Diary of Herbert Vincent Reynolds, 1914-1915 (second diary) - Part 5

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG0001013
Difficulty:
3

Page 1 / 10

AU5 March 1915 citadel & the Mohammed Alymosque but far enough away to give you a against the splendid view of them, sky The twin menarettes + the great of the moiaue dome rstand out above the Citadel, & upon turning around, the surrounding city with its hundreds of minarittes is in fall view, just across the road stand two fine mosques, sowve made our way to one of them the El Rifaie mosque, which mo one is allowed to enter except upon epecial occasions, we managed to see inside the chumbers containing the tombs the Armb of the previous Rhedwe being one of them. There are two chambers both being magnificiently fitted up, silver being laveshly used in the process. The place is kept well 1 locked up, & a guard accompanies all visitors when they are inside the place After seeing this place we decided that we had seen enough of the mosques for me day so got on a ham & went into the main. part of the city where we had fea. We had a look at certain mative parts of the city & seen b ag what is almost beyond beleiving, but seeing is believing & is the only way to realge in what sont of a place certain parts of this city really is, His impossiby Wiky & describe it, the sheets are & very narrow filthy o t t to desorted s < being, only a few fo wide in most cases, the buildings are rotten hovels at the best or the whole place reeks from the filth which is every where allowed to collect I remain, The place
Frid 26 Sat 27th March 1915 even is positively loathsome The atmosphere is entolerable. Set is something of a shoek to have to realize that such a place exfists, a hage fire would do the world a good tam if dis swept through certain parts of these cities & consumed all they contained. After spending a very inderesding day we went dack As camp in a taxe arriving there home about 11 pm. Send photo also kepsake to Flo today. Spent She morning on a route march & had the afternoon free of parades. The funeral of our late comrade Pte Pickles who died at the Mena House hospital took place from there at 1oam Being on duty in camp I could not atkend The funeral. Church parade was inscrupted this Lundse morning by a really severe sand storm comencing in the niddle of it iit has been almost unbearable during the day. minus the 3t Brigade The whole division, was drawn up Monday in formation on the desirt at 9 3o am while Ten Sir Jan Hamilton inspected past a salution ues, we then marched base back to camp. The late Hhe Hoday Pickles Bit was sold by auchior it will ferch in about £15 15p. 1510 which piastres was received for it, will be forwarded to his people at home. Spend evening at Pathes Spicteres Fues 30th. Franted leave from 19 am to 10 pm Wed 31. but did not make use of it I had an easy day in camp.
Thurs Ppid 2rd Sat 3rd April 1915 Rleveille sounded this morning at 5 am, & the division wentout on the desert for a days field work Our unis marched out to White house where our section remained while the remainder of the unit went further on they returned at 3pm & weret off back tto camp. Good Freday. Church parade was held then at y am, & we were given the day to ourselves. Apent the morning with half a doy mates going through the Pyrameds again, Received orders Soday o the effect that the st Brigade are to leave camp & proceed ito Cleaandria Homorrow. The whole camp was aster early & uts about striking camp, a proceeding which every- body onergetically prospect of caried outs, glad of the something less monotonous than coled haining & camp routine to engage our attention. At 7 am the advance & baggage partys left camp to enhain, & as 7pm our unet moved out of camp leaving our mess hat standing to mark the site of our camp, As we hook a last backward glance at our camp site one could not help but notice the contrast in the scene at cunrise, & at the time of our departure sunset. The great camp had disappeared, all that remained being The mess huts standing deserted, & hundreds of fires dofted ober the whole area consumen The rubbick & unnescessary articals etc that had collected in camp. all day a huge, cland of loaunts
April 1915 have been overhead, one cannot realize what a locust plague is untill seeing one, hooping at the eun is like looking at the moor the density of the moving swarm of insects acts in the same manner as a smoked glass, The whole sky seemed No be a moving mass of them. The march into Caire along the Mena roads over the Rasz el Nil bridge was by no means inclined to become monotonous, as every one shows a reshained feeling of pleasure, of at last being on the move to take an active part in the great event for which we left home. Through out the day bustle ne sign of unnescessary Sendy could be abserved, but a steady consistents ordiliness could be observed every where. Ats 11 pm we arrived in the square in front of Ahe Cairo central station where we waite Ao entrain. Easter Day Most of us obtained a couple of hours sleep on the lawns in front of the station before entraing at s am. At s am we left Cairo reaching Alexandria about 10 am, The hain garried us right to the boat & we went on board. imediately after leaving i, the boat. being. the shampo A9 City of Benares. Our quarters are very cramped being sifuated in the focastle There are also horses + mules on board.
1657 Mond h 0 Fues 6th. Hed 75 Aprel 1915 We completed loading this morning when the engineers who are on board hoisted. Their pontoons + wagons on board, & we packed the remaining bundles of fodder in the hold. This afternoon. Al 4 30 pm we weighed anchor & set out for an unknown destination, though of course we can guess it will be somewhere, at the Fardanetles. We encountered a heavy sea during The night &in consequence a good number were sea sick. but I experienced the sensation by no means counted if as a goke. Sea been very calm) Passed numerous groups of eslands. Sighted several other hansports about 4pm. I all headed for an island which therned out to be Lmnos. olearing the harbour enterance we passed a couple of gunboats & a light cruser then entered & anchored at about 6pm A great number of other vessels are anchored here including many battleships the Queen Elizabeth being one of them she is the most powerfull boad aftoad & carries 15 inch gavrs. We were all issued with 48 hours ison rations Loday they consist of a faw hard biscuits, a 1t6 Ain of beef & a small quantity of tea & engar, also two cabes of 0x0, all our done up in a calico bag. possibly. belongings which can be blanketz done without including our were packed away upon our Fransport feet bags were -vaggons Aoday, our black left behind at a base in 899k
Thees S. April 1915 We received a pay soday with Englishgold. Fridg Slept on deck & woke up almost frogen a very heavy dew having fallen during the night. This harbour is a fairly pretty looking place, half a doz small villages kills are to be seen upon the surrounding the slopes of which appears to be all under cultivation Numerous windmills after the style of the old Dutch wills are to be seen. Al about I am we moved alongside the Ransport A8 Lake Michigan anchored & made fast to her. During the day soe practiced descending rope ladder indo life boats over the sides of the ship. Numbers of Sueek haders selling nuts figs chocolate etc same out in small boats alongride the ship + done a pretty good hade, they are the same method of Colonbo, hading as the natives at The fire alarm was soundeds momning for prattice & every one had ito take up a position at their stations. Spend the afternoon at boat practice, we rowed to the Pussian cruiser Askold pound her & back to the hansport. The Askold led the attack at the Bardanelles when the navy made an attempt Ao force the shaits a few days ago. she is a piculiar looking vessel with five large fanels she is termed the packet of woodbenes. Transports keep arriving ever few hours. A very stiff heeze has been blowing 4510 all day, numbers of transports arrived. Sud1 On duty with the guard today, a number of war ships entered the harbour pase during the night. A sea plane arcled over the harbour for about an hour Loday 10701
Mond 12 Tues 13th Wed 14 1 reb 11 The Garbour is just packed with boats of one description or another now. & we are patiently waiting for the next move which we expect at any Nime Received mail from home Aoday Cain fell diring almost, the whole ouight & continued during the day at short intervals. We were to spend the day at disembarkation practice, but it had to be sancelled, for at about 10 am, it amenced No rain & come down in an absolute delage, a few boats from some of the hansports had been lowered & loaded + the occupants were thoroughty drenched when they got back on board. All the sick on board were removed to the hospital ship Soudan which is at present in the harbour. We received another pay n English coin Asday. Cluist mail arrived. ther 15th At 11pm a party of 4 of us were detailed for duty to guard an ammunition barge alongside, & prevent it bamping The Transport. At 7 am the Ang Jessue came whowed Prid 16th the barge away. At 8 por the water tank ship Sunik came alongerde & replinished our supply of freed water. Sat17 A party of us rowed ashore today + the went for a march over the hills, exercise was very welcome affer being on board ship for a couple of weeks. We passed through one small village, is had no streets or roads in it whatever, the buildings having been buil here there & everywhere no attempt having been made to lay out any sort of throughfare. The people dwelling here are chiefly all Greeks & are all following agriailture as a means
1VE Pund 18th April 1915 We have all been bussy Hoday Mondig of livlihood. At present most of the shifting ammunition etc, artillerymen crops are ready to reap & the place have been attaching fuses to the 18par is very beaatiful with wild flowers shells which we have on board. Austmail poppies + other flowers growing whichly arrived today. amongst the som. Sen Hamilton ? a The Lake Michigan Hook on water today Fees 20t body guard of Marine infantry met us Wed 2r Pain has been falling near all day & The on our way, back to the boats, & wind has been bitterly cold. stoped, The Len. having a few words Thurs 22 A party of our sned left this boar today to say to us before going on. for duty on other boats as medical orderlies I obtained a small wooden oross from an old how We received instruction Asday upon white haired priect on the beach, he was selling to handle the service rifle. Fafantry them for sd each & doing a good mrade in them have been practicing desembarkation from as they are pretty decent curios, The preek some of the ransports Frday. coins which we sseen for the ford time were boat cast Late in the afternoon our much sought after for sonvenies of the place And 35 off from the Lake Michigan & steamed Church parade at 10 30 am.] The few sick down the harbour on passing the Queen on board were today removed to the Elizabeth the salute was sounded & every hospital ashore. An peroplane has been one was lixed up on deck. We moved sircling about over the harbour today.
Sat 24th April 1915 outside Ahe harbour boom anchoied An acroplane has been sircling about again Noday. Received macs today. At last the big move which we have been awaiting has come I orderly preparations can be observed every where, every one has his respective kit reduced to the lowest possible amount, & the rest packed away on the waggons in the ships hold, we are Nating no blankeths with us, our gear consicts of our great asal, which s rolled bandolier fastion with a waterproof sheet rolled around it, so his iron nations in our haversacks, & a full water bottle which we have been sourned to take. Orders such desails have been read to us giving of the undertaking as are nescessary, we have been informed that it is to be generally understood. What what is about to be undertaken is a most difficult Hask, & must be pushed through at any cost there must be no thought of turning back. From our anchorage outside the harbour enterance we obtained a splendid view of the y Tamports leaving The harbour several left at dawn & others left during the morning, every one appears eager & anxious now the movement has comenced, every boat moving within sailing distance of another receives a regular outburst of cheering, which is quickly replied to. About 3 pm we witnessed the Navy steam out of the harbour on its way to the scene of operations at the Dardanelles, headed by Hhe Queen Elizabeth, The ships etamed past presenting a magnificient spectical which to those who witnessed
JUSTRA Lund 25. April 1915 it well never be forgotten, during The rest of the afternoon. Fransports have been leaving an an admost continuous stream. therboat At 1.30 am we weighed anchor & got under way. Every one was astir early + watching for the first signs of the engagement. At about 5 am we could just discemn the break of day + the report of the guns could be fauntly heard, but they got plainer gradually as we steamed along, untill the light increased & the outline of land could be dimly seen, every few seconds a etab like flash would be seen from the guns & the shells as they exploded As we showly steamed towards the other tansports anchored off The coast. in an exhemely calm sea, we passed. an overturned life boat, the abservation balloon on the ship was well up in the air when we passed per + the Ark Rogal a sex plane was alongside sready to rise. At about 7 30 am we dropped anchor amongst dozens of other hansports. All along the coast at intervals the battleships were firing saloves, great ehects of flame issuing from them at each discharge, & a deaforing crash like thunder seems. to shake the boat, occasionally a shill from The enemy would come + fall harmlessly in the water amongsd the tansports very little notice being taken of them. At about g am the Torpeds boat Deshoyer Scourge came alongside & we got on board her with our gear, only the bearer section of our unit are landing, in a very few menutes the decks of the desfger were

March 1915

citadel & the Mohammed Aly mosque

but far enough away to give you a 

splendid view of them, against the 

sky the twin minarettes & the great 

domes ^of the mosque stand out above the Citadel,

& upon turning around, the surrounding 

city with its hundreds of minarettes 

is in full view, just across the 

road stand two fine mosques, so we

made our way to one of them the

El Riface mosque, which no one is

allowed to enter equ except upon

special occasions, we managed to see

inside the chambers containing the tombs

the tomb of the previous Khedive being

one of them. There are two chambers

both being magnificently fitted up,

silver being lavishly used in the

process. The place is kept well

locked up, & a guard accompanies all 

visitors when they are inside the place.

After seeing this place we decided that we

had seen enough of the mosques for one

day so got on a tram & went into the main 

part of the city where we had tea.

We had a look at certain native parts

of the city & seen on xxxxxxx what is 

almost beyond believing, but seeing is

believing & it is the only  way to realize

what sort of a place certain parts

of this city really is, it is impossible

to try & describe it, the streets are

filthy & really cannot to describe as  & very narrow

streets being only a few ft wide in

most cases, the buildings are rotten

hovels at the best, & the whole place

reeks from the filth which is everywhere

allowed to collect & remain, the place

 

March 1915 

is positively loathsome, even

the atmosphere is intolerable.

It is something of a shock to

have to realize that such a

place exxists, a huge fire would

do the world a good turn if it

swept through certain parts of

these cities & consumed all they

contained. After spending a

very interesting day we went back

to camp in a taxi arriving there

about 11 pm. Sent photo home

also keepsake to Flo today.

Frid 26th Spent the morning on a route

march & had the afternoon free of

parades.

Sat 27th The funeral of our late comrade Pte E

Pickles who died at the Mena House

hospital took place from there at 10 a.m.

Being on duty in camp I could not attend

the funeral.

Sund 28 Church parade was interupted this

morning by a really severe sand storm

comencing in the middle of it, it has

been almost unbearable during the day.

Mond 29 The whole division ^minus the 3rd Brigade was drawn up 
in formation on the desert at 9 30 am

while Gen Sir Ian Hamilton inspected

us, we then marched past a saluting

base back to camp. The late Pte

Pickles kit was sold by auction today

it will fetch in about £15  15 0. 1510

piastres was received for it, which

will be forwarded to his people at home.

Tues 30th. Spent evening at Pathes pictures

Wed 31st Granted leave from 10 am to 10 pm

but did not make use of it & had

an easy day in camp.

 

April 1915

Thurs 1st Reveille sounded this morning at

5 am, & the division went out on

the desert for a days field work

Our unit marched out to White house

where our section remained while the

remainder of the unit went further

on they returned at 3 pm & we set

off back to camp.

Frid 2nd Good Friday  Church parade was held

at 7 am & we were ^then given the day to

ourselves. xxxxx Spent the morning

with half a doz mates going through

the Pyramids again, Received orders

today to the effect that the 1st Brigade

are to leave camp & proceed to Alexandria

tomorrow.

Sat 3rd The whole camp was astir early

& sets about striking camp, a

proceeding which every-body energetically

carried out, glad of the prospect of

something less monotonous than solid

training & camp routine to engage our

attention. At 7 am the advance & baggage

partys left camp to entrain, & at 7 pm

our unit moved out of camp leaving

our mess hut standing to mark the

site of our camp, As we took a last

backward glance at our camp site

one could not help but notice the

contrast in the scene at sunrise,

& at the time of our departure sunset.

The great camp had disappeared, all

that remained being the mess huts

standing deserted, & hundreds of fires

dotted over the whole area consuming

the rubbish & unnecessary articals

etc that had collected in camp.

All day a huge cloud of locusts

 

April 1915

have been overhead, one cannot

realize what a locust plague is

untill seeing one, looking at the

sun is like looking at the moon

the density of the moving swarm

of insects acts in the same

manner as a smoked glass, the

whole sky seemed to be a

moving mass of them.

The march into Cairo along

the Mena road & over the "Kasr

el Nil" bridge was by no means

inclined to become monotonous, as

every one shows a restrained feeling

of pleasure, off at last being on

the move to take an active part

in the great event for which we

left home. Through out the day

no sign of unnecessary bustle

could be observed, but a steady &

consistent orderliness could be observed

every where. At 11 pm we arrived

in the square in front of the

Cairo central station where we waited

to entrain.

Sund 4th Easter Day  Most of us obtained

a couple of hours sleep on the lawns

in front of the station before entraining

at 3 am. At 5 am we left

Cairo reaching Alexandria about

10 am, the train carried us right

to the boat & we went on board

immediately after leaving it, the boat

being the transport A9 City of 

Benares. Our quarters are

very cramped being situated in

the fo'castle there are also

horses & mules on board.

 

April 1915

Mond 5th

We completed loading this morning

when the engineers who are on board

hoisted their pontoons & wagons on

board, & we packed the remaining

bundles of fodder in the hold this 

afternoon. At 4 30pm we weighed

anchor & set out for an unknown

destination, though of course we can 
guess it will be somewhere at

the Dardenelles.

Tues 6th

We encountered a heavy sea during

the night & in consequence a 

good number were sea sick.

I experienced the sensation but

by no means counted it as a joke.

Wed 7th.

Sea been very calm. Passed

numerous groups of islands. Sighted

several other transports about 4pm

& all headed for an island

which turned out to be Limnos.

Nearing the harbour entrance we passed

a couple of gunboats & a light cruiser

then entered & anchored at about 6pm

A great number of other vessels are

anchored here including many battleships

the "Queens Elizabeth" being one of them

she is the most powerfull boat afloat

& carries 15 inch guns. We were all

issued with 48 hours "iron rations" today

they consist of a few hard biscuits, a

1 lb tin of beef & a small quantity of

tea & sugar, also two cubes of oxo,

done up in a calico bag. All our 

belongings which can be possibly 
done without including our blanketts

were packed away upon our transport

waggons today, our black kit bags were

left behind at a base in Egypt.

 

April 1915

Thurs 8th.

We received a pay today with English gold

Slept on deck & woke up almost frozen

a very heavy dew having fallen during the

night. This harbour is a fairly pretty

looking place, half a doz small villages

are to be seen upon the surrounding hills

the slopes of which appears to be all under

cultivation Numerous windmills after the

style of the old Dutch mills are to be

seen. At about 8 am we moved alongside

the transport A8 Lake Michigan anchored'

& made fast to her. During the day we

practiced descending rope ladders onto

life boats over the sides of the ship.

Numbers of Greek traders selling nuts figs

chocolate etc came out in small boats

alongside the ship & done a pretty good

trade, they use the same method of

trading as the natives at Colombo.

 

Frid 9th

The fire alarm was sounded this

morning for practice & every one had to take

up a position at their stations. Spent

the afternoon at boat practice, we rowed

to the Russian cruiser Askold round 

her & back to the transport. The

Askold led the attack at the Dardanelles

when the navy made an attempt to force

the straits a few days ago, she is a

peculiar looking vessel with five large

funnels she is termed the "packet of

woodbines". Transports keep arriving 

ever few hours.

Sat 10th

A very stiff breeze has been blowing

all day, numbers of transports arrived.

Sund 11th.

On duty with the guard today, a

number of war ships entered the harbour

during the night. A sea plane ^rose & circled

over the harbour for about an hour today.

 

April 1915

Mond 12th
The harbour is just packed

with boats of one description or

another now. & we are patiently waiting

for the next move which we expect at

any time Received mail from home today.

Tues 13th.

Rain fell during almost the whole night

& continued during the day at short

intervals. We were to spend the day at

disembarkation practice, but it had

to be cancelled, for, at about 10am, it

comenced to rain & came down in an

absolute deluge, a few boats from some

of the transports had been lowered &

loaded & the occupants were thoroughly

drenched when they got back on board.

Wed 14th

All the sick on board were removed to

the hospital ship "Soudan" which is at present

in the harbour. We received another pay

in English coin today. Aust mail arrived.

Thurs 15th.

At 11pm a party of 4 of us were

detailed for duty to guard an ammunition

barge alongside, & prevent it bumping

the transport.

Frid 16th.

At 7am the tug "Jessie" came & towed

the barge away. At 8pm the water-tank

ship "Sunik" came alongside & replenished

our supply of fresh water.

Sat 17th.

A party of us rowed ashore today &

went for a march over the hills, the

exercise was very welcome after being on

bard board ship for a couple of weeks.

We passed through one small village, it 

had no streets or roads in it whatever,

the buildings having been built here there

& everywhere no attempt having been made

to lay out any sort of thoroughfare. The 

people dwelling here are chiefly all Greeks

& are all following agriculture as a means

 

April 1915

of livlihood. At present most of the

crops are ready to reap & the place

is very beautiful with wild flowers

poppies & other flowers ^are growing thickly

amongst the corn. Gen Hamilton & a 

body guard of Marine infantry met us

on our way back to the boats, & 

stoped, the Gen having a few words

to say to us before going on.

I obtained a small wooden cross from an old

white haired priest on the beach, he was selling

them for 3d each & doing a good trade in them

a they are pretty decent curios, the Greek

coins which we seen for the first time were

much sought after for souvenirs of the place.

Sund 18th

Church parage at 10.30am. The few sick

on board were today removed to the 

hospital ashore. An aeroplane has been

circling about over the harbour today.

Mond 19th.

We have all been busy today

shifting ammunition etc. artillerymen

have been attaching fuses to the 18pdr

shells which we have on board. Aust mail

arrived today.

Tues 20th.

The Lake Michigan took on water today.

Wed 21st.

Rain has been falling near all day & the

wind has been bitterly cold.

Thurs 22

A party of our unit left this boat today

for duty on other boats as medical orderlies

We received instruction today upon how

to handle the service rifle. Infantry

have been practising disembarkation from

some of the transports today.

Frid 23rd

Late in the afternoon our boat cast 

off from the Lake Michigan & steamed
down the harbour on passing the Queen

Elizabeth the salute was sounded & every

one was lined up on deck. We moved

 

April 1915

outside the harbour boom & anchored

An aeroplane has been circling about

again today. Received mail today.

Sat 24th.

At last the big move which we

have been awaiting has come, & orderly

preparations can be observed everywhere,

every one has his respective kit reduced

to the lowest possible amount, & the rest

packed away on the waggons in the ships

hold, we are taking no blanketts with us,

our gear consists of our great coast, which is

rolled bandolier fashion with a waterproof

sheet rolled around it, 48 hrs iron rations

in our haversacks, & a full water bottle which 

we have been warned to take. Orders

have been read to us giving such details

of the undertaking as are necessary,

we have been informed that it is to be 

generally understood that what is about

to be undertaken is a most difficult

task, & must be pushed through at any 

cost there must be no thought of turning

back. From our anchorage outside the

harbour entrance we obtained a splendid

view of the Navy transports leaving 

the harbour several left at dawn

& others left during the morning,

every one appears eager & anxious now the

movement has comenced, every boat moving

within hailing distance of another receives

a regular outburst of cheering, which is

quickly replied to. About 2pm we

witnessed the Navy steam out of

the harbour on its way to the scene of

operations at the Dardenelles, headed by the 

Queen Elizabeth, the ships steamed

past presenting a magnificent

spectical which to those who witnessed

 

April 1915

it will never be forgotten, during

the rest of the afternoon transports 

have been leaving in an almost

continuous stream.

Sund 25th.

At 1 30am we ^the boat weighed anchor & got

under way. Every one was astir early & 

watching for the first signs of the

engagement. At about 5am we could

just discern the break of day, & the

report of the guns could be faintly

heard, but they got plainer gradually

as we steamed along, untill the light

increased & the outline of land could

be dimly seen, every few seconds a 

stab like flash would be seen from

the guns & the shells as they exploded

As we slowly steamed towards the

other transports anchored off the coast

in an extremely calm sea, we passed

an overturned life boat, the observation

balloon on the ship Ark Royal was well 

up in the air when we passed her & 

a sea plane was alongside ^the Ark Royal ready to rise.

At about 7 30am we dropped anchor

amongst dozens of other transports. All along

the coast at intervals the battleships were

firing salvos, great sheets of flame issuing

from them at each discharge, & a deafening

crash like thunder seems to shake the

xxx boat, occasionally a shell from

the enemy would come & fall harmlessly

in the water amongst the transports

very little notice being taken of them.

At about 9pm the Torpedo boat Destroyer

Scourge came alongside & we got on board

her with our gear, only the bearer section 

of our units are landing, in a very few

minutes the decks of the destroyer were

 

 

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