Wednesday 1st March, 1916

Were not disturbed till 7 a.m. this morning and had breakfast 8 a.m. Was on ration fatigue to-day. Went to A.S.C. and loaded our wagons with provisions, fodder etc. and back for dinner. On parade 2.30 p.m. and had squad drill and signalling till 4.30 p.m. Very hot day today. Old battle field of Tel-el- Kebir only few hundred yards away. Tucker seems very scarce. This is an immense camp. Parade and roll call at 5 p.m. Turned in 8 p.m., lights out 10 p.m.


Thursday 2nd March, 1916

Page 13 of 69 Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m. roll call etc. and physical drill till 7.30. Breakfast 8 a.m. and on parade at 9 a.m. Worked hard till 12.30 noon erecting tents and making camp. After dinner started work again 2 p.m. and worked hard till 5 p.m. Been very hard day, tucker rotten, hardly enough to maintain life. Pitched officer's mess. Did not finish our own as did not start on them till after 4 p.m. No system as long as officers comfortable. Feel done up tonight and turned in 8 p.m. and lights out 10 p.m.


Friday 3rd March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call etc. and physical drill till 7.30. On parade again 9.30 a.m. Pick and shovel work levelling ground for tents and camp, real navvy work. Knocked off at 12 noon for dinner. Back at it at 2 p.m. still digging and pitching tents. Sun very hot today, got burnt a bit and ready for a spell when knocked off at 4 p.m. Got our own tents this evening. My brother Harry came to see me tonight and stayed till 9 p.m. Had yarn and turned in 9.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Saturday 4th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. Started giving us tea at 6.30 a.m. this morning, but have to buy our own sugar or go without. On parade 6.45 a.m., shifted the Sgt's mess tent by 7.30 a.m. After breakfast on parade again 9.30 a.m. and on general fatigue till 12 noon. On parade again 2 p.m., more fatigue digging drains and loading wagons with sand till 4 p.m. when dismissed, been disagreeable day, close and windy. Are not getting too much tucker since arriving at this camp. Wrote some letters after tea and turned in 8.30. Lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 5th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., had run over the desert and knocked off for breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Church parade at 9 a.m. When we got back to camp had to do some more sand shovelling till dinner time. O.C. condescended to allow us the afternoon off so took the chance to visit my brother Harry of the 60th Batt. Spent the afternoon together and had a feed of sausages and eggs. Back at camp at 5.30 p.m. After tea spent the evening writing for tomorrow's mail. Turned in 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Monday 6th March, 1916

Had a restless night, evidently caught a cold and coughed a good deal. Reveille at 6 a.m. and on parade 6.45 a.m. Roll call, orders and gargle then fell out and went on sick parade. Capt. Powell told me to have a rest and look after myself. Breakfast at 8 a.m. Took some medicine and kept myself warm, did a little writing. Very warm day again, troops arriving continuously. Loafed in the tent this afternoon, went to pictures in camp this evening at 6.30 p.m. In bed 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Tuesday 7th March, 1916

Had good night's sleep and woke at Reveille at 6 a.m. On parade 6.45 a.m., orders, roll call and gargle. On sick parade again. Capt. Welch (promoted Major) had a look at me, gave me medicine and told me to take things quietly, nothing except cold wrong with me. Loafed about tent and did some writing. This afternoon B. section had thorough medical examination. C. section of our corps have Page 14 of 69 been transferred to 12th Field Amb. Only have 2 sections now. Brother Harry came to see me tonight. In bed 9.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Wednesday 8th March, 1916

Feel much better this morning. Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then physical drill till 7.30 a.m. On parade again 9.30 a.m. stretcher drill and signalling till 10.30 a.m. then good lecture by Major Clayton on Venereal diseases and consequences till 11.15 a.m. and signalling till 12 noon. At 1.30 p.m. our A. section had thorough dental exam. My teeth all good. Major Welch took us for route march, back in camp 4 p.m. and dismissed. Tea at 5 p.m., spent evening reading. Turned in 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Thursday 9th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. and on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, then fell out, did our own sick parade with Major Clayton. Am in charge of our tent division staff as Cpl. Chisholm on leave. Battalion sick parades at 9 a.m. with Major Welch, took in six patients, worked hard all day, getting hospital fixed up and in working order and looking after our patients, we are very short handed. Going for all I was worth till 8 p.m. Been lovely day. Had to send one patient to No. 2 Staty Hosp. at 6 p.m. to be operated on as he developed acute appendicitis. Turned in 9 p.m. pretty tired. Lights out 10 p.m.

Friday 10th March, 1916

Reveille at 6 a.m. and on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, then on hospital duty. Patients' breakfast at 8 a.m. then cleaned and tidied hospital tent for inspection by O.C. Did hospital rounds with Major Welch and fixed up other details, patients' rations etc. Busy till dinner time. After dinner cleaned up, gave out medicines and off duty at 3 p.m., so got tub and had a good bath. After tea I went to see my brother in the 60th Batt. A.I.F. Also saw Lieut. Grounds. Back at camp and turned in 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Saturday 11th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then on hospital duty at 7 a.m. Breakfast at 8 a.m. then cleaned up for inspection by O.C. Did sick parade at 9 a.m. with Capt. Jeffries, admitted several more patients, very busy till dinner time. After dinner cleaned up, did dressings etc. and gave out medicines. Off duty at 3 p.m. Did some writing till tea time. After tea did some more writing till bed time at 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 12th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then on hospital duty. Breakfast 8 a.m. then cleaned up for inspection by O.C., dressings and medicine. After dinner gave out medicines again and off duty 3 p.m. Writing till tea time. After tea wrote three more letters. Rumours flying about of move to France before many weeks. No. 1 and 2 Divisions supposed to be embarking along Suez Canal. Turned into bed at 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Monday 13th March, 1916

Page 15 of 69 Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then on hospital duty at 7 a.m. Very hot day again. Rumours are afloat that the 1st and 2nd Aust. Div. are embarking for France or England. Cleaned up after breakfast for inspection by O.C. then gave out medicines and did dressings. Off duty at 3 p.m. Things are awfully dull for us here. After tea went along to see my brother Harry, also saw Lieut. Grounds, talking to him for hour or so in his tent. Back at camp and in bed 9.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Tuesday 14th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. Roll call, orders and gargle and on hospital duty 7 a.m. Three of the boys from our tent gone to Cairo for the day. Same daily routine of hospital work. Short handed, only five of us to do hospital night and day instead of ten of us. Quite a number of our chaps doing pack drill for overstaying their Cairo leave, the boys are a bit discontented over various matters. Six of B. section were circumcised today, advised at medical inspection. Had walk along camp this evening but saw no one I knew. In bed 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Wednesday 15th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then fell out. Am on duty today from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. so had morning free. Am very discontented myself, our O.C. being rarely seen being drunk most of the time. He awards maximum punishments for the slightest offences and allows other officers to do as they please. Our officers (doctors) treat lots of cases in a purely experimental way, consequently unnecessary work not always congenial is thrown on us in the hospital, half staffed as we are. On duty 3 p.m., usual routine, hot day. Brother Harry came to see me tonight, shifted 58th Batt. Off duty 10 p.m., turned in.


Thursday 16th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. Roll call, orders and gargle then free till 3 p.m. when on hospital duty. Very hot day again. B. sect. inoculated yesterday for Para-Typhoid, some very sick. Very dull and dreary here, heat oppressive. Applied again this morning for brother Harry's transfer to our unit. On duty 3 p.m. Took temperatures at 4 p.m., sixteen patients, tea at 5 p.m. Cleaned up, gave out medicines and did dressings. At 8 p.m. made cocoa for patients and fixed them up for night. Officers in camp tonight all drunk. Off duty 10 p.m., turned in.


Friday 17th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. Roll call, orders and gargle. Tent inspection by O.C. 9.15 a.m., ours been best tent since we've been here. Rotten day, heat terrible, wind violent, sand in clouds, flies, sand flies and mosquitoes a real pest. Major Clayton left us yesterday, returning I believe to Australia in charge of hospital ships, not coming back I understand. Mess sheds built for us, tables and forms used for officers and other purposes so sheds useless. On duty 3 p.m. till 10 p.m. hospital work. Inoculated at 4.30 p.m. against Para-Typhoid, arm a bit sore tonight. Turned in when relieved at 10 p.m.


Saturday 18th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Our section resting today on account of effects of inoculation, had to do our hospital work. Most of boys pretty sick, not too good myself. Was on hospital duty from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m. Usual routine, rotten windy day again. When relieved at 3 Page 16 of 69 p.m. had a lie down till tea-time. About fifty reinforcements arrived this evening for our corps. Feeling bit better about 6 o'clock, so went along to the pictures till 8.30 p.m., back and in bed by 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 19th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Off duty till 3 p.m. Major Welch and W.O. Baber took reinforcements out for early morning parade and started breaking them in. About 9.30 a.m. my brother Harry arrived at our camp having been transferred to our unit. Major Welsh sent for me and spoke to me about him, put Harry in the tent division with me. On duty 3 p.m., usual hospital routine, about eighteen patients, relieved at 10 p.m. Harry in our (A) section and is in my tent. Had bit of yarn and went to sleep.

Monday 20th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then off duty till 3 p.m. Life here practically same every day. Every morning we clean our tent thoroughly and make it tidy all round for inspection by O.C. who says it has been best in the lines since arrival at Tel-el-Kebir. Artillery practising from today for ten days with live shell, watching some burst this morning. Took Harry on duty with me at 3 p.m. usual routine, Temp. Tea, Cleaning up, Med. and dressings and Cocoa at 8 p.m. Relieved and turned in at 10 p.m.


Tuesday 21st March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. and on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle and on duty at 7 a.m. Harry on same shift as myself. Breakfast at 8 a.m., cleaned up for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. then gave out medicines, admitted about half doz new patients and did dressings, foments etc., kept real busy right up to dinner time. After dinner cleaned up again, medicines and more dressings until 3 p.m. when relieved. Artillery practising again today. Spent quiet night reading and writing till in bed 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Wednesday 22nd March, 1916

Reveille at 6 a.m. and on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle and on hospital duty 7 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. then cleaned up. Camp beautifully clean today, expected inspection by A.D.M.S., also unofficial inspection by H.R.H. Prince of Wales. A.D.M.S. did not turn up. Just having dinner when H.R.H. Prince of Wales rode past accompanied by Gen's Birdwood and Murray and others. Looked very young. Off duty 3 p.m. and had a rest. Very hot today. Wrote some letters tonight and turned in 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Thursday 23rd March, 1916

Reveille at 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On hospital duty 7 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and cleaned up for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. after which Major Welch went round patients, admitted and discharged some. Gave out medicines and did dressings, kept busy till dinner time. After dinner gave out medicines again and off duty 3 p.m. Very hot again today. After tea did some writing and had game of cards. Turned in 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m. Page 17 of 69


Friday 24th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, on duty at hospital at 7 a.m., cleaned up after breakfast for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Major McGregor did rounds of hospital this morning. Medicines, dressings etc. occupied till dinner time, medicines again at 2 p.m. when received sudden orders evacuate all patients which we did. Fell in at 4 p.m. and were issued with khaki (slacks, trousers, Tunic (Drill) and sun Helmets. Reading after tea, expect move any day. In bed 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Saturday 25th March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, after which started packing up. Packing after breakfast till dinner time, had to have our black kit bags packed and handed in by 11 a.m. Contradictory orders flying round galore. Packing again this afternoon, expect to move off early in the morning. Very hot day again. Had bath just before tea. Spent evening reading and talking. Not allowed out of lines. In bed 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 26th March, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 5.20 a.m., took down some tents and cleaned up lines. Breakfast at 6.45 a.m. and moved out of camp at 7.30 a.m. occupying rear of column. Had ten minutes spell every hour till 12 noon when halted for dinner, having done nearly 12 miles. Rested till 3 p.m. and on move again, arrived at Mahsamah at 4.30 p.m., pitched hospital tent and bell tents for officers and bivouaked for night. Good number of men fell out on march, hot day. Dressed numerous sore feet and chafes before turning in at 9 p.m., having marched 15 miles with full packs.


Monday 27th March, 1916

Did not get up till 7 a.m. Our section (A) staying here at Mahsamah till


Saturday forming an intermediate field hospital. B section of our corps moved on at 5 a.m. with rest of column to Moascar, Ismailia, 15 miles further on. Numerous dressings again this morning, some feet, chafes etc. At midday was ordered to catch train at 2.30 p.m. back to Tel-el-Kebir to get some medical stores. Could not get train back to Mahsamah tonight so spent night with friend in 12th Field Amb. Very hot day again, feel pretty tired.


Tuesday 28th March, 1916

Had rotten night's sleep and up at 7 a.m. After breakfast caught my train at 9.13 a.m. back to Mahsamah. Back at camp at 10 a.m. Another body of troops arrived in this morning from Tel-el-Kebir and we treated 175 on sick parade, mostly blistered feet and chafes. A boiling day again. Our tucker consists of tinned bully beef, biscuits and tea. Kept very busy till 10 p.m. Couldn't have swim in sweetwater canal as it is infested with a parasite. Bivouaked in the open again tonight, turned in about 10 p.m.


Wednesday 29th March, 1916

Had good nights sleep and reveille at 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call and orders. After breakfast got our patients away on train and then cleaned up. Boiling hot day again. No shelter from sun, just Page 18 of 69 miles of sandy country. At 3.30 p.m. on parade and went for route march about six miles over desert, arrived back in camp about 5.30 p.m. At 6 p.m. another body of troops arrived, mostly 15th Brigade, 5th Div. At 7 p.m. sick and sore commenced coming in, kept going at racing speed till 1 a.m. and treated and dressed 289 cases. Turned in very tired 1.30 a.m.


Thursday 30th March, 1916

Up at 6 a.m., more sick and sore to attend to. Shortly after getting to bed at 1.30 a.m. commenced raining, fortunately not much as we have no shelter. Sand flies are biting something cruel, covered with lumps, also scorpions are numerous in the sand. Got all our patients away on the 10 a.m. train and had a big job cleaning up after them. Did a little washing after dinner. The heat very intense. Been a brawl between natives in village and soldiers, a native got very nasty knock on head laying it open, had to go up and dress it this evening. Turned in 8.30 p.m.


Friday 31st March, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m., on parade 6.45 a.m. for roll call and orders. Breakfast at 8 a.m., inspection by Major Welch 9.15 a.m. followed by sick parade. About 11 a.m. another crowd of troops arrived from Tel-el- Kebir (13th Brigade). Capt. Spruit attached to us offered to get us a few letters away so wrote a couple, only had half an hour to do it in. After dinner went to village and re-dressed the nigger's head, numerous natives came round with all kinds of complaints for treatment. Boys threw nigger in canal for stealing ammunition. Sick parade this evening and turned in 9.30 p.m.