The Road to Chunuk Bair

Company training, ammunition supply, and extended order drill.

A day of rest after our strenuous evening’s work.

An easy days work. Orders for a Divisional Parade at 5 p.m. We had early tea and at 5 o’clock the Brigade moved out in line of Battalions in column of route.  We picked up the Australian Brigade as we passed their camp and proceeded out about 4 miles. The scheme for the nights work [...]

Reveille seemed to go in the middle of the night. It was very dark and blowing. We were just falling in in shirts without tunics, in fact several companies were in column of route on the road when a heavy downpour came down. There had been a shower or two the previous evening and we [...]

The Battalion paraded under the adjutant going to Mataria while the officers went out for special instruction under the 2nd in command in extended order work. Orders for tomorrow are for 4 a.m. Reveille and parade 5.30 a.m. Todays Batn. Orders contained a highly complimentary reference to the Coy as regards yesterdays tent inspection.

Usual bright sunshine. Brigade Church Parade and General Leave. The C.O. held tent inspection at 8.30 a.m. and was exceedingly complimentary as to the state of our lines.

Washing and cleaning up camp. Last night was a sharp cold night and today is going to be very hot. General leave after dinner.

Battalion paraded at 7.30 and with the Brigade marched out 7 miles to the Divisional Rendez-vous for Divisional Training. Our Division was pitted against the English Territorials. The day was cool with a fresh northerly breeze and though in the course of the day the men covered 20 miles they were not distressed and we [...]

Mataria and Musketry. Mataria is the only green spot about here. We get shade and the eye rests on fertile fields of Oats Barley and Alfalfa. One sees the two team oxen drawing an old wooden plough along the heavy earth, camels in the fields kneeling to take their huge loads of forage, and here and [...]

The Battalion paraded at 7 a.m. and with the Brigade marched out about 6 miles to take part in a Brigade attack. Our Brigade was opposed by the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade and an interesting days training resulted. Our Regiment was in the advance guard and got into action very early. We were able to [...]