Diary of Lindsay Robert Turner, 1917 (Vol. 1) - Part 9

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of Egypt will reveal remains to be
Seen. Meanwhile Im  trying hard
to shake off all thought of training
there.
9/12/17 I believe I omitted to mention in
my notes for Friday last that I had
completed 4 week's service on the
Troopship A15. Today it's just a
calender month since we came
aboard on that historic 9th Nov.
were seen quite a large portion of
the World since then tho' most
of our acquaintance with it has
been confined to the wide expanse
termed "Ocean" In a few days
time well experience a new
kind of life on land and amid
the historic scenes and places
of earlier Generations. I always
had a striking regard for Things
Historical so am looking forward
to my Sojourn in Egypt tho' I
 

80
won't mind just how short it is.
Let me reach Britain and I promise
to revel in everything that pertains
to the ancients. I went to bed early
last night it was a very Cool night
so I slept soundly and well. I
watched the sun as it came up
over the horizon and the very
sight of it betokened a hot day.
A little later however clouds gathered
and practically all day long they
performed the humane Act of Keeping
the sun from us. Usually the
Church Parade is held with
the sun beating down on us
but of course We were immune
from its Rays. Another splendid
address by Col. Holden on
Egypt a case of "Coming events
casting their shadows before"
We had rather an amusing
experience this Afternoon It
 

81
had been arranged with the Ships
officer that the boat alarm
should be sounded at 4.30
meanwhile preparations were
made for the officers together
with the Ships officers to be
photographed and the ceremony
was just about to be performed
when the alarm was sounded.
Needless to say the Co had
forgotten to cancel the Request
Noone enjoyed the diversion
more than the Captain himself.
Later on the photos were taken
without any further husting tho'
The array of Cameras in front
of us proclaimed the fact
that the occasion was an
opportune one. It was Quite
a field day for photographs.
One could hardly move
without coming in Contact
with a camera of some description
 

82
I even entered into the Spirit
and had our Tug o'War team
taken. A cloud is rising and
the ship's officers tell us that
its going to be a rough night
as well as a somewhat last
One
10/12/17. My prediction Came true
though I had expressed if with
some moderation. As a matter
of fact it was easily the coldest
night we had experienced since
leaving Melbourne. I had heard
that the nights in Egypt were
very bleak particularly at this
time of year. Tonight if I sleep
on deck I shall be well supplied
with blankets. Just about 9
clock we sighted the light
house on Deadalus Rock
some miles to the East. At
one stage we were steering
 

83
straight for it but have now
evidently altered our course tho'
it's still impossible to see anything
of the African Coast. We spent the
day mostly preparing for our
departure just exactly when and
where we leave the A 15 is
shrouded in mystery. This
afternoon as a result of
a challenge thrown out by
the Sergeants a team was
selected from the officers
for a friendly tug o'war Needless
to say the Sergeants won
with comparative ease Just
prior to that a search was
made in the Crews Quarters
for goods alleged to have been
stolen with the anticipated
result that no foods were
found In any case they are
not likely to be found in places
where a search was likely to be made
 

84
Just before mess we could see
the revolving light on one of the
"Three Brothers" a group of Islands
night in front of us and where
we will come to see land on
either side of us.
11/12/17. I decided not to sleep
on deck last night so hadn't the
opportunity of just opening
my eyes and seeing the
entrance to the Gulf of Suez
As at Colombo quite early
animated arguments were
Carried on just outside my
Cabin door as to the land
which Could be seen apparently
from both sides and I knew
we must be close to the
Strait of Jubal whose entrance
is guarded by the Shadwan
Island. We had passed
 

85
thro' the Straits and were will
along the Gulf of Suez before I
turned out. I wanted to see the
commencement too moreover I lost
The opportunity of see Mt Sinai
or as it is Called Jebel Mousa
altho 7000 ft high it can only be
seen from a passing vessel in
one or two places just where there
is a gap in the hills lining
the coast Jebel Katherina
situated just near Sinai and
1000ft higher can be similarly
seen I wanted to gaze on Sinai
merely from its historical importance 
than anything else. The
coast on both sides is hilly
and just beyond on the Egyptian
side is swampy ground
We commenced to work and
work hard quite early in the
day is there was Small chance
 

86
of becoming interested in the
coastal scenery. All day we
made and remade returns which
were required before disembarkation
and we even contemplated
dreaming about returns. Several
vessels passed including one
driven by oil a novelty to us
because there is no funnel but
we only had time to give it a
passing glance. I learn quite
early that I am disembarkation
officer and the 28th Reft are to
be the last to leave the boat
It will have its Compensations
for we will be able to go off
without any undue task
and if  a camp has  to be pitched
it will be pitched for us by
the other units We approached
our anchoring place just
beside Port Thewpk at 6 and
 

87
while we were still busy with
another Return we anchored Port
Thewpk is just at the entrance
to the Canal and the part of Suez
which is a mile or so inland
but connected by rail with it The
Co ascertained that we are to
camp just outside Suez itself and
the presumption is we shall go
on via the canal to Italy by
fast steamers. Let us hope we
to and Quickly too Its Something
to know we are Close handy
Tonight the aspect on shore reminds
one of the approach to St Kilda
with the numerous lights being
the shore We shall be more
interested in Things around us
as soon as its daybreak.
12/12/17. our first morning up at
daybreak. Reveille was at 5
 

88
I knew there was plenty to do so
turned out when I was told I
didnt have to go on duty till 7
but then I hadn't seen any embarkation 
orders and they were in
my position as Embarkation officer
most important. The rush and
bustle was typical of either an
arrival at departure from
a transport in my experience
anyway we moved from our
place of anchorage just at
breakfast time up to the pier
and after the embarkation
Staff and one or two Military
Commandants - apparently had
inspected the ship we Commenced
on the work of Getting the troops
off my own unit had to wait
behind and Clean up the refuse
and were Consequently only mere
spectators of the departure process