Diary of Henry 'Harry' Langtip, 1916 - Part 11

DECEMBER 1916

13 WEDNESDAY

Got parcels

from Liz & Will

Frank & Ena & Bob

&Ada they were

all good except

one cake from

Ada that was

slightly mildew

 

DECEMBER 1916

14 THURSDAY

down on swimming 

parade today.

There is a concert

on at the canal

so only a few can get

on the train

so we have to sell

a horse to see 

who goes. The Major

said that all this

men could go that

could get a seat in

the transport wagon

so I went in one there

were 22 in ours.

but it was a good rd.

DECEMBER 1916

15 FRIDAY

The concert last night

was really good &

I reckon it is the

best I have seen

since I left Melb!

there were four girls 

& 2 men. the singing

was good & the

violin & piano

were lovely.

DECEMBER 1916

16 SATURDAY

Rain last night

two little showers.

but quite enough to

make it uncomfortable

for those sleeping out

Got two letters from

home today.

Down to the canal

for a swim & 

got my foot cut on a stone

when I was runing

in.

DECEMBER 1916

17 SUNDAY

On up at the red

cross to get my

foot dressed.

We get several

lots of papers

today some from

Frank & some from

Eva Fisher.

It is funny the

excuses some of

the fellows up our

way gave at the

exemption court

DECEMBER 1916

18 MONDAY

off duty to day

expecting a letter

but have not got

any for some time

DECEMBER 1916

19 TUESDAY

Received a parcel

from Frank &

Eva also one from

Lily. they arrived

in splendid 

condition.

Got enoculated

to day.

DECEMBER 1916

20 WEDNESDAY

Payed today

it is the last pay

for three weeks.

some of the 12^th LH

isolated with 

diptheria.

DECEMBER 1916

21 THURSDAY

football match

this morning

a team is going

to Moascar on

Saturday so we

are giving them

a practice match.

DECEMBER 1916

22 FRIDAY

We got our Xmas

billies from Aus

mine was from 

c/o Mrs Narrilon

"Lansdowne"

72 Auburn Rd

Auburn

Melbourne.

DECEMBER 1916

23 SATURDAY

A team of footballers

ready to go to Moascar

to play the details.

After leaving in the

transports for the

station they were

called back & the tents

struck & everything

ready to leave for

Abbassia in the morning.

It is a great dissapointment

as we expected

to have Xmas here

but in peace but will

have to work fixing 

up a new camp.

camping in the open to

night.

DECEMBER 1916

24 SUNDAY

up at 4 Oclock this morning

& shifted all the tents & gear

to the train then shifted

it again accross the

canal. I am in the train

now & expect to arrive at

Abbassia at 4 Oclock.

Arrived at the camp 

at do sundown & are

told off to sheds. I have

been put on stable piquet

to night so expect to

get tomorrow off.

The tell us that 

the sheds & full of lice

& bugs so we are in

for a hot time

DECEMBER 1916

25 MONDAY

Christmas Day

It is butiful & tine as

always is here. The airoplanes

& flying around

overhead. What a difference

to last Xmas

morning. All Was given

leave at 2Oclock & went 

to Cairo & had a good

time but not better

than we expected. 

 

DECEMBER 1916

26 TUESDAY

Boxing Day

Out on parade today

but expect to get

leave at 2 PM. We

are going out to the

pirimids to have a 

look around. didn't

get leave till 4 Oclock & 

only went into Cairo

I got a new diary & belt

it is a very evil smelling

place & things 

are done there that

would never hapen

in Aus.

DECEMBER 1916

27 WEDNESDAY

It is cloudy & looks

like rain.

Got camels issued

to day. I don't 

like them at all

but I suppose one

will get used to

them.

DECEMBER 1916

28 THURSDAY

On camels for

the first time

to day & its not

great fun as

several fell off

They are hard to

get on as you

have to get on them

the you get on just 

the opposite to

a horse.

DECEMBER 1916

29 FRIDAY

on camel drill

& are getting

used to them

down to the King

George home to

night & had a good

time.

DECEMBER 1916

30 SATURDAY

expected to get 

leave but had to

wait till tomorrow.

it is very cold 

here now.

DECEMBER 1916

31 SUNDAY

On leave to day.

Went to the Citidal

where the prisoners

are. The mosques

are lovely I never 

expected it to be

anything like

what it is.

There was a prisoner

to be shot at dawn

so they dug his

grave today

Finis