Monday 1st May, 1916

Did not go on early morning parade, but had to be up as all tents struck to air ground. Saw Major Welch who told me to take things quietly for another day. At 9.30 a.m. general assembly called and Page 24 of 69 official notification read out of the capitulation of Gen. Townsend and over 8,000 British and Indian troops in Mesopotamia. Gave hand in hospital on light duties till 2 p.m. then went for swim, water very warm and pleasant. Had game of cards before tea at 6 p.m. Rumoured leaving on 9th of this month for Ismailia to be fitted out for France. Had yarn and turned in early. Lights out 9 p.m.


Tuesday 2nd May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On hospital duty 7 a.m., did sick parade with Capt. Hill. Breakfast 8 a.m. and cleaned up for inspection by orderly officer Capt. Bentley. Major Welch spoke to all old hands of A. section, gave advice re conduct and reinforcements. Medicines, dressings etc. followed. Dinner 1 p.m., cleaned up, medicines and off duty 2 p.m. Warm day again. Inspection of infantry of our brigade this afternooon by General Godley. Had read till tea time. Writing after tea and in bed 9 p.m. lights out.


Wednesday 3rd May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On duty at hospital 7 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. then cleaned up for inspection at 9.15 a.m. by orderly officer Capt. James. Afterwards did dressings, foments etc. Dinner at 1 p.m. then cleaned up and off duty at 2 p.m. Spent afternoon writing, very hot and flies a pest. Tea at 6 p.m. and writing all evening. Various rumours floating round, supposed to be moving off to be equipped early next week at Ismailia, also supposed to be division of Turks marching on us here at Serapeum. Turned in 8.30 p.m.


Thursday 4th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., orders, roll call and gargle. On duty 7 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and cleaned up for inspection. Last night called out at 9 p.m., issued with field dressings, bandages and iron rations. Talk of Turkish advance on this post. Very busy with dressings etc. till dinner time. Off duty 2 p.m. and went for swim, water lovely, very hot day. News of French victory on western front. Five ships passed through canal while swimming. One Australian troops on board and one French colonials. Writing after tea and in bed 8.30 p.m., lights out 9 p.m.


Friday 5th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On hospital duty 7 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. then cleaned up for inspection 9.15 a.m. Dressings, foments etc. followed after which did little washing. Very hot day. After dinner went down for swim, very enjoyable in the water, thousands in swimming, like holiday resort. Back for tea at 6 p.m. after which had read till 8 p.m. when Major Welch gave us lecture till 9.15 p.m. when we turned in.


Saturday 6th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. A C. section being added to our corps again, names of Officers, N.C.O.s and men allotted to it read out. Considered very unfair, all old hands passed over for promotion and men only just joined us given the billets. Hospital duty 7 a.m. Cleaned up after breakfast for inspection, dressings etc. followed, very busy till dinner time. Off duty 2 p.m., went for swim, large transport full Australian troops passed up canal. Wrote this evening and in bed 8.30 p.m. Page 25 of 69


Sunday 7th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Hospital duty 7 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and cleaned up for inspection at 9.15 a.m., afterwards doing dressings etc. Something in the air, orders given out at 9 a.m. no man to leave lines. Seem to be preparing for attack by Turks or movement against them. Off duty 2 p.m., got permission to go for swim. Very hot day, about 116 degrees in tent. Tea 6 p.m., got pass to go to Ismailia on duty in morning. Turned in 8.30 p.m.


Monday 8th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On night shift this week. At 7.30 a.m. left camp and caught 9 a.m. train from Serapium to Ismailia, arrived about 9.40 a.m. Took me till 12.30 noon to get through my business and get stores etc. to station, then went into town and had good dinner. Caught 2.05 p.m. train Ismailia to Serapium. Transport met me on station and brought up stores I had got, arrived back in camp 6 p.m. after hard wearying day. Took things quietly after tea and had rest before going on duty 9 p.m.


Tuesday 9th May, 1916

Had forty-three patients last night, none very sick so got few hours sleep. Took temperatures at 5 a.m. and swept out, cleaned and tidied tents before going off duty at 7 a.m. Went for swim after breakfast, very enjoyable, hot day, very powerful sun. Back for dinner and spent afternoon lying reading. Things very funny, supposed to be Turks hanging about but can't get to know anything definite, everyone wondering what is doing. Machine guns 30 yds from our tent fixed up on stands, ready to fire at enemy aircraft. On duty at 9 p.m., things quiet.

Wednesday 10th May, 1916

Had quiet night and managed to get few hours sleep, impossible to sleep in day time on account of heat and flies. Took temperatures at 5 a.m., swept out hospitals and cleaned up before going off duty at 7 a.m. After breakfast went for swim and stayed down at Canal till dinner time. After dinner had rest and lay reading most of afternoon. A very dull existence here, anxiously waiting orders to clear out. After tea had hand at cards, friendly games and went on duty at 9 p.m., beautiful night.


Thursday 11th May, 1916

Very quiet night again, sat up writing till midnight then had few hours sleep. Temperatures at 5 a.m., swept out and cleaned up generally. Off duty 7 a.m. After breakfast put morning in bathing, very hot day. Had rest after dinner. Inspection of our section by Capt. Bentley at 4 p.m. and general assembly at 5.30 p.m. Men allotted to different sections to complete strength of unit. Tea at 6 p.m., meat and cabbage absolutely uneatable. Were paid today. Reading after tea and went on duty at 9 p.m.


Friday 12th May, 1916

Had quiet night again, sat up writing till midnight then snatched sleep till 5 a.m. when took temperatures, swept out and cleaned and tidied hospitals. After breakfast went for swim, very hot day, stayed at Canal till dinner time. Paid this afternoon, had couple of hours sleep before tea, woke up wet Page 26 of 69 through with perspiration. After tea had friendly game of cards till went on duty at 9 p.m. Things been very quiet again this last day or so. Turks in this vicinity supposed to have gone back again.


Saturday 13th May, 1916

Sat up writing again last night till midnight, nasty blowy night, sand flying about. Turned in midnight and had sleep till 5 a.m. when got through my work and had hospital fixed up before going off duty at 7 a.m. After breakfast went for swim. Hotter then ever today, real scorching. Back for dinner and all afternoon lay melting in the tent. On duty at 9 p.m. Rumoured today that we will be leaving here during coming week. Also rumours of French advance in Alsace. Awfully hot and sultry night.


Sunday 14th May, 1916

Very quiet again last night, but awfully close. Sat up writing till 11 p.m. then turned in, only 17 patients, none very sick. Took temperatures 5 a.m. and cleaned and tidied hospital tents. Off duty 7 a.m. After breakfast went for swim till dinner time, awfully hot day, about 110 degrees, nasty hot wind blowing fine sand which sticks to the wet skin. Awful sultry afternoon, lay in tent melting, absolutely wet through. On duty 9 p.m., expect to move during this week.


Monday 15th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, tent division then dismissed. After breakfast went to Canal for swim, back for dinner 1 p.m. and on duty hospital 2 p.m. Dressings, medicines etc., very busy till 8 p.m. 27 patients, three or four pretty ill. Off duty 9 p.m. Been stifling hot day, temp. about 115 to 120 degrees in shade and about 170 degrees in sun, very hot wind, feel burnt up, many troops feeling heat pretty severe. Turned in 9.15 p.m.


Tuesday 16th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. General assembly at 9.30 a.m. and distinguishing colours, (chocolate circles to be sewn on arm) given out. Terribly hot day again, wind strong and scorching, almost unbearable. Will be glad to get away from here. Lay in tent all morning melting. On duty 2.30 p.m., medicines, dressings etc. Heat burst our thermometers which register 110 degrees. Impossible to get correct temp. of patients. Off duty 9 p.m. and turned in 9.15 p.m. A little cooler tonight.


Wednesday 17th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. After breakfast went for swim. Terribly hot day again. Strong hot wind and sand flying about awful. Dinner 1 p.m. On duty 2 p.m., about 25 patients. Dressings, foments, medicines etc. and general work. Tea at 5.15 p.m., after which washed up, tidied tents and fixed up for evening. Quite a number of our patients are simply malingering. Off duty 9 p.m. Hot night, lay outside tent till 11 p.m. when turned in to sleep.


Thursday 18th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Slight decrease in temperature today but still very hot. After breakfast put in time till dinner time writing letters. Flies very annoying. On duty 2 p.m., usual round of work only more today as we have about 56 patients so were kept going Page 27 of 69 continually. At 7 p.m. A and B section bearers with transport went out for march, back at 9 p.m. Little cooler again tonight. Turned in about 10.30 p.m.


Friday 19th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Cooler wind blowing today making things little more pleasant. General Assembly at 9.30 a.m. with regards to shortage of kit and equipment. Put in for two or three things I am short of. Had not time to go for swim. On duty 2 p.m., medicines, dressings etc., kept going all afternoon. Tea at 5.15 p.m., cleaned up and did dressings again and off duty 9 p.m. Have about 56 patients today, been very busy. Turned in 9.15 p.m.

Saturday 20th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., orders, roll call and gargle. Breakfast 8 a.m. after which went for swim, weather still pretty warm. Stayed at canal till dinner time, water lovely and warm. On duty 2 p.m., medicines, dressings etc., about 50 patients. Gradually being fully equiped for another move. Tea on at 5.15 p.m., after which cleaned up, which is one of biggest items. Foments, dressings etc. after tea then wrote a letter and off duty 9 p.m., turned in 9.15 p.m.


Sunday 21st May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Breakfast 8 a.m. Inspection of tents and lines at 9.15 a.m. Spent morning going through my kit as expected kit inspection in day or two and taking from us any extra clothing or equipment we may have. Don't intend to lose mine. Also wrote a letter. On duty 2 p.m., very busy, dressings etc., about 45 patients. Tea 5.15 p.m., cleaned up, did dressings again and off duty 9 p.m. Turned in 9.15 p.m.


Monday 22nd May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On duty at hospital 7 a.m., breakfast 8 a.m., cleaned up for inspection 9.15 a.m., then did dressings, foments etc. Dinner 12.30 noon, cleaned up, gave medicines and off duty 2 p.m. Walked up canal this afternoon and visited scene of engagement with Turks last year. Turks tried cross canal in pontoons. Skeletons and bones lying about, numerous graves, also a grave with cross on canal bank of a German officer Major Von Dem Hagan, killed Feb. 4th, 1915. Had swim, back in camp and in bed 8.30 p.m.


Tuesday 23rd May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., up at once and cleaned tent out. Dressed in full uniform, riding breeches etc. Bearers fell in 6 a.m., full marching order. Cleaned hospital tents, got them spotless. Camp and men inspected at 6.30 a.m. by D.D.M.S. (Col. Wraith) and A.D.M.S. (Lt. Col Barber). I took charge at our hospital, everything good. Breakfast 8 a.m., washed up, did dressings etc. Dinner 12.30 noon, cleaned up, gave out medicines and off duty 2 p.m. Had rest this afternoon. Tea 6 p.m., spent evening reading and writing and in bed 8.30 p.m.


Wednesday 24th May, 1916

Page 28 of 69 Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. No officers or men to take cameras to France. On duty 7 a.m. Breakfast 7.30 a.m., cleaned up for daily inspection at 9.15 a.m. Medicines, dressings etc. till dinner time. Cleaned up after dinner and off duty 2 p.m. Was paid at 3 p.m. Spent rest of afternoon reading. Tea at 5 p.m. Bearers went out on divisional manouvres at 7.15 p.m. Tent division remained behind to look after patients. Wrote letters tonight, camp very quiet. Turned in 8.30 p.m. Lights out 9 p.m.


Thursday 25th May, 1916

Our bearers returned about 3 a.m. this morning having spent night on the desert manouvreing. Division practicing making night attack on Canal. No reveille this morning so did not get up till 6.45 a.m. On duty 7 a.m. Usual morning's routine. Capt. Hill told us would be away for France in a week's time. Off duty 2 p.m. Went for swim this afternoon, very strong tide. No letters can be posted after noon tomorrow. Bearers going out for manouvres again tonight. Very busy writing till lights out 9 p.m.


Friday 26th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On duty at hospital 7 a.m. After breakfast cleaned up, did dressings etc. Inspection of lines at 9.15 a.m. Only seven patients left in hospital today. Managed to get swim before dinner. No letters can be posted after 12 noon today while we are here. Handed in our money to be changed to English money. Spent afternoon arranging my kit ready for our departure. Tea 6 p.m. and then sat reading till lights out 9 p.m.


Saturday 27th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On duty hospital 7 a.m. All our patients discharged or evacuated today. No. of out patients for dressings etc. Hospital tents taken down, packing up etc. till dinner time. Off duty 2 p.m. Compulsory parade 4 p.m. Officers, mounted, went with us and had rehearsal for a coming review and march past, under the eye of A.D.M.S. (Col. Barber). Neither Col. Barber, our own O.C. or officers know drill, awfully funny, like officer's instructional school. Off parade 6 p.m., had tea and lay reading till turned in 8.30 p.m.


Sunday 28th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On duty 7 a.m., only dressings etc. to do. Parade again at 9.30 a.m., took blankets and clothes to railway and had them sterilized by steam in railway van. Dinner 1 p.m., parade again 2.30 p.m., took a blanket from us leaving us only one. Had a read then till tea time. After tea went to church service, held by one of our own fellows in mess hut. In bed 8.30 p.m., lights out 9 p.m.


Monday 29th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Did few dressings before breakfast and cleaned lot of rubbish etc. from dispensary. After breakfast went for swim, water lovely, back for dinner. On parade at 3.45 p.m., whole division inspected by Gens. Murray, Godley and our divisional Gen. Cox. Review and march past. Grand sight, our corps was second on points for march past. Back in camp 6 p.m., tea, game of cards and in bed lights out 9 p.m. Page 29 of 69


Tuesday 30th May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Helped at sick parade at 7 a.m. At 7.30 a.m. loaded panniers and sent them away on limbers. After breakfast went for swim, water lovely, stayed till dinner time. After dinner had game of cards till 3 p.m. when on parade and handed in certain equipment, receiving web equipment in place of it. Fixed up new kit before tea at 6 p.m. Game cards after tea and in bed 8.45 p.m.


Wednesday 31st May, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Fatigue work cleaning up camp till breakfast time 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. on parade and at 10.15 a.m. took our black kit bags to railway siding about 3 miles away. Had swim in canal on return journey. Dinner 12.30 noon. On parade 3 p.m., fatigue work, striking tents, cleaning up etc. Nothing for tea, only bread and jam at 5 p.m. Marched out 6 p.m., boarded train and started journey at 8.45 p.m. Open trucks and about 40 men in each truck. Very uncomfortable.