Diary of Lindsay Robert Turner, 1917 (Vol. 1) - Part 3

20
arrangement of Storing Kits so that
the confusion will be reduced to
a minimum. This afternoon a
series of boxing Contests were
put thro  which created some
lively interest to the boxing was
not of a particularly fine Character
One of our stalwarts looks like
winning in his bout he settled
his opponent in one hit. One
can't get "evens" about him
now for the heavyweight Championship 
In a conversation with
the OC Troops we learn that
we are to be taken across the
Mediterranean to Taranto Italy
And thence on land to Calais
and alternately landed in England.
It caused some rejoicing. as
we anticipated along sojourn
in Egypt and possible further
training in the South of France

21
but I want to see England
before the Front Line. We will
reach Colombo about Monday
week the 3oth and there's as
by prospect of leave therefor
more who deserve it or rather
 for those who do not incur the
displeasure of the O.C. Troops.
We had a concert tonight just
an ordinary affair so I read
and wrote both very important.
particularly as there's one a
week before we will be able to
post letters.
18/11/7 The first thing that was
revealed to me this morning was
an order that there would be
no early parade chiefly because
it happened to be Sunday Tho'
we Kew a Church parade
was on the cards for MORM
 

22
I deemed if wise to turn
out of bed early for a Sunday
because theimformation we 
Gleaned had effectively awakened
are In any case there was a
shower and shave to think
about and last but not least
a performance that I had been
Contemplating Sometime to go
Thro that of Getting my hand
closely cropped. Chiefly for
comfort and for hygienic reasons.
All three were duly completed
and I emerged as "Convict 99"
To some extent that's true tho'
I haven't been deprived wholly of
my independence. The men
were treated to Bacon and eggs
for their  first meal which
was absent from our Camp
fare but rations are dealt out
on a far more liberal scale
 

23
and there's a greater variety
but the sea air has worked
wonders. The Church Service
was held on the main deck
forward today as it provides
speaker facilities for "brunching"
the men. The C of E. Chaptain
preached an eloquent sermon
tho' we were - like the Typical
school boy - glad when it was
Over. on account of the close
condition of the Atmosphere that
naturally pointed to our proximity
to the Tropics. . We were
duly inspected by the C.O. Troops
on our own parade decks and
afterwards dismissed
I Commenced to read my
first novel tho couldn't resist
the temptation of sleeping
during the afternoon Tonight
I'm on duty as officer of the
 

24
guard and am to be relieved
At 1 A.M. by Chapman (N.S.W)
A Radio came  thro early in
the evening that a rumour
was abroad that there was
a Raider about so much
Greater precautions had to be
taken particularly with the
guards on duty. Of course
I came in for that but it gave
me a good chance of instituting 
some reforms that were badly
needed in this direction and
the CO gave me a free hand.
I've just been Relieved so
deem it expedient to turn
in tho I could easily proceed
with my novel.
19/11/17 There's no rest for the
wicked or even those who have
been on guard mostly all night
 

25
I would have dearly loved a sleep in
out three men in a catin about
2X2 can't possibly get washed
shaved and dressed without disturbing
a fourth so I deemed I expedient
to get up at the usual time anyway
I had to make arrangements for a
washing parade this morning
and do heaps of other things On
a ship especially with so main
men one has to display a certain
amount of initiative and that was
illustrated by our fellows when
they commented to "hang out on" every
conceivable part of the main deck
forward was suspended an article
of clothing of some description We
reorganised the Guard for and I
Came in for that so 11.30 was
on we before I knew anything 
about it. It was unComfortably
Warm so Orders Came out that
 

28
The men were to rug out in Shorts
singlet and bare feet. It came from
the O.C. but he didn't have the
Courage to do it. He only weighs
about 15 stone so I can hardly realise
him in Shorts. It was a Relief
for it was warm. Nearly all
elected to sleep on deck but I
remained in my cabin and as its
about the best cabin in this part
of the ship and were blessed with
an electric fan I didn't mind it
in the least. During the afternoon
we received the Censoring problem
with some alarm for there were
two boxes full of letters Waiting
to be perused. 8.30 AM Friday
is the last Chance of posting at
Colombo and in racing language
the troops are sure making a
welter of it some of the padres
say they've never seen such a
 

27
sheaf before and I happen to
be no exception to the Rule. We
learnt that wed have 48 hours
in Colombo subject to the indulgence
of the CO. There and some of us
have planned a dinner at one
of the hotels because its a well
Known fact that no spirituous
liquors are carried on board.
Thats just by the way anyway I
may be the unfortunate one to
be on duty. that day. Who knows?
20/11/17. I woke up This morning
I find the Cabin Steward
talking to someone in the opposite
bunk I was the only one in
here when I went to sleep Then
I discovered that Gates had
been obliged to beat a hasty
Retreat from the promenade
deck on account of Rain
 

28
all had strongly advised me
to spend the night on deck so
I had a chance of laughing
at them. It appeared they were
all disturbed our frudny Refuge
in the Chief officers Cabin
Later on in the morning it rained
heavily which interrupted our
work. It was evidently our first
experience of the doldrums. We
did about 300 miles bringing
us nearer to Colombo. Censoring
still goes on apace and we've
heaps to do We shall be at it
each night now until the
post finally Closes.
21/11/17. Another wet morning
and the captain tells me we
shall experience this almost
every day owing to our proximity
to the "Line". We hope to reach
 

29
That on Saturday when the
usual frivolities will be indulged
in They promise to be interesting
A rumour flew round the Ship
that we had passed one of these
engines of distraction a mine
Some object had been seen by
one of the ship's officers and it
may have been anything. We
are travelling quite out of
the hack of steamers and that's
why we haven't seen one
since leaving the Lieuwin
I had a long talk To the C.O.
and found he was well
acquainted with a number of
people I know. As a matter
fact he used to lunch at
the same haunt as I did Some
two places up. All hands
are busy preparing for the
Sports tomorrow and tonight