Papers relating to the service of Stewart Murray Hansen, 1915 - 1917 - Part 18

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took part in subsequent operations 
This is out of a total of 6 officers
and 250 others. Not a 
big percentage of experienced fighters
towards our next campaign.
Expect they will soon adapt
themselves as we did previously
special ribbons to be worn on the
day only are being distributed
"red" for landing, "blue" for
subsequent operations and
"red & blue" for both.
While travelling to Cairo I
met Len Linklater - now Regimental
Quarter Master Sergeant - and
Lorn Keig - just arrived -.
During the afternoon we hired a 
car and toured Cairo, calling
at Pyramids, Sphinx & Citadel
Afterwards we enjoyed a good
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dinner.
The heat is terrible and flies &
other insects just as bad.
It is a pleasure to be away from the
dust of Serapeum even for a day
but we rejoin our unit tonight.
Had a long talk with Col Hornby
and Capt Hanley. They will
probably tell you they saw
me.
This is just a scribble to catch
a special mail which I
hear is leaving tomorrow.
Any news will be communicated
in a letter which I have already
started in camp.
Had a glorious trip time.
Au-Revoir - Well
Stewart

Serapeum 
30-4-16
O.C."C" Company
Dear All
Finish Cairo, as everything points to a move
to more congenial, if somewhat uncertain,
surroundings. During my furlough I had a 
most enjoyable time and spent a lot of money.
From Len Linklater I learned that C. Harrison
 was in camp at Tel-el-Kebir and arranged
to meet him at the station on my way home.
The hour was late so I did not see him.
On the last afternoon I visited Gordon Hanby
in Hospital. (He has since be discharged to duty)
While there I ran into several nurses we had
previously met at Lemnos last September
but as I was leaving that night there was
no chance to entertain them. Most unfortunate.
I am afraid more time was spent in the touring
car than any where else. I had planned
such an excursion some time previously and
as soon as funds permitted I ran the gauntlet
and requested. What? Those sisters would have been
an acquisition to the party. As it was we

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consisted of three bachelors and a matron who
looked after us at Helouan Convalescent
Home. I have fortunately made many
friends abroad, and as for the enemies, I am
unable to locate any.
I was fortunate in being able to source an
illustrated booklet on the Dardanelles, which I
am forwarding this post. Also original photographs
of portions of Anzac.
Tuesday the 25^th April was commemorated as
Anzac day. Church parades were held in
early morning and Aquatic Sports in the
afternoon. During the day special ribbons were
worn by those who took part in the Campaign
"Red" for the "Landing, "Blue" for subsequent
operations. The number who wore both were
very few. Only 1 officer and 39 others in my
company out of 257 wore both and two
officers and 50 others wore blue only.
On Wednesday my Company underwent
a complete course of musketry tests and
acquitted themselves exceptionally well.
The scores obtained at the field practices being
almost remarkable.

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On 27^th a fairly substantial mail arrived
dated 28^th March including three home parcels, papers
and several letters. I am endeavouring to answer
same at the earliest opportunity The
multifarious and petty duties and consequent
demands on one's time makes the effort almost
impossible so correspondents will understand
any delay in quick answers.

Divisional operations occurred on Friday
commencing at 0400 (4am) and as I was
selected as a divisional umpire I was up
fairly late the previous night
Am enclosing the Operation Order for
filing. also program of Anzac day and
my colors.
The training program has been similar to
that done at Heliopolis over twelve months ago
and is now practically confined to advanced
work.
Yesterday an interesting and instructive
series of lectures were given to all officers of
the Division by Gens. Cox, Monash,
Glasfourd, & Pope. The themes were  
personal example on how to improve our
efficiency as a fighting unit. Gen Cox

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our Divisional Commander is an English
soldier of 37 years experience including
many years in India: He wears three
rows of ribbons and is immensely pleased
at being in command of an Australian
Division. He is practical, a fine fighter
(we fought under him at Anzac during
August and know his qualities) and
a keen student of men's character and
ability. He does not growl but gets things
done by a peculiar personality and generally
by simply giving advice. A man dear
to the hearts of Colonial Soldiers.
Last night we undertook a night march
under active service conditions. Interesting
and instructive although we arrive home
after bed time.
Today we spent first at Church service
and afterwards swimming. A cricket
match between 14^th & 15^th Battalion is now
in progress.
No further news this week.
Au-Revoir
Stewart

14 BATTALION
4^TH BRIGADE
Serapeum 
HELHIEM
EGYPT
20/5/16
Dear All
Received letters dated ^8/4/16 and 16/4/16. Your parcels
and contents are quite "it" and are always
useful.
You are quite gay apparently touring
South Australia. Personally we are tired of
touring around cities and would much
rather enjoy modern civilization.
Warrant Officer J Elder has - according to reports -
returned to Australia. He worked very hard
and would have risen higher if his health
had not broken down. He left here a perfect
wreck.
Our Colonel did the deed yesterday. His
fiance arrived per R.M.S. Moulton and after a
deal of trouble arranged for a landing passport.
My second in command Capt Smith also met his
wife on arrival of same boat but she is only allowed
to stay a week.
The wedding was celebrated at Ismailia by
Chaplain - Captain Cope. General Godly gave the
bride away and loaned his two motor-cars.
Just an interesting memory to be married in Active
Service

14^th BATTALION
4TH BRIGADE
Serapeum 
HELMIEN
EGYPT
near the firing line.
My mail has been somewhat inconsistent in
arrival as only two letters arrived this week.
Papers and parcels arrive fairly regularly
Cleaned out my trunk today and found that
the intense heat cracked my flute and
rendered it permanently unfit for further active
service. If we ever get across to England I
may obtain a good one and start all over again.
Visited Tel-el-Kebir and there saw Len L.
Percy B. Fred Kilgain, Herb Harrison, Jack Porter,
Jack Hewitt also Capt Gilchrist (Port Mel. B.h.B)
and Jack Fowler. They are as brown as possible,
Afterwards proceeded to Cairo and spent a
few hours with Col & Mrs Dane, Captain
& Mrs Smith. Quite an enjoyable afternoon
which finished up all too soon as I was only
allowed 12 hours leave. Arrived back at 1am
after swimming through three miles of sand from
the railway siding. The shortest and sweetest
leave I have had for many days.
Our padre, after the aforementioned wedding
proceeded to Port Said as escort to one of the Bridal

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Party so the whole mess constituted itself a
court-martial and tried him for absence
without leave. We spent a good half-hour
and as he assisted with humor, we enjoyed the
joke immensely.
Our departure draws near. C.O: inspection
today and G.O.C. Brigade inspects tomorrow at 0600
(6 am) My company is in tip top order.
The temperature in Cairo for the last five days
has been 109^of, 110^of, 114^of. 114^of. 114^of in the shade
and as Serapeum is right in the desert, our
temperature has been several degrees higher.
tents tend to increase rather than decrease the
temperature.
Last week I forwarded a number of original
photos of parts of Anzac. I will endeavour to obtain
more as they are easily the best I have come across.
Will cable when moving. News scarce as everything
is becoming monotonous and heat almost
unbearable. More congenial surroundings
shortly.
Yours
Stewart.

June 6^th 1916
Dear All,
On tour again and good
bye to Egypt.
The last week in Egypt crowded
events as fast as they occurred.
To prevent kits from walking too
fast they were fumigated in
steam. This answered the fact that
we were under orders to move somewhere
Immediately afterwards a hurried
order commanded a Review by
the C in-C, which eventuated
on Monday. The complete division
turned out in Australian uniform
(quite a spectacle after being in
Khaki drill & helmets for so long)

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The weather had begun to warm up
again and was nearing the 100^of.
This sort of review is always the
death knell before the "kick off"
so we expected to go away at once.
Sure enough Tuesday we were
ordered to pack and get ready for
the actual "kick off" on the
following day.
Spare clothing and curios which
seem to amount to enormous
proportions in a camp, were 
immediately discarded to lighten
the weight to be carried.
Canteens were closed in case the
misbehaved ones ran amok but
everything was quiet and orderly
owing no doubt to the fact that
everybody was deuced glad to be 
leaving Egypt for all time.
Perhaps they are saving up for
the new scene of operations where
things are doing.

3.
Camp cleaning when everyone was
anxious to please was easily accomplished
and the numerous roll calls and
checkings of kit and equipment
were accomplished without any
trouble. Then we waited -
for over four hours - on the mark
ready for the pistol.
The "kick off" was given amidst
cheers and songs. Headed by our
band we strutted merrily
through the remainder of our
division - who were to leave a
week later - lined along our
route to the siding where our 

parlous cars awaited.
The ride commenced at 11 pm
in open tracks without even sides,
and continued uninterruptedly,
until 8 am when we drew alongside
the wharf where lay the
H.M.S Transylvania an 18000 ton
passenger ship - now a transport.