Diary of Theodor Milton Pflaum, 1915-1916 - Part 4
Thursday 13th April 1916
Had examination by [[?]] Bridgford
fearful sirocco blowing. Gradually
got worse - It was indescribable
Our trenches were filled right up
& dugouts were almost filled with
sand. Kept on all day &
we were unable to leave our shelter
some 9th L.H. patrols got lost - One
of the fellows happened to be
Mitchell (a pal of Bass) We
put them right. Am hoping
it doesn't last or things will
be serious.
Friday 14/4/16
Moved in to rail head - I
stayed back to hand over
to new party - Angarin
self struck a camel & made
use of it to carry our
kits in. ( Found the crowd tight)
Saturday 15/4/16
Marched in to Ferry Post - The
8th Brigade assembled here. Soon
got across to the water
Sunday 16/4/16
Church parade & a good swim
in the afternoon.
Monday 17/4/16
Went out for a bit of squad
drill - Parade hours
are from 6am till 11am & 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Have been having some great
feeds here - The A.I.F. stores
are just opposite.
Tuesday 18/4/16
Results of exam came out- if
they can be called "results"
However am not going to worry. I
was under the impression M
was true-blue.
Wednesday 19/4/16
Had a bit of gun drill again
Are being fully equipped so
it looks as if we are all
not staying here very long.
Used our mess hut.
Thursday 20/4/11
Pay day & a good swimming
parade. Arch Newmann Came
across (9thLH.) to see me. Very
hot.
Friday 21/4/16. Good Friday
Church parade at 6.45am
G.O.C. visiting the camp.
[*Came to Ferry Port *]
| Saturday 22/1/16 Sunday 23 Monday 24 Tuesday 25 Wednesday 26 Thursday 27 Friday 28 Saturday 29 Sunday 30 Monday 1/5/16 Tuesday 2/5/16 Wednesday 3 Thursday 4 Friday 5 |
Have been doing a good deal of training & hoping every day that we will shortly be leaving we will have to embark, but it still keeps us waiting |
Its very hot & trying - am
sick up to the neck of
flies & heat Got word
of my cash having been
paid over to the Pay Master.
Saturday 6/5/16
Had big Divisional Scheme -
Every branch of the 5th Div. took
part & is now reported as
fit for action.
Sunday May 7/16
Major Chartress (MG. export)
inspected our Coy & expressed
himself as satisfied.
Monday 8th May/16
Had a little tactical handling
in the morning & off in
the afternoon. Was
up on the mat, as tent
commander for the tent not
being tidy but was only
reprimanded.
Tuesday May 9th/16
on guard over aircraft guns
while the rest of the
crowd went on a route
march.
Wednesday 10th to Saturday 17/5/16
Brigade Divisional work-
including marches & tactical
schemes. Had it extremely
hot - up to 128o in the Shade
Have been expecting to get away
from here (Ferry Post) for weeks
& orders have now come
out for moving tomorrow,
Had a kit inspection
yesterday & had to get rid
of a good deal of my stuff
No Cameres to be taken
Saturday 22/3
overseas - Nevertheless
mine is going. During
the heat have been doing
our parades very early &
have been off during the
heat - Have also been
having four meals - 4.30am
10am - 4pm & 6.30pm.
Sunday May 28/16
Breakfast 4am -. The
Division releived at Ferry
Port by 53rd Eng. Division
Marched through Ismailia
Green coming on trees again
Very pretty. Arrived
Moaskan about 7.30am
Monday 29/5/16
Route march in the morning
Packing generally rest of day.
Tuesday 30/5/16
Route march again this
morning -. Went into
Ismailia in afternoon &
had a good feed.
Wednesday 31/5/16
Jolly ill all night &
was carried off to
Field Hospital in the morn.
Touch of Tomain poisoning
Thursday 1st June/16
In Hospital - feeling much
better but pretty weak
Am thriving on diluted
Condensed milk
Friday 2nd June 16
Managed to be let out
today to pack my
kit - Have had
to discard every mortal
thing with the exception
of our F.S. uniform
Hundreds of pairs of socks
& such-like on the
heap - Even to sheep
skin waist-coat.
Saturday 3rd June 16
Am still feeling weak
however am exempt
from duty so thats
alright. Got 2 more guns.
Sunday 4th June/16
No church for me was
feeling crook & lied about
in the tent all day -
Regularly every afternoon we
get the wind a treat.
Monday 5th June / 16
Expecting to get away tomorrow
night - No work doing
Tuesday 6th June/16
Something upset the leaving
business - Now looks of as if we'll have another
fortnight of it - Don't Know
what it is but presume
we are being Kept back
on account of the Naval
fight.. Great deal of disappointment
amongst Chaps
Wednesday 7th June/16
Had better news of the
Naval engagement - but
would like to have seen
them smash the German
Navy altogether.
The crowd raided 5 Gyp
Canteens tonight & stirred up the
devil generally.
Had news of Kitchener and
his Staff going down - No
details but hope it will
be contradicted tomorrow.
Thursday 8th June/16
News of Kitchener confirmed -
He seems to be gone for
good - A terrible loss h'ete
be.
Friday 9th June /16
Battalion sports - preparing
for Divisional Sports Tuesday.
Saturday 10th June/16
Was orderly Corporal today - Johnson
in Hospital.
Sunday 11th June/16
Church parade - Possibly
our last before embarkation
Sunday Monday 12th June/16
Have been having a very
easy time here (Moascan) Its
supposed to be a rest before
we leave. Marched out to
Monday 12th June/16
the pine plantation & lied
about in the shade. The
food has been rotten. Was
due to the cooks.
My appointment came out
orders as Corporal & Johno
got his 3rd stripe whilst
Bas has had his star
since Sunday.
Tuesday 13th June Off all day
Wednesday 14th June/16 .Wed
Was Corporal of the Guard
over our limbers & belongings
at the Station (Moascan) More
a bad game. Had night
patrols at 10pm.
Thursday Thursday 15th June/16
Came off Guard at 6.30am
relieved by No1 Section - No
duty the rest of the day.
Packed everything and move
out of our tents at 3pm.
in again at 9.15pm & move
down to the train but didnt
entrain until 11.30pm. Had
a bit of a sleep but their
trucks were jolly rough.
Friday 16th June 16
Arrived at Alexandria at
7.30AM. Good long trip
still as hungry as a
hunter, so we got into our
haversacks. Came aboard
at about 10am. The Tunisian
& she doesn't seem a bad boat.
About 11,000 tons. There are
just 2000 troops on board
so theres not overmuch room. The
officers quarters are fair beauts.
Just the same as when she
was a passenger boat. Bas
will have the time of his life
Our crowd are aft on A deck Not
as bad as those down further
Friday 17th June/16 Saturday
Made ourselves acquainted
with the boat yesterday & didn't
move until 6 oclock last night
then only going out about a
mile. Had a good sleep up
on deck last night. It was
fearfully hot down here.
Anchor was lifted at 6.30am
& off we moved. We
were right up close to the
Transylvania & as far
as I could gather the 32nd
were on board - If [Plat's] was
correct Ray ought to have a good
trip. Those are the 29th Batt
5th Div. Cavalry, Head Quarters, 13th Bd Artillery
Hospital, & all other details of the
8th Bde on board with us. 2000 Troops.
Ran up against Murray Ekins
from Elders. He's on board in the
L.H. 5th Div. Had a good
breakfast this morning - Have
seen butter again - Its a bit
Salt but is good to see a sample again
Were ordered to continually wear
life belt during the day & to use
them as pillows at night - They
are a bit of a nuisance but
essential. Were allotted our
positions in the event of alarm
5 Wife
L.N. James
Mrs D.E. James
12 Park Avenue
Hyde Park
Sth Australia
6 FATHER.
C T Davie
NK/. T.S. Davie
16 Main Street
Kapunda
S.Aus
1591
EDP
9th LH
Egypt
PR00503
Australian
War Memorial
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