Diary of Gordon Colin Cooper, 1916-1917 - Part 12

AUGUST, 1916.
Tuesday 29
Went down to Mahomadeen
for swim: picquet at night
Gen Chevall was suppose
to pay us a visit but
did not come
AUGUST, 1916.
Wednesday 30
Fatigue in morning.
got inoculated again
went down to Y.M.C.A
at night
got letters from Mrs. B; Elsie, Olive
Parcels from: Carlie Kathie, Aunt Em.
 

AUGUST, 1916.
Thursday 31
Palms all day: had
concert in Y.M.C.A
at Night
Saw Guy Peel.
Taubes raided Port
Said doing quite a
lot of damage.
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Friday 1.
Horses still pretty crook from

inoculation, saw Squeaker Fenner

got a bonnie pho
Went down to Mahomadeen
for swim.
neck very stiff & sore.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Saturday 2
Gen Cox inspected camp

in evening

Wrote home & Jess [*shorthand*]
On Q.M.S. Fatigue in
morning: wrote
Home & Jess [*shorthand*], Muriel, Dulcie
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Sunday 3
Quiet all day. Section
went down for swim
I did not go.
Got a parcel of cake
from Gussie.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Monday 4
Fatigue in morning.
Quiet day in palms.
Got letter from Mrs Valleé
Wrote Mrs Valleé
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Tuesday 5
Daystableman all day
section went down for
a swim:
Wrote. Olive & Mary.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Wednesday 6
Down in palms during
day: found some beautiful
ripe ones. Jack Robbo cut
my hair: Roger McKinnon
came down to see me.
SEPTEMBER, 1916
Thursday 7
quiet morning; section
going to swim; changed
a mate duties so he
could go; not feeling "up"
to dicki".
Wrote Gussie & Mr Thomas.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Friday 8
Water Guard all day
with Ronnie Marsh, pretty
busy day.
Letters from
Mother 2. Theo 3 Jess. Sadie, Lou,
Helen;
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Saturday 9
Left Romani at 8.30 for
Mahomadeen: & caught
Auxilary Train to
Port Said; following the
coast right to Port Said
Crossed the Canal in.
nigger boats; & went
straight to Continental
Hotel; & booked rooms.
and then wandered
about & bought things
for the boys.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Sunday 10
Had a quiet day in
Port Said; bought some
Moonstones for mother
went to pictures at night
Wrote Home & Jess [*shorthand*]
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Monday 11 
Got up early to catch
train back to Mahomadeen
but found the line was
washed away: so
had to wait till 12
& come back via
Kantara: arrived home
late: got papers from
Lou. Theo. & Rileys.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Tuesday 12
Nothing much doing
the Section went down
for a swim but I did
not feel like one.
Wrote Lucie.
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Wednesday 13
Cleaned up all M.G.
ammunition in carriers
in preparation for "stunt"
got paid 30/0; went over
to canteen & bought some
stores:
Wrote Mollie.
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Thursday 14
Quiet day: nothing
doing: preparing for
stunt:
Water guard all day: no
concert at night.
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Friday 15
Started out at 6-15 for a
long stunt and travelled
right throughout the night
when at Oghratina we had
to walk and lead the
horses a long way.
The night was beautiful
clear moonlight & nice &
warm: but towards morning
a heavy dew fell & made
us all damp & craving
Wrote Home & Jess [*Shorthand*]
 

SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Saturday 16
Watered up at Bir-el.-Abd about
6 oclock & camped there the
day. very hot indeed; & no
shade except what we
put up for ourselves; was
on picquet at night
Lonie & Alec got their "coins"
Saw a good air fight: but
neither planes were hit as
far as we could see them.
SEPTEMBER, 1916.
Sunday 17
Started off from Bir-el-Abd
at 1.30 Am: & went due east
to Salmarna; arriving
there at 3.30, we watered
up there and waited till
daybreak; & started off
again; & travelled till we
got within 2 miles of
Mazaar: arriving at 9 oclock
& waited there till the 3^rd
Brigade passed us coming
back, from the scrap, bringing
several prisoners & camels
our causalities were very light
1 Killed -10 wounded; a Taube
flew over but did not lay any
eggs: we went back to Bir-el-Abd
that night watering up at Salmarna
at 10.30 & had a good sleep.