The Road to Chunuk Bair

Another quiet day. A train load of Indian sick & wounded arrived at the docks to go on board a hospital ship for return to India. We received word that General Melliss V.C. commanding our section of the Canal Defence would inspect us tomorrow. Some three more prisoners were bought in by the Ghurkas. They were Arabs very poorly armed and clothed and a poor quality of fighting men. We had a visit from the Brigade Major & Staff Capt 30^th  Brig. with whom we are working.

The day passed quietly in ordinary routine. The men’s Kit Bags arrived from Zeitoun and also a New Zealand mail which we were all very pleased to get. We heard that the aeroplane went out forty miles and reported that they could find no traces of the Turks. We are all wondering what this signifies. Since arriving at the Canal we are under very strict censorship regulations so it may be some time before this portion of the Diary reaches Regtl. Headquarters at Wanganui. It is rather a pity it should have to be kept until it is stale. We got rid of three of our prisoners by sending them to Cairo, the escort came down especially from Cairo to fetch them.

If it were not for the diary and the increased activity of the parsons one would not recognize Sunday in this country. We had a short service under Padre Green. About 11 a.m. two more prisoners arrived from the 2^nd 7^th Ghurkas. They were miserable looking creatures and seemed glad enough to be out of trouble. Prisoners are a damned nuisance to us, I hope they dont send many more. 2 p.m. Just got word that the 7^th Ghurkas are sending along another prisoner. I shall have to tell the Ghurkas not to take any more prisoners. They arrive under an escort usually of one man per prisoner with a corporal and file to spare. The Ghurkas take no chances each prisoner has a stout rope round his waist which his escort holds, the prisoner walking in front. The Ghurka always has his Kukri handy which he would require very little provocation to use. I don’t think I would attempt escape from a Ghurka escort. We expect definite instructions any moment to send the prisoners by rail to Cairo, and we shall not regret losing them. The ones that came in today were well clothed, had a bag full of big hard biscuit cakes, plenty of ammunition, and one man rejoiced in the possession of a pair of pyjamas (white.) A chuckle of mirth went round the Ghurka escort when these were sorted out in the operation of checking the stuff handed over.

The O.C. Coy has a day off with Egyptian Tummy. During the day we received into custody 2 turkish prisoners one a real Turk the other a mussulman. We were called upon to provide another patrol for a launch. During the night another 30 men arrived to reinforce our strength here. N.C.O’s are finding the duties strenuous as there are so many duties to do and so few to do them.

This morning we received news of very heavy fighting yesterday on the Canal in the direction of Kantara and Ismailia. Through towards Suez everything is perfectly quiet. Capt Cameron returned to us tonight though not yet fit for duty. The day passed quietly. Had an interview with oc. Native Coy detailed with ourselves for defence of Suez. (Major Cook 24 Punjabi.)

A quiet day. Difficulty in locating our source of ration supply but everything satisfactorily concluded by our worthy Q.M.S. C.C. Brindsley arriving at dark in charge of 5 mule carts, driving the last himself, and all were filled with stores. One again is struck by the general all round utility of mule transport. Much however perhaps depending on the skill of transport drivers.

Between midnight and 1 a.m. we were awakened twice by heavy bursts of firing from the direction of El Kubri post. Men were quickly in their trenches on the look out for a likely target, but again we saw nothing. At 9 a.m. the Company marched to Campimento siding. Nos 2 & 3 platoons and 23 men of No 1 under Lieut Turnbull proceeded to Port Tewfik Base depot where we relieved the Ceylon P.R. Corps who were doing garrison duty. We arrived about 4 p.m. and in quick time the 5 guards scattered over all parts of Suez were quickly relieved and the rest of the men settled into the base depot. We had great difficulty in getting our kits and rations down, some coming by steamer others by train but eventually all were landed and distributed to the different guards at 11 p.m. It rained heavily for several hours during the night and we were thankful to be in comfortable quarters for the night. The base depot for the Suez Defence troops is situated at the termination of the main Railway at Port Tewfik and is close to the docks. We are actually in the quarantine station Bldgs. The officers have beds with mattresses and there is ample bath room and washing accommodation.

Today we finished a new trench on the South side of Gare 152. It was a windy day and the dust was very unpleasant. At 7.30 pm. orders came out that we were to move tomorrow. Otago Battalion taking over our trenches. 129 men & 4 officers of our Company proceed to Suez as Garrison, the remainder are to be in reserve at Campimento. We tossed with Hawkes Bay for the job at Suez and won. Last night there was a small affair at El Kubri Post with firing intermittently for an hour or more.

The beginning of another month. Our friends the Ghurkas have gone and we now have the 24^th Punjabis on our flank. They are tall black bearded fellows and a contrast to the little Ghurka. Today we constructed another 60 yards of fire trench on the South of Gare 152. In the afternoon most of the officers paid a visit of inspection to Post No.2. commanded by Major McLeod of the 7^th Ghurkas. It enabled us to inspect our own trenches from the enemy’s side and to note how best to assist the post with fire in the event of an attack being made upon it. Tonight No 1 Platoon moved to ElKubri Station as a Reserve to Lieut.Col. Malone. Capt Cameron went to Hospital today. Lieut Cross taking charge of a Section of line occupied by Nos 3 and 4 platoons. Coy Headquarters have been shifted tonight to Gare 152 to spot today vacated by Regt. Hqrs. The mosquitos here are simply villainous. The officers visited post No2. this afternoon which is occupied by the 7^th Ghurkas. The night passed quietly except for the incessant attacks of the mosquitos.

As the men were standing to arms at 4 a.m. 4 or 5 shots rang out in quick succession and in a few minutes men had scuttled in from their bivouacs and manned the trenches. After this however all was quiet. Enquiries located the firing opposite one of No.3’s trenches and apparently one or more of the enemy’s snipers had crept down to the bank and could not resist the target offered by a careless sentry. The day which was extremely hot passed quietly. Officers took the opportunity of visiting the length of Canal occupied by the Regiment and for the purpose requisitioned pack horses and all manner of mounts. Capt Cameron who was indisposed yesterday continues unwell. Nothing of importance took place.