Diary and photograph of John Adams, 1914-1916, Part 14 of 16

the Elkahwa at mid-night, feeling knocked out 
20th 
1.30 a.m steamed out of Anzac Cove, arrived Lemnos 
Harbour 7.30 a.m. Transhipped aboard the Campanello 
& sorted out, we were very mixed. 1.30 p.m we 
boarded the Waterwitch & landed on Lemnos Island 
We marched beyond our old camp site in September last 
& found our unit. The boys cheered as we came in 
with the last from the Peninsula. 3rd Brigade in 
quarantine close by. 4 p.m ½ pint of tea each 
then turned in, very tired. 
21st 
1 a.m very rough with rain making things 
uncomfortable, 24 men in each tent (bell tent) 
22nd 
Given charge of fresh section.  10 a.m rifle inspection 
Everyone employed stoning the Bn lines. 2 p.m 
detailed to draw our Xmas Billys from the A.S.C. 
23rd 
8.30 a.m rifle inspection. 9.30 a.m take charge of shore 
party, returned to Bn & carried on drill & listened to a 
Lecture. Afternoon Xmas Billys issued. Very much 
appreciated by all.  They were filled with many useful 
articles. A number of troops embarked to-day, 
we expect to to-morrow. Our Billys gave us a blow out 
I had a Xmas pudding, to make sure of it a couple of us 
ate it for tea 24th 
Now in No 2 Platoon. Revellie 6.30a.m

December 
8.30 a.m everyone with full marching order moved off to 
embark. 10.30 am boarded a lighter, steamed out 
& boarded the old Derfflinger at 11 a.m. A coincidence 
to board the old boat that took us to the landing (25th April 
25th  
7.30 a.m left Lemnos Harbour. A beautiful day 
There are N. Zealanders & troops from about 7 different 
units including English Bns on board. 8 machine 
guns are posted around the ship, submarine guard 
also a number of troops on observation. A 
number of floating boxes attracted a few practice 
rounds.  Night & day life belts are worn. 4. p.m 
Sgt Holt & self with 12 men mounted guard over 
life boats. Usual Bully Beef & biscuits for Xmas 
dinner, with a very small portion of Xmas 
Pudding. Lt Downing Officer on duty gave me a 
small bottle of Real Champagne. It was divided 
amongst the guard.   
26th 
Early morning, passed a cruiser & 2 destroyers 
7.30 a.m passed several small islands. 6 p.m relieved  
from guard. Expect to reach Alexandria to-morrow. 
27th 
7.45 a.m sighted the mainland, arrived at Alexandria 
9 a.m. The harbour is full of troopships loaded with 
troops.  2 p.m early tea, as we expect to disembark soon 
However we did not.  Lucks way another Tea at 5. p.m 
instead.

28th 
Sleeping on deck I was washed out with a heavy 
shower at 2 a.m. 8 a.m anchor drawn up & went 
along side the same wharf, as we left on going to 
Gallipoli & our first arrival to Alexandria 13 months 
ago. The N.Zealanders first to disembark at mid-day 
We disembarked at 8.15 p.m & entrained at 8.30 p.m 
29th 
5.30 a.m drew into Tel-el-kebir Station, & 
detrained, here we met our Bn transport & some A.S.C 
camped on the desert. A camp with very few tents was 
erected to receive us. No parades during day. 
30th 
O.S for Capt Hillman. 9.15 to 11.15 a.m squad & 
rifle drill.  9. p.m a piquet of 25 men form each Coy 
entrained for Zag-a-zig, to quell disturbance caused 
by our troops who had sneaked out to enjoy themselves 
31st 
6.30 a.m N.C.O's parade.  Bn parade 9.15 to 11 a.m 
Prior to being dismissed Major King gave the Bn a few 
minutes drill.  After parade we moved into new lines 
Afternoon with Peter Smith I went across the desert & 
saw the battlefields of Tel-el-kebir (1882) Several 
skeletons were lying about, also shell cases & 
cartridges. To-day 4 men per Coy, 24 hours leave to 
Cairo 1st January 
Bn O.S for week. Expecting hot 
time, as Bn is on Bdge duties. 9.15 to 11 a.m morning parade

January 1916 
2nd 
2 guards to furnish. 9 a.m Church parade. Quiet day 
3rd 
6.30 a.m N.C.O's parade. 9 to 11 a.m Bn parade. 2 p.m 
furnish quarter guard & other duties 
4th 
Our Coy on Divisional duties. Furnished 6 guards, 3 Offs 
84. O.R. Busy day. 9 a.m after inspection, guards 
marched to respective duties. The S.M self & 29 men 
remained to fall in with Bn parade, eventually we 
were called aft to furnish another guard. 
5th 
Our Coy N.C.O. no parade. C.S.M & self only ones in 
camp. 9.15 till 11.30 p.m Bn parade. squad drill & 
elementary musketry.  Major King from Bdge Hqs 
drilled the Bn for 20 minutes. Coy allowed 3 passes 
per day for leave to Cairo 
6th 
6.30 a.m N.C.O' parade, with number of privates 
to choose likely N.C.O. 9 to 11.45 am Bn parade. A great 
muster for Orderley Room kept me off parade. Hartup 
A.W.L for a few days returned to camp yesterday, was 
tried to-day. Midday 9th reinforcements of 2nd Bn 
arrived.  7th 
6.30 a.m N.C.O' parade 9.30 to 11.45 a.m 
Squad Drill & Musketry. Pte Norman overstayed Cairo leave 
8th 
Raining. No N.C.O parade.  9.30 to 11.45 a.m Bn parade

E Davis got 6 months by court martial, for taking a 
tin of jam that was rolling about the deck on 
board the Derfflinger. supposed to have dropped from the 
pile of Q.Ms stores.  Coy's leave stopped owing to Norman 
overstaying his.   9th 
9 a.m Church parade, Bn promotions 
this morning. I was superseded by, Cpt Meek.  I saw the 
Coy Co & expressed a desire to see the Colonel 
10th 
I saw the Colonel & got satisfaction. N.C.Os parade 
6.30 to 7.45 a.m Bn parade 9 to 11.30 a.m & 2.30 to 4 p.m 
11th 
Three parades a day.  thousands of English 
& Scottish troops pass our camp by train going to- 
wards Suez ever day.  Apparently for Messopotamia 
12th 
Drew £5 to go on leave to Cairo to-morrow. O.C went to-day 
13th 
I tossed up with D. Meek to see whether he or I went 
on leave to-day. Meek won. Bn night parade 7 to 7.30p.m 
14th 
Rehersal for a Divisional inspection 1 to 1.30 p.m. 
15th 
Parades as usual 6.25  9.15 a.m & 1 p.m. The 
Division was inspected by General Cox at 2.30 p.m 
returned to camp 3.45 p.m.  Postponed my leave owing 
to it being cut down 4 hours. 
17th

January 1916 
Bn marched to a rifle range 2 miles off. fired 20 
rounds each. had a meal of Bully Beef & 
Sardines. then returned to camp at 3 p.m. Got my 
leave pass & caught the 3.20 p.m train to Cairo. I 
had the first decent cup of tea for 10 months. 6.15 
p.m reached Cairo. I ran across one of our Bn boys 
that was wounded on Gallipoli, at the landing. He was 
convalescing. we had dinner together & a great chat 
over the landing etc. I went to the Grand Royal Hotel 
& booked a room for 20 piastreś 
18th 
8.45 a.m awakened by the noise of the nigger 
rushing along the corridor to awaken me. I had 
a good b'fast. then went out to Ghzierah (the Agricultural  
Buildings) to find my kit bag, it was left at Alexandria  
on April 2nd last year, on our way to Gallipoli. I got  
permission to take my kit away, having a garry with me 
I took it to the baggage office, Cairo Station. Did some 
shopping & had my wrist watch repaired whilst having 
Tea, then caught 6.15 p.m train to Tel-el-kebir. A donkey 
was taken on board by a few of us, causing much 
amusement to the passengers. 9.20 p.m reached Tel-el-kebir 
I found everything intact including 30/- worth of Egyptian 
coins in my kit bag. Before going on Cairo leave I 
had to borrow clothes from 4 of my pals, my own were 
in rags, this is why I did not take Cairo leave earlier 
Now I have plenty of clothes from my black kit bag.

January 
19th 
6.45 to 7.30 a.m physical drill. Bn parade 
9.30 till noon. Half a days holiday for Brigade 
20th 
6.45 to 7.30 a.m physical drill. Parades 
9.30 till noon, & 2 to 4 p.m. 
21st 
6.45 to 7.30 a.m physical drill. other parades 
same as yesterday. 10th reinforcements arrived. 
22nd 
B.O.S. for the day, very pleased too, it being 
a Brigade Field day. 8 a.m the Bn moved 
off with 1 ration, returning at 4 p.m. It is 
rumoured we move off next week. 
23rd 
9.a.m Church parade. 10 a.m Staff parade 
my promotion to Sgt in orders to-day dating 22nd. 
24th 
8 a.m Bn left camp. & carried out a battalion 
attack 3 miles from camp. returning at 4.p.m. 
25th 
8 a.m Bn left camp & carried out another 
attack, 3 miles from camp. returning 2.30 p.m 
7 p.m Bn left camp & carried out night 
attack returning 8.30 p.m 
26th 
Bn on Divisional Duties. I had charge of 
Ordinance fatigue at Tel-el-Kebir railway 
station. 3 Cpls & 50 men returned to camp at 
4.15 p.m  27th 
Bn drill 9 till 11.30 a.m 
afternoon our Bn sports held. they were 
amusing. It rained suspending sports for a while

28th 
9.a.m Bn moved off & carried out an 
attack, about 3 miles from camp, returning 
at 2.30 p.m. 3rd Bn sports held this afternoon 
29th 
Several of our boys applied for vacancies 
in the Camel Corps. This morning a few 
left for Cairo, where the Camel Corp is being 
formed. I very much want to go - having applied. 
Our Bn on Bgde duties. 9 till 11.45 a.m Bn 
carried out Coy & Ptn drills. Detailed to 
mount guard over the wet canteen. at 
bottom of 3rd Bn lines, mounted at 4.p.m 
Orders no one allowed to purchase goods 
30th 
Guard dismounted 5.30 p.m. 
31st 
Coy C Sgt for the week. 8.45 a.m Bn left 
camp. About a mile from camp Col Cass 
halted the Bn to watch a detachment of 
Indian's drill, which he had prearranged 
It was a very smart display. I think the idea 
was to make the troops more friendly. Then 
we marched 3 miles off, carried out an attack 
had a meal & returned to camp at 3 p.m 
1st February 
Our Coy on Divisional Duties 
except the Inlying Piquet, who went on Bn 
parade. I did no parades to-day.  Several 
Bns left Tel-el-Kebir to-day. 
2nd 
8.34 a.m Bn parade, returned to lines & were 
medically inspected. No other parades to-day

Our boys on Bn duties. Had to supply 27 men 
for guard. I put in for leave to Cairo. 
3rd 
Got 12 hours leave to Cairo, left Tel-el-Kebir 
Stn at 7.30 A.M with Cpl Pheeney on special leave 
train, reached Cairo 10 a.m. immediately we 
had a good b'fast. did some shopping, had 
another meal, here we met an old Cpl of the 
2nd & had great fun during the afternoon 
returned to Tel-el-Kebir at tattoo, after a good 
outing. Units are leaving here daily. 
4th 
8.30 till 12.30 p.m Bn parade, blankets taken on 
to the desert & spread for airing. Large number 
for Orderly Room this afternoon. This afternoon 
Bn sports prizes distributed.  11th reinforcements 
arrived. Col Cass evacuated to Hospital very ill. 
5th 
8.30 a.m Bn parade in fighting order. The 
Brigade carries out an attack about 3½ miles 
from camp, returning at 12.20 p.m. 5 p.m 
rained heavily. 
6th 
It rained all night. 2 a.m our tent collapsed 
& we were drenched. 9 a.m church parade 
During afternoon I lost £3. Handed my duties 
over to T. Keenan this morning. Mjr Stevens is 
now in command of the Bn. 
7th 
7.30 a.m Bn moved off camp & carried 
out a Bdge attack about 5 miles away. retuning 
to camp at 1 p.m.

February 
8th 
8.30 a.m Bn parade, drill order. battalions 
drill. had a stiff day returning to camp at 
12.30 p.m. Afternoon meeting in Sgts Mess to nominate 
new Secratary & treasurer. 
9th 
8.15 a.m Bn parade fighting order. The Brigade 
with Battery of Artillery. carried out an attack about 
2 miles from camp. Mjr Stevens gave us a few 
Bn movements. returned to camp midday. 
10th 
8.30 a.m Bn parade, carried out Close order 
drill. musketing & Coy drill. returned to camp 
at midday. 5.30 p.m mounted guard over Canteen 
with 1 Cpl 2 L/Cps & 21 men. 7.30 p.m canteen sold 
out, no trouble arose. Had a bukshesh meal 
from the dry canteen. 
11th 
4 till 5 p.m Kept very busy until relieved 
by the 3rd Bn guard. Heard rumours of the 
Bn being split up 
12th 
After the toss & drawing of lots, it fell 
to me to go to the new 54th Bn. much  
against my wish. 8.30 till midday usual parade 
13th 
Church parade 9 a.m the chaplain addressed 
us on leaving our comrades. The 2nd Bn fell in 
& marched off to a new area. 54th Bn remained 
in old camp. Everyone seem downhearted 
to see the old boys being seperated. 
14th 
No parades for us to day, only cleaning up the 
lines. The 2nd Bn Sgts using our mess until 
Wednesday. 500 reinforcements arrived for the 
2nd Bn. Applied for Armourer Sgts job