Thomas James Richards, Diaries, Transcript Vol. 1, 26 August 1914 to 24 April 1915 - Part 2

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from 12 until Sunday night, so away I went to Manly
in bright sunshine.
20th September, 1914. Woke at 8.45 after a great
night's sleep. It had rained heavily and did not
look good for the much promised day in the bush
amongst nature's beauty. It cleared a little at
11.45. W.T. and I started for Brookvale.
21st September, 1914. The day was fine but cold.
Fritz arranged a football match against the Light
Horses (the conceited party adjoining our camp who
are about 60 strong) which took place at 4 o'clock
and resulted in an easy win for our men. I was
Captain and though it was a very enjoyable game our
score was 21 to 0. Captain Poate touch judge, and
as he won a bet he gave me 30/- to divide amongst
the fellows. I went into town at 11 o'clock and
came back at 2.15. Saw Mr. Grover of the Sun
newspaper. He promised to give me rates and a half
for matter published. Mr. Brewer of Daily News,
Fremantle is their agent.
22nd September, 1914. A route march of some 10
miles out past Maroubra this morning. I did not
enjoy it a little bit. Jack Sullivan marched out
of step as usual, and even the officers leading could
not keep in step and it jars my nerves to be walking
without harmonising. I left the ranks without leave
and went out in a sulky and lovely horse with Joe
Neilson. Visited a few hotels and met W.T. who is
considerably worried. Had dinner and we went to
Manly arriving back in camp at 12 o'clock, and
found the boys had had no leave at all.

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23rd September, 1914. A very restless night. The
beds seem as hard as ever. The Light Horse section
of the Ambulance struck camp this morning and have
gone aboard. Our instructors are very weak and our
squads slowly getting harder to work, so that the
whole business is irritating and damned hard work.
Leave from 2.30 to 12 p.m. The tent was very noisy
tonight. Heady makes a hell of a nuisance of himself
in his drunken state.
24th September, 1914. Things are getting very
close to sailing. These sea-kits have to be arranged
by tomorrow. Our daily papers are hardly worth reading
as they are all war cables and notes which never seem
to agree with one another. I am disappointed at the
tone of the press in attempting to belittle the
ability of the Germans and accuse them of all kinds
of murder and plunder. They even accuse them of
cowardice and crime.
25th September, 1914. Up at 5 a.m. and away to the
boat with the transport horses at 8 o'clock. One man
one horse and they behaved splendidly going through
the city to Dalgety's wharf. The going aboard was
accomplished in half hour. They were first led up a
long gangway with high sides and cocoanut matting
spread over big cleats to prevent slipping. Our
horses were first under the main deck while there were
layers of horses on two decks below, making in all
4 decks of horses, the lower one being perhaps 40ft.
down the hold. They were not lowered down but walked
down the gangways. It was just wonderful.
I skipped the ranks and had tea with Mrs. Sponza and
came back at 7.30.

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27th September, 1914. The fellows are very disappointed
indeed. After 6.30 physical drill we
prepared for Church in four parties. I went to the
Presbyterian Church at Waverley where I believe a
farewell sermon has already been preached on two
occasions. Dinner with Mrs. Sponza. Tea at Narrabeen.
Camp at 12 o'clock. Leave only extended to 10 p.m. but
there is never any difficulty in getting past the
pickets.
*
28th September, 1914. We went down to the "Clan
Macorkaddle" today and brought away our 102 horses
and walked them back to camp (1 hour 40 mins.) -
one man to a horse. The horses were only put
on board last Friday and and there must be some considerable
delay for the authorities to do this.
There are a hundred rumours as to the cause but
rumours are as plentiful as they are unreasonable
these times. I intended going peacefully to bed
tonight but discovered I had picket duty to do from
6.30 to 11 which time hung heavily indeed.
29th September, 1914. Physical drill with the much-hated
Bulmer in charge at 6.30. After breakfast all
hands were very busy shifting tents - a very interesting
event under military supervision. The whole
camp was shifted forward giving everybody new and
welcome ground. Bully beef in the form of sea pie
for dinner. We have had no fresh meat for four days.
The horses were taken for a swim to Coogee this
afternoon. About 40 of the fellows went in the surf.
It was a great afternoon. The horses were most
fractious. I just missed being kicked on the head
twice by apparently tame horses. General leave
until 10 p.m. but I am remaining in camp. Very tired
tonight.

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30th September, 1914. General leave 5 to 10 p.m.
Our new camp contains 9 men. The ground is very uneven
and makes one very stiff to sleep on. The three
buglers are in our tent and everything seems very
reasonable. A good long walk carrying stretchers
through the pretty spring-foliaged Centennial Park
was very pleasing. The lake of water-lillies was
delightful. *Camp at 12 o'clock.
1st October, 1914. General leave 5.30 to 10 p.m.
Flag drill (signalling) has been much practised during
the past few days. Capt. Poate, who has only had a
few lessons himself, took over the instruction of A.
Section with astounding confidence and did so well that
few could have known his short experience with Semaphore
signalling with flags. In the afternoon we
went out for practical stretcher drill and " first
aid dressings". It was very good practice. A
cricket match commenced at 3.30 between A. & B.
sections. I got up the teams but did not play as
there were such a lot of keen players, but alas,
as could only be expected, the more they talked of
past performances and pleaded for a game the worse
bally cricketers they were. Camp at 10 o'clock.
2nd October, 1914. Leave from 5 to 9 p.m. Called
the camp at 5.30 this morning so that the tent orderlys
can go on parade and still do their work. This is
unnecessary if everybody was honest and willing.
The Colonel announced that there would be no further
leave granted and special leave only until 9 p.m. in
very important cases. The ruling is certainly
annoying and is brought about by the drunken misbehaviour
of the infantry crowd who are to be seen
on the streets at all hours of the night. Special

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police have been engaged to clear the town. Camp
by 9 o'clock.
3rd October, 1914.  No leave. Full dress parade this
morning. Each man came out with his kit which were
examined. Many little things were missing and fellows
had other men's goods in their kits. We dismissed
after a little drill. In the afternoon all hands
fully robed for marching orders, including great coat
folded up, set out for South Head. It was very
pleasant walking down over Belveries Hill but the
return through bush and over sand-hills was hard and
hot work. I applied to the Colonel for leave to spend
tomorrow at Narrabeen. He refused but I was very
determined to go and felt the restriction very
severely.
4th October, 1914. No leave. Physical drill as usual
at 6 but the bugle goes off at 5.30 - much too early.
Church parade. Looked very nice with only a broad
leather belt and pouch. The Methodist service starts
at 9.30 on the ground. The other denominations
march out to the surrounding churches. I enjoyed the
service and the singing. At 10. 30 p.m. I cleared
out against orders and made for Manly and arrived
later at Narrabeen in time for dinner with Miss
Donaldson at the camp.
5th October, 1914. They smothered up the roll call
in my favour yesterday and instead of trouble today
I am clear and free. It was however a big risk.
We all marched in good order for about 8 miles out
around Marowbra arriving back at camp at 5.35.

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The back section of the 3 had a lot of trouble in
picking up the correct step, due considerably to the
fact that our officers are such bad, short-stepped
and rambling marchers. But the average soldier,
as far as my experience goes with the A.M.C., is an
arrogant, conceited and boastful person - "superb
grandstand players". Always judging their standard
of manhood by the worst man in the squad. The
Englishmen mostly are a loud-voiced, empty, inconsiderate
lot, and can be easily picked out by their
stiff and bound up movements. No leave tonight.
Picket duty from 11 to 1.30 a.m.
6th October, 1914. We are this morning preparing
for a march through the city. The fellows are keenly
looking forward to it and are now bustling round in
great expectation. It remin^ds me in a little higher
level of the anxiety surrounding the preparation
for a Sunday school picnic. The grand march past for
which the public have been clamouring for weeks is
now over, and from observations I believe it was a
wonderful success. We filed out of Moore Park about
the appointed time (11.45 a.m.) and from this point
the whole route was thickly lined with people. The
Army Medical Corps were last in the procession but
nevertheless they they came in for applause and complimentary
criticism. We broke away from the main body
at Darlinghurst at 1 o'clock after 1¼ hours of hot
but pleasant marching. Going through Macquarie St.
where our doctors are so well known we had a great
reception particularly from the hospital. Many of
the people provided fruit for the troops the skins
of which covered Oxford St. It was very thoughtful
indeed. I did not notice the artillery guns in the

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this, from my own viewpoint, is the most important
weapon and the most inspiring-looking object in this
war business. At night a party of fellows went to
the picture show in charge of an officer. They paid
their own way. The Colonel was very pleased at our
showing today and complimented the company on parade
on our return to camp but he did not grant any leave.
7th October, 1914. No leave. No real physical drill
this morning. Just right and left turns, inclines,
form fours, etc., and some practice for the smaller
type of officers who are very poor drill commanders.
Tents were struck after breakfast. I got off to see
the dentist at 2 p.m. and did not return to camp until
12 p.m. Mr. Neve, the Warrant Officer, let me through
in sportsmanlike style. He is a damned good fellow.
The dentist could have finished off my tooth with a
gold cap but I made him hold it over until tomorrow -
another afternoon away from camp life. I got the
10.15 boat from Manly.
8th October, 1914. 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 weight I don't 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 1d. a day to supply
extra rations. The camp grub is very poor - very
much so when you think that we are in the midst of
plenty. I would think it time enough to live hard
when it is absolutely necessary only. Left camp at
2. p.m., returned at 8 p.m.

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9th October, 1914. We have a better camp party now
than when Schwarz and lazy Mark Lewis were with us.
It is yet a bit grumpy at times. Bob Miller and
Sponger Heady are always at one another's necks in
a startling manner. George Hill is a champion fellow.
Pickering is "up against it" most of the time. The
three buglers are only fair - two of them always under
a drop but Scotty is a real good fellow. This drill
is damned monotonous particularly as the non-commissioned
officers use the squads to practice on and some of them
are very poor. Sgt. Coleman does not know decent
English. His commands savour of Wooloomooloo. He is a
disgrace. Several of the others also are bad. The
Corporals are not other than ordinary either.
10th October, 1914. The whole company marched down
to Bondi beach yesterday afternoon, and all enjoyed it
immensely. The men behaved splendidly. Their patience
in the refreshment room was splendid while the rush
was on. Captain Welch was in his glory. It is raining
today and we have had no drill but plenty of quarrels.
Dissatisfaction reigns supreme. I wish we were away
and busy at work. There is no leave tonight but as
W.T. 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.
11th October, 1914. It rained again this morning and
caused the 6.30 drill to be postponed. Church parade
at 9.30. I fell in with the Methodists and as they
did not come down to the camp we waited until 10.30
and marched up to Bondi Junction where they were
holding the 70th anniversary. The children sang

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splendidly and all round it could be voted quite a
successful morning.
12th October, 1914.  In the afternoon we marched in
full dress with waterbottles and pouch down to Bondi
Beach where at the cost of 5d. most of the Company
went in the surf. I could not see how I was going to
get down to Manly by fair means so I just broke away
after the swim, walked up to Bellevue Hill, caught the
tram to the Five Ways where Joe Neilson is working
for Williams, Chemist. I wrapped up my belt, haversack
and bottle and carried it down to Hill Bros. where
I gathered 1 doz. silk stockings for W.T. and with
W.W. Hill took the 6 p.m. boat. I returned by the
10.15
13th October, 1914. Samples of the Company's blood
were taken by the doctors to-day. For what purpose
I don't know but presume it is to find out if the
inoculations against fever were successful. In the
afternoon we went 190 strong down to Coogee Beach for
a swim. Today is one of the days when my thoughts
get troublesome. I feel ashamed to be with a non-combatant
side. The "linseed lancers" business or
in other words, ambulance work is pung and unfit
for an able-bodied man. I should be with the Light
Horse and get right into the fighting line.
14th October, 1914. Rumours are freely circulated
as to the exact day on which we will sail for Europe.
One swears you to secrecy and tells you from what
source the information came that we will sail in 2 days.
Another man, in all confidence, states it will be
9 days before we sail. I don't listen to any of the
stories now. After pay I went to the Cricket Ground

where the Public Schools were giving a display.
I had dinner with Cis Sponza, listened to the camp
fire concert and went to bed at 10.15.
15th October, 1914. It is raining this morning so
we have no physical drill. The fact that war troubles
threaten South Africa and father lying dying make me
worry very much over Mother and her future life. Bert
is, I expect, having a pretty miserable time garrisoning
up in those cursed 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
Africa seem to loom up largely, which is very annoying
as I don't want to rough it on the veldt. I caught the
5.45 boat for Manly. I got back to camp safely but
luckily, at 12.30.
16th October, 1914. It is now officially stated that
we leave in the "Euripides" next Monday but our
destination is very much in doubt. Len. Beer gave
us drill in full company with the transport thrown in.
He is a great soldier and respected by everyone about
the camp. Pay at 2.30. and general leave was granted
until 8 p.m. when a great camp fire concert was to
take place on the ground. Got back at 11.30 all safe.
17th October, 1914. Our black kit is packed and sent
in. It has been raining all the morning and is disquietening
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 lightly. Many of them are drinking. Yet they
are a good set. Only 1 hour's drill this morning.