Diary of Wilbert Berg, 1915-1916 - Part 3

10/12/15 Warships lined up

just off Anzac  & they commence

a terrible bombardment, they

were firing down Cape Helles

way, four funnell Russian

Cruiser was the flag ship

11/12/15 Things very quiet all

along the firing line. Just

a few shots by the artillery

on both sides.

12/12/25 Father Clune takes over

the 5^th Bgde, went to Con & Com

today to him, not as nice

as Father Murphy. He only left

Aust in October

13/12/15

Turks bombard our

trenches heavily, did a 

lot of damage. I was carring

a wounded man down the

trench & a 6 inch Howitzer

exploded just near us & the

concussion knocked both of 

us up against the side of

the trench. Preparing to 

evacuate. 

14/12/15 Turks bombarded our 

trenches like hell, a lot of

damage to trenches but

only a couple of casualties

15/12/15. Packed up ready to

move off at any minute

Kept silent from 1.A.M. till 4 AM

but Johnny did not venture

to come over.

16/12/15 A little lecture by the

C.O. about evacuating. Turks

got a bit nervous this morning

when we started firing after

being silent for a few hours

17/12/15 The first party to evacuate

are leaving tonight. Our

aeroplanes  very busy,  four

up all day did not see

any taubes about

18/12/15 Our chaps got away

alright last night very

dark night just the night

for getting away

19/12/15 Everyone leaving the 

Peninsula to-night, everything 

ready. Taube flying about 

this evening but our guns

soon sent it back again

Could see the big fleet of boats

waiting over at Imbros waiting 

to take us off tonight

19/12/15 Got orders to be ready

to move off at dark. Went 

down on board a lighter &

transferred to H.M.S. Mars
& left soon afterwards for
Lemnos Island. They treated
us like King’s on board, had
Coffee & fresh bread waiting 
for us as soon as we got

aboard & had their canteens
open for us. The sailors could
do not enough for us

20/12/15
Arrived at Lemnos at
2A.M. But did not go

ashore till 6-30A.M. After the 

Coffee ran out the Sailors
made some cocoa for us

We left the Mars & went on

board a tug & landed & marched

about three miles to our

camp. Arrived at dinner

time nearly dead, we had 

our full pack up, glad

when night came so we 

could have a sleep

21/12/15 Had a good sleep last

night. Went & had a look

around the camp, also

had a look around the

Greek  villiage. Very different

place to Egypt

22/12/15 Went & had a look

at a football match 1^st F. Amb

v L. Horse. Met Ed Burke went 

& had tea with him

23/12/15 Did a bit of drill

got word that we were are

moving to Egypt tomorrow

All the 18^th Batt comforts  arrived

but no mail

24/12/15 We are not leaving today

but are ready to go at any

minute. Got issued with 

Xmas puddings etc. Rained 

this morning. Had no 
drill

Xmas DAY

25/12/15 Went to midnight mass

last night & went to Con & Com

this morning. Lovely day.

Got issued with Xmas billycans

Saw real native funeral. Dave

Page  & I walked out to Therina

& had a hot bath got lost

coming home. Had a real good 

Xmas under the circumstances.

26/12/15 Boxing Day. Things very

quiet. Stopped in camp all

day. Heard a rumour that

Greece had been in action

Went to 7 o'clock Mass.

27/12/15 Nothing much doing, on

parade all day. Saw one 

of the largest boats afloat 

28/12/15 Went for a route march

Dave Page & I went over to the 

Y.M.C.A. at night & had a look

at the concert. Would rather be 

in the Trenches than here

29/12/15 Half holiday to-day.

Stopped at home & had a read

& a sleep, got two letters, more

mail to come

30/12/15 Drilling all day. Advance

Guard went, getting ready

for inspection by the G.O. C.

No news when we are getting 

away.

31/12/15 Very foggy this morning

Good few boats came into 

port. Life very monotonous here

& to make things worse we 

cannot write any letters for 

the present

1/1/16 New Years Day. Rained all

day. Kept awake & saw the old

year out. Plenty of camp fires 

& concerts A good few of our 

boys got drunk. Our Major

came along this morning & 

wished us all a Happy New

Year.

2/1/16 Rained all day again

Stopped in & slept all day 

3/1/16 20^th left for Egypt at 

7 A.M. this morning also 5^th A.M.C

Were inspected by Gen. Holmes 

this morning. Kit inspection

in afternoon.

4/1/16 Left camp this

morning & went on board

the Troopship S.S. Simla

Not a bad boat. Put down

the Harbour this evening

& anchored near the mines

5/1/16 Too rough to proceed 

to Sea. Had a life belt

parade in the morning.

6/1/16 Put to sea at 3 A.M

this morning. Mine layer

escort us for a few hours

& then picked up Destroyers

Sharp lookout kept for 

submarines. Lovely day

7/1/16 Escort left us during

the night. Ran into severe

storm about midday. Nearly

everyone on board sea sick

8/1/16 Very frightened of 

submarines last night

went a good way out of 

the usual course. Arrived

at Alexander about 1 A.M.

but did not go ashore

Company for duty. Cpl of 

the Guard

9/1/16 Went ashore & entrained

for an unknown destin.

Arrived at Tel el-Kebir

at midnight, Met Martie

& Bill Fellew

 Blank page ~ see original 
 

J Thompson

41 Sunwaverly St
[*Boyce*]

Earlsfield. 

Waterloo Station   London
Mrs Boyle 
 4A Waldron Rd

Earlsfield.  London

“Myrtleville”  Mrs Willis

Hartley

Plymouth
or 50 Norland Square

Holland Park London

Mrs Hoskin

They	Us	They	us
200	20	280	20
-40	50	560	40
80	-120	_______	_____
420	____	They	us
220	40	30	200
440	50	60	300
540		260
____		260	300
They	Us	340	330
200	30	40	363
238	130	140	400
280	30	190	260
360	60	200	420
420	180	230	600
450	260
330	310
350	510

[* June 6
July 31
August 31*]
Slani      Good day Sir
Kal          Tomorrow
Idharas  - Come here.
Go Jas    - Go away
Nãm        - Name
Inikirbani  - Thank You
Ummar     - Sit down
Uthc         - Get up
 

Back cover of Diary ~ see Original