carting bread & meat from station.
Friday 5th. Had a lie in this morning. Orders have come round to prepear [sic] for a minutes notice & are all ready. Friday evening, Been in waiting all day got orders tonight to prepear for a early start in the morning, revellie at three a.m., and proceeding over the canal to attack the Turks.
Saturday 6th. Our intentions were withdrawn. did a little drill in the morning first parade with john In waiting for orders & did washing in afternoon.
Sunday 7th. Cooked bacon (Bacon 1/-5 ½ lb) for my breakfast & had church parade & After parade, I went up Ismailia & had dinner went down to the lake & back to camp in time to got on guard at half-past four. On guard that night & all day Monday. Dismissed half past four in evening.
Tuesday 9th. In morning had lecture afternoon Company drill.
Wensday 10th. Q. M. fatigue practicing loading camals [sic] in morning. Drawing Batt. Stores in afternoon. Received Auk Weekly from home.
Thursday 11th. Q.M.S.[Quarter-master's Store?] morning & afternoon.
Friday 12th. Q.M.S. morning & afternoon. The rest of the Coy went for a swim.
Saturday 13th. Q.M.S. for the day. In the morning we had a bath & lice inspection.
Sunday 14th. On duty at Q.M.S. in the morning Tony & I went for a walk up to the Cemetery, through the slumbs [sic] of Ismailia, & down to the lake. Had tea in Ismailia, & back to Camp.
Monday 15tth. Battalion Drill in the morning, went for a swim in afternoon & went for a silent test march in the evening. & it turned out one of the hardest marchers weve had for some time.
Tuesday 16th. Battalion Drill in morning. Swim in Afternoon. Went up to town in the evening to get my watch. Had a talk with some Punjabis that were on town petrol [patrol], had supper & back to camp.
Wensday 17th. Went out for Battalion training with Capt. Alderman in charge& had a very busy morning. Had the afternoon to ourselves. Went for a night attack in the evening left camp at ¼ to seven arriving back half past eight
Thursday 18th. We have just finished breakfast & are ready to proceed out for an attack. We went out along the railway line towards the Canal & have just returned. I must go & wash my breakfast dishes & get ready for tea
Friday 19th. Battalion in attack in morning. Writing letter this afternoon. going on outpost duty tonight. Had our photo taken this afternoon while bathing. Our Sargent was telling us last night that it is a great sight where the fighting was, one sees legs with boots on lieing about & so on.
Saturday 20th. Kit inspection in morning, Holiday in Afternoon. Went had a look at a football match & had swim.
Sunday 21st. Church parade in morning. After dinner a party of us went down to Tussoom left on ferry at two P.M. down Canal about eight miles. We landed & went out over the battlefield for about two miles & seen the advancing trenches of the Turks. Came back along the Canal & seen the burried [sic] Turks, got some of their buluts [sic]. Had to run to catch the boat, & came home.
Monday 22nd. Company in attack in morning, went for a swim in afternoon.
Tuesday 23rd. Went for a rout march along Canal for about six miles, very hot & tireing, & done up when we got back to camp.
Wensday 24th. Battalion in attack in morning. Swim in afternoon. First mail arrived since 4th & very glad to get it.
Thursday 26th. Field firing in morning Swim in afternoon.
Friday 26th Fatigue & striking camp in morning. Going to proceed to Zeitoun in morning. Battalion fall in to hear speach [sic].
Saturday 27th. Reported sick this morning, boarded train 11 a.m. am writing this on the way to Zeitoun. Just passing through Zagazig. Arrived Zeitoun four P.M. Marched to camping ground, pitched tents.
Sunday 28th. Took on Batman for Jhon [?] writing letters in afternoon.
[MARCH]
Monday 29th 1st. Company drill all day.
Tuesday 30th 2nd. Company drill all day. Went down to Zeitoun with Tony in evening.
Wensday 3rd. Division in attack with Australians reinforcing. Left camp seven A.M. arriving back eight P.M.. Had tea & very glad to get to bed covered about 22 mile.
Thursday 4th. Went for a rout march seen the tree that Mary rested on, on Her flight into Egypt also Joseph's well, & had a drink of water out of it. Went with Alex & Mic down to Cairo in evening.
Friday 5th. Having a rest today going out on Divisional attack this evening. Left camp half past eight P.M. went out about eight miles dug trenches & waited for the attack.
Saturday. Left the trenches & arrived in camp half past nine had breakfast and sleep the rest of the day.
Sunday 7th. Cleaned up the Officers tent. Went down Cairo in afternoon. Seen three French weddings. Went to All Saints Church.
Monday 8th. Day off. Night attack.
Tuesday 9th. Washing day & cleaning up.
Wensday 10th. Had a big field attack marched over Abbasia, & started the attack from the rifle range marched in colum of rout for about five miles had dinner, extended & made the attack finished half past four & arrived home half past eight. covering a distance of about twenty two miles. Had tea & glad to get two bed.
Thursday 11th. Marched out under the trees seen the natives milking buffalo cows also seen them plowing came back about two o clock.
Friday 12th. Big divisional attack marched out about seven miles & marched in colum [sic] of rout for about eight of nine miles further & then mad[e] the attack, & the enemy which was the Tomies retired after following them up for another miles we finished up & returned to camp. One of the longest days we have had.
Saturday 13th. Washing day & feet inspection. Afternoon off.
Sunday 14th. Cleaning tents in morning went to Cairo afternoon.
Monday 15th. Company drill.
Tuesday 16th. Divisional in attack first day we had our new Major Alderman.
Wensday 17th. Coy drill for 1½ hours. Left camp half past four & stayed out all night returning to camp half past eight A.M.
Thursday 18th. The rest of the day off.
Friday 19th. Coy in attack by our new Major Hewitt [?] (Dead of)
Saturday 20th. Short rout march Jhon not to well.
Sunday 21st. Cleaning up in morning Went to go to funeral but missed the rout it took
Monday 22nd. Big review of the whole N.Z. Forces & Australian Light Horses before Sir J. Maxwell & other French officers.
Tuesday 23rd. Washing Day.
Wensday 24th. Out-post duty along Canal.
Thursday 25th. Relieved sick man of Officers Mess
Friday 26th. Morning off Preparing in afternoon to go to Luxor left Cairo 8 P.M.
Saturday 27th. Arrived at Luxor 9 a.m. after a very pleasant trip in the train. All along the railway beautiful fields of grain with date trees scattered here & there for hundreds of miles, a lovely sight. Went down to Luxor Hotell & had good breakfast then we left the hotell for the Temples, eighteen with each guide. The first was The Great Temple of Luxor Amen-Ra was built by Rameses II. After He died his Son carried it on Rameses III. It was started 1700 B.C. The next was Karnak that we visited we went tere in cabs. Sphinx underground the whole way between the two Temples one & a half miles apart but only a few can be seen as the rest have not been exclavated [sic] that is called Khon's Temple. The third one was the Colums [?]. the Great Temple of Karnak is a wonderful sight & has a sacred lake. The forth was The Temple of Mut. Mut was the Mother of Rameses III. It has also a Sacred Lake. We then went back to Hotell & had lunch. In the afternoon we had a look around the town. It is a very poor town as it is only noted for its ancient Temples & has the Tourist are not visiting there now everything is slack. Came back & had dinner & put our names in to stay for another day as we thought it a good chance for a rest. So we stayed for another day & it was alright to get between the white sheets once again.
Sunday 28th. Had breakfast & wrote letters Home & to Susan. Also sent books of Luxor. Left by the ten past six P.M. train for camp& managed to strike a first class carrage & we had a good trip down.
Monday 29th .Arrived in Cairo 8 P.M. had breakfast in town & proceeded to Camp, & had to go like fun to get our equipment together as inspection was to take place in the afternoon & had a review by Sir Ian Hamilton & it was one cloud of dust. Sent booklets & photo of Luxor.
Tuesday 30th. Divisional attack on small canal to give the Amblance [sic] Corps practice
Wensday 31st. Company in attack 13 & 15 platoons defencive [sic] 14 & 16 platoons in attack had mistakes pointed out to us afterwards by the Major & it proved an interesting day
[APRIL]
Thursday 1st. Divisional rout march started ¼ to six a.m. arriving back at camp ¼ to twelve a.m. rested in afternoon
Friday 2nd Being Good Friday Church service in morning & rest of day off. Friday night riot in Cairo & lasted for about four hours.
Saturday 3rd. Easy day
Sunday 4th. Church parade, Paraded full marching order in afternoon.
Monday 5th. Practised entraining, & afternoon off.
Tuesday 6th. Rout march in morning & afternoon off
Wensday 7th Rout march & bayonet drill. Order cancelled for twenty four hours on leaving from here.
Thursday 8th. Rout march to Abassia & back
Friday 9th. Packing up & getting ready to leave. Left camp half past ten P.M. & marched to station had a good trip in train arrived on wharf eight A.M. Embarked half past twelve. I went aboard before the boys & was put on waiter on tables in second Class Saloon. Name of boat Lutzow.
Sunday 11th. Busy in Saloon all day.
Monday 12th. Started sailing half past six P.M. & lovely sight leaving Alexandria
Tuesday 13th. Lovely & calm travelling half speed. The Lutzow was captured from the Germans five months [ago] her tonnage about 15,000
Wensday 14th. Sea rather choppy passed several Islands also passed several ship.
Thursday 15th. Caught sight of Lemnos Island & sailing along till about six o'clock we came to the Naval Base. A torpedo boat came out to meet us & we steamed into their midst. We laid alongside the Battle cruiser which went away up the Dardanells [sic] to the Narrows & returned after having twenty two hits & seen where one had struck her funnel. After lieing [sic] at anchor till about ten A.M. we proceeded further in the harbour, & it is full of boats of all discription [sic]. Battle -Ships, Destroyers, Torpedo-boats, Submarines, Transports & several other crafts. The Queen Elizabeth with her great fifteen in guns, she is a splendid sight. The Dardanells are fourty [sic] miles further on. We are waiting here for the remainder of the Transports. I have spent most of the afternoon rowing in the harbour from one ship to another.
Friday 16th. Assisting waiter in Saloon did very little in afternoon.
Saturday 17th. Practising disembarking & went ashore for drill & a treat to get on grass. Lemnos Island is about 20,000 or 30,000 acres. A third of it is the harbour & one of the best I have been in. Received word Turkish gunboat driven ashore on Patmoss Island just in time from sinking a transport with 29th Artillary [sic] on board.
Sunday 18th. Went ashore full marching order & had church service, drill in afternoon
Monday 19th. Went ashore full marching had swim & lice inspection. Drill in afternoon
Tuesday 20th. Having day off cleaning up Pay day here & at Factory Home
Wensday 21st. Day making about very undecided of when we are to leave- when lieing down to sleep we are in hopes of getting up in the morning, & ready to weigh anchor, but no chance. Thursday 22nd. Got good news of British & India troops beating back the Turks at - . Slow day on board.
Friday 23rd. Just had tea after coming back from a trip to one of the towns on Lemnos & a great experience. All the waiters got a boat & with a captain they went ashore & me knowing one of the boys I went too. We left the Lutzow about two P.M. & sail into the little pier, tied up & went ashore. Great little place several little shops put up since we arrived in the harbour. We only had half an hour on land so we had no time to loose. arrived back in the boat & set sail. We could only use the sail for about half way to the Lutzow, & had to pull the rest of the way. Arrived at ganway [sic], & the boys on board said we had to weigh anchor at four, it was then close on five, so four of us stayed in the boat & pulled round to port side & just hooked on as the propellers started & we sailed alongside for about a mile & then we got hauled up while she was going along. Anchored out in stream about six. Word has been received we sail two P.M. Sunday & land eight A.M.
Saturday 24th. Preparing for disembarking tomorrow. Had lecture by our Major this afternoon. The Queen Elizabeth being the Flag Ship of our Med-Fleet left this afternoon in rout for the Dardanells followered [sic] by smaller cruisers, Submarines, & Destroyers, & then the Transports a splendid sight we are supposed to leave here one in the morning, & may land at 8 a.m.. The Major said this afternoon, that it was the biggest opperations [sic] ever performed in warfare & with God's Help we will come out victorious. Received mail from Home & two from Sue. Glad to hear received parcels & to know all are well.
Sunday 25th. Arrived on shore reinforcing Aus-. Been in firing line Mr Peake wounded half past twelve brought him back to ship sleep on beach at night
Monday 26th. On our way to the firing line. What there is of us left, all our officers gone. About one dozen left out of sixteenth. furious fighting doing good. First artillary [sic] landed last night.
Tuesday 27th. The fighting started daybreak enemy shelling our position & man-o-wars replying, heavy rifle fire but we are holding our own. Heard Tony, Bert, Tomy & Don (killed) wounded. Cant find out anything of Mic (missing) or Alex (wounded). We are present entrenching ourselves in reserves under heavy shelling & our ships are giving them nothing. The Queen - went away this morning but can see her returning at topspead [sic]. Heard she sank a Turkish man-of-war this morning. Our Howitzers are doing great work.
Wensday 28th. We were expecting our firing line to have to retire early this morning & A.B. [Auckland Battalion] dug ourselves in & put barb wire entanglements in gully, going all last night & heavy shrapnel came from enemy this morning but our boys stuck to it & we with our rifles loaded waited but they never came. Our boys did great work last night & got grate praise from the General. Gurkhas 6,000 to reinforce us came today, at present our Howitzers are going strong
Thursday 29th. Entrenching all day, heavy firing going on.
Friday 30th. We removed to a fresh position & entrenched, getting very warm time from shrapnel, but our boys are going good work. A brigade of Naval Marines arrived today & want them very bad to reinforce us. The Gurkhas did not arrive.
[MAY]
Saturday 1st.Temporaly [sic] attached to headquarters & on guard last night & was expecting a big night from the enemy, but did not come off.
Sunday 2nd. It is eighth day and still going strong. Had a swim, the first time we had our boots off for a week. There was a big attack made by us this evening about fifteen battleships, several batteries of artillery [sic] including two batteries of Howitzers, bombarding the enemies trenches, & gave then a very rought [sic] time, it lasted twenty minutes, & & half and hour later the whole of our trenches charged & gained about six hundred yards but we lost heavily. Still on lookout post.
Monday 3rd. Fighting progressing. Enemys shell struck trawler, little damage dome. Queen - firing, on lookout but received word to move to beach tonight ready to reinforce the firing line if nesassary [sic] but were not wanted. Had a fair nights rest
Tuesday 4th. Went into second firing trenches
Wensday 5th. Relieved from trenches & camped on beach. Left No 1 Hill (H.Q. Walker's ridge) eight P.M. & boarded Destroyer. (While waiting for dark General Godley passed us, & said "Well done sixteenth. Good luck to you Boys" & we thought a lot of it.) arrived at Saros Gulf five A.M.
Thursday 6th. Proceeded inland & entrenched laid in waiting had our first nights rest
Friday 7th Artillary [sic] firing strong on enemies positions. 2nd Australian & N.Z, division are in general reserves. Remove d to first firing line.
Saturday 8th. Preparing for a charge to take a village (Krithia) Saturday afternoon, unsuccessful. Loss heavy. (Got shot through the rifle & cap.)
Sunday 9th. Reserve trenches.
Monday 10th. Promoted acting Corporal
Tuesday 11th. Reserve trenches. Left trenches 8 P.M. Arriving at resting camp eight A.M.
Wensday 12th. In resting camp very wet & mudy big bombardment in evening first nights rest for a long time
Thursday 13th Fine day drying cloths. Muster parade this afternoon. Men very tired & enjoying their rest.
Friday 14th. Went for swim to beach in morning drill after dinner.(received Susan's parcel)
Saturday 15th. Batt parade in morning Coy parade after dinner.
Sunday 16th. Went to work roadmaking three a.m. four hours
Monday 17th. Work nine A.M. to two P.M., wharf building & dug out old well. Turks shelling depot. Sixth lost several men. With Jack Thompson
Tuesday 18th. On work three A.M. till nine. N.C.O. parade.
Wensday 19th. Work three A.M. till nine. Shifting camp tonight
Thursday 20th. Arrived Gabatepe (Gaba Tepe) & dug in prepared to reinforce firing line, not required.
Friday 21st. On fatigue duty. (Sgt) A. Paterson [12/826, Pvt Alexander Patterson] hit with shell nose & died.
Saturday (22nd) Very wet. Destroyers & cruisers hunting round for submarine. Men very excited plenty of main shells
Sunday 23rd. Orderly Corporal for the day. Paraded the sick sorting letters, & marked wounded & killed. At present inlieing [??] picket. Service held but duties would not permitt [sic] me to attend
Monday 24th. Had an Armitist [sic] from 8 A.M. to three P.M. for burying [sic] the dead had a good nights rest.
Tuesday 25th. In charge of party roadmaking our little dugout flooded with heavy rain. Crimed [?] two men for disobeying order T. Kelly T.V.Young. The H.M.S. Trimph [sic] sunk by Submarine about fifty drowned.
Wensday 26th. Having an easy day just cooking tea of pan-cakes (gave information of Alex)
Thursday 27th. Fatigue in morning & and went in charge of ammunition guard on for twenty four hours.
Friday 28th. On guard being relieved this evening. Charlie Morton took my photo. Mic on missing list. Got two letters from Sue & one from home. News of Mrs Wilson's death.
Saturday 29th. Got word today going in firing line Monday. Turks blew up one of our trenches & took it, Australians countered attack & took Turks trenches last night.
Sunday 30th. At present very heavy firing & shrapnel bursting over head, several men hit, Corp. Hutchinson [12/100, Corp. B. A. C. Hutchinson] shot through jaw & died in my hands. Went up on hill to find track to shrapnel gully & found it after a very exciting time crawling about through the scrub
Monday 31st. Easy day. Inlying [?] picket at night. Mounted men's being heavily shelled.
[JUNE]
Tuesday 1st. Fatigues in morning & spell after dinner
Wensday 2nd. Fall in at eight A.M. cleaned bivouacs & then proceeded in reserves to Quinn's post, had a fair nights rest
Thursday 3rd Took up our duties at Quinn's post. In charge of party of snipers near Firing line
Friday 4th. Relieved by Canterbury miday. Have just received word to prepare for firing line ten p.m. Had no sleep last night putting in shields for snipers.
Saturday 5th A Batt had a charge last night & captured two trenches but could not hold them & had to retire. 16th in general reserves. C. Hill got wounded, got no sleep last night. Captured about fourty Turks, returned to bivouacs five at morn.
Sunday 6th. ( Seen Fourth Otago man get shot by machine gun) Had breakfast & went & relieved Canterbury. Took over sniping post for fourty eight hours & relieved by Canterbury this morning.
Tuesday (8) Went back to bivouac & having spell the first since Thursday. Got letters & papers.
Wensday 9th. Shelled all day. Had first wash for a week, at night slept on steps & in reserves to Wellingtons.
Thursday 10th. Early breakfast & shifted to rest bivouacs for a week spell but will be doing fatigues. (Reg Morton [12/799 Pvt. R. G. Morton] shot in bivouac)
Friday 11th. Improved bivouacs & went for swim. Received bread the first for two month (On fatigue for eight hours at night)
Saturday 12. Light fatigues. First of the wounded return.
Sunday 13th Ordley corp. paraded sick & mail day. Received letter from Sue (18/4/15) & Mr Collett (22/5/15) Heard that man-of-war blew up magazine & battery Sunday evening seen airship fly over our bivouac & dropped three bombs on enemies trenches.
Monday 14th. Easy day light fatigues
Tuesday 15th. Took party to cut sixty stakes & carried them to Quinn's post for barb wire intanglements [sic] Troops supposed to have landed between us and Cape Helles.
Wensday 16th (Got promoted to full corporal) Took party of twenty men stake cutting five hundred & delivered them at Quinn's post for wire entanglements. Enemy shelling beach & bivouacs, several fragments of shell drop at my feet, while stripped off having a bath but luckily never got hit.
Thursday 17th. On fatigues with fifty men carting gravel in bags to Quinn's post from seven till ten A.M. & four till seven P.M. Feeling unwell.
Friday 18th. Inlying [?] picket from eight P.M. Thursday night until Friday 8 A.M. Got instructions on rifle grenades, which is a new sort of bomb, when fired at a range of 1,700 yds it lobs 30 yds & 2,000, 45 yds 2,400, 65 yds & 2,800, 90 yds. It explodes into seventy two pieces.
Saturday 19th. Rest day, received mail three from home. one from Sue & one from Mr Edgecombe. Received sea [?] bag.
Sunday 20th. Very sick went to Tommy Hill & got pills. Went up with party to Quinn's post for sapping from four till eight. Eleven at night heavy rifle firing & the 16th Coy being inlying [?] picket we had to turn out & was ready to march off, but we were not required under circumstances.
Monday 21st. Had range finding instruction by Lieut Hatt Getting stores from canteen.
Tuesday 22nd
Wensday 23rd. Ordley [sic] Corp on fatigue with party at Quinns Post inlying [?] picket at night.
Thursday 24th. Inlying [?] picquet & lecture by O.C. went & inspected Courtenay's post.
Friday 25th. Moved to Courtenay's at 8 A.M. on firing trenches in charge No 3 group of No 28 Section Will be here for twenty four hours then move to reserve trenches just behind firing. At half past nine we fired three rounds rappid [sic] for a good reason also blew up by mine German Officer's hut. His orderly came in at night & gave himself up. He also gave us some very good information. Shelled their machine guns. Received letter & photo from Home & Sue.
Saturday 26th. Came out into reserve trenches and was Ordley [sic] Corp.
Sunday 27th. Stood to arms at three a.m. nothing doing so we turned in again half past five. Turks made an attack on our left received a trench, but our boys soon had them out again. We received a bomb this morning into our midst & knocked out nine, all main body men. One killed remainder gone to hospital
Monday 28th Stood to arms 3 A.M. Resting the remainder of the day, S.M. hit with shrapnel & I assisted him to amberlance [sic] Heard of party landing between this place Gaba Tepe & Cape Helles & Turks doing heavy firing.
Tuesday 29th. Firing trench 2 P.M. & relieved Sixth Hauraki. Turks after doing a lot of Allah Allah made an attack on both our right & left but after getting well filled up with spirits they came at us in mass but our boys mowed them down & held their ground.
16th Coy did not fire a shot the whole night, & we were very sorry for we were looking for an attack & I was already with bombs in my hand for the occasion.
Wensday 30th. Still in firing trench at two P.M.& went into reserved trenches, heavy firing during the night.
[JULY]
Thursday 1st. Relieved at 2 P.M. by Haurakis & we retired to general reserve bivouac.
Friday 2nd. In bivouac resting, heard that Tomies at Cape Helles have gained a lot of ground. Turks lost 1,500 dead. Have heard that Turk losses here the other night was 700 & ours four privates & a Major killed.
Saturday 3rd. Reported to doctor & excused duty but as two of our N.C.O.s have gone to Hospital I will go on duty as we are going into firing trench this afternoon. The Turks have just thrown a bomb into our midst but the fuse fell out rolling down the hill & never went off. I got it & gave it to Colonel Young.
Sunday 3th.[4th] Been in firing trench & have just been relieved . Had very successful night in trenches. Received parcel of book from Mr Collett also got parcel of towel for Don Lane from Miss E. Albury & I being the only one left in the section have taken it. Our destroyer have just captured a German submarine & can see her being towed into the shore after having chased her about an hour.
Monday 5th. Relieved from reserve trenches & we took up our position in reserve bivouac. Blew up German officers hut last night.
Tuesday 6th. On fatigue in morning, on guard at night head of sap.
Wensday 7th. Went to doctor & excused duty but went .....? Took over in firing trench from Hauraki for twentyfour hours but Otago relieved Auckland on Thursday & they relieved us in the trenches eight P.M.
Thursday 8th. Went down to G. R. bivouac for spell, not off twelve hours before on fatigue
Friday 9th. On fatigue for four hours in morning. [?] P. done up in the afternoon & could not eat.
Saturday 10th. Went to doctor in the morning & he sent me to Hospital at Lemnos put on trawler & landed half past six at the Island put into hospital & on milk diet.
Sunday 11th. Just eleven weeks today since we landed on Gaba Tepi [sic] & how I sit and think as I look across the harbour full of all sort of ships.
Monday 12th. Seen doctor & have to keep to nothing but milk & feel bad. Sending card. The big liner Aquitania is lying in the harbour.
Thursday 13th, In hospital & feeling very weak went & seen Turkish prisoners working had a walk through the village bought some fruit & it was a treat.
Wensday 14th Put on to ordinary diet but could not stand it & was put back on to milk. Had a swim & it was tip-top.
Thursday 15th Went out in a boat to get stores from some of the steamers to take back to Gaba Tepe & succeeded after trying three from the ship's store Minawaski [???] & the trip we enjoyed.
Friday 16th Lying in bed this morning I seen the Muritania [Mauritania] steaming into the harbour like a fine sight loaded with troops. Had a swim in the evening.
Saturday 17th. Day passed very quietly
Sunday 18th. Doctor orders me for convelesent [sic] tomorrow, went out walking & feel much better.
Monday 19th. Went & tried to get a boat to go for a sail but did not succeed, came back had dinner & went out again& succeeded in getting over to cruisers Prince George, had a good time. Went to convelesent camp in car.
Tuesday 20th. Very windy day (Greek Parliament opens today) with dust blowing everywhere. After dinner we McKenzie & I went for a sail to H.M.S. Swiftshore [Swiftsure?] & got a box of provisions from their canteen. The sailors made tea for us & after having a good time we pushed off for the shore at nine P.M.
Wensday 21st. Mac & I sorted our goods out & then went up a gully & had a shave & bath in a spring running out of rocks. Reported to doctor this morning with old complaint & put on milk.
Thursday 22nd. Three of us paraded to doctor to be examined so as we could get back to unit & he considered some time before he said fit. Took goods to Mudros in car & walk back.
Friday 23rd. Left convalesent two P.M. Went by trawler & boarded Arigon H. Q. boat after about hours minesweeper came alongside & on her we got , & at present steaming along towards Anzac past Lemnos Island just getting dark. Muritanio [Mauritania] just gone before us
Saturday 24th. Arrived at Anzac Cove two A.M. Proceeded to Coy at Courtenay's Post. After being there about two hours I took bad & had to be led to a bivouac & after lying down for a while I came round. Did nothing the rest of the day except went down to the beach for basket of food with Drumm. [?] Bert & Mac. I was very much surprised to meet Bert Robbins & Bert Potts which gave me great pleasure.
Sunday 25th. Stood too at morning & was relieved from Courtenay's Post by Otago & we went down to our bivouac in the afternoon. We are General reserves to Courtenay's.
Monday 26th. Had lecture by C.O. Went down for a swim with Bert but had to cut it short as the Turks was shelling strong.
Tuesday 27th Ordderly Corp. bussy [sic] day.
Wensday 28th.Went up to Courtenay's in reserve to Otago, & them having to many men I had to bring my section back and it was very hot. Was ordered to go on guard at H. Q. with three men but after having reported to Adj was told the guard did not mount until twenty four hours later. fooled once again
Thursday 29th, On fatigue carting timber from beach to Courtenay's & cooked duff for dinner, it was tip-top.
Friday 30th After dinner fourty [sic] of us went up to Courtenay's & straight into the fire trenches, I am in charge of No 2 Gr. of No. 1 Sect. with seven men for twenty four hours (Saturday) and hope to be relieved shortly as our time is up. Enemy shelled our trenches very bad last night with little damage.
[AUGUST]
Sunday 1st Courtenay's Post went down to bivouac two P.M.
Monday 2nd Auck. Batt. Takes over Courtenay's & we proceeded here 2 P.M.
Tuesday 3rd Relieved the 15th from fire trenches at 8 A.M. Very quiet day demonstrate at night, enemy fire heavy.
Wensday 4th. relieved from fire trenches & are in reserve.
Thursday 5th. Issued with iron rations N.C.Os lectured by O.C. Big move expected in day or two received mail seven letters first for five weeks as they were marked wounded and sent to hospital. three from home and three from Sue and photo. & one from Gay. We moved from Courtenay's to a position at the foot of Walker's hill leaving 10 P.M and arrived half p. one A.M. bivouac in scrub from view of enemy & expect to make a big charge tonight and attack on left of Walker's as Mounteds & Maoris take our post. Auck. reinforcements to Well.- Cant. & Otago. Gurkhas on left & Tomies [sic] on left of them. It is now about five P.M. & just had tea of pies [?] & water. Everyone is busy cleaning & oiling his rifle, & preparing for the great fray. Every one seems happy. Talking & laughing of what they expect to do during the night.
Saturday 7th. Arrived at head of Gully at six AM after travelling about four miles going all night. Passed mounted men's position, they had great victory. Auck Batt. got into position and charged, hell on earth going across flat of about two hundred yds losses heavy. I am very thankful to get my position. we took a Turkish trench and at present are holding it.
Sunday 8th. In trench we captured. Three A.M. Otago and several coy of Tommies advanced over our trenches & not a shot was heard untill [sic] they got within a hundred yds of Turkish position which is on top of hill & a very heavy fire was meet from enemy which held them at bay & had to dig in. We captured machine gun & seven Turks.
Monday 9th heavy firing last night we are holding firm. I was on guard in sap
Tuesday 10th fighting heavy this morning & reinforced last night by mounted men, Tommies & the Fifth reinforcements. Some terrible wounds passing back over.
Wensday 11th Got relieved from trenches by Tommies & had four hours rest. Five next morning Turks attacked & Tommies retired letting us down.
Thursday 12th Relieved Tommies from firing line & I had charge of outpost. Twentyone men. expected a charge but never came off & was relieved Otago dead beat.
[Diary Ends]
Last Page
No 8 Section
16 Platoon
Ac Cop (12/774) Kemp W.D.
Private (12/807) McConnell F.
12/893 Young L.V.
12/875 Spencer M.
12/1517 Thompson W.
12/775 Miller H.
12/ ?? Glynn E. A/H
12/830 Piper D.V.
12/878 Tribe L.
12/838 Page W.J.
12/758 Hayward R. W.
12/1062 Tempany [?] G. A.
12/847 Randall H. J. R.
12/799 Morton R. H.
|