Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, August 1915 to March 1916 - Part 4

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2018.785.52
Difficulty:
4

Page 1 / 10

we were soon taking these in natwes were soon on board in numbrs barkring chiaf jewellery precious stoles exc. OH bananas & princs which we enjoyed The residents gad arranged t entertain men Ht about 250 set off about 10& returned at 230, after being royally intervaned at dinner He taken can g a few stayed on drives shore The rest of us went on shore, at 330, in 2 lightys with a launchy in Low. Har that leave with be giveit there is no mistihatin to how 150 of us boarded cars twer taken to byngatows. So tea ex. The rest went We were town round taken throough the for &round the chose along roads beneath the shade of coconnt patins & hoprca past a take parks Fiees brick bled houses, briggey & all thases of natuesgize bullock Waggotns, pickshaw The natied sam a much Suferior Class to the Egupt We arrived at a pewake. house, I story with Cade verandahs, set back in a garden patins, & different a targe patty shad treas collected, 50 or st with the host nogtess; & a nymber of young seople - We had, a o arjoyabe; tre, sat at t sart tables round lawn, natws waikers guded about & passed round dring bananas, which they call plantains, &us uncapple - We stayed till had a Swift in back to the, peer with the seve setting in occan befind waving patin tress & followed by 1 a gorious punset. It is for days we Ivery warm have perspired in shirk & Housers t seral feltows were absend at breakfst. I had gone to Randy, by train, having got a pass from the D.C. - Very warm senceal leave was given from 2PMSog. I got away as soon as possible & went appose in a prowing boat. Iwanted to see as much as possible, so 3of us took a ghaing to drove round the town, Latle sace Nictoria Gardens- went through the meseum tohic
contains many Specimcons of carings genes, weapons nealither cuprements. One of the most curious was the teaf miseet amuter of them. alibe on a brunck of folage in a thactd a dass caae kuddrish tempe went in after taking off our voots & say the mags of Buiddna with flowers, he frout placed there by worshippts - another room contained respres of the Bible, carvings of elephants & various offering - A great many Hudin were there, all in yellow rober the mahommedans wedo the red fy posed a school where the mak children was also the Gov. Techyegal School & many of the Guigharese youth The native shops, & dwillings were a contrast to those of Egyst, the streets are chan crwds of small children some with a stung of beads as thei only costume & fretty little gires, who all want pernies. I went through the peret marke where every tropical fruit toues was in abedany great burches of banang Hlantains moranges cconits custard hime rild to thet N afples later had tea, & went pound the occan front The sum was setting & it the coot of the wining everyone, seemed to be out epying themselves, ayahs with small while children richstaws, carts drawn by small overyf brcydes, motor cars rounger on, the seats along the sea front & the waves dashing in on the beach But Lavnna I saw in the distance round the spore. night soon fell & I felt in with one of our chaps & to rode to the terminars of the Borlla train & went for a walk through the natur quarter + alongt o road with bringarows on eather side, surrounded with coconeed pabus & other hopical trees At hooping was in post & a rarge numbr of those on board went for a ronte march in the afternoon I returned tor the boat about 9- a good many thap had all they could nold & there was more than row on show. one, of the men refused to pay a rich shaw man & take had an attercation
with a natue pobreman He knocked the man down & then ventally kicked him, hat killing him - We left him in gadt when we saifed, to gand his trial, also several others as witnesses 2 Inport all day. still coas some stragglers returned, shore 1 Severat Who 40 from being tos landy had thy tue One brought of their his me back a leap of the Bhuddre Bible, printed on the leat of the Bible patine which weare frnt once in 50 yes they saw the sacred exphants annimon trees, cloves, ccra Trees & paddy fields 27 Laft port early, the coast was in sight for some hours &we passed number of natuve boats a small fleet of catamarans & many scattered sampens & fishing boats Shore meges out of gron The sea was ealm & we tould see the willow beaches, rocky shores with the white swit beaking higs, on then fowland Ihear the shore backed by ranges of hells, with mountaing rising Up here assed 12 vessets. & there in afternoon one A16 with horses on board passed Chose to us. The crew is busy cleaning up decke etc. after the dirt & dust of coaling, it will take days to get clan again. voyas mae An uneventful from Clombo- Expect t reach premantle in morning. Had some fairly rough weather & it has turned much corten. og fish to be seen up till yesterday. Howe had sevnat gantes of chess - Two by three Concerks, not a great deal of talent aboard. small gulls about show we are nearing rand Orderty work occupies some tyme each day There are about30 or 30 to go off to ma W.H.J Yock Lawidson took a swap as of several of
yesterday on the prominade dick 6o har Entered the Port ot Femante early in morning - rather a com. cidence it, is the same sate dusk last year- AE laid etoninde the wherf all day leaving at assed a CPN vessel near Rothnest Ss 7 Mar 198m. to noon we have been doing 240 to Ho. M. Since Colombr BMar rast night at M we entered the Heads after takings a first from he Lady ocks just ontside - During the aftirnson we passed a it masted sailing ship with alt saits set - She tooked Afre sight. The prasage arross the Bight was ging with a heavy Swell, which made the Nestor, roll a good deal at tines came up no fort & dropp anchor in Fost. In tThe morning calue arong side the per alp at 5 t handed in blankets atc Medically instricted at 62. & stcured Kif from the hold where that had been funigabel
Assumbled on Well deck & sockd out. About 30303 About 9.30 a long Stream of cars began to arrive & the Vics. taken off then Das. FS.H. We drove through the struets to the Ko thine near pinces Bridge & after a short dibly had leave wntt 30. Went along to the Homees Hosp. & surpeised Mation - reld to the Home for dinner of then walked th to the GP0 & sents a telegram. After some delay we canno down to the Loongana in cars. Iwas Surpresed to See alf House on the Crart He was down to see me of & I was glad to learn that all were will, & That they know of my coming. A Bugana reft puncoually aft 3330
B16 de CS 3 19V6 ten 1S tbeen N0 Scanned
899.8102i015 Jas Stratton Causeway House Clithere e A/75 The glorious sunsets surpos. the power of my few to descrife a flood of thanging color passg from rich orange to pale find the blue summer sky geathred with Clecy clouds. whike smake grey & others the patest sink. The sun is nearing the horyou where sea meets sky, above it great bank of Ideep blise blank tlond, below which the horyou is wecked with tim clouds tnged with all the golden glory of the departing day, I the preground the arure sea up on her bosom with diding great ships. To nth & Sth loom up 2massioe islands reflecting the turple blackness of the cloud aboe
A man requires each day 3000 uns of enercy Functions of food are to give intrition, by the evolution of heat to maintain temp of the body & to provide for energy he is constantly excrcising & to repair the waste of muscular tissue. 1Starches &ugars etc - Carbohydrat 2 fats & oits 3 proken, any constituent cont. N. it Minerals 1 chief feed materials in veg foods prtan is sole mitetive matter in leaw of meat, poulty gaie fish Niw guantities reg for man per day 120 grains photein 60 grams fat 510 carbolydrati Result of over eating veg. foods is less harmful than consumption of too much protern. meat once a day is sufficin Vegetables & friits ensure that form of strength & vitality which establishes, health & conduces to long like cathical porridge & fruit e9g. wholemeal bead coffee gain Bun sout - Dread Butter potatoes veg. pudding frint fruit w. tread. Butter offer wilk pudding. Eat the skins of att frints try bake of or stakm potato Cook vigitables in their sking Ttrs of trun & vegetables contain the vion & phosphates of lime & mineral salts petfuce & green vegetables a property cooked are essential, Insist on wholemeal bread
Persevere Persevere though certain failure seems to stare you in the ffacc? Don't shp running if another Gets before you iin the race should you never overtake him, should you never reach the goat Thoes nobility in striving God will bless you, noble soul! Though the world may count it failesse God will know you did your best In His sight, you il have succeeded and have wow the victors rest. Francesca Anzac there is a land of tragie sights Dyed red with slaughter's critor slore Itis the land of steeptess night and days of gum satane show. with sket twas won with lead we This scanty acreage of Ground Bep along the beights toarworn siey where deaty & anguish lotter round and while the Leavy bosdodes crast In guthal gusts the sealing oer all night the storm whipped wal lage Lost lighters driven on the shore Tween halls by shrefut fellets for drong the lad sing gorge of par on letters, wfeless forms are home To spread the grave yards of the stain. Wedwelt where Mosteins fought fled In Summer nights, & noons astor On ground where galler conrades beed aushahians fight in ice + snow Tattipoli Hherhard

we were soon taking these
in.  Natives were soon on
board in numbers bartering
cheap jewellery - precious? stones
etc. & bananas & pines which
we enjoyed - The residents had
arranged to entertain the
men, & about 250 set off about
10 & returned at 2.30, after
being royally entertained
at dinner etc taken car
drives etc. A few stayed on
shore - The rest of us went
on shore at 3.30, in 2 lighters
with a launch in tow.  Hear
that leave will be given ^to morrow if
there is no misbehaviour.
150 of us boarded cars & were
taken to bungalows for
tea etc. the rest went
round town.  We were
taken through the town
& round the shore, along
roads beneath the shade
of coconut palms & tropical
trees, past a lake, parks
buck tiled houses, bungalows
& all phases of native life,
bullock waggons, rickshaws
The natives seem a much
superior class to the Egyptn
We arrived at a private
house, 2 story with wide
verandahs, set back in
a garden of palms, & different
trees - A large party had
collected, 50 or so with the
host, hostess, & a number of
young people - We had a
very enjoyable time, sat at
small tables round the
lawn, native waiters glided
about & passed round drinks
bananas, which they call
plantains, & luscious
pineapple - We stayed till
6 & had a swift run
back to the pier with
the sun setting in the
ocean behind waving palm
trees, & followed by a
glorious sunset.  It is
 very warm, for days we
have perspired in shirt &
trousers -
20 Several fellows were absent
at breakfast, 2 had gone to
Kandy by train, having got a
pass from the O.C. - Very warm,
General leave was given from
2 PM to 9.  I got away as soon
as possible & went ashore in
a rowing boat, I wanted to
see as much as possible, so
3 of us took a "gharrie" & drove
round the town.  Galle Face
Victoria Gardens.  Went
through the museum which

 

contains many specimens
of carvings, gems, weapons,
neolithic implements, One of the
most curious was the leaf insect
a number of them alive on
a bunch of foliage in a
glass case - Visited a
Buddhist temple, went
in after taking off our boots
& saw the images of Buddha
with flowers in front placed there
by worshippers - Another room
contained copies of the Bible,
carvings of elephants & various
offerings - A great many students
were there, all in yellow robes,
The mahommadans wear the
red fez, passed a school
where all the mah. children went.
Also the Gov. Technical Schools
& many of the Singhalese youth.
The native shops & dwellings
were a contrast to those of
Egypt,, the streets are clean.
crowds of small children, some
with a string of beads as
their only costume & pretty little
girls, who all want pennies.
Went through the fruit market
where every tropical fruit
was in abundance, pines
great bunches of bananas
plantains, oranges
limes - coconuts, custard
apples, retd to the Port,
later had tea, & went round
the ocean front.  The sun was
setting, & in the cool of the
evening everyone seemed to be
out enjoying themselves. Ayahs
with small white children,
rickshaws, carts drawn by small
oxen, bicycles, motor cars, loungers
on the seats along the sea front
& the waves dashing in on the
beach.  Mt Lavinia I saw in the
distance round the shore. -
Night soon fell, & I fell in with
one of our chaps & rixxxx to rode
to the terminus of the Borella
train & went for a walk
through the native quarter & a
along a road with bungalows
on either side, surrounded with
coconut palms & other tropical
trees - A troopship was in port
& a large number of those
on board went for a route
march in the afternoon -
I returned to the boat about
9 - A good many chaps
had all they could hold
& there was more than one
row on shore - One of the men
refused to pay a rich show man
& later had an altercation

 

with a native policeman.
He knocked the man down, &

then brutally, kicked him, half
killing him - We left him
in gaol when we sailed, to
stand his trial, also several
others as witnesses -
22  In port all day - still coaling
Some stragglers returned
from shore, Several who had
been to Kandy had the time
of their lives - One brought
me back a leaf of the Bhuddist
Bible, printed on the leaf of
the Bible palm which bears
fruit once in 50 yrs - they
saw the sacred elephants,
Cinnamon trees, cloves, Cocoa
trees & paddy fields -
23  Left port early, the Coast
was in sight for some hours
& we passed numbers of native
boats - A small fleet of
catamarans & many scattered
sampans & fishing boats
miles out of from shore.
The sea was calm & we could
see the yellow beaches, rocky
shores with the white surf
breaking high on them.
Lowland near the shore, backed
by ranges of hills, with
mountains rising up here
& there.  Passed 2 vessels
in afternoon, one A16 with
horses on board passed close
to us.  The crew is busy
cleaning up decks etc.
after the dirt & dust of
Coaling, it will take days
to get clean again.
5 Mar  An uneventful voyage
from Colombo - Expect to
reach Fremantle in morning.
Had some fairly rough weather
& it has turned much
cooler - Flying fish to
be seen up till yesterday.
Have had several games
of chess - Two or three
concerts, not a great deal
of talent aboard -
Small gulls about show
we are nearing land.
Orderly work occupies some
time each day.
There are about 20 or 30
W.A.A to go off to-morrow
Jock Davidson took a snap
of several of us

 

yesterday, on the promenade
deck -
6 Mar  Entered the Port
of Fremantle early in
morning - rather a coincidence
it is the same
date I left Aust.
last year - We laid
alongside the wharf
all day, leaving at
6 PM.  Passed a
vessel near Rottnest Is.
7 Mar  198 m. to noon
we have been doing
220 to 260 m. since
Colombo.
13 Mar  Last night at
8 PM we entered the
Heads after taking on
a pilot from the Lady
Locke, just outside - During
the afternoon we passed a
4 masted sailing ship, with
all sails set - She looked
a fine sight.  The passage
across the Bight was fine
with a heavy swell, which
made the Nestor roll a
good deal at times.
Came up the port & dropped
anchor in the port.  In
the Morning came alongside
the pier, Up at 5
& handed in blankets etc.
Medically inspected at 6.30
& secured Kits from the
hold where they had
been fumigated -

 

Assembled on Well deck
& sorted out.  About 30 Tas -
- About 9.30 a long stream
of cars began to arrive
& the Vics. taken off then
Tas. & SA.. We drove
through the streets to the
Rest Home near Princes
Bridge & after a short
delay, had leave until
2.30.  Went along to the
Homeo Hosp. & surprised
Matron - retd to the Home
for dinner & then walked
in to the GP.O. & sent off
a telegram.  After
some delay we came
down to the Loongana
in cars.  I was
surprised to see Alf
Howie on the Wharf.
He was down to see me
off & I was glad to learn
that all were well, &
that they know of my
coming.  Loongana left
punctually at 3.30.

 
 

AWM2018.666.1
Jas Stratton
Causeway House
Clitheroe
Lancashire
9.9.15  The glorious Sunsets surpass
the power of my pen to describe
a flood of changing color passg
from rich orange to pale pink,
the blue summer sky scattered
with fleecy clouds, white smoke
grey & others the palest pink.
The Sun is nearing the horizon
where sea meets sky, above it
a great bank of deep blue
black cloud, below which the
horizon is flecked with tiny
clouds tinged with all the golden
glory of the departing day.  In
the foreground the Azure Sea,
with riding up on her bosom,
great ships.  To Nth & Sth loom
up 2 massive islands reflecting
the purple blackness of the clouds
above -.

 

A man requires each day
3 000 units of energy -
Functions of food are to
give nutrition, by the evolution of heat
to maintain temp. of the body &
to provide for energy he is constantly
exercising & to repair the wash
of muscular tissue ..
1 Starches & Sugars etc  =  Carbohydrates
2 fats & oils
3 protein, only constituent cont. N.
4 Minerals
1  =  chief feed. materials in veg foods
protein is sole nutritive matter
in lean of meat, poultry game fish
Min. quantities reqd per man
per day 120 grams protein
60 grams fat 510 carbohydrates
Result of over eating veg. foods is
less harmful than consumption
of too much protein.
Meat once a day is sufficient
Vegetables & fruits ensure that
form of strength & vitality which
establishes health & conduces to
long life.
Oatmeal porridge & fruit
Wholemeal bread. egg.
Butter - Coffee  Jam
Soup - Bread  Butter
potatoes veg.  pudding fruit
fruit - w. bread  Butter
coffee - Milk pudding.
Eat the skins of all fruits -
Fry bake of or steam potatoes
Cook vegetables in their skins
Skin of fruit & vegetables
contain the iron & phosphates
of lime, & mineral salts -
Lettuce & green vegetables a
properly cooked are essential.
Insist on Wholemeal bread

 

Persevere!
Persevere, though certain failure
Seems to stare you in the face;

Don't stop running if another
Gets before you in the race
Should you never overtake him,
Should you never reach the goal,
Theres nobility in striving
God will bless you, noble soul!
Though the world may count it failure
God will know you did your best;
In His sight, you'll have succeeded
And have won the victor's rest!
Francesca
"Anzac" -
There is a land of tragic sights
Dyed red with slaughter's crimson flow
It is the land of sleepless nights
And days of grim satanic show.
With skil twas won; with lead we keep
This scanty acreage of ground
Along the heights war worn & steep
Where death & anguish loiter round
And while the heavy broadsides crash
In guttral gusts the sea line oer
All night the storms whipped waters lash
Lost lighters driven on the shore
Tween hills by shrapnel pellets torn
Along the lead stung gorge of pain
On litters, lifeless forms are borne
To spread the grave-yards of the slain.
We dwell where Moslems fought & feed
In Summer nights & noons aglow
On ground where fallen comrades bled
Australians fight in ice & snow.
Gallipoli
T Gerhard.

 
 




 

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