Diary of Percy George Rupert Parkes, 1915-1916 - Part 3

MAY 1915
(watch back 15 minutes)
17  MONDAY 
Busy day as Orderly Officer. Beautiful day sea
calm & very deep blue, would like a swim
very much. Washing & branding equipment
all day in troop decks. Men are sleeping
on top decks now very close below.
3 of A Coy Officers sick which makes more work
for us. Wish some one would buy me a new
pen or give me one.
18 TUESDAY
10 minutes
Nothing fresh in the work but
getting awfully hot. The sea is lovely
again today. Thought it not possible to
be so calm. A newspaper is printed
on board pertaining to any events
happened during trip. Each copy sold
for 3 each very profitable. Lovely sitting
out on decks at night.
19 WEDNESDAY
15 minutes
Reveille at 5.00 from now. We hear of
another death on Ulysis. She is very close
to us this morning. About 8 AM she stopped
& had funeral on board. Work in middle
of day suspended owing to heat on our boat
Physical Jerks at night & a shower bath after
makes me feel fit after heat. The 23^rd Bat
gave a concert tonight on the deck & was
success.

1915 MAY

20 THURSDAY 

I learn today why we cannot get news

The wireless on our boat have the long 

distance buzzer cut off & can only

pick up messages to 5 miles. The flag ship 

Ulysis can only use long wireless. Ships

Subaltern tonight. Report every hour at Bridge

after visiting each Troop Deck & going round

the holds. My shift from 11 pm till 2.30 AM.

21 FRIDAY   

Fire alarm given to day to see how

soon men would get to their parade

decks, about 7 minutes from when the bell

started. I have to take charge of Boat

Crew when needed for C O or Skipper so
picked out 6 old Sailors for job.

We are looking forward to get to Columbo

about Tuesday. Very uncertain whether

we will get leave. In communication with

other boat about it.

22 SATURDAY         

Boat tossing a good deal today.

Half holiday for men. My platoon

have been selected to be Guard of Honour 

while in Columbo to stand by when

Flag ship passes or if any Generals come

on board. A member of 1st Court Marshall

I have attended. Man slept on Post acquitted.
23 SUNDAY

Church parade on last Sunday. Writing

letters all day for mail at Columbo.

Few Tropical showers.

MAY 1915
24 MONDAY
Washing day for "A" company & general
clean up. I drill Guard all afternoon
to satisfaction of Capt Baird.
We hear definitely to reach Columbo
about 8 AM. Tuesday morning.
Supposed only Officers get leave half
at time. Cannot get satisfaction about
men getting off even for route march.
25 TUESDAY
Every ^one astir early this morning land in sight.
Drawing near can see tall Palms & Cocoanut trees also
buildings which appear all to have flat roofs.
Hundreds of small boats of all descriptions being 
paddled about by ^the natives. We are surprised at
the harbour & its size. At 7.45 we salute
the flag. ship for first time. After breakfast we
are told that Officers only as arranged were to
get ashore 1st batch till 4 P.M. I being in 1st lot went
ashore about 9 o'clock. Second batch at 4 o'clock
26 WEDNESDAY
Boat leaves about 6 o'clock tonight. 2nd batch
Officers go on shore 1st till 12.15 & then 1st batch
till 4 P.M. Men are at loss to know why they
cannot get off & are disappointed & pretty wild
especially as the other boat let theirs off for
a march yesterday. Last night several of ours
got on shore by the coal tugs that come
alongside to give us coal. 4 men missing when 
leaving Columbo. Steaming out we xxxxx
entered into a Tropical Rain.

1915 MAY
27 THURSDAY
General clean up of ship today after
all dust flying about last 2 days &
its a treat of have the port holes in
our cabins opened again. They were shut
on account of coolies getting through & stealing
We taste fruit for breakfast from Columbo.
which all seems very rich. The paw-paw
apple being a mixture between Passion Fruit
oranges & Water Melon, rather sickly I think.
We sight the Indian Coast tonight. Our first
two deaths occured a Columbo while coaling
28 FRIDAY
All our fears of going to India to train 
knocked on head. one place out of our
minds. We are on our way to Port Said
not calling at Aden. Two or three men 
very ill. Very strict measures are being
taken about men not covering themselves
up when asleep on deck. Dew very heavy
at night. We learn that 2 men aboard
the Ulyssis having got back too late to catch
the boat.
29 SATURDAY
Terribly hot & steamy today very little
work. Late in afternoon games are played
on deck everybody interested. 2 more deaths
this morning. Funerals carried out by all
standing to attention & Last Post played.
Friends of deceased attending funeral & boat
stops.
30 SUNDAY
Church Parade as usual. A good 
loaf on deck enjoying beautiful breeze
Excitement caused by boat turning in circle (Testing
compass)

MAY & JUNE 1915
31 MONDAY
As much work as possible being done
but restricted by heat which plays
up with some of the men. Washing
this afternoon for men & blankets aired
on deck. 23 & 24 Officers have Tug-of-war
at night. Won by 23^rd to the intense
excitement of our brother Officers watching
us. Kennedy being our skipper. We are finding
difficult to sleep in our cabins this hot 
weather. Perspire all night & find it very 
uncomfortable
1 TUESDAY
Very blowy today & sea rising.
About midday worst. We could hardly 
keep our feet on deck & boat tossing a
great deal. Steadied down towards night
Another funeral this makes the 8th since
Columbo. Dr. doing all they can for sufferers
My turn to watch tonight. So going
to bed for a while & get a bit of sleep.
2 WEDNESDAY
Was called up 2.30 AM to relieve watch.
Everything went well. The air was
awfully close & one felt inclined to be
drowsy. Passed several large boats towards
the middle of the day.

1915 JUNE
3 THURSDAY
Only parade early in morning
& at night the rest is spent
in lounging about & playing
games. A concert at night
proved a great success for the
men. We had singing etc
to celebrate King's birthday
& drunk his health.
4 FRIDAY
Nothing fresh today.
Writing letters home to be
posted at Port Said, so getting 
an early start
5 SATURDAY
Getting ready for sports this afternoon
Ping-pong, Cricket, Tug-of-war, Three cricket
teams were picked from Officers 23^rd & 24^th
Test match played. 24^th won two out of three
D Coy 23^rd beat A Coy 23^rd in Tug-of-War
Each teams getting a bottle of Ginger Ale & ice
6 SUNDAY
Church Parade as usual, finish writing
letters. Subscription given to 4 lady nurses
attending men £60.

JUNE 1915
7 MONDAY
We sight land this morning & 
pass Aden. The long high ridges of
sand-hills on the Arabian coast look
terribly desolate & barren. On the African side
they are not so high. We pass an old Turkish
Fort blown up by the (Melbourne) Pass British Settlement
with a few tents at, "The Gates of Hell", entrance 
to Red Sea.
8 TUESDAY
We start our trip up the canal & spend a very
interesting day. Every mile or so we pass Indian
Troops on the Arabian Coast camped on bank &
entrenched. The place is nothing but flat sand
plains as far as eye can see. Egyptian side there
is a little vegetation along canal & every 3 or 4
miles a sort of canal station. It is wonderful the 

construction of Canal. All this side is entrenched
all the way along, & native troops with English Tommies
which we cheered. We reach Port Said about 2.30 P.M. & stop.
9 WEDNESDAY
I am in charge of Guard on boat to keep men from
getting off & Blacks from coming on. Men with
boat loads of fruit & silks etc come alongside
& sell things to the men. Getting full up of
this place. At midday a collision between a
mail boat 'Omrah" & a small barge took place.
The barge being cut in two & sunk in stream which
blocked us from getting out. Men from hospital came
on board who fought with Turks. A cabin boy came
on & had a good long talk did not know how the
rest of boys were. We were glad to see them.

1915 JUNE
10 THURSDAY
Were able to get out this morning &
passing to French War boats to which
we gave salute passed the Breakwater
& entered Mediterian Sea bound for
Alexandria. We still do not know where 
we are to land but guess its at Alexr.
We anchor about 3 miles from the Port
at night. The skipper being rather anxious
about Submarines. We saw very large Porpoises
tumbling about after our boat some about 4 or 5 ft
Weather cooler much more pleasant
11 FRIDAY
We steam into the Port this morning early
& find the Ulyssis empty so our place of
destination is settled & hopes of England dashed
We have to anchor in the Port until she is
clear of wharf which will be at night.
About 25 Troop ships in Port. 3 Officers wounded
from Dardanelles come on board & give us news
of fighting & time they have had there. Can get no
word of Stan nor other pals. Newspapers have very
little news although we hear Coy at doing in there.
12 SATURDAY
Dis-embark & entrain for Cairo from Alexandria a journey
of 147 miles which took about 6 hours. The trip was very
interesting & instructive. The old eastern was of
cultivating is still carried out. Camels & Donkeys for
transport & bullocks for beating out the rice. The
irrigation scheme is wonderful. The whole area
is under cultivation Arrived midday & pitched camp
13 SUNDAY
Church parade in morning & finished the camp.
Sunday afternoon off & went to Heliopolis to see
if any I knew in Hospital but found no one.

JUNE 1915
14 MONDAY
Reveille at 5 & work from 6 A M to 9 A M. Breakfast.
10.30 AM to 12 lecture Dinner 4.30 pm to 7.30 P M drill.
That is the routine. We find the heat very trying
& its hard to quench our thirst. We will have to
learn to always stop drinking as it play up with us
The Egyptians here are very rowdy & all over the
place. The meals are a bit off not being used to
their way of cooking, but still we are glad to
get them. Any amount of water for washing etc.
The sand & dust & very bad but we have just to 
settle down to it & drill for our lives
15 TUESDAY
General Officer commanding Army inspected
this morning at 7A M. Very trying & thirst was
awful, very few fell out though. We waited
3 hours standing in the sun for him & it
tried every Officer & man to the utmost.
16 WEDNESDAY
Feeling off this morning & Dr. sent me
to Hospital. Lay in tent until dinner time
the temperature which was 120°. It was like
being baked. Two Officers had sunstroke.
It was lovely & cool in hospital after hot tents
The nurses were very good & made us very 
comfortable.

1915 JUNE
17 THURSDAY
Feeling much better although weak. The
Hospital which was a large hotel is a lovely
large place. There were 9 Officers in same
ward as myself & 3 from same Bat. The others
being 24^th & 2 New Zealanders. Things pretty
quiet as we were all glad of rest.
Met Colac lad here who is orderly. Wrote letters
home
18 FRIDAY
Still keeping quiet & not allowed up.
Visitors came over today & had a
yarn for awhile. We are supposed to have
milk food. The Egyptian waiters bring in food
on large dishes. They not knowing what we
are to have ask us if we we will have so & so.
My lunch consisted of Soup, chicken, Bread & butter,
& Pudding. Dinner we were up to meat again & 
nurse came in, good bye to the rest.
19 SATURDAY
Feeling pretty right again but not allowed
up. We wander round to each others bed though
& when we hear little footsteps coming we get
back pretty lively. Dr. Maudsley (Colonel) is our Dr.
& knows Colac very well had a good yarn with him
Chaplain Stewart comes over every day & has a talk.
Received first mail from home (Australasian)
20 SUNDAY
Allowed up today & wander round outside a bit
At night allowed to go for motor drive & enjoy it.
Received paper from home & know there must be letters
somewhere.

JUNE 1915

21 MONDAY

We ask Dr. if we can get out today

but gives no satisfaction. Although

feeling weak we are otherwise well

I get very tired of lying about all day

& want to get back. Went outside & walk

round Hospital. The main hall is very nice

The very fine work surrounding the walls

seem to be all carved out by hand.

Outside in much oriental designed & the grounds

are spacious. Taken all through it is a magnificent ∧place.

22 TUESDAY

We again ask to get out & after keeping us

waiting until afternoon consents on condition

that we do no work for a week. He advised to

give up smoking & gave me a few hints

before going. We report back to Camp & are

pleased to be among them again.

23 WEDNESDAY

Went out this morning & saw the trenches

that had been dug. Bayonet fighting is

if full swing & one can see the men

take a great interest in it. Spent the rest

of day lying down. I feel the heat again

coming out of cool place. More mails

come into Camp. I receive paper. No 

letters yet though.

1915 JUNE
24 THURSDAY

I do light duty today & stay in Camp.

Very dusty the worst we have had so far.

Nothing further to relate.

25 FRIDAY

I just knock about Camp & do a few

odd jobs & take things easy

We get word to leave for Zeitoun about

1 mile from camp for instruction on Sunday

Imperial Officers relieve us.

26 SATURDAY

A party of 3 of us left about 12 PM. for the pyramids 

& had an interesting afternoon. Had our photos

taken in front of the Sphinx. A fine view is

to be seen from top of Pyramids. Inside we visited 

the tombs of King & Queen. The passage which is

only 3' x 3'8 is very slippery & it was hard work crawling

along. At night we visited Cairo & had a look at the slums

which were awful.

27 SUNDAY

All Officers platoon Commanders leave 

Camp for Zeitoun for 3 weeks instruction.

We reported about 6 pm & not arrangements for comfort

JUNE 1915
28 MONDAY

Started work this morning & wondered 

whatever we had start  struck.

The C.O is Major Coulston who was in 

the retreat from Mons. His lectures

prove very interesting. Imperial Instructors

seem more peculiar after ours &

certainly do not have the military look

& learning we have, if these are a good

sample

29 TUESDAY

Gun work is much the same as at 

the school in Australia. The instructors

have a very poor knowledge of the

drill & of course we think it waste

of time. This criticism is candid. They

are not sure of their works the commands

are rotten. The drill is carried out by

N.C.O.'s & lectures by Major Colston &

Capt Cooke the Adjutant.

30 WEDNESDAY

Things are carried on just the same

& of course the work is not satisfactory

& they berate us for bad drill. As I said

Major Colston give very fine lectures but 

Capt Cooke's lectures are exactly in the 

book.

1915 JULY
1 THURSDAY

 Large bunch of papers arrived

from home & letters

Nothing fresh or worth mentioning

about school

2 FRIDAY

1st Exam in musketry

3 SATURDAY

Examination held this morning on

work of the week (written)

4 SUNDAY

Went to Memphis City up the nile about 14 miles

& saw tombs of very ancient history. The Donkey

ride spoilt the pleasure of 14 miles

JULY 1915
5 MONDAY

Feeling pretty sore this morning

after yesterday We find that

4 Officers have to go back to their

Battalions through having perhaps

sufficient percentage at the exam.

Great disapproval amongst us 

as regards the way the exam was

conducted & the result.

6 TUESDAY

Ordinary Routine.

General Spence G.O.C of Australian

& New Zealand Forces came over to

the School & encouraged us we

found this beneficial as the

system of our training completely

changed afterward

7 WEDNESDAY

Pretty hard drilling this morning

& very hot. We had the afternoon 

off. Atkinson & myself go over

to see how things are at Camp & 

then go to Cairo for the evening.

Had dinner at Sheppards & went to 

a variety show at the Kursall (Theatre)

It was very good Amusements start

in Cairo at 10 pm therefore by time we arrived

back at school was about 2 AM

1915 JULY
8 THURSDAY

Ordinary Routine today

9 FRIDAY

2nd Musketry Exam held 

& resulted much better generally

not because of higher marks but

method much more satisfactory 

10 SATURDAY

2nd Written Paper.

Week end off. Spend afternoon

swanning about Zeitoun finally ranges

of different objects with Mikometer &

find it very interesting. Go into Cairo

& see a concert in the Gardens very good

but mostly Prince songs.

11 SUNDAY

Visit the wonderful Mosques & was struck with their

beauty. The work inside is very fine art. We

then go to the Citadel a kind of fort that overlooks

Cairo. You can get a splendid view here & see every

part of the City. Used as an ammunition Store. Visited Fire Brigade

JULY 1915
12 MONDAY

We do more advance work this week

& it becomes more interesting as they

are formations that have been of 

success already at France.

Col Colston tells us of some of his

exploits in the retreat from Mons which
was wonderful & we had not idea of

what a touch & go it was until he told us.

13 TUESDAY

Col Linton & Batt Commander ride over

this morning & was us do a new

advance under what is called Artillery

formation. It gradually worked up 

from the 1st phase of the attack right up

to the assault. It was extremely interesting

but awfully hot & tiring. It was the hardest

days work I had done for a long time prpppr.

our clothes were filthy with dust & sweat. Officers

looking on very pleased. Tumble into bed tonight dead beat.

14 WEDNESDAY

Drill Examination this morning

under Col Colston. Work very good

on the whole

The afternoon off & write letters also

receive the first letters sent from 

Australia. Previous to this all letters

have been coming straight through

evidently this mail was delayed somewhere

Saw Major McLeod in Cairo tonight naturally was

glad at seeing someone from home. Tells me all well

1915 JULY
15 THURSDAY

Another tactical sh scheme today

which took place over & old grave 

yard where bones were lying thick

& white all over the place. In taking 

cover we would knock our knees about 

some & our elbows. The Scheme passed off

very satisfying & I though myself fit enough

after this to take a seat in any boat &

race two or three hours. Its good for training

16 FRIDAY

3^rd Musketry Exam & visual training

Col Colston says a few words & reckons

our 6th Inf Brigade is up to any Brigade

he has seen in territorial Forces if not

better. He expects to hear great things

of us. Up till today my average as

the exams was 85% will not hear final

result until next week

17 SATURDAY

3rd Written exam & back to the

Battalion again by dinner time. We

were told that we could have week end off.

start Monday morning. My luck for that day

& next day was Orderly Officer so had to stay in

Camp. Sunday not much doing so slept a couple 

of hours

18 SUNDAY

Having inspected Camp & meal had a rest in

the afternoon

JULY 1915
19 MONDAY

We find that big strides have been

made during our 3 weeks absence is

really with me 5 weeks so I found great

changes out on parade. It was alright

getting about with the fellows again

& find although not so steady as when

we left were much more hardened.

20 TUESDAY

Syllabus of work carried out including

Outpost works, Guards & Sentries all the

time being on your metal as the

staff are continually coming from

out of the canal is seems. Mab finish

is off the staff & attached to my Coy

as 2^nd in Command.

21 WEDNESDAY

Feeling off again & thought was getting

another dose of Gastritus. Keep quiet

all day & would not have Dr^. thought

perhaps he would land me in hospital 

again. Felt easier at night & able to 

sleep

1915 JULY
22 THURSDAY

Alright again, though a bit weak

go out on parade. Met an of 71^st Officer

today back from Dardanelles. He knows

Gus Johnston & Parson being in same Company

Gus has a Commission & doing well same

with Parson. Sent a message back with

him when he was going back again.

23 FRIDAY

Ordinary Routine

Wild rumours of us getting a move on

to go down Canal. There are so many

phurpys (yarns) floating round this place

that we take nothing now unless it really

takes place. Once a week I try & get into to
Cairo & read any English papers that

come out to see if I can pick up news

It seems on the whole that little progress is being made

24 SATURDAY

Thorough inspection of mens kits this morning.

Go into Cairo tonight for dinner which is a 

treat after Camp. Meet Albert Christie (Lieut) from 

Colac here with 13^th LH. Sydenham is alright

25 SUNDAY

Major Knox, Capt Kennedy Lieut Lorimann & myself take a motor &

drive to Marage Gardens about 25 miles up the nile. Its a

lovely place we found & sorry we did not start in the

morning. Beautiful green lawns are good not keep

off so lay down & had a jolly time for a couple of hours.