Monday 1st March, 1915

On parade 6.45 a.m. for roll call, had five patients in hospital today. Captain
Dawson asked me if I could mend some of our stretchers which were broken and as
I could, he told me to get on with them. Could not find any tools at all to work with
but managed to improvise sufficient to take them to pieces. I could not put them
together again as I had no bolts, so had to leave them. After dinner I had nothing to
do so started to darn a pair of socks which for my first attempt I considered I did
well. I also sewed some buttons on my clothes. This kept me occupied till tea time,
after which we had a short game of euchre and then I did a little writing before
turning in.

Tuesday 2nd March, 1915

On parade 6.45 a.m. and went for physical drill till breakfast time. We marched into
Heliopolis and had some physical drill on a square in the town then returned to camp
for breakfast. After breakfast I went into the hospital till dinner time. After dinner we
were all issued with sun helmets and puggarees. I spent the rest of the afternoon in
putting my pugaree round by helmet, it was a bit awkward at first but I eventually
managed it to my satisfaction. I did not go out after tea, so settled down and did
some writing after which we all yarned in the tent till bedtime when we turned in early
as we are expecting a long march tomorrow.

Wednesday 3rd March, 1915

Reveille at 5.30 a.m. this morning, breakfast at 8.30 a.m. We marched off to take up
our positions for the divisional manouveres. We marched to "Abassia" and joined
the rest of the 4th Brigade. At 9.50 a.m. the light horse moved away and we
followed at 10 a.m. Our manouveres for today consisted of protecting Cairo, which
was supposedly being attacked by 30,000 Turks approaching from the Suez Canal.
Our forces moved very quickly and covered an extensive area from what I could see.
Our corps marched along the Cairo-Canal road for about 4 miles, then we camped
and prepared to receive wounded as in real battle. We had just got things ready
when we received orders to move 4 miles further on, just got camp broke up when
we recieved further orders to stay where we were. Remained here till 4.45 p.m.
Arrived back at camp 6 p.m. Did not go out again, went to bed early having
marched about 15 miles. I believe those manouveres were very successful.

Thursday 4th March, 1915

Reveille at 6.30 a.m. with no parade till 9.30 a.m. This was to give us a little extra
rest after our exertions of yesterday. My shift on the hospital has been changed
today and I am going on duty at 11.30 p.m. to 7.30 a.m. tomorrow so I have got
today to myself. I spent the morning reading till dinner time and after dinner I
arranged for an interview with our Lieutenant Dentist who has only been with our
Corps two days and who is to attend to the teeth of the 4th Brigade while he is with
us. I heard he was only staying with us three weeks so got in early. At 3 p.m. he
started on my teeth and filled one in the lower jaw. I have to see him at 2 p.m.
tomorrow about some more. Did not go out of camp at all this evening. Went on
duty at 11.30 p.m. Three patients in hospital so not much to do on our shift till 7.30
a.m. in the morning.

Friday 5th March, 1915

Came off duty at hosital at 7.30 a.m. and after breakfast I turned in for a sleep till
dinner time. At 2 p.m. I attended again at the dentist and had another tooth
stopped. We had another full marching order parade at 3.15 p.m. and were
inspected again by Surgeon General Williams. Everything and everywhere in the
camp was inspected and I think we shall be leaving here shortly. After the Parade
we were not allowed to take any of our kit off as we were under orders to move off
on a march at any time Headquarters notified us. We lay about our tents and about
9 p.m. rations were issued. At 10.15 p.m. we had orders to fall in and marched off at
10.30. We marched about four miles and bivouaced on the desert for the night at
about 12 p.m.

Saturday 6th March, 1915

Our bivouac finished at 3.45 a.m. this morning when we had orders to get out. It
was a very cold night and I dont think anyone slept much. We had no blankets only
our overcoats. Set out for camp at 4 a.m. and got back at 5.30 a.m. We were
dismissed and turned in for a sleep till 7.30 a.m. when we were up again for
breakfast. I felt pretty tired and as I have to go on at the hospital at 11.30 p.m.
tonight until 7.30 a.m. tomorrow I spent the rest of the day lying down and reading.
After tea three of us went to Heliopolis and had a good hot bath cost us 5 piastres
(1/0½) but was worth it. Had a look round Heliopolis and called for our photos,
which were not finished. Was back at camp at 8 p.m. and on at the hospital at 11.30
p.m.


Sunday 7th March, 1915

Finished my shift in the hospital at 7.30 a.m. this morning. We had no patients at all,
so things were pretty easy. I had a sleep after breakfast till dinner time. After dinner
I lay down and read till 3.30 p.m. when I went in the hospital again as we had
changed shifts. We had one patient who had come in during the morning. During
the afternoon I wrote some letters and after tea I settled down and had a good read.
We had practically nothing to do but still we had to remain in the hospital in case any
other patients should come. It has been a beast of a day fairly hot and a very strong
wind blowing the sand about. I finished my shift at 11.30 p.m.

Monday 8th March, 1915

Was up at 6 a.m. this morning. It has been a terrible day, the wind blowing a
hurricane and the sand has been blowing along in clouds like a fog. I am absolutely
full of sand, it seems to get through the pores of one's skin. I loafed the day away in
my tent till 3.30 p.m. It was too bad to go out and plenty bad enough in the tent. At
3.30 p.m. I went on at the hospital, we have one patient who came in at midday. He
is a doctor and is the medical officer for the 16th Battalion. His name is Captain
MacGregor and he is suffering from a severe cold. The wind dropped this evening
and we are having a lovely night. I wrote another letter after tea and finished my
shift on the hospital at 11.30 p.m.

Tuesday 9th March, 1915

Slept in the hospital over night as we only had the one patient Captain MacGregor
who has a touch of Bronchitis. Was up at 6 a.m. this morning and after breakfast I
lay down and had a sleep till dinner time. Just before I went on at the hospital at
3.30 p.m. I had a good shower bath, it has been very hot today. Still only the one
patient so not much to do. I was writing nearly all this afternoon. Everything seems
very quiet today, the only excitement being caused by the rumours as to when we
are leaving here. We were paid this evening and I drew 156 Piastres. Could not go
out tonight again and didn't want to, so did a bit more writing and turned in at 11.30
p.m.

Wednesday 10th March, 1915

Slept in hospital again overnight, expect to get some patients today. I received
orders this morning about 9 a.m. to go to Cairo with Sergeant Henderson to do some
shopping for the dispensary and for Captain Dawson. We arrived in Cairo about 10
a.m. did our business and then had a good look round. We visited the Citadel and it
was most interesting, the walls are of great thickness and altogether it is a
remarkable building. We had a look through the armoury in the Citadel and saw
some very ancient arms and armour, also all the rifles which were captured recently
off the Turks on the Suez Canal about 1200 rifles. We then visited the Sultan
Hassan Mosque which is another remarkable building. It was hit with 45 cannon
balls when Napoleon conquered Egypt, some of the balls still being in the holes
made and we saw them. Napoleon robbed the mosque of most of its valuables, but
there is one door which cost £14,000. We also saw the chair which used to be the
coronation chair for the sultans and in which Saladin of Richard Coeur de Lion's time
was crowned. Also we saw the Sultan Hasson's tomb. The building inside is
remarkable. One floor being laid with fancy slabs of which no 2 are alike and the
whole place practically is, or was, before Napoleon and in some parts still is inlaid
with pearl and gold. We searched all the shops we could find for presents to send
home and returned to camp at 10 p.m. and I had to go on at the hospital till 11.30
p.m.

Thursday 11th March, 1915

I was up at 6 a.m. this morning and after breakfast we had orders to strike our tents
and load them and our kit bags on the transport wagons and to clear our camp
ready to move off. We had everything cleared and loaded before dinner time, we
did not know if we really were going to move off or what we were going to do until
after dinner when we were told it was only for practice and we had to fix up again.
We expect to move off any day now. I came on duty in the hospital at 3.30 and we
had five patients including Captain MacGregor. It has been a very bad day
especially for striking camp, the wind has been blowing very hard and clouds of sand
with a very close atmosphere. Things went on very satisfactory and I finished at the
hospital at 11.30 p.m.

Friday 12th March, 1915

Reveille was at 5 a.m. this morning as there was a divisional march and manouvres
on. I did not go out as it was our sections day on at the hospital. Our fellows
marched out at 7.30 a.m. I had a walk about Heliopolis about 11 a.m. and posted
some letters I had wrote. I had a look round for some presents to send home but did
not succeed in getting them yet. I arrived back at camp about 1.30 p.m. and went
on duty at hospital at 3.30. We have more to do now as the hospital routine has
been altered today. We have our three sections and each section has to take 3
days on hospital and 6 days off. The 6 days we have to put in at the Wagon drill. It
means for 3 days we have 3 hospitals to look after instead of having one continually.
I am on A Section hospital today with 7 patients. Turned in at 11.30 p.m.

Saturday 13th March, 1915

Up at 6 a.m. this morning and our fellows struck the tents and packed up again,
putting everything on the transports. About 9 a.m. I had word from Captain Dawson
to go into Cairo about 11.45 a.m. and went to a shop H.Blank & Co's and ordered a
steriliser according to my specifications, it is to cost £5. After finishing business I
had dinner at a restaurant and then took a tram to "Abbassea" to see if I could find
my cousin who is in the 5th Manchesters C Company. I found him in his tent and he
was pleased to meet me. I stayed to tea with him and his pals, who made me very
welcome and then after a clean up the two of us went into Heliopolis for an hour or
so. I arrived at camp about 10 p.m.



Sunday 14th March, 1915

As there were no patients in C Section's hospital I slept there overnight and did not
get up till 8 a.m. this morning. After breakfast I did a little writing and reading till
dinner time. I should have gone on at the hospital at 3.30 p.m. but as my cousin J.
Rick came over to see me, the other fellow who is on duty with me said he could
manage alone, we have seven patients today. My cousin stayed and had tea with
us and we had a good yarn, after which we went into Heliopolis and had a walk
round together. I saw him on his car about 9 p.m. and was back at camp myself at
9.30 p.m. Went into the hospital and stayed on till 11.30 p.m. then turned in.

Monday 15th March, 1915

Did not get up for early morning parade, had breakfast and turned out on parade at
9.30 a.m. Am not on hospital today as it is B and C Section's turn for a few days.
We struck tents and loaded them, also our blankets and kits, on the transport
wagons. We unloaded them again and put our tents up just before dinner time.
After dinner we had wagon drill, loading stretchers and unloading them. We were
interrupted this afternoon in our drill by rain. This is the first rain since we have been
here. It rained intermittently all night. We had a motor wagon added to our corps
today. Went into Heliopolis after tea to post my letters and took my washing in, I am
having it done by a Belgium woman who is a refugee. Went to bed 9.30 p.m.

Tuesday 16th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. this morning. Went outside the tent and saw a very cloudy and
stormy looking sky. The sky has been cloudless and clear every morning before
this. We had Physical drill at 6.45 a.m. till 7.45 a.m. and breakfast at 8.15 a.m. It
started to rain during breakfast time, also thunder and lightning. After breakfast we
had stretcher drill and first aid till 12 noon when we knocked off for dinner. Paraded
again at 2.30 p.m. and went out with the wagons on a march. We marched about 6
miles and arrived back at camp for tea. After tea another of the boys and myself
went to Heliopolis to buy presents to send home. I bought two cushion covers, two
brooches and a maltese lace doyley or table centre. Was back at camp at 8.30 p.m.

Wednesday 17th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. and parade at 6.45 a.m. I did not go for Physical drill this morning
as I was tent orderly. We paraded again at 9 a.m. and were issued with another
shirt, 2 pairs underpants, 2 pairs socks and pair laces. At 9.30 a.m. we started on
our morning drill, which consisted of first aid, stretcher drill and wagon drill and
lasted till 12 noon. After dinner ten of us and the Colonel went out in a wagon about
3 miles with picks and shovels to an old Egyptian burial ground and started digging
for curios. We dug till 5 p.m. but found nothing but bones, so returned to camp for
tea. After tea my cousin came to see me and we took a walk out for my washing,
which is being done by a Belgium refugee. Back at camp at 8 p.m. and wrote some
letters, then turned in.

Thursday 18th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. and parade at 6.45 a.m. Physical drill till 7.45 a.m. and breakfast
at 8 a.m. Parade again at 9.30 a.m. with stretcher drill, wagon drill and semaphore
signalling till 12 noon. There was a route march this afternoon but I did not go as I
did not feel too well. I lay down in the tent and wrote a couple of letters and read the
paper till tea time. After tea I received a visit from a chap who worked with me at
Newport named MacPherson. After he had gone I parcelled some presents up,
which I had bought to send home and took a walk to the post office and registered
them, also posting my letters. Returned to camp about 9 p.m. and went to bed.

Friday 19th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. and parade at 6.45 a.m. There was no Physical drill this morning
as we were striking camp. We struck camp and loaded and the boys marched off. I
was left behind to do picket round the camp. I was on from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. and
will be on again from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the morning. I have not been allowed to
leave camp today, none of the picket are during their 24 hour guard duty. Just have
to sleep and loll about in the guard tent during the hours we are off duty, can't
undress ourselves as we have to be ready to turn out if needed at a moments
notice. The boys arrived back at camp about 5 p.m. and fixed up the tents again. It
has been very warm today.

Saturday 20th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. parade at 6.45 a.m. with Physical drill till 7.45 a.m. At 9.15 a.m. I
was sent with three others to the New Zealand Headquarters at Zeitoun with one of
our wagons for some medical supplies. Arrived back at camp at 12 noon. After
dinner, I had a pass to go to Cairo, so I set out for Mena to look up Daisy's brother
and some other friends. Arrived at Mena about 4 p.m. and found W. Hill out on
leave. I then looked up S. Cohen who I found in his tent. We went to the Y.M.C.A.
and sat talking till 7 p.m. when I left and set out back for camp which I reached at 10
p.m. Had news today of the loss of 3 battleships by the Allies in the Dardanelles.

Sunday 21st March, 1915

Went on duty at 7.30 a.m. at the hospital. We had fourteen patients today, none
serious. I remained on duty till 3.30 p.m. when I went to my tent and had a read. My
cousin out of the 5th Manchester Regiment stationed at Abbassia came to visit me
just before tea. After tea we remained talking till about 8 p.m. when my cousin left to
go back to his camp and I went to the tent used by the dentist as his workshop and
did a couple of hours writing. I wrote till 10 p.m. then went to my tent and turned in
just before lights out blew.

Monday 22nd March, 1915

On duty at the hospital again at 7.30 a.m. Only two patients today. There was a big
inspection of our brigade this morning at Zeitoun. I was unable to go being on at the
hospital. The boys arrived back at camp from the inspection about 12 noon. The
inspection was a great success and the troops were complimented on their drill and
appearance. Came off the hospital at 3.30 p.m. and after tea finished my letters and
went into Heliopolis and posted them. Arrived back at camp about 9 p.m. I heard
the Colonel of the 16th Battalion address his men today and he said they would be
with the British troops inside of a fortnight.

Tuesday 23rd March, 1915

On at the hospital at 7.30 a.m. We had seven patients today. Nothing very
interesting occurred today except that a mail arrived from Australia, but there were
no letters for me, still there is more mail to arrive tomorrow. The rest of our corps
went out on a route march and fixed a dressing station, they left camp at 9.30 a.m.
and arrived back at about 5 p.m. I finished my spell on the hospital at 3.30 p.m. and
after tea paid a visit along with one of the boys to the American Mission. The lady
missionary is leaving tomorrow for a fortnight, so she gave me a testament as we
expect to be away before she gets back. In camp again before 9 p.m.

Wednesday 24th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. Physical drill at 6.45 a.m. till 7.45 a.m. At 9.15 a.m. we fell in on
parade and marched off along the Suez road taking our midday meal with us. We
marched about 4 miles then pitched our tents for hospitals and went through
manouvres as if we were really in the fighting line. We arrived back at camp about 4
p.m. and were paid. I drew one pound. After tea a mail arrived from Australia and I
received 2 letters one from Mother and one from Daisy. Mother sent me a photo of
herself and one of my sister Dorothy. Four of us then went into Heliopolis as it was
pay night and had a feed of bacon and eggs and salad, with bread, butter and tea,
cost us 4 piastres (10d) each. Back in camp by 8.30 p.m.

Thursday 25th March, 1915

On the hospital again this morning at 7.30 a.m.. Had 9 patients today. At 11.30
a.m. I had to go to the general hospital (Palace Hotel) with a patient who was rather
bad in the motor ambulance. After dinner 14 of us had leave as we were playing a
football match at Abbassia against the Khedivial school. We had a hard game and
made a draw, 2 goals each, I think we would have won had we had a little more
practice together. I scored the first goal for our side. I arrived back at camp at about
6.30 p.m. had a shower bath then settled down to some writing. I received a letter
tonight from my cousin Miriam from Crewe.




Friday 26th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. and paraded at 6.45 a.m. The orders of the day were read out to
us and then we started to take the tents down and packing up the whole camp on
our transport wagons. After breakfast we finished packing and then marched off
taking our midday meal with us and all our transports leaving our camp bare. We
marched to Abbassia about 4 miles from our camp and started to pitch a new camp.
After erecting the tents and making everything ship-shape in the new camp we had
lunch. These are the operations we will go through when actually in the field. About
3 p.m. we pulled down our camp again, packed up and proceeded back to our old
camping ground, pitched the tents and made the camp as usual then had a hot
dinner. Stayed in camp tonight writing my letters.

Saturday 27th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. parade at 6.45 a.m. After breakfast we paraded at 9.45 a.m. and
had tent striking and pitching drill till 11 a.m. when we had a kit inspection and every
man having more than 20lbs weight of kit in addition to what he wears and carries on
his person was instructed to get rid of the surplus. After dinner three of us took a
tram to Cairo and from there to a native village called "Choubrah", it is just a mass of
mud houses and shops all jumbled together and very dirty. We returned to Cairo
after having a look around the village and had a look at the Sultan's Palace. After
having tea we went to the "Kursal", Cairo's Tivoli or variety show. It was fairly good
and finished at 8.30 p.m. when we took the car back to camp, which we reached
about 9.15 p.m.

Sunday 28th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. It was our (A. Section's) turn on the hospital today. I am on the
midnight shift from 11.30 p.m. till 7.30 a.m. in the morning. I put the morning and
afternoon in by writing my letters. There was no church parade this morning as a
violent sandstorm was on and lasted about 2 hours. It calmed down about 2 p.m.
and the rest of the day has been very nice, with a beautiful evening. After tea a pal
and myself walked to Luna Park and sat in the gardens listening to the band of the
4th Manchester Regiment which was playing there. We returned to camp at 8.30
p.m. and I turned in till 11.30 p.m. when I went on duty in the hospital. We had 11
patients, none serious.

Monday 29th March, 1915

Was on duty at hospital overnight till 7.30 a.m. this morning when I knocked off and
after getting some breakfast I turned in and slept till dinner time. I only have one
pair of boots, my first pair having been worn out some time ago. The pair I have
badly needed repairing so I took the opportunity of giving them to our corps cobbler
to repair today while I slept. After dinner I arranged my kit bag and contents as near
as I could, to bring it down to the weight (20lbs) we are allowed to take with us when
we move. I had about 40lbs but have fixed it up. I then did some more writing till tea
time, after which I went to Heliopolis and posted my letters, returning to camp and
bed about 8 p.m. It has been very windy today and the sand has been flying about.

Tuesday 30th March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. this morning. I did not go on parade for Physical drill as I wanted
to see Captain Dawson about my boots which the cobbler had not done yesterday
as he ought to have done. Captain Dawson lent me a pair of his own while mine
were repaired today. At 9.30 a.m. we set out on a march along the Suez road and
after going about 5 or 6 miles we pitched camp, then proceeded over the sand about
another mile and fixed up an advanced dressing station and our men were detailed
off, just as in actual warfare. They collected the supposed wounded and bought
them in and we fixed up and retired to the camp further back. About 3 p.m. we
loaded up and set out back for our camp at Heliopolis which we reached about 4.30
p.m. It has been a fiery hot day, the heat of the sand could be felt through our
boots.

Wednesday 31st March, 1915

Reveille at 6 a.m. Parade at 6.45 a.m. Our camp was struck and the boys moved off
and pitched again at "Abbassia", moving from Heliopolis at 9.30 a.m.. I stayed
behind as it is our Section's day on at the hospital. I have not to go on duty till 11.30
p.m. tonight. I spent the day going through my kit again and reading and writing. I
received a paper by post this morning from my Aunt Louisa from Manchester and
was very pleased. The boys arrived back from their day's manouvres about 4.30
p.m. and they looked very tired, it has been a very hot and dusty day, very
depressing. I had a shower bath this afternoon which greatly refreshed me and I
had a couple of hours sleep after tea before going on duty at 11.30 p.m.