Diary of Percy George Rupert Parkes, 1915-1916 - Part 2

MARCH 1915

6 8 MONDAY

We got word to move out tomorrow

& be replaced by New Zealanders

Everything got ready to move

out. Fine lot of Gift stores arrived

yesterday for men, this is the 2^nd

lot since being here. Wish we had

got it at Gallipoli. Very hot today

hottest since being here. A Battery 

of Artillery have been practising about

2 miles away Its like old times to

hear them booming away.

7 9 TUESDAY

Astir early & strike Camps. Leave "Youlong"
at 8.15 with full packs up. Make for Rail
Head which we reach at 11.30 after very
heavy march through deep sand & day
is very hot. Have lunch & resume our
journey, here we strike road which is very
funny to walk on after about 5 weeks of sand
Gets hotter toward noon men are feeling the
march & few drop out. Reach Ferry Post at 4 o'clock
fairly done up & footsore after 10 mile heavy march.
here we bivouaced for the night.
8 10 WEDNESDAY
Continue our journey this morning, for our Camp
at Moascar 5 miles. Road better & easier going.
Crossed from Sinai Peninsula to Egypt at Canal at
Ismailia. Changed Rifles at Ordnance store. March
through Ismailia very nice along roads & long avenues
of trees. Still very hot, trying. Our last 1½ miles
was through heavy sand again. Reached
Moascar at 2 oclock & pitched what tents we
had enough for half men
 

1915 MARCH

9 11 THURSDAY
Get to work & straighten up Camp after
the mess up the Officer who made out
the lines made of it. Got a few more tents
for the men. Moascar is about 1½ miles
from Ismailia our Camp being near
main Railway line. Training is to
commence straight away as our stay
here is pretty short I think
Very tired after last couple of days
shoulders sh a bit sore from packs.
10 12 FRIDAY
Reveille at 6. ½ hour Physical Exercises
before breakfast. Morning work. Section
& Platoon Drill.
It is official that we go to France &
embark very shortly.
We would have been rushed over at once
had not the French stopped the Verdoun push
Now there is not so much hurry & will
re-equip first.
11 13 SATURDAY
March about 2 miles to our Bgde parade
ground & do Batn Drill.
Afternoon Batn bathing parade at Lake Timsah
af 1½ miles away. First chance of swim for
weeks. Arms all very sore after inoculation
yesterday. Div Commanders are making
general straighten up of discipline
12 14 SUNDAY
3 or 4 of us walk to Ismailia & have look round.
Visit Gardens & some main streets. its a very large
place & fairly quiet.
 

MARCH 1915

13 15 MONDAY
Our work is mostly close [[?other]]
work & the discipline is being tightened
up considerably. We will be among
the first troops to arrive in France.
14 16 TUESDAY
We have a route march today
25^th & 24^th Bn^s to Ordnance Stores about
8 miles there & back. Carried out
under war conditions. It proved
a great success & HQtrs very pleased.
Marching through Ismailia on good
hard roads was appreciated by all.
Passed Sir Archibald Murray & his
escort on the road & coming back the
ever smiling General Birdwood.
15 17 WEDNESDAY
Drill in the morning & half
holiday. We have a bathing
parade at Lake Timsah. Hundreds
of men down there. It was
glorious swimming about. Water very
salt & hard to sink in.
 

1915 MARCH
16 18 THURSDAY
March past General Birdwood
General Legge & staff this
morning. Unfortunate things
being bungled up owing to
shortage of rooms to march
past in. I have been in charge
of Company all the week.
17 19 FRIDAY
Word received to be ready to
move any moment. Everything
made ready. Capt Kennedy was
going away. Will have to go
to "D Comp" & take platoon.
18 20 SATURDAY
We move Sunday night. Brigade to
be inspected & march past Prince of Wales
& General Birdwood. Very dusty all day
When lined up at 4 ready to move off heavy
shower fell & cleared dust. When Prince was
introduced everyone took off hats & cheered very
heartily. after March Past. Men cheered again as

he rode down the lines. Great demonstration
19 21 SUNDAY
Leave Camp at 6 tonight & entrain at
Moascar Station leave at 8.45 for Alexra
 

MARCH 1915

20 22 MONDAY
Our trip was made in open trucks with
sides about 18" high. Arrive at Alexandria
at 5.45 this morning. Woke up during the
rough trip several times with cold. also
feeling effect of 2^nd inoculation yesterday.
We embark on T.P. Lake Michigan. Did not
look much outside & the inside we found
in keeping with outside. Blowing very
hard outside harbour. Have to take watch from
12 to 6 in morning. Leave harbour 5.45
for Marsailles. after dinner feel sick
21 23 TUESDAY
Had pretty rotten watch last night. Very rough
& boat rolls a lot. Sick most of time. Turned
in at 6 this morning thoroughly tired & woke
at breakfast time feeling alright again.
Life belts are to be carried all day & to be
near us at night. Small cruiser is zig-zaging
across our bows all the time.
The boat was an Immigrant ship before war.
Nothing to be compared with other Troop Ships
we had been on. 1300 on board packed close
22 24 WEDNESDAY
We are zig-zag all day & boat going
very slow so as to turn quickly if needs be.
Everyone on deck between meals. No work
done owing to lack of room. Lectures sometimes.
On Submarine Guard from 6 tonight till 6
tomorrow night. Duty of men of look out to
keep eyes open for Submarines. Immediately
these men open fire if one is seen. We have 4
Lewis Machine Guns & a 3.2 Gun at the stern.
 

1915 MARCH
23 25 THURSDAY
Very cold wind on deck throughout
night. Wireless messages this morning
warn us that the "Gentlemen" are about
so special look out & extra posts are put
on. About 10 a message came through that
the Minneoppolis has been torpedoed
about 20 miles in rear of us & warning us
to push on. Later message says all boats got
away & sinking fast. It is a strict rule now
that no troopships to go to the rescue of another
This voyage is like the trip to Anzac over again.
24 26 FRIDAY
Got to bed early & had a good long sleep last
night. This morning am on duty under the
Bridge keeping look out & sweeping all
round with glasses. A Patrol boat comes
to us at great speed & signal something which
we can make out. She then makes off to a
boat in rear of us. Pass the Island of Pantalerie
at midday. The island is like one huge mountain
Terraces absolutely covers the island of Vineyards.
Very fine sight with houses of differing colour
dotted about.
25 27 SATURDAY
Ships Orderly Subs from 6 last night until 12.30
this morning. Beautiful & mild on deck. Sat in
deck-chair for a long time. Another very fast boat

passed us signalling. We make up our speed
at night. Will get to Marsailles tomorrow about
midday.
26 28 SUNDAY
Sight French coast early. Marsailles seen about midday
Very steep rocky coast. Entering Mars glorious view. Shot from
Port across our bows. Anchor at 5.45 & disembarked at once
 

MARCH 1915

27 29 MONDAY
We entrained at 11,45 last night in carriages our
train journey to be about 3 days we are told
Our train very long having 56 carriages. Halted
several times during night. 1^st class carriages
very nice lined with grey cloth with white
lace at the back. The express trains that
pass us travel very fast up to 80 miles an hour.
Our march from Pier to station at Marsailles
about ¼ mile along road used for transport.
Dust lying about 4" thick. Very few people
about the streets
28 30 TUESDAY
Made ourselves 3 Officers comfortable & got some
sleep during night. Woke about 5.30 & had look
to see what sort of country France is.. It is very
much like our own in places. Mostly vineyards
all the way. Very much more inhabited
not like our own going for miles without seeing
a house but houses everywhere. Had hot coffee at
6 oclock halting for an hour. During morning passed
beautiful scenery feeling once again like being
in a civilized country once more.
Getting much colder the further we go. Scenery
29 31 WEDNESDAY
still magnificent. We are travelling now for about
150 miles up a valley, mountains each side & along
the foot of one side a river is flowing. On
every peak is an old castle. The farm houses are
all made of stone & very old. The Forrests are
lovely not thick with undergrowth like ours.
Today alone we passed through 11 tunnels. Every
Town we pass through people line the streets to greet us.
Its a sad sight nearly everyone in black & only boys &
old men are about. War has left its mark all along the
line. Women are in the field ploughing & digging. Snow
is brilliant as we reach our destination at midday.
 

[* - We detrain & march to our Billets about 3 Kilometres the

weather is freezing. Our billets in village of Wittes.
I go off to farm house with 70 men & put up in a
Barn. My room is in the house. People very
nice but have difficulty to make them understand
English. *]

1915 APRIL
30 1 THURSDAY
This is a typical farm house. Just like our own
real farm houses of rather how it x poorer class

of ours. Plenty of mud as ther has been a lot of
rain. The farm implements are far behind the
time such as the old horse for cutting the hay etc.
2 sons of the family are at the war leaving the mother
father two daughters & 3 little boys at home. They are
very kind to me & willing to sell milk, bread & eggs
to the men. They are very interested in (Australlee)
as they call it. I tell them as best I can getting in
a bit of French here & there. The trouble is they talk
so jolly quick. I have a room up stairs where I sleep
& draw my ration from the men. We can hear the
heavy guns firing although 2 days march from firing
line. We were very tired after our long train journey
from south of France to just behind. We went
round Paris instead of coming through. I shall never
forget the trip for its beautiful surroundings.
31 2 FRIDAY

A case pf Typhus was round in 24^thBn after leaving
ship so we are quaranteened here. We march

about mile morning & afternoon to a field where
we have drill. Men are practised in the use

of Gas helmets. Weather today a little warmer. Heavy
frost on the ground every morning. The men give a

hand at cleaning up about the village. Digging & ploughing
- etc. Censorship of letters very strict. Cameras not
allowed to be carried & to be sent away. Maj Matthews
to be 2^nd in Command of 22^nd Bn. Capt Smith "C Coy" & 1^st 2^nd  D Coy.
1 3 SATURDAY
Physical exercises before breakfast. March out to
parade ground & drill & practise with Gas helmets.
Afternoon same. Evenings very slow here. Other Officer
has not arrived here yet. The remainder of the Battn have

not been heard of. Supposed to have arrived the day
following our arrival. Men so far behaving very well.
2 4 SUNDAY
Glorious sunny day. No parade. Sit out in the yard & read
all the morning. Pay in afternoon. Visitors at farm.
 

APRIL 4th Month 1915

3 5 MONDAY
March into Eire at 8 oclock with men to have hot baths.
They are provided with hot water & wooden tubs &
bath themselves. Afterwards issued with clean
underclothing. A very fine idea & men relished
it. Had a look through Eire which is fairly large place
shops very poor & no nice buildings whatsoever.
Streets narrow but clean. Very few people about
We expect to go into trenches on 6^th. Two days march
from here our line in. Supposed to be child's play
compared to Lone Pine.
4 6 TUESDAY
The remainder of Battn arrived
last night being overdue 5 or 6 days.
A meeting of Officers tonight & we were
told about the Trenches we are to
hold. Tuesdays march will bring us
in rear (2 miles) of trenches. Our line is
supposed to be very quiet after Anzac
& no bombs about. Distance between
Germans & trenches about 300 yds.
5 7 WEDNESDAY
Very cold bleak day again, the wind
seem to cut through one.
An enemy aeroplane was dropping
bombs on a village not far away.
We saw a fine sight yesterday by
seeing 8 aeroplanes up together.
General Joffre is expected to
visit us on our march to trenches
 

1915 APRIL
6 8 THURSDAY
Went for 8 miles route march to
"Rocqueteau". Passed two or three
villages on the way. All the
roads & streets are very narrow,
which spoils the look of the
country. Some beautiful avenues
of Poplar s trees are to be seen here.
The villagers give us a very good
name at "Wittes" & the men a
behaving fairly well except in few
cases when they get drunk
7 9 FRIDAY
We receive word to move out at 1 today

& proceed to our first halting place Haversquech
a distance of about 10 miles. As the crow flies it would
be about 5. The road is good & the marching splendid
The road winds a terrible sometimes going East &
then west. Passed many villages & all the inhabitants
lined the street to see us. This country all round
is farming district & all plouged up. It is much
wilder looking country here & not nearly so nice
as the South of France. Arrived at destination & were
billeted after a lot of hum-bugging about.
8 10 SATURDAY
Spent a very comfortable night in my billet last night
On the move at 8.30 today for Sailly about
12 miles distance. Today we get more nearer war zone
soldiers (English) everywhere. Passed very fine Aerodrome.
Stayed at "Mauville" for lunch (1 hour) Very warm place this.
The women folk (mostly factory girls) very free with the
men. Continued our journey from now on men began to
feel march. Feet aching on the hard road, also have very
bad feet. Arrive at Sailly at 3. More hum-bugging over billets.
9 11 SUNDAY
After hunting around on a horse myself last night finally got
all men billeted. We send our Billeting Officer & party before hand
to select billets but they mess it up each time. Men resting today

Nearly every house in France has been on to sell Beer & Wine which
is a nuisance. Least sign of drunkeness we close them up.
 

APRIL 1915

10 12 MONDAY
We move up to the trenches tonight leaving
at 4.45. Cul-De-Sac via Sailly, Fort Rompu,
Croix De Rome, & Fleauxbeau. Some of the rotters in
Coy (about 6 drunk) Felt like shooting them. When marching
through Sailly & English soldiers everywhere felt ashamed as
these blaggard tumbled along in rear. 15 minutes between
Coys as were under long range fire. When at Croix De
Rome we marched along 2 minutes between platoons. Just
after passing Fleauxbeau we turned off the road & entered
long communication trench running parallel to road about
1½ miles long running to our Trench. The C. Trench has wooden
bottom all the way.
11 13 TUESDAY

We took over trench from 16^th Royal Scottish Regt at
10 last night. Stayed up all night with Capt Kennedy to try & get
the run of the place. Stood to at 3.45 until 5 oclock. The trench
is very different from Lone Pine. Instead of a tunnel being dug it
is a breast work about 7' to 8' high made of earth & sand
bags. Behind is just level country. Wire Entanglements are
in front of our trench & also ^in front of German trench which is about
300 yds away. The trench is very nearly straight. The top of

the parapet is very level. We will soon alter that. Dry but in
rear of trench made of Sand bags & very comfortable. Wooden
ramps all along trench as it is very wet & muddy. Very little rifle
fire goes on. The artillery opened fire on to some buildings in
rear of us.
12 14 WEDNESDAY
Very cold & wet today Men are issued with

boots reaching to thighs also we have steel helmets. We understand
the Germans very seldom shell the trench itself & we seldom
shell them. It seems a picnic to Anzac. The Officers dug-outs
are like small rooms. In our Coy Office we have a fire burning
all day. Each platoon cooks its own meal in the trench &
some of men have fires made. The mud is frightful & one can
hardly walk on the ramps, so slipery. The length of D Coy line 350 yds
It takes a good while to visit each post of 6 men & 1 N.CO!
 

1915 APRIL
13 15 THURSDAY
Finer today. Get men on draining trenches &
straightening up. A Road & stream runs through
our trench from the Germans. The ground between
two trenches called (No Mans Land) is flat & covered
with grass. The trees have been cut off at the
leaving about 8 feet of the trunk standing. The
enemies ^snipers get in these at night. Our first casualties
this afternoon by shrapnel. Terribly cold tonight
everyone has a cold. My shift is from 11 pm to 2 AM.
Only 2 Platoon Commanders so I do a patrol at night.
At night it is like a fireworks display. Flares going up
from both trenches all the time
14 16 FRIDAY
Wet & cold again today. Had 20 to 30
shells H.E. & shrapnel thrown over to us this
morning. No casualties & little damage to Parapet.
General Birdwood visited trenches this
morning. Came into Dug Out & asked if it was
better than Anzac. Asked if we were troubled
with rats. The later there are thousands of
them & dispute the pathway with one at night.
Very quiet watch last night. 22^nd on our
left had their patrol shot at by their own men.
Had a light fall of snow this morning
15 17 SATURDAY
Still cold & wet very short allowance of fuel.
Small parties ar working filling sandbags with
stones from road. Makes excellant bullet proof.
Snipers very busy at night when putting up these bags
We are relieved tonight by 24^th. We get to the rear
a couple of miles to the village of Fleaubaix
16 18 SUNDAY
We are having complete rest today & its alright. Felt
about full up last night after the strange work in
new trenches.
 

APRIL 1915

17 19 MONDAY
The village we are in has been very badly damaged
by shells. One time was in German hands. The
barb wire barricades are still standing in the
streets. Hardly a place up the whole street is not
damaged. Not a window left. Whilst out the Batn
supplies all the fatigues. Two Coys supply night
fatigue & D Coy day work. Very hard on the men &
instead of being rest is very hard work. It is
more dangerous working in rear than it is in
trenches in a way.

18 20 TUESDAY
Most of men out on fatigue work. Still keeps very
cold & wet. Exciting to see the shells fired at
Aeroplanes. Both sides have failed yet to bring one
down, although shell after shell bursts round them.
Have a nice fire going in our room & busy censoring
letters. It has been a real rest day today. After
having inspected billets (my every morning job) I
had very little else to do so had good spell.
Mail arrived tonight or rather half of it
rest due tomorrow.
19 21 WEDNESDAY
About 4 am this morning jumped out of bed wondering
what had happened. A terrific bombardment opened

up on a plane just above our billets. The place was
trembling & rattling very much. Couldn't see much
by poking my head through the broken window, so
turned in again & finished my sleep. Lost 2 men
wounded whilst working near Convent Hall &
one man killed. The Convent speaking about was the largest
in France. Its simply blown to the ground & only parts of
the wall is left standing. Our trench in C Coy is just in front of it
 

1915 APRIL
20 22 THURSDAY
A hot bath all round is waiting for us just near
Armientiers about 4 miles distant. Large tubs to
hold 6 to 9 men about 5 feet deep filled with hot water
for a bath. The men thoroughly enjoy it. When they come
out they find their coat disinfected & pressed &
a clean change of underclothing. Its just lovely to
sit in a nice hot bath after messing about for
days without a wash. Wish this was at Anzac.
Passing along road, always in not more than 6 men at
at time & 200 yards interval, trenches are everywhere & huge
shell holes in the fields. This is after early days of the war.
Good FRIDAY
21 23 FRIDAY
Everyone is to be very strict with an
suspicious persons. There are about a dozen women about
here still & a few men. I wouldn't trust them as
far as road. I'm certain they are spies of some sort &
only waiting for a chance to prove it. Rain set in
heavily about 2 hrs before relieving 24^th. We waded
along the road through water sometimes over our
boot tops. The communication trench was flooded
each side of the ramp we walk along. Pitch black
night & when flares went up & then out made it blacker.
Not one got to ste trench without going in several times.
22 24 SATURDAY
We passed a fearful night last night wet to
the skin & mud to our knees & very cold. This morning
still raining heavily cannot dry clothing. Heavy shell
fire in rear about 150 yds on old houses, nearly
demolished already, & on communication trench, lasted
about 1 hour. Our aeroplanes very plucky 128 shots fired
at 2 of them this evening. It does not seem like Easter
EaSTeR
23 25 SUNDAY
Weather finer thank goodness & able to dry clothes. Except
for Machine Gun fire & some rifle fire everything
very quiet.
 

APRIL 1915

24 26 MONDAY
Had 5 hours sleep on stretch last night feel awake &
not so nervy once more. Enemy shell old building again
this morning putty 77 shell H.E. into one place or tried
to. This is in return for our few shots at their parapet
yesterday. Our Aircraft Guns far more accurate than
theirs & carry further. Although hundreds of shots
are fired by both sides there has only 1 plane been
brought down. Airplanes circle over their lines time
after time but theirs generally makes off when fired on
Patrol from 21^st Bn fired on German Patrol who tried
to surround them. They were driven back with effective
capture.
(Anzac Day) 25 27 TUESDAY
Went down to Bn Hd Qters [[? Nonay]] Post last night. Water
along sap still deep in places. Glorious day again
& sun nice & warm, a real treat. Germans seem to
have a liking to sending shells a few feet over our
head into same old houses 300 yds in rear. About 90
both 6" & Whiz bangs were pumped in. Our Artillery
seems very slow in answering. This afternoon enemy
opened up on "Boutillerie Avenue". Working parties were
to much clumped together. Watching enemies lines today when
sniper hit the glass in my periscope. Pieces struck my steel
helmet - one large piece grazed the cheek of man standing by.
26 28 WEDNESDAY
Another warm time from their shells again
today. Our communication trench was very badly
knocked about. Very quiet otherwise. Ground Cannot
get enough rest being waked up by telephone calls
at frequent intervals. Capt Kennedy is very fine in the
trenches & never happy unless shells are flying
round.
 

1915 APRIL & MAY
27 29 THURSDAY
Very quiet all through the day. At night about
 5.30 about half dozen shells were put on to our
parapet & just in rear. I remarked to Capt Trew at
the time there would be something doing tonight
after those ranging shots. I was not far
wrong. At 10.30 on our left Artillery start & worked
round to us. They simply rained H.E. & shrapnel
at us landing about 20 yds in rear of us & some
over the parapet. The heaviest bombardment I have
experienced. Shells must have been at the rate of
40 a minute. The rotten part we just had to stand
still & watch them. Of all this we only suffered 3 casualt
28 30 FRIDAY
After our 1½ hrs bombardment last night
everyone was pretty tired at stand-to this
morning. Very quiet throughout the
day. Officer from new Battn which is
relieving us comes in & I take him round &
explain things to him. We will get our
trench mortar on the go tonight & retaliate
for last nights stunt. So probably will
have some more fun tonight. We are
standing to ready anyway.
29 1 SATURDAY
They took it pretty quietly last night & only

sent over a few shells. Today take stock of

all stores in the trench ready to hand over.
Finished entering up log book. This books notes
all works done & to be done also observation on
enemy trenches. Thank goodness we are to be relieved
tonight. Just about fill up.
30 2 SUNDAY
Reach our Billet at 1 this morning dead beat. Fixed men
up & just turned in as I was & didn't care if the house
was blown to smithering. Woke up at 9 this morning it
was great to have had a dozen hours rest.
Church Parade in afternoon. Had Easter Sunday Service
 

MAY 1915
1 3 MONDAY

Parade & check & overhaul equipment
throughout day. Men billeted in Huts built
unch in square of tall Elm trees.
Supply fatigue tonight for cable laying to
work all night.
Leave has begun for England runs out for our
Battn thus. 1 man per Coy every 4 days every 16
days D Coy sends 2 men instead of 1 Officers 1 every
16 days. Mine comes I should think in
about 18 months time, am looking forward to it.
Jokes aside there are those who have gone right through
should go first.
2 4 TUESDAY
Start training with Rifles exer & Squad
Drill to tighten up after life in trenches.
Take Coy up & dig trenches for bayonet
fighting practice all day. About 2 miles
away.
3 5 WEDNESDAY
March to E- for hot bath. Very fine.
A few bombs dropped by Areoplanes
on our way up. Women & kiddies running
about the streets very frightened.
We send a trench party out every night morning
at 12.30 until 12 noon. Work out here is
mostly fatigue work & plenty of it.
Col got a toss of his horse today whilst

jumping. Very fortunate getting off with
bruised arm.
 

1915 MAY
4 6 THURSDAY
Yesterday & today real early spring
weather making one feel very languid
& heady, better than snow though.
The country round about as far as grass trees
etc is a perfect picture everything so green.
After school kids are working in on the
crops weeding them. Hear of Dublin
rising & the surrounding of General
Townsend . The French doing well at
Verdun & holding their own thank goodness.
Russians have also arrived.
5 7 FRIDAY

A few pretty hefty shells falling about
today 9" I should think. Bursting
hundred of yards away. Yet the house
& windows rattle.
Twelve months since leaving
Aussie. What an experience
when looking back. However
still going strong. Tis a great war
as long as you don't weaken
8 SATURDAY
23^rd Bat embarked at 10.45 A.M. sat in Troop Decks until
12.15 PM before allowed on Deck. At 2.50 after first dinner
on board the Boat Euripidies on which we are, left the
pier. Band playing & men cheering. Men were seen
everywhere up the rigging making a very fine sight
After lovely trip up bay anchored off Port Sea for night & 6 PM.
First night in bed at 1 o'clock feeling very tired.
9 SUNDAY
Rose at 6.15 AM & made our nominal roll for Company for
Staff Officers to take back to Melbourne. Drew anchor at 8.15
& started for the Heads. Caught up to sister boat Ulysis
& cheered each other. Passed rip in choppy water. Had a
good long look at the bluff & thought of good times I had
spent there.
 

MAY 1915
[*(Watch back 23 minutes)*]

10 MONDAY

Felt rather off this morning could not
get to breakfast or other meals lay down all day
& feel better at night. Nothing doing at
all with men until they find their
sea legs. Lost their jolly good meals much

to my sorrow, but feed up on apples & biscuits
(Put watch back 23 minutes) 11 TUESDAY

Feeling much better went to breakfast & (cracked

handy) although I wanted to leave. Got up on deck

after & had a good blow from a fresh S.W. wind. Boat

not rocking so much & sea calmer. The Ulysis is just
seen right astern of us & falling back. Give men
physical exercises which they enjoy. Dinner Lunch good
& had an easy time in the afternoon paying the men.

Everyone feeling better at dinner & able to sling off

after last two days experience. Nothing doing after ^& went

to bed again. The sea air makes everyone very sleepy

(Put watch back 23 minutes) 12 WEDNESDAY
We are many miles south of the ordinary south of ships

& have seen more land now for 24 hours. We seem to be the only
thing on the sea except a few Albatross flying about behind
the ship. We are told we stop at Albany & mails to leave.
I write my first letters home & wonder why xx they have
censors. As many men as possible are being discrete.

All Officers are to have physical Exercises or Jerks as we
call them @ 5.15 PM to 6 PM every day. Lieut Raws in charge 1^st day.
& very little jerks were done probably will have him again.
 

1915 MAY

[*(Put watch back 23 minutes)*]

13 THURSDAY

Orderly Officer for the day. Had to go over ship with

Captain & inspect troop Decks. Very interesting to

watch him. What he does not see & smell is not

worth knowing. He is so awfully keen. All

looking forward to seeing land again. About

4 PM we saw faint outline of hills on our front.

Soon could distinguish every irregular coast of
W.Aust entering Albany. Huge rocks about 100 ft
out of water are scattered about in front & hard to

tell where we get in to bay. We go through a very narrow
head. On the left a huge rock about 75 yds off boat we 
will never get closer to land again I guess in the 
boat. On right about 600 yds irregular hills ending in

a rock about 300 ft high. Very barren looking everywhere

only thing of life is light house & 2 or 3 men there.

but the irregularity of rock & shore relieve the
barreness. Got my first awaking at sea tonight

a fair beauty drenched

contd

14 FRIDAY

(Watch back 15 minutes)

No land in sight today & 12 days to Columbo. Ship

rolling a good deal again & heavy sea. We have to

wait for other boat it cannot keep up. Men get excellent
meals on board. For (breakfast) Porridge, Roast Pork,

Tea, Bread butter & Jam, (Dinner) Soup, Stew Rabbit,

Rice boiled Stewed Figs, Tea, Bread butter Jam,
& Pickles, (Tea) Bread, butter Jam, Tea

this is varied every day. Enough bread butter Jam

& Pickles are drawn in morning to last all day.

15 SATURDAY

(Watch back 15 minutes)

Atmosphere getting very stuffy & can feel is getting

warmer. Half-holiday for men. Officers get up on

deck & play games & enjoy ourselves thoroughly

with Boxing, Quoits Fencing etc ending with

physical drill & chase round boat. After dinner
we had si^ng^ing a ship Commander had a very
very fine selection of Phonograph Records & lasted
till 10 P.M. 1^st death on Ulysis & buried at 11.30 AM
Flags at half-mast
16 SUNDAY (Watch back 15 minutes)

Communion Service at 9.30 AM & Church Parade at 11
very fine. Afternoon wrote letters home & spend
quiet afternoon in my cabin. Concert at night by
24^th Bat. Being kept back by other boat.