Diary of Herbert Vincent Reynolds, 1914-1915 - Part 4










August 1915
17 TUESDAY We had breakfast & went on board
a trawler “Good Design” at about 10 am & she took us
across to Imbross, where, we got on an old tramp
boat being used as a hospital ship she had been
used as a horse boat & the horse stalls have been
cleaned out & mattresses laid in them for beds.
We left for Lemnos at about 6 pm with 1060 on board
There were three or four menowar in Imbross harbour
a couple of Monitors & cargo boats. The name of this
boat is the Georgian of the Leyland line.
18 WEDNESDAY Entered Mudross bay after
sunrise & went up the harbour & anchored. the
hospitals on shore are full up & they cannot take
all of us, a few patients went ashore. The harbour
is full up with menowars, troopships, etc.
1915 August
19 THURSDAY Things are very quiet here they
do not seem to know what to do with us.
20 FRIDAY Things are not very comfortable on
board this packet hope they do not keep us
on here very much longer. I managed to keep
my meals down today.
August 1915
21 SATURDAY A good few transports left here
today. two or three left tonight at about 8 pm.
22 SUNDAY
12 AFTER TRINITY We hauled up anchor at about
8 pm & left for Malta as
far as we know there is a lot of rumors about as
to where we are going.
1915 August
23 MONDAY The sea has been very calm like a great
sheet of glass, we have been passing islands on both
sides A French T B D signalled us at about 5 pm
& travelled with us for a couple of miles.
24 TUESDAY We have been making steady progress,
there is a bit of a swell on & we are clear of all
land today encountered a few showers through the
day.
August 1915
25 WEDNESDAY There has been a bit of a swell
on through the night. We arrived at Malta at about
midnight & anchored off a lighthouse in a bit
of a bay.
26 THURSDAY There is only one other boat in the bay
beside us, about 40 or so small fishing boats are only a couple
of hundred yds away bunched together. We moved out of bay at
about 10 am & steamed further round the coast to the right as far
as the main harbour but was sent back to where we came from. At
about 3 pm we moved round to the main harbour again and
took up an anchorage off the quarantine station. A chap in
our ward died through the night.
1915 August
27 FRIDAY There were a number of trading boats came
alongside early this morning but we were not allowed to buy from
them. We moved from the anchorage off the quarantine station at 10 am
up in front of the RO Cos coal depot we disembarked on barges & was
brought here in a motor ambulance. This hospital is
known as St Georges & consists of a series of blocks
of fine large stone buildings. I was put in No 5 ward
G Block, which is one of the two storey blocks. The
Ladies treated us well on coming off the boat they
gave each soldier a glass of lemonade biscuits & cigarettes.
28 SATURDAY This place is very quiet it is about
3 mls out of the city, & is situated quite close to the
sea. We get very decent food here far different
to which we got on the Georgian. We were given a
new shirt, towell & a pair of sox today.
August 1915
29 SUNDAY
13 AFTER TRINITY The major in charge inspected
the place this morning. Today is a festival
day here St Juliens day.
30 MONDAY We were warned to be ready to
go on board a transport. A very thick fog has
been hanging over the sea all the morning, the
sirens on all the boats have been blowing continually.
1915 Aug & Sept
31 TUESDAY I am mess orderlie today. We get
splendid food here. These buildings were built
in 1860 and are named Pembroke barracks
they have been turned into a military hospital
& known as St Georges.
1 SEPT WEDNESDAY 5 chaps in our ward went
away this morning at about 11am, and 5 more
arrived at about 5 pm.
September 1915
2 THURSDAY I got a pass and we went in to
Valetta today.
3 FRIDAY All the men on the lists for
leaving were issued with new clothing if needed
I only got a razor & brush, toothbrush, comb and
braces.
1915 September
4 SATURDAY No passes were issued today
all the Australian units were paid the large sum
of 2/- today
5 SUNDAY
14 AFTER TRINITY We were roused out of bed at
5.30 and told to be ready
to go on board the boat for England at 7 am.
We left St Georges in a motor wagon at about
9.30am and got on board the hospital ship
Massey at about 10.30 am, I was put in C flat
She weighed anchor and sailed at about 12 noon.
September 1915
6 MONDAY We are rather overcrowded on board
there is not enough messing accomidation on board
The sea is fairly calm & we are making good head
way against a head wind Land has been in sight
pretty near all day on our left.
7 TUESDAY We passed a large 4 funnell
hospital ship outward bound this morning
about 10 am.
1915 September
8 WEDNESDAY Came in sight of Gibralta at
about 10 am we went into the port & stayed there
only about 1/2 an hour we left again at about 12 noon
9 THURSDAY The sea has been calm as a mill
pond all day We have been passing boats all day as
many as 8 being in sight at the same time, passed a
hospital ship outward bound at 5 pm. Porpoises have
been following the boat today and several whales
were seen. I got my ears syringed today they have
been troubling me a bit. We passed close to the shore
of Cape in Portugal at midday The fire allarm
was sounded at 11 am the fire hoses were run out and
we were fallen in on the boat deck with life belts on..
September 1915
10 FRIDAY The sea has been very calm today
although we were expecting to get it
rough in the Bay the hatchways were battened
down last night. We got into the Bay at
about 3 am this morning.
11 SATURDAY We have had a very calm
trip through the Bay and got in the channell
this morning about 11am. There has been a stiff
breeze blowing all day & it has been very cold.
Passed the Eddystone lighthouse at 4.45pm &
entered Plymouth habour at about 6pm we
got a tow and went alongside No 6 siding Asia
at about 7 pm. We passed the Old Victory &
the training ships & got a great cheer from
the lads on them. This is a very pretty place
1915 September
12 SUNDAY
15 AFTER TRINITY Disembarked at 10-30am
& got on a hospital train on the wharf left at
11.30am & reached Paddington at 5.45pm.
Motors were waiting at the station and they
took us to different hospitals. I was sent
to St Thomas's Hospital & put in Alexandra
Ward.
13 MONDAY It is very cold here. Our pay
books were collected today
September 1915
14 TUESDAY A service was held in the
ward this morning at 9.30 am.
15 WEDNESDAY I went out for a motor ride
A Lady by the name of Mrs Osbourne came to the
hospital for 8 patients to go for a ride and visit
the Zoo. We spent an enjoyable afternoon among
the animals and we were then invited to tea
at her house at 33 Wilton Place.
1915 September
16 THURSDAY
17 FRIDAY I am being sent on farlough
and had to get fitted out with more clothes
they made a mess of out Aust tunics I got
new trousers, boots, sox, underpants, jacket-
woolen, putties & cap.
1915 September
18 SATURDAY I was discharged from the hospital
this morning & was sent to Victoria offices
at 72 Victoria St & was given farlough to the 3rd
Oct & told to go to the pay office & draw what
money I wanted I drew ₤5 I went to the
Victoria League Club for dinner & they told
me where to find lodgings untill Monday
I went to stay at Andrews' private hotel at
68 Guilford St.
19 SUNDAY
16 AFTER TRINITY I recie I went down to
the club and had
dinner was given an invitation to
an afternoon at Ranleigh I accepted
it and went round to Mrs Osbourne's
at 33 Wilton place
1915 September
20 MONDAY Received a P Card asking me to
call at the Victoria Club at 11 am. I paid my
board 6/6 and went to the Club they said that
they had a place to send me & I went round
to 40 Weymouth St where Mr Herring fixed
me up allright
21 TUESDAY Went for a carriage ride
this morning seen the guard being
changed at Buckingham Palace
September 1915
22 WEDNESDAY We all went to the play
Hindell wakes, at the Duke of Yorks
Thearte this afternoon
23 THURSDAY I went out in the carriage
again this morning
1915 September
24 FRIDAY We were all taken out to teaat & an afternoons motor ride by
the people in charge of this hosp.
25 SATURDAY We all went to the play
On Trial at The Lyric theatre yesterday
afternoon.

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