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 an d 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 fake 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 for to help the mother country them
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 ware aroused by
the bugle, found a hot breakfast ready at 3 am
then started off through the sandy desert as an
attack on a defensive position occupied by the
New Zealander. This was completed by 3 pm (12 hrs)
& we returned home & 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 7th & 14th February arrived
Wednesday 17th 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 cause
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 to 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 Abbarsia. 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
bearing, we did about 16 miles cross the desert.
 

4

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
there 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
YMCA Sent at 10-45 am by A Colonel Merrington
Chaplain to L Horse . Slept all afternoon and then
started writing this weeks 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 letter did not
arrive home; he certainly wrote them. He has
received several from his sister & relations.
Jack Hamer must be busy with his waggons of late
getting them ready for removal as I have not see 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 millime stamps cut 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
your Stewart
 

14th Battalion

4th 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 there
are seen and the lives in a habit of the people are fathomed
time begins to hang heavy. One bright spot has appeared
of late in the person of Rev Gillison the resident Presbyterian
minister in Cairo. Of his interesting social evenings I
will speak of in my diary notes – I mean write
Monday March 22nd Awoke to call of bugle at 6 am. All
at once busy packing & cleaning up for divisional
inspection by Sir A. M Mahon 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 7 am
The New Zealand & Australian Division (in which we are 
included) concentrated on the desert, an ideal place for
a review.
 

There Sir Alex Godly our divisional General formed us up
and we were inspected by the heads on horseback. After
this procedure which lasted we 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 23rd Keeping the whereabouts of our
little dummies a secret, we breakfasted together and
sneaked out of camp & 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 attacker
ambling in open lines across the sand ridges
Bullets began to whizz first slowly then the fullesade
 

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commenced and even at long ranges the bullet found
their mark. The day was interesting for all, especially
because ball ammunitions was used. For  my part
I acted something like a war correspondent watching
the battle and picking out fault 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 24th 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.Gillison On the way I
ran into an old U.M.T bay - Jenkins - looking for the
same residence so we arrived together & 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 & some rare quality singing & [[clou?]]
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
allow dreamland and reminded me of Mephist in
Faust as sung by the principal in the Melbs opera
Company. We completed the evening at 9 pm
so as to arrive home by 10.30 pm, our leave being of at
that time
Thursday March 25th 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 mile 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 a consequently the men did not
 

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care whether they took cover property or fired properly
however from an Officers standpoint the training
in fighting a read guard action on muscle 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 26th after practicing bayonet fighting
against cap 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 every body remained in
camp writing letter 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 letter arriving at all
The papers were dated up to February 20th 1915
Caught a lively cold in the nose somehow but am
getting rid of it slowly Jack Hansen was over
the other day in charge of and Company transport
waggon. He is a typical farmer and good with
horses consequently being attached to the 7th Army
Service Corps is in his favor.
 

6

I have not seen or heard much of Les n 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 & 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 them we have, in fact this week's diary notes
have all been written up tonight so you can
easily understand come 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 bugles, has received several letters
including one from his sister. He can not understand
why his letter have not arrived; be certainly
wrote
Time is drawing near to lights out so
Ay Revoir and Saida (Sey-ee-da)
Stewart