Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/38C/1 - Notebook - Part 1

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066741
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

AWM3S Official History, 1974-18 War: Records of C E W Bean, Official Historian. Diaries and Notebooks Hem number: 3DR1606/38617 Title: Folder, Notebook Contains notes and draft for the introduction to a War history. AWMISS-SDRLCOGISSCH
USTRALY PMARYNO. 38S 5e 60 AM38 DIARIES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914-1918 THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms of gift to the Australian War Memorial. But, apart from those terms, I wish the following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every reader and writer who may use them. These writings represent only what at the moment of making them I believed to be true. The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what was then in the writer’s mind. Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep; also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so — but it does not follow that he always discevered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when discevered. Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them. These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what their author, at the time of writing, believed. Further, he cannot, of course, vouch for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded. But he did try to ensure such accuracy by consulting, as far as possible, those who had seen or otherwise taken part in the events. The constant falsity of second-hand evidence (on which a large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, notwithstanding that those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true. All second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind. MEMORIAL AUSTRALLAE VE C. E. W. BEAN. 16 Sept, 1946. ACCESS STATUS METMEEEMETETTTTIIIIMEEEEEIEIILEEEEMIMUEMIS MCC SUBHEAL
7 VragO 285. The General Officer-Ocmanding Cesires to erpresshis high aparsccation of the care shewn by offioers and man in charge of herses Cn Trensprts of the A.I.Ferce, and congretsres them on the extromely lew proportion of casualizes. S.55 per cent) as well as on landing the romainicr in exceilant condition. Faring regard to the length of the veyage, avereging erer 59 acys. the heat experienced, and the absence of string Dreezes. The loss of only 224 horses out of a tetal of 7,843 ountel iore dooost tootroo to the not ald Aorse MAVSOA-Id T CAStIHS PCCMSTA M AAM PAIAMINE-SIT Carrying less than 25 horses:- Crristr CRTEL Ascarius Euriptles Afric Beralla. The Suffclk lost 1 cut of T perses. The fellowing list sleys the yexcentage of other ships :- ender 260 herses Lorerata O.65 Urder 5C0 horses Ledic O.S. Southern. O.7. Galdakna 5.67 Under 4) horses Pera 1.27 Argyllshire 2.69 rt Linccin 5.91 Armaile 5.46 Under 580 herses Ringatira 1.1 Star of England 1.55 Tiltshire 2.62 Anglc-r= Ttian 2.64 Shrcpshire 7.47 Larere 5.64 Star of Victoria a.03 Larrog 6.9 Under 500 horsee Eatura 5.16 Clan L.oG-FquoaaLe 7.62 638 Kerses Byrnttus 1. 69 Y.C.M.SLLFL, Golrnel is .C. 2
Sr orse See N1C. ordert.C Convoy The soldies who refues to be oaccinated. 6s0 in came Io an your butsota is get disiase & cant serve. 3rd Dun fastest – arrayed by saced. fine weather - lach for torses- only 40 dead so far Rocket. mast head Lights 9H tink the navy will bill an anxwas lime(White) Selim 300 U.R. Horses. You Eurip. sd to be lead get latio. 40000 attogcter. hougshatitude. In other book. Southern nearly catches us at end of Each watch. we used to quictesn but dont any lorger. Tapanese ship, beye plame of smabe. melbourne tiy smake pas astern Ponses sut No madhead lights now showey in front (No. 3) e only side lights & masthead light at back to cleer b lep alb. 15. 100. widding and Nev. Tust to of Cape Naturatiate " 3id Nov. 30°2s. 1110 49 E 28 tens finly haary bean sca 415 " 27°205 109°2916 219 knots fairly heavy beam see 216:94 hosing 40? hones Were the orders changed at last mencele from SA. to Egyot 16 hyo before leaving. Son receipt of news of Wrkey? or of Endin. or was it a rvesto what did the admiratty know ? spreadides that we were pay to S.A. O sterlay passed as (en diary Nov. F) Did she send a wereless ? cd the enemy have heard it;
Sapance beat Rassions at sea, but try wdnb transport te 2nd Army til after senking of Reteopooloosk & eve tim it wd detain at Chenamps tell after baltle of Yol. Ten attempted to block the worth of Port artie - This delay enabled Russia to Conceatrate a mach beger army- & the & 8th Japanese Divns, originally meant for Yeadivostock, had to be sent to mancharis. Capt. J. Gelle 76 why did minolans leave on Nov8 why did she order as to reducesteed to 7kn? agents & Represcntatives very + Cotombo By the tiue (Spmon 162) c 1)J.DE fleet. sail not one agat some of & only 7con 175 I efforts of Naval I officers. we late kavy bo a few I half an hou Coteward on lytler, D. I etc). 14 Novr. Convoy had D. 8kn. let Ascanis fall b P to pact apland - Katuna (for a 3rd( 6 122. mad ouly 11.2 . Afic changed for ascanis call numbers + al) 2. Nov. 415 Asc. I spropitue. Rent in Asc 24 Have t ot on Hampetin 22.100 Eqr s. of of Sudian Bomt. Al 19x & p Aven 2615 orveeto togive ramp. 206 8 of peshs Fel to matte for on for endes to officers of t buy at aon +P said, Capt. Repused to - parole & eaid ly ol hand free 5 escape oan Canal. 23 Non. 11.1n (westerty set) Horse losses 2) page forward Sec 15t 2s 5 5th100. 24.4.S. 242kn 18 over 10 kn. 106.50 E (Trade wind as tern) Dodangive crossed the trade route & sad hit of the osterliy. 6th Nov. 20.38S 253 fer. tradewind astirn 104.1 ToE oTrabe Route. All lytes carefully screrned but fleet still pretty bright. Buthmoon a a little past ful 7th Noo. Set. 17.12S. Two days from Cocos. 101. 35 E Lights out out on all ships for an hour at 80&ships 253 kn sleamed by sternlights castin glow into water News of the kittle off valparaiso. Our lights only workey at half theis usual current. GKN 13.55 5 Menotaur, lft us. 99.23 E see diary 234 Pass Cocos tonytt m. 9EN. 237 Kn. Thisday the Einden fight. Changed counss 5.30 T. 10th Nov 8.11 93°39 249 kn. 5.255 W. 1115 Nov 9.45½ two w
seneor be o most thought we shd be Convoy 3s beg of Coeos- special care. ships in 2re? for shaded sternlight. Nov. 9.6.30 y00 119 S0S. Mell. wh a sydney. 650 L gt Melb. had po ensign at I, Jack at 7ensign at peak. Nn 10 & 20 for Konipsberg. Howratas XX also anye Kom placed I half power Nov11. Suffolk & Hor. Castern. Buzzers y sanior marcon o marcoh C in Efficet. Coonly get 12.15 words a mewnte 820. Nov 12. Ibaki took C3miles of 10.8 pn. Beat to date (289S Rangatiri short of to ordered to t it Nov 13. from A Egyph 11 t as carge Sautern to get Welsh coal at Colonbo No.1. Homis 142 to date 3od Devn togo ahod & casl & watel Colonbo. at adin. Water 2o 2 - at Clonbo. PTO backets. all ships adnot -wales. 2 angl hcbretat le N. 12 Nov. 260kn.? 2.50.5. CrowedEquator. Fd 13 Nov. 0.37 N. 89.48 E. 248En. Sat 14. Nov. 3.35 N. 82.16.5 234 ten. Albany yer coating stoppe of Breaksla as Milt. Andhor if. Sta on Engines 26 b Katua 7 D)CcD5 i to take up 27 posito. In weighing anchor broke her wind lass, Tast in tio. Katoomba 28. Oct. Anotant Sepemns Bitonel ot als terki 11am 2804. Arrangent as to Simonstown discrssed on Minstawn wh Capts of Wuts, Minotaur Mell & G Smith. 8o I mourit. s Ibaki 9Iso F. faster C. W. NF E J Simonstoin (Sbuke N 2004 per day as o6 atitied for Escortig Medic o Ascanins of M t RV. at sea -go dispensed with
6pm. Coterley P. C. ecreget C0.17co, 51400 58 o E.. T50 96 got course I9Nv 91 A591 Colombo & Naval Intence b atCol. I consulted. Convoys requirents at Colombo were - Asterly as Minotaus 72 anxious to avoid long pc (a good &s) He we averse to closing 6 buzzer range of Cocos1 & sending cables I as st a of the gerators o I G? madings. Marere, Pr Lincolu Cofader 6 Nov. Southern – gallanbly 10/6 ben. Ships Excrcised p167 on ofe. We in owiets use buzzer, L G by flast. (Army synallers not enough used- or 80c0 - at once, only3 up there at most. Near Cows Buzzer ws bly at night i, increased of 14 & Flashingt also lessused. Reptis made by fag. Snfolks or a complt facture. noh ti rcaince No02. Light reduced in Orvicto, much hotter - I can't be obseured. darkend 8-830 W.I. doors closed, Nov 7. stuttles. IV in io life &. PTobackwds Cosling at Allam orviets took 480 tons in 20 houss from lighten. oury 30 tons watering Commander T.W. Tones 1,22 of berthing complaints of 7H7 Hososata - 100 - -SCol I to Ourah Censorship at Albay orders as I a tial of Rv. S o. by Minotans in sealed Mg to be I after leaving n Station: Katuna & Pera & wild fx keeping Pera it starbd engire &s 1 wh perh accted for it. 10 he. Engine speed first night 8/2 to glen. Suthern aser ding ae also Speed of reduat 8tn. 3ndNov. Sped stil 9ten sea rough abeom. Yom. Iuti Poveer Etc. S Pioncer to is tlka for. Hhorala abiterratie, cC4 sot. sherng off. Some I1ICC or indiffered I rst tho' inclined to leythen out at y RANR Signalmen & sick, c stow. Farmy The 8 Horse Ships - o synallers at albany. & ammadall also army ccy & 2cyUIX 78, Po3 lost Et. 1th Nov. Complaints from Escort as to bright Ships got badly strung out; o qkn. 5 Noor No improvt ataght. Minoteus came down lines Lc0 up, visit7 G good 1d 10kn D
it THE TRANSTONT SHITS The troopships which carried the first contin- rents of the Expediionary Force from Anstralin t0 Egypt were as follows Hymeline, Geclong, Orvicte, Pera, Omrah, Clan McCerquodale, Medic, Argyllshire, Shrepshire, Karce, Ascanias, Saldanha, Kaluna, haripider, Star of England, Star of Victoria, Port Linceln, WiIl. shire, Ajric, Heverate, Marcre, Rangatira, Suffolk, Benalla, Angle Egyptian, Armadale, Southern, and Milliader Following with other troops are the Sacvic, Borda, Ajana, Themistocler, Ayrstire, Persic, Herrima, Melbourne, Hebart, Ulyner, Pert Mac- quaric, Ceramic, Cannnatl, Pfals, Sumatra, Vest- calia, and the Kyarra (hospital ship). 29 Novr. 322 miles easily dove. Horse Pp 22 very satisfy. untroon boys. 35 Austoln & 13. wit this a lot, & secondys. coming with second lot 2814yr with us. 1 Maj. Howard: Kill the "leaders - not necessarily the 28r When one Divn is in trenches the tw bryades out undertake regular Division af exercines. convoy ( Ade 72 coale. Nor. Ct of inquiry on Asc. - Shrop I held. Red of Convoy] 4 pm o3206 26. Sailed N. Gealanders cut through our ling, a most 6 am. to manacuore Imp on Miltiate in he of orders bathed 10 alsealies in Colombo; 4 in Aden yon (N.3. sent tem i Wo 28. Novr 11 pm. For from High Commr E of Hamsher informing G.O.C.C i. nforce cires. 136.8 cCairo- 09 te A1F Ji Epppt The Austo. & N3 (9 C a Corpe a general Berdwood. Noon 28th Maunganii & Orr. went ahead. Hampshire 6 as involving &, gave way, We d & dooid or- dhows + Later a cM. -y do 14bn J.R to go of at 166
untroon boys. 35 Austoln & W3 wik thisa lot, & secondyr. coming with second lot. 2814yr with us. Maj. Howard. Kill He "leaders - not necessarily the 28r When one Divn is in trenches the tw bryades out undertake regular Division af exercises. De Lisle sd. If there is a difficult job the gunit I give it bo every time is the one wh shaves every day & is inspected by the sergt major (makes him watch oo ] ears)
13 Censorship at Albany, Open Ct. at once 0S in Albary 15 days A Osterby had bee caught. wd Mr Mis ChristiansC300 after as I C to motb.2 smerican (Chicago) preosman's yarn abt tati do & Austiln? whatches in canal bec. Ind on them

AWM38
Official History,
1914-18 War: Records of C E W Bean,
Official Historian.

Diaries and Notebooks

Item number: 3DRL606/38C/1
Title: Folder, Notebook
Contains notes and draft for the introduction to a
war history.
AWM38-3DRL606/38C/1

 

SUBHEAD
Original     DIARY NO. 38(C)

AWM38     3DRL 606 ITEM 38C [1]

DIARIES AND NOTES OF C. E. W. BEAN

CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1914 - 1918

THE use of these diaries and notes is subject to conditions laid down in the terms

of gift to the Australian War Memorial.  But apart from those terms, I wish the 

following circumstances and considerations to be brought to the notice of every 

reader and writer who may use them.

These writings represent only what at the moment of making them I believed to be 

true.  The diaries were jotted down almost daily with the object of recording what 

was then in the writer's mind.  Often he wrote them when very tired and half asleep; 

also, not infrequently, what he believed to be true was not so - but it does not 

follow that he always discovered this, or remembered to correct the mistakes when 

discovered.  Indeed, he could not always remember that he had written them.

These records should, therefore, be used with great caution, as relating only what

their author, at the time of writing, believed.  Further, he cannot of course, vouch 
for the accuracy of statements made to him by others and here recorded.  But he 
did try to ensure such accuracy by consulting, as far as possible those who had 
seen or otherwise taken part in the events.  The constant falsity of second-hand

evidence (on which large proportion of war stories are founded) was impressed 
upon him by the second or third day of the Gallipoli campaign, not withstanding that 
those who passed on such stories usually themselves believed them to be true . All

second-hand evidence herein should be read with this in mind.

16 Sept., 1946.      C. E. W. BEAN.

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

ACCESS STATUS

OPEN

 

Voyage. 285.  The General Officer Commanding desires to express his
high appreciation of the care shewn by officers and men in

charge of horses on Transports of the A. I. Force, and

congratulates them on the extremely low proportion of

casualties (2.85 per cent) as well as on landing the

remainder in excellent condition.

Having regard to the length of the voyage, averaging

over 50 days, the heat experienced, and the absence of strong

breezes, the loss of only 224 horses out of a total of 7,843

embarked bears eloquent testimony to the zeal and horse

[[?]] of all ranks concerned.

No casualties occurred on the following ships

carrying less than 25 horses :-

Orvieto   Omrah   Ascanius   Euripides

Afric        Benalla.

The Suffolk lost 1 out of 8 horses.

The following list shows the percentage of other

ships :-

Under 200 horses           Horarata        0.85

Under 300 horses           Medic 0.38    Southern 0.7

                                             Saldanha 3.65   

Under 400 horses           Pera 1.27    Argyllshire 2.69

                                             Port Lincoln 3.91

                                             Armadale 6.46

Under 500 horses            Rangatira 1.1

                                              Star of England 1.53

                                              Wiltshire 2.62

                                              Anglo-Egyptian 2.64

                                              Shropshire 3.47

                                              Marere 3.84

                                              Star of Victoria 4.03

                                              Karree 4.99

Under 600  horses           Katuna 3.16

                                              Clan MacCorquodale 3.62

688 horses                         Hymattus 1.89

V.C.M SELLHEIM, Colonel

A.A. &  Q.M.G.

[*SUBHEAD

Convoy

Morale
Officers
& men

Censorship

 

 

SUBHEAD

Horses. see A.I.F. orders 50    1

Convoy

The soldier who refuses to be vaccinated. 620 in camp.

  "          "           "    gets disease & can't serve.  In uniform but not a [[shorthand]]
3rd Divn fastest - arranged by speed.

Fine weather - luck for horses - only 40 dead so far.

Rocket. Masthead Lights.

"I shd think the navy will have an anxious time." (White)

Selim 300 V.R.

Horses - 7 on Eurip. sd to be dead.  } get later.

                 40 odd altogether.              }

Long & Latitude. In other book.

Southern nearly catches us at end of each watch.

We used to quicken but dont any longer

xxx Japanese ship, huge plume of smoke.

/ Melbourne tiny smoke far astern - Pioneer sent back (Nov 3)

No masthead lights now showing in front (Nov. 3)

only side lights & masthead light at back to steer by.

Left. abt. 1st. Nov.

Midday 2nd Nov - Just W of Cape Naturaliste

      "        3rd  Nov.  30° 21' S.  111° 49' E   218 knots

fairly heavy beam sea

      "         4th    "       27° 20 S   109° 29' E  219 knots

fairly heavy beam sea

Losing 40 ? horses -

216 = 9 kn.

Were the orders changed at last minute from S.A. to Egypt

16 hrs before leaving.

? on receipt of news of Turkey? or of Emden? 

Or was it a ruse to
spread idea that we
were going to S.A.

What did the Admiralty know?               

Osterley passed us (see diary Nov. 5)

Did she send a wireless ? Cd the enemy have heard it?

[*Morale

offrs.
& men

Censorship*]

 

Japanese beat Russians at sea; but they wdnt transport

the 2nd Army till after sinking of Retropavlovsk,

& even then it wd detained at Chinampo till

after battle of Yalu. Then attempted to block

the north of Port Arthur - This delay enabled

Russia to concentrate a much bigger army. & the

7th & 8th Japanese Divns, originally meant for

Vladivostock, had to be sent to Manchuria.

Capt. J Gell 

[[shorthand]]

Why did Minotaur leave ?on Nov 8.?

Why did she order us to reduce speed to 7 kn?

 

Colombo: Agents & Representatives very [[shorthand]].

By the time (3 pm on 16th) [[shorthand]] fleet

sail not one agent I come off F only [[shorthand]] on

17th [[shorthand]] efforts of Naval [[shorthand]] officers. We [[shorthand]] late

leaving [[shorthand]]. A few [[shorthand]] half an hour [[shorthand]]

(steward on lighter, [[shorthand]] etc).

19 Nov. Convoy had [[shorthand]] 8 kn. let Ascanius fall [[shorthand]]

to pack a ^piston gland - Katuna [[shorthand]] for [[shorthand]].

3rd Division[[shorthand]] 12½.  Made only 11.2  ∴ Afric

changed. for Ascanius - (call numbers & all)

21. Nov. 4.15 Asc.  [[shorthand]] Shropshire. Rent in Asc.

[[shorthand]] 24 ft [[shorthand]]. Have [[shorthand]].

22 Nov. [[shorthand]] on Hampshire. [[shorthand]] of Indian [[shorthand]] Bomb.

On 19th & [[shorthand]] Aden 26th

Orvieto to give Hamp. 20 [[shorthand]] of fresh [[shorthand]].

Tel. to Malta for [[shorthand]] for Endurs [[shorthand]].

Officers [[shorthand]] to buy at Aden & P. Said.

Capt. Refused to - parole. Evid [[shorthand]] hands

free to escape [[shorthand]] at Canal.

23 Nov. 11.1 kn (Westerly set) Horse losses 2)

See.(½ page forward)1st of Australian history

3
[*Morale.
offrs.
& men.
Censorship*]
5th Nov     24.4.S.

106.50 E 242 kn 1.8. over 10kn.

(Trade wind astern.) Today we

crossed the trade route & just

hit off the Osterley.

6th Nov:   20.38 S.

104.11 E    253 kn. Trade wind astern.

To E of Trade Route.

All lights carefully screened but

fleet still pretty bright

Bright moon xx a little past full

7th Nov. Sat:  17.12 S.    Two days from Cocos.

101. 35 E  Lights put out on all ships for 
253 kn.   ½ an hour at 8 o'c. & ships

steamed by stern lights casting

glow into water.  

News of the battle off Valparaiso. Our lights only

working at half their usual current.

8th N   13.55 S

99.23 E   Minotaur left us.

234     see diary.

Pass Cocos tonight

M. 9th N.  237 kn.  This day the Emden fight. Changed course

5.30

T.  10th Nov.  8°11 S

93° 39 E

249 Kn.

W. 11th Nov.  5.25 S

9.43 E.

240

 

4

Senior [[shorthand]] of escort thought we shd be [[shorthand]]

convoy [[shorthand]] of Cocos. ∴ special care.

Ships in [[shorthand]] for shaded sternlight.

Nov. 9. 6-30 [[shorthand]] SOS. [[shorthand]] Melb.

wh [[shorthand]] Sydney [[shorthand]] 650 [[shorthand]]

Melb had [[shorthand]] ensign at [[shorthand]], Jack at [[shorthand]]

& [[shorthand]] ensign at peak.

Nov 10 [[shorthand]] for Konigsberg.

Hororatas [[shorthand]] also Ang'ey.

Nov 11. Kon. placed ∴ [[shorthand]] half power

Suffolk & Hor. [[shorthand]] astern.

Buzzers [[shorthand]]

junior Marconi [[shorthand]] marc. [[shorthand]]

inefficient. Cd only get 12 - 15 words

a minute [[shorthand]] 20.

Nov 12. Ibuki took [[shorthand]] 3 miles [[shorthand]]

10.8 kn. Best to date (289 [[shorthand]])

Nov 13. Rangatira short of [[shorthand]] ordered to tin it

from A - Egyptn which had [[shorthand]] as cargo

Southern to get Welsh coal at Colombo

for

Nov 15. Horses 142 lost to date.

Colombo. 3rd Divn to go ahead & coal & water

at Aden.

Water [[shorthand]] at Colombo.

[*PTO backwds*] All ships cd not get inside to water.

Anglo-Eg. struck breakwater - little damage.

5
[* Morale

officers
& men

Censorship*]
Th. 12 Nov.    260 kn.?  2°. 50. S.

Frid 13 Nov.   0.37 N.      Crossed Equator.

84.48 E.

248 kn.

Sat 14 Nov.    3.35 N.

82.16. E

234 kn.
Albany 

Melb. x ^after coaling stopped outside of Breaksea as [[shorthand]].

26th Oct. Anchor [[shorthand]] steam on engines.

27.  Kalimna [[shorthand]] to take up

positn. In weighing anchor broke her windlass.

Just ready in time.

Katoomba [[shorthand]]

28. Oct. Minotaur Pyramus & Philomel [[shorthand]] also Ibuki.

11 am 28 Oct. Arrangemt as to Simonstown discussed

on Minotaur w Capts of Ibuki, Minotaur

Melb. & G. Smith.

Ibuki [[shorthand]] Maurit. [[shorthand]]

[[shorthand]] faster [[shorthand]]

[[shorthand]] Simonstown (Ibuki [[shorthand]] 200 [[shorthand]]

per day). It ws [[shorthand]]

utilised for escorting Medic & Ascanius

[[shorthand]] to R.V. at sea -  [[shorthand]] dispensed with

 

6
*

6 p.m. Osterley [[Shorthand]] regret

[[shorthand]]

[[shorthand]]  escort

course [[shorthand]]

Colombo [[shorthand]] Naval Intgnce [[shorthand]] at Col. J consulted.

Convoys requiremts at Colombo were -, Osterley

as Minotaurs [[shorthand]] anxious to avoid long

[[shorthand]] (a good [[shorthand]]) He ws averse to closing

[[shorthand]] buzzer range of Cocos I & sending cables

[[shorthand]] of the operation ) [[shorthand]].

6 Nov. [[shorthand]]  machines. Marere & Pt Lincoln 6 operators

Southern [[shorthand]] gallantly - 10½ kn.

Ships exercised [[shorthand]] on [[shorthand]].

We in Orvieto use buzzer, [[shorthand]] by flash.

(Army Signallers not enough used -

[[shorthand]] 8 [[shorthand]] - at once, only 3 [[shorthand]]

up there at most. Near Cocos Buzzer

ws [[shorthand]] at night [[shorthand]] increased [[shorthand]].

Flashing [[shorthand]] also less used. Replies [[shorthand]]

made by flag. Suffolks [[shorthand]] a complete

failure. [[shorthand]] since

Nov 2.

Light reduced in Orvieto, Much hotter

[[shorthand]] cant be obscured.

Nov 7. [[shorthand]] darkened  8-8.30 W.T. doors closed,

scuttles [[shorthand]] in w life [[shorthand]].

PTO backwds

7
[* Morale

officers
& men

Censorship*]
Coaling at Albany Orvieto took 480 tons in 20 hours from

lighters. Only 30 tons [[shorthand]] watering

Commander T.L. Jones 1. & 2 of berthing

Complaints of [[shorthand]] Hororata - 100 [[shorthand]] to Omrah

Censorship at Albany.

Orders as [[shorthand]], & list of R.V. [[shorthand]] by Minotaur

in sealed envelopes to be opened after leaving [[shorthand]].

Stations keeping : Katuna & Peru  [[shorthand]] wild [[shorthand]].

Peru report the starbd engine [[shorthand]] wh perh. accted
for it.

10 kn. engine speed first night= 8½ to 9 kn.

Southern [[shorthand]] astern [[shorthand]] during [[?]]. Others

also. Speed [[shorthand]] reduced to 8½ kn.

3rd Nov. Speed still 9 kn. sea rough abeam. 4 pm. Ibuki

Pioneer etc. [[shorthand]]. Pioneer [[shorthand]] & took a [[shorthand]].

Hororata a bit erratic, [[shorthand]]

sheering off. Some [[shorthand]] or indifferent [[shorthand]] imprvt

tho' inclined to lengthen out at [[shorthand]].

RANR signalmen possibly sick. [[shorthand]] slow.

& Army

The 8 Horse Ships & Armadale [[shorthand]] 10 signallers at Albany.

Also Army Signallers. ∴ 2 signallers [[shorthand]].

[[shorthand]] of horses lost etc.

4th Nov. Complaints from Escort as to bright lights

Ships got badly strung out; [[shorthand]] 9 kn.

*5 Novr No improvt at night. Minotaur came down

lines [[shorthand]] Visit [[shorthand].] good [[shorthand]]. 10 kn

 

8
Hand drawn diagram – see original document

 

THE TRANSPORT SHIPS.

The troopships which carried the first
contingents of the Expeditionary Force from Australia

to Egypt were as follows:-

Hymetius, Geelong, Orvieto, Pera, Omrah, Clan

McCorquodale, Medic, Argyllshire, Shropshire, 

Karoo, Ascanius, Saldanha, Katuna, Euripides, Star

of England, Star of Victoria, Port Lincoln, Wiltshire,

Afric, Hororata, Marere, Rangatira, Suffolk,

Benalla, Anglo-Egyptian, Armadale, Southern, and

Miltiades.

Following with other troops are the Suevic,

Borda, Ajana, Themistocles, Ayrshire, Persic,

Berrima, Melbourne, Hobart, Ulysses, Port Macquarie,

Ceramic, Cannstatt, Pfalz, Sumatra, Vestcalia,
and the Kyarra (hospital ship).
 

29 Novr. 382 miles easily done-

Horse [[shorthand]] 2½ [[shorthand]].very satisfry:

10

a
[* Morale

officers
& men

Censorship*]

Duntroon boys.  35 Australn & N.Z. with this

lot, & second yr. coming with second lot.

28 1st yr with us.

Maj. Howard: Kill the "leaders" - not necessarily the

28th Brigade.

When one Divn is in trenches the two brigades out

undertake regular Divisional exercises.
9

Convoy continued.

25 Nov. Aden ships coaled.

Ct of inquiry on Asc. - Shrop [[shorthand]] held.

Rest of Convoy [[shorthand]] 4pm.

26. Sailed 6 am. N. Zealanders cut through our line of 3rd Division, a most

[[shorthand]] manoeuvre.

Impt [[shorthand]] on Miltiades in [[shorthand]] of orders bathed [[shorthand]].

10 absentees in Colombo; 4 in Aden [[shorthand]] on.

(N.Z. sent them in [[shorthand]])

28 . Nov 11 pm. [[shorthand]] from High Commr received from Hampshire

informing G.O.C. that [[shorthand]] unforseen circs. [[shorthand]]

A I F. [[shorthand]] in Egypt [[shorthand]] Cairo [[shorthand]] there

the Austr. & NZ Divisions forming a Corps under General Birdwood.

Noon 28th Maunganui & Orv. went ahead. Hampshire

[[shorthand]] as involving [[shorthand]] gave way. We [[shorthand]]

& avoid or [[shorthand?]] dhows & [[shorthand]]

Later [[shorthand]] M. could only do 14 kn [[shorthand]] to go [[shorthand]]. at 16kn

 

8

Hand drawn diagram – see original document

10

a
[*Morale offrs
& men

Censorship*]

Duntroon boys.  35 Australn & N.Z. with this

lot, & second yr. coming with second lot.

28 1st yr. with us.

Maj. Howard: Kill the "leaders" - not necessarily the

28th Brigade

When one Divn is in trenches the two brigades out

undertake regular Divisional exercises.
De Lisle sd: If there is a difficult job the x unit I give
it to every time is the one wh shaves every day
& is inspected by the sergt major (makes them
watch behind their ears)

 

13
[*Censorship.*]
Censorship at Albany. Open [[shorthand]] at once.

[[shorthand]] in Albany 15 days [[shorthand]]

If Osterley had bn caught.           

Mrs & Miss Christians [[shorthand]] after us [[shorthand]]
to Melb. [[shorthand]].                                 

American (Chicago) pressman's yarn abt Indian

[[shorthand]] that the Austrln troops [[shorthand]] below hatches in canal

bec. Ind troops were firing on them.

 

                       

 

 

Last edited by:
Deb ParkinsonDeb Parkinson
Last edited on:

Last updated: