The Road to Chunuk Bair » Awapuni

Thursday 19th November 1914

lynley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:19 +0000

The news reached us that Dr Webb had died at Colombo. Great regret was expressed by all ranks who had been associated with him at Awapuni. A memorial service was held at 10. o’clock.

Friday 11th September 1914

lynley — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:10 +0000

Today we were all excitement as the Force at Awapuni were to march to Feilding, have tea as the guests of the Feilding people & bivouac the night. It was again a glorious day. We got a good start and on this occasion our transport maintained much better order. We reached Bunnythorpe at lunch time and ate our haversack ration there. We moved quietly along and reached Feilding at 3 p.m. Three bands came out to meet us and being the “Holy Seventh” the Salvation Army were allotted to us. Our gallant company S.M. looked well heading the lads in blue and red. On arrival on the Feilding racecourse we were formally welcomed and then the men set to. As one of our Platoons was raised in Feilding and the mother of one N.C.O was in charge of a table our boys were well attended to. There is no doubt they all got a terrific stuff, as coming from camp fare apples and cream, fruit salad and such delicacies covered with rich cream were irresistible so long as stowing room existed. In the evening men were granted general leave. Our officers were entertained by Mr Graham and later by Mr Short at the Denbigh Hotel. A small dance was hastily organized at which most officers were present.

Tuesday 1st September 1914

Gillian Tasker — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:59 +0000

Still at Awapuni and no definite word of moving. Everyone anxious to move but still desirous of getting in as much training as possible. The day was occupied with Regimental training.

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.

Tuesday August 18th 1914

Gillian Tasker — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Major W.H. Cunningham and Lieut F.K. Turnbull left Wanganui by the 7am. train and reported in camp at midday. They then learn’t of the misfortune which had over taken Capt. Cameron the previous day. They found plenty of work awaiting them in the way of organization which had to be tackled at once. S.M. B. Woodhead was in charge in the absence of Capt Cameron, while Q.M.S. Davidson was attending to the domestic arrangments[sic]. At this time it was quite expected that the force would be leaving N.Z. before the end of August. Consequently all efforts were directed towards getting equipment completed and between whiles doing a little towards consolidating the different detachments into the resemblance of a Regiment irrespective of the efficiency of the individual man in the ranks. The first afternoon a medical Board of three solemnly inspected the men’s feet and condemned two men as medically unfit on account of flat feet. Pvts Irwin and Steere. They were promptly despatched out of camp. Enquiries for Capt Cameron that night revealed the fact that he had most acute appendicitis and his restoration to health would be a matter of months.

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.