Not so cold this morning. A cool cloudy day. In New Zealand one would predict rain, in Egypt …. . Light work under Platoon commanders. A medical inspection revealed the fact that considerably less than half the men were fit for duty. Many arms are very bad.
A very cold night, much like a good New Zealand frost. A New Zealand mail arrived giving us results of the New Zealand elections and showing the very interesting position of the parties. Parade today without equipment. Company arrangements. Arms slightly better as result of yesterdays rest. Everyone looking forward to the approaching arrival of [...]
Zeitoun Camp
January 18th 1915
Dear Colonel,
I am posting you today the first batch of the Company Diary. There is nothing that seems to me very interesting as so many days are alike but it may interest you people in New Zealand. I will post you installments from time to time. Our own private diaries will contain [...]
Parade cancelled on account of vaccination affecting so many arms. Light work about camp. Lecture first aid. We are informed that our first reinforcements are due very shortly. Our Company is to get one officer and 47 men. The orders for today are out and it seems as if our Regimental training would have to [...]
Battalion parade 8 a.m. Very small parade on account of vaccination. Men very tender. Battalion in attack.
Church Parade. Usual Sunday.
Finished musketry. Wind = 7 feet R at 500 8 feet R at 600. Light very bad. Shooting consequently poor. Men require practice in aiming off target.
On Rifle range at 8.30. Instructional practices 7-17 pt II Trained Soldiers Course. A cold windy day. Light Bore shooting very ordinary, got through 7 practices. A strenuous day. The Range is a splendid one but faces South East. Targets are in shade greater part of the day.
Same programme.
Same programme. Vaccination began.