Diary of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, 1915 (Vol. 2) - Part 4

Lemnos
broken-down in the centre of the
harbour Gave her a tow to the pier,
In the Evening a roaring thunder
storm broke over the island and we
thought we were going to
lose our teeth.

 Saturday 9. 10. 1915.
-Beautiful Morning. After reveille I went
down to see how our boat had withstood the night’s
storm. Found her securely moored but Laigh
boat was lying on the rocks with her sails
flapping disconsolately, backing over the
rocks. In afternoon sailed over to No 3.
and brought 13 Sisters across, we having
arranged a cricket-match with them.
A huge crowd of soldiers and
Sailors assembled to Watch
the unique show and loudly
applauded Every stroke I acted
as Umpire. Our people all played
left hand The ladies team all
stayed to mess and we went
 

Lemnos
 to a Camp-fire Concert
afterwards.

 Sunday 10.10.1915.
5th Bn. having borrowed our boat to
land stores duty smashed the centre-
thwart for us. After church-parade went
and had a look at the damage and got
some wood and tools and effected necessary
repairs after which we went for a sail tell
lunch In the afternoon we went on board
Monitor M.19. where we were very cordially
welcomed by Commander Noble. The
Laforey came in but proceeded immediately to
sea again. We returned home and had dinner
with the Artillery: Met Russell Manton there. 

Monday 11.10.1915.
Beautiful Morning. Took some Sisters
for a sail in afternoon and to tea on board
Laforey. In evening went out to Laforey
again. A gale sprang up and the painter
of our boat parted. The night was very
dark, and the whaler they sent to Search
for her was rowing for an hour before
 

Lemnos
 they got her.
Invited to go for a three days cruise.

 Tuesday 12.10. 1915.
Fine breezy day - In afternoon Swift
and I sailed out to the Canopus. Wrote letters
in the Evening.
Wednesday 13.10, 1915.
Whole holiday, very fresh breeze. Sailed
over to R.E. Pier. in morning, had a good
dusting and lost an anchor. In afternoon
took four Sisters across to East Mudros - Wind
rose to half a gale. I had a very anxious time
Sailing– Got soaked through. Sisters came back
to mess.
Thursday 14. 10. 1915
Cold, Windy, dusty day. Went for
long route-march in Morning: in afternoon
put boat on new moorings.

Friday 15.10. 1915.
Windy day. In afternoon took Laigh
and Campbell out to the Itria for afternoon-tea
 

Lemnos

Met the mate of Mashabra who joined her as 3d
Officer. Saw the Laforey Coming into Port-
Saturday 16.10.1915.
Calm, still day. Laigh and I went to
look for stores on board the Megantic
could not get any, so went over to the
to the Berrima which had just come into
port with Marines and Naval details on
board. They gave us a great luncheon
and we obtained £28 of goods including
ducks, green peas, wines etc. Sailed a
party ashore to our Camp; took Grills
and Swift on board Laforey and
returned to shore and sailed the Marines
back to their Ship. Went on board Laforey
for mess. with the Captain Returned home
At Midnight-
Sunday 17.101915
Church parade in morning- Went for a
sail with Swift in afternoon. After lunch
went with Laigh & Swift to 3d Genl. Had afternoon-
tea with Sister Bissett.
Monday 18.10.1915.
Windy day. In afternoon sailed Laigh
 

across to Hospital with some presents of
biscuits, butter, sweets etc. Returned and
had a clear-up and went to the pier
to meet Laforey-people who were coming
to Mess. Only Lieut Hartnol was able
to come -owing to a fresh wind coming
up and having to let go anchor
Met Bruce and Woolley; brought No 1 up
to mess.. Commander Edwards came up
later and lightened our darkness with
his breezy personality
11.30. Went down to see my guests
off from the pier
One boat was missing
from her moorings.

 

Tuesday 19.10. 1915
Anniversary of our departure from Melbourne.
Got up at 6.30, and found boat lying alongside
pier unmoored with her sail flapping dejectedly
in the wind furled sails and moored her
property Slept all the afternoon; in Evening
 

-went to a concert in Sergeants mess-
given in honour of our departure
twelve months previously.

 

Wednesday 20.10.1915.
Breezy morning. Went for a long route-
-march in morning In afternoon
Laigh and I sailed out to Laforey
got wet owing t big sea running
Met Captain of the Majestic on board
stayed for dinner and given a written
invitation to go for a cruise
Our boat carried away her painter
and reached the beach before the motor
boat could reach her
11 pm We were landed in the motor-boat
at Turks Head. and walked round to
where she was lying alongside the
rocks, luckily afloat. We pushed her off
and sailed home in the moonlight
When we arrived we found the lights
still burning in the mess
 

St Vincent Welch, Honman and Chambers
of 2d Field-Ambulance and some
people from 1st Brigade were gathered
there They had come to congratulate
us on having had V.Cs awarded
to some of the members of our Battalion
Capt Tubb, Lieut Symons Cpls. Dunster
and Burton
We therefore celebrated
the joyous news

 

Thursday 21.10. 1915
Directly after breakfast went and asked
leave for the cruise, from the Brigadier
He was very sympathetic and told us he
would consider the matter. Went to take
Sisters for a Sail but the wind rose to a gale
and we were unable to push the boat off
against it;  so , we beached her and walked
round to Rest Camp
After mess took the sisters home and
 

 

Lemnos
returned to camp in Laforey's
Motor-launch

 

Suvla in Laforey
Friday 22.10. 1915
6. a.m. Went down to pier where motor
launch was waiting for Laigh and me
Went on board Laforey. Went outside
Harbour-Entrance to swing ship for adjustment 

returned with navigator to
Blenheim. 10.40 sailed for Suvla 25
knots Fresh breeze, short sea, staid on
bridge most of the time   Arrived and
anchored in Suvla Bay 3:30 PM.
Captain went out on the Louis to make
a reconnaissance Everything very quiet
7. pm.  Battleships bombarded 971
with Salvos
Saturday 23.10. 1915
8.a.m got up the mud-hook and commenced 

patrol off left flank Cold and rough day
but did not mind beautiful, comfortable
Charters and fine sea-boat
 

Sunday 24. 10 1915.
6. a.m. Steamed close in to shore and shelled
Enemy’s trenches. They replied with Shrapnel
Steamed out to our station again
Uneventful day.
Monday 25.10. 1915.
no shooting in accordance with
instructions received during the night
After breakfast the Skipper let me have the
Whaler and Laigh Scott and I went for a
sail & tried to catch some fish. While we were
putting up the masts and setting sails the
Laforey steamed between us and Enemy.
-position and made a smoke-screen between
him and us We sailed about until noon
and were then taken aboard again
A beautiful day - During the Afternoon
we got orders for a stunt at 7. pm
We shelled the Turks trenches and the
batteries that fired back at us were
Engaged by the "Louis". We fired some sixty
rounds and had many shells near us
 

Had dinner and went to bed.

LEMNOS
Tuesday 26.10. 1915.
3 a.m. again shelled Turkish lines.
8. a.m. returned to Suvla. 8.40 sailed
for Mudros: fresh wind and sea; plenty
of motion coming home at 20 Knots
arrived at Lemnos 11.30 and went along
side Oil-Ship and took in oil-fuel-  After
lunch went to anchorage. Came ashore in
motor-boat at 6 pm: in evening went over
to say good bye to Hospital-people
Had a glorious Mconlight sail.

 

Wednesday 27.10. 1915.
In morning all Colonial Troops inspected 

by General Munro. Spent Afternoon
packing and preparing to return to Anzac
7pm departure postponed owing to bad
-weather conditions.
 

Thursday 28. 10. 1915.
In the morning sailed out to Laforey
to say farewell Commander Edwards produced
two bottles of bubbly to drink us God Speed.
Came ashore in afternoon. Brigadier addressed
the Brigade. Departure again postponed owing to
Weather
Friday 29.10.1915
Brigade fell in and was again addressed by the
Brigadier who announced we had been placed on
isolation owing to an outbreak of diphtheria
amongst the troops.

Saturday 30.10.1015.
Uneventful day.

Sunday 31.10. 1915.
Church parade in morning _  Went for a sail
in afternoon.  Received some parcels by the mail
but no letters.
Monday 1st November 1915.
Played Cricket-Match
against 6th Bn. in morning
which we won.
 

Tuesday 2.11 1915.
Took several of the Officers
for sail in the morning
Wednesday 3. 11 1915.
Uneventful day
Thursday 4.11 1915
Went for route march in morning
but owing to inclement weather we
had to return to camp.
Friday 5. 11. 1915
Holiday
Went for sail Found boat high and dry
on beach she having carried away her anchor-line 

took two hours to get her afloat
Sailed round the Empress of Britain, returned
For lunch
Saturday 6.11. 1915.
Went for all-day route-march to Therma
Sunday 7.11. 1915.
Went to Church parade at 9 a.m.
and for a sail in afternoon.
 

Monday 8.11. 1915.
Ran off heats for Brigade Sports
in morning and afternoon.
Tuesday 9.11 1915.
Uneventful day.

Wednesday 10.11. 1915.
Bright, still day. Brigade Sports
held during the morning.  7th Bn.
Second in aggregate The Quarantine removed
went out on harbour looking for Stores
Went on board HMS Laforey... Stayed to
Mess. Came back to Camp 2 a.m.
Found my mail on my bed.

Thursday 11. 11. 1915.
Fine day _ 11 a.m. were inspected by
Lord Kitchener.    We were formed into a
hollow Square and he addressed us
He praised and congratulated us on the
work done at Anzac and delivered us
a personal message from the King
Expressing his and the people of England's
 

gratitude.   Afterward the Senior Officers
of the Brigade were introduced to
K of K. I had the honour of shaking
hands with him.  In the afternoon we
-played Brigade Head Quarters Cricket
and won easily
In Evening played solo.

Friday 12. 11. 1915.
Practised Embarkation in morning
In afternoon went over to No 3 in the boat
to say farewell to the Doctors & Sisters
Played Solo in Evening.
Saturday 13.11 1915.
Beautiful day- practiced assaulting
& bombing trenches and had route-march
in morning, In afternoon sailed out to
Minnetonka and bought some stores
Went on board Royal George saw Swift's
brother on board She was full of
Australian reinforcements
Played Solo in Evening
 

Sunday 14. 11. 1913.
Cold, dusty day. 7.15 a.m. Bde. H.qrs 5th
& 6th Bn. marched out of Camp to Embark
for Anzac. Went over to afternoon tea
at No 3 General.
Monday 15. 11. 1915.
Move postponed. Hall organized
games & tugs of war in morning.
Sold the boat for £13. to 9th L.H.
played solo in afternoon & Evening
Tuesday 16.11 1915.
Laigh Neale & I went out
to Minnetonka in morning and stayed to
Lunch. Went to the Andania in afternoon
and returned for mess having bought
1 doz fowls 1 doz capon, some Turkeys
and geese.

Wednesday 17 11 1915.
Reveille at 4. a.m. ready to move 5.am.
no transport available. Transport arrived 6 a.m.
moved from camp at 7.15 in the teeth of a
gale of wind and dust such as I have never
before experienced not even in Egypt.
 

The wind and dust continued throughout
the day. We were given an Enthusiastic
send-off from the Hospitals. Sister Brown
gave me a walking-stick,,and Smith a
tin of butter.   We halted and I had the
opportunity of speaking with Sister
Bissett _  8.30 we halted on an exposed
-part of the road near the Condenser
-where we had to wait for two hours in
the bitter wind. We lay down and were
amused watching the different Specimens
of the British Army pass and repass.
11am we Embarked on a motor-lighter
and went out alongside the Abassieh
Some difficulty was experienced getting
alongside owing to rough sea.
Many were wet through by breaking
seas.         Got on board at Noon.
Just settled down when orders came to
disembark and return to camp _
We immediately commenced to discharge
baggage and disembark men into lighters
& ferryboats. My party commenced to
 

disembark at 4 p.m.  _  Got ashore and
commenced to march back to camp
which we reached at 6 pm. tired and
disgusted to find half the tents gone
Our Cook-house smashed up, all our
beds gone. We scraped a meal
and went to bed in a congested tent.

 

Thursday 18. 11. 1915.
Went for a route-march in
morning lay down during the Afternoon
Sisters Malster, Brown, Smith & Lietch
came over to see us at 5 p.m.
Played Solo in the Evening-
Friday 19.11 1915.
Heard the Ship carrying our mails was torpedoed
Dr. Golley, Laigh and I rode to Therma and had
a hot-spring bath. Came back in the Evening
Dr Cambell came over from Hospital to see us
 

I walked half-way back with him and
Shood talking for many hours in the
bright moonlight
Heard Jess was to take Command
of 8th Bn.

 

Saturday 20.11. 1915
Calm, cold, dullday: great preparations
being made for reception of large numbers of
Wounded _ Went over to afternoon-tea at
No 3 General Hospital. __
Sunday 21.11 1915.
8th Bn. left for Anzac at 9 a.m.
Cold, dusty windy day. Orders came in
Evening cancelling our move the following
day owing to bad weather.

Monday 22. 11 1915.
Wind still strong and very cold
move again cancelled.

Tuesday 213.11. 1915
Uneventful day
 

Wednesday 24.11. 1913.
Very cold, wind decreasing. Went for route-march in morning In afternoon
 Laigh and I went out to Store-ships and bought ₤20 worth of
stores.  Received Marching- orders
Thursday 25.11 1915.
Cold, windy day. reveille 5. a.m.
left camp 7. a.m. and marched to North Pier
Embarked 9. am. reached Anzac 10 pm.
and disembarked _  proceeded to Shrapnel
Gully.. reached our bivouac at Midnight
and were provided with hot tea by 6th Bn.

Friday 26 11. 1915.
Got stores from pier in morning
in after: Laigh and I went up to Lone Pine
to see some friends in 27th   _  After tea a terrific
thunderstorm came on and was accompanied by
much rain Spent a very cheerless and wet night in damp clothes
and blankets.  Next morning surrounding ground
was a veritable quagmire.
Saturday 27 11 1915.
Cold day with driving wind
and rain In afternoon went up to see
 

Bob Smith C.O. 22nd Bn. Returned for
mess and slept that night under a
tarpaulin used for covering up the stores.

Sunday 28.11.1915.
Woke up to find two inches of Snow on the
ground and light fall going on. Moved to
new bivouac in Victoria Gully This was 

accomplished with great difficulty owing to
deep mud and heavy up-grade of tracks.
Met Major Nicholson & Col. Martin on way
up and had a chat with them
Meals were non est this day.
We had to line on our iron rations
Cold very severe in evening.
Monday 29. 11. 1915.
Went to see Major Hughes & Col. Owen
in morning at 10 o'clock. Abdul opened
up a furious bombardment mostly up on Lone Pine
went through trenches in afternoon Met Luston
and Phillip-
Tuesday 30.11.1915.
Cold, frosty day, very clear Imbros &
Samothrace looked very fine under snow