Diary of Frederick Trouton Small, 1915 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000252
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

ud hom head to pot Dr expected not as cola as I the a with mor arow d te i ast wt Iknew pay thaws Somel cre or otfe the one peems fefe fort t0 Sllipdi or dark then side becdupe 8 w Berkaps it have every anacipate 18 more ne that it would 1oour disadrana ta ckes at (appear 30 I th ta last three day e deadly quiel been hard par On part oufe there while fired of a cotal has beer absence a any frem 464 firir Lar artillery th ✓ passive resixt 2r00 srecth 10 draw one Erpoall Jacks out or 1 think I 15 it 4 er
end mad from head to pot as cold as I expected not The be with mon arcund. wait tell it say who know thaws De meton or other to look forr the one seems Spllipdli or dark side of thing we D because Perpaps it have to anticipate every move that it would prove our disadvantage that makes it appear &c last three days ha v the d quiet. bren deadly hardly have on our part while there pred a Oh t tal absence has beer a from our of any princ plan artillery. The passive resistance i evicently one 1o draw Personallr Jacks out 5 Xi 1 think it 2 ✓ ou a er
t 2d fort for 40 pet 2d esipec 70 cold as a There be with mow arcund. know say wait till it whe Domehow or other thaws be th one seems 10 lovp 7 on all dark of Spin ice because we Perhaps it is have every anticisate 18 move ire that would I to our diadvanta that appear 30 kes three days last X wl deadh beer Lards have of owr while there ficed C t ene tal a has been a re am ow C Mlar Th artillen fasser 1 resistanc eirdintt 10 dr all Orre Bora ond Jacke think 2 15 it snd cle
< 3 t epc I co 75 at te 0 4 h < w ow 2 2 Il t l ar Br than De 7 the an ore t te toB B 6 atte 6 t them le le be t ero e if 2 tave 12 2 12 62 that wont w adi a app tast days tree then bet quist have tae 7 40 o white ( E tetal De l ot from crike 1245 277 artill t fas X A4 terden wld < 46 4 t 2 22 we 6 ✓ 25
Our christmas 40 mail Anstralia reach will never Yer, as carrying the barge going at was swarnhed Egypt will over to Imbre also My pious two O the that Her letters not mean but it is amuin be wretter N0 two more time pr 30 precious i now ha OrN n At presser Par et tw 4 NOF OR comt hare Mr leb a trying C three weeks 4 ar as of Pussell 2 D rake 9 Min a the At me will Go0 ill &allow fur Me 10 7 little condite B 71 th 29/o i 72 t c .
Our 46 Christmas all Australia will never reach yow the barge carrying as it gortg owamped was Eaypt will over Tmnbre to of my also purus two that the Ross letters n writ it mean is anwtherg be wretter two more time pust 15 B0 precieus ow. having Yam At present Dar t fer appell we t 7t ge s completed a trying three weeks am a Pussells chin as cake7 the spelt me with & allow 6a 10 fur 2 little cood 720 4 tie the 77ajor intene end t to tiis
Dur Chris tor cuslidtia ot will never Yow arge ari as the it goig Bld a amked Over wilh X alo twe min the lette that 70 but it pee t anyttin be wrietter lae were time 14 156 precien now feno firesond Pa t 6 E b X 77 f 0 Elect a brg three weeks 64 Peussell e as A4 ake 4 the p 6 l all 2 fie lit X wd C tio 27 the wnd 7et 4/0107 Kino a fo <
X 24 Yor lifte over 1 4 and dn X 6 2 74 2 14 t X will 6 he sue < 7 r 26 X X i nerc 2at 219 o l 224 164 frat X Wen bnt ell C w 2try 72 3 4 t 2 aA 4
January 1st Month 1915 2 SATURDAY [2-363) Pay sheet's till 3.30. Bill Tarquhar, Foigus Durack and self paid a visit to the sphense mainby to make arrangements about Quunslands photo. I was amrazed at the excellent preservation & wonderful rize of the gravite stabs in the undergrownd temple The joints were perfect and the corners were an eye openie One storn was fully 15ft long about & diet & 5 thick The plans of some of the cooner stones is this on The Oppina is showing signs of weathering quickh January 3 Sunday—2 aft Christmas (3-362) 1915 31 Days LEFT MEANA. Purually at Cam the 3rd Coy was arlie + by ton am all our karts were packed & the whole company was ready to move. We said good- lye to Meana at 10.15. By 12.30. we had arrived at the 200 at Chegve. Hec we riled and had dinne till 1.15. By 82.15 we had arrived at the Rurs el-Nil Bridge but had to wait as the span was open to rvvve traffit. We soon arrived at the barracks but only stayed long inough to drop our heavy packs Of again to the station to unload the carls thit back again to the Barracks where we put in the night. Talk about Bugs. The beys arranged up arris of them + generally acid the goat about the matter. Sup was almost imporsible & we were not sevry. when the night Major Clogstown gave us one of his fiw outhists during the day Altogither it was a good day: plenly of hard marching will heavy packs. A few blishies nore on our feel made Chirigs uncomfortable at the end of the journey but everybody was on good spirts far we were at last on our way to the "real thing. Owing to the early start we had t abandor the photo.
1st Month 1915 January 4 MONDAT (4 -361) Quarter Sessions Week Another rush & Custle We were up at 5 am & after a drink of cofpe we were right for parade We were "told off for being late & some little contirnation was felt when it was found that Bill Baillie + Tregor Bethuene were mirsing; however they turned up before we left. The short march to the station was awful. She stride was too long for the pace & we were half walking & half doubling. To make matters worse Clogn had evidently been disturbed by the bugs for he rared at us the whole way so by the time we reched the sation we were ready to murder the front fore. We got a second done as we boarded the train - but damn it all, its all on a life time. worder The jeurney by bravrs was very cold + misty conditers but these timproved as the day advanced.We wre much impressed with the compleliness of the Camp at Tomalia - Carril Corps, Airoplanes, in fact everythorig. We arrived at Kantarah at 11 & were soon at hard werk in preparing camp; by night every thing was mug Welare right on the banks of the Canal & frid whips of fur in hailing the steamers paring thro The pretty Hospital Ship "Pezlity wont thro about 1 oclock We tried to hold a conservation with the nuises but wer drowned with the Cous S TUESDAY [5-360) January 1915 4 Dags Dividends due at Bank Spent the morning exploing finding out Cantiens pricis etc. Awayton the distance could be heard the beorning of the "swiftsies guns & on the afternoon the darted firing not a hundred yarck away from us We watched the buiding of her shrapnel with interest. Of course we all stood at the salute when she passed which was acknowledged by the deppon; of the flag & the bugle. At 7 pm two (ships passed thro' one was the Prontis thope she has some mail for us. As section clerk I have to go into Port Daid to make some purchases for the Bection. As pay is due tomovrow I will go there

mud from head to foot, but
not as cold as I expected to
be with snow around. Those 
who know say "wait till it
thaws". Somehow or other
one seems to look for the 
dark side of things on Gallipoli
Perhaps it is because we
have to anticipate every          
move that it would prove
to our disadvantage
that makes it appear so.
The last three days have

been deadly quiet. We
on our part have hardly
fired a shot while there

has been a total absence
of any firing from our
artillery. This plan of
passive resistance is
evidently one to draw
"Jacko" out. Personally I
think it is a ruse to cover
a ruse
5 

 

mud from head to foot, but
not as cold as I expected to
be with snow around. Those 
who know say "wait till it
thaws". Somehow or other
one seems to look for the 
dark side of things on Gallipoli
Perhaps it is because we
have to anticipate every
move that it would prove
to our disadvantage
that makes it appear so.
The last three days have

been deadly quiet. We
on our part have hardly
fired a shot while there

has been a total absence
of any firing from our
artillery.. This plan of
passive resistance is
evidently one to draw
"Jacko" out. Personally I
think it is a ruse to cover
a ruse
6

 

mud from head to foot, but
not as cold as I expected to
be with snow around. Those 
who know say "wait till it
thaws". Somehow or other
one seems to look for the 
dark side of things on Gallipoli
Perhaps it is because we
have to anticipate every
move that it would prove
to our disadvantage
that makes it appear so.
The last three days have

been deadly quiet. We
on our part have hardly
fired a shot while there

has been a total absence
of any firing from our
artillery. This plan of
passive resistance is
evidently one to draw
"Jacko" out. Personally I
think it is a ruse to cover
a ruse
7

 

mud from head to foot, but
not as cold as I expected to
be with snow around. Those 
who know say "wait till it
thaws". Somehow or other
one seems to look for the 
dark side of things on Gallipoli
Perhaps it is because we
have to anticipate every
move that it would prove
to our disadvantage
that makes it appear so.
The last three days have

been deadly quiet  We
on our part have hardly
fired a shot while there

has been a total absence
of any firing from our
artillery. This plan of
passive resistance is
evidently one to draw
"Jacko" out. Personally I
think it is a ruse to cover
a ruse
8 

 

Our Christmas mail to
Australia will never reach
you, as the barge carrying
it was swamped going
over to Imbros. Egypt will
also be minus two of my
letters - not that the loss
is anything but it means 
two more to be written &
time is so precious just
now.
At present I am having
a spell for a week. I am
not O.K. &  have just completed
a trying three weeks at
Russell's Top I am as
thin as a rake, no doubt
the spell will do me good
& allow me to put on a 
little condition; if not,,
the Major intends to send
me away for a while
9

 

Our Christmas mail to
Australia will never reach
you, as the barge carrying
it was swamped going
over to Imbros. Egypt will
also be minus two of my
letters - not that the loss
is anything but it means 
two more to be written &
time is so precious just
now.
At present I am having
a spell for a week. I am
not O.K. & have just completed
a trying three weeks at
Russell's Top  I am as
thin as a rake, no doubt
the spell will do me good
& allow me to put on a 
little condition; if not,,
the Major intends to send
me away for a while
10

 

Our Christmas mail to
Australia will never reach
you, as the barge carrying
it was swamped going
over to Imbros.  Egypt will
also be minus two of my
letters - not that the loss
is anything but it means 
two more to be written &
time is so precious just
now.
At present I am having
a spell for a week  I am
not O.K. & have just completed
a trying three weeks at
Russell's Top  I am as
thin as a rake, no doubt
the spell will do me good
& allow me to put on a 
little condition; if not,,
the Major intends to send
me away for a while
11

 

Our Christmas mail to
Australia will never reach
you, as the barge carrying
it was swamped going
over to Imbros  Egypt will
also be minus two of my
letters - not that the loss
is anything but it means 
two more to be written &
time is so precious just
now.
At present I am having
a spell for a week. I am
not O.K. & have just completed
a trying three weeks at
Russell's Top  I am as
thin as a rake, no doubt
the spell will do me good
& allow me to put on a 
little condition; if not,,
the Major intends to send
me away for a while
12

 

2
January  2 SATURDAY 1915
Pay sheet's till 3.30.
Bill Farquhar, Fergus Durack and self paid
a visit to the Sphinx mainly to make arrangements
about Queensland's photo. I was amazed at
the excellent preservation & wonderful size of the 
granite stabs in the underground temple.
The joints were perfect and the corners were 
an eye opener
One stone was fully 15ft long about 4 deep
& 5 thick
The plans of some of the corner stones is
this
Hand drawn diagram ~ see original document
The Sphinx is showing signs of weathering quickly
3 

1915 3 Sunday January
LEFT MEANA.
Punctually at 6 am the 3rd Coy was astir & by ten a m
all our carts were packed & the whole company was ready
to move  We said good- bye to Meana at 10.15.  By 12.30.
we had arrived at the Zoo at Ghezire. Here we rested
and had dinner till 1.15.  By 12.15 we had arrived
at the Kars el-Nil Bridge but had to wait as the
span was open to river traffic.  We soon arrived at
the barracks but only stayed long enough to drop our
heavy packs.  Off again to the station to unload the carts
then back again to the Barracks where we put in the
night.  Talk about Bugs.  The boys arranged up armies of
them &  generally acted the goat about the matter.  Sleep
was almost impossible & we were not sorry when the
night was over.  Major Clogstoun gave us one of his few
outbursts during the day
Altogether it was a good day : plenty of hard marching
with heavy packs.  A few blisters rose on our feet made
things uncomfortable at the end of the journey but
everybody was in good spirits for we were at last on
our way to the "real thing"
Owing to the early start we had to abandon the photo.

 

4 
January 4 MONDAY 1915
Another rush & bustle  We were up at 5 am &
after a drink of coffee we were right for parade
We were "told off" for being late & some little
consternation was felt when it was found that
Bill Baillie & Gregor Bethuene were missing; however
they turned up before we left.  The short march
to the station was awful.  The stride was too
long for the pace & we were half walking & half
doubling. To make matters worse Cloqie had
evidently been disturbed by the bugs for he
roared at us the whole way so by the time
we reached the station we were ready to murder
the front four.  We got a second dose as
we boarded the train - but damn it all, its
all in a life time.
The journey by train was under very cold & misty conditions
but these improved as the day advanced.  We
were much impressed with the completeness of the
Camp at Ismalia - Camel Corps, Aeroplanes, in
fact everything.
We arrived at Kantarah at 11 & were soon at
hard work in preparing camp ; by night every
thing was snug
We are right on the banks of the Canal & find
whips of fun in hailing the steamers passing thro'
The pretty Hospital Ship "Royality" went
thro' about 1 o'clock We tried to hold a
conservation with the nurses but were drowned
with the Co ee's
5
1915 5 TUESDAY January
Spent the morning exploring finding out Canteens
prices etc.  Away in the distance could be heard
the booming of the "swiftsures" guns & in the
afternoon she started firing not a hundred yards
away from us  We watched the bursting of her
shrapnel with interest. Of course we all stood at
the salute when she passed which was acknowledged
by the dipping of the flag & the bugle.
At 7 pm two ships passed thro - one was the
Orontes.  I hope she has some mail for us.
As section Clerk I have to go into Port Said
to make some purchases for the Section.
As pay is due tomorrow I will go then  

 
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