Diary of Gordon Colin Cooper, 1917-1918 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000904
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

1S 255 3 M 474 5W 6Th 7 F 8S 955 p0M Ty 12 W 13Th 14 F 45S 165 DECEMBER NOTES. 215 mi0 17M MOTHER: 1874 hie JESSIE 19 W Tes. Mrskeckoner 20Th 21 F 22S 235 Some ess9 24. M Daisy 25T4 Molknp 26 W Viccy 27Th LE p8F Mrs Rickman 29 S 305 Hore1 pess. 31 M Elsie. TAWUAE 3D25 1917 T Mon—Circumcision. Stock Exchange closed Cruelday. Aust ctori caning about 9.30 continuing throughout the day. Tankes paid us anerty visit dropping about 10 bombs not mrud daigge done: wounded 2 Bent More Mrs Walker. Ty Wretched day sand & rainel all day, one of the most cruel nights I remember our possy was near the sea. Draied indssantly all by nigh weet through 8 aclock. Wrote Madam Piot.
JANUARY Ist Month 1917 3 Wed bold ale day. got good mail; kuce Theo Konas Mother 11 Rex) Elsie1) Got Cable from home. Paid 301 Wrote Lona 4Ph Colo a windy: also heavy chowere several Wrote Cncie of (abeera) TANUARY 1327 37 Days 5 Fri-Dividends due Sanly clear, section went down fo swim; clearnight up till beatimo. helped Greasea saddles to make dugont. Cabera Neada Wrote 6 Sat-Epiphany to Got up early & even Kilo 139t for reinforcemen about 28 miles altogether Taub flew over but did not lay anyeggs. Rec Parceld from Manca and Gessi. Gol Reghetter.
JANUARY 1st Month 1812 7. Sun—ist. after Epiphany Quier day, Two tanves over thopping 10 bombs among the Ct.C. dang alot of dawage, had a go at us but missed by 4 yards. Out ar outpost at night. Had nigh aurraid; we heard planes but could hee nothing but weroon knew, as they drapped about 5 boubo lit acd no damag Wrots Mother & Jess 29. Theo - Belly. 8. Mon—Plough Monday. 0 7-42 a.m i On pumping fatiqus started out on a divisional Bunt for Rafor, proceeded on as far as shiekhs. Zawarid + camped till 12.T0 proceeded on/o Rafa 32 DaYS TANUARY 1917 9 Ta-Christmas Fire, Insurance ceases Arrived at Rafa at Lunrice + waited til arrillery, opened te hirks replied with shropirl we moued round ont the right here me actually crossed the onder into syra. the country is intraluted ing Bettoum crabs Gver low cashe. We then got the order to advance inegangd across neougher fields tell an got within a miite, of the positiond contincced on advance onfort I was carrying ammunston veryhaid danguors work. but aissed as bit, one of the notters corrs thav isperiened, hlt Back to Zawarid 10 Wed arrived at favand at 2.3 weatered up + camped till 520 then proceeded straigh back to El Hrish. getting balth about 130 PM.
JANUARY rst Month 1827 II Th—Hilary Law Sittings begin Had surmining parade and went dout to see Touie Lient Harris Major Erw in icquet at night 12 Fri On daystabbman all day Ts. Tanvesplew over but did not drop any bombes & got away from our anto aukaft Wrote Aunt Emit Enid Mrs Branch JANUARE 1917 3 D25 13 Sat. Gen Muster parade, Choieval gave us a lecture of appreciation for the Rafu scrap. of the & gave us an idea coiptures. 14 Sun—and after Epiphany with Went to Rilo 139 tmbers, had a long trip about 28 miles arrived home to tend all the boys were expectinn a steent. 23,5 went out came home at 930 Maiilfrom mother Thes iicie. Ensue Neade Misk
Ist Month JANUARY 1917 15 Mon Spent all day cutter ay across for Rupert ackeand me of our boy who was killed at Rafe long shedees yoh Gd papers from Sadi thes Mayorie Wrote mother & Jiss S0 also Kex. 16 Tu—C II.42 a.m. Went down to the cemetry en El Arish with Mr Davi & boys to erect its Cross over Ackies grave & took several photes of it Were on to conrteen the home: by the beach: a Scotty was drowned Purps berthdag- send alable Biskickman Wis 1917 JANUARY 31. Days 17 Wed day. very warm quiet down for aswir went in afternoon, one gair planes dropped asmot bomb & the piece fell all round us Mrote Mr Lcitt Irelard 18 Th II Beautifully clear day: A very Tanbe flew over high, but didnot drop any bombs Get old Billym clipped in afternoon Wrote Ms Walker Mrs Hekland
Ist Month JANUARY 1917 19 Fri quiet day went with lmber from to Kils 154 for stieff Port said: Got dary pen & several other things: On picquet at night Hrote Claie 20 Sat. Nothing doing: Maltr Wrote 1917 31 Dase TANUARS 21 Sun—3rd after Epiphan: Chuschpaialle ii morning & outpost at niget pretty day windy all scotties cook over redould in post of irs Loutherr had his new patens Wote O) 14 22 Mon. cuid day, reined heers periodicall very neavy showed at night.
215 1917 ist, Month J 23 T4—e 7.402.m. Put on making pargits pr M.G fuingproctic Wrote Minefit 24 Wed On Faligue quit day TANUARY 3 D293 1917 25, Th—Conversion of S. Paul two quet day, got letters from yesc TAEHGIG 26 Fri Clairie went to Ichedl at Zeclour: Wen Eo Relb 152 On pecquel a night
TANUARE ist Month 1917 27 Sat quielday. look horses or scercise? Matl in Mather Thes Eussie Nedda Deisy Blice Eyes NoSS. Dulcie Wrote 28 Sun-4th after Epiphany for Went down to 153 reinforcements missed church parade: Usical General Ispec ion secquet at night JANUARY 1927 31 Days 29 Mop sectiin out or N01 ling prackic all shoo a each fired day. of amuiinition helt 30 T4—D E2 a.m. on a muster parade oor Delausing" ad afredy chellre lime whele clothes were weing furnigated Mrstalter Wrote Hussie
TAN- FEB Ist & and Months 1817 37 Wed—The insurance herein contained is not valid until your name has been registered Loggy morning. No laihes plen over & dropped several bombs. Feb. T Th quiet day: out on outost at night Saw Gied - did some writing of an Australio dise wads 1917 37 & 28 PAYS FEPRUARY 2 Fri— Purification of B.V.M.Candlemas day Very windy - dusty Cat & Marum Wrote 3. Sat Got a letter from Clarrie hall the usual routine they pulled a Turkest mane in from the sear
XVS FEBRUARY and Month 1917 4 Sun-Septuasesing Paraded sick to get out of Pelofhardde haid the nine vor be p. 0) Wrote 5 Mon duierday or peequet he night & letters from Jess. FEBRUARY 28 Days 1917 6 T4 out for field frre all day had some god practice ofot lettens from Mrsk -mmekit Ouxpost at night 7 Wed—0 328 a.m. Had a quiet de gof the loan of senge mick him pchat Tho TH.
DECEMBER NOTES
1 S (215) 17 M Mme Piot
2 S MOTHER }
JESSIE      }    95		 18 Tu Lucie
3 M   19 W Theo.
4 Tu   20 Th Mrs Rickman
5 W   21 F  
6 Th   22 S  
7 F   23 S Home & Jess 90
8 S   24 M Daisy
9 S   25 Tu  
10 M Mother & Jess 93 26 W Viccy.
11 Tu LEO. 27 Th  
12 W Mrs Rickman 28 F  
13 Th   29 S  
14 F   30 S Home & Jess 233
15 S No [*shorthand*] 31 M Elsie
16 S      

1917 31 days

1 Mon
Cruel day. dust storm
coming about 9.30 &
continuing throughout
the day.
Taubes paid us an early
visit dropping about 10
bombs not much damage
done: wounded "2 Bints."
Wrote Mrs Walker.
2 Tu
Wretched day sand &
rained all day, one of the
most cruel nights I remember
our "possy" was near the sea.
& rained  incessantly all
night  wet through by
8 oclock.
Wrote Madame Piot.
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month 1917
3 Wed
Cold all day. got good
mail;
Mother (11) Lucie(3) Theo (1) Lona (1)
Rex (1) Elsie.(1)
Got Cable from home.
Paid 30/-
Wrote  Lona
4 Th
Cold & windy: also
several heavy showers
Wrote Lucie 9 (Cabeera)
JANUARY 31 Days 1917

5 Fri
Fairly clear, section went
down for swim; clear night
up till bedtime.
helped
Greased saddles & helped
to make dugout.
Wrote Neada (Cabeera)
6 Sa 
Got up early & went to
"Kilo 139" for reinforcement
about 28 miles altogether
Taube flew over but did
not lay any eggs.
Parcels from Monica. Rex
and Gussie.
Gol Reg Letter.
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month 1917
7. Sun
Quiet day, Two taubes over dropping 10
bombs among the E.L.C. doing a lot
of damage, had a go at us but missed
by 120 yards.
Out on outpost at night.
Had night airraid; we heard planes
but could see nothing but we soon
knew, as they dropped about 5 bombs
but did no damage
Wrote Mother & Jess 29. Theo & Billy.
8. Mon
On "pumping fatique";
started out on a divisional
Stunt for Rafa, proceeded on
as far as Shiekhs Zawariia
& camped till 12.30 & proceeded
onto Rafa
1917 31 Days JANUARY 

9 Tu
Arrived at Rafa at Sunrise + waited
til artillery, opened
The Turks replied with shrapnel
we moved round onto the right
here we actually crossed the
border into Syria. the country is
inhabited by Bedouin Arabs of very
low caste.
We then got the order to advance
we galloped across ploughed fields
till we got within a mile of the
position & continued our advance
on foot I was carrying ammunition
very hard & dangerous work: but
did not get hit, one of the hottest corners
I have experienced: Went Back to Zawaiid
10 Wed
Arrived at Zawaiid at 12.30
watered up & camped till 5 30
& then proceeded straight back
to El Hrish. getting back
about 12.30 PM.
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month  1917
II Th
Had swimming parade
and went down to see
Tonie Lieut Harris
Major Erwin
Picquet at night
12 Fri
On day stableman all day
TwoTaubes flew over but did
not drop any bombs & got
away from our anti aircraft
Wrote Aunt Emily
Enid
Mrs Branch
 1917 31 Days JANUARY
13 Sat.
Muster parade, Gen
Choueval gave us a
lecture of appreciation
for the "Rafa" scrap.
& gave us an idea
captures.
14 Sun
Went to "Kilo 139" with
lumbers, had a long
trip about 28 miles
arrived home to find
all the boys were expecting
a stunt: 2, 3, 5 went out
came home at 9.30
Mail from Mother Theo
Lucie, Gussie Neada Mrs B-
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month  1917
15 Mon
Spent all day cutting
out a cross for Rupert
Ackeand: one of our boys who
was killed at Rafa: long
& tediuos job
Got  papers from Sadi Theo
Majorie
Wrote Mother & Jess [shorthand]
also Rex.
16 Tu
Went down to the cemetery
in El Arish with Mr Davis
& boys to erect the Cross
over "Ackies" grave & took
several photos of it
Were on to canteen
then home: by the beach: a
Scotty was drowned
"Purps"  birthday: sent a cable
Wrote Mrs Rickman
 1917 31 Days JANUARY
17 Wed
Quite day" very warm
went down for a swim
in afternoon; one of our
planes dropped a smoke 
bomb & the piece fell
all round us
Wrote Mr Scott Ireland
18 Th
Beautifully clear day: A
Taube flew over very
high, but did not
drop any bombs
Get old "Billyjim" clipped
in afternoon
Wrote Mrs Walker
Mrs Ackland.
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month 1917
19 Fri
Quiet day: went with limber
to "Kilo 152" for stuff from
Port Said:
Got diary. pen & several other
things:
On picquet at night
Wrote Elsie
20 Sat.
Nothing doing:
Wrote Mallie
 1917 31 Days JANUARY
21 Sun
Church parade in morning
& outpost at night
pretty windy all day
Scotties took over "redouts"
in front of us.
Luther tried his new patent
Wrote OI
22 Mon.
Cruel day, rained or
blew periodically
very heavy shower at
night.
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month 1917
23 Tu
Put on making targets
pr M.G firing practice
Wrote Mme Piot
24 Wed
On Fatigue, quiet
day
1917 31 Days JANUARY
25 Th
Quiet day, got two
letters from Jess.
26 Fri
Clairie went to School
at Zeetoun:  Went to "Kilo 152".
On picquet at night
 

 

JANUARY 1st Month 1917
27 Sat
Quiet day. took horses on
exercise: Mail in
Mother Theo Gussie Nedda
Daisy Blue Eyes
Wrote No [shorthand]- Dulcie
28 Sun
Went down to "155" for
reinforcements &
missed church
parade:
Usual General Inspection:
Picquet at night.
1917  31 Days JANUARY 
29 Mon
No 1 Section out on
shooting practice all
day: each fired a
belt of ammunition
30 Tu
On a muster parade
for Delousing" had
a pretty chilly time while
clothes were being fumigated
Wrote Mrs Nallée &
Gussie
 

 

JANUARY 1st & 2nd Months 1917
31 Wed
Foggy morning. two
taubes flew over & dropped
several bombs.
Feb. 1 Th
Quiet day: out on outpost
at night
Saw Grith - did some writing
Got an Australian disc made
1917 31 & 28 DAYS FEBRUARY
2 Fri
Very windy & dusty day
Wrote Col & "Marum"
3 Sat
Got a letter from Clarrie
& had the usual routine
they pulled a Turkish
mine in from the sea
 

 

XVS
 

FEBRUARY  2nd Month 1917
4 Sun
Paraded sick to get
out of Pilot parolle
heard the mine blown
up:
Wrote [shorthand]
5 Mon
Quiet day on piquet
at night
2 letters from Jess.
1917 28 days FEBRUARY
6 Tu
Out for field firing
all day. had some
good practice
got letters from MrsR
& Mme Piot
Outpost at night
7 Wed
Had a quiet day
got the loan of Ginger
Mick from a chap
in the F A
 

 
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