Diary and photograph of John Adams, 1914-1916, Part 1 of 16

Reg No 255. John Adams. 2nd Bn A.I.F 
Randwick Racecourse 
11th. August 1914. 
11th August. With others I was sent to 
Randwick Racecourse from Victoria Barracks, 
& camped under the Ledger. After two weeks 
training we were equipped & moved to 
Kensington Racecourse. My Coy., "C" Coy 2nd. Bn. 
26th. Sept. 
Prepared for embarkation by S. S. 
"Suffolk". Did not embark. Route march through 
Domain & City. 
27th. 
Parade with rifles & bayonets for inspection 
at 9 a.m. followed by drill until 
midday. General leave from 2 till 9 p.m. 
Went to Waverley. 
28th. 
The Bn. marched to Long Bay Rifle 
Range, & carried out firing practice. 
29th. 
The Bn. marched towards La' Perouse. On 
our way back we skirmished some hills, also 
carried out two assaults with fixed bayonets. 
Got back to camp at 5.30 p.m.
30th.
Morning. Company Drill & 20 minutes
allowed for washing clothes. Afternoon.
Skirmished hills towards Botany. Dug trenches
for cover. Colonel Braund spoke highly of  

good cover in trenches.
1st October.
The Bn. marched to Long Bay
Rifle Range & carried out firing practice.
At 11 a.m. the Colonel allowed the Bn to surf,
the beach is near the rifle range. Returned
to camp at 6.15 p.m.
2nd.
Morning. Coy. Drill. Afternoon. The 1st, 2nd,
3rd, & 4th Bns., skirmished hills towards
Botany, also carried out an assault with
fixed bayonets.
3rd.
Route march through Centennial Park,
Edgecliffe, & Double Bay, during the
morning. Afternoon. Coy Drill.
4th.
Being no bread in camp for b'fast,
church parade was postponed. Staying in
camp for remainder of day caused discontent
amongst the troops.
5th.
The Bn. left camp at 7.30 a.m. & carried out
an attack at Roseberry. The 3rd. & 4th. Bn's,
watched the attack from the position attacked.
Returned to camp at 2.15 p.m. Parade at 3.15
p.m. to hoist tents which were lowered for
airing before leaving camp in the morning.

October 
Boxing at 7.30 p.m.
6th.
The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Bn's, The Light
Horse & Artillery, marched through the city
& returned to camp at 2.20 p.m. Got special
leave from 4.30 p.m. till 9.30 p.m. Went to Waverley.
7th.
The Bn. left camp at 7.45 a.m. & marched to
Long Bay rifle range for firing practice.
During the afternoon we carried out skirmishes
at Maroubra Bay. Returned to camp at 5.45 p.m.
8th.
The Brigadier inspected the Bn. at 7 a.m.
We marched to Roseberry to carry out an
attack. One half the Bn. carried out the attack
whilst the other half watched. my luck was out.
Returned to camp at 1.45 p.m. Afternoon. Kit
inspection. 9th.
The Bn. left camp at 8.20 a.m.
& carried out an attack at Roseberry. Returned
to camp at 1 p.m. Afternoon. Coy Drill.
10th.
Morning. Coy. Drill. Afternoon Medical
inspection. Got special leave from 4.40
till 9.30 p.m.
11th.
9.15 a.m. Church parade in camp
grounds. 

12th.
Detailed for town piquet from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m.
District of Patrol William St, Victoria St, &
Wooloomoloo Bay.
13th.
The Bn. left camp at 8 a.m. & carried out
a route march through Centennial Park,
Darlinghurst, & Roseberry. I fell out at Roseberry
through a nail sticking in my foot.
Later I got a lecture from Lt Brown for
falling out, after examining my foot he gave
me special leave from 5.30 till 9.30 p.m. Went to Waverley
14th. 
The Bn. marched to Long Bay rifle
range for firing practice, leaving camp at
7.45 a.m. During the afternoon we were allowed
to surf. Rain drenched us to the skin on our
way back. Arrived in camp at 7 p.m.
15th.
The Bn. marched to Long Bay rifle range
for firing practice, leaving camp at 8 a.m. &
returning at 4 p.m. On arrival in camp the
Colonel informed us that the Bn. (2nd. Bn.)
embark on the S.S. Suffolk some time to-
morrow, or Sunday, there was much rejoicing.
16th.
Kit inspection & packing of kits for embarkation
Got leave on G.F. Millers pass from 4.30 till 10 p.m. 

October 
17th.
Heavy rain kept all the troops in their
tents until 4.15 p.m. when it eased off, then
we packed our kits on the Bn transport ready
to go on board
18th.
Revellie 5 a.m. The Bn. left Kensington Camp
with full marching order & were taken in trams
to Darlinghurst, then marched to Wooloomoloo Bay
& boarded the "S.S. Suffolk" at 9.20 a.m. Scarcely
anyone saw us off. The Suffolk left the wharf at
11 a.m. & anchored in Neutral Bay. At 4 p.m. we
left the harbour with the Afric astern. The sea
was very choppy & after a couple of hours
out the Afric passed us & soon got well ahead. A
large number of our troops were sick.
19th.
No parade's. Passed Gabo at 4.15 a.m. At 5.15
p.m. sighted a cruiser. Sea calm.
20th.
Medical inspection. Passed Port Phillip at 2 p.m.
21st.
Passed Cape Otway. Heavy swell running.
22nd.
Inoculated against typhoid.
23rd.
6 a.m. detailed to scrub upper deck & as
sweeper for remainder of day. Ran into
storm during night.

October  
24th.
Detailed for guard over magazine. Afric
sighted ahead at 6 a.m.
25th.
Sighted land at 3 a.m. Entered King George's
Sound. West Australia at 5.30 a.m. A large number
of Australian troopships are assembled here.
We took up anchor & went alongside a wharf
& took in water. No one was allowed on shore.
The A.U.S.N's ship "Indarra" came alongside the
opposite side of the wharf, the passengers gave
us books & papers.
26th.
We left the wharf at 5.45 a.m. & anchored
in the harbour. Weather wet & rough.
27th.
2 p.m full marching order parade, also kit bag
inspection. Farewell messages from Lord Kitchiner
& Senator Pearce, were read to us on parade. Weather
wet & rough.
28th.
2 p.m. full marching order parade. At 10.15
a.m., 10 New Zealand troopships escorted by four
cruisers, (one a Japanese) anchored in the harbour
At 3.45 p.m. the cruisers put to sea. Weather dull.
29th.
Hammocks were redrawn to see how many
hooks were deficient for slinging. 

30th.
Morning. Instruction in attack & cover by
our platoon commander Lt Brown. Afternoon.
Medical inspection. Weather showery.
31st.
Detailed for troopdeck sweeper. During the
afternoon I did fatigue duty for A. Edwards, as
he was sick. Weather showery.
1st November.
At 7 a.m. we left Albany with the
following ships conveying Australian troops:-
Orvieto, Southern, Pera, Armadale, Suldana,
Katuna, Hymettus, Suffolk, Anglo Egyptian,
Wiltshire, Star of England, Geelong,
Port Lincoln, Karoo, Marere, Clan Mac.
Cuorquadale, Euripides, Shropshire, Argylshire,
Afric, Omrah, Benalla, Rangatara, Star of
Victoria, Hororata, & Miltides, & the following,
with New Zealand troops aboard: - Maunganui,
Arori, Star of India, Limerick, Tahiti, Arawa,
Athenic, Hawkes Bay, Raupehu, & Waimatta all
painted french grey. 4 cruisers escort.
2nd.
Last sight of Australian Coast Cape Llewyn
High wind & showery.
3rd.
The Medic, & Ascanius with West Australian
troops aboard, joined our convoy at 4.20 p.m.
Weather rough.