6/3 ¼
L/Cpl N A Tunnicliffe
12th Nelson Coy
New Zealand
The No. of my Watch is 4290695
My weight was 11st 12lbs on Dec 3rd
Reg no 6/374, 12th Nelson
Address
Wakefield, Nelson
JANUARY 1915
1
Fri Bank Holiday
Shooting all morning .
Made 9 & 0 respectively.
Pay day 14/-
French lesson.
Wrote to Estelle and Nellie and Nell.
2
Sat
Rifle and tent inspection fumigated tents.
Leave from 11a.m. but did not take advantage of it .
Mail day letters from Mother, Estelle, Nellie, Nell, Nell Simpson, Essie and Myrtle Randerson and Glad.
Answered the last four.
3
Sun
Church parade.
Went to Citadelle and saw Mosques of Mohammed Ali and Sultan Hassan.
Went to Pictures at night.
Received a book from Cilla.
4
Mon
Company training
dug trenches and dug up some salt.
Left camp at 7.30 am and returned at 5.30pm.
Marched 5 miles each way.
Attended a French class.
(page for 5th ,6th ,7th and 8th missing and a blank one pasted in with the following entries)
Tuesday 5th 1915
Field firing practice 5 miles from here.
Out from 7.30am to 5pm
Letters from Rie, A, Mayo and Nell.
Wrote to Cilla
Wednesday 6th
Vaccinated.
Boot inspection.
Wrote to A. Mayo and Rie and E Jones and Nell.
Sent home a packet of P.Cs.
Outpost duty all night.
Very cold wind.
Had a bad night with the cold.
Thursday 7th
Attacked 13th coy just before dawn.
Made a mess of things, Scouts all captured.
Very windy and cold.
Nearly blinded with dust.
Letters from Nell, Mother and Iso.
French lesson
Friday 8th
Visual training.
Trench digging,.
Very windy and cold also very dusty digging trenches.
French lesson.
Had quite a heavy shower of rain.
Wrote to mother.
9 Sat
Had a shower of rain.
Thos (?) Mc/(L)enyie (McKenzie) spoke to troops.
Fainted on parade.
Went to
Cairo
Museum where they have a splendid collection of Egyptian art etc.
Wrote to Iso and sent some P.Cs home.
10 Sun 1aft Epiphany
Went to
Sakkara and saw pyramids and tombs of holy (Biells).
Rode on donkeys for 5 hours.
Saw two native schools.
Had a cup of coffee with the sheik of the
village of
Sakkara schools of Sakkar and Badreshein
11 Mon
Battallion attack practice.
French lesson.
Dry bread for dinner
12 Tuesday
Battle practice in defensive.
Dry bread for dinner(?
Piquet at night.
Letters from Rie and Home.
13 Wed
Bayonet fighting.
Battalion bivouac but vaccinated men stay in camp.
Wrote to Nell.
14 Thurs
Vaccinated people in camp all day.
Had a very slow time.
Received a P.C. from the citizens of ?.
Wrote to Father.
Posted a booking
?
French lesson.
15 Fri
Rolled blankets ready for outpost.
Were paid 14/-.
Paraded at 6pm but were dismissed to await an alarm.
Went to bed in full dress.
16 Sat
Alarm sounded at 1a.m.
Marched away for 2 hrs.
Had 1 hr rest then carried out an attack on old Su?y road.
Returned camp for breakfast.
Airing blankets.
22nd birthday to-day.
Warned? for guard in
on guard – very sleepy.
17 Sun 2 aft Epiphany
Visited the Virgin`s Tree and the chapel with pictures describing the massacre of children and flight of Jesus from Palestine and arrival at Heliopolis.
Had a drink of water from Mary`s well.
Wrote to Nellie and sent 6 P.Cs.
Wrote to Freeman Johnston.
18 Mon
Brigade training.
Saw obelisk (?afold?)
Heliopolis.
Returned to camp at 5. pm had dinner at 6.30.
We were practicing French in the tent when an officer came to the door and requested us to moderate our language.
19 Tues
Battle practice.
French class.
Wrote to Rhode
(?)
Letters from Home, Nie and
Doris and Irene Denton
20 Wed
In camp all day .
Did bayonet exercises and close order drill all day.
21 Th
Went out with skeleton force acting as enemy to Canterbury Battalion.
Bivouaced at night.
No outpost duty so had a good sleep.
22Fri
Field firing and bayonet exercises
Marched back to camp.
Received card from N th y Committee.
Wrote to Doris Denton, Rob and sent card to Mother.
Wrote to Nell.
23 Sat
In camp all day.
Were paid 14/-
warned for In-lying Picquet.
Posted diary, Xmas cards and Egyptian coins home.
24 Sun
Church parade.
Wrote to Ric and Mother.
Went to a lantern lecture by Rev. Bush King.
Went on guard.
25 Mon
Pitching tents all day for N y
Reinforcement.
Received letters from Estelle and Ric.
Wrote to Estelle and Nell.
Ordered to be ready to depart for
Ismailia in morning.
Issued with field dressing.
26 Tuesday
Served. Out 4.50 rounds per man.
Entrained at 4.30 pm.
No. 9 baggage guard.
Arrived
Ismailia
at 10.45 pm.
Carried our own wood and made tea.
Bed at 1am.
27 Wed
Rifle exercises.
Saw two aeroplanes.
Heard big guns firing.
Hard biscuits issued.
Rather windy and cold in the bivouac.
28 Thurs
Rifle exercises.
Very warm.
Saw aeroplanes again
Afternoon – attack practice.
Evening – leave for 25 % of men.
29 Fri
Very hot.
Saw airship.
Inspected by Gen. Wallace who is in charge of Suez Canal.
Did a battle practice.
He was well satisfied with us.
Practised in-training.
Went to Ismailia on leave.
Ismailia a pretty place or pattern of a French country town.
Saw Bedouin prisoners.
30 Sat
Pitched tents in morning.
Were paid 2/-.
Had a swim in lake Timsal.
Wrote field service card to Mother and Nell.
Had a convict hair cut.
Leave at night.
31 Sun
Swim in lake Timsal.
Several steamers passing through.
Went to Pictures in the evening.
Have seen several English swallows here.
Were paid 12/-
FEBRUARY
1 Mon
Bayonet exercises.
Airships too common now to comment upon.
Marched to Ismailia to drill afternoon off went for a swim in lake Timsal.
2 Tues
Showery.
Rained during night.
Heavy firing heard in the distance.
48 hours rations issued.
Left Ismailia at 2.30 pm.
Detrained 3.pm.
Arrived at canal at 4.20pm
No 9. formed number, piquet.
Very windy and sandy.
3 Wed
Wakened early by heavy machine gun and rifle fire.
In action at 6a.m and onwards.
9. am under shell fire.
Previously our artillery gave Turks a bad time.
Left trenches at 2 pm.
Piquet at night.
Some sharp fighting during night but had a good sleep.
5
Thurs
Trenches at 5am.
Fired a few shots then left at 7.30am for camp. HMS Swiftsure shelled enemy`s positon.
Airship reconnoitering enemy`s position.
In camp at noon.
Our places in trenches taken by 62nd Punjabis.
6
Fri
Cleaning rifles and close order drill.
Put dubbin on boats.
Wrote a description of the fight.
Yesterday we received our kit bags from base.
I had lost 1 blanket 2 shirts 1 singlet 1 pr underpants 1 pr boots 1pr trouser.
6 Sat
Section drill and close order drill.
Private W Ham died from wounds received Wednesday.
No. 9 on in-lying piquet.
Enemy`s losses in front of our position (Tsd) were 59 killed 58 wounded 190 missing 3 machine guns.
7
Sun
I was orderly room orderly.
Private Ham buried.
Wrote to Mother and Nell.
It is rumoured that the Turks are retreating from the Canal.
Wed: 4th English(?) poked his head over trench with huge smile to in(?) if (?) washed
8
Mon
Rifle exercises and semiphore signaling.
Lord Kitchener`s congratulations read out on parade.
Letter from Nellie.
Went to Ismailia in evening.
9 Tues
Close order drill officially reported that Turks are
retreating.
Swim in Lake Timsah
Several ships passing through canal, one a hospital ship.
Our officers visited battlefield and saw hundreds of dead lying everywhere.
10
Wed
Battalion drill.
March through town of Ismailia.
Learning range finding.
Night march and dug ourselves in.
11 Thursday
Range-finding.
Swim in Lake Timsah.
More rangfinding.
Inlying piquet again.
12
Fri
Range-finding all day.
Chameleon lizards plentiful in palm groves on edge of Lake Timsah.
13
Sat
Kit and rifle inspection.
Swim in Lke Timsah.
Wrote to Mother and Nell.
14
Sun
Cloudy.
Swim in Lake Timsah.
Church parade.
Leave from 2pm.
Took watch to be cleaned.
Saw boats used by Turks in their attempt to cross canal.
Boats riddled by bullets.
15
Mon
Full marching order parade.
Walked to west of Ismailia.
Inspected by Gen Wallace.
Did attack practice.
Swim in Lake T.
No 9. on outpost south of camp.
I was in charge of sentry group.
Rather cold.
16
Tu
Rangefinding all day.
Went to ferry 4 miles distant.
Learned Prismatic Compass.
Swam from Africa to Asia and back i.e. across canal and back.
Saw Ghurka drilling and got an eye-opener.
17
Wed Ash Wed
Same place as Mon.
Took series of ranges for Platoon Commanders.
Swam in Lake T.
Leave at night in Ism.
18
Thurs
Went to same place as yesterday and made out a range
chart for the Adjutant.
19
Fri
Went to Ferry and made out a range chart for Adjutant.
Went to town and saw Gurkhas at wireless and promised to write to them.
Received watch back.
20
Sat
Tested the range finder.
Leave in afternoon.
Went for long swim.
Received parcel from home.
Parcel was posted on Nov 26th.
21
Sun
Swim in Lake Timsah.
Wrote to Mother and Nell.
N.C.O`s went to Battleground and found some dumdum bullets.
Airship gun mounted near camp.
Diptheria broke out in No. 4 platoon.
22
Mon
Went to hospital
Judging distances.
Swam across canal.
H.M.M Ocean passed.
Lost my watch.
23
Tues
Found watch.
Hospital judging distances.
P & O ship Moolton passes with some others.
H.M.S Vesuvius passes.
Swam canal 5 times.
Went to Ismailia at night.
24
Wed
Field firing `C` Coy did best.
Very hot.
Had a swim in the lake.
Received several
letters from home, 2 from Ric, one from Isabelle.
Wrote to Nellie and Ric.
25
Thurs
Went to Lake and made range cards.
Wrote to C.P.M Nelson and Father re P.O. Bank a/c.
26
Fri
Struck camp at 9 a.m.
Fatiques all day.
Am absolutely broke and don`t like it.
Swim in afternoon.
Bivouac at night.
27
Sat
Pievollic (?) at 3.30am entrained at 7am.
Left station at 9 am.
Arrived at camp at 1pm.
Pitched tents.
28
Sun
Church Parade.
Were paid 1 pound 80-
.
Wrote to Isabel, Phil, Estelle, and The Editor, Nelson Evening Mail Censors R(I?) removed.
MARCH
1 Mon
Range-finding all day.
Major Brereton and Gen Godle
congratulated Nelson Coy for good work under fire.
Went to Heliopolis and bought silks for Mother and girls.
2 Tues
Rangefinding in morning.
Boot inspection
afternoon.
Wrote ?
?
silk also to Mother, Estelle, Nellie, Phylis.
Sent coins home.
3 Wed
Divisional training.
Marched out abut 12 miles and did a battle practice.
Very hot and dusty.
A long way home.
Had a cold bath.
Out all day from 7am to 8 pm.
4 Thurs
Rifle inspection.
Wrote to Rob.
It is rumoured that we are going to Cyprus.
5 Fri
Rangefinding in morning lea?
From 12am to 5pm.
Brigade doing night work.
I am laid up with a damaged toe.
6 Sat
Troops returned at 9 am.
Toe still bad.
We were paid 1/8/0.
Wrote to Rob and posted unkist (?) bullets home.
7 Sun
Church parade.
Wrote to Dick and Ned Jones.
Went to Y.M.C. A to Church at night.
Toe still bad.
8
Mon
Very easy day.
Tea at 3.45 pm.
Night march from 5pm to 8pm.
9
Tues
Short march in morning.
Washing parade in afternoon.
Went to Heliopolis on leave,
10
Wed
Paraded 1.15 to 3pm.
Long march and attacked Australians.
Very Hot, dusty and windy.
Very trying day.
Letter from Mother, Nellie, Estelle, Ric, Auntie and Nell.
Nell wishes to discontinue corresponding.
Wrote to Nell and Rie.
11
Thurs
Paraded before break-fast and after tea.
Nothing to do all day.
Wrote to Mother and Auntie.
Shower baths are all God sends.
12
Fri
Big divisional parade.
Sham fight against E. Lancashires Battalion.
Very long march but not very hot.
13
Sat
Rifle and foot inspection.
Feel rather seedy.
Went to Obelisk and Virgin Well in evening.
14
Sun
Felt very crook all day.
Taken to field hospital in evening.
Temperature 104 degrees.
Dr said I had tonsillitis.
Letter from Nellie.
15
Mon
In hospital all day.
Windy and showery in afternoon.
Thunder and heavy rain at night.
Had very little sleep.
Tom and Harold came over to see me.
16
Tues
Feel much better.
Thunder storm in afternoon.
Harold and Baig(ent)
came over to see me.
17
Wed St. Patrick Bank Holiday
Discharged from hospital.
E (C?) troops out
on bivouac.
Went to bed at 6pm.
Wrote to Nellie.
18
Thurs
Very little doing all day.
Went to Mounted Line and saw Fred Savage.
Wrote to Father re false newspaper reports.
19
Fri
Took all stones (stores ?) from lines.
Were paid 1`8/-..
In afternoon marched through Helmich Z(?)eetoun and Palais de Houbbeh .
Lecture by
Major Loach.
Went to Pictures in the evening.
20
Sat
Went to Rhoda Island Moses in Bulrushes.
Old Cairo, Tombs of Mamelukes, Nileomiter, view of Cairo from a tower 150 feet high. Holy Carpet.
21
Sun
Church Parade.
Wrote to Mother.
22
Mon
Divisional inspection by Sir Arthur McMahon, Gen. Maxwell and Godley and others.
Thousands of locusts in the air.
23
Tues
Street fighting .
Letters from Mother, Estelle and Nell Simpson.
Wrote to Nell. S.
Locusts in plenty.
24
Wed
Paraded 7.30 am to practice outpost scheme at village of Soc?otia.
25
Th .. Annunciation Lady Day
Attack practice.
Saw some good mirages today.
Reflection of building in mirage lake and lakes everywhere.
26
Fri
Street fighting.
Lecture on purity by Dr Jay.
Very good.
Maori Contingent arrived about 9pm.
Some of the 3rd reinforcements arrived later.
27
Sat
Rifle inspection .
Was made a Lance corporal.
Boxing at pictures.
More reinforcements arrived.
28
Sun Palm Sunday
No Church Parade.
Saw Ned Jones and Lieut D. Dron.
Blowing a gale.
Very dusty.
Swarms of locusts.
Saw P. Jenkins.
Wrote to Estelle.
Left at 8pm for Luxor.
29
Mon
Arrived at Luxor at 9.10am.
Visited Luxor, Karnak and Thebes ruins.
Meals at Luxor Hotel. Left for Cairo at 6pm.
Troops inspected by Ian Hamilton.
30
Tues
Arrived Cairo at 7 a.m.
Saw a gang of prisoners chained together.
No parades to-day.
Bad attack of diarrhoea.
Wrote to Mother.
31
Wed
Street fighting.
Had to fall out and return to camp.
March through Heliopolis at night.
APRIL
1 Thurs
T(u?)ill marching order at 5.30 am.
15 mile march in heat and dust.
Not allowed to drink any water.
Were paid 1 pound 8/0.
2 Fri Good Friday Bank Holiday
Holiday all day.
Went to Heliopolis in evening.
Riot of troops in Cairo.
3 Sat – Bank Holiday
Very little doing.
I have been put in charge of No 4 section.
No. 9
enlying (?) pichet.
Called out to defend the picture show against a mob of chaps who were had over some boxing.
4 Sun Easter Sunday
Church parade.
No leave.
We are almost sure to go away next week.
5 Mon Bank Holiday
Marching order inspection parade.
Wind and sand storm.
Sharpened our bayonets.
Letters from Estelle and Dick and Myrtle Randerson.
6 Tues
Did little or nothing all day.
Bought some P.Cs for Rie.
7 Wed
Valise inspection.
March to Palais de Koubbuh.
Posted P.C`s to Rie.
8
Thurs
Route march in full marching dress.
Bayonet fighting.
9
Fri
Emergency ration issued.
Wrote to Mother and Rie.
Left camp at 8pm and trained at 11pm at Palais de Koubbeh.
10
Sat
Had a fair sleep.
Arrived Alexandria 5am.
Boarded A33.SS Ttonus at 9.30 a.m.
Left Alexandria at 5 p.m.
Sea very calm.
We have a tug and two big open boats in tow.
11
Sun Low Sunday 1 aft Easter
Sea still calm.
Church parade .
1100 men aboard – 11th, 12th, 13th and 17th Coys.
Colonel gave a lecture to N.C.O`s and officers.
We are put on active service rations.
12
Mon
Still fine and calm.
Bad attack of diarrhoea.
Went sick.
Land on port and starboard bows.
Rain in evening.
The three tow boats broke adrift at 7.30pm and were not recovered.
At afternoon parade all men who could swim were told that there were no boats provided for them.
13
Tues
A dirty (dusty?) day.Recovered all three boats but soon lost one again.
Soon tow line broke again.
Ships officers got tug but got
(?) barge.
Tug sunk.
Officers and Las(?) taken off punt.
One officer injured (?).
Tug cut up by pip(?)loss.
Put a ? ? without any of tow boats.
Felt a bit squi(?)mishe?.
Passed a rock like Fifeshire.
14
Wed.
Lovely morning.
Hills and green grass in sight.
A1 cruise escorting us into harbour of Lemnos.
Here are
fo(?) await 20 warships (English(?)
+ ? and Russian).
Torpedo boats by the score , submarines and about 50 transports loaded with troops.
H.M.S. I?e??
ala????? ?? is here.
15
Thurs
Fine.
Physical drill and usual routine during day.
Lutnou(?) arrived with Commander(?) of Canterbury battalion.
An Australian transport S.S.A. 25 Seangahoon (?) tied up to us this evening.
Australians seem to be well fed.
On fire pisquet.
Wrote to Mother but don`t know when it will get away.
(Letter destroyed)
16
Fri
Fine.
Went ashore for route march.
Passed through several Quaint old Greek villages.
Climbed a hill and saw the Dardanelles in the far distance.
Also had a splendid view of the harbour.
Now(?)
s?th
evening variety of ships from submarines to super dread-nought.
Did m??? work for the rest of the day.
17
Sat
Very calm but dull, washing and airing blankets.
No`s afternoon parades.
More troops arrived today.
Wrote to Mother, Rob, Rie, Mrs Birtwhistle.
18
Sun
Very little doing in morning.
Had Presbyterian Service and went about the HMS Queen Elizabeth and saw her 15 “ guns, also where she was hit by Turkish shrapnel.
Saw a naval hydroplane.
Received first issue of bread.
Had a plumb duff for tea, also fresh roast beef.
Were paid 5/-
19
Mon
Fine and warm.
HMS Swift?re arrived.
Short
sweet(?) march ashore.
Saw various types of the ?
sol?ice.
Ghep? Islanders receive ?
orders(?).
Saw interior of the Greek Orthodox Church small but very well appointed.
Had a decent swim.
Australians gave us a good concert.
20
Tues
Valise and equipment inspection.
Afternoon
a foot and figle? inspection.
H.M.S. Warspite ? came in and went out again.
She carries ten 15” guns and is bigger in every way than the Queen Elizabeth.
21
Wed
Raining and blowing.
Usual routine.
Letters from Mother, Nellie, Iso, Phyllis, Rie, Rhoda, Essie and Doris Denton.
Warned for Orderly Corporal.
22
Thurs
Commenced O.C. duties.
Wrote to Doris Rhoda, Essie and Iso.
Semaphore and Bayonet fighting.
Sharpened our bayonets.
Were ordered to pack our valises in readiness to move off.
23
Fri St. George Bank Holiday
Still O.C. Company parades.
Several transports left here this evening.
Warships are all ealing(?),
save two seaplanes.
Lights of ships look like a small city.
Seang Choon went out at 7.30 pm.
24
Sat
Windy, cold and dull.
? and 200 rounds of a
????
Several transpors and also H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth. Went out today.
Lecture to
N Co`s by Capt Griffith re discipline ec. (oc?).
25
Sun
Sill 6 Corps
?
, left at 6.30 am.
Heard big guns firing in the distance.
?
?
Service.
Warships and stransport in sight of any firing.
Machine
? aeroplane and balloon
? o?.
Landed the HMS Bulldog (Destroyer) at 7pm.
Took up position and dis?.
Dead and wounded here in plenty everywhere.
26
Mon
Rained in ?
me?.
HMS Queen Elizabeth firing 15” shrapnel
shells. Wen? Ships shelling continuously.
Usual aerial ???.
We took up position
high up the hill.
Enemy`s artillery fire very ineffective.
Trench and Batosh(?) force is used with enemys near.
Turks just landing parties yesterday had a very hot time.
?
very scarce here.
Enemy snipers very active.
No 4 Contry G?.
27
Tues
Beautiful morning.
Heavy artillery duels all day.
We remained in same place all day.
Wounded passing in scores.
No 4 Section out(?) sentry group again.
Aerial reconnoitring continues every day.
Turks being driven back with heavy losses.
Very hot all day.
Turks use dumdum and explosive bullets.
28
Wed
Very hot again.
D?sulting
??? all day.
Usual afternoo
????.
Very few casualties.
Warships blu?
Enemy`s observation
???????13th Coy lost five men.
12th Coy still in same position.
Water has to be carried about a mile.
More troops arrived today.
Windy and wet.
Had a very uncomfortable night.
29
Thurs
Stood to arms at 3am but nothing happened. Very cold.
In afternoon the 9
did 4 hour`s
road making.
Riv???? down the hill.
A???? Turks shelled al?? in
??? bivouac but
??
??
ha??.
I did not wake up.
Rather cold.
Very quiet day.
30
Fri
Had a swim.
Did some roadmaking .
In evening took up positon about 100 yds from the leftwing.
All night digging trenches.
The scout we led achieve cont his way about
si?? lines ?? ??
.
To-day has been rather quiet.
Desultory(?) rifle
and machine gun fire.
MAY
1 Sat
In the trenches all day.
Trenches very
narrow and uncomfortable.
Co4 Sec on sentry all day and all night.
Discovered a concealed (v)ent to our left and Arthur Fellow shot in the head and killed at 2.30pm.
McEvoy wounded in the chest.
Ma(?)or Loach wounded.
Is blowing and cold.
Didn`t get much sleep.
Another comparatively quiet day.
McEvoy shot by our own scout.
2 Sun
On
?
all day.
???????????????????
Had only one pint of water to drink.
Very thirsty.
In evening went down to creek and got some water.
On sentry duty again.
Heavy firing all night.
Our troops advanced 600yds last night.
3 Mon
??? and HOT TEA .
?????Snipers very active to-day.
Potatoes and ham issued but no chance of cooking it.
Went down for water again and the snipers got
?
?
us just got our water though.
Warships searchlights
??ick
?? w? on our flanks at night.
Stood to arms about(?) 12pm
4 Tues
Had
bacon and ?ed potatoes for breakfast.
Made stew for dinner and tea.
Not much doing all day.
Left for beach at 8pm.
Slept on beach all night.
5 Wed
On beach all day.
Had a freshwater wash.
Others(?) were shelled while getting water.
Fell in at 6pm and got issued with 2 ?
?.
At 4am HMS Mosqui?? Landed us o(?) and
??
pole (?) peninsula.
Marched about 2 miles and dug in .
Saw forts(?) destroyed by navy.
?
?lling
Turks all day.
Turks driven back with heavy loss.
6 Thurs Accession of King George V
Famous French 7.5`s, British 18.>>
>ders and warships, big guns given the Turks a be?.
??
Very windy and cold. Spent a ?
and MISERABLE night.
Dardanelles and Asia Minor in view on right and ?
of
?
? Grate(Greek?) islands on left.
7 Fri
Nothing doing
?ing except continuous artillery duels.
Left at 3pm and took up new position on left wing.
Very uncomfortable night, but very little fighting.
8
Sat
Reinforced
service tent (?) at noon.
Advannced to new position under very heavy rifle fire.
Numerous casualties.
I was wounded in the right forearm.
Taken aboard SS
Tranconis(?) at 6pm.
Hundreds of wounded aboard here.
Arthur Marres and Fred Jones both aboard.
Buster Westrupp seriously wounded.
9
Sun
Had wound dressed and waiting for 4
?
.
Dr says
will be ready for work in a few days
time(?) 1600 wounded on board.
Left for Alexandria at 8pm.
It is a treat to be in a good bed but would like to be back with my section again doing my whack with the Nelson Boys.
10
Mon
Beautifully fine and calm.
Passed numerous islands.
T??ness with Tommies of various regiments.
Do not care for the territorial(?) very much but have a sincere admiration for the regulars every man of them is a hero.
One of the boys has a pet turtle aboard.
There are plenty of them on Gallipoli.
11
Tues
Fine and calm.
I borrowed 1pound from A Masson(?).
Arrived at Alexandria at mid-day.
Many wounded were taken to Cairo in hospital train.
Wrote Field Service P.C`s to Mother, Rob and Rie.
I`m ashamed to be here with such a slight wound but cannot help it.
23 men died during voyage.
12
Wed
?
?
Cairo aboard
the hospital train at 2pm.
Were served with afternoon tea by ?dran Indians and white ?
?
?.
Arrived at Co??ass?f?? hospital at 6(?)pm.
Saw Fred Savage
?
very
?
very considerate.
13
Thurs
Helped in the dining room.
Wrote a letter
?
?????????????
Asked to be discharged but didn`t succeed.
14
Fri
Washed all my underclothing.
Received notice of discharge.
Dr.
wanted to send me to convalescent camp for a fortnight but I asked to be returned for duty.
Request granted.
15
Sat
Discharged from hospital.
Saw several of the Nelson boys there.
Back at old Yeitour(?) camp again (worst luck)
16
Sun
Had photo taken with Percy Watson and Jim Palzies (?).
Visited hospital.
Saw Sam Haase.
Saw Peter Jenkins, Pat O`Connor, R. Cooke and others.
17
Mon
Visited Mounted lines again and had a ride on a horse.
Egypt seems to be chiefly sand, flies and arabs.
18
Tues
Instrusted (?) in funeral ceremony by imperial sergeants.
On guard with Australians at No o ? Depot.
19
Wed
On guard all day till 5.30pm.
Went to Zeitoun(?) and got photos which were fairly satisfactory.
The days are now very hot and the flies exceedingly troublesome.
20
Thurs
2 hours trench digging before breakfast.
Visited mounted lines.
Touch of diarrhoea during the night.
21
Fri
Bad attack of diarrhoea and sickness.
Had no breakfast or dinner.
Went sick.
A draft of men chosen for the front.
Left me out for some reason – much to my disappointment and disgust.
22
Sat
On Battalion Orderly Corporal.
Wrote to Rob.
Bought an apple for P.T. 2
Wrote to Mother.
Thermometer registers 115 degrees in the shade.
Almost too hot to live.
23
Sun – whit Sunday
Church Parade on the desert.
Went to Abbassich Hos. And afterwards to Cairo.
Listened to band in Ezbekier (?) Gardens.
Had a yarn with two English civilians.
24
Mon
I have been made acting platoon sergeant of Canterbury Platoon.
Made out new roll and duty roster .
Received cablegram from Mother enquiring nature of my wound.
Too late to reply tonight.
25
Tuesday Could not get leave to go to Cairo and send cable.
Making out return returns all day.
65 men chosen to go to front.
Fourth reinforcements arrived late at night.
Walker agreed to send cable for me. Wrote to Mother and Rie.
26
Wed Birth of Queen Mary
Left at 8 a.m. arrived Alexandra 3.30 pm.
Went aboard A3(S?) O Austerlind at 4.30 pm.
Had a swim in the harbour.
Left Alex at 7pm.
I hope I never see Egypt again.
27
Th
Fine and calm.
Sea a beautiful blue.
Tuesday(?) Passing islands all day.
Many of them like parts of N.Z. coast.
28
Fri
Fine and calm.
Seem to be rather short of rations on this boat.
Not allowed to post letters aboard.
Beautiful sunset.
Destroyer passed to starboard.
29
Sat
Arrived at Lemnos at 5am. Mauritania(?) here with 5000 troops aboard.
Had a swim in harbour.
Tied up to HMT Lutgow(?).
Heard that HMS Tricem?ph and HMS Majestic had been sunk by supposed Austrian submarines several of which are reported to be at large about here.
30
Sun Trinity Sunday
On special guard to keep a look out for submarines.
Lying in Lemnos harbour all day.
Several chaps made a doormat of my face while I was asleep consequence black eye and big lip.
31
Mon
Guard dismissed at 9am.
Had a swim in harbour.
Will be glad when we join our companies for this is becoming monotonous.
JUNE
1 Tues
Had a swim.
Rather windy and sea was choppy.
Some Australians left on minesweeper for Dardaneles.
Wrote to Mother.
2 Wed
Orders to be prepared to move off at any minute of course we did not go.
Several loads of Gurkhas taken to Dardanelles.
3 Thurs Birth of King George V
Left our old tub at 7.30 pm and came aboard HMS Newmarket, minesweeper.
Had a fine trip but had practically no sleep.
Casualties to date of NZ Inf. Brigade 600 killed
400 missing
}
3300
2300wounded
4 Fri
Arrived at anzac (?) at 4am.
Marched up and joined our company oh joy.
Went to trenches at noon but I was put on water party.
Trenches about 20 yds apart.
Volunteered for a charge tonight.
Turks and ourselves using bombs and hand grenades.
I was not accepted for volunteer party which captured a trench inflicting heavy losses on Turks.
5 Sat
Heavy fighting all day.
More bombs and hand grenades.
In charge of water and ration parties all day.
Very tired.
Fruitless but
?
water.
Very quiet night.
Issued cigarettes and tobacco to all our Coy..
6 Sun
On water and ration fatigue all day.
Troops came out of trenches at 11 am for a spell.
Bombs still being thrown by either side.
Got relieved from water party at 8pm.
Had a good sleep.
7 Mon
Stood to arms at 3.30am.
Had a swim at 11am but had to cut it short on account of shrapnel fire.
Some of fourth reinforcements have arrived.
Fell in at 8pm and stood to arms most of night.
?
?
again killed two men near me within five minutes.
8 Tues
In trenches from 11 am.
False bomb scare in afternoon.
Woke up in hurry and jumped into a wall (?) nearly knocked my wind out – no bomb came.
Later at night several DID come and some of us nearly WENT.
The 1pm to 3pm shift was a very trying one for we stood with fixed bayonets for two hours and a half waiting for the Turks to charge - but they did not come.
Periscopes are very useful here.
9
Wed
We were relieved from the trenches at 9 a.m and returned lower down the hill where we dug fresh bivouacs and cooked our tea.
We hope to have a week`s relief from trenches.
Sentry duty on Quinn`s Post is calculated to try the nerves of anyone and the smell of dead bodies is not very pleasant.
Many men have broken down completely from nervous strain.
10
Thurs
Had a good sleep last night.
I have been made a full corporal.
On roadmaking to-day.
Wrote field post cards to Mother and Rie.
Had a good sleep.
11
Fri
On navvying fatigue in main
? for 3 hrs.
Had prunes issued today.
12
Sat
Had a swim.
Received a letter from Nellie.
In charge of 4 hrs fatigue party at Quinn`s post.
Turks can be heard digging under our saps(?)
We mined and blew up one of the Turkish bomb proof shelters.
13
Sun
Voluntary church service.
Aeroplanes reconnoitering again to-day and warships bombarding.
Wrote to Mother and Kath Mayo.
Went to church in the evening.
Rifles and guns firing at airship made a fitting accompanyment.
Colonel Hughes is now our colonel.
He is the fourth we have had.
Nelson Coy. On inlying picquet.
Stood to arms at 3 am.
14
Mon
Some sea kits arrived.
Held a bomb throwing competition.
C Coy leading so far.
The destroyer flotilla is keeping up a constant bombardment to the south of us.
15
Tues
On sapping fatigue for 4 hrs.
One of our own shrapnel burst prematurely and wounded 2 of our men in their bivouacs.
Had a swim.
More bomb throwing competitions.
Had a good concert in the evening.
16
Wed
A shower of rain in the morning.
Field PC`s to Mother, Rie and Nell Simpson.
Turks fired a lot of shells into the hill opposite our bivouacs but did no damage, although several fragments landed fairly close.
17
Thurs
Dull and cloudy.
Hd a swim
I suppose it will be the last for some time.
A fresh water wash is a thing of the past.
18
Fri
Returned to Irinini (?).
Post at 10am.
The flies here are a terrible curse and probably account for the prevalence of diarrhoea amongst the troops.
Had a shot out of a periscope rifle this was my first shot on this peninsula.
Pop has written in pencil underneath `Centenary of Waterloo`
19
Sat
Came out of trenches at 8.30am and went to bivouac for a spell.
Had an easy day.
Our aeroplane dropped 2 huge bombs on Turks this afternoon.
20
Sun
Returned to trenches at 8.30 am.
I was put on reserve all day.
Heat and flies are becoming very troublesome here.
I was crook with colic and flue and had to sleep at the cook house.
21
Mon
Left trenches at 8.30am and returned to our old bivouacs.
I felt very seedy all day
but had to go to the beach and carry up 4x4 beams 8 feet long.
22
Tues
Sent field PC`s to Nellie.
Went on guard at 9am.
Very hot day.
4 P.C.`s to Nell, Glad, Dick, and wrote Estelle.
Had a good sleep at night.
Received 3 Auckland Weeklys from Iso.
23
Wed Birth of Prince of Wales
Came off guard at 9am.
Had a swim.
Turks frequently shell beach and often get some of our boys.
24
Thurs St John Baptist
Came into trenches at 8.30 am.
Had several shots out of periscope rifle .
Get very little sleep on this post.
Had a
bad attack of diarrhoea.
25
Fri
Came out of trenches at 9am and came to Canterbury Gully for 8 days SO-CALLED SPELL.
No. 9 & 10 on fatigue from 4pm to 8pm .
Dr Pearless came back today.
Everyone is pleased to see him again.
It is a pleasure to go to bed and not have to think of getting up in two hours time.
26
Sat
On fatigue from 8am to 2pm.
And again from 10pm till 2am.
Felt very weary and sleepy .
Had a swim at 8pm.
We are getting heart-sick and weary with these eternal fatigues this is what they call giving us a rest.
27
Sun
Wrote P.C`s to Rob and Ned.
On fatigue from 2pm till 6pm.
Felt very crook.
Church service was held but I did not feel equal to going .
28
Mon
On fatigue from 6am till 10am.
Did not feel at all well.
A supposed
German(?) aeroplane flew over her this evening.
On fatigue from 10pm till 2am.
29
Tues
On fatigue from 2pm till 6am.
Very warm day.
Windy night.
Turks made an attack last night and lost heavily.
Our casualties were very light.
30
Wed
Not quite so hot today.
Did no fatigues.
Went for a swim in the morning.
Jack Thompson came over in the afternoon.
Rained at night.
JULY
1 Thurs
Rather windy.
Did not strike any fatigues today.
Wrote field PC to Rie and to Father.
2 Fri
Don`t feel too well.
Dull and windy.
On fatigue from 1pm till 5pm.
Heavy bombardment at Cape Hellas.
We stood to arms at 3am.
Reported that Turks are on the run.
3 Sat
Rained at night and this morning.
Received a letter from Dick and a parcel of socks, kerchiefs and chocolate from Mother (posted on March 11th).
On
fatigue from 12pm till 2am.
4 Sun
Rained at 2am .
Wrote to Mother and Dick.
At 2pm left our bivouacs at Canterbury Gully and came up near Quinn`s Post.
Two days ago Harold left for
Im?s as one of
?
?
Hamilton`s body guard.
5 Mon
Stood to arms at 2.30 am.
Came onto ? at 8.30am.
On (duty?) at 12.30pm till 4.30 pm : 8.30pm till 12.30am: 2.00am till 6.30am.
Do not get much sleep on this post although it is an easy p?
- no bombs here.
In distance? sniping through a loophole(?) and also with a periscope rifle .
Found one of my men asleep in the advanced post.
Was nearly shot by one of my own men.
6 Tues
Struck some good sniping this morning early.
Were relieved at 8.30 am and he turned to reserve bivouacs.
During afternoon several shrapnel bullets and 2 pieces of shell case dropped in our bivouac but fortunately did no harm.
7 Wed
Came into trenches at 8.30 am.
Instructed in the use of respiratios in case of an attack with gas.
The Turks are reported to have imported
?bephysoootc?
gas from Germany.
Wrote a field P.C. to Doris Denton and Estelle.
At 10.30 pm everyone fired 5 rounds rapid, then put his overcoat on his bayonette and waved it above the trench at the same time yelling Pudl??.
8 Thurs
Were relieved at 8.30 am and returned to reserve bivouacs.
18 sick men from our Coy. Sent to hospital.
I have another attack of diarrhoea.
We were issued with a few dates and figs.
Last night our bombs set fire to the Turks bomb-proof shelters and they burned all night.
Wrote a letter to Mrs Lewis.
9 Fri
Came into trenches at 8.30 am.
Having a bad time with diarrhoea.
Received a note from Harold who is at Imb???.
He seems to be having a good time.
Very crook all night and had a job to do my shifts.
Respirators are placed at intervals in all the trenches in case of a gas attack by the Turks.
10 Sat
Came out of trenches at 8.30 a.m.
Am still feeling very crook and weak but managed to go for a swim in afternoon.
Everybody here is much annoyed by flies and other objectionable insects.
11
Sun
Came into trenches at 8.30 am.
Wrote field P.C`s to Mother , Rob and Kath Mayo.
Received 3 letters from home.
2 from Rie and 4 from Iso.
Very crook sin? with diarrhoea and could not do one shift at night.
12
Mon
On fatigue from 6 am till 10 am.
Returned to our old bivouacs at Canterbury Gully.
Still crook with diarrhoea.
Received two Aucklands from Isabel Jennings.
Did not strike any of the night fatigues so had a good sleep.
13
Tues
Still crook.
Dr ordered me to hospital.
Jack Anderson very kindly offered me 2 pounds which I accepted.
Must not forget to return it.
Left by H.M.S. Hythe minesweeper at 1.30pm.
Arrived Lemnos 6pm Cunard liner `Acquitama` is in harbour.
Went into 1st Australian field hospital at 8 pm and was put on milk diet.
14
Wed
Still feel very crook and weak.
On milk diet.
Very hot here but flies not as bad as those in Gallipoli.
Saw several 12th Coy lads.
I find the heat here very oppressive but the flies are not so numerous as those at Gallipoli
15
Thurs
Still feel very weak but diarrhoea is a little better.
Dr ordered me to base.
No room on Hospital ship so we returned to our old wards.
Jack Anderson has arrived here and looks pretty crook.
The Drs and orderlies in this hospital are very kind and obliging.
Feel very weak.
16
Fri
Mauritania in harbour this morning.
Left Lemnos at 3pm and came aboard hospital ship `Gloucester Castle`.
Got a cup of cocoa and a hard biscuit for tea.
Had to sleep on deck.
Still have diarrhoea.
Sea very calm.
17
Sat
Had a hot bath.
A cup of tea and half a slice of bread and butter for breakfast.
Had some medicine which made me very crook.
Had terrible pains in my stomach.
Could eat no dinner.
A concert was held at night but did not feel equal to going.
Sea still calm.
18
Sun
Sea still calm.
Church Service on board this morning but did not feel well enough to go.
Could not eat any dinner.
Half a slice of bread for tea.
Jack Anderson is aboard here too.
There are lady nurses aboard here it does a man good to see women again.
19
Mon
Arrived Malta 6am.
Very massive looking place solid stone or walls everywhere.
Had a few tomatoes, plums, apples and pears.
Diarrhoea much better.
Several French gunboats in harbour.
20
Tues
At 6am ship moved round to another bay.
Came ashore 9.30.
Met by ladies with cigarettes, biscuits, chocolate, lemonade and flowers.
Taken to Tigne hospital by motor car.
Saw Field Marshall Lord Mettuen(?).
Went to town in evening.
Jack Anderson in same ward.
Sisters very kind.
Return of diarrhoea during night.
21
Wed
Wrote to Nellie and Phyllis.
Went down town in evening and bought an old Malta postage stamp for 3/-.
In afternoon was visited by a Methodist young man who gave me some English papers.
Maltese ladies brought tobacco and matches round for each patient.
22
Thurs
Wrote to Rob.
Went to Sliema and say Vic Sherwood and Roy Davey Levine.
Bought some views of Malta.
A slight return of diarrhoea.
23 Fri
Wrote to Dick.
Went to Sliema and ordered a box in which to post an empty shell case which I brought from the Dardanelles.
S. S. Loyalty
Hos.
Ship arrived.
24
at
Wrote P.C.`s to Rie and Iso and sent several home.
Went for a walk to Sliema in the evening.
Paid 1/6 for box for shell.
25
Sun
Stayed in all day.
Read a book called `By Order of the Czar`.
Were paid 2/- per man.
S S Sutlegi (?) Hospital ship arrived.
26
Mon
Went for a walk to Sliema
Promenade and heard a Maltese Band.
Didn`t think much of it.
Had a relapse of diarrhoea.
27
Tues
Bad day with diarrhoea.
Did not go out in evening Wrote to Rob.
28
Wed
A little better than yesterday but did not go out in evening.
Two Maltese ladies came round giving away cigarettes and tobacco.
S S Neuralia came.
29
Th
Did not go out in evening.
S.S. Cecilia Hos ship came in.
30
Fri
Went to Sliema in afternoon and posted shell home it cost 5/7.
Went down to promenade in evening.
S S Gloucester Castle arrived.
31
Sat
Bad attach of diarrhoea.
Were paid 2/- per man.
Did not go out.
Copied to here
AUGUST
1 Sun
Still have diarrhoea.
Did not go out.
S S Balta
Hos ship came in .
Wrote to Mother.
2 Mon
Did not go out.
Diarrhoea still crook.
3 Tuesday Diarrhoea still crook.
Had a visit from
Major Griffiths
- our Company Commander.
Did not go out.
4 Wed
In bed all day.
Diarrhoea no better.
Was visited by a Methodist minister .
Maltese ladies brought us cigarettes, cigars and tobacco, and matches.
5 Thurs
S.S. Davanha Hos Ship came in this morning, also two other hospital
ships.
In bed all day.
6 Fri
S.S. Glencorm H. S arrived.
Got up after dinner to-day but did not go out.
7 Sat
S.S. Letitia. H ship arrived.
Wrote to Ching.
Bad attack of diarrhoea.
Two successful new landings made at Dardanelles.
8 Sun
In bed all day.
Feel very shaky
9 Mon
In bed all day .
Feel a little better.
10 Tues
Feel much better.
Got up in afternoon.
11 Wed
Don`t feel so well to-day.
Got up in afternoon.
Wrote to Rie.
12 Thurs
H.S. Dunluce
Castle arrived.
In bed all day.
Read `The Broken Halo` by Florence Barclay.
Did not think much of it.
13 Fri
In bed all day.
Bought silk handkerchiefs for Phil, May, Maisie and Gwen.
14 Sat
Up in afternoon.
Were paid 2/-.
Hospital transport ship arrived.
Read `The Compleat Bachelor` by Oliver Onion.
15 Sun
Posted handkerchiefs and Princess Mary`s gift box home.
Wrote to Phyllis and Mother and Mr Kidson.
16 Mon
Hospital ship arrived.
Did not go out.
Read `Wheels O`Fortune` by Louis Tracey.
Not a very high class book.
17 Tues
H.S. Salta arrived this morning .
H.S. Asturius arrived later.
18 Wed
H.S. Goorkna arrived and also a transport carrying wounded.
Received note from Jack.
Our chaps have been severely handled at Dardanelles.
S.S. Royal Edward sunk.
19 Thurs
Went for a swim in Marsumacetto Harbour.
Went to Sliema in evening.
H.S. Somali (No. 14) arrived.
20 Fri
H.S. Valdavia (27) arrived.
Did not go out.
Wrote to Iso.
21 Sat
H.S. Glentully Castle (No.
21) arrived.
Return of diarrhoea.
Left Tigne by motor and later arrived at St. Patricks Convalescent Hospital.
22
Sun
Still have diarrhoea.
Went to Valetta in evening.
Splendid view of Grand Harbour from Upper Barraca Lift.
Saw saluting Battery.
23
Mon
Asked to be sent to Gallipoli.
Went to Valetta Information Bureau and Armoury.
Visited Tigne Hos.
Thunder storm at night.
24
Tues
Visited St David`s and St Andrews Hospital.
Saw Sergt Burnett and other Nelson boys.
Showery.
Wrote to Estelle.
25
Wed.
Visited St. David`s and St. Andrews.
Saw Ike Harvey.
Went to Valletta Inf. Bureau with Jack Anderson.
Town seems to be full of officers.
26
Thurs
Wrote to Rob.
Did not go out.
Still have diarrhoea.
27
Fri
Went to Valletta and bought a Guide to Malta Tourist Resorts.
28
Sat
Went to Tigne and had a swim.
29
Sun
Went to Valletta.
Visited upper and lower Barraccca and went down the lift.
30
Mon
Went to Tigne.
Bought a tie for Mother.
Very hot day.
31
Tues
Don` t feel too grand.
Paraded ready to go away but was sent back to await orders.
SEPTEMBER
1 Wed
Left Malta at 6pm per S.S. Ascanius presumably for Egypt.
Sea calm.
Hammocks to sleep in.
2 Thurs
Beautifully calm with cool breeze.
Not many troops aboard some bound for N.Z. and Australia.
Sgt. Burnett is going home.
3 Fri
Copied diary up till July 31st.
Sea very calm.
Wrote a letter home and gave it and diary to Sgt. Burnett to deliver.
4 Sat
Still very calm.
Arrived at Port Said at 4pm.
Natives coaling the boat make a hideous noise all night.
5 Sun
Came ashore at 7.30am.
Left Port Said by rail at 8pm.
Passed through Ismailia, Zag a Zig and Benha.
Arrived at Mustapha Con Camp at 4pm.
Posted to tents and renewed aquaintance with sand.
6 Mon
Went on duty as Sgt of guard at 9am.
Got my base kit and fount it intact.
Was inoculated against cholera.
7 Tues
Drew 6 pounds 3”1 of my back pay.
On fatigue.
Wrote to Mother, Rie, Iso and Dick.
Went to P.O. for letters but did not get any.
Bought some films for Ching and some tobacco for Tom and presents for Mother and the girls.
8 Wed
On fatigue at No 21 General Hospital, Alex.
Heard that Tom has died of wounds hope it is not true.
Hear that Ching is in Cairo sick.
Letters from home, Rie, Auntie, and Iso and Irene Denton.
Wrote to Nell and Ching.
Posted parcels home.
9 Thurs
Warned at 6 am to be ready for active service.
Left camp about 8am.
Came on board A.I. S.S. Ionian at 10am.
Wrote to Father and Mrs Lewis.
S.S. Mahens is in Alex.
Left Alex at 6pm.
False torpedo scare which nearly caused a panic.
10 Fri
Sea fairly rough.
Diarrhoea bad again.
Was sick but not sea-sick.
11 Sat
Wrote to Dick, Rie, Rob, Iso.
Passed several islands.
Sea fairly rough.
12 Sun
Sea still rough.
Wrote to Doris Denton and Auntie.
Made friends with one of the stewards and had a splendid supper.
Arrived at Lemnos at 4pm .
Rained at night.
13 Mon
Lying in Mudros harbour all day.
14 Tues
Lying in harbour all day.
Rained heavily at night.
15 Wed
Came ashore at 11am and walked 3 miles to camp.
Remainder of our infantry from Gallipoli arrived at 4pm.
Only one of the original No 9. left.
16 Thurs
Rained Heavily in the morning.
No 9 Platoon is now only a section with me as senior N.C.O. at present.
17 Fri
Drew 2 pounds back pay.
On various fatigues all day.
18 Sat.
Doing various fatigues all day.
The following remark was found in a dead German`s diary on Gallipoli.
Aug 7th :- British are landing more troops thank God no more New Zealanders and Australians.
19 Sun
Commenced orderly sergeant duties today.
Very cold night.
20 Mon
On orderly sergt duty all day.
Wrote to Mother .
Close order drill
kit inspection.
21 Tues
Still orderly Sgt.
N.Z.
I. B. inspected by General Godley.
Received some gift stuff from Lady Hamilton.
22 Wed
Windy and dull.
Still on orderly sgt close order drill.
A mail arrived but did not get anything except a few papers.
23 Thurs
Windy and cold.
N.C. O`s lectured and drilled by Adjutant.
Received letter from Rob, Mother, Estelle, Nellie, Father, Rie, Mrs Denton, Cilla, Miss Lewis,
Miss Burton, Kath Mayo.
Wrote to Rob and Miss Lewis and Miss Burton.
24 Fri
Went for a short route march and doubled all the way home about 2 miles.
Very short in the wind.
Wrote to Stell, Kath Mayo , Ern Burnett.
25 Sat
Close order drill and cleaning up parade ground.
Visited Ted Baigent in afternoon.
26 Sun
Church Parade.
Wrote to Cilla.
Good war news : `Russians have checked German advance British and French advancing on Western Front`.
27
Mon
Squad drill.
Route march.
Outposts by day.
Australian 4th In. Bde. gave N.Z. I.B. a camp concert.
28 Tues
Straightening up the camp generally.
There is a band here now thank goodness.
Camp concert at night.
Very enjoyable evening.
Naval officer and General Monash of 4th Aus Inf Bde were present.
29 Wed
Close order drill all morning.
Fatigue in afternoon.
Innoculated against typhoid.
1st and 2nd Coy isolated as Diphtheria has broken out.
Sixth reinforcements arrived.
Saw Sam Swanson.
30 Th
Was on Battalion Orderly Sergeant.
Received a quantity of back mail including a letter from Nell Simpson.
Heavy fog came down at night.
Some of the letters were dated as far back as March 1st.
OCTOBER
1915
1 Fri
Remainder of sixth reinforcements arrived.
Went to Greek village and took some washing.
Saw Jim Burnett and gave him his brother`s letters.
I am now acting in the capacity of Platoon Commander of the No 9 Platoon.
2 Sat
On Battalion Orderly Sergt. Again.
Fairly busy day.
Sixth reinforcements seem to be a fairly willing crowd.
Saw a huge airship or dirigible balloon flying over the harbour.
3 Sun
Church Parade in the morning.
Went over to see Ted Baigent in afternoon.
He is thin but otherwise fairly well.
Mounted reinforcements arrived in evening.
4 Mon
Close order drill followed by a route march.
I acted as platoon commander for No 11 Platoon.
Saw Charlie Holman.
He is in the Mounted Reinforcements.
Received letters from Mother, Iso, Alice Mayo, Essie Randerson and Nell.
5 Tues
Physical drill before breakfast.
Kit inspection .
Visited mounted lines in evening.
6 Wed
Physical drill.
On Mail Fatigue.
Gen.
Godley inspected all new reinforcements.
On well guard at 5.30pm.
Blankets and 24 hours rations.
Received 5 pounds back pay.
7 Thurs
On well guard all day.
Wrote to Iso, Alice Mayo and Mrs Jenkins.
Relieved from well guard at 5.30pm.
The Olympic is in harbour carrying about 7000 troops.
8 Fri
Showery.
Company organized into platoons and sections.
I am at present ACTING SERGEANT and acting platoon commander of No 9 Platoon.
Rained heavily at night.
Thunder storm.
We are now getting biscuits instead of bread, and eggs have been cut out.
9 Sat
Physical drill.
Battalion drill with the band.
Innoculated against typhoid.
Camp fire concert at night.
Our rations now consist of tea, bacon, biscuits, meat and jam.
10 Sun
Church Parade conducted by Capt Taylor.
In evening climbed hill to the rear of camp and obtained a magnificent view of Mudros Harbour which is crowded with ships of all descriptions showing a blaze of lights..
8
hospital ships in harbour.
11 Mon
Physical drill.
Route march from 9.30 am till 1pm.
Practised marching with advance
guards.
Went to Portanus village and bought a few luxuries.
12 Tues
Physical drill.
Close
order drill under Coy Officers.
Visited Baigent in afternoon and stayed to tea.
Made some pancakes for him and he make cakes for us.
Night march and outposts from 7pm till 9pm.
13 Wed
I took the Company for physical drill this morning.
Bayonet fighting from 9 till 11.
11 till 1 Battalion and Comp. Drill.
Very cold wind.
14 Thurs
12th Coy on duty .
Bayonet fighting.
I was Sergt of the quarter guard.
Had 7 prisoners in tent.
Very cold night.
Took off shorts and put on long trousers.
15 Fri
On guard all day.
Battalion doing bayonet fighting and close order drill.
Very cold wind blowing.
Came off guard at 5.30pm.
16 Sat
Interior economy.
Re-arrangement of tents Nos 9 & 10 put in one tent and Nos 11 & 12 in another.
Weather still very cold and windy.
Rained at night.
17 Sun
Church parade .
Showery and very cold.
18 Mon
12th
Coy on duty.
Extended order & close order drill.
Still windy but not quite so cold.
19 Tues
Battalion in attack, night formation.
In afternoon went out and took some ranges for Lt Blake.
In evening battalion in attack.
20 Wed
Nelson Coy went out early and took up defensive positon.
Remainder of batt came out later and attacked.
Route march back to camp.
In afternoon Nos 9 & 10 Platoons played football match against 11 & 12 Platoons and won by 3 points to nil.
21 Thurs
Platoon competition for Battalion won by 16 Platoon 13th Coy.
No 9 platoon came 9th.
The men drilled well but the section commanders were rather weak.
Wrote to Mother, Rie, Mrs Denton and Liz (y) Marris.
22 Fri
Very cold and windy.
Battalion practiced marching under artillery fire.
Had to turn back on account of rain.
Showery all day.
Have been ill with diarrhoea lately.
23 Sat
Cold and windy.
Equipment and boot inspection.
Issued various articles of clothing.
N.Z. played Australians football and won by 42 to 3.
Showery at night.
24 Sun
Raining.
Am still crook with diarrhoea.
All troops inspected by Gen Godley and Col. Hon HestonRhodes and had the usual twaddle told to us once more.
Don`t know why THE HEAD`S talk such a lot of rot on these occasions.
25 Mon – Labour day
Fine and warm.
Extended order and close order drill.
Received letters from Glad, Mrs Lewis and Auntie.
Wrote to Mother, Glad.
Sent field P.C`s to Allan and Miss Richardson.
26 Tues
Company training Company in attack.
Platoon sergeants came in early and decided upon a uniform manner of placing blankets and equipment.
27 Wed
Very windy and dusty.
N.Z. and Australians inspected by Gen Munroe Sir Ian Hamilton `s successor.
All troops in full marching order.
28 Thurs
Troops marched to Theimos and back.
I went out range-finding and field-sketching with Lieut Blake.
Out from 9am till 4pm.
Had no dinner.
29 Fri
Blankets rolled by sections.
Received socks, note-books and various other gifts from Nelson people.
I am having another crook spin with diarrhoea.
30 Sat
12th Coy. On duty.
Started extended order but were recalled for fatigues.
Were ordered to be ready for the front by tomorrow.
Later orders cancelled.
Rumours of peace negotiations with Turkey.
(Only a rumour too, I think).
31 sun
Church parade,
Am still crook with diarrhoea.
Letters from Mother, Nellie, Iso and Nell Simpson.
Parcels from Mother and Iso.
Went over to see Ted Baigent and Col. Hughes.
Wrote to Mother.
Rained at night.
NOVEMBER
1 Mon
Am still crook with diarrhoea.
Coy. Training.
Attacked a hill and dug in.
Had a splendid view of harbour and surrounding country.
Wrote to Iso, Mother, Nell. S, Mrs Lewis.
Sent field PC to Miss Richardson, Iso and Mother.
2 Tues
Feel a little better today.
Company training.
Coy in attack.
Medical inspection to detect possible diphtheria cases.
Diphtheria broke out in 2nd South Cant. Coy yesterday.
3 We
12th Coy. On duty today.
Did not go out on parade.
On Agrionus Picquet.
Two Greeks were assaulted and stabbed and I used a field dressing to bind them up.
Had to stand by till midnight to see that no row occurred.
Got to bed at 12.30am.
4 Thurs
Full marching order inspection.
Showery in morning .
Received letters from Nellie, Phyllis, Rie, Iso and Doris Denton.
Wrote a report of last nights stabbing incident.
5 Fri
Route march in full marching order.
In afternoon went with a party to troopship `Empress of Britain` and bought some stores.
Also bought some badges.
6 Sat
Inspection of marching order.
Received a letter from Mother.
Wrote Xmas cards to Father and Mother, Mr and Mrs Lewis, Mr and Mrs Edridge, Doris Denton, Rie, Iso, Kath Mayo, and
Miss Richardson.
7 Sun
Church parade .
Wrote Xmas cards to Rob, Estelle, Nellie, Phil, Nell Simpson, Essie Randerson, Cilla, Dick and the Croixelles Maoris.
Issued ammunition – 220 rounds per man.
Issued 3 days rations.
8 Mon
Reveille at 4.40am.
Rolled blankets in sections .
Left camp at 7am.
Embarked at 10am on the `Osmanieh`.
Was put in a sergeants cabin with Sgt. Rawlings.
Bought 3 oranges for 1/-.
Landed on Williams Pier Anzac at 7pm and marched to our bivouac near the Apex.
In bovouac by 9pm.
Diarrhoea rather bad.
9 Tues
Went into trenches at 9a.m.
Took over No 1 Post Cheshire Ridge from the Australians .
Trenches very deep and commodious.
Turks trenches across a gully 200yds from ours.
Very quiet day and night.
At night sergts had to do 4 hours on duty and 2 off.
I was very crook with diarrhoea and vomiting but managed to do my shifts.
10 Wed
Came out into bivouacs at 9am.
Had a very easy day.
Turks now have some big guns which do a lot of shelling on the beach but fortunately haven`t troubled us yet.
Am still very crook.
Reported to Dr. who ordered me light diet and bed.
No 9 went into supports at 5.30pm but I stayed in bivouac.
11 Thurs
Windy and cold.
Started to rain at midday.
Still on light diet and excused duty.
No 9 went into trenches at 9am.
Nothing much doing all day.
12
Fri
No 9 came out of trenches at 9 a.m.
On fatigue in afternoon.
At 5.30 No 9 went into reserve trenches but I stayed in bivouac.
Am not feeling too good yet.
13 Sat
No 9 came into bivouac at 6.30am.
On fatigue in afternoon.
Went into supports at 5.30pm
Had a good nights sleep.
Feel much better to-day.
14 Sun
Came out into bivouac at 6.30am.
Turks shelled bivvys 1 killed, 4 wounded.
Sgt Major Atkins amongst the latter.
No 9 on fatigue all day and went into firing line at 5.30 pm.
I was ordered back to my bivvy to have a sleep.
Rained a little during the night.
15 Mon
No 9 out of trenches at 6.30am.
Resting all morning.
Fatigues in aftenoon.
Reserves at night.
Wrote to Dick and Rob.
Letters from Rob, Nellie , Estelle and Mrs Lewis.
Wrote to Nellie and Estelle.
16 Tues
Went into firing line at 8.30am.
Nothing much doing all day.
`Jacko` did a bit of shelling at about 5pm and a little bombing at 9pm.
No 10 reinforced firing line at night.
Hospital ships look very nice and comfortable lying at anchor with al lights ablaze.
17 Wed
Rained at night.
Came out of trenches at 8.30am.
Resting all morning fatigues in afternoon.
Wrote to Glad.
In supports at night.
Had a false alarm at 8pm.
Turks firing heavily and some fool called for supports.
Had a job to keep chaps in their places.
18 Thurs
On fatigues all day.
A calm day after last nights wind and rain.
No 9 on tunneling and sapping at night.
I was working the firing line with Sgt Rawlings and Mr Dion.
Very clear cold night.
Two hospital ships look very pretty and cosy at anchor on the moonlit sea.
19 Fri
On fatigue all day.
Fine and calm.
Have a few blisters on my hands.
25 bags of outgoing mail were lost in the rough sea two days ago.
Slept in reserve at night.
New Routine every man works 8 hrs per day and does his turn in firing line at night.
20 Sat
Windy and cold.
No 9 in firing line on duty and fatigue.
In firing line at night.
Windy and vey cold.
Was glad to do some navvying to get warm.
21 Sun
No 9 resting during morning.
On fatigue all afternoon.
Very cold and windy all day.
In support at night.
Have a slight attach of diarrhoea.
22 Mon
Still windy and cold.
No 9 on fatigue all morning.
Resting in afternoon and fatigue by reliefs at night.
I worked firing line with Mr Roloff and Bob Rawlings at night.
Received a parcel of socks from Rie.
Sent field P.C.s to Mother and Rie.
23
Tues
Still very bleak and cold.
Took a fatigue party of 50 men to beach to get corrugated iron.
Felt very crook all day with diarrhoea and sickness.
Did not go into reserve at night but slept in bivvy.
24
Wed
In firing line all day and night.
Not quite so cold.
Ordered not to fire for 48 hrs to kid `Jacks` that we are evacuating our position.
Turks
made a small attack on the left result not known to us.
25 Thurs
Came out of firing line at 8am.
Shifted from bivvys to supports for a week to try a new scheme of work.
In afternoon improved support bivvys.
In evening in support.
26 Fri
On fatigue all day.
No 9 in supports at night.
I worked firing line with Lt Dion and Cpl Cooksley.
Thunder storm and rain in evening very cold towards morning.
Every one on qui vive expecting Jacks to attack.
Ordered not to fire
till 12pm tomorrow.
27 Sat
On fatigue all day.
Still expecting an attack.
In afternoon Turks heavily bombarded by guns of every calibre
Stood to arms from 6pm to 7.30 am.
Commenced snowing at 10pm.
Very cold.
28 Sun
Several inches of snow on the ground.
Blowing and very cold.
On fatigue all day.
In firing line at night.
Snow beginning to freeze and so am I.
Now on half rations of jam.
29 Mon
Fine.
Snow still lying.
Very cold wind blowing.
Bitterly cold.
One of our own shells burst prematurely and wounded 3 of our own men.
Men in firing line issued with waterproof coats.
31
Tues St. Andrew Bank Holiday
Very cold but fine and clear and a good healthy day.
Wrote to Mother, field P.C`s to Father, Rie, and Iso, Rob and Dick.
In firing line at night.
Freezing hard
toes of my right foot almost frostbitten.
DECEMBER 1915
1 Wed birth of Queen Alexandra
Still working on the various tunnels.
Very quiet nowadays but very cold.
Australians at Lone Pine shelled with high explosive and lost heavily.
2 Th
Still frosty but fine.
On tunnels all day.
Am promoted to the rank of Temporary Sergeant with pay from Oct 21st last.
On firing line from 12pm to 6am.
Commenced to rain.
3 Fri
Muggy and wet all platoons started working 4 hour shifts.
No. 9 given No1 tunnel to work on.
Slept with my boots off for the first time in two weeks.
Feet swelled considerably.
Right foot still sore.
4 Sat
Dull and mild.
No 9 on fatigue all day.
In firing line at night with Mr Roloff and Cpl
Cooksley.
Toes are still very painful.
5 Sun
Tunnelling and fatigues all day.
Jacks did some furious shelling during dinner hour and caught a few of our lads.
Nights very mild but very dark at present.
6 Mon
Dull and mild.
Tunnelling and fatigues all day.
Received an issue of gift tobacco .
Had PORRIDGE FOR BREAKFAST.
In firing line at night with Mr Dion and Cpl Admore.
A paper mail arrived letters expected soon.
7 Tues
Wrote field PC`s to Doris Denton and Mrs Lewis.
Wrote to Iso.
Letters from Father, Nellie, Rie, Iso, Kath Mayo and Dick.
Turks reported to have been heavily reinforced and are expected to attack.
War ships heavily bombarded enemy`s reinforcements.
8 Wed
Dull but mild.
Received a few papers.
Wrote to Kath Mayo.
On fatigue all day.
On firing line at night with Lieut Fraser and Cpl Stewart.
Very quiet night.
Toes are getting better.
9 Thurs
On fatigue all day.
Received a small issue of gift tobacco and sundries.
Wrote to G Menzies (13th Coy).
Men who return from England seem to have been well treated.
Two of No 9 wounded.
Lt. Blake and two Maoris killed.
10 Fri
On fatigue all day.
Dull but mild.
Have not worn my greatcoat for a week.
Did firing line with Lieut Roloff and Cpl Cooksly.
Very quiet night.
11 Sat
Dull but mild.
No 9 still on tunnels.
Wrote to Mrs Lewis and to Father and Rie.
Jacks lobbed a bomb in our section to-day but did no damage.
Very quiet night.
12 Sun
Dull but mild.
Wrote to Dick.
Usual navvying fatigues all day.
On firing line at night.
Our sentries bombed a Turkish patrol.
Rumours of a Turkish attack with 13 inch guns.
13 Mon
Dull but mild.
Wrote to Iso.
Usual navvying fatigues.
Numerous rumours about a British evacuation of Gallipoli and many things give that impression.
No more mail is to be accepted for delivery.
14 Tues
Dull but mild.
Usual fatigues all day.
Attended Court of inquiry which enquired into the circumstances of Sergt Benzies self inflicted wound ( Decision
accidental) on firing line with Lieut Fraser and Sgt Rawlings.
Turned windy and cold.
15 Wed
Windy, dull and cold.
Usual navvying fatigues.
Issued with iron rations and McConochies rations.
Ordered to pack up in readiness to move off at short notice.
On firing line at night with Lt Dion and Sgt Rawlings .
Very quiet night.
It is now almost certain that we are to leave the Peninsula for good and all probably tomorrow.
16 Thurs
fine and warm.
No9 carrying on with tunneling as usual. Jacko seems to have deserted his farm at least he is very quiet over there.
Definitely informed
not going off to-night.
On firing line at night with Mr Roloff, Sgt Barton and Sgt Rawlings.
Heavy fighting on Walker`s Ridge but very quiet here.
17 Fri
Rained a little this morning.
Received evacuation orders.
Each man to carry 3 blankets and 48 hrs rations.
No9 took over firing line at 8am and were relieved by 10 Platoon at 5pm.
Evacuation orders cancelled for 24
hrs.
In firing line at night with Lt Dion, Jim and Bob.
Very quiet night.
Big glare in direction of William`s Pier.
Bright moonlight till after 12pm
18 Sat
Dull.
Heavy fog during early morning.
No9 took over firing line at 8am.
Received details of embarkation orders.
Relieved from firing line at 5.15pm and moved down
to bivouac area at 5.30pm .
Left Cheshire Ridge at 10.45pm and proceeded to Williams Pier via Aghyl Dere.
Left Pier at midnight by punt and went aboard naval transport `Prince Abbas`
Nelson Coy. Evacuated with-out a casualty.
19 Sun
Arrived Lemnos at 7am.
Came ashore at Mudros
at midday and marched to camp.
Enjoyed a night in bed with clothes and boots off.
Have a touch of diarrhoea again.
20 Mon
On Battalion Ordery Sergeant.
Not much doing.
Received a parcel from Iso and letters from Stell, Nellie, Auntie, May , Iso and Rie.
21 Tues
Men on various fatigues all day.
Shoals of mail and parcels to sort but did not get any myself.
Rations and water scarce here.
Rained heavily nearly all day.
22 Wed
More papers and parcels to sort but had no luck myself.
No 9. all on picquet.
Had some STEAK in the Sergeants mess and also some CAKE.
23 Thurs
Nothing much doing all day.
Battalion paraded in afternoon and
congratulated on the expeditious manner in which the evacuation was carried out!
Oh: the ways of this army the
evacuation is the only thing they ever did thoroughly and expeditiously so they had to brag about it.
24 Fri
Raining and cold.
Fatigues all day.
Lemnos is about as dreary a place as can well be imagined especially when rations are short and far from being dainty.
A Taube flew over and dropped two bombs not far from here.
25
Sat Christmas Day
One continual round of fatigues all day.
As for meals porridge for breakfast, boiled rice for dinner and stew for tea.
What a Xmas!
May I never see the like again.
Touch of `flue` and an attack of diarrhoea did not improve matters.
Compulsory Church Parade in the morning.
26
Sun
Reveille 5am.
Packed up and moved off at about 8.30am.
Came aboard Transport A11 SS Ascarius at 10am.
Hope I have finished with Lemnos this time.
Feeling pretty crook with flue.
Taken into hospital temperature 101degrees.
27
Mon Bank Holiday
Left Mudros Harbour at 6.30am.
Sea very calm.
Still in Hosp.
Temp 101.6degrees.
28 Tues
Still in Hosp.
Sea very calm.
102.8
29 Wed
Still in hosp.
Sea still calm.
Temp 103.6 degrees.
Arrived at Alexandria at 10am.
Left Ascarius at 12pm and proceeded by motor to 15th General Hosp. Alex.
30 Thurs
In isolation ward with `MEASLES`.
Cold and diarrhorea still troubling me.
31 Fri
My two chief regrets for this year are 1st
The loss of my good pal Tom Lewis.
2nd That this year has been spent entirely away from home and country.
May the new one bring better luck to us all and comfort those unfortunate folks who lost their kin in this war.
Copied to here
Royal Innishellings
Royal Scots
South Wales Borderers
Kings own Scottish Bords(?)
Lancashire Fusiliers
Dublin Fusiliers
Munster Fusiliers
Ghurkhas
Sikhs
Punjabis
Australians
New Zealanders
French
Algerians
Singalese
Somalies (?)
Soudanese
Naval Division
Hood, Anson, Nelson ?
Border
Manchester Fusiliers
R.F A
R.M. Ld.
R.H.A.
R.G.A.
374
?
12th Nelson
Car???
N.Z
E?
6/374 Tunnicliff
12th Nelson Canterbury
N.Z
Letter to Norris Tunnicliff, October 1916
Nowhere
17 Oct 1916
Dear Tunnie,
Here we are again and right glad I was to hear from you today and to know you are progressing.
Since your visit away I have heard great tales as to how you left the scrum together while the exciting game was on and I have wondered where you frifted to.
Well we are back in the trenches where we were just over two months ago and it is even quiter here than before you left.
Our old Coy is changed some now and I must tell you of some of the boys.
Hack Rawlings, Doctor Dodd and Cpl. Wells were killed in action also Capt Harley, Lts DoDo(nne?) Riley and Mkee and Privates Caddigan Maslin, Freeman, McDonald, Frandsen and (F?). G Goodwin
All the above died in the thickest of the fray where our Battalion made such a great name for itself and our Captain came through it all and has got a D.S.S. service.
Sgt. Rawlings was shot in front of the parapet I believe, throught the head and was buried with others of our Coy near where they were found.
Cpt. Clark was wounded but has rejoined and is now promoted to Sgt. Of 9 Platoon.
Sgt. Ryan is away wounded but Sgts Wheivay and Wanden are well and Sgt Hamilton has rejoined since being wounded.
The latter is A/C.S.M. at present as Sgt Wheivay has gone to a school for 8 weeks.
S (?)
V.G. Hunter is in charge of one of the platoons and Avian is a Corpl.
L/cpt.
Walker has rejoined and also Cpl. (S?)enninjour.
L. M Jenkins
(?) are still
(?)
to take
d(?) his studies immediately to avoid trouble for himself.
My brother Harold (12 th Rfls) was in our last Stunt in the Big Push and was lucky enough to come out untouched.
He was a Second Sergeant and will probably get my job here as most likely I will be joining up with the boys in the Coy shortly.
Am expecting to get my Leave any day now and if I get half a chance will run up to see you.
Sgt Coliwell has just given his regards.
With kindest regards from all the Coy and best wishes for your early recovery.
Yours sincerely
N0 6/2776
Tommy
