Papers relating to the service of Stewart Murray Hansen, 1915 - 1917 - Part 16

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2020.22.119
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Fe et Kebi 14th w carr wirt Dear All (not for publication) Adveasfully hot day and nothing to do Batalon supplying tamp duties including guards and fatyues Oanual back fond lans wher Ispent fom quet day Cod Daw informed ane that having been promoted to Captain he intended to recaum fr appointnet on company Commander and on Sunday lust I tood CAmpany with on semmunted Captain and fou as officers and so7 other ran ana fite eing a A Jk F.C. There are o f supants who seved with oe in Bisadmeadow and Eql sung the raly stup of 14th Be I fa I can not get any highes in the wolld for some time tocame from Sgt t tompany Commander in loss than twelue moth. General Lnnas recommecie me for a pretion which would have camed the rank of Major but being p some ane she was selected. They have since being tying to se as a captain but the Bugaden wait hear in leaving and I am much bettr of where I dam always b trate will As 2 me
14 25/3/1 icrace I believe that the Brigaces offer was the direct ae of my appointment & ad cay dowever an things considered I am extremely luely I have made a addition allatment of 3/ per day talling 11/ per day making dustibution of pay as belows Dit late of pay 226 held adowance 36 26 to date from Dednet defered pay 80 March 1st 1916 alloment 120 162 nett daly rate ined 100 Letters dated 14216 and 21-216 annxt yesterday and paper p t 16216 and several parch one berg marked ho Allew Lewent & keg also wote any with a bugthy epeslle fom neightor manr tele seeps me well supplies with incelletock and leters which me anwend ocannially by time is much mae acpd than eve I was prvisuly as an O.C. company in responsible for the taining and dugptine of his and ao for the taining of his individunt instructor. te fired went diing day and betnt stdy
23/3/16 Crron is wave A1F at ought. the weather is pting duadfully warn and lyst sante dill anyo and helmet are being iened In a day or two we will be off to the Suy Cannl defences for a month and peafe our distination to intusion. He 3rd Dinim has already left for pats unkusin and the ss Diision is ready tmore Le 4th 85 Divinus will bean the Canat for a few weeks anly there comprise the following infantry. s Byade 56 7 ming in Anstalic 12t 13t Reigade 14t 15 A Friday but we held Cuttalion sports and puterday Reyade sport at which Genrals Cap, I wine shoral w present. Onr be came suard in nearly every ent but chap is tr for the apinsh today the Prince of Wale will round the taining ana on Manesday and afterwards when te her wver sismised he rose aloy the fonty the cam a by from the men. es apt
23/3/16 Ae Cor in amaioe A 1.F. ad t ad a reception on he appeared weus. A sisteman would call him borny he looks much goup than his jears and has a roay clear thin seneal Wilhauntam bays came and last week in fact I ae eme different every day Eiligton was the sttet y hastrn. So enkin dane Rogger Hollen, Hower, Own Ove Sam Sumnon, Bil Brown, Duf, tiuch, and others. Geottem we up frequently but have 445 Bhe d Debi for Ley Port. M are sny to seapi hid close fur Sewart
Secapem 14th Basrelion Aubian Dient 1:4:6 Dear Ave We have charged one home once more and it was accomplished in the wins On Saturday last we reeved word t pack which and lively. Atan as Sunday momen drsned by audle lights in and abmost empty tent, budfasted on day bead unt bostet e famed up preparatory tmurching acrose the Idirect sands for somele allmen ced riple, park ffull), equipment with two days rations one water bottle full, 120 rounds of and mere drissed in that slack munition, ct hime with hilmets. to all appearances they were fom y t an sayin (Aveyou got a Kangarss fratter) were usid troulant the thre days punnys & we mr 10t 16t R of te colum and fanty. 4th hr Batal 1th Cmpany tyeen 4 Brigade have Counl Fr the blankets of all me were cames a 850 Cout charge of Indiams guite a long be or the mant
Our fint days journey was along the suctway bue an fainly hend a parilly duet until we amied at haslans whn a bast was made at spe util an moig t we binan by again at ya w leaded ah and trampet pdec one tet and comensed one and saye t asan bubl 12 fron) te marche interpened with march time by the bes was sood but at I pr we mcamsted bery dift sand into which we wallowsd, furg and even ths continued until the cale - neared moason when ane may sheps incomtred hede sand. Our enty into the hew Zealand camp was accupaned by blowing instement and dlee a a wa proside Col Dar and myself by the Otago Infantry Cattelin (p3) Leep oercam every body before sp and reoulle was gain at 4 and next morning. A start was made hor Seape at 640a after a deety breakfort of th biit. O couse was dected anow an ingation canad over an improvised fortor bidge ma along a hand sanal. the last day was at war and durty Water on the mant was ammost nl ay to trampert difficulties
At the point of diviation from the canal road truat les beba the sey Coul awos the roftest and on the ne and we had mten at the hottert part of the hottest day, the weary no ppedut fora spe Our distatio ve ny an hou march from the paint but for a implainable reason a soon as we were ware of the final stepping place, the straggle iand. until the they had kept yong readably will haw war here w isly awaiting a further man bue interesting sunsenshg The beat is benng intense and the dist just sand) is always moving about i that clond in whch have t eat, work and wll D often impossible bare your onn cmpany wht you are any close oner dull how I am O.C. C company my dutie while the mant or during training an preformed on ae p at Can a s to buy Canal 9.11 a dill 46p duil eept when fatigued are wanted and the number of new on fatyne duty invenably ontinut t men atailable for duty on parade but the Ergadi is desrmied tomake an stay
here a least, comfortable One Be is now wes was establishment strongth but wainations to Hospital will probably beng us square again Re Mutplay, Ce, truch and me or two others belong tomy Company But Taua was allatted to 14th B during the reorganisation of the A.I.& and a atached to H Cay. oday Dam Ryade hel Officer a Cn anly apt al cmpary but being Sunday there is nothing much to do p mest ride anud the cump at peroduge tine during the day. Dity calls An kevon Stewart
in lite for snt bam 14 ly sgn h tet t Eqr Monetal Khos Rep yo oft 45h er m e fit att py guas see amper fust f prlape leaue it afforde oportuntin t ree t made spesely the firt parge at
Beaney Dpuny regar to 2 pehenal of the st SR be haee in every con dosty therf Hould be able the your hw to offer by for from ilon gou him sade& and her t cast boe satteed poo to t 5 lilf tmnto ffter which wlt be be sps &de tan t 49 at mited by Anteton Compl tn lasd Fundry ames Lobday and ie weather pernt by on deplan Capt Cape. Was aad by Bnjum to a submittd to i whih 20 tre t Son setture oly, allagh t to ny Ioy anthin adet thon bet just ty you can't ito ttnar te mtles whle pape the offen de clloe pap

14th BATTALION
4th BRIGADE
A. I. F.              
HELMIEH
Tel-el-Kebir

EGYPT.

23-3-16 

Dear All (not for publication)
A dreadfully hot day and nothing to do.
Battalion supplying Camp duties including guards and   
fatigues
On arrival back from Cairo where I spent four quiet days
Col Dare informed me that having been promoted to
Captain he intended to recommend me for appointment
as Company Commander and on Sunday 19-3-16 last I took
over "C" Company with one dismounted Captain and
four Platoon officers and 227 other rank and file

including Sgt Major A. Jacka V.C. There are also four

Sergeants who served with me in Broadmeadows and

Egypt during the early stages of 14th Bn.

I guess I can not get any higher in the world for some

time to come from Sgt to ^Captain as Company Commander in less

than twelve months.

General Monash recommended me for a position which

would have carried the rank of Major but being junior

some one else was selected. They have since been trying

to get me as a Captain but the Brigadier won't hear

of my leaving and I am much better off where I have

always been treated well. As a matter of fact 

 

2 

14th BATTALION

4th BRIGADE
A. I F.
HELMIEH
EGYPT.

23/3/16

I believe that the Brigadier's office was the direct cause of

my appointment to command "C" Coy.

However all things considered I am extremely lucky.

I have made an addition allotment of 3/- per day

totalling 13/- per day. making distribution of pay as

follows

                                            s    d

Daily Rate of pay           22 . 6     s   d

Field allowance               3 . 6    26 . 0  }  To date from

Deduct deferred pay     3 . 0                }  March 1st 1916

 "             allotment         13 . 0    16 . 0
                                                          s   d
Nett daily rate issued                10 . 0 

Letters dated 14-2-16 and 21-2-16 arrived yesterday
also papers up to 16-2-16 and several parcels one
being marked No 1. Allen Stewart & Reg also
wrote along with a lengthy epistle from Lighton.
Marion Kelen keeps me well supplied with excellent socks
and letters which are answered occasionally.

My time is much more occupied than ever it was

previously as an O.C.  Company is responsible for

the training and discipline of his command also for

the training of his individual instructors. This 

means field work during day and lectures & study 

 

3

3
14th BATTALION 
4th  BRIGADE

A. I .F.
HELMIEH
EGYPT.
23/3/16 

at night. The weather is getting dreadfully warm and

light Khaki drill uniforms and helmets are being issued.

In a day or two we will be off to the Suez Canal

defences for a month and thereafter our destination is

unknown. The 2nd Division has already left for

ports unknown and the 1st Division is ready to move.
The 4th & 5th Divisions will be on the Canal for
a few weeks only. 
These comprise the following infantry.

1st Division     1st - 2nd - 3rd Brigades

2nd    "              5th - 6th - 7th    "

3rd     "              Forming in Australia
4th    "               4th - 12th - 13th Brigades

5th    "               8th - 14th - 15th    " 

On Friday last we held Battalion sports and yesterday

Brigade sports at which Generals Cox, Irvine & Monash

were present. Our Bn came second in nearly every

event but one chap is to run for the Cha^mpionship today.

The Prince of Wales rode round the training areas

on Wednesday and afterwards when the men were

dismissed he rode along the front of the camp

accompanied by cheers from the men. He was apparantely 

 

4
14th BATTALION

4th BRIGADE
A. I .F.

HELMEIH

EGYPT.
23/3/16 

unused to such a reception as he appeared nervous.
A Scotsman would call him "bonny" he looks much
younger than his years and has a rosy clear skin.
Several Williamstown boys came across last week
in fact I see some one different every day. Dud
Gourlington was the latest. Cpl E. Masterson, Tom

Jenkins, Claude Rodger. Holten, Flowers, Owin Owen

Sam Gammon, Bil. Brown, Duff, Finch, and

others. Geoff & Norm come up frequently but have

now left Tel-el-Kebir for Ferry Post. We

are going to Serapium.

Must close

Yours

Stewart

 

14th Battalion
Serapeum

Arabian Desert

1-4-16

Dear All

We have changed our home once more and

it was accomplished in this evasit.

On Saturday last we received word to pack which
we did lively. At 4 am on Sunday morning we
dressed by candle lights in our almost empty tents,
breakfasted on dry bread and boiled eggs and
formed up preparatory to marching across the
desert sands for 45 miles. All men carried
rifle, pack (full), equipment with two days rations
and one water-bottle full, 120 rounds of equip
ammunition, and were dressed in khaki slacks

& cotton tunics with helmets. To all appearances

they were Tommies and many K6 army sayings
('Ave you got a Kangaroo feather) were used
throughout the three days journeys
The column consisted of 13th- 14th- 15th- 16th Bn of

Infantry. 4th Pioneer Battalion - 4th Company Engineers -
4th Brigade Train - Camel Train.

The blankets of all men were carried on 250 Camels

in charge of Indians - quite a long line on the march - 

 

2
Our first day's journey was along the railway

line across fairly hard & gravelly desert until

we arrived at Machama where a halt was made
at 3pm until 6am next morning. Here we
bivouaced. Up again at 4am we loaded camels
and transport, girded our Kits and commenced our
second stage to Moascar. Until 12 (noon) the marching
interspersed with march tunes by the band - was good
but at 2 pm we encountered heavy drift sand
into which we wallowed, fuming and even

with curses. This continued until the column

neared Moascar when our weary steps encountered

harder sand. Our entry into the New Zealand

camp was accompanied by blowing instruments
and cheers.

A good dinner was provided Col Dare and myself
by the Otago Infantry Battalion (N.Z.)
Sleep overcame everybody before 8pm and reveille
was again at 4am next morning. A start was

made for Serapeum at 6.45am after a scanty

breakfast of tea & biscuits. Our course was directed

across an irrigation canal over an improvised pontoon

bridge and along a branch canal. This last day

was extra warm and dusty. Water on the march

was almost nil owing to transport difficulties. 

                 

3

At the point of deviation from the canal road our

track led towards the Suez Canal across the softest          

sand we had encountered, and as this occurred

at the hottest part of the hottest day, the weary ones

dropped out for a spell. Our destination was    

only an hours' march from this point but for some

unexplainable reason as soon as we were made

aware of the final stopping place, the stragglers

increased. until then they had kept going remarkably
well.
Now we are here, we are anxiously awaiting a
further move to more interesting surroundings.
The heat is becoming intense and the dust (not sand) is
always moving about in thick clouds in which
men have to eat, work and drill. It is often

impossible to see your own Company while you are

doing close-order-drill.

Now I am O.C. "C" Company my duties while

on the march or during training are performed on

a horse. No parade at 6am - 8am swimming

fin Suez Canal - 9 - 11 am drill - 4 - 6pm

drill except when fatigues are wanted and

the number of men on fatigue duty, invariably

outnumber the men available for duty on parade

but the Brigadier is determined to make our stay 

 

4

here at least comfortable.

Our Bn is now over war establishment strength

but evacuations to Hospital will probably

bring us square again.

Pte Mentiplay, Cue, Finch and one or

two others belong to my Company.

Bert Jamieson was allotted to 14th Bn

during the reorganisation of the A.I.F and is

attached to "A" Coy.   

Today I am Brigade Field Officer a

duty detailed among all Company Commanders

but being Sunday there is nothing much to

do exp except ride around the Camp at

periodical times during the day.

Duty calls

Au Revoir

Stewart 

 

Serapeum

 7-4-16

Dear All,

Received Letter dated 27-2-16 and papers

up to 8-2-16 so expect another letter any day.

Heat is terrible and dust abounds.

In the Church Record it says It had been better for

us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in

the wilderness".  Judging by experience I don't blame

them - the wilderness we visit is no place for any

civilized being.

Enclosed a snap of the remnants of old "H" Coy

14 Bn which left Melbourne on Dec 22nd 1914

Sgt Marshall (now Regimental Sergeant Major of

46th Bn our offshot in the re organisation of the

AIF) & the two fellows with cap on in rear

rank.

Still plodding along across desert sands but the

hours only equals 6 per day. The canal

swimming still occupies first place in amusement,

perhaps because it affords opportunities to receive

gifts from passing steamers especially those with

female passengers aboard. 

 

2
I am sitting on a Board of Inquiry regard the fate

of certain "missing" personnel of the 4th A.I.B

and some decision will be made in every case

shortly therefore. I should be able to let you know the

official answer to enquiries made by friends,

recently.

Our Camp is now in first class order as the

men have mess huts made of reed matting and

each Coy has its cook house sheltered from the sun

& flies which are our chief tormentors. A

canteen both dry & wet has been opened in
the wilderness and for convenient we have the

Y.M.C.A tent and sundry sporting materials

donated by Australian Comforts Fund.

Each Thursday afternoon is observed as a half -

holiday and if weather permits sports are organised

by our chaplain Capt Cope.

Was asked by Brigadier to design an economical

working cook house which was submitted to

General Cox, however the Engineer talked the General

into putting up matting "shelters" only, although

they kept the drawings of my cook house.

A dust storm has just commenced as they are

bringing afternoon tea and you can't see 10

yds much less white paper which appears like

colored paper. 

 

 

Last edited by:
Allan GroutAllan Grout
Last edited on:

Last updated: