Saturday 1st January, 1916

Woke about 6.30 a.m. New Years Day. Foggy first thing and very heavy dew during night, fortunately have extra waterproof to put over my blankets, some of chaps blankets nearly wet through with dew and fog. Had breakfast of bacon. On parade for roll call at 9 a.m. then dismissed. Went on swimming parade at 9.30 a.m. with Captain Jefferies, had good swim. General leave this afternoon from 12 noon to 5 p.m. went into public gardens and wrote letters then bought some oranges and tomatoes. Some of our troops acting disgracefully, rioting and smashing things up generally. Took some washing to be done, back in camp and roll call 5 p.m. Turned in about 7 p.m.


Sunday 2nd January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. physical drill 7.30 a.m. After breakfast had to put up tents which had arrived for us, one tent per section, very crowded. Nothing doing after dinner till 3 p.m. when I was on camp picket till 5 p.m. Parade and roll call 5 p.m. After tea a few of us obtained permission to go to Garrison Church Ismailia, very nice service, went straight back to camp and lights out 10 p.m.


Monday 3rd January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7 a.m. physical drill till 7.30 a.m. On parade again 9 a.m. Captain Welch took us for short route march through town, back at 11 a.m. No parade this afternoon. Wrote and posted letter to W. Hill concerning transfer to 3rd Engineers. Very windy day, sand blowing in clouds, spent afternoon writing. Not getting too good tucker or too much of it, have to buy to make up. Parade and roll call 5 p.m. In bed about 7.30 p.m. lights out at 10 p.m.


Tuesday 4th January, 1916

Reveille 7 a.m On parade 7.15 a.m. and physical drill till 7.45 a.m. and hours squad drill and one hour semaphore signalling, dismissed and dinner 12.30 noon. On parade 2 p.m. roll call and dismissed. Writing letters all afternoon. Tea at 5 p.m. and yarned till 7 pm. when turned in and lights out went at 10 p.m.


Wednesday 5th January, 1916

Reveille 7 a.m. On parade 7.15 a.m. Physical drill till 7.45 a.m. breakfast at 8 a.m. Had to assist at sick parade this morning, very busy with foments, dressings etc. till 11 a.m. then took about 40 sick men round to No. 2 C.C.S. Had walk round town and dinner and back at camp 3.30 p.m. Parade and roll call at 5 p.m. turned in 8 p.m. and lights out at 10 p.m.


Thursday 6th January, 1916

Reveille 7 a.m. on parade 7.15 a.m. with physical drill till 7.45 a.m. and then breakfast at 8 a.m. On parade 9 a.m. roll call, half an hours squad drill, an hours semaphore signalling and then Captain Welch took us for route march till dinner time. Went through town to some gardens, very pretty. Had leave from 12 noon till 5 p.m. Got my washing and bought some tucker, salmon, sardines, sausages in tins, bread and butter. Back in camp for parade and roll call at 5 p.m. Had yarn and into bed 7.30 p.m. lights out 10 p.m. Page 3 of 69


Friday 7th January, 1916

Reveille 7 a.m. on parade 7.15 with physical drill till 7.45 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. Parade again at 9 a.m. more semaphoring till 10.30 a.m. and then a route march till 12 noon and dismissed. Writing letters all afternoon, received two letters from England. Parade and roll call at 5 p.m. turned in 8 p.m. and lights out 10 p.m.


Saturday 8th January, 1916

Reveille 7 a.m. on parade 7.15 a.m. On picket camp area till 12 noon. Large mail arrive and received 12 letters. This afternoon we played 13th Battallion at rugby football, very hard game but we won by 4 points to nil, was playing myself. After tea party of us had permission to go to picture theatre, not up to much. Back in camp 8 p.m. in bed 9 p.m. and lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 9th January, 1916

Reveille 7 a.m. and on parade 7.15 a.m. Physical drill till 7.45 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. On parade 9.45 a.m. marched to church parade at 10 a.m. back to camp 11.30 a.m. and dinner 12.30 midday. Spent afternoon writing also evening. Was paid this evening, drew 300 piastres (£3-1s-6d). Very heavy dews at night, during day sand gets perfectly dry, but in morning it is wet to the depth of 3 inches or so just as if water had been poured on. Turned in 9 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.


Monday 10th January, 1916

New routine today ordered by Divisional Headquarters. Reveille 6.30 a.m. parade 7 a.m. physical drill till 7.30 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. On parade 9.30 a.m. marched off over sand for squad drill, signalling etc. till noon. I was called out from it this morning to assist dentist with extractions. Dinner 12.30 and on parade again till 4.30 p.m. Party of us were allowed to march to Indian Camp to play soccer football match. Won by 5 goals to 1. Went and had shower bath and back at camp 6 p.m. received my new diary today. In bed 8 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.

Tuesday 11th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. breakfast 8 a.m. Not on parade at 9 a.m. as had to assist at sick parade, dressings, foments, etc. kept me very busy till dinner time. After dinner dressings etc. to be done again and had to go to No. 1 Stationary Hospital with patient. Back late for tea, more dressings etc. and finished about 7 p.m. Did little writing turning in about 8.15 p.m. and lights out at 10 p.m.


Wednesday 12th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30a.m. on parade 7 a.m. orders read out and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. Section and company drill by Captain T Furber till 10.30 a.m. then by section Sergeant till 11.15 a.m. followed by signalling practice till 12 noon. Leave this afternoon, went into town and had fair dinner for 10 piatres (2s-1d) then went to church reading room and had quiet read at some magazines. Back at camp 4.30 p.m. Parade and roll call 5 p.m. Was writing till 8 p.m. into bed at 9 p.m. and lights out 10 p.m. Page 4 of 69


Thursday 13th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7 a.m. Physical drill till 7.30 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. On parade again 9.30 a.m. Major Clayton and Captain Jefferies took us for route march to Ferry Post on the Suez Canal about 4 miles, back for dinner. After dinner marched to football ground and played Division Headquarters Sig. R.E. soccer. Beat them 3 - 0. Back to camp and on parade 5 p.m. for roll call. Had read after tea, in bed about 7 p.m. and asleep long before lights out at 10 p.m.


Friday 14th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. with physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Had to leave parade at 7.15 a.m. to assist at sick parade and again at 9.30 a.m. Very busy till 12 noon. Dressings, foments, etc. At 1 p.m. busy for about an hour. Received wire from W. Hill re transfer to Engineers. Dressings etc. again at 4.30 p.m. Parade and roll call 5 p.m. Have compulsory gargle of Pot. Permang (Condy's) night and morning now as a case of meningitis has occurred in Infantry lines. In bed 8 p.m. and lights out at 10 p.m.


Saturday 15th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Some of our transport arrived during night from Alexandria. Parade again 9.30 a.m. and had stretcher drill till 11.30 a.m. This afternoon our corps played football matches, one each Australian and Rugby rules, winning both. I played in rugby match against 15th Battallion. Back in camp and roll call 5 p.m. Accident in Infantry lines adjoining us with a machine gun, one man killed and one wounded. Wrote again after tea and in bed 9 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 16th January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. today and parade 7 a.m. Gargle and dismissed. Had to have breakfast, shave and be on parade in full marching order by 7.45 when marched off with brigade to Moascar Station about 3 miles away where were inspected by General's Murray and Godley, then a march past and back to camp at 2 p.m. and only got tea for dinner. Funeral this afternoon of man who was killed in yesterday's accident. Our kit bags arrived today and got mine for first time since landing at Gallipoli. Turned in after writing at 8 p.m. Lights out 10.15 p.m.


Monday 17th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. Parade 7 a.m. Gargle and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. On orderly room messenger job today, relieved man on shift for breakfast. Parade 9.30 a.m. fell out and on duty as messenger at 12 noon till 5 p.m. Not much to do but have to be at post. Relieved 5 p.m. Applied for and was granted 48 hours leave to go to Port Said tomorrow, but cancelled it as want to get to Cairo to see brother Harry. Yarned tonight and turned in 7.30 p.m. Lights out 10.15 p.m.


Tuesday 18th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. parade 7 a.m. Gargle and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. On parade 9.30 a.m. Stretcher drill till 10.30 a.m. company drill till 11 a.m. and signalling till 12 noon. On parade again 2.30 p.m. and went for route march through town, back at 4.30 p.m. Parade, roll call and gargle at 5 p.m. Went to bed as felt very tired about 6.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m. Page 5 of 69


Wednesday 19th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 p.m. and on parade 7 a.m. Gargle, physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. Stretcher drill till 10.30 a.m. and company drill till 11 p.m. followed by signalling practice till 12 noon. Parade again 2 p.m. marched to football ground and played New Zealand Ambulance Rugby football making draw 1 goal 1 try each. I was playing, it was very hard game, back in camp for roll call and gargle at 5 p.m. Wrote letters this evening and turned in 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.

Thursday 20th January, 1916

Reveille 6.30 a.m. Parade 7 a.m. Gargle and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and on parade again 9.30 a.m. Our section (A) for duty today, orders read out and fatigues told off. Am in a digging party, digging large refuse pit 12' x 7' x 10'. Worked hard till 10.45 a.m. when stopped, had to get rations for midday meal and go with tools to Moascar camp where we are shifting to in day or so. Took us an hour to get there, snatched a bite and started digging again till 1.30 p.m. when relieved, went back to old camp. Parade etc. 5 p.m. advance guard left for Moascar tonight. Turned in 8 p.m. Lights out 10.15 p.m.


Friday 21st January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. Parade 6.15 a.m. packed kits, struck camp before breakfast at 7 a.m., loaded wagons by 7.45 a.m. and moved away at 8 a.m. Marched to Moascar about 3 miles to new camp site, arrived about 9 a.m. Unloaded wagons and pitching tents all morning. Went to coffee stall near by for dinner, had 9 fried eggs, bread and 2 cups of tea for 7 piastres (1s 5 1/2d) Pitching tents and general fatigue work till 5 p.m. when parade, roll call and gargle, then tea. After tea had quiet yarn and into bed 7 p.m. pretty tired, lights out 10 p.m.


Saturday 22nd January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. gargle and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. On parade again 9.30 a.m. general fatigue work fixing up camp till dinner time at 12.30. On parade again 2.30 p.m. and more fatigue work. Lining out camp area etc. Five of us put in bell tent today, not so bad. Parade, roll call and gargle 5 p.m. After tea did some writing till about 8.30 p.m. when turned in and lights out 10 p.m.


Sunday 23rd January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. gargle and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. Assisting at sick parade today, busy till 11 a.m. and after dinner for a couple of hours again doing foments, dressings, etc. Was writing again for rest of afternoon, more dressings again after tea and spent most of evening writing again turned in 8.30 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Monday 24th Janaury, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 7 a.m. Gargle and physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Breakfast 8 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. More fatigues pulling down and re-erecting tents and general camp work till 12 noon. On parade 2.30 p.m. went for route march across desert for about 6 miles, very heavy going, back for Page 6 of 69 parade and roll call at 5 p.m. also gargle. After tea did some washing and turned in 8 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Tuesday 25th Janaury, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. parade 7 a.m. Roll call and gargle and physical drill till 7.30. Breakfast 8 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. Company drill till 10.30 a.m. when we were paid, I drew £3-10s-11d (350 Piastres) Company drill again till 12 noon. Paraded at 1.45 p.m while some late special orders read out. On leave from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m to go to Ismailia, did not go but stayed in tent and wrote letters, windy and rainy day. Roll call 5 p.m. and gargle. Parade again 7 p.m. and compulsory lecture by Captain T Furber, in bed 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.


Wednesday 26th January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. rained and very windy all night. About 8 tents were blown down in our camp. Did not go on 7 a.m. parade as assisting at sick parades. Busy with dressings etc. all morning and admitted two patients to our hospital. Dressings etc. again at 1.30 p.m. and at 5.30 p.m., about an hours work each time. Wrote a letter in between times. On parade at 5 p.m. roll call and gargle and dismissed for tea. Been cold and rainy day. Our tent taken from us after tea for cooks use, separated into different tents so two of us went into hospital tent, turned in about 8 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.


Thursday 27th January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. not on 7 a.m. parade, busy fixing hospital up and making it tidy, also looked after patients, one of whom was sent to base at midday. Some of our letters which we had written and posted here were burnt in incinerator, paraded to Adjutant who inquired into it and beamingly said it was "an unfortunate mistake" saved him censoring them. On parade 1 p.m. in full marching order, transport as well, all officers mounted, went for route march throught Ismailia, did about 5 miles, rained hard, back for tea. Cold night so turned in early about 7.30 p.m., lights out 10 p.m.


Friday 28th January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. and on parade 7 a.m. Gargle and roll call, then fell out and started to work in hospital. Breakfast at 8 a.m. Dressings, forments, etc at 9 a.m. then cleaned up for inspection by O.C. Lieutenant Colonel Meickle. After this had a read till dinner time. Dressings etc. at 2 p.m. then went through our panniers and cleaned them out thoroughly, occupied us till tea time. Had to take over C Section hospital this evening, their tent Sub. division going to 13th Battalion on account of meningitis outbreak. Parade, roll call, gargle 5 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.


Saturday 29th January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. had to sleep in tent adjoining C Section hospital, in case I should be wanted. On parade 6.45 a.m. Roll call and gargle then went to my hospital work. Breakfast 8 a.m. Inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Had to be ready by 10 a.m. for an operation. Captain Furber performed it, a circumcision went off tip-top. After dinner cleaned up and sterilised all instruments again, then wrote some letters. Received letter from brother Harry who is at Lietoun. On parade 5 p.m. roll call gargle. Writing letters this evening till lights out at 10 p.m. Page 7 of 69


Sunday 30th January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. Roll call, orders read out and gargle, then fell out and went on duty at hospital. Breakfast at 8 a.m. cleaned up and dressings etc followed after which had spell till dinner time. After dinner dressings and foments again and wrote a letter before tea. A 14th Battalion man killed in town accidently by Military Policeman. He was drunk, name Thornton. Four battleships in lake today, aeroplanes flying about all the time. Went to the Church of St John in the Wilderness this evening, large congregation, mostly soldiers. Back in camp and in bed before lights out 10 p.m.


Monday 31st January, 1916

Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. roll call, orders and gargle, then went on duty at hospital. Breakfast at 8 a.m. cleaned up and went on with dressings. Inspection of entire camp by O.C. every morning at 9.15 a.m. Thirteen new patients today making fifteen in all, pretty busy getting them fixed up. Dressings again after dinner and at 3 p.m. got tin dish and had a good bath. Weather very nice this last couple of days, had kick at football before parade, roll call and gargle at 5 p.m. Choir practice from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. In bed 8.30 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.