Diary of Trooper Ion Llewellyn Idriess-1916-Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG0000449
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

AU. A 4 to him and explained. that it was nearly impossil me to keep awake on night anty and that I am fast the gumps losing all getting holds myself where on might dutpost dufy. The co understood exacty ra a was very sympathehc i esult 8 got no gbt dutyf fewdars and gm gefsing some pills to make sleep sound th July Weve had bit Atunt p as very twell pheat although there i do fighting in it which dis aoused as a very great call.1 Late the afternoon before yesterday andeno plane beoughtto Hankard ormation that about 15 amels with falrout 50 fine 00 far (as could be 4 2 att the watering ✓ night the hat dustlethen they. B.d. H. Asedpe ii as damned hard to get 159 them offfet We again passed our Tommies Their bg boods on the hard froad made a song will the Whrshi af eveny time bight through Af tia 4 to watth inferesting very mnovements of trops H through the night. It after porge troutl 4 9 anda Sa serg sent camely hosa ef it buck at though there were more batbe than we t dei Gring Thesergeant was to go back to 0 ill officen wae &whil the W depanging matters omeo gofa glmpse Th offficers at the bedeling paz ege icomorsal buno n ther t01 yswhele hands away more 4 and D ferandy and
1057 44 Hediment moueda an entirely different well, this direction to the time we were all told the plan which pleased us and which we easl well is the underspood We were to souph of us. dipecth adat ove somd then miles turn o wuk 10 th east until weae well dirextly bchina the then double direcsly west reach the welleust vid eaauon. U unsie we had pretsy u only always gone praigh the eneme alwans and when about this a desirt ty miles bark and A doe ed arrive only 4 tha the Sunk ha vanished night nery day it as C A desent Je nd e sand than a damned regiment could drink. Who wouldnt be an officer. But is it the way to win the offices of thesr weary, drearyfmonthy in Eqyest and not a beow Turk has struck Only the struck a beow struck quick At 440 and fesmak hand 7oue at last found the caness, though mor tha we bargained f ad e X th and N 4 turned our 4 fo wnluskp except wh hadt watt depls the horses, 10 t being dmongst Stanly ar 12 them o Moth SSan tere an dufeo the night before and were deadly again at tiled Then up Aed ti hal past than the eameld t r reacte Indian d and Sik D 4 cle Duedar t lead beat cur ped 2 t
hills and in places Th stunted shrlis in column went along wiith complete silence scheen just she only & werea the ffront 1 half le 46 minutes ed i Staken bearings this th Don agamn creasting sand wichind o 4 sesI peek first Imaider 4e th dason ie leas the pe o black sand eat th towers overt that The column ill 2 rapidly into line ed And orward the ell there the th wds well th ckpof Gape as ns w achs Ae yan Yeas 4 t sign. ng a 224 roul not Plies and us steep One of our Officers eamal wen sun have go Te Sexsd L. Hate shit apen desert th camssed in 5othen and we hear that dfficero men and tree unstl th to 7 Meact a but of a shock lase East night. Mejupepe told that an dirman had brought in information that thoussand Hermans and tie seventeen hindhed Ture 2 were advancing on the It was highty improbul they could red adto that night but most like 4 whichy is to night night affer sand ofapos W. had i this el fromtwo Bang went morning. 4 i Iel dreains Heaursed LeN good Gevenything pyfl I am pr covering at charge th the Sign on ll
6 4 a three column separated p the one tracks 0 the aamels t I two scastering put for a sign of these men woho can disggened ife a breath 4 w then came a li lying N 023 wale m adropild 2 life 3 8 s 64 termind one 2 e th t & quadion th camel BB tl mile fur the as ie watched Ch cled then Ahe was bouting ea rigr Ab X incled round and Fouind and found and aAt A pattle he maching annI 4 i ds lk 1 hed and the marking I t woud 16 a gredt goke if a party 4 in Terrho were to atttack A man would act a litle of his own back then I hopet heavens Iin fnot on Id like to duty to night bhow the Neads truth real Romand of the Quatia and fight. We know it was a three the complese purprise attacks, splendidly planned gome of the sommes who excaped to here the night they ws our arrival said when hopelenslybeaten. their commanding officen Every man gave the order ift himself. Bhind en horses He horses ough less immediately in but under mach 2 4 fe and sifle fire they up enoeredoe lit the ml habluts. I think that who could grav a hopse and thoseit ran for sum ould fust
camely ianfieding She had circled fround and bound them raid them, as p4 ckmen ring our d d autinate cattl ut the more skind ones ercaning al turned he e 0 Illed o and mahes mot grin bruk Kind Your nd feest adion 0 th But 13 t doing terea and fled diecsion and horpes game ond mahte the N and nothag undering sand ed only endl to captured them wls Ca numbere 10 the 0 the 2 drears Gor the 2 ex Adek am Besside frght nt each dead British soldies the 6th and 74 L. Horse patrolo found many scares of emppy cartidge cases. At Guasiat uherl every man he were pcares and Sches of emply car bridge cases, and where the machine gun was was bis dead Yeomanry and lctoful of hundreds of emp carsridge cases, arn the gun were lite heaps of dead Turks and Bed Our men une dead fou trackedupa serceant He had be wounded andc a away, wut was evidently toodweak o mount had my horse for hie Aaddle & 6 Eamen the and lay down buidle off beside othem I and died and that at least the se Yesran ghat t Fy boug
Ballina Asleep in heir saddes awake wt serk the a is resstumat sed d don steep odrong hill An Toeback camp at els t Les da sming l 20 Anuously ad a 6 th ad 1 to 10 X beast t A amels l 4 taking th & 0 Aed 2 9 bugh 0 as i o bel 6 st then lo mecarl a 6 ad d eat 0 46 respecc de t 12 203 n seen omn apk A Tlast. Inellty fight l fight thet must Longl for the east in the desert no help where is near. Hommies toied What the to tell us of their thoughts knew Kive wer when they comind you their fight there & casil w understand esey Thanks for a God cool day at (Gapp 1715p2 cisementin camp. 4 expectig an attat Termand Horse ie are d saddled and ir are leddy W hoping are all aten vine 1h excmand Gurk findi 4 asn i Iwill suppose Jlaepkap te 7.a.m We hood to las night for an hou. veridevnr horse ✓ handall at 8 d Jumpin
sven Bor them Se th rounded hd deroplane flew i the cou over in an pilot and observe and cla leaning and Shanking Hen kands themI ou fhane them have mn Dl the w in 8 0 am hang t0 ad llou gus seo de no wel 1 take a 2 to Dr 5 i daks 2 ys the paddle at three seconds Bus these damned notice qurks did not come. Yhn ad we got some sleep These consfang fails aldems conplea with want of sleep neryso nid the fgine guaps som 4t e are E it alread signso Yesterday the quartermant gar lot of canseen 9of in timed fruit. Our sstuff u o hare to X 314 2p.m.Aisa cool day and we have plens tulker now water anst 4 scare of the German Tures attack look a bit ishyd believe the th at Catia 4 and Romana are Jokind about it Heroploind reports are damned uppelial anhours i forthight ago one reported that $1590 Tuhs cuerd manshing on Bailfead turned out. Jofbe a mg s ifptian gang O
Ian gotfa Yyone parcel through the Bost last night All tined Comet chates tunt sus th A4wfore have lucke of orderd has just been flisst the pread ant to piss from Broud Marshall o Kort Said all th usual, thes w i wixh ape hopeld offficers open to e only it ane mp plaxe bounds o dont tank here can be any wttle Portt Said o for us to stand on the it that matter thind the cussed siine 5 that trying to stop our are surf bathing, wwhiph is pleasure eapest On the un Ican have. thearch are manyy private D oth agfor set anda bl yron houses diers on sedn 2 pare a ring to work on the pailigg fune Now scouts would never have made such a mistake as that (Also our deroplane report could not make and whether the Germano Lurk force was making towards Romand or this place, I coul could easily have made sure of that point and also would have made sure whether sew as a reality o the R8 not. of that damued deroplan has (caused us this alarm and sleepless nighto, then Curse it. An horsed prequet last nigh fati got two hours sleep, O dusy all morning. I wish the cussed wan wwould end. gunboads Combaded t4 Arish Turthssh base The pread ment was a great ssuspess, th Turks running in Ile direction wayshhip I spose the teo bussed open o ben dated. We have ple t ofbrend andth gourss fam t hangsout to
405 thilling 4 Dach to little owel a Castume and wther bathing finishes thin light RepreshmenSo ufhe the verar Sah Goldvers were keeping place goiing 0 m that the bomers th 0 have given o tha the Efmmon Lae the wust the anyt wathing pplace 30 am shep to he wathe duyring th an to an O 410 2 th ased part weach i uh is marked fil boundaries for ad in might t ell is put d Benn put and an Ran roind mech To pho l isolated this part dah id all 4 wed t Il batthe at X 249 tinned brt we have theen able to by The trouble to luying this shupp Cknowks a hole in our few peasties. If ever weget. imlisation again we will tbe broke. It is splended cool weather. Our transport horses have beoken under the strain of the theat and and, and the camel teams are in use again, thank goodness whish means that supplys are keptup Repart says that 100 men and officers ofAfe.6 ih 14 Horse, and soe of the are and New Zealander 4 hospital br tosough Acta for taken out in dwk he hot days Over 300 horses are dow. 2/43land t arms three O clock this morning. Happing fatine 4.to 6, gatigus through the day Sapping latigue from mhalf plast areed until youse then outhat duty all night wish aw ard bal wil ar a atigue word and
Y.Sumething afte day but will bet s marvellous hours oleepto night. Was or hakpenny i5 duspost andy rast night. Some thhs in the regiment more canseen shiff came in last the ddys. W last night cost the four of have got areat tucker no 1/6/- We are not goind amomind yesterdan ondet any more, it is wo dear Stear and Ca rest et would cost us all our or breakfast and ways wases to eep going th a DS Sew igh tens of afrin just for a few had go4 plent 6 that last us at the most pffasoes meat and two meals. One of the troope there H and bask handed their spif the all enough for again. It is very actent the order morning whoever to responsitle actually 4 Bargeanto tet The ssule for us bu aound cae 24. the Heads aont seem to Subldl 40 kink that we only get aday Brigad and if we aver to Badabit 10 The civili fyor hast three backto the Sunt a don't I want to affair again iy pup adys i I enmiless Als a go bask eat we areo dar we are pussing St ned it les 6e fminced ris with 4e Ta hane Cr this accursed as abreak 4h desert ended IH is only lt must Jagt dosto a 2 ouldso having to to lie has he far D fup

to him and explained.
that it was nearly impossill
me to keep awake on night
duty, and that I am fast
getting the jumps losing all
hold on myself when on
night outpost duty. The
old doc understood exactly
and was very sympathetic.
Result is I've got no
night duty for a few days,
and am getting some
pills to make sleep sound
. . . . 4th July,  We've had
another bit of a stunt,
which was very well
worked, although there was
no fighting in it which
disappointed us a very great
deal. Late the afternoon
before yesterday an aeroplane
brought to Kantara
information that about
150 camels with about 50
men, so far as could be
seen, were watering at the
well of,   At ten
O'Clock that night the 

 

but when they got used to it
it was as damned hard to get
then ^to go off it. We again passed
our Tommies. Their big boots
on the hard road made
a song, with the rhythm
of even time right through
it. At Hill 4 It was
very interesting to watch
x the movement of troops
through the night. At Hill
40, after some trouble the
sergeant found a staff
officer who said the camels
must be back at Hill 70
though there were more
than we had been told to
bring. The sergeants orders
was to go back to Hill 70
x while the officer was
arranging matters. We
got a glimpse of some of
the officers off duty. The
lazy beggars were lying
in comfortable bunks in
their pyjamas, while to their
hand was more whisky
and brandy and soda.

 

regiment moved off in
an entirely different
direction to the well. This
time we were all told
the plan, which pleased 
us and which we easily
understood. The well is
south of us. We were to
move off directly east
for some miles, then
turn off to the south
east until we were
directly behind the well
then double directly west
and reach the well just
before dawn. Up until
now we had pretty
nearly always gone straight
and always if the enemy
were there when about
two miles off a desert
dog would bark, and
we would arrive only
to find that the Turks
had vanished. The
night was very dark
the cursed desert just
the same sand, and


than a damned regiment
could drink. Who wouldnt
be an officer. But is it the
way to win the officers. All
these weary, dreary months
in Egypt and not a blow
struck Only the Turk has
struck a blow, struck quick
and struck hard. At Hill
70 we at last found the
camels, though more than
we had bargained for.
We fed the horses, and
turned in for three hours
except the unlucky poor
devils who had to watch
the horses, St poor old
Stanly being amongst
them. Both Stan and I 
were on duty the night
before, and were deadly
tired. Then up again at
half past two, collected
the camels with their
Indian drivers, and reached
Dueidar at six o clock
dead beat. . . . All through
yesterday the cursed heat

 

hills, and in places
stunted shrubs. W The
column went along in
complete silence, with
only just a short screen
in front. There were a
few halts of a few
minutes each, while
our bearings were taken,
then on again, the
everlasting sand
scrunching softly under 
the horses feet. Just
before the first maiden
streak of dawn we
arrived at the foot of
the great black sandhill
that towers over the
well. The column
formed rapidly into line,
then forward. And
there was the well, there
the tracks of camels
and the bare feet of
tracks of Bedouins, but
of hostile beast or man,
not a sign. In the
rapidly increasing
 

and flies would not let
us sleep. One of our officers
have gone away with sun
stroke. The Sixth L.H. are
camped in the open desert
and we hear that 5 other
men and three officers are
down with sunstroke.
. . . . We got a bit of a shock
late last night. We were
told that an airman had
brought in information that
two thousand Germans and
seventeen hundred Turks
were advancing on the Post.
It was highly improbable
that they could reach us tonight,
but most likely the
night after, which is to night.
We had to stand to arms
from two o'clock this 
morning. So Bang went
my lovely dreams of a
good sleep, and I cursed
everything, Everything,
Everything. ... I am in
charge of the patrol covering
the signallers on 383 this

 

dawn the three columns
separated, one on the
tracks of the camels, the
other two scattering out
for any sign of these
men who can disappear
like a breath of wind.
then came a buzzing,
and flying very low
in the pale light came
an aeroplane from
the west. She flew
low over us, and
turning over the squadron
on the camel tracks.
A mile further, xxx
as we watched she
circled, then boom!
boom! She was bombing.
Then very low, she
circled round and
round and round
and a short rattle of
her machine gun. Afterwards
we knew that
she had bombed the
Bedouins, and the
 

morning, A It would be
a great joke if a party of
Turks who were to attack us.
A man would get a little
of his own back then. I hope
to heavens I'm not on
duty tonight. . . . . . I'd like to
know the real real truth
of the Quatia and Romana
fight. We know it was a
complete surprise, the three
attacks, splendidly planned.
Some of the Tommies who
escaped to here the night of
our arrival said they were
hopelessly beaten, when
their commanding officer
gave the order "Every man
for himself. Bring up the
horses." The horses were
immediately brought up
but under machine gun
and rifle fire they were
xx knocked over like
rabbits. I think that the men
who could grab a horse
ran for it, and those who
could not just simply

 

camels stampeding,
She had circled
round and round
them ringing them, as
our stockmen ring a
mob of obstinate xxx
cattle. But the more
obstinate ones breaking
away, she turned her
machine gun on them,
killed them, and held
the panic stricken
mob of grunting brutes
until our first
squadron came galloping
up. But the Bedouins
scattered and fled in
all directions, and
our game horses, af
after the long nights
ride, and in that
floundering sand,
could only enable us
to capture them. The
camels numbered 105,
the live ones. Then
the long, dreary ride
back to camp, men
 

fought it out. Beside
each dead British soldier
the 6th and 7th L. Horse patrols
found many scores of
empty cartridge cases. At
Quatia, where every man
lie were scores and scores
of empty cartridge cases,
and where the machine
gun was was six dead
Yeomanry, and belts full
of hundreds of empty
cartridge cases. Around
the gun were little
heaps of dead Turks and
Bedouins. Our men
tracked up a dead Tommy
sergeant. He had been
wounded and crawled
away, but was evidently
to weak to mount
his horse for he had
taken the saddle and
bridle off and lay down
and died beside them. I
think that in at least one
of these fights the Yeomanry
fought to the very

 

falling asleep in
their saddles, to awake
with a jerk as the
horse stumbled, or slid
down a long, steep
hill. And so back
to camp at twelve
yesterday morning.
Fifteen hours
continuously in the
saddle without a
bite to eat for man
and beast. But 105
camels is worth while
taking, though we
were greatly disappointed
at there
being no fight. It
was worked very
well, though we
nearly nearly lost them.
Our thanks and a
great deal of respect
go to the aeroplane.
The Bedouin outpost
had seen us coming, even
in the dark, but we
had come too quick.

last. Lonely little fights
fights that must be fought
to the last in the desert
where no help is near.
What the Tommies tried
to tell us of their thoughts
when they knew we were
coming on their fight here
I can easily understand.
. . . . Thank God for a
cool day at last. 7.15 p.m.
Excitement in camp. We
are expecting an attack
by these Germans. Horses
are all saddled up
and we are ready.
We are all hoping
the attack comes off
The Germans Turks
will find we are a
xxx waiting for them.
I suppose it will be
another sleepless night.
7 a.m. We stood to last
night for an hour, then
slept beside our horses,
rifle in hand, all gear
on, ready to jump into

 

even for them. After
we had rounded them
up, the aeroplane flew
very low over us the
th two pilot and observer
leaning out and clapping
their hands, shouting
"You have them boys,
You have them."
5th July  The Tommy 
police in Port Said
seem to have got 
sick of harassing our
fellows. When they had
cases against us
some of us were detailed
off to take horses
into the siding for
them to ride out on.
The xx result was
that some of the police
got thrown and
hurt. The police now
say that they are
damned if they are
going to ride any
more of our buck
jumpers for us. The swine.

the saddle at three seconds
notice. But these damned
Turks did not come. Thank
God we got some sleep.
These constant false
alarms, coupled with
want of sleep, will
very soon give us the
jumps. There are some
signs of it already. . . . . .
Yesterday the Quartermaster
got in a lot of canteen
stuff, tinned fruit. Our
sections share cost us
10/- . . . . 2 p.m. It is a cool
day, and we have plenty of
tucker now, also water. This
scare of the German Turco
attack looks a bit fishy. I
believe the 6th & 7th at Catia
and Romana are joking
about it. Aeroplane reports
are damned unreliable
anyhow. A fortnight ago
one reported that 1500 Turks
were marching on Railhead.
It turned out to be a big
gang of Egyptian laborers

 

6th  Stan got a bonza
parcel through the post
last night. All tinned
fruit stuffs. Some chaps
have luck. 7th.  A whole
list of orders has just been
read out to us, from the
Provo Marshall of Port Said.
As usual, there are the
best hotels, which are
open to officers only. There
are many places out
of bounds. I don't think
there can be any of
little Port Said left
for us to stand on.
But the thing that matters
is that the cursed swine
are trying to stop our
surf bathing, which is
the greatest pleasure
we can have. On the
beach are many private
bathing houses, and a
long row of public
bathing houses. Here
the soldiers on leave
used to go, pay a

going to work on the railway
line. Now scouts would never
have made such a mistake
as that. Also our aeroplane
report could not make out
whether the Germano-Turk
force was marching towards
Romana or this place. Scouts
could easily have made sure
of that point, and also would
have made sure whether
the force was a reality or
not. If that damned aeroplane
had caused us this alarm and
sleepless nights, then Curse it.
21st, On horse picquet last night,
got two hours sleep. On fatigue
duty all morning. I wish the
cursed war would end. Our
gunboats bombarded El Arish,
the Turkish base. The bombardment
was a great success, the Turks
running an all directions.
I 'spose the warships
busted open a few crates of
dates. We have plenty of bread
now, and the jam supply
hangs out, thanks to the

 

shilling each for a
little box, towel and
costume and when
finished bathing, bring
light refreshments on
the verandah. The
soldiers were keeping
the place going. But
now the powers that
be have given orders
that the common soldiers
must be out of the
bathing place by 7.30 am.
If he wishes to bathe
during xxxx the day
he may go to an
isolated part of the
beach, which is marked
out in boundaries for
him. They might as
well put us in a
kennel and put a
chain round our
neck. To show how
isolated this part of
the beach is we are
actually allowed to
bathe without a costume.

tinned fruit we have been
able to buy. The trouble is buying
this stuff knocks a hole in our
few piastres. If ever we get to
civilisation again we will be
broke. It is splendid cool
weather. Our transport horses
have broken under the strain
of the heat and sand, and
the camel teams are in use
again, thank goodness, which
means that supplies are kept up.
The Report says that 100 men
and officers of the 6th Light
Horse and some of the 7th L.H.
and New Zealanders are in
hospital through being
taken out in [[Gawk Acts?]] on
the hot days. Over 300 horses
are down. 24th  Stand to arms
three o'clock this morning.
Sapping fatigue 4 to 6, fatigues
through the day, sapping
fatigue from half past three
until six, then outpost
duty all night. I wish this
bastard of a war will
end. 25th  Fatigue work

 

. . . . Something
marvellous is happening
in the regiment this
last three days. We
have got great tucker
yesterday morning
fresh steak and bacon
for breakfast, and
the stew at night
has got plenty of
meat and potatoes
in it, and there is
enough for all. This
morning the orderly
sergeant actually
came around for 
""complaints?""
10th The Brigade had a bit
of a stunt the last three
days. An outpost affair.
11th Great Caesar? I'm
damned if we aren't
getting minced rissoles
for breakfast. The
war must be ended,
or else the old doctor
has been kicking up

all day, but will get six
hours sleep to night. Was on
outpost duty last night. Some
more canteen stuff came in
last night. Cost the four of
us 6/-. We are not going to
get any more, it is too dear.
It would cost us all our
days wages to keep going.
Just for a few tins of fruit
that last us at the most
two meals. One of the troops
handed their stuff back
again. It is very decent
whoever is responsible to
get the stuff for us, but
the Heads don't seem to
think that we only get 2/-
a day, and if we ever go
back to civilisation
again we don't want to
go back penniless. Also
we are fre putting up
with a hard life in
this accursed desert, and
it is only right that we
should be fed without
having to buy the stuff.

 








 

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