Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 2

7

1916

Saturday 29th January

Sea nice and calm again. Lovely day. Entered Gulf of 
Suez 10.30 a.m. Scattered islands of peculiar shape on 
right at 6 a.m. Passed 2 Hospital ships about 6.15. 
Land on both sides of us of peculiar nature. High, 
rugged, bare mountains of sandstone, very indented. 
Lovely beaches on both sides. Tops of mountains on right 
quite white, looks like snow. Parade at 2 p.m. for issue 
of kits. Fred and Clarrie got wrong kits, theirs left 
behind. Packed kit bags ready for disembarkation. 
Passed another Hospital ship.

Sunday 30th

Dropped anchor at Suez at 1.30 a.m. Many more boats in 
bay as well. Got up at 5.45 to view scene. Scene  
presented by harbour and boats all lit up, beautiful.
Three or four cruisers in bay. Township of Suez and Port 
Suez looks well in distance and through telescope. Oil 
tanks, well, etc. on our left, and garrison buildings on 
right. Saw artillery out on march. Saw boats going up 
Suez Canal, strange sight. Looked like big boat 
travelling across a paddock. Could see trains, motor 
cars and cabs travelling from Port to Suez. General 
surroundings of place quite barren. Group of palms 
behind garrison.

Monday 31st

Disembarked from Troopship A64 (Demosthenes). Travelled 
from Port Suez to Zetoun Railway Station by train (2.30 
p.m. to 9.30 p.m.). Marched to Aerodrome Camp. Got 
great reception from Australian boys. Got to bed about 
midnight. Huts made of kind of reed, 2 platoons in each 
hut. Night very cold. Glad to get on land again. 
Seemed like going home getting into camp again. Scenery 
from Suez along line very pretty. Parts under 
irrigation. Saw hundreds of camels and donkeys. Passed 
many camps, Native, English and Australian. One very 
large one about half way.

Tuesday February 1st

Company checked off in morning. Cleared off in 
afternoon. Had look about Heliopolis. Buildings such as 
French R.C. Church, Heliopolis hospital and so on, very 
fine. Met Ted White, Bill Collis, Reg Wheeler.

8

1916

Wednesday 2nd February

First day's work in camp for some time. First time to 
use entrenching tool. Met Mr. Harkness. Had to separate 
sleeping accommodation from Perce to go with own section.

Thursday 3rd

Had a look around Heliopolis at night. Found drilling on 
sand bit tiresome at first.

Friday 4th

Went to Cairo at night and had a look at slums etc.
Place in a terrible state. Everything disgusting. 
Visited Y.M.C.A. and sent cablegram home.

Saturday 5th

Drill till noon. George, Harry, Perce, Arthur and I, 
with a couple of Egyptian boys as guides, visited old 
Cairo, saw Mosque of Amru, Church in which Mary concealed 
self and child after flight to Egypt, place where 
daughter of Pharaoh lived, Greek Church, Pottery works 
and other interesting places. Wet night.

Sunday 6th

Duty Company. I was orderly corporal.

Monday 7th

Met Claude Payne and his cousin, also Harold Robinson. 
All we Alexandra boys went to concert together.

Tuesday 8th

Went down Heliopolis at night. Got off track on way home 
and landed out near lighthorse camp.

Wednesday 9th

Perce and I went into Cairo at ight. Wandered all 
around the town looking for the Y.M.C.A. gardens. We got 
off track again trying to find our way back to the train.

9

1916

Thursday 10th February

Feeling very tired after heavy day's drill so stayed in 
at night and wrote letters. Days drill, skirmishing 
battle order.

Friday 11th

Had Les Johnson over to see us in evening. He, Perce and 
I went up to concert at Stadium, had good talk together. 
I got mail letters from Mum, Lil and Aunty Nell.

Saturday 12th

Went down to Palace Hospital to have tooth put on plate. 
Amazed at beauty of interior of building. In afternoon 
the boys and I went to see the zoo.

Sunday 13th

Church parade at 10 a.m. Was just going out door en 
route for Pyramids when caught for guard relieve Corp 
13/5 sick. Meeting of 11 Alexandra boys before dinner. 
In bad mood over guard business.

Monday 14th

Off duty on account of guard. Went to Citadel, Mosque of 
Hessen, Mosque of Rafai (saw canon ball in wall fired by 
Napoleon's army) and various other mosques. Had good 
talk to Indian soldiers in hospital. Saw ceremony to 
death Indian soldiers. Went down Joseph well 700. Went 
up tower of Mosque. Saw main mosque in Cairo. Place 
where Khedive still goes for worship. Had to wear 
slippers when entering mosques. (Mosque of Ali).

Tuesday 15th

Weather wet. Lecture in afternoon by Warrant Officer 
instead of Parade.

Wednesday 16th

Letters received from Lil, Vera, Jane, Lil Smith and 
Olive (2). Very welcome. Had a bit of advanced 
battalion drill.

10

1916

Thursday 17th February

Went down to Palace Hospital in afternoon to get teeth, 
but not finished so had half holiday. Perce and I sat 
down at mess table at night and had a good talk about the 
girls. 

Friday 18th

Boat accident 3 miles from camp. 2 killed, 6 injured.

Saturday 19th

Went down to hospital in morning for teeth. Party us 
visited Citadelle and Mosques in afternoon.

Sunday 20th

Attended C. of E. church parade - good service. Spent 
afternoon in camp getting ready for Cairo picquet.

Monday 21st

Up at 5.30 a.m. Started for Cairo, route march, full pack 
on, at 9.30. Arrived Kasr-el-Nil Barracks at 12.30. 
Very tired. First experience of life in barracks. Went 
on duty at Kursaal Hall at 6.30 p.m. Escorted prisoner 
to Barracks. We took 8 for night.

Tuesday 22nd

Had good sleep till about 8.30. Went for a walk around 
Cairo then to Y.M.C.A. Had a go at skiing (one fall). 
On Music hall again at night. Raided house on way home 
at night.

Wednesday 23rd

Went to Zoo in afternoon. On out same place at night.

Thursday 24th

Picquet at Petrograd at night with Perce. Had bit of fun 
with Sgt. Secret Service. By his talk, etc., we 
suspected him as being spy and reported same to O.C. 
After investigation we found him to be genuine. We were 
disappointed.

11

1916

Friday 25th February

Went out to Camp at Heliopolis in afternoon, and got mail 
for boys and self. I got letters from Lil, Mum, Oll, 
Gladys, Charlotte, Lena. Muster parade in morning, no 
leave granted.

Saturday 26th

Perce and I got leave. Left for Pyramids at 11.30 a.m. 
Had no dinner. Climbed to top which is 451 ft. high. 
Carved ours and girls names in rock at top and took 
photograph. About 2 hour job. Got back late so did not 
get much tea before going on duty. Perce and I picquet 
at the Obelisk. Had a good 5 course meal bak scheesh. 

Sunday 27th

Service held in Kasr-el-Nil Garrison Church. Civilian 
minister preacher. Red Cross lady at organ. Collection 
take up. Picquet at American Picture show.

Monday 28th

Picquet at Petrograd. Spent day writing letters.

Tuesday 29th

George, Perce, Arthur and I went for donkey ride through 
the bazaars. Had a good time. Visited No. 31 on way 
home. On Pisaley at night.

Wednesday March 1st

Slept in till 10 a.m. Wrote letters in afternoon. On 
Pisaley at night with Perce. Suffering with tooth-ache.

Thursday 2nd

Slept till 12.30. Wrote letters in afternoon. On 
store opposite Obelisk at night. Had double supper. 
Toothache very bad. Could not get to sleep all night. 

Friday 3rd

Went out to Palace Hospital and had tooth drawn. Caddie 
and I went for walk down around bazaars. On Marteni's 
store at night. 

12

1916

Saturday 4th March

Perce and I went in to see the museum. Saw the various 
old tombs and Egyptian mummies etc. On Saults restaurant 
at night. Had 3 suppers of pastry and cocoa.

Sunday 5th

Had Uncle Tom up from Tel-el-Keber to see me. In 
afternoon we both went out to Luna Park Hospital to see 
Frank. He was just recovering from an attack of 
influenza.

Monday 6th

Finished up at Kaiser-el-Nil Barracks. Had to march back 
to camp in heat of afternoon sun with full pack up 
(distance 8 miles). Did it in 2 1/4 hours. Went to bed 
early at night.

Tuesday 7th

Back to drill once again. Rather tiresome work. Went 
down Heliopolis at night.

Wednesday 8th

Ordinary parade. Battalion drill and elementary 
musketry.

Thursday 9th

Went in to barracks for day on escort duty. Marched to 
Zetoun and went to Cairo by train. Escorted prisoners 
back to Zetoun.

Friday 10th

First 100 names on roll picked out to be in readiness to 
proceed away at any moment. All anxious to go.

Saturday 11th

Route march for early morning parade. Group had photo 
taken at Petrograd Studio. Received letters from Daisy 
and Bess James (reply to Colombo mail).

13

1916

Sunday 12th March

Church parade. Took over job of Orderly Cpl. Boys went 
for trip to see Virgin's Well.

Monday 13th

Company away at musketry. Nothing much to do. Lying 
down most of time. Big mail from Australia. I got

letters from Mum, Lil, Glad, Ruby Bulloch, Olive.

Tuesday 14th

Company away again. Having great time. Attended lecture

by R.S.M. for orderly sgts and QMSs on how to make up a 
kit.

Wednesday 15th

Company away again. Wrote four or five letters. Sent 
photos of group to Lil, Mum, Oll, Daisy and Vera. Mail 
closed for Australia.

Thursday 16th

Company detailed off for Guard and other duties. Rifles 
issued to guards in morning for practice but received 
sudden notice first 100 men leaving for Serapium next 
morning at 4 a.m. Guards cancelled and men got packed 
up. Sgts and a few other made merry at night. All very 
drunk.

Friday 17th

Up at 4 a.m. to see boys move off. Dave, Clarrie, 
Reuben, and Caddy among number. First parting of 
Alexandra boys. W.M.S. and Clerk suffering after effects 
of previous night. Had to make out (Tom Dyers) Clerks 
Parade and report for him at Orderly room. Spent last 
two days eating biscuits most of time. Had good sleep 
all the afternoon. C.S.M. had to wake me up to take 
orderlies for tea.

14

1916

Saturday 18th March

Muster parade in morning. Sorted out into various 
battalions. Perce put into 6th and I into 7th. Very 
disappointing. Got mate to take my place as orderly Cpl. 
for afternoon. Perce, George and I went out to Delta 
Barrage. Saw beautiful gardens, weir, boats passing over 
weir by means of locks, and swing bridge. Had donkey 
each for 2 1/2 hours for 4 P.T. Spent good afternoon.

Sunday 19th

Finished job Orderly Corporal at 12 noon. Heavy rain in 
early morning. Nearly flooded us out. Clothes all 
soaked with rain. Writing letters all afternoon.

Monday 20th

Got special leave from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to go into 
Cairo. Stayed away till 6 pm. Met Fred Waldren. Saw 
Gen.Maxwell's farewell. Sultan's brother and all 
notabilities of Egypt present. Generals, Colonels, etc. 
there by score. Gharries and motor cars by the dozens. 
Big crowd of people. Send off at Continental Hotel.

Tuesday 21st

Spent morning practicing bayonet fighting. Went down 
Heliopolis at night and got photos.

Wednesday 22nd

Very hot. In afternoon went for march over to trenches. 
Met Clyde Kelly.

Thursday 23rd

Very hot, easy day's work. Lost my purse containing 
about 60 P.T. and collection of coins.

Friday 24th

Orderly Cpl. for day. Had Len Nicholson over to see me. 
He, Bill Wheeler and I went to concert at Stadium at 
night and had a good talk together.

15

1916

Saturday 25th March

Perce and I went out to see Sphinx and Pyramids. Went 
inside, saw King and Queen Chambers, Gallery 125 ft. long 
and so forth. Climbed from bottom to top in 9 minutes. 
Letters from Aunt Eliza, Vera and Flo Baker.

Sunday 26th

Corp. Compound Escort. Nothing doing, so spent day 
letter writing. Got letters from Mum, Lil, Oll 3, Vera 
Robb, Gladys 2, Auntie Tot, Molly Ryan, Ruby Bullock and 
Mabel Nance.

Monday 27th

Got letters from Grace, Daisy, Mr Walklate, Mr Quibell. 
Director Egyptian Museum, lectured to us at night.

Tuesday 28th

Sorted out again into fresh companies. Most of the 13/7 
boys still together. Perce and I O.K. again. Spent day 
getting ready to move off. Our platoon shut up hut and 
doors picketed. Supposed to remain there till 9 p.m. but 
all cleared out. Sent parcel of silks to Oll. After 
Capt. Neil having spoken of his regret etc. of us leaving 
his charge, we marched to Helmiah Siding about 9.30 
March worst I ever saw. Big number of men drunk and 
falling out every few minutes. Packs just about pulled 
them down.

Wednesday 29th

Left Helmiah for Alexandria at 1.10 a.m. We were packed 
in open trucks about 35 to a truck. Very cold night. 
Landed Alexandria at 8 a.m. and went straight on board 
the Transylvania. Left Port at  and anchored in 
bay for night.

Thursday 30th

Steamed off at 10.30 a.m. Our company detailed for 
submarine Guard for voyage. On duty at Island deck from 

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Slept on saloon deck.

16

1916

Friday 31st March

On duty at Port side of Island deck from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Learnt for first time what wind was. Had to support 
myself with two foot hold, and leant against boats to 
prevent wind from blowing me over. Got a good soaking 
through with spray. On duty forward deck from 3 p.m. to 
4 p.m. At 3.45 alarm for boat stations blew for drill 
purposes. At 4.00 p.m. it sounded again (this time in 
reality) for man over board. Our boat and escort circled 
round for some time and after 1 hour search found man. A 
boat was lowered and picked him up. He died about 6 p.m. 
Five of our life buoys were thrown overboard. On duty at 
7 p.m. Felt off colour at 8 p.m. so got Sgt. to put a 
reserve in my place. Slept down below. Passed big 
island (Crete). Mountains covered with snow.

Saturday 1st April

Malingering. Nice and I put in most of day playing 
cards. Perce sent to hospital with mumps.

Sunday 2nd

Nice day, sea calm as usual. Now travelling without gun 
boat or destroyers as escorts. Slighted land (Port, Sth. 
Coast Italy) at 9.30 a.m. Coast fairly rugged but 
inhabited. Houses all white and showed up fairly well. 
Mist spoiled view somewhat. Church parade at 10.45. 
Well attended. General Birdwood and other generals, 
colonels, majors etc. present. Nice and I had great 
position. Band recital after church, very cheering.

Monday 3rd

Sea extra calm, no ripples or swell. Sighted coast 
Sardinia at 7.30 and lost same 10.45 a.m. Bit like rain. 
Had good hot sea bath. First sight French coast 6 p.m.

Tuesday 4th

Entered harbour 6 a.m. Amazed beautiful harbour. Cliffs 
covered with trees and large buildings. Pulled alongside 
pier 7.30 a.m. Very busy port. Perce taken off to 
British Hospital in ambulance 9.30. Saw English, French, 
Indian and Australia soldeirs all together on pier. Left 
boat at 1.30. Left railway station at 2.15. We were 
lucky getting in 1st class carriage. Had 5 long tunnels 
to go through to start. Country through which we passed 
of great interest to us. Much after style of Australia. 
Crops, orchards, etc. very pleasing sight after sand and 
water. Slept on floor of carriage at night.