Thomas James Richards, Diary No. 1, 26 August - 18 November 1914 - Part 3

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
RCDIG0001466
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Page 1 / 10

Wednesday Sept. 30th General leave 5 to 10pon Our new camp contains 9 men the ground is very unever and makes one very sliff to sleep on. The three buglers are in our tent and everything seems very resonable as At good long walk, canging stretiher a through the pretty Spury fling foliaged Centinmenial Iark was avery pleasing. The lake of water litys wise delightful. to I went to Manly at night This gird and saw W.B. does attract me, and sometimes evens haunts me yet when I attempt to reason matters out I cannot see matrimonary looming at all Circumstances of came presents me considering the point at present. Camp at 12 or clock 1st October Ate Thursday General lave 5.30. to 10 por Tomler) Flag drill) has been much practiced during the past fewdays Capt. Poate, who has only had a few lessons himself, took over the instruction of A Sictin with astounding confidence and done so well that few could have known Senephore experience his short with semptore signaling In the afternoon we went out for prsilical stretcher drill and first aid dressings it was very good practice. A erucket match commenced at 3.30 between St &B secturs I got up the leamns but did not play as there where such a lot of hun players but alas, as could only be expected the more they talked of past performences and pleaded for a game the worse bally crkites they were Iea with Cis. Spozzet & Mrs. Lannard Camp at 10 o'clock
no October 2 Faiday Leave from 5 to 9don Called the camp at 5.50 this morning so that the tent orderlyys can go on pasade and still do their This is unicessary of everybody work. was honest & willing The Colonel announced that there would be no further leave granted and special leave only until 9pm. in very important cases. The ruling in certainly unnozing and is brought about by the dutken mis behaviour of the exfentin crowd who are to be sun in the streets at all houss of the night. Special police have been engaged to clear the town. I went to Mank with Annie Mtout and saw Mrs. Hynes. about her getting a room down there the enjoyed the trip immensely and gave me a fountain pen. Camp by 9 o'clock. October Saturday. Ne leave Full dress parade this morning. Coch man came out with his kid. which were exmanined; many lttle things were missing and fellows had other men's things in there kits- We dismissed after a littl drill In the afternoon all hands fulled robed for marching orderes including great cost, folded up. set out for South Head, it was very pleasure walking down over Belverns Hill but the return through bush and over sand hills was hard & hot work. I applied to the Colonol for leave to spird to-morrow at Maraben He refused, but I was very determined to go said felt the restrution very The Manly Phonegrope severely was in use, so George Hill & I played I got beaten chess until 10 p.m. and Light out
AUS Oct 2th Sundan We leave Physical drill as usual at 6.30 but the bugh goes off at 5.30 much to early. Church parade looked very nice with only a broad The Milhodin leather bett & pouch service starts at 9.3s on the ground. The other dimnimation march out to the surrounding Churchs. Ienjoyce the service and the singing. est 10.30 p.m. I cleared out against all orders and made for Manly and arrived later at Wansbeen in time for dinner with Mrss Donaldson at the At walk amongst maiden camp. hair and pritty wild & violit with W.2. from the hill just scross the bridge The moonlight and evening effect were just life to me. I hurried miserably away from delightful Wansben at 9.16 arriving un ren back in comp st 12 o'clock unobserved and safe Oct 5th Monday They smother up the roll call in my favour yesterday, and instead of trouble to day, I am cleas & free. It was, however, a big risk. We all marched in good order for about 8 miles out around Marowbia arriving back to camp at 5.35. The back sution of the 3 had a lot of trouble in pirking up the correct step, due considerable to the fast that our officers are such bad, short stipped and rambling marchers. But the everage soldier as pe as my experience goes with the A.M.C., is a anurgent conseited and boostful person, superb grand stand players. Alway judging their standard of manhood by the worst man in the The Englishmen mostly are squad. a loud voiced, emply inconsiderate lot and can be easily piked out by these stiff and bound up movements No leave to night but I went & had tex with his Sponza. Picket duty from 11 to 1.30 a.m.
AUS Obligatory Call scouts call Alarm Charge Orders for Perade Warning O uarters Bugli Ialls in Rations Scouts dinner Reveille Post Last Diamiss Light out Oct 6 th Tueaday. We are this morning preparing for a march through the City. The fellows are keinly looking forward to it and are now bustling round in great expulation, it me reminder in a little higher level of the anxuely surrounding the preparation for a Sunday shoob punix. The grand march past for which the public have been elamouring for weeks is now over, and from observations I believe it was a wonderful success. We piled out of Moore Park about the appointed lime (1145 a.m. and from this point the whole roule was thickly lined with people. The Army Medical Corps were last in the procession but nevertheless they came in for applause and complimentang We broke away from the cirtuism. main body at Dxlinghm at 10clock after 14 hours ay hot but pleasune Soing though Macquarck marching
AUE where our Doilors are so will known we had a great reception particutarly from Many of the people provided the Hospital. fruit for the troops the skins of which covered the Oxford St. It was very thoughtful indeed. I did not notice the ertillery guns in the manh, and this from my own view point, is the most important weapen and the most inspiring looking object in this war business. At night a party of fillows went to the picture show in charge of an officer. They paid their own way The Colonal was very pleased at our showing to-day and complimented the company on parade on our return to camp but he did not grant any leave W.2 came out by tramn we had tea at booges and anrived back in camp at 9.20. She is very fine and it was a shome for her to go right back to Marty slone. No Oct 7th. Wedneadan N real physical drill this morning, just right & left turns inclines, form fours &c; and some practice for the smaller type of officers. who are very poor dritt commanders. Tents were struck after breakfast + as I write the sun is pouring down furely and summer is here again. Centennial Park is a fair future with tto young trues schribs & birds and a plentiful show of pretty blossoms. This park still improves with acquaintance I got off to see the Dentiot at 2 pm and did not return to camp Mr Neve the until 12. p.m. Wanant Office let me through in sportaman like styte. He is adamn good fellow. The dintist could have finished off my tooth with a gold cop, but I made him hold it over until to money another afternoon away from camplise I got the 10.15 boat from Manly
Oct 8th. Thursday I was very tired at drill this morning, this waking up at 5.30 and sleeping for a few hours on the hard ground does by no means suit me. I feel so very stiff and weak my wiighe I dont know, but judging by my activity and strength I have fallen away a hell of a lot since this camp life began. The 220 fellows are putting in + a day to supply extra ractions The camp grat is very poor very much so when you think that we are in the midso of plenty. One would think it time enough to live hard when it is absolidity necessary only Harris, dentist, gold crowned one of my back teeth to day; 41-3.6. Left camp at 2 p on returned at 8 p.m. 10RI Friday Oct 9th. We have a better cump party now than when Schway and lazy Mark Lewes was with us It is yet a bet grumpy at times Bob Miller & Monger Heady are alvan at one another's neeks, is a startting George Hill is a manner. champion fillow Pukering is up agains it most of the time. The three buglers are only fair, two of them alway under a deop, but scotteg is a reat good fellow. This drill is damn monotonous particularly as the non commissionn officers use the squads to practice on and some of them of very poor. Sagt Coleman does not know dusent English, his commands savour of Woolomloo. He is a several of the others disgrace. also are bad. The Corporals are not other than ordinary either.
Oct 10 Saturday The whole company marched down to Bondi beach yesterday afternoon and all enjoyed it immensely. The men behavied splendidly, their patience in the repeshment room was splendid while the rusk was on Captian Wilch was in his glory. The day was very pot, the first real hummer was experienced. It is raining 6 day and we have had no drill but plenty of quanrels. Disanfaction reigns supereme. I wish we were away and busy at work. There was no leave to-night but as W.Q. came down to the Park we had tea at the dainty tea shop in this delightful Park. I got back to camp before 10 o'clock. Oct 11th Sunday Itrained again this morning and coused the 6.30 drill to be postoned. Church parade at 9.30. I fell in with the Methodest and as then did not come down to the camp we waited until 10.30 and marched up to Bonde Junition. where they were holding the 70 th- anniversary The children sang splendidly, and all round it could be voted quite a Mrs A.B. successpul morning. tout was waiting from 10.40 until I returned at 1240 from Church. We wandered into hentinnisl Iask and had lunch, I left her ar I missed the roll- 3.30 p.m. call at 2.30 but largent Griffiths cleared it up alright. I should have gone to Manl but I stayed in bamp all night.
105 1 4 Oct 12th Monday In the afternoon we manted in full dress, with waterbottles & porsh down to Bondi beach, where at the cost of 5 most of the company went into the surf I could not see how I was going to get down to Manly by yoir means so I just broke away after the swim walked up to Bellovie Hill caught the train to the Fine Ways where Jos Weilson is working for Williams, Chemist. I wroped up my belt haversack & bottle and carried it down to Hill Bros. where I gathered 1 doz silk stocking for W.Q. and with W.W. Hill took the 6 pr. boat, I returned by the 10.15. I dont know what to make of this girl. I should, and believe, would, many her, if I could see show I was going to provide a home in comfort. Marriage without a comfortuble home and a settled position cannot be tther (Bed at 11.50.) than a failun. Oct 13th. Tuesday Samples of the company's blood was taken by the Doctors to-day. For what purpose I don't know, but persume it is to find out if the innoculations against fever were In the afternoon we west successful. 190 strong down to boogie beach for a suim. The breakers were very poor anyhow boogie never is any good for surfing shooting the beach is too short & deep I am lyying to write my American friends but I find it defuult to get peace to think it in To day is one of the days when my I feel ashamed thought get noublesome to be with a noncombatent side; this linoced laness business, &or in other words, ambulance work is pung and fo unfit for an able boyed max, I should be with the Light Horse, and get right into the fyting line
Pay Day $3.10.0 Wednesday Pct 12th Rumour are puty circulated as to the exait day on which we will sail for Enrope One swears you to secrituary & tells you from what source excellent the information came that we sail in 2 days. Another man, in all confidence, states it will be 9days before we sail. I don't listen to any of the stones now. After pay I went to the Crecket Ground where the Public Schools were giving a display. There were thens. ands of children, doaintly dressed and going through their various feat with splendid enthusiasm. It was delightful to see the whole ground looking so bright and cheerful, so different to sporting erowds. I had dinner with Lis. Spinga listened to the Camp Fue concert and went to bed at 10-15. I bought a watet poik & bett at 6/- Oct 15th Thursday It is raining this morning, it having started yesterday afternoon, so we dine no physical drill. The foet that was troubles threaten South Spiia, and Father laying dying makes me worry very much over Mother V her future life. Best is, I expect, having a pretty miserable time garrisining up in those curied Islands of the North Things are taking the appearance of a near removal. I hope it will be so, but the possibility of going to South Apiea seems to loom up largly, which is very annoying, as I dont want to rough it on the weldt. I rought the 5-45 boot for Manly had dinner at ptainiig. Wen sums to be getting a stronger hold as time I got back to campe saply goes on. but luckly at 12.30.
Pay Dax £.2.0.8. Friday Oct. 16th It is now officially stated that we leave on the Eunpides next Monday, but our destination is very much in doubt. Ten. Bei gave no arill in full company with the transport throw in He is a great soldier & respected by everyone about the camp. Payed at 230 and general leave was granted until 8 km when a great camp five concert was to take place on the ground. I met Mariia Elvy & Earness Bosch at Farmers & had a delightful dinner to the Givoli after; a poor show indeed. Farners certainly get up a gooddinr at 4/6, the menn is somewhat over looded by French. The music. table decorations (poppies) and the whole appearance of the place was very pleasing Got back at 11.30. all sofe. Oct 17th Saturday Our black kit is packed + sent in. It has been raining all the morning, and is disquitining to the boys All the fellows are delighted at getting away, but I am sure they have no idea of the seriousness of their mission, and treat matters very bightly. Many of them are drinking. Yet they are a good set. Only 1 hours dull this morning we then got leave until 9. p.m. Bob Miller, George Hill & myself got into the City by 1 0'clock and had dinner at Dargents, George St. I went to Manly by the 3 p.m. had a shower at Mrs Hynes. Offered her 10/- which she would not take. I have had a number of meals there & leaving behind my luggage unsisting of 1 barge portumanteace 3 suit cases pirty large kit bag. She is very very got indeed. Tea at Broads & the last boat back. Comp at 1 a m.

Wednesday Sept 30th.
General leave 5 to 10 pm
Our new camp contains 9 men
the ground is very uneven and
makes one very stiff to sleep on.
The three buglars are in our
tent and everything seems very
reasonable
A good long walk, carrying stretchers
through the pretty Spring folag
foliaged Centinminial park was
very pleasing. The lake of
water lilys was delightful.

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