Photostat copy of diaries of Benjamin Bennett Leane, 1915 - Part 17

104

day after I had left

England. I'll get it all

some day perhaps.

We had some tea, and

then went out to Heliopolis

to meet Ted's boys, (Allan

and Geoff). We stayed

with them until about

8.30, and then drove back

to Ted's office, where we

stayed until after ten,

he working and I 

writing letters. I went

to his hotel for the night.

The heat was terrible - I 

do not think I have perspired

so much in all my life

as I have during the last

two days - and I 

lay awake until about

2 a.m. At last in desperation

I went up to the

bathroom and lay in the

water for about half an 

hour. I slept then until

after six. We had

breakfast and then I left

him as he had to go to

Zeitoun on business, and I

had a lot of business I

wanted to do. I went first

to the Eastern Extension Telegraph

and sent a cable to the
mater], then to Parladi and

Tahi Ibrahim ( the firm of

stationers to whom I sent you

money order for 30/- you

remember). They gave

me a receipt for the 

money alright. Then I 

went to the post office

and sent the three money

106

orders away. Next to

a military outfitters, as

I had several purchases

to make; and then I went

along to a photographers

& had my phiz taken.

Then at Ted's request, I don't

know how they will turn 

out, but I have left Ted

to fix them up. As I

only had half an hour

to catch the train I told

the driver to "[[igrie]]" to

the hotel, to "[[stanna]"

while I packed my baggage

and then to double "[[yrie]]"

to the station. I got there

with five minutes to

spare, and found Ted

there to see me off.

We reached Alexandria

(Sidi Gaber) at 3 o'clock

and I hired a garry and

drove to the Camp. On

reporting to the Adjutant

I found that the boat

was not yet ready, so

I had to shift my 

belongings to the Officer's

Camp at Carlton, about

half a mile away, where

I now am, in a tent

to myself, with a servant

to clean my boots and 

do everything else for me,

and three good meals and

a bed. I was sorry in 

a way to leave the boys

I have been with right

through, but I am 

much more comfortable

here; and anyway I

108

couldn't stay with them

now- it's contrary 

to regulations. I intended

to get to bed early tonight,

but I got yarning to two

or three English Officers at

dinner, and we stayed

talking and smoking until

after eleven. Goodnight

Saturday, Augst 7^th The drought

has broken at last, and

a perfect deluge has come. Four

months without any letters, and

then today came a batch of 

thirty, of which ten were

from you. I didn't exactly

go mad, but it is fortunate

for my dignity and my 

reputation's sake that I 

have a tent all to myself.  I had

been in the town all the afternoon

shopping, and was very hot

and tired, but when I saw 

the bundle of letters, I just

whipped of my coat and

sat on the floor and waded

in. Usually I save yours 

till last, but this time I 

could not wait. By dinner 

time, 8 pm I had finished

yours and mothers. After

dinner I waded into the rest

and here a pleasant surprise

awaited me, for I found two

more of yours which I had

overlooked on account of the

envelope being typewritten. I

finished at last at 11 pm.

Tomorrow I must get to work

with the replies.  Kiddie I

love you for sending those

110

bits of your hair and Gwen's.

I shut my eyes and kiss 

them again and again, imagining

that your dear selves are there

instead. You couldn't have

pleased me better sweetheart. I

shall cherish them, together

with yours and Gwen's photos,

as my most cherished possessions.

Dear, dear girl, it has made

me long so to get back with

you. Dearest, while I was 

in town yesterday  went into

an antique shop to look 

round. That was the stone end

of me. All my little wad

of notes that I had put

by to spend in beer and

racehorses went bang, like

the Scotchman's "sixpence".

I got you a lovely silk kimono

& one of those fine silk shawls for

baby. I also bought a Maltese

scarf for mother, and so that

Nurse should not feel out of 

itI bought her a little

key of life brooch. I see by

your letters that she has gone

from the Mater's now, so you

can do what you like with

the brooch. I must get

off to bed now, chicken dear.

Sunday Augst 8^th I went the

round of the hospitals this afternoon,

trying to get news of Ray in

case he had been sent to

Egypt. Get back to camp

about 5 pm and went down

for a swim. Met a Mr Whitmore

there, and an English Arts Master

in one of the colleges here. He

asked me to his house to supper,

112

and I gladly accepted. His wife

is an Englishwoman, and plays 

the piano with a perfect touch.

They have one child, a

little girl of four. She had 

gone to bed, Of course I

had to tell them about mine.

I stayed until after eleven.

They have invited me to
take tea with them on the

beach tomorrow, so I shall

do so.

Monday. Augst 9^th  Ran into 

town for a few things I 

wanted. Have now fixed 

my tent up quite comfortably.

The batman has 

dug up a rush mat for

the floor, a cane bed

and table, a case 

which I have covered with

a white towel and use

as a dressing table (it

looks quite swagger with

its ebony hair brush, nickel

shaving outfit, and neat

little mirror).  Also a

folding canvas wash stand

and basin, and an

Egyptian drinking vessel

in which the water gets

beautifully cold overnight.

and I bought myself a

comfy, folding camp stool.

I did not intend to go

to any pains to make

my tent cosy as I thought

I would be here for a 

few days only. The

Adjutant promised me

I should go in the first

boat, and he certainly

114 

sent in my application,

but there was only

room for three officers

this time so I and five 

others who applied have

had to wait our turn.

I met Mr Whitworth

(the English gentleman I

spoke of yesterday) and

his wife on the beach

this afternoon and had 

tea with them. They

have a little summer-

house on the beach. 

Afterwards we went

in swimming until

about seven. After

dinner I got to work

again answering  my

big mail. I've replied

to six so far. I am

leaving yours to last so

that I can go ahead

and not have all the

others on my mind.

Tuesday aug. 10^th Got a telephone

message this afternoon to

report to Headqrs at 9.30 am

tomorrow to proceed to the

Dardanelles.. So will have

to get a move on if I want 

to answer all my correspondence

before I leave. Went to town

this afternoon to get a few

things, to make arrangements

with Cook's re my luggage

and to change my Egyptian

money into English. Got

through a couple letters

this afternoon & must try

to finish the nest tonight.

Rang Ted up, and he tells

116

me that he has had a letter

from Ray, who is at Lemnos,

only slightly wounded,

Wednesday August 11^th - At Sea.

Had a busy morning packing etc.

Rang up Garages etc. but could not

get a motor anyway to run us

& our luggage to town. In the

end went to the O.C. Australian

Transport who kindly lent us a

motor lorry for our luggage, and

we went to town in the tram.

Went to Cooks and found my own

luggage then made our way to Quay

46 and our boat - of which more

anon. After reporting and ascertaining

 that she would not leave

until 4 pm. we went back to the 

Club to lunch. Returned to the ship

about 3pm. but she did not sail

until 8 pm. Took on 2000 bags

of mail during the afternoon. Expect

there will be some for me in

that lot.

Now about the boat.  Her name

is the "Alnwick Castle" and she's

a perfect tub. The first saloon

is a little box of a place with

cabins all round. In fact, the

Sergeant's quarters on the "Grampian"

were particularly luxurious in

comparison. The food is not

bad - soup, fish, entree, roast,

sweets & fruit - but for quality

cannot compare with the Warrant 

Officer's mess on the "Grampian."

However, it is only for a few

days so it doesn't matter. I 

hope we get no very rough

weather though, for she rolls

even in a slight swell.

118

Thursday Aug. 12^th - Uneventful

Posted submarine guard, as

there are supposed to be two

German submarines in these 

waters. Doing about nine

or ten knots. Expect to reach

Lemnos Saturday morning.

Friday, Aug 13^th ___ Quite a

bump of bad luck, isn't it.

"Friday" and "13" all in one.

So it may prove to be before

the day is out. This morning

we began to pass through

the islands of  the German

Archipelago. Shortly after

breakfast two transports began 

to overhaul us - one the 

"Royal Edward" and the 

other unknown. About

nine thirty the "Royal Edward" 

was level with us on the

starboard side,_∧ about three miles off, when suddenly

her bow went up in the 

air and within three minutes

all that was left was a cloud

of smoke over the spot where

she sank. The other transport

immediately made off to the  

left, while we went full 

steam ahead, steering a 

zig zag course. That was 

an hour ago and we are

still going like mad, while

everyone is waiting - life-

belt on - for possible events.

So far we have seen no sign

of the submarine which evidently

torpedoed the "Royal Edward" 

Possibly it has pursued the

other transport, which was

a bigger boat than ours.

Funny, thing too, we saw the

120

"Royal Edward" while we

were in Alexandria. She

was a splendid boat, and 

I mentioned to Lieu. Gardiner

that I wished we were going

to travel by her instead of

by this old tub. It's just

as well, perhaps, that I 

didn't get my wish. The 

"Royal Edward" had about

300 British Troops on board,

I believe, and I am afraid

most] of them will be lost,

for they sank so quickly

that they would have no

time to get boats out, or 

even belts on, most likely.

Of course, our captain could

not go to their assistance

for it would simply be

giving the enemy his boat,

but it feels awful to be 

running away when there

are hundreds of poor devils

drowning over there.

Jove, we were joking about

submarines yesterday, but

tis brings home to you the

fact that the danger is

a decidedly real one.

Our fellows - about 600 in

all - behaved very well.

There was no excitement, no

rushing and fighting for 

life belts. Every preparation

was made in a quiet and

orderly manner, and now

they are sitting up on deck

smoking, and watching for

any signs of a periscope. I 

think I will get up on deck

too now.

122

Later - We stood by in life belts

until after lunch, and then as

there was no sign of the sub

following us, we stacked them

ready to hand in case of

emergency. It is now 7.30 pm

and still quiet. We are very 

much out of our proper course,

sailing through islands

that I have never seen before.

I  am officer of the watch

tonight from 8 pm. till

midnight.

Saturday 14^th - Reached Lemnos

abt. 930 am. The poor old place

is not the pretty little island it

was when I was last here.

The summer sun have burnt

it dry, as that where once was

high grass and bright wild flowers

there is now a bare brown

undulating country. And the

big khaki town that has 

sprung up has not added to

the attractiveness of the place.

When we arrived we found

that our wireless message re

the "Royal Edward" had been

picked up by the hospital ship

"Soudan" and the supply

ship "Ajax" who had at 

once proceeded to the spot

and picked up about 400

to 500 troops who were still

struggling inn the water. Also

they saw some life boats

making for an adjacent

island. So that it is

estimated that possibly 1000

out of the two or three thousand

who were on board may

be saved. During the