Diary of Frederick Trouton Small, 1915 - Part 3

 6 

January 6 WEDNESDAY  1915
Up as usual.  We are all feeling the nip of
the mornings slightly but thoroughly enjoy
the desert surroundings.  Is the charm of
the desert seizing us?  No pay today so I
intended & went into Port Said.  I managed
to procure a warrant & left Kantarah at
11.10am.  On the train I met a most
interesting person in on Mr Spencer of Cyprus
He took me to dinner at the Hôtel de là Porte
& then introduced me to a friend of his -
Mr Attard - this gentleman very kindly took
me around Port Said to various shops &
saw that I was not "had" & in some instances
got me 10% reduction.  I cannot speak too
highly of the pleasure & assistance this
gentleman gave me & I sincerely look forward
to renewing his acquaintance.
The various coinage had me completely
"boxed". -  French, English, Indian &
Egyptian; by the aid of my trusty friend
I came out on the right side of the ledger 
I left Port Said at 6.15 & had a
great meal on the buffet car for 6 piastres
I reached Kantarah at 7.10. & with the
aid of McWatt & Bill Baillie & Gregor
managed to get all my small parcels
safety to camp.
7

1915 7 THURSDAY January
Handed out the tobacco & cigarettes to the men
at 6.15.  Made out accounts during the morning
& brought down 2 cases of jam from the station
In the afternoon a large mail arrived so
I took ours to the other side of the Canal where
our boys were walking the earth away.
Norm received one, from the Mater & I, 5
from Mum Baldwin, Mrs Sinclair, Con Pater,
Mrs Scott Fletcher, & Ida.
When these will be answered goodness only knows
as I hardly seem to have a spare minute to
myself.
No news from  Flo heaven only knows how my
poor brother is getting on. 

8
January 8 FRIDAY 1915
PAID
Purchased a tin of biscuits for a "bread
ration" & took it over to our men who
were working on the "approach" near the
fresh water Canal.  I heard that the rest of
the 3^rd Australian Brigade were to camp near
this spot.
The Indian ration is superior to that
which we received at Mena but the bread
is still short. The idea of the biscuits is to
make up this shortage.
I spent the whole morning making out
the Company's pay roll into Piastres.
so as we could be paid at night.
Paid at 5 oclock.
9
1915 9 SATURDAY January
Port Said
Again wended my way into Port Said this
time with the Broken Hill Section Clerk -
Coghlan.  I had hundreds of purchases to make
for my section and had an extremely busy
but interesting time.  I again met Mr Attard
who introduced his cousin.  This time the latter
took me all around.
I am very much struck with Port Said.  It is
pretty, fairly clean & interesting.  As so many
ships pass thro' the Canal, Tone always seems
to see different street scenes.  So far I have been
too busy to see all that is to be seen.
Arrived home at 7.10. & after delivering
the goods ordered by the officers mess & a few
papers for the O.C. I gave our boys their
goods.
Chocolate is in keen demand.  12 doz. slabs
between 36 of us in 2days. 

10
January 10 Sunday 1915
11

1915  11 MONDAY January
Ballah.
In full marching order be we boarded the
train for Ballah.  They were the ordinary open
trucks such as our Indian brothers are moved about
in.  About a mile N of Ballah we dropped the
Broken Hill section & then made our way S
of the Station to put up our high command
works.  We started by filling in between 2
mounds
Hand drawn diagram ~ see original document
We then started revetting with sand bags,
making two traverses to minimise the risks of
enfilade fire
Hand drawn diagram ~ see original document
At 3 o'clock we had just started on the sand-bags
when it was time to entrain so off we went well
satisfied with our "outing".
The spirits of the whole Company is fine & I am
glad to say our Queensland Section is
particularly so.

12
January 12 TUESDAY  1915
Up at 5 am breakfast at 6 & on the armoured
train at 7 bound for Balah.  It was a great
ride, the air was clear & had a fine nip
about it.  As soon as we arrived at Balah
Jim, Hooper & I got hold of an overcoat &
had a football passing rush this got Clogie's
sporting blood up & of course he must try
to stop us; my trousers got badly torn in
in the skirmish & the next thing I saw was
Clogie was being bowled over by Jim.
Our work during the day evidently satisfied
the C.O. for he took us to see some of the
Indian work & also pointed out the objects of
our works.
We were to sleep the night in the rooms
provided by the station people.
The tea was about an hour late so we hung
around the cooks fire till the stew & half
boiled potatoes were ready & talk about eat.
We had our tea on the banks of the canal
with the aid of the candle & with the ocean
liners passing within 20 yards of us.  It was
certainly a novelty.
By seven most of us were sound asleep.
13 

1915 13 WEDNESDAY January
Revellé at 6.30.  We were all somewhat disappointed
at not being able to finish our trenches or
rather high command parapet, for we were
put on to nine buildings on the Western side
of the railway line.  These had to be fortified
and after a hard days work we finished 8½ of them.
It was a tired crowd that entrained for Kantarah
at 4.30.  As Norm. Hooper, Farquhar, Wilson,
Durack were staying behind to do some work
I had to send stores down to them by the 7.10.
On this train Bill Farquhar returned form
Port Said where he had been visiting his sister
on our own hospital ship "Kyara".
We had been watching for the Kyara all the
previous night day but she went past at
9.15. at night.

14
January 14 THURSDAY  1915
In charge of fatigue party today.  The party rowed
across the canal to the Sappers & Miners & got
1000 sand bags for the 3^rd & 4^th Sections which
whad left for Balah to throw up some earth
works there.  After breakfast we emptied
the portable water tanks and look them back
to the Hires Office.  We strung them together
in a line of 26 and towed them down the
canal.  In the afternoon we took 17 more down
by the carts.  On the way down the Waipara
passed us bound for sunny Australia.  We
yelled all sorts of messages to them & soon
had the attraction of the whole ship.
At night we rowed the skipper across the
canal to visit some of his friends.
15

1915 15 FRIDAY January
ISMaiLIA
Up a 5 am. in the cold morning & after packing our
black kit bags we had breakfast at 6 a.m.
I was then put in charge of a party & after striking
camp we took the carts up to the station & loaded
the same on the truck.  As the whole process
entailed 6 trips to the station I made full use
of the H.Q. bycycle.  After purchasing some chocolate
& some cigarettes for the mess we borarde the
train at 10.30.  The journey to Ismailia was thro'
desert country no trees & very little other vegetation;
on the canal side of the line we were much struck
with the fine earth works of the Indian troops.  The
whole of the revetting was done with the stunted
bush which grows in the sand around. At Ballah
we picked up the Tasmanian & W.A. sections but
saw no signs of Norm & party.  We arrived at Ismailia
at 12.30. & as usual our Section did most of the
work.  We were greatly struck with the beauty of
the town.  Its general cleanliness is in direct contrast
to most places we have been to.  It is one of the towns
laid out by the Canal Coy.  Our tents were situated
in the beautiful Botanical Gardens & were erected
by the time I arrived with the carts.  Every body was
allowed loud in their praise of the spot.  By night
we were all worn out , by lights out Norm. Bill F.
Durack Hooper & Coy had joined us.
There was a big mail for Norm which I
handed over to him & anxiously waited for
some news of home but strange to say he told me
nothing. I got a letter from "Rowie" last years
Rhoades & a University Magazine.
There are numerous tennis courts around us &
a football ground opposite : May we play on them. 

16
January 16 SATURDAY  1915
We (No 1 Section) did rifle drill on the
Football ground.  We were all itching
to have a go at the footie but it was
beyond the Sergts power to allow us;
however Clogie came along & made us
pick sides for a game of soccer. We
then enjoyed an hour's running about
& afterwards had a swim.  Norm &
I found Soccer a bit different to Rugby.
At night our Surveyers including
Norm were sent down to Kantara
& Ballah to make a survey of the
country & all considerations necessary.
17

1915  17 Sunday January
Réveille at 7 & no parade till after
breakfast. The fitters were singled out at
the 9 parade & were sent out to fit the
saddes on the pontoons.  Craig, Lindsay
& Baillie left about 11 to play soccer
against the AM.C. The game ended
in a draw 2 all.
Had a look over the machine shop.
at Ismailia - not a bad little place
Had the afternoon practically wasted
as there was nothing doing -no organisation
Heard I was to go as Capt Russell's
confidential secretary . As I am not up
in clerking matters I do not fancy the
job.
Capt Russell is S.O.RE. (Staff. Officer
Canal Defences) Am puzzled
as to "Clogies" motive f in sending
me.  He wants me there for a
purpose - is it to keep him
advised or prompted as where
the Engineers can help most???
Clogie is proud of his Engineers
although he pretends not to be.
Segt Croker is to build a pontoon bridge
Clogie is stirring up rivalry by boosting
the work of the Indian pontoon crowd. 

18
January 18 MONDAY  1915
Spent the morning shopping &
doing odd jobs with the aid of the interpreter
At a parade Clogie told us we were
to have intersectional contests at soccer
The first round of matches to be played
on the morrow.
Went into the Suez Canal Coy's
drawing office where the Q'land
surveyors were preparing the plans from
their field books.  The French people
here, so it appears, heard hair raising
tales about the Australians & were
a trifle alarmed when they heard we
we coming to Ismailia.  They are
now of the opinion that the Engineers
are different ^to the rest They make great efforts
to get a collection of Australian stamps.
Sergt Croker & I went around to Capt
Russell but that gentleman was out &
so another has passed.
19

1915  19 TUESDAY January
Went to see Capt Russell but failed again
Played football with Queensland against
Broken Hill & after an enjoyable
"run about" we won 4 goals to 1
Saw Capt Russell at 8 p.m. & he told
me to report at 8 am in the
morning. Very much impressed
with the commanding figure &
his manner
Clogstoun (Cloggie) called me to his
tent & said he expected me to use
my initiative in the SORE's Office.
I am to "shoot troubles" find out
where assistance is needed & to see
that the 3rd Field Coy renders that
assistance. If necessary & in case of
absence of himself, Bage & other officier
men can be detailed by 'phone from
me (using his name) but I am to
"damn well keep him out of trouble".
Clogie says he has built up the 3rd
Field Coy with every craft & trade &
in consequence "can damn well tackle
anything" & that it is his deliberate
act to place me "where a discreet ear
can be placed to the ground" & used
for the Company's good & reputation.
Here goes!
Clogie stressed the confidential nature
the work. 

20
January 20 WEDNESDAY  1915
Reported to Capt Russell at 8 a.m.
& feel that I may be of some use to
him.  Kept going till 8 at night
Saw a few bombs in the office
for the first time in my life
They resembled a smoked test tube
about 5" lond & 1½" dia. There
appeared to be another tube or
bulb inside
I heard afterwards that one of
our aeroplanes dropped one on
a party of Bedouin's playing havoc
Have got rid of a deal of Capt
Russell's back work.
Norm returned after a rotten trip
having waded thro' water trudged
thro' sand and subsisted on
dry bred and the stink of bad meat.
One day the blood of the meat had
soaked thro' the bread - Norm
can safely say he is the first to taste
blood.
Poor old Billy Farquhar is in bed
with water on the knee - wrench
from football. 

21
1915  21 THURSDAY  January
Plenty of work
About 12 of No 1 Section have gone
to Kantra to put up range marks
while a few of the W.A. have gone
to help them.
Norm Durack & Hudson have
gone out surveying indefinitely. 

22
January 22 FRIDAY 1915
Still plenty of work  Kept going
from 8 am. till 9 pm.  Am learning.
Capt Russell has been too
long without assistance.  Its 
strange that important officers
such as he should be
forced to worry with detail
when policies should occupy
their attention - particularly
when the army has many
privates trained for the work.
Assume red tape enters into
it & he found it easier to
get the assistance from Clogie
than from Headquarters
23
1915  23 SATURDAY January
Ditto
Wonder why the important post
of SORE has been entrusted
to a Captain Royal Engineers?
True the R.E's run Egypt
Perhaps the staff is strained
to the utmost to meet all
demands made of it.
Am impressed with Capt. Russell's
ability & energy.
Authorities are concerned regarding
the loyalty of the operating staff
at the Power House Ismailia
Informed Capt Russell we could
completely man the station if necessary
Informed Clogstoun as to the need. 

24
January 24 Sunday 1915
Extra ditto
Suggested to SORE that we
list facilities of the Canal
Coy for reference particularly
machine tools, stores, material
& floating equipment. agreed.
Arranged to obtain a supply of
standard inventory sheets from the depot 

25
1915  25 MONDAY January
Great excitement.  Large Mail.
and news of English success in the
North Sea not only that there is
talk of a fight at Kantara.
Part of our section is there, may
we go there too
The Company spent the night.
on the pontoon so as to enable
them to get it done
A great mail has arrived 31 letters
for me.  Poor old Dick is improving
in health.  Has sent me a great fountain
pen - a very useful present.
Auntie Eff is well and I got the usual
grand bunch from Hillcrest.  Kings
College & other friends.  Little they
know. the great pleasure these letters
give one