The Road to Chunuk Bair » Mobilization

Tuesday 22nd September 1914

lynley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:02 +0000

Reveille 4 a.m. A cold sharp morning but in view of our departure everything and everbody[sic] was soon on the move. Breakfast was soon over, luggage packed and away to the station and the spare time was devoted to cleaning camp, which was left as spic and span as it had always been kept. Our train was soon up at Awapuni Siding and the men carrying their kits soon extrained[sic]. We arrived at Wellington about 1.30 p.m. and the detachments marched to their respective boats, our company proceeding to HMNZ.T.No.3, the T.S. Maunganui. Capt Watson who went down ahead, met us at the boat and as every bunk was marked with the man’s name we soon had everyone stowed away. It was expected that embarkation would be completed by Wednesday and that troopships would move out on Thursday or Friday. The rest of the day was spent in settling down and getting the hang of the ship.

Monday 21st September 1914

lynley — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:43 +0000

Advance Guard despatched to Wellington. Company parades. Everyone hard at work packing up. Definite orders for intraining[sic] received. We start for Wellington tomorrow.

Sunday 20th September 1914

lynley — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:17 +0000

Evidently to be our last Sunday in camp. Usual church Parades. Day passed quietly most overhauling kit in view of early departure.

Saturday 19th September 1914

lynley — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:41 +0000

A busy day preparing embarkation states and getting ready to leave Palmerston.

Friday 18th September 1914

lynley — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:15 +0000

Company parades in camp. Definite information was given confidentially of our approaching departure for Wellington.

Thursday 17th September 1914

lynley — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:04 +0000

Regimental parade. Haversack ration. A day at the Rifle Range.

Wednesday 16th September 1914

lynley — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:41 +0000

The morning was devoted again to Company in the attack and then the Regiment started for Home via the Rangitikei Line. Lunch was taken on the road. A shortage of rations being remedied by biscuits hastily procured from Palmerston North by motor car.

Tuesday 15th September 1914

lynley — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:32 +0000

This day we spent at Highden. The work was company in the attack. Major Temperley was present critizing the work. The men got back to bivouac about 4 p.m. to find the far-famed Harry Lauder in camp and mounting a transport wagon he very generously gave the men a concert. The Officers of the 7^th Regiment including the O.C. Senior Major and practically all the officers who were not serving with the Expeditionary Force arrived about the same time and stayed to tea at the bivouc[sic]. It was very pleasant to see them all again and our farewell as their car pulled away from the glow of the bivouac fire will be long remembered. The night passed quietly.

Monday 14th September 1914

lynley — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:23 +0000

Kit inspection in morning. 1.15. Regimental parade. The Regiment in full kit marched again to Higden[sic] and bivouaced for the night. The officers returned per motor lorry to camp to hear Major Temperley’s lecture on the war, reaching Highden again about 10.30. Companies quickly settled into their old bivouacs.

Sunday 13th September 1914

lynley — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:27 +0000

A glorious Sunday. Usual church parades. Usual afternoon visitors.