Tuesday 2nd February 1915

lynley — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:00:43 +0000

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.

Thursday August 13th 1914

Gillian Tasker — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

On this date the first batch of men left Wanganui in charge of Capt Jas. A. Cameron for the mobilization camp at Palmerston North Awapuni. They left by the midday train and being the first of the troops to leave Wanganui had a most magnificient[sic] send off. They were played to the station by the Regt Band and never before has such a dense crowd been seen on the Wanganui Station. Capt Cameron duly reported in camp and he and his men made the best of the usual topsy turvy conditions incident to a new camp. Prior to August 13^th there was all the work of enlisting, and swearing in the volunteers for active service all the Regimental officers assisting. There was great enthusiasm among officers and men and services were given most ungrudginly[sic]. On the night of August 12^th the citizens gave the men a public send off at the Burlington tea rooms. The final selection of officers for the company to be furnished by the Regiment, each of the four infantry Regiments 9^th Wellington Brigade, furnishing a Company to the strength of the Wellington Battalion of the Expedty. Force was as follows:- Major W.H. Cunningham in command Capt J.A. Cameron (2^nd in C.), Lieuts. Watson, Turnbull, Aldridge and Menteath. At the last moment Lieut W.P. Aldridge found he was unable to obtain the necessary leave and could not go - Capt R. Young was promoted to Major and with Capt. Cook was transferred to the 9^th Hawkes Bay Regt to command their Coy. Capt Cook going as 2^nd in C. A second batch of men came in from Palmerston North.

The Road to Chunuk Bair » 9th Hawkes Bay Regiment

Tuesday 2nd February 1915

Thursday August 13th 1914