The Road to Chunuk Bair » 7th WWC

Tuesday 6th October 1914

lynley — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:03 +0000

An interesting Field day at Miramar against the Otago Battalion. The 7^th acted as advanced guard. Got early into the action and being unsupported by the rest of the Battalion was nearly scuppered. However they fought well and defeated the enemy of attaining his main object.

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.

Wednesday 9th September 1914

lynley — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:08 +0000

The weather still keeps gloriously fine. Training was under Company arrangements and the Company did an outpost scheme on ground adjoining the camp. In the afternoon company drill was carried out.

Thursday 27th August 1914

Gillian Tasker — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:52 +0000

A further morning was devoted to kits. In the afternoon the company did outpost work.

Saturday August 22nd 1914

Gillian Tasker — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:38 +0000

The company remain[sic] in camp and drew their kits and kit bags from store. Capt M McDonnell arrived in camp and took up his duties as adjutant of the Regiment.

Wednesday August 19th 1914

Gillian Tasker — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:31 +0000

Lieut. C.B. Menteath reported into camp and received a hearty welcome from his fellow officers. The day was devoted to squad drill as until the full complement of men arrived in camp the Company could not be properly organized. Our first Adjutant Capt. W.R. Robinson departed having given up his duties at the earnest request of his C.O. Major Hart temporarily performed same pending the vacancy being filled.

January 13th 1915, Zeitoun Camp

Pete — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:32 +0000

Major William Henry Cunningham

Zeitoun Camp.

January 13^th 1914 [sic]

Dear Colonel,

Having a free afternoon to-day I am starting to do that which should have been done before, write up the dairy [diary] of the doings of the Detachment of the 7^th Wellington, West Coast, Regiment, serving with the Wellington Infantry Battalion in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (Main Body). Up to the time of commencing this Dairy [Diary] there is nothing to chronicle of actual fighting, though much of interesting manoeuvres and travel. It is my intention to write up the dairy [diary] in duplicate so that one copy may go to you while the other is kept with the detachment. At present our doings are humdrum and insignificant but at no very future date you or perhaps your successor may see fit to collate a small history of the Regiment and our smallest doing’s may interest future members of the Regiment. I hope you will put your copy safely in the archives of Regimental Headquarters in case as is not unlikely the original may got [sic] lost in the Field.

Yours very sincerely

WH Cunningham Major
Cmdg Wgtn W.C. Coy

To Lt Col R Hughes
Cmdg. 7^th Wgtn.W.C.Regt.
Wanganui NZ.