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Wednesday 1st September, 1915
Had to be up at 6 a.m. and on parade at 6.45 a.m. when orders were read
out and
we were dismissed to our various duties. On duty at hospital at 7 a.m.
about 45
patients to look after but not much trouble. Cleared patients into open
this morning
while we thoroughly aired and disinfected tents. After dinner did some
writing and
went for swim which had to be short as enemy started putting shells on
beach. Put
patients back in tent just before tea. After tea the Canteen stores were
divided out,
the officers having handed what they had taken back again. We all took
an equal
share, value 9s/10d, pretty good value, easily sold what I did not want
at same price
as sold to me, to English Tommies. Off duty 7 p.m. lights out 9 p.m.
Thursday 2nd September 1915
Up at 6 a.m. On parade 6.45 a.m. orders read out, also little news, our
submarines
seem to be giving Turks beans in the sea of Marmora and all round their
coast line.
Cleared patients out of hospital after breakfast and took down tents to
let sun get at
the ground, also told we were not allowed to smoke whilst on duty which
means from
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and any other time they like to call us, have not taken
any notice of
order today as it has not been read out in orders as it should be. These
are acts of
petty spite on account of our stand against officers over canteen stores.
Also bread
issue has been stopped since dispute, have to eat biscuits. Put hospital
tent up this
afternoon and finished work at 7 p.m.
Friday 3rd September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade at 6.45 a.m. and on duty 7 a.m. About forty patients
today.
Just one of our ordinary days, hot, plenty of flies and our ordinary routine
when there
is no attack of importance. Received a letter from England also parcel
of writing
paper and envelopes, also received news of torpedoing of "Southland"
with portion
of Australian 6th Brigade on board, she got into Lemnos under own steam,
but lost
some men, (reported slight loss) evidently through a little panic on board.
Among
those lost was Brigadier General Linton who died after rescue. Had swim
after
dinner. Few shells came over but no damage done. Off duty 7 p.m.
Saturday 4th September, 1915
Up 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. when orders were read out and on duty 7
a.m.
About 45 patients today a lot of our fellows are suffering from festering
sores on
arms and legs, they get very bad, it has earned the name of Barkoo Rot
here
although I don't know if it is the original disease, certainly they spread
and are of a
very disagreeable nature to the sufferers. Heard of capture of an Austrian
submarine in Suvla bay right opposite our position, one of our boys who
was at
Embros, saw it towed into harbour there two days ago. He says our ships
have
captured six of them lately. A cruiser put few shells in Turks trenches
this evening.
Could see them burst right in trenches. Off duty about 7.30 p.m.
Sunday 5th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade at 6.45 a.m. orders read out also little news of
war.
Nineteen weeks today since the landing here. On duty 7 a.m. about forty-five
patients today. Ordinary routine today with the usual amount of shelling
both from
Turks and by our own guns until 6 p.m. when cruiser, destroyer and two
monitors put
a number of shells into a Turkish trench on a hill above us and which
is quite visible
to us, the shells simply blew the trench to pieces, but enemy built it
up again during
night. Went for swim this afternoon, rather heavy sea but enjoyable weather,
very
hot. Off duty about 7.30 p.m.
Monday 6th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. orders read out also information concerning
a local
success on knoll 60 on our left. This success won by Connaught Rangers,
Australian 4th Infantry Brigade, some New Zealand rifles and I believe
10th
Australian Light Horse left knoll 60 in our hands and a complete gain
of 400 square
acres of new territory. Fairly quiet during morning, few shells rather
close about
dinner time. Another of our tent division sent away with Pneumonia today
making
total 8 away and 6 of us left, one of whom is a reinforcement. Captain
Dawson has
also been transferred to Headquarters as acting D.A.D.M.S. Have started
today
assisting the dentist Captain Finn who is attached to our corps, still
have my other
duties to do. Knocked off work about 8 p.m.
Tuesday 7th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. orders read out also little news regarding
some
Russian successes. On duty 7 a.m. About 45 patients today. After getting
through
their breakfast and going round with doctor Captain Jeffries, I assisted
Captain Finn
with his dental patients, 8 of them this morning, extractions and temporary
fillings,
kept me going till dinner time. After dinner fixed up our patients and
went for swim,
have to cross nearly mile of open country on way to beach and in full
view of Turks
on hill 971. Sometimes they put shrapnel over if a number of men go over
together,
it is too far to hit us with rifle bullet unless they are extremely lucky.
Enemy
aeroplane flew over this evening. Off duty 7.30 p.m.
Wednesday 8th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade at 6.45 a.m. orders read out and on duty at hospital
at 7 a.m.
About 45 patients today. During morning enemy put some big shells over
us, some
burst within 200 yards of us, went over our heads, they were what we call
Jack
Johnsons. Shortly after enemy aeroplane flew over but went away again
very
quickly. Our planes were up during day making observations. Have slight
headache
today. After dinner did little writing. Cruiser and a howitzer battery
close to us put a
few shells into enemy's lines this evening, also cruiser a little further
down coast and
a monitor put some shells on Achi-baba, could see them bursting, must
have been
shells from their big guns by explosion and smoke. Off duty at 7 p.m.
Was assisting
dentist this morning.
Thursday 9th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade at 6.45 a.m. orders read out and little news. On
duty 7 a.m.
Shortly after breakfast enemy aeroplane flew over us at a great height
and dropped
two bombs, one dropped about hundred yards from us and other on flat country
between us and sea, neither did any damage. Assisted the dentist for about
an hour
this morning, took out few teeth. After dinner went for swim then asisted
dentist till
about 5 p.m. Could see cruiser and observation balloon to south, cruiser
evidently
shelling Achi-baba or its approaches, could not see shells landing. Things
fairly
quiet on our front this last few days, just an occasional rally of rifle
fire and few
shells. Off duty 7 p.m.
Friday 10th September,
1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. orders read out and roll call, on duty
at 7 a.m.
Forty-nine patients today, after breakfast assisted dentist for about
an hour and
helped in hospital till dinner time, after dinner saw to patients then
went for swim.
Not quite so hot today but flies still troublesome. Assisted dentist again
for about
half an hour this afternoon. Light shower this evening so made my dugout
waterproof in case of rain during night. Off duty 7 p.m. Smart rally of
rifle fire about
7.30 p.m. on our left, also our batteries fired a few rounds. I have heard
today that
orders are out for us to be relieved for a spell at Lemnos.
Saturday 11th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade at 6.45 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. After breakfast
went
round with doctor (Captain Welch) he discharged some and sent others to
Lemnos,
altogether we got rid of 15 patients out of about 48, from 11 a.m. till
12.30 noon I
assisted the dentist to do some extractions and temporary fillings after
which I had
dinner. Has been very quiet this afternoon assisted dentist from 4 p.m.
till 5 p.m.
then had tea. About 6 p.m. a destroyer came close in and put few shells
in enemy's
trenches, enemy replied, almost hitting destroyer. Cruiser put few shells
in about
7.30 p.m. Has been a windy and dusty day far from pleasant. Is getting
cold at
nights now. Off duty at 7 p.m.
Sunday 12th September, 1915
20 weeks since landing. Up at 6 a.m. on parade at 6.45 a.m. orders read
out to
pack up and be ready to move as when final orders come only get 2 hours
notice.
Think we are going away for rest. On duty 7 a.m. Packing up hospital equipment
ready for moving, all day, still have 20 patients so did not take tents
down. Not
much firing all day until nearly 6 p.m. We had a church service at 6 p.m.
I attended,
it was conducted by Padre from E. Anglican R.A.M.C, very nice service,
all the time
an artillery duel was in progress between our ships and batteries and
the Turks, we
were situated between the two lots of artillery and the shells were crossing
over our
heads, lasted till about 7 p.m. Enemy's guns did no damage. Was talking
to some
E. Anglican R.A.M.C men camped next to us, all privates, one was a minister,
one
from Cambridge University and the other a graduate from Oxford, very decent
chaps. Turned in at 9 p.m.
Monday 13th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. orders read out viz:- to finish packing,
clear up and
to stand fast ready to leave any time though it was not expected we would
leave till
tonight. After breakfast went round with doctor cleared all our patients
but four, went
on packing up till dinner time. Just before dinner some order came and
we were
ordered to stand fast for another 48 hours, just after dinner this order
was cancelled
we did not know what we were to do so went for swim. At tea time no one
seemed
to know what we were to do so we just stood by, till we were informed
not moving
tonight so turned in about 8 p.m. Been very quiet day, few shells, nothing
to speak
of. Rained sharply this morning for an hour but was lovely day afterwards.
Tuesday 14th September, 1915
Up at 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. No patients today, all cleared out. Took
hospital
tent down this morning and cleaned up all round. At 2 p.m. we vacated
our dugouts
and took our equipment down to the track below, so that the 7th Field
Ambulance
which is relieving us could get into our position during afternoon. Sat
down on our
kits on track all afternoon, was lovely day and not much firing. At 9
p.m. mule carts
came and we loaded our panniers and medical comfort cases and stores and
sent
them ahead, then shouldered our packs and equipment and set out to Brighton
pier
at Anzac, through sapps nearly all the way about three miles or little
over. Arrived at
pier about 11 p.m. and sat down in gully to wait for our boat.
Wednesday 15th September, 1915
At 2 a.m. received orders to get aboard a lighter and we were towed out
to a
transport the Osmanieh which was already full of troops who had been relieved.
Eventually got aboard and had to stand in alley-ways between cabins below.
Got all
our panniers and stores aboard, then managed to curl up and get couple
of hours
sleep on floor of alley-way. Ship did not get all stores on till 8.20
a.m., when we
moved out and arrived at Lemnos about 11.30 a.m. A river steamer the Waterwitch
came alongside and took off all troops except those to unload stores.
I was left
behind to help unload our stores and panniers. Waterwitch alongside again
about 8
p.m. when we put all stores aboard her and went alongside wharf.
Thursday 16th September, 1915
Slept on Waterwitch all night uncomfortable on a seat. Up at 5 a.m. and
commenced unloading on to wharf. Sent some of our men to canteen ashore
to buy
something for breakfast, had nothing to eat hardly since leaving peninsular.
Finished unloading about 9 a.m. and left guard over stores, then set out
for camp
about 2 miles inland, about half mile from camp had to cross swamp of
nearly half
mile, almost up to waist in water in places. Reached camp about 10.30
a.m.. No
tents for us yet, rain poured down for an hour about midday, wet everything
through,
managed to keep my bed dry. Met Stan Cohen of 5th Battalion after dinner,
had
various fatigue duties to do and then gathered some bracken to sleep on,
to keep off
wet ground. Turned in at 7 p.m.
Friday 17th September, 1915
Was awake most of night, wind blew a hurricane and as we were lying on
flat open
country without tents or even shelter from any irregularity of ground,
was hard job to
keep a blanket round us. Half numbed with cold got out of my blanket about
6.30
a.m., wind still blowing a gale. Had breakfast and set out at 8 a.m. for
wharf to act
as guard on our stores there until they can be brought up to camp. Reached
wharf
about 9 a.m. and at 9.30 a.m. 3 carts came, loaded them and sent them
to camp.
Loaded 6 other wagons at intervals, finished and started back for camp
about 3 p.m.
Had to cross swamp both ways. Lemnos harbour full of ships of all kinds,
the
Aquitania, Englands largest liner is in as a hospital ship. Laid my bed
out in open
and turned in about 7 p.m. absolutely dead beat.
Saturday 18th September, 1915
Slept well all night and woke about 6.30 a.m. First proper nights rest
this week. Had
breakfast then had to go on wood fatigue, carting wood on stretchers for
our cooks,
had to go to Army Service for it, about mile away. Also on water fatigue
today, have
to bring water for cooks, for each meal, from well about mile away. Pleasant
day
with regards to weather. Our camp is situated in a nice position in a
valley
surrounded by hills, the land looks fertile and has been cultivated, round
us dotted
amongst the hills are little villages, very quaint and old fashioned to
look at, they are
inhabited by Greeks mostly, also windmills are scattered about for grinding
the corn
they grow. Have not been in a village yet. Saw ship on fire in harbour
today.
Sunday 19th September, 1915
Up about 7 a.m. this morning, beautiful day, very hot, still sleeping
in open, no tents
yet. Put morning in on fatigue work round camp, went for swim just before
dinner,
wrote couple of short letters after dinner and straightened up round camp.
Received
some letters just before tea. After tea a couple of us went for walk over
the hills,
walked for about 3 miles, came to a village and had a look round it. Very
old type of
village everything of the crudest, the people seem pretty clean and are
of a shy
nature not at all like the Egyptians, they seem very industrious, some
of the children
are pretty youngsters, tried to buy some butter but could not get any,
returned to
camp about 8 p.m. and turned in.
Monday 20th September,
1915
Up about 7 a.m. had breakfast, 2 eggs and bacon, enjoyed it fine. Had
to attend the
sick parade this morning at 9 a.m. about a dozen men turned up between
9 a.m. and
11 a.m., mostly with the Barkoo sores which I fomented and dressed for
them.
General leave was granted from 12 noon till 6.30 p.m. so I went for a
walk to another
village about a mile and half away. A good number of our troops were looking
round, everything about the village was quite ancient. Watched an old
man a
carpenter I suppose making ploughs of the old primitive type. A few shops
were
selling goods, evidently opened since the troops came here and probably
came from
Castro the chief town and port of the island and which I believe is only
few miles
away. Returned to camp for tea and turned in about 7 p.m.
Tuesday 21st September, 1915
Reveille at 6 a.m. this morning and a parade at 7 a.m. with half an hours
physical
exercise before breakfast. Our boys paraded again at 9.30 a.m. and marched
off to
be inspected by General Godley who complimented the corps on its work
while on
the peninsula. I missed this parade as I was on ration fatigue at 10.45
a.m. and had
to go with others to draw rations for the corps from Army Service Corps.
During
afternoon had more fatigue duty getting our camp fixed up. Tried to write
a letter but
was so windy had to give it up, have not got any tents yet. After tea
took a walk to
5th Battalion lines and saw Stan Cohen, sat talking till about 8 o'clock
when I went
back and turned in.
Wednesday 22nd September, 1915
Reveille at 6 a.m. and parade at 7 a.m. Physical exercise till 7.30 a.m.
and then
breakfast. After breakfast had to go for water for cooks to well nearly
mile away, got
back and did some pick and shovel work, digging drains and road making
till 12
noon. After dinner made another trip for water then settled down and did
my best to
write a letter, it was awfully windy and very chilly in the open. Had
tea at 5 p.m. after
which another trip for water, two dixies each time and it is a good carry.
Managed to
get through with my writing after getting back, then sat talking for an
hour or so
before turning in. Awfully windy tonight.
Thursday 23rd September, 1915
Reveille at 6 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. physical exercise till 7.30 a.m. then
breakfast
and a yarn till 10 a.m. when paraded again and were detailed off for more
fatigue
work. Was on pick and shovel digging large drains round our camp till
12 noon,
fairly solid work, then went with party to Headquarters and brought back
six bell tents
which were erected during the afternoon under difficulties as it was still
blowing a
gale. Received a parcel today; muffler, mittens, handkerchiefs, etc. Nine
of us were
allotted to each bell tent during afternoon, glad to get out of wind.
Paraded at 6.30
p.m. for roll call, have to do this every night. Had yarn with boys in
tent and turned in
about 9 p.m.
Friday 24th September, 1915
Reveille at 6 a.m. on parade at 7 a.m. physical exercise till 7.30 a.m.
After breakfast
was on duty at sick parade at 9 a.m., was busy till about 11 a.m. Received
a pipe
and tobacco this morning from Lady Hamiltons gifts. After dinner attended
sick
parade again, plenty of foments to be done, after finishing which I settled
down and
did some writing till tea time. After tea sick parade again and parade
for roll call at
6.30 p.m after which I was finished for day. Weather still keeps windy
and fairly
chilly, quite warm in our tent at night. We are here ostensibly for a
rest but up to
present have had fair amount of fatigue work to do, still more to be done.
Turned in
about 9 p.m.
Saturday 25th September, 1915
Reveille at 6.30 a.m. on parade 7 a.m roll call and physical exercise
drill till 7.30 a.m.
Had breakfast, 2 eggs and bacon every morning now. At 10 a.m. paraded
and put
on fatigue work, pick and shovel again digging drains and making roads.
Kept at
these till 12 noon when dismissed.
After dinner started writing and kept at it till tea time. Weather still
windy, but
moderated slightly. Some of the boys out of our camp went to Thermos about
6
miles away for a bath at the hot springs which are of volcanic origin.
Also some
went to Castro, hope to go myself when get leave. Two hydroplanes flew
over this
evening evidently being tested. Paraded at 6.30 p.m. for roll call and
turned in about
9 p.m.
Sunday 26th September, 1915
Reveille at 6.30 a.m. on parade at 7 a.m. roll call and physical drill
till 7.30 a.m. On
water fatigue today. Have to go three times for water, after breakfast,
after dinner
and after tea, two dixies each time to be carried almost a mile. All men
not on
special fatigue at liberty after breakfast till 6.30 p.m. No morning fatigue.
Orders out
today that Castro is out of bounds and no passes to be issued. Also heard
rumour
that Greece had declared war on the side of the Allies. Rather suprised
no church
service provided for. Lay down and read all afternoon and after tea did
my last trip
for the day for water. Talked together in tent till about 9 p.m when made
our beds
and turned in.
Monday 27th September, 1915
Reveille at 6 a.m. and parade at 7 a.m. with physical drill till 7.30.
Had breakfast, put
our beds out to air and paraded at 10 a.m. when we went for a route march
under
Captain Jeffries (acting Adjutant) Marched to a village and Captain Jeffries
dismissed us for twenty minutes while we had a look round. Paraded when
time
was up and marched back to camp in time for dinner. Had little read this
afternoon
then had to go with party to headquarters for two hospital tents. This
evening our
Brigade 4th held a concert in the open and entertained the New Zealand
Regiments
and some Canadian Hospital staff. General Monash presided and we passed
a
pleasant evening finishing and turning in at 9.30 p.m.
Tuesday 28th September, 1915
Reveille at 6.30 a.m. and on parade at 7 a.m. with physical drill till
7.30 a.m. Last
night General Monash anounced a British victory along 50 miles of the
western front,
our troops still being very active, also the Russians have stemmed the
German tide.
At 11 a.m. this morning had to go with party for rations after which I
finshed for day.
This afternoon Captain Jeffries gave us a "soccer" football
which had been sent to
him from Egypt so we had a good rough and tumble till tea time. After
tea I went to
a concert held by the New Zealanders some good items were given also some
fine
tributes were paid by the officers during their speeches to the men and
the British
Navy.
Wednesday 29th September, 1915
Reveille at 6.30 a.m. and on parade at 7 a.m. Physical drill till 7.30
a.m. then
breakfast. After breakfast four of us had leave for day so set out for
Therma for hot
bath at the sulpher mineral spring baths. Were talking to two French officers
who
overtook us on horseback and they asked us to sing Tipperary. Arrived
at Therma
which is about 6 miles from our camp had our bath and had dinner. Bread,
tomatoes and an omelette. Then proceeded on to a large village about 1
1/2 miles
away. The male populace are very friendly but the females seem frightened
and
keep right away from us. Had tea at this village, steak and an omelette,
then set out
back for camp, arrived about 7 p.m. The country is very wild, almost treeless,
magnificent hills with lovely fertile valleys.
Thursday 30th September, 1915
Reveille at 6.30 a.m. and on parade at 7 a.m. Physical drill till 7.30
a.m. then
breakfast, had to go for couple of dixies of water as I am on water fatigue
today. At
10 a.m. general assemebly for our corps and drill by the O.C. Major Meickle
for 15
minutes and 15 minutes by the section officers, ours being Captain Welch.
This drill
is ceremonial parade drill. Dismissed after this till dinner time. After
dinner had to
go for two more dixies of water when I was finished till after tea so
settled down and
did some writing till tea time. After tea did another trip for water and
then played
football till dark. Made bed and turned in 9.30 p.m.
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