Diary and photograph of John Adams, 1914-1916, Part 11 of 16

20th
Issued with Queen Marys Xmas gifts, a
bar of chocolate & other little nick nacks, very
appreciable. C Cpl for the day. Very quiet during day
21st
11.15 a.m took over firing line from 4th Bn
3. p.m our Navy & Artillery commenced a heavy
bombardment on our left, lasting 40 minutes,
on ceasing heavy M.G. & Rifle fire could be heard
apparently an attack, we heard it was coming
off near Anafarta. The Turks kept up heavy
fire along the whole front whilst our troops attacked.
22nd
We heard the English troops had taken two
lines of trenches & the New Zealanders one trench
& still holding them, as result of yesterdays attack
8.15 p.m 3rd Bdge on our right opened up
heavy M.G. & Rifle fire, to attract Turks fire,
they replied for one hour. All night continuous
rifle fire & bomb throwing
23rd
I was C. Cpl for the day.  2 p.m  4th Bn relieved
us from front line, we went to supports. At night
heavy shelling at Achi Baba. Strong wind
blowing making things uncomfortable
24th
Shelling a Achi Baba still continues. Our planes
had a rough time in the air, owing to high winds 

August
C Cpl for day. The ground is absolutely alive
25th
Midday, took over firing line from 4th Bn
Very quiet day & night. The flies are awful
26th
News that Italy had declared war on Turkey
The navy on Suvla Bay heavily shelled Chocolate
Hill 8.15p.m, few rounds rapid at Turks.
they simply tore it in to us with M.G. & rifles
for half an hour. Each man received Four
packets of Flag cigarettes from Bn Funds.
27th
4.45 a.m starting on left flank everyone
fired two rounds at the Turks trenches, as usual
they responded frantically. 8 a.m 4th Bn
relieved us from front line, we went to supports. 9.30a.m
took party to Victoria Gully for water. 4.30 p.m
our artillery heavilly shelled to Left of Quinns
Post, shelling ceased at 4.50, immediately
M.G & rifle fire could be heard, we think there
is something doing on the left.  G. Holt returned
from hospital, he gave a great account of the
good times he had, at Alexandria Hospital.
28th
News that our troops, took a Turks trench
yesterday evening. I saw a peculiar looking cruiser
off Suvla, must be Italian.  2 planes dropped
3 bombs over our lines during afternoon 

29th
10 a.m relieved 4th Bn from firing line
Of late the Turks artillery is very active, during the
Afternoons. To-day one of my mates & two
others were blown to atoms, a few yards off.
Informed not to light any more Turk bombs,
several had been lighted to use against the Turks
but had instantaneous fuses in most bombs of
late, with result our boys went west. A dirty
trick of Jackko's (thrown over for the purpose).
All-night M.G. & rifle fire very active especially on
our left
30th
The Turks sent over several bombs fired by a
mortar, making a deuce of a noise coming over.
So far none has exploded. Description. steel rod
4 ft long, large Brass Canister attached to top
containing scrap metal, with explosive at base,
much firing at Cape Helles during day.
31st
8 a.m relieved from front line by 4th Bn, we
went to supports. Detailed as bombing N.C.O.
Went to bomb factory near the beach to get instructions
on 3 new types of bombs, no one envys my job.
Several howitzer shells fell on our positions
killing 7 & wounding several of our Coy. Several
H.V shells from the Shanak Fort were amongst
them. During afternoon our artillery heavy 

September
& 18 Pounders shelled the many Beachy Bills on
the Olive Grove. Sgt Collingwood promoted to
Lieut.
1st September
But for a few bursts from the Turks
75 c.m's, things were quiet. Bridgade reserves
for the night, unusual occurrence.
2nd
Midday took over front line from 4th Bn
Afternoon 2 of our large monitors shelled the Turks
9.30 p.m troops on the left fired a few rounds
& Jackko went mad, as usual
3rd
Absolutely knocked out with Dysentry. I went
to the Doc for medicine. he gave me Sago to cook &
Opium Pills to take, marking me light Duty. I
have been seedy for weeks B.O.C. for the day
At night heavy bombing on our right
4th
1.30 a.m the Turks attacked our trenches,
about 100 yds to our right. apparently all were
killed or wounded, one wounded crawled into
our lines. warned of the attack coming off before
the [[fith?]], we were alert.  11 a.m 4th Bn took
over firing line from us, we going to supports
5.30 to 6 p.m one of our Cruisers shelled Quinns Post
5th
Received information that our troops on the 

left at Suvla Bay on the 27th 28th & 29th
attacked & gained much ground, capturing
many prisoners M.Gs rifles & ammunition
The evening 2 monitors shelled the Turks rear
positions across the Flat & behind 971 hill.
6th
8 a.m  took of front line from 4th Bn. We took in
a number of the 23rd Bn to give them instructions
in firing line duties. rumours that we go to
Lemnos Island for a spell within the next few
days & the 23rd Bn takes over our position
9. p.m starting on the left a few rounds were fired
& continued along the whole front. Jackko
retaliated as usual. Our artillery very quiet to
day, owing to so many troops waiting in
rear to relieve the whole 1st Bridgade, this
kept the Turks artillery quiet. There will be no
cover for the new troops till we leave.
7th
Still on diet. 6 p.m Taube flew over our lines
very quiet day & night
8th
8 a.m relieved from front line by 4th Bn &
some of 23rd Bn mixed. 11 a.m having all
our belongings together we shambled off to Rest Gully
During the Afternoon D Stedman G. Holt & self
got on top of one of the ridges that we had a
scrap on, the day of the landing. here we 

September
had a fine view of the positions on the extreme
left, it was alive with troops & animals
11. p.m mustered & went to the beach.
9th.
1 a.m remains of 1st & 2nd Bns boarded
barges, towed out & embarked on the Partridge
7.15 a.m left Anzac Cove & did 15 knots all the
way to Lemnos arriving at 1.30 p. m.
Most of us slept until arrival. Trans shipped
to a large Ferry Boat, then steamed alongside
some hoppers & disembarked. On landing
Cal Cass told us we had about one mile to
march & 300 yds of it through water
Everyone seemed knocked out. the Bn reached
camp 3.50 p.m terribly straggled out.
The Bn assembled on the camp ground. Col
Cass read & address from General Sir Ian
Hamilton concerning our good work & we
are sent here for a complete rest, that
has been well earned. The Col then gave us
a speech (Col Cass was Bdge Mjr to the 2nd Bdge
before coming to us.) Its great to be out of range
of bullets & artillery fire.  Everyone had a
good meal with a bottle of stout each
& a wash before turning in.
10th.
I went to the doctor this morning. he
insisted on me going to hospital & be ready at 

9a.m. 4.30 p.m Cpl Boscard came to tent
& told me to be ready, with 4 others we
pushed off along a mule track to pick up a
mule waggon, our luck was in, we were
taken around the water instead of having
to wade through it to No 2 Australian Field
Stationery Hospital, here we were handed
over to the doctor in charge, then placed in
a large Marquee full of patients, given
tea & arrowroot, a bath, suit of pyjamas
& turned into a real bed.  I was lost till
morning
11th
I had terrible pains in the morning when
I woke. they soon vanished. We had Cocoa
early in the morning. Tea & Arrowroot for
b'fast. Tappioca for dinner.  Arrowroot at night
12th
I'm much better today. It's very rough &
the tents are getting a severe handling. It
blew & rained all night, drenching us to the
skin & very cold.
13th
Soon got a dry change in the morning
I'm feeling quite well. It's a fine sunny day.
Rained a little during the night
14th.
This diet is making me feel very weak. I hear 

September
that our boys are getting plenty of good food in camp
this induced me to tell the Doc that I was quite
well.  He examined me & marked me to return to my
unit. I'm very pleased & expect to leave to-morrow.
15th
Blacklock is leaving No 2 A. Field Stationery Hospital
to board the hospital ship Acqutania for Egypt, Malta
or England. I gave him to small diaries to post home
for me. he did not leave to-day. Cpl Peisley came
into Hospital to-day
16th.
9.30 a.m Very heavy thunderstorm flooded us
out. Patients assisted to dig a trench around the
tent to run off the water, everyone was drenched,
the sister came on the seen & ordered us back to
bed. I got my diaries from Blacklock & gave
them to Sgt Stanham a New Zealander, he left
hospital at 8.15 a.m to board the Acqutania. It
was doubtful of Blacklock leaving. 3 p.m Blacklock
was ordered to get ready to go on board. All night
acute pains in the stomach gave me a very rough
time. 5 p.m G. Goss returned with the guard from
Imbros Island (General Sir Ian Hamiltons Hq guard.
17th
After battling for two days to return to the Bn the
Doc allowed me to go. I was given new clothing & left the
hospital at 11 a.m feeling frightfully weak & hungry.
With 2 other Bn boys we set off eventually we got a lift 

in a mule waggon it went like the wind, after
walking about a mile we reached camp at
12.30 p.m. I did not feel too good after the walk
The Bn camp was flooded out yesterday. to-day
they are shifting it to the slopes of a hill close by
I sat down & ate some solid food & drank a baby
bottle of stout (on issue) before I went to sleep
18th
6.30 a.m The Acqutania sailed out of Lemnos
Harbour for England.  Cpl Goss & Lowe went to Hospital
C. Cpl for the day.
19th
Bn marker for church parade, Padre
McKenzie gave the service he is a great old chap
I was detailed with a party to build an Incinerator
at Bdge Hqs. It has been a glorious day. 6. p.m
I mounted guard, also did piquet duty at Sarpi
village. strength of piquet Lt Youden 3 N.C.O's &
18 men, we left the village at 9. p.m when all
our boys were clear, reached camp & dismounted
guard at 9.40. p.m
20th
Our Coy on Brigade fatigues. I was on a
job to level the ground & erect a huge water
tank. when it was completed our water carts filled it
2 men were left in charge of the tank. We received
a shirt to-day. a gift from some one. 

September
21st
9 a.m Bn inspection. Section & Rifle drill
till 11 a.m. During the afternoon I went to our
water supply about 1 1/- miles away, did some
washing, had a wash. 6 p.m took a party to prepare
a recreation tent
22nd
9 till 11a.m  Bn carried out elementary musketry
& bayonet fighting. 2.30 p.m went with party to an
A.S.C. unit & got  2 gramophones & some records for the Bn
23rd
Coy C. Cpl for day.  9 till 11 a.m. Bn carried out
elementary musketry & bayonet fighting. 3 till 6. p.m
Cpl Bowling & self were on police duty at Sarpi
24th
Bn same training as yesterday. Page. Hillman.
Oppy & Skill made L./Cpls.
25th
Bn same training as yesterday. G. Goss returned
26th
9.a.m church parade. Afternoon, granted
leave to go to water supply for a wash & washing
27th
Bn training same as last week, & close order
drill. 11.15  a.m medical inspection.  2 p.m all
Bn N.C.O.s instructed in giving commands
& detailing same.  dismissed at 3p.m