Lieutenant Colonel William McKenzie, MC, OBE - Diary - 1914 - 1917 - Part 3

38
Visited the Hospital this aft'n - a young man 
(McIntosh) died suddenly & was buried today
 -(Influenza & Meginitis) Methodist.
Received 2 letters from Commr & 1 from
Carpenter. Attended lecture on Pyramids
Synopsis!-
Sands examine, find ground, worn, smooth
not good for building - perpetually shifting
chiefly blows in one direction, condns up
everything, so preserves buildings etc
Cities built of mud bricks (sunbaked)
periods, fall down, build on ruins &
so sites become higher than ordinary
level of country, these ruins used for
manure for cultivation rich in salts
Gold found in ruins & some other treasure
Tombs substantially built with stone &
Marble etc & these covered with sand.
Around the Pyramids very many miles
of cemeteries, wherever one digs they
find human bones preserved by the sand
Many famous Monuments at least
5,000 years old. The large Pyramid
one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient
world. Carefully & minutely surveyed
by Flinders & Petrie, with the instruments
used by the men who dileaniated the
boundry between Britain & France
The exactitude found to be almost
miraclous, the difference between
the sides is not more than a tunnels breadth
a great core of stone runs up thro'
the centre, a main Arch, 3 lesser
arches above to help carry weight
off main arch. It covers 13
39
acres of land. each side faces the points
of compass E.W.N.S. corners N.E. S.E.
(N.W) (S.W.). Each Pyramid had two temples
one near the Pyramid & one lower down
to the East of each Pyramid. With lovely
Causeways running down to each
one of the lower Temple is to be found
near the Sphnix. The Sphnix is carved
out of a large rock formation
which is really meant for an ornament
to the lower Temples. The
original features were meant to
be the likeness of the Great King
whose memorial it was, but vandals
have so disfigured it, that it is almost
unrecognisible. Pyramids covered
with alabaster, much of this taken
off by Arabs to build Mosques in City.
The stones of Memphis largely taken to
build Cairo, And on Tombs at [["Sacara"]]
very wonderful. "Palm groves, how
planted etc. 6 years to produce fruit.
Pyramid in building - King died, son
finished in mudbrick & then built
his own, would not trust successor
another large excavation 100 x 50
x 50 deep, 4 rows of marble blocks
let down into well 4 ft x 4 square
"sarcophagus" built in centre This
man evidently started to build and
could not finish, now standing
like this been unearthed. Teams &
parties now digging 100 to 200 men
in each, many discoveries
made, bones galore. Pots etc etc
as also many ancient coins.
 

40
Tendency of cities go north seeking
cool air, wealthy classes always
north of cities. Saladin with
Cairo. Ishmail with Cairo. Museum
of Cairo, much unexplained Territory
Tombs chiefly.
Joke re sand. none like it even discontented look on Camels

Men's spirits rising with prospects of

scrap with Turks 15/1/15.
Spent a part of friday in writing letters

& in visiting sick etc. Had another

tournament on Satdy, not as spontaneous

as on tuesday last.
Sunday Jany 17th Had a big muster

at Church Parades. I led the Service

Owens in read the Scripture & Green

preached the sermon. Rather long.

Spent the aft'n visiting Salvos & had

a visit from 2 English Engineer [[?]]

Learned that accident to boat on Canal

when 8 got killed that the boat was

blown up with Dynamite. Egyptians (2)

who had been on boat were blamed.

2 plugs of Dynamite afterwards found.
Sunday night held a glorious meeting

in the Y.M.C.A. tent of the 1st Brigade

when 4 men volunteered for Christ. It

was a helpful, inspiring night & the

crowd were greatly interested. Several

afterwards came up to solicit a private

interview. I felt somewhat satisfied

with my day's work as I went off

to [[NCO?]]. Had a trying day with Dio-re-a-.

41

Monday 18th. A mobilization of our Regiment

took place at 12 noon. When all effective

men move out in full war order

Transport, cooks, Guns, & all necessary

equipment was in line. I wasn't

with my Compy.

On tuesday 19th, the 1st Brigade A.I.F.

with ammunition column etc. in warlike

condition went for a route

March some 10 or 11 miles in length

passing over some rough dusty tracks

& skirting a number of native villages

which were evil smelling places

we passed the camps that were

fearful sights of filthiness, the

peoples lived with the Goats, sheep

cattle Donkeys Camels & Dogs all

herded together in a very small

compound, the sight was most

revolting & the stench almost

unbearable. & yet they live contented.

We took 6½ hours to do the journey

resting 10 minutes each mile & have

one hour or so for lunch. I

had a good sponge bath on my return

& a complete change. which made

me feel like a Christian once more.

The turnout & the march was

pronounced good & satisfactory.

Thursday 21st Went over to the New

Zealand lines, found adjt Green in

bed recovering from vaccination

He looked "peaky", Had aftn tea &

we both went over to Army tent

 

42

and met Adjt Martin who has

just arrived from Malta to take

charge of  the tent (S.A.) for 

the New Z. troops. He is a cheery

& suitable man & should do well

Held successful concerts on

Thur, Friday & Satdy evenings.

Sunday! Preached to a very large

crowd of men on "Samson", put

in a few humourous touches that

tickled the men somewhat & created

some interest. Had a few visitors

in the aftn & looked up others.

Conducted the night meeting in the

Y.M.C.A. 1st Brigade at night.

Had a meeting or concert each night

of the following week, except friday

night when our Battn was out

all night on manouvers.

By special invitation I went out

I attended a reception to the Bishop

of Jerusalem at the Continental

Hotel where a great Compy (200 etc)

of the elite were present. [[?]]

[[?]] Hq MacMahon, Genls Birdwood, Godley

Walker & other titled gentlemen & la with

their ladies. I had a lengthy converstn

with Genl Birdwood as also the Bishop.

 It was an interesting function.

Rev & Mrs Gillan were the hosts &

many Scots were present.

I also went out during the morning

to visit a Adjt Martin whom I

found in rather a despondant

mood. However, we cheered him

somewhat.

43

Sunday! We had another very successful

Church Parade on Sunday morning

A visit from a few in the aftn &

I preached at the Y.M.C.A. No 1 on

Why Be Saved! It was a real good 'Go'

& one young man decided for Christ

2 others promised to come & be saved

on tom. night. They did not turn up.

We had a nice friendly chat with a

few including Dawcett from 2nd Btn

& the men read & prayed with them.

A.W.C. men requested to have a meeting

on Sunday evenings led by me.

Wedy, 3rd Feby. The men granted a full

day's holiday today for rest.

There was some excitement as the

7th & 8th Battlns moved off to

Suez Canal for reserve work.

We cheered them loudly. They only

had a few hours notice.

Just got word of Signaller Gow's

sudden death at 5-45 p.m. from 

Double Pneumonia.

Friday 5th July. Buried Signaller Gow

Y.M.C.A. Sectn Owens accompanied It

was most impressive service at

the Graveside.

Sunday 7th Conducted a fine Church

Parade Spoke on swearing, stealing & whore

mongering with good effect. Green

(Col) gave a talk on the 'Desert' at 11 AM

I visited "Salvos")in aftn I had a

meeting at the A.M.C. Mess Room (1st Brig)

at 5-45 p.m. It was a pronounced

success. I afterward went up to the

Y.M.C.A.

 

44

Thursday 11th Our Battn marched

out at 7-45 a.m. for a six days

Bivouac, we marched to Gizeh &

then skirted the Canal for a long

way & finally came to our Camping

ground near Aboukir Pyramids at

2 p.m. We were hungry thirsty and

tired & was glad to shed our packs

After a good meal rest & then tea.

The Battn left under cover of the

Darkness to take up certain outpost

Positions & dig themselves in, were

they remained in the Trenches

until 5-30 a.m. It was fearfully

chilly & sleep was impossible in

this a/c as we had no Blankets.

I caught a heavy cold as a result.

The Brigdr addressed us next

morning & expressed his pleasure

at the way the work was done.

He also expressed his approval of

my work & was pleased to see me

sticking so close to the men.

We rested all that day & had a

good sleep as our Blankets came

along all right for this night.

We rose at 4-30 a.m. (A Compy had

moved out at 3 a.m.) & after a

hot breakfast (eggs-a-cook) we

silently marched out & took up a

position at the rear of a range

of small hills, where we rested

2 hours & started an attack at

9 a.m. I utilized the 2 hours

in visiting the Pyramids of Abouran

& discovered some Pottery bones & other

45

interesting sights - ruins of old Temples

inscriptions etc. I got back just as

the deployment of Our op began. We

were suppose to represent 4 Brigades

& were going against a staunch

entrenched force of 3 Brigds

2 miles away. After Scout reports

& reconnitering etc. the 1st line advanced

I joined the reinforcements. This

got too slow & so I advanced into the

firing line & charged in short rushes

as did the others, tho' I had no rifle

I hurt my knee & lost 20 Piastras

It was an enjoyable time concluding

at 1 p.m. the change did them good.

We rested that night & all day Sunday

I helped in Church Parade 7th Battln

Then left for a visit to Patara

to visit the Tombs etc. It entailed

18 mile walk but it was worth it.

I was awfully tired when I got home

to Camp at 4-30 p.m. I got hot stew

tea was most acceptable. The

Battn moved out at 10 p.m. & were

out with the other 3 battalions

all night. The maneuvres included

another sham fight concluding

at 7 p.m. the men were sown up

when it concluded.

We organised a couple of fine

concerts in the open - (Satdy &

Monday nights) with good results

The Brigde was lined up & addressed

by the Brigdr, who declared us fit

for war & complimented all hands

on the Brigade training.

 

46

We marched back to our Camp

in Rena which place we reached

at 12-30 p.m. on tuesday. The 

Battln was given 3 days rest which

was most welcome. We all had to

line up before the Dr for vaccination, 

owing to an outbreak of smallpox, 

of a very virulent type. Indeed,

3 died within a few days. All the

Troops & Natives within the Camp have

to submit to vaccination. Two men

in our Battln (Short & Smith) refused,

they were placed under arrest, isolated

& will be returned to Aust.

We had a couple of very successful

Concerts during the week. I

also manipulated the lantern for

[[Mr]] TrowBridge on "Arabia" &

on Palestine on Sunday night.

Capt'n Greene & Adjt Martin meant

to visit me on Wedy aftn. The

Capt'n had some interesting things to

say re the Canal & his work etc.

Our Church Parade on Sunday was

the largest yet, nigh on 2,000 present.

I had another fine service with the

A.M.C. & a lovely time at the Y.M.C.A.

One man (Private F. [[SeaCap]] D. Compy 3rd Battln

got commited at my tent on Satdy night

& another on Sunday night. 9

decided for Christ at the Vic] Y.M.C.A.

My arm is fairly sore from the Vacctn.

I visited Chas Palstra on Sunday

aftn as also other. Cox of Adelaide

who is going home came to see me at night

& Tyrell of the Valley also went to the 

hospital with me.

47

More Particulars re ChevB's Pyramid.

The largest Pyramid was built in the

time of Koofoo - otherwise known as Cheops

It is over 4,000 Years old may be 5,000

Years. This King a very powerful despot

He must have taken in the revenue of the

Country to build his tombs. which covers

13 acres. It was originally 481 feet

high, but 31 feet was taken of the top

leaving it 450 feet hight The top is

now 30 feet square with a flagpole

in the centre & coffee is served on top.

The angle is 51 degrees 50 minutes.

There is at least 3½ millions of cubic

yards of stone in it, much greater

than Assouan dam. The Causeways

were first built from the flooded

area to the Pyramid & the stones which

had been brought down in Barges

were dragged up these causeways

The King reigned in Egypt for 50

Years, & to compel the folks to work

he closed up the Temples. He had

100,000 working at a time. The causeways

were first built, & the stones

were hauled up these. It took 10

Years to build the Causeways &

20 Years to build the Pyramid up

for a tomb. The stones were dragged

up in alined planes, traces of these

found at the Pyramids of Aboukir

Abbonsia - Herodutus who visited

Egypt 2000 odd years ago tells of a

machine taking stones up, lifting them

terrace by terrace until finished

hard work, but the numbers hold.

 

48

There is no sign of any blocks & pulleys

and the Egyptians were fond of showing

all the tools they possessed in the

pictures on the Walls as also of all

their achievements - little iron then

discovered. There were little cradle

blocks shown, with which they could

shift the stones by rocking & chalking

Deposits found in corners of Temples

and beads, scarabs & various tools.

[[?]] hammers & small bronze or

Brass chisels, with which the [[?]]

the granite blocks, there was also a

simple little tool comprised of three

wooden pegs, like fingers, two held

in hand & one rubbed the stone. They

had hollow drills even up to 4 inches

with which they bored the stones, turn

4 inches cores out of some, they also

had tools made of hard precious

stones - Jewel just found.

Old quarries at Assouans [[?]] Granite &

Marble - Alabaster Quarries 15 miles 

away. Limestone very handy.

Rev Reisner, now excavating has found

a large Barracks, evidently built for

workman. Also on East side found,

3 long mortar trenches 160 ft long &

6 ft deep, great chip heaps & some

of the old old thing of the working man.

Extraordinary care taken to prevent

tomb being crushed - as some 300 ft

up - there are 3 relieving chambers

with strong arched relieving column.

9 Blocks of Granite forming roof

Probably representing 9 major Gods of Egypt

49

A core runs up the centre of the

Pyramid for 300ft at least. The

9 marble stones were all cracked

by an Earthquake in the 9th Century

Great care was taken to hide the

entrance, but when opened nothing

was found, had been robbed previously,

probably by people who hated

this Despot King.

El-Ma-Moon the Arab discovered

the entrance - Son of the Great Saladin

King's Chamber 150 ft up - size 34 

ft by 17 ft wide - 19 feet high

4 walls have 100 stones each - the 9

Blocks extend 5 feet each way, they

are deeper than in length & each

weigh to 80 tons. The Queens Chamber

is also inside - the only two.

There are three smaller Pyramids

in front of Cheops, probably relations

or favourite Statesmen.

The Pyramid was all covered with

alabaster (pressed) at the time of

Herodatns' visit this was removed

in the Century by the Arabs

to build the Mosque of Sultan

Hassien - This Mosque bombarded

by Napolean, cannon balls now

visible in walls. These shot from

Citadel.

The Sphnx are ornaments to the

lower temple, this carved out to

represent the likeness of the King

whose memorial it is. The 2nd

Pyramid, which still has some of the

Caping left on the top. A number of

climbers got up this difficult proposition

 

 

50

A meeting of chaplains took place

in the Y.M.C.A. Bld where there was

some friction with Anglicans

who absolutely refuse to cooperate in

any way with the non conformists

It was a completely futile effort.

Spent the aftn at the Tented Hospital

on Monday & went to a lantern

lecture on the Great War at night.

Visited town on tuesday & brought

out Frith from Hotel where he

had lain for 6 days very ill with

Pneumonia. (unknown to us). He

broke camp after the sentence of

his Court Martial had been promulgated

reducing him to the ranks from Sn Sgt.

He was mighty ill, he was immediately

sent to the hospital at Mena.

Had a good concert on Wedy

A lecture on Thursday night

Boxing tournament on Friday

and another Concert on Satdy.

The Church Parade was still

larger on Sunday morning.

Visited in the aftn, had a 

good time with the Field

Ambulance at night 6 pm &

had 14 seekers forward at 

the Victorian Y.M.C.A.

Spent a busy week with the

various duties of meetings,

concerts & lectures visiting &

checking in General.

Monday night had a great Red Cross

Concert 2,500 present . A gigantic 

success & full of enthusiasm.

51

Another fine Red Cross Concert

on Satdy night in Sydney Y.M.C.A.

An immense crowd at the

Church Parade on Sunday morning

Spoke on Ezekiel's vision.

In the Sydney Y.M.C.A. at night

where 29 decided for God

Busy preparing for removal

packing & getting everything

ready for the front. during

the week - Also out trench

digging with Troops, looking

up stray boys & busy writing

to Fathers Mothers & Sisters

re their sons & brothers.

Visited the N.Z. lines on Wedy

to see Green & Martin found

them on tiptoe of expectation

for a shift.

Had a very successful Concert

with the new reinforcements

& also another on St. Pat's

night (March 17th). Much

Drunkenness this night. The

wet canteen is an unmitigated

curse. & is ruining many bright

Boys. It should be stopped. Am

afraid the 'profits' have too

great an attraction for some

folks to shut it down or control

it as it should be & prevent any

man from getting more than

2 pints - As when system would

do this with strict supervision.

It is dastardly to stoop to the

making of money out of the

weaknesses of the soldiers.

 

52

The 3rd Brigade with the

3rd Field Ambulance, 3rd Army

Service Corps, Engineers & other

units left Mena on Sunday

Feby 28th, they got a great send

off by the remaining troops.

Their departure was certainly

impressive & the sight was

calculated to give confidence.

Sunday March 21^st. A very large

crowd at the church Parade

had a very helpful Service in

the Sydney Y.M.C.A. at night

where 26 signed the K. of K. pledge.

Had a very fine meeting at

The Vic. Y.M.C.A. the Sunday

previous. one decision

on Thursday night at Wet Canteen

met Young man talked about

his soul - He got saved in the

Desert, at a prayer meeting.

Hunting up more stray boys &

careless chaps who fail to write

home & so cause much needless

anxiety.

March 23^rd went out with the

boys in the aftn 4-30 for Trench

Digging & an all night attack

returned to camp at 7 a.m. it

was a tiresome Friday night,

as our battalion lay in reserve

Held a concert on Thursday

night with the naval [[?]].

Went over to see Green and

Martin of N.Z. forces on friday

found them both well.

53

It was a fearful blowy, grotty

day on Sunday (the worst yet,

The Church Parade was a rather

trying experience. We went thro'

the singing & prayer exercises

satisfactory, but the preaching

was hopeless, I stopped after

speaking for 4 minutes.

Held a fine meeting at night

at the Sydney Y.M.C.A. Tuesday

on "Titus" where we had three

definite conversions. It was

a helpful meeting. others signed

the K. of K. pledge.

I met a man (Backslider) who

had been a soldier in Roma

(Qld) 17 years ago & invited him

to my tent, he came on Monday

evening & got gloriously saved.

Had a wonderfully successful

concert on Monday night, 3000

present, tore down the walls

of Y.M.C.A. to see & hear. 5 ladies

present as performers, as also

S.N. Also Knowles of the West

Minster Dragoons, who sang 12 songs

during the night. The enthusiasm

of the Austn's greatly struck the

performers. The monster crowd

took a bit of handling. We adjourned

to the 1st Battn mess room for refreshment.

Went out to N.Z. lines on tuesday

hunted up Trooper Balneaves of

Invercargill- ([[??]] Brother.

Men out on a Divisional scheme

practising landing under fire

 

54

Had a funeral on Satdy morng

from the 1st Field Ambulance

(Ris Kles from Crow's Nest) It was an

impressive ceremony - Firing

Party from 4th Battln & Band of

3rd Battln present as also the

bulk of the 1st F.B. Corps.

"Lead kindly light" sung with deep feeling
Good Friday April 2nd was

begun with a Church Parade

at 7-30 a.m. Gave a short talk

on "Calvary's" last Parade held

at Mena. Just on 2,000 present.
The O.C. announced at 9 a.m.

that we were under orders to

shift to the front at short notice

Thus everybody got a hustle on

& prepared for eventualities.

I washed out my dirty clothes

early on Satdy morning, packed

my cases & journeyed to town

to square a/cs. & posted a [[dozen?]]

letters to Aust. chiefly reply to enquiries

re Sons & Brothers.

Left Camp at 8-30 p.m. to march

to Cairo Station, arrived at 12 pm

& entrained. Train left at 3 am

& arrived at Alexandria Wharf

at 8-15 a.m. disembarked and

boarded the "Lake Michigan"

at the same berth as we disembarked

from the "Euripidies"

4 months previously. We were

speedily on board & settled

into our berths once more.

55

The Harbour at Alexandria was

a remarkable sight, considerably

over a hundred ships lay at anchor

chiefly troopships. Many British

& French Including "[[?Teursius]]" Indian

Aust. N.Z. - [["Zonnes"]]- Sengelese

Turks & Algerians with the French

There were many gay colours.

Mules in abundance a much provender.

Went up the city for

a drive around & returned to

ship at 6 p.m. We were finally

loaded at 10-30 pm & set sail

for Lemnos at 11-20 p.m. on

Sunday (Easter) April 3rd

On Tuesday morning early we passed

the Island of Rhodes & later passed

"Patmos" where St John had

his remarkable revelation. It

looked a Desolate barren Hole

There is much subdued excitement

among the troops but their

behaviour is exemplary.

There were a large number of

Islands visible as we journeyed

thro' the Aegean Sea some small

& others of fairly large dimensions.

As we drew opposite to "Symaria"

we saw several warships, one

of which signalled for us to

hood all lights as two torpedo

Boats were lurking around.

We arrived at Lemnos Island

at 7 am ∧[[?]] The Island is of

large dimensions with a

low range of hills, swimming

 

56

The splendid harbour; which

is very large & land locked.

The land has a gradual slope

from the water's edge at an

easy grade to the hilltop. The

land is fertile & the early

spring crops of cereals looked

charming to the eye. There

are many small windmills

around for grinding the corn

The population is 27,000 chiefly

Greek, Cryos the chief town

has 4,000, the others are

scattered around chiefly in

small villages, there are three

Turkish Villages, each village

is supplied with water from

springs, which are numerous.

It is lovely & restful to the eye

to look upon the 'Sappy' green

after the Sands of the Desert.

There is a long boom across the

mouth of the Harbour for protection,

strong search lights play upon

it thro'out the darkness and

Torpedo Patrols journey to & fro

continuously ever on the alert

for hostile Craft. Among the

Ships in the Harbour was the

mighty "Queen Elizabeth". A very

fine sight & certainly a formidable

engine of War. The "Inflexible"

was another torpied 20 x 24 ft

84 men 2 officers perished etc.

"Minerva" "Agamemnon", "Aokhold"

& others present - 3rd Brigade, French

troops, hospital ships, A.M.C. etc

The whole thing made a wonderful sight.

Thursday 8/4/15

57

Transports continued to arrive

during the day & at evening a ship

load of naval [[?]] came close

to us. They were received with great

cheers by the Austns, which cheers 

were returned with great gusto.

Had a good lively concert last night.