Diary of Samuel Hedley Hemming Hawkins, 1914-1916 - Part 5

16 March  1915
TUESDAY
Return to Camp about 2
p.m. after sham fight with
New Zealanders. Entrenched
with Entrenching Tools.
No spades available.
Marched to Third Tower
(10 miles).
 

1915  March 17
WEDNESDAY
No Morning Parade. March
out from camp at 5 p.m.
Our division attacks another
division (both supposed to have
been entrenched about 7 weeks)

18 March  1915
THURSDAY
Have Breakfast out
on desert. Return
to camp about 12a m.
Have dinner. Sleep in
afternoon.
 

1915  March 19
FRIDAY
Six Months today
since I fi entered 
camp (joined 19^th Sept 1914)
Drill in camp.

20 March  1915
SATURDAY
Drill & Route march.
Leave 10 a.m. sham
fight in which our
officer (swenson) leads
us into a trap & we
are taken prisoners.
Return 5.p.m.
 

1915  March 21
SUNDAY
5 IN LENT
Church Parade.
Very interesting sermon
by Colonel Rae on
Egyptian history.
Ismailites coming
into Egypt. Remains
& Inscriptions bearing
on arrival of 37 fr strangers.
Trip into town in
afternoon

22 March  1915
MONDAY
Brigade inspection
by General.
Inspection, March
past & return to
camp. Afternoon
free. Complimented
by General.
Three month today
since we left
Melbourne.

1915  March 23
TUESDAY
Quartermasters Fatigue
until 11 a.m. Knock off
for dinner & march out
at 12 a.m Sham fight
in afternoon.  Tea 5 p.m.
Being supports for next 
days fight we return
instead of digging
trenches.

24 March  1915 
WEDNESDAY
Rise at dawn as is the
custom on active service
when on the field.
Sham fight & Battle 
Practise with Ball
Ammunition.
Targets are placed in 
trenches to look very
much like a man in 
trenches in shooting 
position. Advance 
from 1000 to within 
300 yards.
Return to camp at 11 a.m.
Guard at 4 p .m.

1915  March 25
THURSDAY
Guard.
Being spare guard
I was only employed
to escort prisoners
to Latrines. Therefore
I took advantage
of the rest.

26 March  1915
FRIDAY
Rest day. Sleep until
3 p.m. At 3 p.m we
received an alarm
when we were marched
about one mile on
the desert. We were then
halted and a number
of packs were examined
to see that all clothes
were in pack necessary
for a soldier to take 
into Battle.
About 4.30 pm we marched 
to camp & dismissed.

1915  March 27
SATURDAY
Rest day. No work so slept
in morning & in afternoon
take a trip over desert in
search of gems etc

Send name under which
enlisted.

28 March  1915
PALM SUNDAY
Very calm in early morn.
9 a.m. saw terrible dust 
storm which lasted
until 12 a. m. It was
so bad that if one stepped
from his tent the sand
which was flying 
around would sting
ones face. We were 
unable to have 
church parade.
By 1 pm all was 
calm.

1915  March 29
MONDAY
Rest in Morning.  march
out at 12.30 p.m. with full
equippment for inspection
by Sir Ian Hamilton who
is in charge of the movements 
troops in the Dardanells .
Inspection in line &
march past

30 March  1915
TUESDAY
Revelle 5 a.m. March out 
9 a.m. with two meals in 
havasack. Through Zietoun
& along the Cape to Ciaro
Railway. Passed Beautiful 
date palm fs farms & bivouaced 
for night. Beautiful moon
light tropical night.
This is by far the best &
most interesting & beautiful
night which we have
spent since we landed
here.

1915  March 31
WEDNESDAY
March Back to camp
After sham fight beginning
at 3 a.m & lasting until 
5 a.m  Breakfast.
Arrive Zietoun 11a m
Trench digging & leave
for camp 3p.m.

1 April  1915
THURSDAY
Rest day.  As a result
of Sir Ian Hamiltons
inspection & his bad 
opinion of officers all
officers & N. C. O's were
ordered out for battle
practise. All were drilled
well (carrying full pack &
rifle) & by end of day some
could only limp home.
This was the hardest
day put in by any of
the Australians in
Egypt. Colonel Bathwaite
was in command

1915  April 2
GOOD FRIDAY
No Parades. Military 
Holiday. Trip into town
& to New Zealanders Camp
attended Holy

3 April  1915
SATURDAY
March out 9 a.m. through Zietoun
until we entered a beautiful
garden. In the centre of the
garden is an old old tree mostly
dead but one fork. living which
is proped up  We are told this
is the tree under which the virgin
rested on her flight to Egypt.
About  10 yards from the tree
is a well ( which the virgin was
said to have smiled upon)
& the water is beautiful & sweet.
All other wells in & around this
district contain water which
is slightly saulty. The well
is railed in & carefully
guarded. The water acts upon
one as a natural opening.
medicine. After leaving this
garden we all took packs off
& were allowed to view an exceedingly
pretty R.C. Church which
adjoins the gardens. On walls of
church were beautiful paintings

1915  April 4
EASTER DAY
Church Parade 9 a.m.
Attended Holy Communion
11 a.m. which was held in
picture palace. There were
about 50 present.
In afternoon went to 
Zietoun. Visited (& drank)
from Holy Well & Virgins
Tree.  Afterwards went through 
R. C. Church in same garden
as well. Signed visitors Book.
Tried very hard to secure a leaf
from the Virgins Tree but the authorities
would not permit of it.  

of Massacre of babes (very striking though pitiful
scene). Tree under which virgin rested, Joseph, Child
and also the ass (very real indeed); Mary &
Child on donkey & Joseph leading;  The 
entrance of trio into Heliopolis where well
is situated; washing on the Nile of babe &
Mother. At head of church & well raised
from the ground is the statue of Joseph
Mary & child.  The child is on the mothers
lap with the fathers hand on His (childs)
head. The figures are pure white
but a light yellowish light is reflected
on it. Beautiful stained glass windows
at back is a tomb containing