Diary of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, 1915 (Vol. 2) - Part 3

Saturday 7.8.1915.
Beautiful cool day. In morning 
Wrote letters & rested. In afternoon
watched cricket match. In evening went to Concert.
Sunday 8.8.1915.
Went to Church at 10.30 - After- went
for a walk with Gibbs. In afternoon
went ∧ out with Adamson again  ..  6.p.m.
Gibbs and I hired some Mules and rode
down to Russell’s the Advocate General’s
to dinner. Found him a very rich, comfortable
bachelor with bonny quarters,
Comfortable chairs, Etchings on the Walls
and beautiful Persian rugs. Although
comparatively out in the wilds the dinner
equalled any obtainable at the best restaurants. 
Returned to Camp 11.30.
Monday 9.8.1915.
Beautiful day - Played Tennis in the
morning - met M^r. & Mrs. Vaughan whom I had
met in Cairo In afternoon went and watched the
final of Tournament - In evening went to
Concert -
Tuesday 10.8.1915.
Beautiful day.- Played Tennis in
morning. Slept in afternoon Went to
dinner with Mr Vaughan and played
Bridge till after 11 p.m.
Wednesday. 11.8.1915.
Played Tennis morning and
afternoon - Had some great games.
After dinner went to Concert -
Thursday 12.8.1915.
Played Tennis in Morning and
was examined by Medical Board
and pronounced fit for duty-
Printed several photos: Walked to Platros
in afternoon Returned 2.30 pm.
Friday 13.8.1915.
Played Tennis in morning -
Lunched with the Governor & Lady Clausen
at Government House - had afternoon tea
with Mr Connor and played tennis till
7.p.m. Went to Concert in evening.

[*Cyprus -*]
Saturday 14.8.1915.
Walked with Connor to summit of Mount
Olympus. Took some photos:- returned to
Camp and wrote some letters. mr & Mrs.
Vaughan came to say good-bye. 1.30. took
the motor down to Kasavostasi to go on
board Surada. Arrived there at 3.30.
3^rd Officer and I went into an adjacent Orchard
and got some figs. In evening played Bridge.
Sunday 15.8.1915.
At 6.a.m. went out in a boat with Chief
Officer for a swim. Came on board and
went ashore with the convalescent Officers
in the 3^d's boat. We then revisited the
Orchard and the Cypriotes filled a 
pillow slip with beautiful, large, luscious
figs for a shilling. Came on board
for breakfast ..2^d. 3^d. Marconi
& Blyth's swords I went ashore in a 
boat and remained in water all the
morning. Had a glowing time.
Spent the afternoon with
Chief Engineer Mr. Whitehead.
[*Returned from Cyprus 
to Alexandria -*]
who comes from Melbourne also.
7.pm. We sailed from Mirfu Bay
with all lights out -
Monday 16.8.1915.
Uneventful day at sea.
Tuesday 17.8.1915. [*Alexandria -*]
Beautiful, breezy day. Arrived in Alexandria
and anchored in the stream. Went alongside
at 11.pm. arrived at Mustapha Barracks
4.pm. Had dinner in town. Stayed
Night at Carlton Hotel -
Wednesday 18.8.1915.
Hot day. Blyth went up to Cairo
Knocked about the most of the day. Went to
Bellevue Casino in evening.
Thursday 19.8.1915.
Went to Mustapha Kun to side Gaber
Station to meet Blyth. Went to Stanley
Beach and spent morning swimming.
In evening went out to Ras el Tin
Convalescent Home to see Major
Weddell. Spent the night at
Carlton Hotel.

[*Leave Alexandria*]
Friday 20.8.1915.
Drove down to the Kasavostasi? Went on board
the Surada to say good-bye; then on to
the Huntsgreen and the Derfflinger.
Was allotted one of the best cabins in 
the ship. R.A.M.C. and 9 nurses on board
All sorts of elaborate precautions taken
against submarine attack. All boats
swung-out and guards mounted to
look out. Everybody issued with
life-belts. left Wharf 6 pm. passed
the Maheno that has been converted
into a Hospital-Ship. Speed 14 knots
put on when we had dropped the 
pilot.
Saturday 21.8.1915.
Breezy day. Nice sea making the Ship
feel like a live thing
Played Bridge all afternoon and evening
Sunday 22.8.1916.
Calm, still day, very warm. Church-
[*Rejoin Bn. at Anzac.*]
parade in morning. Arrived at Lemnos
7.p.m. and anchored in
Outer Harbour.
Monday 23.8.1915.
Breezy day. went in and anchored
in inner Harbour. Uneventful day.
Tuesday 24.8.1915.
Breezy day. Got orders to sail next day
for Anzac.
Wednesday 25.8.1915.
Packed and waited until 4.p.m. for
Clacton. said my farewell and sailed
Arrived Anzac 11.30 p.m. Everything
quiet. landed 12 midnight.
Reported to Brigade Head Quarters. Spent
night with Percy Commins. 6^th Bn.
Thursday 26.8.1915.
After breakfast rejoined Battalion- 
accorded a warm welcome by the much
depleted Mess. Took up duty as
Second in Command. 'Maheno' the

[*Lone Pine*]
the NZ Hospital Ship arrived in Anzac
Cove.
Lively rifle-fire on left at 10. p.m.
Friday 27.8.1915.
3.a.m. Wakened up by rain flooding into my
 dug-out. 5 am heavy rifle-fire fell on
left. 10.a.m. relieved 1^st Battalion on
Lone Pine position. We were heavily
shelled during afternoon and early
evening. A big fight appears to be in
progress on our left. Colonel took ill
during the day - Very cold night.
Saturday 28.8.1915.
Cold morning_ Colonel sent on board
Hospital-Ship. Took command of the 
Battalion. Quiet except for a couple hours
Shelling by 75 in m-gun. Heavy bombing
during the night.
Sunday 29.8.1915.
Discovered the position of some Turkish
Reserves. Shelled by 75. mg. -Battalion
[*Lone Pine*]£
relieved by 1^stBn. Came down to Bivouac
for rest. Wrote some letters. Chaplain Dexter
came and held Church-parade at 7.30 p.m.
Some shelling on the right by Destroyer -
Monday 30.8.1915.
In Rest. Camp - Interviewed
applicants for promotion to Commissioned
Ranks. Went up to Brigade H.Q. to pay
Canteen a/cs. I had to advance £12:-.-
to made up amount due by Battalion.
Invited Percy Comins to lunch. After lunch
played cards. Had lovely swim in Evening.
Tuesday 31.8.1915.
Relieved 1^st Bn. at Lone Pine at 10.
a.m. Quiet day. 75 ma:gun opened
upon us at 4.15 damaging parapets
At 8.15. Abdul opened up a lively rifle -
and machine-gun fire and threw many
bombs I thought, from the intensity of
the fire He was about to attack
however, his ardour cooled off at

[*Lone Pine*]
8.45. and resumed it's usual desultory
fashion. the Light Horse on our left
were rather amusing being quite 
unsophisticated and guileless
We had many a laugh at their Expense.
Wednesday 1.9.1915.
Beautiful, mild morning We were
heavily shelled by 75. ma:guns from
Gun Ridge. One post was destroyed. One

Man killed, two wounded. Col Henderson &
Major Hughes visited me in the morning &
Col. Hearn, Capt^s Honman & Conolly in the
afternoon. I showed them over the trenches
and all the points of interest visible in
the enemy's line. At half past six
we were again shelled by the cursed 75, -
_ shells fallen all about my Head Quarters
Evening all quiet.
Thursday 2.9.1915.
Calm morning. Threw 4th
[*Lone Pine*]
Gun-cotton bomb on enemy's head
-cover. Relieved by 1^st Bn. Went down
to Bivouac, had a bath_ Wrote some
letters. Played Euchre in afternoon
After tea went for swim _
Friday 3.9.1915.
Attended to Administration Matters
in morning. Two reinforcement
Officers and Force-Candidates for
Commissions from 5^th Bn. In afternoon
went to see Captain Quick of
2d. Field Amb: and stayed to dinner
there. Returned to Bivouac and
went for swim.
Saturday. 4.9.1915.
At 10.a.m. relieved Gamson at Lone Pine
Went to see Brigadier re some overhead
cover. I was against erecting. He fell
in with my views and work was
cancelled.
Met Major Cass and had a yarn.
Everything quiet

[*Lone Pine*]
except for some bombing
in the evening_
Sunday 5.9.1915.
Uneventful day. Saw some Turkish Cavalry
and transport moving rapidly along Mule
Valley in the evening: Generals Birdwood
& Walker inspected our trenches and spoke
to all our men individually_
Quiet Evening.
Monday 6.9.1915.
Quiet morning. Relieved 1^st Bn. Returned
to Bivouac. New Brigade of 2^d Division relieved
ours in the trenches. Saw Bob Smith, Derrick,
Hogarth and other Victorian Officers I knew.
Bob Smith messed with us and afterwards
swam with us. Received a big Mail,
20 bags.
Tuesday 7.9.1915.
Glorious morning. Wrote my
correspondence. Went up to see Wilf
Fethers and met several other pals.
[*Lone Pine*]
Wednesday 8.9.1915.
Relieved 1^st Bn. at Lone Pine.
Some shelling during morning
Some of the 6^th Brigade attached for instruction}
Thursday 9.9.1915.
ery quiet day. Except for
some shelling.
Friday 10.9.1915.
Some shelling in afternoon. Alf Jackson

returned. Quiet Night.
Saturday 11.9.1915.
Some heavy rifle-fire & bombing in Early
morning. In evening a 4-inch shell
fell in the trench where I was, completely
smashing a machine-gun
Luckily the shell did not burst_
Met Fred Matthews_
Sunday 12.9.1915.
Relieved by 23^rd Bn. at 10. a.m.
Came down into Bivouac. Had everything
packed ready to leave Anzac. Battalion

was ready to move at 7. pm. Cold,
bitter night, and we waited and waited
At 2.a.m. we marched to the beach
and waited there in the rain until
5.30 a.m. When we were ordered to
return to Bivouac.
Monday 13.9.1915.
After breakfast Laigh and I went to
visit 13^th Light Horse. Went to the
Cemetery. 'Beachy Bill' started to throw
shells about, so we returned to Bivouac
for dinner. Laigh promoted Temp: Major
Saw some manoeuvres by Hydroplanes
and Dirigible at 7.30. We embarked at
9.p.m. on the Osmanieh_
Tuesday 14.9.1915.
Arrived at Mudras 9.a.m. Disembarked
on West side of Harbour and marched 2½
miles to rest-camp which we reached at
1.30. Rested in afternoon. Given lunch by
6^th Bn. Went to Meeting at Brigade Hd.Qrs:
Wednesday 15.9.1915.
Very heavy rain in morning. Held Mess-meeting.
After lunch sailed across
Harbour to Mudros. Had afternoon-tea
with Officers of 1^st Stationary
Hospital. Made inquiries as to C.O's
whereabouts but unable to get any
news of him. Returned to Camp.
Thursday 16.9.15
Sy 11.a.m. violent rain-storm burst
upon us flooding all the ground and
washing through our tents, everything
wet and uncomfortable, all fires extinguished.
Meals very late In afternoon
Admiral Commanding French Fleet
inspected the Brigade. Very sick with
dysentery. Went to bed at 6.p.m_
Friday 17.9.1915.
Cold, windy day .. still very sick
stayed in bed till late in morning
Saturday 18.9.15.
Weather improved: feeling better.
had a swim.

[*Lemnos*]
Sunday 19.9.1915.
Beautiful day. Church parade
at 9 a.m. Mail came in in morning _
Spent afternoon answering letters _
Monday 20.9.1915.
Uneventful day. Wrote more letters
played solo-whist in Evening.
Tuesday 21.9.1915.
Uneventful day. Held Mess-meeting
In evening appointed Secretary of
Committee.
Wednesday 22.9.1915.
In morning sailed to Minnetonka
to buy things for Mess. In afternoon went to

neighbouring Village for same purpose
Bought lamps, kerosene etc.
Thursday 23.9.1915.
Acted as President of Field General
Court Martial in morning, and part of
afternoon Laigh and I dug for a long
time looking for moles.
[*Lemnos*]
Friday 24.9.1915.
Paid special attention to
the lines in the morning.
Got Camp looking ship-shape
Got 12 letters in the afternoon which had

been to Cyprus & Elsewhere. Played Solo 
in evening
Saturday 25.9.1915.
Went down to Brigade Head Quarters
in Morning. Fired up Court-Martial _
Sunday 26.9.1915.
Went to Church-parade in morning and to
No. 3 Australian General Hospital in afternoon.
Monday 27.9.1915.
Went out with Laigh to buy things for
the Mess. Went on board Andaria and
Minneapolis where we had lunch
We then went to the Baron Balfour, Comedian
and Swanley. Got home at 8 P.M.
Tuesday 28.9.1915.
In afternoon played 8^th Battalion
cricket, had marquee erected and invited
about 30 Australian Nurses across.

They all turned up and we had quite a 
jolly afternoon.
Played Solo in the Evening.
Wednesday 29.9.1915.
Very seedy In morning Laigh
and I sailed across to the Hospital and
and brought seven Sisters across to afternoon
tea They staid to Mess and we took

them home in the Evening I took an old
bird of about forty.
Thursday 30.9.1915.
Felt very 'rotten' all day
Received a letter from Maude and 1 from
A. McClure Bruce inviting me to Jersey
Wrote some letters. A heavy fog came up
in Evening The sirens and fog-horns
reminded me of Sydney Harbour under
same conditions.

Friday 1.10.1915.
Beautiful day: in afternoon
Laigh, Swift and i were invited over
to Hospital for afternoon-tea
We sailed across and had tea
al fresco on a cliff overlooking the harbour
brought 5 of the Sisters back to Mess.
after which we went to a Camp-fire
Concert at 6^th Battalion Lines
Afterwards a party of them took
the Sisters home_Went to bed.
Saturday 2.10.1915.
Beautiful day but uneventful.
Sunday 3.10.1915.
Church-parade in morning.
Padre did not turn up so General
Forsyth took the Service himself.
In afternoon wrote letters and Denchy
and I were to afternoon-tea at
No 3. General.
Monday 4.10.1915.
Beautiful day
Nothing exciting happened_
Sunday 5.10.1915
Beautiful day_ Played cricket afternoon_

[*MUDROS*]
Wednesday 6.10.1915.
Lovely day. Brigade given a whole holiday
Grills and I went and had a look at the boat
which we wanted to buy. Burtt joined us and we
paid £21. for her. She is 24x5. has two anchors
a fine set of sails. We decided to take the seller across
to East Mudros where he lived and had to go to
join the colors, having been called out for service.
Coming back across the Harbour we went on board the
Caledonia for lunch after which we proceeded homewards
but in passing the new. class Destroyer Laforey
the Officer on duty invited us on board
He showed us all over the ship and after down
W the Ward room from which he would not let us
go until the Captain returned. He signalled him
that he had 3 Australians on board and Captain
Edwards the breeziest individual imaginable
came down. We stayed on to Mess
Meanwhile all the adjacent boat-Officers
- were invited aboard by signal and we had
quite a party .. brought the gramophone
on to the quarter-deck and had a sing-song
We left for home at 2 a.m.
Thursday 7.10.1915
I went down first thing in the morning
and sailed the boat from the wharf to
the moorings. In the afternoon we
sailed out to the Destroyer "Harpy" where
we had after tea. Found 3 Sisters at
the Mess. When I returned after Mess I went
and had a look at the boat and turned in
at 8 p.m.
Friday 8.10.1915
Cold day, plenty of breeze. Swift
and I went for a sail after parade
In the afternoon I took Hamilton, Jackson,
Bennett and two Sisters for a sail
The wind was stiff and I shipped a
few seas. Found a naval motor-launch