November 1915
 
 


Monday 1st November, 1915

Could not land during night as sea too rough so about 6 a.m. heaved up anchor and
steamed into harbour at Embros, three large monitors were here each mounting two
14" guns, the Havelock, Abercrombie and Raglan, also three or four smaller
monitors. Some supply ships, destroyers and half a dozen battleships among them
the Swiftsure, sister ship to the Triumph, were the ships in harbour. Remained at
anchor till 5 p.m. when we ran close in and disembarked, thought to be too rough to
land at Anzac tonight. Had been ashore half an hour when received orders to go
back on board Newmarket, did so and steamed across to Anzac and after some
trouble and knocking about were landed at jetty by Walkers Ridge at 11.30 p.m. Sat
down on beach to await orders.

Tuesday 2nd November, 1915

About 4 a.m. received orders to move from beach to a gully close to Waldon Grove
which we reached at 5 a.m. Close to the position we left when we went to Lemnos
for our rest. Lay down just as I was utterly done up and slept till about 7 a.m. when I
was woke and had to go with others to the beach to unload our stores from barges.
Worked hard all day just like a wharf labourer till 4.30 p.m. It has been a hot day,
strong wind blowing making it most uncomfortable. Tired out, dirty and hungry, we
arrived back in our camp about 5.30 p.m. Have not had a meal since Saturday, just
a bit of bully beef and biscuit when could snatch a minute or two. Not had a wash or
shave since Saturday and so utterly exhausted, undressed and turned in about 6.30
p.m. Not needing rocking.

Wednesday 3rd November, 1915

Woke about 7 a.m. this morning. Cruiser putting few shells in to enemy being the
cause of my waking, got dressed and went about a mile and a half for a wash and to
fill my water bottle. Arrived back, made some tea and had breakfast, have to cook
for ourselves at present until settled. After breakfast were told not to leave camp as
might have to move any time, so lay down and rested. Our artillery is fairly active
today, also the Turks keep putting one or two over. At 2 p.m. orders read out the B
section move off at 8 a.m. in the morning, A and C sections wait for further orders.
Seven reinforcements arrived for us today. Nothing further of note, been very fine
day, turned in about 6.30 p.m.

Thursday 4th November, 1915

Up about 6.30 a.m. and went down to well for wash and water for breakfast. Wind
has risen during night and dust is blowing in clouds. After breakfast some mail was
brought up and I received several letters and a parcel, first letters from home for
nearly a month. At 8 a.m. B section moved off to form an advanced dressing
station. Nothing much doing during day, little fatigue work, cleaning camp, etc.
Went to No. 2 outpost to see if any more mail this afternoon, was none, came on
raining about 3.30 p.m. so shifted our kits to another dugout and made it rainproof,
wind blowing very strong. Sharp rally of rifle fire and bombs with an occasional shell
from our destroyers at 6.30 p.m. was in bed at the time.

Friday 5th November, 1915

Up about 6 a.m. went down to well for wash then had breakfast. After breakfast
helped to clean up camp and about 10 a.m. went round to Waldon Grove along with
a fatigue party to get ready to take up position there. Went back for dinner and at
1.30 p.m. took our kits round to Waldon Grove and took over from 7th Field
Ambulance. We had 12 men in hospital. This is the same position we left when we
went to Lemnos for a rest. Enemy shelled over us during afternoon, some shells
falling very near us, only 10 and 20 yards away. Was working till 7 p.m. when I got a
dugout partly made and turned in about 8 p.m.

Saturday 6th November, 1915

Up at 6 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. Sick parades etc. kept us going all morning. Our
bearers got us two large hospital tents up during morning and we moved our
patients into them shortly after dinner. Believe we are going to act partly as a
stationary hospital as well as a Field Ambulance. Working hard all day getting
hospital fixed up properly and panniers and medical stores unpacked. Twenty seven
patients in today. Saw one of our aeroplanes up, something evidently went wrong
as it came down very quickly and alighted in the sea close to Cape Suvla, picket
boats got to it at once. Off duty about 8 p.m. Turned in about 8.30 p.m.

Sunday 7th November, 1915

Up at 6 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. Breakfast for patients, sick parades and cleaning
and tidying hospital, went the rounds with Captain Welch, about forty patients today.
Very busy all morning, sick coming in continuously and one man shot through the
thigh. Not quite so busy after dinner. Enemy shelled over our way again today but
destroyers and a cruiser soon silenced their guns. Admitted few more patients, our
tents almost full up now. Could hear a sharp rally of rifle fire again this evening.
Gave patients tea about 5 p.m. and fixed them up for night, going off duty at 7 p.m.
turning in shortly afterwards.

Monday 8th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. on duty at 7 a.m. Patients breakfast about 7.30 a.m., tidy up ready
to go round with doctor about 9 a.m. After this sick parades, foments, dressings and
giving out medicines keeps us going till dinner time about 12 noon. Dinner over and
cleaned up by about 1 p.m. then foments, dressings, medicines, etc. after which we
are not quite so busy till tea time about 5 p.m. Tea over and cleaned up by about 6
p.m. after which we give out medicines and make patients comfortable for the night
finishing duty at 7 p.m. when night shift takes over. The weather still continues to be
splendid. Turned in about 8.30 p.m.

Tuesday 9th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. The same routine with regards to hospital
admittances and discharges. Our tents full and four more hospital tents been put up
this morning. Enemy put few shells over, our battery soon quietened them. A
battery of our 5" howitzers are not a 100 yards from us and do some good work. A
bullet went through hospital tent during night, passed through sleeve of a patient,
just grazing the skin and drawing blood. Major Clayton and Captain Jeffries arrived
back from Alexandria. Very nice day but gets dark early in the evening, about 5.30
p.m. Very busy all day. Off duty at 7 p.m. and turned in 8.30 p.m.

Wednesday 10th November, 1915

A small sortie was attempted by a few men from 16th Batt. during the night, have
one man wounded. Was up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. Hospital was full up
about 50 patients, all inclined to get worse or to be serious we send away. Got
breakfast, cleaned up, went rounds with Major Clayton and went through sick
parade, foments, dressings, etc. keeping us busy till dinner time. Cleaned up after
dinner and then wrote some letters. Turks heavily shelled our Divisional
Headquarters during afternoon, situated at No. 2 Outpost, we had a few casualties.
Finished my writing after knocking off duty at 7 p.m. and went to sleep about 9 p.m.

Thursday 11th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. Patients breakfast at 8 a.m. got breakfast of
and then thoroughly turned hospital tent out and cleaned it, before 10 a.m. when
Major Clayton did his rounds. Sick parade followed by foments, dressings, etc.
keeping us flying round till dinner time. Cleaned up after dinner then had it fairly
quiet till tea time. During morning Turks shelled No. 2 outpost again, few more
casualties, we are situated further on than the outpost, shells passing over us.
Posted my letters as mail leaves today for Australia, supposed to be Christmas mail.
Off duty 7 p.m. Turned in 8 p.m.

Friday 12th November, 1915

Rained a little during night and as I did not wake I got a little wet. Was up at 6.30
a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. Got breakfast, washed up, then turned hospital out and
thoroughly cleaned it. About 9.30 a.m. went round with Major Clayton and the
corporal, could not send any to Casualty Clearing Hospital as they are moving, were
blown out of their position yesterday by the Turks, high explosive shells. Very busy
till dinner time dressings, foments, medicines etc. Washed and cleaned up after
dinner and then things were a bit quieter, about 4.30 p.m. Turks guns and our own
started firing fairly vigorously. Off duty 7 pm. Turned in 8 p.m.

Saturday 13th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7 a.m. Breakfast, washed up and cleaned hospital
right through. Went round with Major Clayton and the Corporal, one or two
discharged well again and some sent to Casualty Clearing station to be sent to base.
Sick parade followed with a number of admittances and numerous foments,
dressings etc. About 80 on sick parade this morning, kept very busy till we got
dinner over, then gave medicines out did foments and dressings took temperatures
till tea time. Few shells fired today by both sides but nothing of consequence. Been
fine day, off duty at 7.30 p.m. and turned in 8.30 p.m.

Sunday 14th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. had breakfast and on duty at 7.30 a.m. 29th week since the landing
at Gaba-Tepe. Breakfast for patients and cleaned out thoroughly. Sunday is just as
other days with us here. Went round hospital with Major Clayton and Corporal tents
quite full up about 48 patients, but they take some feeding and looking after. Sick
parade and dressings medicine etc. filled up the morning till dinner time. Have not a
second to spare during mornings. After dinner a little slack so did some writing and
improved my dugout a little till tea time. Been fairly nice day. Few shells
exchanged. Off duty 7.30 p.m. Turned in 8 p.m.

Monday 15th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. had my breakfast and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Got patients breakfast
and washed up cleaned hospital out then went through sick parade with Captain
Furber our acting Adjutant. About 30 on sick parade, some admitted to hospital and
some sent to base, others just treated and sent back to lines. Dressings etc. kept us
busy till dinner time. One of tent division has fallen sick with jaundice. Very windy
day all afternoon. Heavy bombardment of our ships down Achi-Baba way, also,
about 5 p.m., our batteries and ships round our way bombarded enemy a little to
our left known as hill 60. Off duty at 7.30 p.m. and turned in 9 p.m.

Tuesday 16th November, 1915

Very wild and windy night. Heavy thunderstorm and vivid lightning but my dugout
stood it well and I slept well and was up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m.
Breakfast and cleaned up hospital then did sick parade with Captain Welch,
afterwards medicines , dressings etc. till dinner time. One of our brigade came in
wounded, told us they sapped under Turkish trench on knoll 60, placed a charge of
explosives and blew it up, taking possession of the remains without any loss at all
last night. Wrote some letters during the afternoon, also received a letter from D.H.
this morning. After tea did some more writing. Has been a lovely day since
daybreak. Turned in 8 p.m.

Wednesday 17th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Breakfast for patients then cleaned
thoroughly out. Went through sick parade with Captain Furber, then medicines
dressings etc. till dinner time. During morning enemy shelled over our way pretty
consistently, a huge lump of a 6 inch shell passed through our hospital tent tearing
gaping holes and missing a patient by about a foot, we kept the piece of shell in
hospital as a memento, it weighs about 12lbs, just a big jagged piece of the shell
case. Fairly quiet during afternoon, wind rising very strong, dust being so bad hardly
see, like a fog. Commenced rain about 7 p.m. Off duty at 7.30 p.m. in bed 9 p.m.

Thursday 18th November, 1915

Terrible night last night, did not undress, rained in torrents and wind most violent,
threatening to carry the coverings off our dugouts. Rain drove into my dugout to
some extent so laid my oil sheet, put on my greatcoat, rolled up in my blanket and
putting on oil sheet over all went to sleep.
Woke at 6.30 a.m. very cold morning but fine. On duty at 7.30 a.m. Breakfast,
cleaned hospital and did sick parade with Captain Welch, dressing etc. till dinner
time. Turks put few shells over again this morning, few shrapnel bullets came
through our hospital tent, no one hit. 14 shrapnel bullets went through one bell tent
alongside our hospital, fortunately no one inside although our fellows working all
round, quiet this afternoon. Finished duty and turned in about 8 p.m.

Friday 19th November, 1915

Very cold night again, woke at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Breakfast for
patients and cleaned up. Went through sick parade with Captain Furber, then
medicines, dressings, etc. kept us busy till dinner time. Not quite so busy during
afternoon. Enemy shelled our lines fairly heavily this afternoon also could see
enemy's shells bursting on our trenches on Suvla Hills. Our ships and batteries
silenced them then shelled their trenches heavily. Received news today of good
work of Allies on all fronts, seem to be gradually breaking the Germans. Enemy
aeroplane dropped couple of bombs near us this evening. Off duty 7.30 p.m. turned
in 8.30 p.m. Fine day.


Saturday 20th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Weather has got very cold at nights and in
the mornings. Did sick parade with Captain Welch, medicines and dressing
occupying rest of morning, not so much to do during afternoon so read account of
murder of Nurse E. Cavell by the Germans, would like to have hold of a few of them.
Our ships did some fine shooting yesterday, their target being a flour mill about 11
miles inland, scored direct hits at once and soon demolished it. This afternoon our
ships and batteries firing heavily again, don't know yet what target is. Enemy
aeroplane flew over this evening. Off duty at 7.30 p.m. turned in 8.30 p.m.

Sunday 21st November, 1915

Up at 6 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Has been bitter cold all day. Breakfast for
patients and cleaning up, then did sick parade with Captain Furber, afterwards
medicines, dressings, fixing up newly admitted patients and discharges for those
who are quite well again kept us very busy till dinner time. Not so busy after dinner
from about 2.15 p.m. till 4 p.m. but from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. when tea is over we are
very busy and have plenty to keep us buzzing till 7.30 p.m. when we are relieved by
the night shift. Few exchanges of shells by our ship's batteries and enemy's
batteries and a sharp rally of rifle firing this evening, don't know what was doing.
Turned in at 8 p.m.

Monday 22nd November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Very cold again all day today. Did sick
parade with Captain Welch and usual busy morning till dinner time. This morning
we had a gas alarm and all had to fall in with our gas helmets on just for practice,
have to carry them with us always as enemy is expected to use gas. Had welcome
change for dinner little fried steak and spoonful of boiled cabbage. Not much doing
in hospital this afternoon so had a read, our batteries and warships doing good deal
of firing enemy replying very weakly.
Off duty at 7.30 p.m. and turned in 8 p.m. Usually after turning in I read for an hour,
have made a small kerosene lamp.

Tuedsay 23rd November, 1915

Was up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Very cold again today. Did sick
parade with Captain Furber, about 20 men being on sick parade. Were a bit late
and had to bustle in style as Captain Furber insisted on us leaving our work and
falling in on parade at 9 a.m. and having half an hours marching and doubling up
and down the track, seems ridiculous as shell might come anytime and in our close
formation would pretty near wipe the lot of us out, it is very dangerous. Just
managed to get mornings work done by dinner time. Very quiet after dinner, few
shells exchanged and at 7.30 p.m. off duty and in bed 8 p.m.

Wednesday 24th November, 1915

Our ships heavily bombarding down Achi-Baba way all night. Up at 6.30 a.m. and
on duty at 7.30 a.m. Not so cold today but still slightly chilly. Fell in on parade and
had half hours marching at 9 a.m. then did sick parade which was a large one with
Captain Welch. Took us till 11.45 a.m. to get through it going our hardest, lot of
jaundice going about. This afternoon and evening was writing in my spare time.
Enemy shelled our lines fairly heavily, our ships and batteries replied and enemy
shut up. Our ships bombarding down south again this evening. Sharp rifle fire on
our left for about 1/2 hour. Off duty at 7.30 p.m. turned in 8 p.m.

Thursday 25th November, 1915

Up at 6.30 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m. Very cold and chilly again today.
Breakfast for patients then had to fall in on parade at 9 a.m. and had marching and
doubling up the track till 9.45 a.m. Had then to clean up and get ready for the doctor
very much behind, all bustle and hurry. Did sick parade with Captain Furber, kept
me busy till dinner time. Not much to do this afternoon, few odd jobs in hospital.
Have heard today that our batteries and men in trenches have received orders not to
fire for 48 hours unless specially ordered, don't know what is doing, few shells from
Turks but no reply from us, seems like some game on. Off duty 7.30 p.m. turned in
8 p.m.

Friday 26th November, 1915

Enemy seem to be uneasy, put shells over last night, unusual for them after dark
and have been doing some today, can't understand our silence, but our guns have
not replied and our rifles are remarkably quiet. Warships have fired few shots. Up
at 6.30 a.m. on duty at 7.30 a.m. breakfast for patients and on parade at 9 a.m. and
half an hours marching up and down track. Cleaned up hospital and did sick parade
with Captain Welch, took till dinner time. One of our boys hit today. Turks shelled
our lines this afternoon. This evening heavy thunder storm, lightning and rain most
violent. Pitch black night, hill side slippery, hardly walk or climb, have to wait for
lightning to see way. Off duty 7.30 p.m. in bed 8.30 p.m.

Saturday 27th November, 1915

An awful night last night. Thunderstorm and rained in torrents, got washed out of my
dugout and had to sleep in hospital tent. Woke at 6 a.m. and on duty at 7.30 a.m.
Breakfast for patients and cleaned up, then did sick parade with Captain Furber,
took till dinner time. The mud is awful and am plastered with it, also very cold and
raining of and on all day. Our batteries gave enemy lively half hours shelling about
midday. This afternoon made my dugout little more secure against rain and made
my bed up off the ground which is wet. Finished duty at 7.30 p.m. and turned in
about 8.30 p.m. Cold again tonight.

Sunday 28th November, 1915

Up at 6 a.m. this morning, my 25th birthday and found about two inches of snow all
over, looked pretty but bitter cold. On duty at 7.30 a.m. and got patients breakfast.
The ground under snow all soft and up to knees in mud, hard to keep your feet. Did
sick parade with Captain Welch and was busy tramping about through mud and
snow all morning, stopped snowing about midday but blowing very strong and sharp.
Not much doing this afternoon, trying to keep warm. Toes feel nearly frozen off, not
been warm all day. Came off duty at 7.30 p.m. and turned in about 8 p.m. Freezing
very hard tonight and wind biting.

Monday 29th November, 1915

Very cold night, managed to sleep although not too warm, up about 6 a.m. and
jumped about to warm my feet, ground frozen as hard as iron. On duty 7.30 a.m.
Breakfast for patients and cleaned up afterwards doing the sick parade with Captain
Furber which kept me busy till dinner time. After dinner was not quite so busy, so
took a trip to some old dugouts and got a few sand bags and a couple of waterproof
sheets for roof of my dugout. Back in time for temperatures, medicines, etc. at 4
p.m. then got patients tea and finished duty at 7.30 p.m. Been a very cold day with
strong sharp wind. Turned into bed about 8 p.m.

Tuesday 30th November, 1915

Very cold night again and frosty this morning when I got up about 6 a.m. Went on
duty at 7.30 a.m. Patients breakfast, cleaned up and did sick parade with Captain
Welch. Heard today that several English soldiers had died from exposure this last
day or two, also the Indians seem to be feeling the cold badly. Turned out a lovely
day. During afternoon had quiet spell so put couple of hours in altering my dugout to
stand the weather, also two Cruisers and battleship Agamemnon heavily bombarded
enemy a little to the south of our position. Enemy put few shells very close to us
today. Off duty at 7.30 p.m. turned in 9 p.m.