Diary of Gerald Eugene MacDonald Stuart - Part 2

Climatic Conditions in the
Jordan Valley
[*Appendix
(4.)*]
From certain figures which
have been published it
would be thought by
outsiders with no experience
of the Valley that the heat
experienced was by no means
abnormal or extraordinary.
In order therefore to furnish
a slight idea ^of the temp. to
be endured under actual
living conditions & in favourable
circumstances the following
list of _^shade temperatures is submitted
Position. On top of hill at Madbah
in a D.C. L tent shaded
& sheltered from the wind.
Type of Thermometer:- Standard
Swinging.
X

Daily average Barometric
Pressure 30-85"
Daily Maximums
13/7/18   120° Fah
14/7/18  122°    
15/7/18   118°     
16/7/18   116°     
17/7/18   115.5°      
18/7/18   122°     
19/7/18   116°     
20/7/18   114°     
21/7/18    115°    
22/7/18   114°     
As stated above these temperatures
were taken in a D.C.L. tent
& in an situated in a hotter
& fresher position than is
available to the majority of
men whose only protection
consists of bivouac sheets
What the ^average maximum temp is, in a bivouac
shelter at midday has not been determined
as this amb depot would surely be(remarkable)

Madbeh
Obeida
16/7/. Positions occupied by
1^st L.H. F Amb looked over
(in land of Wadi Obeida just
south of Madbeh. C O of the
1^st ^Amb said he could not recommend
it at all also A.D.M.S. Anzac
considered it very unsuitable
Just after leaving 1^st F Amb
heavily shelled between
1500 & 1800.
Determined not to occupy the
site & chose a position in
H.17.A ^Jericho close to 4^th A.L.H. F Amb
Ambulance moved from
position at foot of Gebel
Quruntul at 2000 & arrived
at H.M. at 2300.
Took over ^18 cacolet camels from 1^st LHA
at 2300 on 17/7.
Similarly Section party under
Capt. Shelley despatched to
D.R.S. at 1500.
Certain heavy stores e.g.
forge, anvil, horse shoes 

were left behind in charge of
guard to be picked up the
following day.
17/7  — 
18/7/.  — 
19/7/ To gain a knowledge of the
country, posts etc of the unit
as emergency messengers two
bearers Privates M^cKellar & [[Hawkins?]]
were attached the 3^rd L. H.Q.
These men are to act as guides
to bearer escorts of cacolet
camels & Amb wagons collecting
sick & casualties
The first official information
was given today at 1500
that there was a separate
"led horse function" of the

Brigade at Wadi Nueiameh

& this information was only
obtained through enquiring
into a demand of an 8^th L.H.
Regt led horses through Brigade
Hdqtrs for a medical orderly.
How efficient medical attention
can be given the Brigade if
no information be given the
3 M.O as to dispositions etc
is not understood.
Cpl. Tucker & Private Shaw detailed
to act as Medical Orderlies
to "Sick Horses" a certain
amount of equipment was taken
& instruction as to disposal
of sick.
20/7/. Capt. Quinlan & O/Rs marched
in. Roads, paths ^north of Aujah & reconnoitred 
in morning with a view to march in (front?)

21/7/. Arrangements  were modified
Capt Woods who is temporarily
attached to Divn to do sick 

parades for Sick Horse
personnel.
He states more equipment
is needed. This is being attended
to.
22/7/18.
23/7/.
24/7/ Line & posts held by 8^th
& 10^th L.H. Regts reconsidered
& looked over.

Kit inspection  held by Major
Clarke.
Surplus equipment consisted
mostly of extra bivouac
sheets, water bottles blankets
etc. 

25/7/. All officers with Mobile
Section have made
themselves acquainted with
general "lie" of the country occupied
by the Brigade & of the various
roads & tracks.
26/7/
27/7/ - Sgt. Stanley ^(orderly Room Sergeant) evacuated with
Debility to D.R.S.
28/7/ Major Clarke promoted to take
over duties of O.C.D.R.S.
Ambul men 1st line transport
was inspected by Divnl transport
Officers.
Previous to expedition harness
appeared to be in good order
wagons fair (some wheels big
somewhat [[shaped?]]) horses very
fair with a few exceptions,
lines were clean.  

Inspection was made with
horses in the lines & harness
on poles
29/7/ Capt Bale left for Short
leave in Egypt. Capt
Quinlan returning soon.
Capt Shelley instructed
to report to O.C. ''led horses"
for duty as M.O.
Capt Woods to return to
duty with Mobile Section.
30/7/. Capt Woods reported
for duty.
Sudden rise in numbers of
[[Pay??ia?]] n.y.d. apparently mostly
malaria.
This corresponds with experience
at Aujah Bridgehead most
cases of Malaria are occuring
after a fortnight in the location 

31/7/. Owing to front line units
being without their horses
& the distance being somewhat
excessive to be travelled during
the day & the number of dental
cases presenting daily have not
been great & have only
consisted of the acute &
& subacute, surgical & malarial
It might be mentioned here
that the case of a [[lucky?]]
withdrawal [[happening?]] [[in a f? time]]
that it would be quite
impossible to move the
Dental unit equipment there
being absolutely no transport
provided.
There was mentioned in a
memo to A.D.M.S. on this
subject.

1/8/18. Nothing to report
Rations These have
been fair in quantity &
quality with the exception
of vegetables & fruit.
Today it was necessary to
condemn the potato issue
& it is highly improbable
that this will be revoked
by a fresh issue.
The dried fruit issue has
been most conspicuous by its
absence of late. Lemons
took its place for a time
but a large number of these
were defective & had to
been thrown away.
It is considered that the
vegetable & dried fruit form
two of the most important items
in the rations issue during
the hot weather & have a 
decided bearing on the general
health of the mouth