Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, April 1916 to June 1917 - Part 2

29 I went into
Aug. 10.  0 & I went up to
Bendigo & had a most enjoyable
time, went down the Ironbark
Gold Mine, Long Gully, over a
battery - saw the gold being extracted
Mr Joc Rogers, the mine manager took
us round Bendigo & Eaglehawk, &
back to tea at his home.  The mine
was 800 ft. went to bottom & along
different levels.
Aug 11  Retd to City & to Camp to
see dentist.  Learnt that we will not
be going on Orontes.  I will stay back for
Oliver & go on in few weeks - Out to
Hazel's to tea, & stayed night.
Aug 12  Into town. saw APMO.
Out to St Kilda & round suburbs in
train - to Longmores for evening.
Aug. 13.  To Mtg in morning, went
out to Garden Vale with Mrs Peile to
dinner - Marg & Pearce there.
Went to Sandringham with O.
to the Hopkins, spent the aftn
on the shore, & a pleasant 
evening - Came right thru
to Broadmeadows by last train.
Aug 15.  Overseas men left to go
by Orontes - had a smoke social last evg.
Aug 17.  Leave aftn, went into
Barracks & saw APMO, promised to
send us away by Euripides -
Went to Windsor 7.PM, Eric Sayce
met us at station - spent a pleasant
evg. Rita had leave from
Melb. Hosp. - Retd to Camp by 1 AM
Sep.t 4-9.  On ward duty most of past
3 wks..  6 days leave from Camp.
Went out to Mrs Peile's at Gardenvale
where we stayed 3 nights.  Tues. we
went to Howie's & Zoo.  Wed. to
the Pearces at Armadale - Mrs
Pierce is very frail - went to Gordons
tomb grave in Brighton Cemetery
& at 6.30 met Mr & Mrs P. at
Vic. Coffee Place & after went to
Mtg House where Miss F.L.

Sep. 8.
asked us to tea on Friday, spent
the evening at pictures of life of
Adam Lindsay Gordon - retg to
Gardenvale by 11. PM.
Thurs. found our way to Sandringham
& visited the Hopkins who wanted
us to stop dinner - retd to Flinders St
12 o'c, & dinner at YMCA. Met.
Gunning & Salter of 14 AGH.  Met Emery
in street who told me there were
several letters at Camp.  Visited Art
Gallery & after tea the pictures Hoyts
Went out to Homoes Hosp. & saw Matron.
Oll retd to Gardenvale 6. PM. while
I went home with Mrs P. at 9
from Mtg- House.
Sep 10.  Went to Gardenvale Thurs- Came
in Fri. Morn. & went out to Bacchus
Marsh - had look over milk factory etc.
retd aft & spent the evg at Kensington.
O. went into town in Car at 9 &
retd & we went back about 10.30
& spent night in town.  I met
Mrs P. at station in morning
& we journeyed to Belgrave & then
by motor up into the hills to their
country Cottage a lovely spot in
the Dandenongs - O. came up later
with Mr Peile & we spent an
enjoyable day retg in the dusk.
We stayed at Gardenvale that
evg, & the foll. morng came into
Meeting -  I said farewell to most
of the Friends, they have been most
Kind.  F.L. gave me an air pillow
each for O & self.  Retd to Camp
& learnt that we embark in morng.
Sept 11 - Left B'meadows 6.30 &
entrained with other troops 500. for
Port Melb. had to wait about till
the Euripides arrived alongside
about noon from Sydney - Embarked
early aftn. about 2000 on board
from Sydney. including 25 AMC.
8 of them Sea transport from

Broadmeadows, under Major Howden
Left pier as soon as all on board
A big crowd to see us off, Stuck
in mud a little further down the port
& had to wait till morning to get off
Sep 12. Tues.  Came down bay & through
Heads, proceeded on our way, Oliver
was sick straight away, as were
Sep 16.  plenty of others, for 3 days, we
had choppy sea & plenty of sea sickness,
then the sun came out & We enjoyed
things - I found myself a good
sailor, the sea didn't trouble me at
all - Went on duty first morning
with Bell, & we changed our quarters
from for'ard to aft with the AMC
details - 25 bunks in a separate
compartment.  Very comfortable -
Several whales have been seen
near & we passed 2 vessels to-day
also saw porpoises.  Land close
in sight to-day, near Albany
I have been busy on ward
since coming aboard 7 AM to 7 PM.
Oll has recovered after a bad
time with mal de mer - Capt
Guthridge from Domain on board,
also Capt Bush (BM). & Capt Smellie
from Tasmania, surprised to see
him.  Met 3 chaps who came
back from Malta with me. March
Lifeboat drill to-day - lovely day.
Sep 17  Rounded the Leeuwin last
night & this morning heading N.N.E.
A meningitis case on board - Passed
Rottnest Is about noon & anchored a
mile off shore - launch took off
10 patients, mumps etc, & several AMC
Went to wharf & back - a glorious
day - cloudless, weighed anchor.
again at 4.30 & proceeded on our way
Sep 20.  Very busy - our ward
full up & overflowing.  Various
accidents & influenza -  A
concert & Sports held this week.

We have a very nice 'Matron'
a pleasure to work under her.
Things are running pretty smoothly
usually a rush at meal times.
Oct 1  Arrived at Durban
yesterday soon after noon -
Sighted the coast in a misty
haze - porpoises playing about -
passed thro' the breakwater, it
has been knocked about by
a recent storm- Came along
side wharf & shortly after most
of the troops & ½ of AMC went
ashore & had a great reception
by residents - I was on duty
& very busy- It is rather a
pretty bay- Today we came
ashore about 2.  Most of troops
were ashore this AM on a
route march - We marched
up to Post Office & dismissed
Went out to Botanic Gardens
but did not think much of
them, then back to town &
out to zoo - I have been much
disapointed in some of the people I
have come into contact with- "The
friends thou hast & their adoption tried
grapple them to thy soul with hooks
of steel" is very true.  Human
nature is very weak when put to the
test, & one has worlds to be thankful
for when one has had a good
home upbringing - It is a tremendous
help, to know that one has friends
left behind with hearts of gold,
friends who would be, & are of
a source of strength to a
fellow-being beset  by temptation.
Why can we not be stronger?
No, in our own strength, we
are weak, we have to look to
a higher strength than our

own & how often is this
reflected in the lives of
those around us.  We should
therefore always remember that
others are looking to us unconsciously
perhaps, to help them, &
let our lives reflect sunshine.
I was very sorry when this
morning Percy Bell developed
mumps & had to go to bed in isolation
ward - it was hard times for him.
he had so looked forward to getting
ashore - The ladies of YMCA
Camp Commn - have treated us
royally - quite a bevy working
hard
6/10/16 Friday I was very much disgusted at
getting no more leave at D. - 4 of us
stayed on all day on Monday. all
rest had whole day ashore - 2 shd
have been on duty & next day were
crimed - one 7 days detention & 2 days pay
I had a couple of hours ashore
after 8 PM. - Heard the Wiltshire
& Port Sydney left a few days ago.
Mumps patients have been increasing
fast & after leaving Durban, numbers
reported sick now 46. bad - also
5 measles after putting others ashore
at Isolation Hosp. in Bay.  Both
wards are full - 40 patients - several
pneumonia- 2 or 3 very bad.
Very rough day after leaving D.
In afternoon numbers of sick men
reported - severe pains - pronounced
poisoning. emetis  given, all the
AMC were very busy all evg &
thro' night - My mate was sick &
I finished in ward 8 & then went
on helping below - It reminded me
of Gallipoli - all the men stretched
out in rows & groaning men
everywhere- A long row vomitting
into scuppers- Altogether 538
were passed thro'

several admitted into hospital -
some were serious but all are
well on road to recovery now.
I don't know that they put it down
to, rabbit or? - Thursday was
Calmer & cooler - came into Table
Bay about noon.  the coast in
sight for some time previous -
Table not showing up well - Saw
a seal dive out of the water -
Entering the Bay reminded me
very much of Hobart Harbor with
Mt Wgn in background.  passed
Robins Is & entered the port, & soon
were alongside the pier - no-one
allowed ashore - We heard that
arrangements had been made for
entertaining us in Show Grounds.
A crane came alongside our
stern & lifted a gun onto the
emplacement.  4.7" - together with
ammunition etc.  2 Naval
gunners also came on -
Have had some difficulty in
looking after all the patients -
esp. at meal times - After taking
gun aboard we left pier, turned
& came out thru the narrow entrance
about ½ mile west & then dropped anchor.
Hear we are to go to Egypt, as men are
wanted at Salonica. & we are awaitg
confirmation of order-? also heard that a
White Star Liner has been torpedoed?
At night the lights in the Bay twinke
out & Table Mt looms up in the
blue grey sky- Sincerely hope that
rumour of Egypt is incorrect.!!
10/10/16  Had just started to write
this a.m. when the torpedo-alarm
sounded - several short blasts.
Immediately everyone rushes for life
belts - we keep ours in the ward.
everyone keeps under cover on acct of
shells flying - AMC assemble in the
ward. - Just after the fire alarm
blows & we assemble on poop deck
near boat. - We have has several

alarms already, so should have
plenty of practice, expect them each
day now - Hear that no lights are
to show in a couple of nights - This
morning saw passed a steamer.  3 or 4 miles
distant - saw a whale spouting
near the boat the other day.  We
are heading N.NW. Now - left C. Town
other night, 2 AM. or, I woke up &
found we were off full steam ahead
& took my compass out to satisfy myself
about direction. - Sister Dawson
has developed Mumps - great relief
in our ward - There are now 52
mumps 12 measles & 40 others.  Oll
has been put on with me, the princ.
ward.  Matron asked me to stay
on so I didn't ask for a change-
Matron is very nice, also Sister McPhail
who is an angel.  We still have busy
days. ward is generally fully, Convales
ward is moved downstairs to several
Cabins - Sports & boxing on to day
& yesterday.
Two of the AMC. have been transferred
to the infantry & 8 vice versa to
make up for the 2 or 3 sick AMC & extra
work entailed by so many patients
11/10/16  Another submarine parade
this morning - a cabin day - Had
Sister McPhail on this aftn.-
13/10/16  A calm day - very warm to day
& yesterday. A moist heat which
makes things very uncomfortable- Heard
a rumor that some of the A.M.C.
details are going back on the boat
I don't see that they can ask me
to go back, they'll be sorry if they
force me to. - Another submarine
practice to day, About 6 PM the
boat suddenly altered her course -
the reason?
14/10/16  Cooler - a pleasant change -
Crossed the Line last night
17/10/16  Have had lights out all over the
boat last night or two - Slept on deck
under the port boat last night - Percy
Bell on duty again

Dozens of porpoises near the bows
last night - passed a Dutch boat
yesterday.  she changed her course
ahead of us from port to starb. - caused
some suspicion & the gunner had his
gun trained on her until well
past. very warm lately - a life
belt parade yest. after dinner -
All men wear carry lifebelts wherever
they go now.
17/10/16  Passed ^& saw the Canary Is this
morning.  Also a sailing vessel
which unconsciously had a gun
trained upon it until we passed -
Hospital as full as ever.  Soon after
dark we approached high land -
after signalling we turned round &
stopped, & were in much the same
place in the morning.  Mountainous
volcanic rocks on both side, several
vessels & a warship lying at anchor
a scattered town & the hilly
country absolutely bare of
 vegetation - After receiving orders
were off again, passing an isolated
[*OBERLIN & GRANDAA
ARRIVE IN ENGLAND
27/10/16*]

 vegetation - After receiving orders
were off again, passing an isolated
rock with a lighthouse perched on top
The gunner had a trial with a
barrel - two shells in quick
succession struck the water, but
qi both missed by a few yards.
21/10/16  Hear that we are to disembark
next Thurs. morning. & entrain for
Salisbury - slept on deck. it rained
a little in the night.  Cpl Edin lost
his money belt, & a collection is
being made for him.
Tues  Hear we are to arrive Thurs night
Yest wet & misty & much colder - today.
We are off the lright Bay of Biscay -
strong wind & rough wind.
28/10/16. Friday - We are in dear
old England. - The last 2 or 3 days on
board were very rough, the boat caught
the wind on port side & we had several
accidents & many minor ones - huge
seas rolled past & spray was

flying all over the poop deck - Rain
& hail fell & the weather turned much
colder  A destroyer escorted us up
the Channel - saw Lands End Thurs.
morning, the Lizzard, & Coast - Entd
into Plymouth Sound about noon-
Wore lifebelts continually the last few
days - On Thurs. morng reveille at
5, breakfast & dinner early & then
troops began to disembark - Sick
taken off by RAMC. - AMC & TMorb
last to leave boat - We had a busy
afternoon shifting stores, blankets etc.
Landed at Devonport passing Drakes
Is., in dusk - The Sister's left for
London & all troops except us 30 for
Wareham - Dorset.  We 30 left our
Kits & medical stores at Aust. Embark
office & then caught a train for rest
camp at St Budeaux.  a few miles
out.  Left Stn & tramped through
village singing songs & out to rest
camp, occupied by Tommies - We got
damp blankets after some trouble
& Some Supper at Canteen. then to bed
in one of huts.  I slept on table.  the rain
came down in torrents & through walls.
several on floor got wet - Not much sleep.
At 6.30 ^Friday marched down to Station & back
to Plymouth.  An hours leave, so had
breakfast - A real Eng. one - 2/6.  Then
met at 8.30. & back to Dock - raining a
lot - & hail.  At 10 took train to Station
in Plymouth, after sending Kits etc. in
waggon.  Then had an hours leave so
walked into Plymouth - to GPO & despatched
Cable, several of us went to Guildhall, where
Drake's Raleighs & other names were on
walls, to an old Church, & an ancient
Monk's hostel of 13^th Century - a look round
town & back to station - Train left about
noon, 3^rd Class, & we travelled thru lovely
Devon - We were charmed by the glorious
views as the train travelled swiftly
on thru green fields - woods &