April 1916
 
 

Saturday 1st April, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. and on parade 6.45 a.m. for roll call and orders. Inspection by Major Welch at 9.15 a.m. and sick parade 9.30 a.m. Got our patients away on 10 a.m. hospital train to Ismailia. Should have left here this morning on march to Ismailia, but have to wait for more troops till tomorrow. Troops arrived about midday, only a few, knocked out and on sick parade. Went down with our horses at 3.45 p.m. to water. Few stragglers keep coming in. Got my kit ready to move off in morning. Had game of cards and turned in at 9 p.m.


Sunday 2nd April, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m., roll call and orders of departure read out. Commenced packing at once. Contradictory orders flying round. Had to cut our breakfast in two and strike camp, sent patients to station, cleaned camp and marched out at 9.30 a.m. Very heavy going through sand most of first ten miles. Halted for dinner, bread, jam and tea at 1.30 p.m., rested till 4.30 p.m. when started out again for last five miles. Went single file along edge of canal, better going. Marched into Moascar Ismailia at 6.30 p.m. tired but in good spirits.


Monday 3rd April, 1916

Bivouaked last night, reveille 7 a.m., on parade for roll call at 7.30 a.m. and dismissed for breakfast. About 10 a.m. boys went swimming parade to Lake Timsak. I went with the horses, had good time swimming the horse and myself, feel much fresher. Back for dinner, had leave from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. so took Harry into Ismailia and had look round, showing him the prettiest places. Had dinner, 5 eggs, potatoes and tomatoes for 5 Piastres (7/0 1/2d) before going back to camp for 5 p.m. parade when orders for our departure were read out. Been hot day. Bivouaked tonight at 8 p.m. Page 19 of 69


Tuesday 4th April, 1916

Reveille at 4.15 a.m., packed our blankets, loaded wagons and had breakfast at 5 a.m. Fell in on parade at 5.40 a.m. and marched out at 6 a.m. Very heavy marching nearly the whole way to Serapium which we reached about 11 a.m. and got to our camp across the Suez Canal about 2 miles at 11.30 a.m., absolutely dead beat, each step being up to tops of boots in loose sand and total distance about 12 to 14 miles. Am saturated with perspiration, my outer clothes also, ten minutes being longest rest we had. Had drink of tea and bully beef cold for dinner. Put up tents this afternoon and unloaded wagons. Turned in thoroughly done up at 8.30 p.m.


Wednesday 5th April, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m., on parade 7 a.m., roll call, orders and general fatigue till 8 a.m. After breakfast more fatigue, tent pitching etc. then fixed up our dispensary. After dinner fixed up two tents for hospitals, am in charge of tent division as Cpl. Chisholm is sick. Do not feel too bright today after yesterday's stiff march. Pretty hot again. Learned that during our 8 months on Gallipoli our corps attended to approximately 15,000 sick and wounded and that of this no. almost 8,000 were put through by our A. section. Have not had time to look round here yet. In bed 8.15 p.m., lights out 9 p.m.


Thursday 6th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call and orders then general fatigue. At 7 a.m. called out to attend at sick parade. More sick parades after breakfast then had to fix up hospitals to receive patients. Kept very busy till dinner time. Water (fresh) is very scarce here but managed a wash this morning. After dinner went to Canal about a mile and half away and had swim, very strong current running but enjoyed it. Have our hot meal at night 6 p.m. then wrote couple of hurried letters. Lights out 9 p.m.


Friday 7th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., tea and hard biscuits at 5.30 a.m. and on parade 6 a.m. for roll call, orders and gargle, then on hospital duty. Still in charge of tent division so am kept very busy till dinner time. We had a couple of scraps of salt bacon for breakfast, tea, bread and jam for dinner and stew for tea. Have twelve patients in hospital today. Went for swim again this afternoon, weather very hot. After our 6 p.m. meal wrote a letter and had a yarn will lights out at 9 p.m.


Saturday 8th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then had to attend at sick parade, lot of venereal cases reporting. Up to my eyes in work till 8.45 a.m. when managed to snatch little breakfast. Kept just as busy till dinner time. Major Welch told me ought to have shave, have gone 2 days without one. Told him I would when I had time. If he had to do my work he wouldn't get a shave every day by any means, would have liked to have told him he had a damned cheek. Had swim this afternoon, this place no good except for the swim. Had read after tea and lights out 9 p.m.


Sunday 9th April, 1916

Page 20 of 69 Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle then on hospital duty. Cpl. Chisholm resumed his duties in charge of tent division today so am relieved of some work. Cleaned up after breakfast for inspection by O.C. then gave out medicines, did dressings etc. New Capt. attached to our section today, Capt. Hill, seems jolly fellow. Cleaned up after dinner and then went for swim in Canal, two large ships passed through, one French transport mounting 7 guns. Did some writing after tea and in bed for lights out at 9 p.m.

Monday 10th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m. and on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Attended at sick parade at 7 a.m., admitted several patients to hospital. Inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Col. Barber who is A.D.M.S. paid unexpected visit of inspection about 7.30 a.m. Dressings etc. this morning. After dinner wrote some letters till tea time. Hot day again but lot of Willy Nillys today making sand rise and almost choke us. Received couple of letters this evening. Made a Will tonight leaving everything to my Mother, Mrs. M. H. Lycett. Did some more writing tonight and in bed for lights out 9 p.m.


Tuesday 11th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, then on hospital duty at 7 a.m. After breakfast at 8 a.m. cleaned up for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m., then did dressings etc. Also did little washing this morning. Very dirty place this, never feel clean, hard to get sufficient water for washing. Cleaned up after dinner and off duty at 2 p.m. Did little writing this afternoon. Had friendly game of bridge after tea and quiet yarn till bed time and lights out at 9 p.m.


Wednesday 12th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, also compulsory wash out of water bottles with Pot. Permang. Cleaned up after breakfast for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m., also inspected all our mess tins, knives, forks and spoons. Last night peculiar break out of pains in stomach amongst our men, suffered slightly myself, cause not yet known. Dressings etc. kept me busy till dinner time. After 2 p.m. was off duty. Tea at 6 p.m. Wrote letter but had to cut it short on account of violent wind and sandstorm. Light went out so turned in before lights out sounded.


Thursday 13th April, 1916

Slept splendid despite terrific wind until about 3.15 a.m. when a more violent Willy Nilly caught our tent and lifted it clean off us. Too windy to do anything so put my head under blankets and went to sleep till 5 a.m. reveille. Wind not so high this morning so after 6 a.m. parade managed to put our tent up again. After inspection and dressings which we bustled through Major Welch gave us lecture from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. when wind suddenly rose again blowing terrible storm, sand like fog, hardly breathe, eyes sore, buildings and tents levelled like match boxes. 13th Batt. man run down by engine alongside our camp, light railway, his arm severely mauled. Wind dropped about 8 p.m.


Friday 14th April, 1916

Woke at 12.30 midnight by wind which had risen again, fortunately not quite so violent so went to sleep again. Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle and on hospital duty 7 a.m. Cleaned up after breakfast for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. then gave out medicines, dressings etc. Lecture by Major Welch at 11 a.m. till dinner time, subject bacteria. Off duty at 2 p.m. Received some Page 21 of 69 letters today. Inoculated against Para-Typhoid at 5 p.m. Lieut. of 13th Batt. injured on thigh by bomb while at practice. Wind rising in squalls all day, disagreeable. Turned in 8.30 p.m.


Saturday 15th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On hospital duty at 7 a.m. Inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. then dressings, of which there are quite a number. Very busy till dinner time. No. of our men knocked out by inoculation, quite well myself. Off duty 2 p.m., pleasanter day so went for swim in Canal, several ships passed through, the "Orsova" being one, no passengers. Back for tea at 6 p.m. Heard some of our Light Horse captured 32 Turks and Austrian Officer 60 miles inland from here, our men went out to destroy Turkish outpost and well. Our casualties 1 killed, 2 or 3 wounded. Turned in 8.30 p.m.


Sunday 16th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. On hospital duty at 7 a.m. After breakfast cleaned up for inspection at 9.15 a.m. Orderly officer Capt. Hill inspected today, then went on with medicines, dressings etc. till dinner time. Off duty 2 p.m. so went to canal for swim, strong current running but enjoyed swim being hot day. Turkish prisoners taken by our Light Horse brought in today and sent on to Cairo. Spent evening reading and talking, turned in 8.30 p.m. Lights out 9 p.m.


Monday 17th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Will be on night shift this week so have the day to myself. Inspection of tents at 9.15 a.m. by orderly officer Capt. Powell, vice our O.C. who have not seen for two or three days, probably on shikkar or getting over a shikkar. After dinner went for swim, very hot day, swim most welcome. An American steamer passed through canal, remarks to crew from crowd of bathers (Aust's) not very complimentary. Rumours of our embarkation in about a fortnight about today. Went on duty at 9 p.m. Things quiet.


Tuesday 18th April, 1916

Patients all quiet during night so wrote some letters. Wind rose a little about midnight but died away again. Hoisted A.M.C. flags at 5 a.m., took temperatures, swept out hospital tents and generally cleaned up. Off duty 7 a.m. After breakfast went down to canal and put the morning in swimming, pretty hot day. Some of our men up before medical board today. Had rest this afternoon till tea-time, and after tea did some more writing. A new Captain attached to our section Capt. Bentley. Played patience for an hour and went on duty 9 p.m.


Wednesday 19th April, 1916

After fixing things up for the night everything quiet, 25 patients in hospital but all slept well. Hoisted flags, took temperatures and cleaned up ready for day shift relieving us at 7 a.m. My brother Harry is on with me. Had breakfast and tent inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Had rest this morning till 11 a.m. when Major Welch gave us lecture till 12 noon. Gave orders for 3 Anzac Magazines to be sent home. Had sleep after dinner. Large number of medical details expected to arrive tonight, tents pitched for them today. Went on duty 9 p.m.

Thursday 20th April, 1916

Page 22 of 69 Was very busy after going on duty last night, packing and arranging our panniers ready for active service, kept at it till 1 a.m. and spent rest of night writing letters. Hoisted flags 5 a.m., took temperatures and cleaned up hospital before going off duty at 7 a.m. 200 odd medical details arrived last night mostly straight from Australia. Inspection this morning of hospital and general ambulance equipment by A.D.M.S. Colonel Barber. Also Gen. Murray inspected the division while at their general training. Had swim this afternoon. Troopship of East Surreys passed on way to India. On duty 9 p.m.


Friday 21st April, 1916

Was very tired last night as had not had any sleep all day or night previously, so after fixing up patients none of who had much wrong with them, I turned in by the hospital and snatched a few hours sleep. Was up at 4.30 a.m. Hoisted flags at 5 a.m., took temperatures and cleaned up. Off duty at 7 a.m. It is Good


Friday but no cessation of work on that account. After inspection of tents and lines by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. went for swim. Very hot day. After dinner had couple of hours sleep. Most of new details have been sent on to other ambulances. Very nice night. On duty 9 p.m.


Saturday 22nd April, 1916

Very quiet night, no serious cases, so after fixing up for night, managed to get few hours sleep. Hoisted flags at 5 a.m., swept out and cleaned up hospital before going off duty at 7 a.m. Tent inspection by Capt. Hill at 9.15 a.m. O.C. away in Cairo. After inspection had couple hours sleep till dinner time. Very hot day again. This afternoon went to Canal for swim, back at 4.15 p.m. and at 5 p.m. was inoculated for last time at present against Para-Typhoid. Couple of hours reading after tea and went on duty at 9 p.m. Three or four pretty bad cases in tonight.


Sunday 23rd April, 1916

Had to sit up all night with the bad cases, one serious, suspected Cerebro-spinal meningitis. Did not cause much trouble, so wrote some letters to pass away the time. Hoisted flags at 5 a.m., took temperatures and cleaned up. Case not meningitis, much better this morning. Off duty 7 a.m. After breakfast had sleep till dinner time, weather very hot. After dinner went to Canal for swim, very nice, hundreds bathing. Spent evening reading and yarning and went on duty at 9 p.m.


Monday 24th April, 1916

Very quiet night, no one very sick so got few hours sleep. Hoisted flags at 5 a.m., took temperatures and cleaned up. Off duty at 7 a.m. Went for swim after breakfast. On duty at 2 p.m., afternoon shift this week. Did foments and dressings at 4 p.m., took temperatures, then did foments etc. again and gave out medicines at 5 p.m. Tea at 5.30 p.m. for 21 patients after which cleaned up and at 7.30 p.m. made cocoa for patients, washed up again and tidied, fixed up for the night and off duty at lights out 9 p.m.


Tuesday 25th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m. Anniversary of Gallipoli landing. On parade 6 a.m., orders, roll call and gargle. Ribbons given out for day by divisional orders to those entitled. Red for landing, blue for campaign. I received both. Could not attend Memorial Service at 6.30 a.m. Very sorry. Very hot day again. On duty 2 p.m., dressings, foments, med. etc., tea for patients 5 p.m. Old members of corps held dinner Page 23 of 69 4/- each, in honor of day, at 6.30 p.m. Old officers present, splendid dinner, very nice evening, toasts, speeches etc. O.C. said would be leaving for France within 2 weeks. Closed 10 p.m., lights out 10.15.


Wednesday 26th April, 1916

After extension of lights out last night and dinner, O.C. gave us extra hour in bed so reveille was at 6 a.m. and parade 7 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Terribly hot day, very hot wind almost scorching. Went on duty 2 p.m., dressings, foments, medicines etc. kept very busy all afternoon, 23 patients. Tea at 5 p.m. after which cleaned up, then dressings and medicines again. Made cocoa for patients 8 p.m., cleaned up and off duty at lights out 9 p.m. Had news today of small engagements with Turks few miles away, enemy slightly active.


Thursday 27th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle, also had our water bottles washed out with Pot. Permanganate. Inspection of tents and lines by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. could hear sounds of heavy firing both guns, machine-gun and rifle. Believe an engagement in progress between Ismailia and El-Kantara. On duty 2 p.m., dressings, medicines etc. and at 5 p.m. tea, dressings etc. again. Gave send off to Capt. Jeffries tonight, held smoke social in mess room. All officers present, some good speeches and good wishes to Capt. Jeffries. In bed, lights out 9 p.m.


Friday 28th April, 1916

Reveille 5 a.m., on parade 6 a.m., roll call, orders and gargle. Breakfast 8 a.m. Very hot day again. Did some writing till dinner time. On duty 2 p.m., dressings, medicines etc. Medical inspection at 3.30 p.m. Did not go up for it as have been bit off colour few days. Spoke to Major Welch instead and after questioning me, ordered me off duty for a spell, till I feel right again. Am not really sick, laid my bed straight after tea and turned in. Lights out 9 p.m.


Saturday 29th April, 1916

Reveille at 5 a.m., parade at 6 a.m. Did not have to turn out as am off duty, so did not get up till 7 a.m. when aired my bed and after breakfast laid it again and lay on it, resting myself thoroughly. Inspection of tents and lines by Capt. Bentley at 9.15 a.m. Slept little before dinner, after dinner wrote a letter then lay on my bed reading till tea time. Received several letters this evening, read them then had game of cards and turned in about 8 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 30th April, 1916

Stayed in bed again this morning till 7 a.m. Was going to start work today but Major Welch came to see me after I was in bed last night and told me to keep quiet again today and not to start work till he saw me again. After breakfast wrote letters till dinner time. Flies almost worried me, they are a perfect nuisance. Had lie down after dinner till 4 p.m. then read till tea time, 6 p.m. After tea did some more reading. Rumours afloat of our early departure.