Mosman 1914-1918

March 1916

23 Thursday

Cairo, Goods train at 6am arrived Cairo 1pm. Had a look round Sheblanga Village. Went Pyramids. Ride on donkey Rameses II tomb. Roman coins Fortune teller. Pyramid Cheops went inside, very slippery 410 ft high 30 years to build 4 to 6 thousand years old. Got money from Bank

24 Friday

Khaki trousers & Drill jackets issued. 8th Brigade left for Ismailia. We rec'd orders to move tents down & sent to Railway. Went pictures. Slept out in heavy dew. Tobacco & cigarettes issued. Hughie Steanes called & told me about Roy Stevenson. Puttees issued

25 Saturday

Cooks Fatigue. Getting ready to move. Baggage being sent away Monday we start on march to Ferry Post, a march that has only been done once before but numbers died. Slept out in heavy dew

26 Sunday

More preparation to move slept out again.

March 1916

27 Monday

Dinner at Kassassin scene of old battle Roused out at 4am. Started at 6am in heavy fog and marched to Mehsamah 16 miles. Numbers dropped out. 14th Brigade 5000, 15000 moving this week Slept out but got little sleep.

28 Tuesday

Up at 4 am and continued march at 6.30 bound for Moascar 21 miles. This was a most terrible day. Most of the going was over sand and the weather fearfully hot. Swim in pretty water hole when least expected. From then on it was a death struggle. Numbers dying & wailing for water. In trying to help the poor beggars by giving all our water and carrying their heavy bundles we were exhausted but finished with the few hundred out of 5000. New Zealanders fine display.

29 Wednesday

Another hot day. slept out in desert N.Z. brought us 4 dixies of tea last night and sent their waggons out all night with 8 horses bringing in the men. Horses had a frightful time yesterday. Continuing the rest of our journey NZ Battalions went out with water bottles. Prince of Wales came to see us. Marched through Ismailia to Ferry Post. Aeroplanes flying overhead. Swim in Canal Terribly hot day. Saw [Allworth?]

March & April 1916

30 Thursday

Fearfully hot. On Cooks Fatigue. Hospital tent being erected to receive 156 patients as result of the march. We are expected to move 9 miles out to Rail Head tomorrow but will most likely be delayed on account of patients.

31 Friday

Still hot. Digging rubbish pit. Swim in Canal. A road & railway line runs out for about 9 or 10 miles into the desert from Ferry Post. The 5th Division is now being concentrated here. Saw Day from Shadler St Mosman go past, also [sherring?]. On Guard at night Cigarettes issued

1 Saturday

Hot still. On Guard. Met Colin Smith. He is in hospital with our unit knocked up as a result of the march. Fun at Canteen when we pinched the glasses. Concert in the tent at night. Circus band camped next to us.

2 Sunday

Moved out 9 miles to Rail Head I was with the advance guard & went on an ambulance waggon the [?] but the camp in the desert. The rest marched in about 6 o'clock, slept out.

May 1916

8 Monday

Hot day: Continuing on trench but now making headway. Camp to be prepared and left standing for the unit which will take our place. May be leaving Egypt in a fortnights time possibly 23rd inst.

9 Tuesday

Hot. Carpentering latrines Heard that I may have leave to Cairo on Thursday. Water tanks sandbagged for proof against bombs from hostile aircraft.

10 Wednesday

Still warm. Continued carpentering. Left for Cairo in party of 5 at 6.45. Travelled to Ferry Post in light service waggon Seat broke. Going like fire engine Delay at Canal. Stayed. No 2 Stationary Hosp for night. Cup Cocoa. Slept in open on stretchers Two blankets & pillow

May 1916

11 Thursday

Train to leave 5.45 Nurse woke us at 5am. Breakfast of eggs & ham, jam bread & butter. Orderly wouldn't take tip. Major & Captn looking at passes on Ismailia station. Arrived Cairo 9am. Nice day shopping in morn Bath & dinner at Anzac Hostel. Visited Zoo. Sent cable home. Rode from Shepherds to Railway on donkey to catch return train at 7.15. Motor lorry to Ferry Post slept 15 F. Amb!

12 Friday

Warm Day. Waited till mid-day for Anzac DR Train. On returning camp learnt that we move to Ferry Post tomorrow Packing up

13 Saturday

Extremely hot. Marched from standing camp to standing camp Arrived like drowned rats

14 Sunday

Still hot. No Church Parade. Building Incinerator