The Road to Chunuk Bair » A J Cross

Wednesday 28th July 1915

lynley — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:39 +0000

At 7.30 am the Coy moved from Canterbury Rest Gully to Quinn’s Post and took over sub-posts 4.5.6 from Canterbury Battn.

The 24 hours passed very quietly. 10/1652 Pte Sheehan W was slightly wounded.

The following returned from Hospital

10/488 Pte Svenson C. 10/395 Pte Jackson J.K.E.

10/1083 Pte Bradley C.A.K. 10/448 Pte Moynihan R.

10/530 Pte Stock G.

The following men joined the Coy.

10/1663 Pte Stewart D. 10/2066 Pte Bashford R.

10/2068 Pte Bayne G. 10/2338 Pte Thomson H.G.

10/2070 Pte Bell C.

Sent to Hospital

10/1691 Pte Wallace W.

Capt. A. J. Cross was sent to Hospital Ship

Lt. F.K. Turnbull takes command of the Coy.

Wednesday 2nd June 1915

lynley — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:19 +0000

Courtney’s Post.

Major Cunningham takes temporary command of Wgton Infy Battn.

Capt. A. J. Cross takes temporary command of Company at 4 p.m. 2/6/15.

Company in bivouac as supports for 48 hours after 48 hours tour of duty in fire trench.

Night passes quietly without incident.

Personnel

Capt. A. J. Cross, Cmdg.

Lieut R D Hardie

Lieut W.P. Aldridge

165 other ranks

NC 1 K Nov 93

1W Dec 55

55 sick 38

25 = 63

Saturday 27th February 1915

lynley — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:00:59 +0000

The morning was spent in cleaning up Camp and rearranging Company Lines. The reinforcements were inspected and proved a fair lot of men. In the afternoon there was general leave, everyone making a straight line for Cairo. In the evening the Company officers had a dinner party at Shepherd’s. Those present being Major Cunningham, Lieuts Cross, Bryan, Turnbull, Menteath and Hardie. Capt Cameron owing to his being on duty was unable to attend. We were all glad to meet Hardie on our arrival back from the Canal, and the men of the reinforcements were pleased at being absorbed into the Company, as they were today. They will thus have a chance, some of them, of getting into the first draft at war strength.

Wednesday 17th February 1915

lynley — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:00:59 +0000

Our move to the Canal was carried out quietly and successfully. We picked up the rest of the Company at Khubri. There was the usual trouble in getting our kits and blankets to the same place as the men but everyone has now learnt to be philosophical at the temporary loss of or non arrival of kit or rations and we don’t worry. Shifting about is excellent training and a Company soon becomes perfectly mobile. We occupy 2500 yards of front north of Khubri Ferry on West Bank. For convenience of administration the Line is divided into A section 1&2 Platoons Capt Cameron, and B section 3&4 platoons Lieut. Cross. Our ground is very rough. High Banks and steep. There is much can be done to improve the trenches and communications.

Friday 12th February 1915

lynley — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:00:30 +0000

We heard today that H.M.S. Minerva with a detachment of Ghurkas on board had gone down the Red Sea to dislodge a number to Turks at Tor. With our detachment everything was quiet. Major Hart and Dr Home came to lunch and we learnt that our term of Garrison duty here would be extended for another fortnight. About 11 p.m. Brigade Hqrs aroused us with a telephonic message that there was a drunken sentry of ours in Port Tewfik loosing off right and left. An officer’s patrol was immediately sent to the two guards at Oil Tanks and water supply but everything at both places was quiet and in order. It is to be hoped that the report is untrue. Lieut Cross returned from Cairo.

Thursday 11th February 1915

lynley — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:00:15 +0000

Our 5 prisoners left by the 7 a.m. train this morning and with them Lieut Cross on 48 hours leave for Cairo. The day passed very very quietly, there being nothing but usual routine work to do. A New Zealand Newspaper mail arrived and was very welcome. Our medical officer is Capt Drake I.M.S. and he comes daily from Suez Camp to see our sick men. He is a most obliging and conscientious fellow and makes dealing with sick men a pleasure.

Monday 1st February 1915

lynley — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:00:53 +0000

The beginning of another month. Our friends the Ghurkas have gone and we now have the 24^th Punjabis on our flank. They are tall black bearded fellows and a contrast to the little Ghurka. Today we constructed another 60 yards of fire trench on the South of Gare 152. In the afternoon most of the officers paid a visit of inspection to Post No.2. commanded by Major McLeod of the 7^th Ghurkas. It enabled us to inspect our own trenches from the enemy’s side and to note how best to assist the post with fire in the event of an attack being made upon it. Tonight No 1 Platoon moved to ElKubri Station as a Reserve to Lieut.Col. Malone. Capt Cameron went to Hospital today. Lieut Cross taking charge of a Section of line occupied by Nos 3 and 4 platoons. Coy Headquarters have been shifted tonight to Gare 152 to spot today vacated by Regt. Hqrs. The mosquitos here are simply villainous. The officers visited post No2. this afternoon which is occupied by the 7^th Ghurkas. The night passed quietly except for the incessant attacks of the mosquitos.

Wednesday 6th January 1915

lynley — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:00:43 +0000

Battalion training in attack and reconnaissance. Lieut Bryan goes to Hospital with appendicitis, our 3^rd case among the officers. Lieut Cross discharged.

Wednesday 30th December 1914

lynley — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:00:04 +0000

Review of Division by Gen Birdwood and Sir Thomas McKenzie. Company training in afternoon. Night operations, 10 p.m. till 6.30 a.m. Lieut Cross goes to Hospital with dysentery.

Tuesday August 25th 1914

Gillian Tasker — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:02 +0000

A quiet day devoted to Company work. Lieut Cross arrived in camp and was taken on the strength.