Diary of Percy George Rupert Parkes, 1915-1916 - Part 4

JULY 1915

26 MONDAY 

nothing doing except getting
up a thirst on the dessert
drilling. Week end trips
do not agree with me. In like 
starting work on a Monday 
morning. This is soon knocked 
out of you though.
27 TUESDAY
We go for our first bivouac tonight
I have the charge of A Coy supplying
the Advance Guard to No 2 Tower

about 4 miles off through heavy sand.
slept like a log although about 4 I
felt pretty weak about the knees. We
all wear short nickers on manouevers,
At 5 we were astir & after a biscuit &
cup of tea fought an attack over sand
hills back toward Camp.
28 WEDNESDAY 
Go out a good way & have a bit of
a Coy attack. Doubling about a
lying down makes one perspire a
trifle. Thick dust on top of this you
know what we would be like.
Our bare arms & bare knees are a
picture to look upon. I don't know
how scotchmen are able to get about
without scraping their knees. I have got
the right colour but find them softer than stone

1915 JULY & AUG. 

29 THURSDAY

Ordinary Routine. Very hot today

We seem to have struck a bad

summer. Taken up till now it has been

the hottest for 28 years The 1st week we 

 were here the highest register was 125°

the hottest day for I forget how long 40 years I

think. Anyway that was the day I was

at the Hospital. I will not forget it in a hurry

you guess. I don't want to go through it

again under same conditions 

30 FRIDAY

Col Morton is back with us

again after being unwell & sent

away for a spell. I have my

doubts whether he can stand in

or not

31 SATURDAY 

Pay this morning which is needed

pretty badly by everyone

Serious trouble in Cairo at night at the "Wassa"

Disgraceful Scenes occurring resulting in more

or less a riot 5 houses burnt. Cause unknown

yet. Its a pity the whole show was not burnt. The scenes

carried on at the place is indiscribable. 

1 SUNDAY

All leave stopped out of Camp special picquets at Cairo 

& Heliopolis Had a busy day as Orderly Officer sending

in fresh Picquets when needed. 

AUGUST 1915

2 MONDAY
Letter read to troops about conduct
in Cairo. This was altogether unfair
even though it came from the G.O.C.
It cannot be proved that Australians
were the cause to start the affray.
Both New Zealanders & Tommies were
there. One things when called upon
to restore order the Australians were
all there. Bad scheme paying week ends
3 TUESDAY
Bivouac tonight at Tower over
Manhut about 5 & "A Coy" act as Outpost
Coy for night. I had to picquet which
supplies 1 Group on road.. A car which
was held up by our Sentry spoilt the
pleasant trip of an Officer & 2 ladies by
turning them back. He never consulted
me on the matter at all.
4 WEDNESDAY
On the move at 4 this morning from Bivouac
& fight an action back to camp.
It gradually go very hot until 9 oclock
when we got to camp every stitch of
clothing was ringing wet with perpperation
& thick with dust. We looked rather
a sorry lot as regards dress but
everyone was cheerful.

1915 AUGUST
5 THURSDAY
General routine of work
6 FRIDAY
Got a minutes notice to take an Escort into
Cairo to bring out 1½ tons of rifles. Left Camp
at 10 on horseback taking transport Wagons
& 4 horses with 5 men. Around a Kasr-el-nil
Barracks in Cairo about 12 oclock, loaded Rifles
which took about 1½ hours after very hot work.
Had dinner down the City & left for home about
3. By the time we arrived at Camp I had
had about enough of riding for one day, not being
for such a long ride for weeks. arrived home at 5.30
7 SATURDAY
Company Drill & general work in
morning. Saturday afternoon go to the
Egyptian Bazaar & purchase some things to send
home Wonderful place for Silks etc. Go to the
entertainment at night at the Kursall. Heard some
very fine singing.
8 SUNDAY
Church parade & then for a ride until lunch time.
Go on duty at 6 PM until 1. AM with 30 men in Heliopolis to
close up Pubs at 9.30 & keep order. After 10.30 stop every one coming
off Canal terminus & exam his leave

AUGUST 1915
9 MONDAY
Had the day off & slept most of the day
feeling pretty tired
10 TUESDAY
Brigade route march this morning
the first we have had as a Brigade
At night we left for Tower No 2 for
a Bivouac A & B Coy as Outposts. We were taken
by surprise General Legge visited us about
midnight. Very amusing scenes occured
when challenged. "Who goes there". General Legge.
The sentry replies "You can't come that dodge
moti".
11 WEDNESDAY
Up at. 3.45 & strengthen our Picquet Line
visited again by General. An attacking
party who went out about 2 AM fails to
get past our line. Fall in about 6 AM &
march home. This is the first time I had
war marching order over here with the men
We had to take Great Coats so wore the whole
Equipment to get used to it.
Go on as Orderly Officer tonight.

1915 AUGUST
12 THURSDAY
Battalion work on Parade
ground.
13 FRIDAY
Ordinary Routine &
letter writing. Bivouac tonight
& trench Digging.
14 SATURDAY
We carried on with Trench digging all last night
as soon as we arrived on the ground Left off
at 6 this morning & marched b to Camp Very hard
night but interesting We arrived back to find
letters awaiting us. No leave for Cairo this
week-end as there is an Egyptian affair on &
natives easily aroused
15 SUNDAY
Got a supprise last night when Stan came over, he is
alright except for wound in the hand. Could not get
in the hospital today. xxx

AUGUST 1915
16 MONDAY
Things very much excited this
day. Almost certain (so we are told)
that we will be out within a fortnight
& relieve those at the Peninsular. Any way
all preparation are being made for it
& we are to get our last pay this
afternoon. Went in to see Stan tonight
but found him out, The money I drew
today will have to keep us both. I ran
short & did not have a reserve having
bought things to send home. Otherwise (HARD UP) 
17 TUESDAY
Ordinary routine
18 WEDNESDAY
Back to the old Platoon.
Company Drill once again to
straighten up discipline that
is lost to a certain extent when
in larger work.

1915 AUGUST
19 THURSDAY
Work being done now
is mostly Battalion Drill
& Bayonet Fighting
20 FRIDAY
ditto
21 SATURDAY
Half holiday today. very warm
again
22 SUNDAY
Visited the gardens in the Car
belonging to Div. Head Qrts

AUGUST 1915
23 MONDAY
Very bad dust storm lasting
all day. Most trying to everyone's
temper. Its absolutely
choking at times
24 TUESDAY
Get word to have everything
in readiness to leave here
all kits are being packed
up.
25 WEDNESDAY
Have very heavy day having
Field Work perhaps hardest
we have had doubling
through the sand & over hills
We use ball cartridges for the
1st time on these manouevers

1915 AUGUST
26 THURSDAY
Usual work carried out
today.
Pack my Pack & sent other things
into Cooks storage rooms where
they look after it.
My pack consists of Great Coat, Towel, 4 Pr Socks
6 Handkerchiefs, 1 Water Jacket, Comforter Cap & Mittens
Shaving Kit, Electric Lamp, Writing Pad, Tobacco
& Matches. On the outside of this is 1 blanket &
1 Water proof sheet.
27 FRIDAY
Orderly Officer today. Tents are pulled
down & taken away. Camp lines cleaned
up. Officers & our CO's paraded at night
before G.O.C who gives few hints
before we leave.
Besides the Pack we carry above. We have
Revolver, 1 Pr Wire Cutters & Books that we
carry in our pockets. The whole lot
makes quite a decent weight to carry.
Promoted to 1^st Lieut
28 SATURDAY
Order come that we move out 7.30 Sundy
night. Everything is in readiness to
move. General leave is given
through out. Mails are just coming
in in time before we leave.
Write letters home
29 SUNDAY
Church Parade. Holy Communion
Brigade marches past. Very fine sight.
Leave Camp 7.30 PM & march 2 miles to station

AUG. & SEPT. 1915
30 MONDAY
Entrained last night @ 9.30 & arrived at
Alexandria at 5 AM this morning, slept
most of journey & woke up very stiff,
We embark on the Troopship "Haverford"
she is nothing to be compared with
Euripides, Meet Ivan Kalms & McCormack
on board at dinner time. They came on
to see us before getting away. 4 PM we
left Alexandria. all precautions are
taken no lights after 7.30. Machine Guns
& Guard ready all time watching for Submarines
31 TUESDAY
On Guard for 6 hours during night nothing
to relate. Turned in very tired & slept till
about 8 AM. The boat has very little as far as
comfort for troops are concerned. Very little water
& poor Troopdoctor. This is noticeable after
the Euripides. Lounged about all day.
Very little sea-sickness. I myself feel tip-top.
While on Guard I felt off for about an
hour due to the inoculation against Colera
I think that we had Monday afternoon 
1 WEDNESDAY
Got to bed early last night all lights are out
at 7.30 on the boat. It is very muggy weather
today something like the Red Sea. Orders
came out that boots are to be left unlaced
so all precautions are being taken.
This does not affect the spirit of the men
who are as happy as larks. We are going a
long way round to reach Lemnos. We passed
the island of Crete about midday

1915 SEPTEMBER
2 THURSDAY
We woke up this morning little thinking
what was going to happen during the day.
About 10-15 we noticed small boat dotted all
round the Southlandx on which the Hd Qts staff
21^st Bat & B Coy of the 23^rd. When we got closer we though
they had struck a mine but found after we rescued
men from rafts & boats she had been torpeodoed.
Within ½ hour about 6 Steamers & 3 Destroyers
were on the scene show the value of wireless.
Throughout the day we stood on our post ready with life
belts. Everyone perfectly calm. We arrived safely at Lemnos
3 FRIDAY
With regret we hear that Col Linton is dead
having been picked up exhausted & others
not yet accounted for. A torpedo was also fired
at us just coming into the harbour but fortunately
missed. We steamed up a beautiful
harbour with scores of steamers & many Cruisers
anchored. The green high hills on either
side with Camps dotted here & there made
a very fine sight. We kept up communication
all the morning about the missing men but
so far nothing definite can be got. We anchored
right up near the end of the harbour which
is about 2 miles wide & 3 long. It is quite
natural & beautiful. The men enjoy a swim
I lounged about up on the Bridge & took a good look
at everything with a good pair of glasses.
at night it is lovely on deck to see all the other ships light
4 SATURDAY
We get orders to move at 1 PM so tranship^ed to
the tug boat Partridge & had a good voyage across
getting to Anzac about 10 PM. We were within the
range of fire now & Rifle & Gun Fire could be heard in
the hills. We then got on to the barges parked very close
indeed & was towed to the shore. Bullets meanwhile
bugging past & dropping around. We disembark &
a solid march up to Rest Gully where we just slung our
packs off & rested.
5 SUNDAY
This morning we rearanged the Corp's & put them on the
side of the hills & rested all day. We understand now
what our boys had to do to land here. One cannot
imagine until seeing it. Colac boys came over to see us Dick Bassett
& Alex Sanson. We are living on Bully Beef & Biscuits with water

SEPTEMBER 1915
6 MONDAY
I have to leave with my platoon & go to Lone Pine trench
& get instruction the rest come on later & relieve me. We leave
amid cheers & good luck from the C.O We are the first of 23rd to get
in the firing line, We start off for about 11/2 miles solid climb
with full packs up, arrive at Reserve trenches about 8 AM.
At 9 AM we go into the trenches & take our position amognst
the 2^nd Bat to see how things are work. We are amazed at the
trenches [[?]] & work that must have been done. The position
we occupied was a captured Turkish trench & very
much alive with live stock you can guess. The men settle
down marvellously well without any excitement what
ever. Only snipping work is carried out in the day time
The turks are wonderful shots. Anyone showing about the
parapet would such get hit. They hit our peroscopes as soon
as they appear above parapet. When shooting through loop-holes
they sometimes get a bullet in. Sharp very quiet until
about 5 PM. when slight shelling commenced on both sides
thus died down toward night, at 9 PM. It was the plan to
open up rapid fire on their trenches to drain their fire & waste
ammunition. Then the fire commenced & we were under fire
very solidly from machine Guns & Rifle Fire A very curious experience
for the 1st turn & some a little scarred but soon got used to it.
7 TUESDAY
I was awake alnight except for 2 hours when I was relieved
& got a bit of sleep. At night a constant snipping has
to be kept up to keep them quiet. The strain is somewhat
heavy as we must as always alert for the least sign of
attack. At dawn the firing became heavier & gradually
died down again. At one end of the trench we are only
10 feet away from Turks, here bombs are thrown in from
each other trenches. Last night 3 men from C Coy were
wounded. We were relieved at 2 PM & very glad as
we were all very tired after our first time in the trenches
About 4 oclock we got into our reserve trenches & are resting
Each man has a place scooped out in the side of the trench
called Dug Outs This is our home. Heavy bombardments
are going on this afternoon & the heavy guns shake the
very ground. For myself I thought going under fire was totally
different to what it was. It seemed just to come natural
& without excitement whatever. I hardly notice the
whiz of the bullets now which is kept going all day They
snipe from their trench & we snipe at them. Some of [[?]]
[[?]] gun make a row when they burst just near
8 WEDNESDAY
Had a lovely nights sleep in spite of bombs. Our dug outs
are just in rear of firing line about 100 yds
& occasionally shells come over. I was told that we
had to occupy the trenches again today for 48 hours
so moved in at 8 am. Much the same work in the trenches
constantly on the look out for any attack. At night the
firing increased as it always does at night & morning
[[?]] 9-15 PM. we drew their fire again & by [[7am?]] they
pelted our trenches with Machine Gun fire & Rifle fire.
We were perfectly safe though behind the parapets
sometimes a stray coming in. Bombing was pretty
[[?]] this which lasted about 3/4 hour &
then died down a bit. It get very tiring keeping
watch all night unless you can get relieve
for a couple of hours. Cooked food is brought
in to the men by cooks [[?]] in rear. Washing
[[?]] during the day to state.

9 THURSDAY

Was relieved for 6 hours during the night 
& slept soundly. Things were very 
quiet. 2 Platoons of B.Coy who were worked 
[[?]] arrived & were put in for 
instruction. Men did Parapet when 
a [[75 brass?]] night knocking men 

& parapet down into a heap noone 
seriously hurt though.

Very cold tonight & [[trial w?]] were 
very acceptable.

10 FRIDAY
Nothing doing in the night and am 
relieved 1-day for a spell.

[[?]] back to our dug out & have a 
good rest for remainder of day Company 
Officers called in on by dug out to 
have their [[mess?]]. Bully Beef & Biscuits are 
our ration mostly Bread & Meat Rice at intervals 
our batman who is also a good cop made 
porridge out of biscuits & fried the Beef for a change 
which we had for tea. Shells falling pretty 
thick tonight.

11 SATURDAY

Found it lovely have a long nights rest.
All day we have had little to do only 
fix up poles etc & poking about the way 
our Cook carries on. He is a Atypical Scotch 
man & plenty of fun in him. Last night a splinter 
of shell hit him on the finger. His expression was 
real fun. Thankful it was not more serious.

12 SUNDAY

[[?]] seven of duty for trenches again. Pretty quiet all day 
at night we were heavily bombed until dark then 
heavy rifle fire continued It was one of those windy nights 
when you feel anything is liable to happen. It proved 
pretty nervy undertaking all night

13 MONDAY

Things quietened down considerably this 
morning and remained so all day. Mysterious 
lights were [[?]] on our front last night we 
could not make them out. We have men digging 
[[thin?]] dugouts ready for the next [[?]] 
which threatened this morning. Some of 
them are very neat. Myself & another Officer have 
an old dugout that was used by a Turkish 
Officer when they occupied these trenches. I gave 
it a good clean out & sprinkled some disinfectant 
in it. It was rather lively. I rest from 8 to 12 tonight & 
taken the morning watch 12-6

14 TUESDAY

It took me all my [[strength?]] to keep awake 
Despite snipping & an occasional bomb or 
two. I would be talking to someone & jolly 
mean sleep while talking, all of a sudden I 
would wake up & realise I was saying something 
This would amuse my companion very much. 
We came out this morning, after 48 hours. The 75's 
(Turkish) are shelling heavily. They are fair devils & 
leave us shrinking. (Beachy Bill) a skill which they 
play on the beach is as is too. Have a wash & shave in 
clean [[wash?]] in 1 pint water

15 WEDNESDAY

A light rain fell during night. It seems 
strange to hear it dropping & first thought it was [[?]]

It looks a beautiful sunny day & am looking forward to 
a real loaf, coming out of my Dug out often having Bacon & 
an issue of bread for breakfast, you overlook through 
a short bully to the side. It is a most glorious sight the calm 
water about here & there with two or three Grecian Islands 
in the distance. It is hard to realize when looking out over 
this glorious calm that a raging war is being carried 
on & any moment heavy guns may open fire & [[?]] havoc. 
This morning it seems as though everyone including [[enemy ?]] 
stayed just to enjoy the beautiful morning. I do nothing  
practically all day. In the afternoon a number of men go for 
a swim then in a [[?]] for "Beachy Bill"  to open fire on them.
he generally gets going about 4. A Turkish aeroplane also makes 
a daily visit generally. You know him by his propeller hum 
& fish tail. Our dinner today was Bully Beef, Bread, Tea and Jam 
It was great the bread after Hard Biscuits which had already 
loosened one tooth oh & Golden syrup  [[?]] forged that is OK 
Im a [[suca?]] for concentrated milk & often get a spoonful.

16 THURSDAY

We go into [[A?]] c11 am for another 
shift. Pretty slow all day. A light rain 
fell during  [[?]] & soon made things 
a bit muddy. We are not used to mud. 
At night about 10.15 we opened a rapid fire. 
By jove if they didn't let us have it just what 
we want to draw their fire. They must have 
been rather jumpy and kept it up for an hour. 
My shift from 6 to12 & found it cold.

17 FRIDAY

Quiet this morning until dinner time 
when they tried to spoil my dinner 
I was having dinner with the other Coy Officers 
when suddenly a 75 burst just over our 
heads followed by another directly after. At 
the time we were joking & laughing at 
something or other. We soon pulled ourselves 
together & finished up eating dust.

18 SATURDAY 

Relieved at 8 AM b y 24th Bat. Just got out 
when xxxx ^our trenches were shelled so 24th 
had the job of repairing them. A beautiful 
warm day & we enjoy sitting in the sun 
reading home papers. At night we have 
a game of Eucha for an hour before turning in 
We are heavily shelled tonight. Shrapnel flying everywhere 
19 SUNDAY

Another beautiful day. Service held which would seem 
impossible to the preacher, about 100 yds behind firing line 
Write letters home & censor others. Take the risk of "Beachy Bill" 
& have a grand swim. Have to post [[?]] in the [[Tunnel?]] 
Bomb burst over my head & only get smothered in dust.

20 MONDAY

Gun spell over and take to trenches c 8 AM.  [[?]]
Christie of Colac & Horse is with us. We find things 
much the same as when we left. A peculiar accident 
happened yesterday which fortunately did no harm. 
I told my batman to clean my revolver and sat 
down to write letters. Soon a shot was fired I 

turned round & found he pressed trigger wishbones 
looking to see if it was loaded. The bullet passed 
just. behind my back & entered the wall. I could 
not help laughing when I saw his face especially 
when he said "BH is loaded" I remarked "just found it out"

21 TUESDAY

Quiet reception into trenches this morning 
[[m erit?]] christie & find [[?]] are working 
together. Received large mail & [[bridges?]] of papers 
which came in very handy.I do a double 
shift tonight one Officer unwell so do his. 
Very bright moonlight here can read easily 
The quietness becomes monotonous & 
towards morning I get very nervy having 
very little sleep the night before. Hard to keep 
going but managed it somehow.

22 WEDNESDAY

When going to leave this morning we 
are heavily shelled therefore have to crash
for an hour. However get out eventually.
Post picquet again tonight but no more 
bombs. Most beautiful sunsets here 
The sun goes down between 2 islands 
which [[?]] sun to tower out of the 
sea. Between these islands is the strip 
sea & in the background the sinking sun 
the sky a lovely colour.

23 THURSDAY

A very biting wind is blowing today & 
guess we will get it pretty severe when 
winter starts. An extra blanket issued 
all round. Our naval brass are bombarding 
heavily on our left ^about 1500 yds somewhere about the Chess Board
All our names here are very original mainly 
so as not to get mixed up. Our trenches occupied 
by 23rd Bde is called Lone Pine & is divided into 
4 Pass Pimple on the Right Lone Pine centre Piccadilly 
& Circus. A Company occupy the 2 later. My platoon the 
circus. It is very complicated the later facing 3 ways.

24 FRIDAY

In front of Pine & Circus there is a deep gully 
& across to Turks trenches is about 150 to 200 yds & 
Lone Pine in some places the distance is only a few 
yds. Owing to [[Pops]] being thrown out to miss them. 
One part of Circus we look across to our own trenches 
occupied by 21st Bat on left. At 1.30 pm we man 
the trenches again and find Parapets knocked about a good 
deal from shells. Tonight [[a new?]] Howitzer Battery 
c Naval Gun open fire again & do a good deal of 
damage. [[Great?]] Coats Muffs Mittens and [[?]] for 
the night now. We surprise Turks by opening fire 
suddenly on them. They replied & kept It up for 30 or 40 minutes.

25 SATURDAY

Everything  unusually quiet this morning. 
Just after dinner we got Peppe from their guns. 
Their range was good and one after the other landed in our 
trenches. Most remarkable thing only 3 wounded. 
I received my first touch of concussion from shell which 
exploded very near. Expected every second to stop a piece 
of shrapnel. I suffered from shoulders to head [[with this?]] 
explosion, but soon wore off. Marvelous escapes we all had.

26 SUNDAY

Relieve this morning & glad to get out after our 
hammering yesterday for sake of getting a clean up 
Have charge of 100 men who are already to be called 
up at any tie if needed. Church Parades quaint 
scenes. Long walks round Beach & visited [[Antilles?]]

27 MONDAY

Good news welcomed from  [[?]] naval of 
British gains at several points. Heavy 
nail bombardments at Achi Baba. 
Enemy in front very quite mostly heavy 
artillery for last 2 or 3 days. Nothing 
doing in afternoon. Pass time away 
playing cards. Tried to fit stuffed [[Conserve?]] 
on beach yesterday but nothing to be 
got.

28 TUESDAY

I usher good news of successes on 
western front: things very quiet 
Party left tonight to [[?]] bodies 
The flies are very bad again as it 
is a little warmer. [[or is?]] so  bad as at 
first. They were terrible one could not 
eat his food without flies getting on it 
at at night it was hard to sleep. This I 
think cause Dysentry which we are 
all afraid of.

29 WEDNESDAY

Warmer again, shells disturbed some 
dead bodies of Turks. Stench very bad. 
When we came in nearly 4 weeks ago it 
was very bad in places. One wanted 
all the tie to clean his smoke helmet. 
A grous feast of Eggs & Bacon for all this 
morning. Rum is now issued to those 
who want it once a week and Lime Juice 
for others.

30 THURSDAY

I get orders to take 50 men and man the Pimple 
a line of trenches which connects us up 
with the 10th Battⁿ on our right. This will 
take for 48 hrs. A very firm view can be seen 
here of Achi Baba about a mile south. 
The casualties are gradually mounting up 
although sick & wounded mostly about 27 
today. Bombs, shells & mass of damage. 
The weather is ideal. I have a [[Lewis Ron?]] with 
me. He gets talking of the sea-forth [[hlanders??]] 
which is very interesting & passes time away when off 
duty. 

1 FRIDAY

Tremendous bombarding going on again at 
Achi Baba. The naval gun miles away are 
liek thunder storms with the ever incessant 
roll. The firing [[?]] is very quiet in between 
the shelling fits. Preparations are being 
made for winter abodes & [[draining?]].

2 SATURDAY

From Pimple go to old trenches. 
Quiet reception this morning. 
turks put up a stunt tonight by 
gunning in heavy from a shouting, "Allah 
Allah" whether they [[funked?]] coming 
out in nos don't know.

3 SUNDAY

Pretty quiet today. Messages sent over 
asking them to surrender. Communication 
by magaphones. No reply yet.