Papers relating to the service of Stewart Murray Hansen, 1915 - 1917 - Part 3

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We are inclined to believe the jealousy is behind the reports
The Australians are not misbehaving themselves here anything
like they are supposed to have and they have earned, alongside
the New Zealanders, a name for dash and energy in
field work, & especially for the manner they finish
after heavy work during field operations.
The people at home, and especially the press, would do
well to leave false criticism alone and rather praise
those that have left all behind to represent their country
in the fierce struggle for right over wrong. The inhabitants
of any consequence in Egypt think more of the soldiers
who have come so far to help the mother country than
they do of all the able bodied men who are too selfish
to leave home. To condemn before trial is not British
justice and is not to be expected from decent British
citizens. However probably you will hear more
about this in the paper shortly.
After this torrent of abuse directed against our false
critics we practiced attack & defence for nearly
an hour, then returned to camp.
Tuesday morning at 2 am we were aroused by
the bugle, found a hot breakfast ready at 3 am
then started off through the sandy desert on an
attack on a defensive position occupied by the
New Zealanders. This was completed by 3 pm (12 hrs)
& we returned home to another hot meal. Then leave
until 10.30 pm.
 

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During the day we travelled about 20 miles sometimes
running and sometimes laying down. We finished 
strongly. Mail from home awaited our return.
Letters & papers dated 7^th & 14^th February arrived.
Wednesday 17^th was very easy, consisting of checked
equipment, clearing gear & lines ready for inspection by
British High Commission. Early evening meal at
4 pm Troops going out all night but my feet were
blistered so stayed behind. Camp was deserted by 6 pm
so soon fell asleep. I awoke next morning at 9 am 
on hearing the troops marching into camp, of course
I dressed hurriedly to give one the impression I had been up
as usual. The men returned as fresh as ever and
ready for the day's holiday most of which they spent
in Cairo. I stayed home writing up my platoon
register & nominal roll, but finishing at 6pm I
decided & visit Ron Dawes at Abbassia. On arriving
at Heliopolis late the Military Police warned me about
the time, but as they had been celebrating St Patrick's
day nothing happened.
On Friday a large cake in excellent condition arrived
from Sandy Muirhead and the boys. It was treated
in soldierly fashion as cake is rare in Egypt.
The day was spent in a route march on compass
bearings, we did about 16 miles across the desert.
 

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Saturday we packed up kits, rolled beds, and stacked
waggons only to unpack everything after dinner. It was
emergency practice – but rumor hath it, an early departure.
Our company on duty today finding all guards,
fatigues etc. being a Platoon Sgt keeps me out of
these duties although I have to find the men & N.C.O's.
Visited Heliopolis after all duties had been allotted
and returned early to bed.
Awoke on Sunday with cold all over me but as day
progressed felt almost normal. Did not go to
Church parade but was at Communion Service in
Y.M.C.A. tent at 10-45 am by Rev. Colonel Messington
Chaplain to L. Horse. Slept all afternoon and then
started writing this week's mail.
Tomorrow is a big divisional inspection which is
expected to signify our near departure from this
abode.
All the town boys are well. Sandy Sutton by a
strange coincidence is my bugler, he is a good kid
but has been wondering why his letters did not
arrive home; he certainly wrote them. He has
received several from his sister & relations.
Jack Hansen must be busy with his waggons of late
getting them ready for removal as I have not seen him
for some time although his camp is not 200 yards away.
Dave. W. is also far but near, I have only seen him twice
since we arrived in Egypt.
 

I have forwarded some photos of our Camp &
surroundings which I hope will reach you.
My best regards to all friends who enquire after
me. I would like to write to them all but time is
precious and even 5 milleme stamps cost something
when bought in quantities. When we get in action
news will be far between but nevertheless home
news will reach us when we are unable to send 
information.
Feeling very fit.
yours Stewart
 

14^th Battalion

4^th Inf Brigade

N.Z.A Division
On Active Service
Areodome Camp
Heliopolis Egypt
26/3/15
Dear friends at HOME
Still here in the same place for nearly
eight weeks. If it was not for the fact that the object for
which we left home is not accomplished we would be
content, but after being proclaimed "fit" and still being given
sham manoeuvres for the benefit of Officers tends to
monotonise our sojourn here. Egypt is only interesting for
its ancient history and historical emblems, and when once these
are seen and the lives and habits of the people are fathomed
time begins to hang heavy. One bright spot has appeared
of late in the person of Rev Gillon the resident Presbyterian
minister in Cairo. Of his interesting social evenings I
will speak of in my diary notes – I mean write.
Monday March 22^nd Awoke to call of bugle at 6 am. All
at once busy packing & cleaning up for divisional
inspection by Sir A. McMahon British High Commissioner in
Egypt and General Maxwell commanding British Home
& Colonial forces in Egypt.  Loaded waggons and marched to
place of rendezvous, leaving parade ground at 8 am.
The New Zealand & Australian Division (in which we are 
included) concentrated on the desert, an ideal place for
a review.
 

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Here Sir Alex Godly, our divisional General. formed us up
and we were inspected by the heads on horseback. After
this procedure which lasted 40 mts we marched passed
the saluting base in a blinding dust caused by Horsemen,
Artillery & tramping feet of the Divisional Infantry.
Marching straight back to camp we were allowed to stay in
our lines cleaning rifles, scalding water bottles and
generally fooling about. During the afternoon, with 10
men, a transport limber and four horses I marched
into the desert to prepare a defensive position for
field firing practice the next day. Trenches were
dug in the sand on hills and targets of dummies
were placed to look like soldiers' heads; these operations
completed our party, despite having to work on holiday,
marched gleefully home. Being again chosen as markers
for the morrow, we arranged for utensils etc suitable
for such occupation.
Tuesday March 23^rd Keeping the whereabouts of our
little dummies a secret, we breakfasted together and
sneaked out of camp to prevent any watchers discovering
the direction. Taking up a commanding yet protected
position well out of the expected line of fire we waited.
Presently we discerned the advancing attackers
ambling in open lines across the sand ridges.
Bullets began to whizz first slowly then the fullisade
 

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commenced and even at long ranges the bullets found
their mark. The day was interesting for all, especially
because ball ammunition was used. For my part
I acted something like a war correspondent watching
the battle and picking out faults in the advance.
The practice lasted well into the afternoon and our
party were kept busy during the lulls, patching
up and counting the hits. On arrival home I
had to mount in charge of guard consisting of 27 men
and two corporals.
Wednesday March 24^th Still on guard in fact had
only little sleep owing to an unruly prisoner who
objected to being placed under arrest consequently
he caused trouble until 3 am when he slumbered.
My duty not being up till 5 pm I had to remain
near Guard Tent all day. The Battalion packed
up everything but tents and marched away, only
to return at noon. The program was only practice,
so after dinner waggons were unloaded and soldiers
rested. Cleaning myself up hurriedly after we finished
"guard" I rushed off into Cairo to answer an
invitation received from Mr. Gillon. On the way I
ran into an old U.M.T boy - Jenkins - looking for the
same residence so we arrived together to find several
comrades already enjoying the company of a room full
 

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of flash feminies drawn from the British Residents in
Cairo. A gorgeous repast in true Egyptian style
flavoured by natives in flowing white robes was
the first experience on arrival. Adjourning to a large
room we were handed cigarettes. After this indulgence
we were treated to some rare quality singing & elocution
by the ladies and civilian gentlemen present. Although
these artists were members of the social gathering; they
were artists of professional fame in Cairo. One
gent in particular was a bolt from the heavens. He
is a volunteer with the Lancashire Regiments but until
recently was a principal at the Covent Garden Royal
Opera London. While singing four lyrics he put us
all in dreamland and reminded me of Mephisto in
"Faust" as sung by the principal in the Melba Opera
Company. We completed the evening at 9 pm
so as to arrive home by 10.30 pm, our leave being up at
that time.
Thursday March 25^th Divisional Infantry training
day. Reveille at 6 am and marched out of
camp at 8.30 am across desert. Concentrating the
forces at 10am about 6 miles out, we advanced
at a breakneck pace over sandy rises and dips,
pursuing a force representing a defeated Turkish 
rear guard retiring toward the Canal after making
an unsuccessful attack on Cairo. We were all fairly
stale before starting & consequently the men did not
 

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care whether they took cover properly or fired properly
however from an Officers standpoint the training
in fighting a rear guard action on oneside and
of pursuing same on the other was officially recorded
a complete success. The men will have to be
moved shortly else they will probably become very
"stale".
Friday March 26^th After practicing bayonet fighting
against bags of sawdust for 1½hrs we dismissed
to issue a new lot of warm clothing - a good omen.
The remainder of the day leave was granted but
purses being empty nearly everybody remained in
camp writing letters. Rumor has it that next
week will be busy probably a four days trek into
the desert.
Several papers and one letter from pa Hansen
arrived safely but the mail service must be absolutely
rotten this week very few letters arriving at all.
The papers were dated up to February 20^th 1915.
Caught a lovely cold in the nose somehow but am
getting rid of it slowly. Jack Hansen was over
the other day in charge of our Company transport
waggon. He is a typical farmer and good with
horses consequently being attached to the 7^th Army
Service Corps is in his favor.
 

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I have not seen or heard much of Les or Andy
lately owing to shortage of cash and consequent
confinement to camp lines. Pay day is expected
tomorrow.
To save time and trouble to me you might pass
news to friends as hot days & cold nights debar
a certain amount of time which might otherwise
be used for news writing. Any letters or papers
from interested friends are always extremely welcome
and papers are eagerly read by all. People at
home have more time and more facilities for letter
writing than we have, in fact this week's diary notes
have all been written up tonight so you can
easily understand some friends being omitted
occasionally, and therefore because I do not happen
to write them often should not deter them from
writing me.
Sandy Sutton, my bugler, has received several letters
including one from his sister. He can not understand
why his letters have not arrived; be certainly
wrote.
Time is drawing near to "lights out" so
Au revoir and Saida (Sey-ee-da)
Stewart