The Road to Chunuk Bair » Alexander Godley

Monday 15th February 1915

lynley — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:00:04 +0000

We received word today that we would after all move out to the trenches on Wednesday. We regret having to leave our comfortable quarters but it is unavoidable. The only consolation is that if there is anything doing we stand a good chance of getting into it. The General today asked for a full report on the shooting business of Friday night. This took quite a time to prepare but I hope will prove satisfactory to the G.O.C. It was quite clear from the evidence that Kaimakam A. R. [?Yelding Bey] did not take any steps to prevent the men getting into trouble when he saw there was every chance of there being trouble if they were not immediately ordered home. This phase of the matter is to be regretted. The men were paid a fortnights pay today and in spite of strict orders to the contrary some five or six of them broke camp and went to Suez about 10 p.m. They were caught by the officers on guard and will be suitably punished tomorrow.

Friday 8th January 1915

lynley — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:00:44 +0000

Battalion mobilized on Quez Road. Inspection by OC. Brigade. A cold windy day but no dust.

Saturday 12th December 1914

lynley — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:00:01 +0000

Brigade Parade. A short review by the G.O.C. Washing.

Sunday 6th December 1914

lynley — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:00:47 +0000

A quiet morning. A short Regimental Church Parade for Chaplain Major J.A. Luxford. Rest of day spent quietly in straightening up. Another 9 men ordered into Hospital. Rest of Battalion arrived about 5p.m. and have to bivouac for the night. The G.O.C. again visited our lines.

Saturday 5th December 1914

lynley — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:00:09 +0000

Our first day. Breakfast at coffee stall. Carry tents from station. Still no transport. Three or four carts obtained eventually. 14 men sent to hospital with influenza. R.A.M.C. provide us with waggons. Gen. Godley visits the camp site. By night we have tents erected and soon settle down. Kitchen’s going and firewood. Capt Rose reports in and is of greatest assistance.

Friday 4th December 1914

lynley — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:00:59 +0000

Fatigues finished cargo. 10.45. Orders received to entrain by 11.45. Great rush but entraining carried out. Departure postponed till 2p.m. Return to ship for lunch. Train left 2.15. 1 Coy Aust. & Engineers also Ruahine Coy. Major Cunningham in charge of train. Arrived Cairo at 8p.m. Changed trains. Great confusion of baggage owing to misinstruction given to R.T.O. All baggage got aboard by piling in carriages through windows &c.

Left Cairo 9p.m. and landed Helmieh siding at 10p.m. Go.C present when train arrived. Moved off for Camp about 10.30. No transport men carry kits taken from pile. Arrived camp 11p.m. Found Battalion area Bivouac. Kits safely sorted under friendly camp. Night cold. Men Cheerful. Rations plentiful. Showing wisdom of having issued two days supplies to the men. Ruahine had trouble owing to their rations being in bulk and being with the heavy baggage. No transport obtainable. We are camped on the edge of the desert.

Wednesday 23rd September 1914

lynley — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:15 +0000

This day was spent in settling the men into their quarters, making arrangements for running messes, and generally in routine work. Leave was granted. In the afternoon a Brigade parade was held at Newtown Park, when the Premier and other prominent men said farewell to the troops. It was a most impressive scene. The proceedings were prefaced by a short religious service. The crowd on the slopes was tremendous. A drizzling rain set in as the troops arrived[?] back through the town, the whole afternoon being most depressing for the men. All the transports save the Maunganui pulled out into the stream. We on our ship hung on waiting for the G.O.C.

Monday August 24th 1914

Gillian Tasker — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:30 +0000

The Regiment in company with other troops in camp was inspected by the G.O.C. Major General Sir. A. Godley, who at the termination of the inspection addressed the troops in his usual tactful and impressive manner. The troops were fallen in on the lawn in front of the Grandstand and made a very fine appearance. The day was beautifully fine and clear. Col Hughes and Capt Grover came through for the inspection and lunched at the mess.