Diary and photograph of John Adams, 1914-1916, Part 15 of 16

February 
15th 
BCS for the day. Mjr Harrison instructed me 
to take over Armourer Sgt's duties & get spare 
parts from Sgt Hetherington Armr Sgt of the 2nd 
Bn. Very fed up & applied for Divisional Calmieffok Camel Corp 
16th 
Mr Lecky told me I had been appointed 
C.Q.M.S. & such was in Bn orders. I handed 
over Armr Sgt's duties. 13 th reinforcements of the 
1st Bn & some 9th reinforcements of the 18th 
Bn joined us. making us almost up to strength. 
several were without rifles. 
17th 
8.30 till 12.30 p.m Bn parade. 2 p.m 
N.C.O's parade. Day & Night trainloads of troops 
pass us. apparently going to Messopotamia 
It's great to be exempt from most parades 
18th 
Very hot day, 3 more tents issued to each Coy 
making 16 in each Coy lines. Afternoon Btns were 
organised into Sections, much easier for 
distributing rations. 
19th 
Parades 8.30 till midday & 2 till 3.30 p.m 
20th 
Church parade 9 a.m. I did not go. The 
Divisional General told the brigade- whilst on 
parade. of the Russian victory at Ezraum 
in the Carpathians 
21st 
6.30 to 7 a.m Physical Drill 9 till midday 
morning parade. Afternoon parade 2 till 2.30 pm 
All leather equipment replaced by web. 

22nd 
Our Coy A did no parade. all the Coys clothes 
were taken to Tel. el. kebir railway station 
& fumigated by a fumigation on rails 
23rd 
A Coys tents struck & put in line. Duffy our 
Coy Sgt Mjr & self had a busy day. Bn is on 
Divisional Duties for 4 days. 
24th 
3 parades as usual. Requsitioned for new 
clothing for the Coy. 
25th 
Coy on divisional duties. Afternoon Coy 
paraded 2.30 till 3.30 p.m. Drew lot of Clothes for 
the Coy. 26th 
All Coy on & guards & fatigues. The 
2nd Bn leaving here on Monday. no one 
knows where. 
27th 
Coy on fatigues, remainder on church parade 
Several N.C.O' & mens names submitted for the 
Pioneer Bn, it is about to be formed for our Division 
28th 
2nd Bn entrained at Tel-el-Kebir Stn this 
morning for Sarapiam. Those excepted for 
Pioneer Bn. 11 from our Coy were given a tent 
at the end of each Coy's lines. Parades 6.30 to 7 a.m 
9 till midday & 2 till 5 p.m. Troops Camels 
Horses, Mules, & Guns pass us daily, by rail 
& on foot going south towards Suez Canal 
29th 
3 parades as usual 
1st March 
9 a.m. every available man on parade. 
General inspection by Mjr General Cox of the Indian 
army. he spoke to the majority, then gave us the 
latest war news. The French had checked the 

March 
Germans at Verdun, who had counter attacked 
driving the Germans back to their old positions 
The Germans suffered tremenduous losses. Immedately 
inspection finished I returned to the Coy lines. 
2nd 
Coy spent all the morning building mud walls around 
each tent. Half days holiday. Cpl Bussel returned 
from Cairo with the 2nd Bn kit bags, he had been 
away 5 days & was surprised to know the 2nd Bn 
had gone. at 12.15 p.m he left for Sarapiam with 
his guard Lilywhite. Robinson & Wales. 
3rd 
Bn carried out Coys in attack during the morning & 
Coy drill during the afternoon. 
4th 
Coy medically examined, Also half holiday 
5th 
9 a.m Church parade. Brigadier inspected Bn lines 
6th 
Coy carried out 2 attacks during the morning & beyonet 
fighting this afternoon. 
7th 
The whole Bn marched to the rifle range about 3 
miles & carried out musketry. After the meal I 
returned to camp at 2.45p.m. Bn arrived at 5 
p.m Lieu Lovejoy joined our Coy to-day. 
8th 
8 a.m Bn left for rifle range, returning at 5 p.m. 
9th 
Morning parades as usual. Afternoon holiday 
Several details from England arrived to join the 2nd Bn 
at Sarapium. Boxing & singing in the lines to-night 
10th 
Sgt Mjr Duffy went on leave to Cairo. I saw I Keath 
Wrote G. Holt & E Hillman. 
11th 
Afternoon Coy sports, rain spoilt them 
12th 
Church parade 
13th 
Coy inoculated against Typhoid 11 A.M, exempt 
from duties for 24 hrs 

14th 
Got the dentist to extract a tooth this morning. A new Coy 
Commander attached to us. B Coy inoculated 
15th 
Q.M. Sorrenson called the C.Q.M.S's together, I 
arranged to get the black kit bags for the boys that 
belonged to the 2nd Bn. C.Q.M S's leave for Cairo to- 
morrow & arrange for kit bags to be sent to Tel-el-Kebir 
station. C.Q.M.S's appointment appeared in Bdge orders 
16th 
7 a.m Saul, Harvey, McDonald & Self left for 
Cairo, we went to the kit store at Ghzierah Agricultural 
Grounds, & were told they could not be handed over for 
a few days. We then reported to the overseas base at 
Ghzierah & later went to Cairo, meeting Lt Patterson 
& Sgt Stewart, had a good time & stayed at the Grand Royal 
Hotel. 17th 
Went to Ghzierah in the morning, nothing 
doing, arranged to go to the football match this afternoon 
Later Harvey & McDonald decided to go to the races at 
Ghzierah. Saul & Self started in a garry for the 
football match, from Shepherds Htl, after driving 
around for 2 hours we could not find the ground, 
& promptly told the garry driver he was a dud. 
then gave up the idea & returned to the Kit store to await 
a reply to the telegram sent to the Bn. It came at 6.45 
p.m. saying to return to-night by the 7.15 p.m train. 
Saul & Self started off to find Harvey & McDonald 
without success. We saw the 7.15 p.m train off 
without them, then we returned to Ghzierah & slept in 
the Kit store 
19th 
Saul & Self went to the station at 7 a.m to see if the 
others would turn up. they did not. We then looked over 
the most likely places in town, without success then decided 
to return without them by the 11.15 a.m train from Cairo 
whilst sitting in the train Harvey & McDonald 
came along, with result a hot few minutes conversation. 
1.45 p.m reached Tel-el-Kebir & reported to Bn Orderly 
Room. everything O.K. 
20th 
Bn inoculated in the chest for para Typhoid 
Eye 

March 
Everyone issued with Pith Helmets 
21st 
A great number sick after inoculation. Coy 
went to the mess hut & instructed in Coy in attack 
22nd 
The Prince of Wales inspected the Bn & all other 
Bns at Tel-el-Kebir camp. on the occasion, half holiday 
23rd 
B.C & D Coys inoculated. no parade. Coy built 
Mud Walls along Coy lines. Kaki Drill clothing issued 
24th 
8.15a.m Bn left camp with 15 rds S.A.A each 
for the rifle range, returning at 2.45 p.m. Very hot 
day. Received a letter from Mrs Mason re Aunt 
Craddocks death 
25th 
C.Q.M.S's went to Hqs to receive instructions on 
packing Camels by the Indians. Informed we 
move off on Monday & our only means of transport 
is by Camels. 
26th 
Church parade, Bn kits stacked in one of our 
mess huts used by 8th Bgd. The 8th Bgde had 
marched off via the canal to Ishmalia 
27th 
4 a.m Revallie 6.15a.m Bn marched off along 
the desert towards Ishmalia. After squaring up the 
lines I left with the Camel transport at 7 a.m. We 
passed the Bn about midday & arrived at 
Mahsama at 4 p.m,-(about 15 miles). After a 
meal we camped for the night. Duffy did not arrive 
A.W.L at Cairo. 
28th 
6.30 a.m left Mahsama after a meal of biscuits 
& tea. Whilst we were packing up to move off the 
15th Bgde camped along side us. They are marching 
by night - lucky devils. A scorching hot day. 
Mid-day we halted & had a meal, water is very 
scarce. Moving off we soon came across some 

Salt Lakes on the desert, some of our boys parched 
rushed the water & drank. by this time the 14th 
Bgde was very strung out, with the Camels we 
were ordered to push on as fast as possible, 
because they were feeling the strain of the 
heavy loads. 4.15 p.m we reached the New Zealanders 
camp at Ishmalia. The camel party were famishing 
for water, & soon were supplied at the N.Zs camp 
5.15 p.m. the first few troops of the Bgde arrived 
exhausted & famishing for water. The Bgde was strung 
out over the desert for miles in one's & two's. We heard 
some of our boys had died for want of water, as soon as 
the New Zealanders heard this they walked miles into the 
desert with water bottles of water & carried several of 
our boys back on their backs. They also sent out several 
water carts with water & ambulances to bring our boys 
in, from miles off. Several were taken to hospital 
It was not until midnight when all were brought in 
that could be found, at daylight a few were found 
dead, we heard. 
29th 
6.30 a.m Bn Q.M. & 4 C.Q.M's with the Cooks left 
camp. 7.15 a.m passing through Ishmalia several 
staff officers passed us on a riding track on our right, soon 
we saw this was the Prince of Wales, General Murray & 
Staff. 8.45 a.m we crossed the Suez Canal at Ferry Post on a 
Pontoon Bridge, I marched about a mile into the desert on 
the Asiatic side of the Canal, to our camping area, arriving 
at 9.5 a.m. The trek was about 6 miles. Bn marched in 
at midday. Afternoon most of us went to the Canal & 
had a swim. The Prince of Wales General Murray & 
staff, with our Divisional Commander (General 
MacKay & Brigadier General Irvine rode in to our 
brigade lines this morning. Our boys hooted 
MacKay & Irvine. Apparently the Prince seemed 
concerned, until it was explained to him. 
Met Duffy in camp 
30th 
6.15 a.m swimming parade . 9 a.m parade in 
fighting order with 120 rounds S.A.A. This is the dress 
for all future parades. 9.15 a.m parade dismissed 
owing to blinding sand storm. A message from 

April 
General Irvine was read to us, re lack of discipline 
amongst the men, due to N.C.O's & Officers neglecting 
their duties, by not preventing the troops from 
falling out on the march across the desert. (General Mac- 
Kay was responsible for the message.) Very hot day. 
31st 
6.15 a.m swimming parade. 9 a.m. Bn parade. Read in 
Egyptian Times of a blizzard in England. Very hot day. 
1st April 
Every night 2 Coy's of Infantry from our 
Division, do outpost duty around camp 14th reinforcements 
of the 13th Bn joined our Bn to-day. Day very hot. 
2nd 
Church parade. Sgt Mjr Duffy tried at Bdge Hqs for being 
A.W.L. at Cairo, was reduced to Sgt. Bn commence Div 
duties to-morrow. 
3rd 
We are not allowed on the west side of Suez Canal 
& Ishmalia is out of bounds.2 bathing parades 6.15 a.m & 4 p.m 
4th 
10.30 a.m went to canal for a swim. Afternoon a boat 
load of Japs or Chinese passed through the canal on 
the way to Port Said. All Bn on Div duties. & guards 
5th 
Daily our areoplanes reconnoitre the desert. Not 
having written for months. I wrote a few letters. Sgt 
Duffy transfered from A to C Coy & Sgt Winterbottom from 
C to A Coy. 6th 
Parades as usual. 6:30 p.m tents struck 
& camp moved 200 yds away. Dark before we were fixed 
7th 
55 Bn pitched camp close to us. Revallie 4.30 a.m 
B'fast 5.15 a.m. Parades 6 a.m till 11 a.m & 3 till 
5 p.m. Coy on parades & fatigues 
8th 
4.30 a.m Revallie. B'fast 5.15 a.m Parades 6 till 
11 a.m & 2 till 5 p.m. Bn Lines inspected by General 
MacKay at 5.30 p.m 

April 
9th 
Church parade. Staff parade cancelled. Rumours are 
that we are leaving for Mestopotamia. The Camel Corps 
has orders to leave for Palestine. Finished Div duties 
& firing practices 10th 
Parades as usual 
11th 
Parades as usual. Very hot day 
12th 
3 Parades. A thick sandstorm made things very 
uncomfortable this afternoon 
13th 
6 till 11 a.m. parade. Half holiday, Sandstorms 
again this afternoon. Instructed we move off at 7 a.m. 
tomorrow. 14th 
7.30 a.m. Bn moved off to Ferry Post on the Canal 
Bank & took over garrison duties. All Coy on duty. Poured 
rain for 10 minutes this afternoon. 
15th 
Daily passenger boats pass up & down the Canal 
throwing out papers & cigarrettes to the troops. The 9th 
Light Horse had a skirmish with a few Turks not far off 
16th 
The few not on duty went on church parade. Coy clerk 
went on Cairo leave, but missed the train at Ishmalia 
& went to Port Said by train instead. Every spare minute 
our boys are fishing in the canal & generally end up 
with a feed of fish 
17th 
All Coy on guard. Saw the Prince of Wales with 
camel escort pass the camp. 
18th 
The Prince of Wales & General Murray inspected a 
number of our troops. 2 of our Sgts placed under 
arrest, by Command of the Bn Orderley Offs. for not 
turning out their guards soon enough for the 
East & West sides of the Canal) when the Chief 
off Egypt passed. 
19th 
After the guard from the Bastion came in, they paraded 
with the Coy at 6.15 a.m. 2 Ptns carried out field firing 

April 
We got some good fish from the Canal. 
20th 
6.15 a.m. Bn moved off parade, they were 
few as most of Bn is on guards. 15th reinforcements of 
the 2nd Bn joined our Bn, also several of 2nd Bn from 
hospital. last night Prince of Wales left for England 
21st 
10 a.m. church parade. I applied for Cairo leave on 
Sunday, it was granted. 
22nd 
Entries for Anzac Day Sports were sent to Orderly Room 
Sports will be held at Ferry Post 
23rd 
Did not go on leave. Had to pack up ready to move 
off at 7 a.m. to-morrow. Very hot day. 
24th 
Packed up & moved off to our old camping 
ground 1 1/2 miles away. The 30th Bn took over 
from us at Ferry Post. We struck the 30th Bn tents 
& erected them on our area. 
25th 
Service 9 a.m. Anniversary of the landing on 
Gallipoli. Red ribbon issued to those that landed on the 
Peninsula on the 25th April. & Blue ribbon to those who 
had seen service on the Peninsula. Ribbon worn in the 
left breast pocket button hole of tunic. 12.30 p.m. sports 
on the canal. Duffy & I went together. Col Cass fell 
overboard, causing much amusement. 
26th 
Parade 6.15 till 11 a.m. & 3 till 5 p.m. Very hot day 
27th 
Parades as yesterday. Troops complained to their 
Ptn officers about the short issue of rations. With Q. M. S. 
Penfold. I went to Ordnance & drew the Bn rations for to-morrow 
28th 
Parades as usual. All rations were weighed out to Coys, 
result of yesterdays complaints 

April 
29th 
6.15 a.m Parade in clean fatigue dress with rifles. after 
inspection of rifles & piling of arms. troops fell out to get in 
fighting order. Everyone less 2 cooks per Coy & the Bn sick 
fell in at 8 a.m. & marched off with all Bn rifles to the 
Ordnance store near Ishmalia & there our L. V. rifles were 
exchange for H. V. rifles. Coy details were then fell in & I 
took them back to camp arriving at 11 a.m., Bn arrived at 
11.45 a.m. Afternoon parade 2 till 5 p.m. Rations issued very 
late. 30th 
9 a.m. church parade. A very hot day 
1st May 
Parades as usual. Every day indication & recognition 
of targets. General Mac Kay inspected the 8th Bgde. 
2nd 
Route march to Ishmalia this morning returning at 
11.35 p.m. Afternoon parade as usual 
3rd 
6.15 a.m. 14th Bgde moved off & carried out an attack 
returning at 10.30 a.m. Afternoon parade 3 till 5 p.m 
my leave to Cairo granted. 
4th 
4.30 a.m with a few others we walked to Ishmalia 
about 6 miles & just caught the 6 a.m train for Cairo. 
I went to Abbassia today & got a new pay book. After a good 
day at Cairo I caught the 7 p.m train, arriving at 
Ishmalia at 10.30 p.m. Reached camp at 12.15 a.m 
feeling very tired. 
5th 
Parades 6.15 till 11 a.m & 2 till 5 p.m. A Coy parade 
from 7 till 9 p.m other Coys take their turn 
6th 
6 a.m the Bn moved off & joined the Division to carry 
out a Divisional attack. returning to camp at 10.30 a.m 
no more parades to-day. 
7th 
9 a.m church parade. A sweltering hot day. Received 
instructions to pack up & move off to-morrow. 
8th 
Revallie 4 a.m b'fast 4.30 a.m Bn moved off at 5 a.m 
to trenches about 14 miles into the desert. I went with