The Road to Chunuk Bair » El Kubri

Wednesday 3rd February 1915

lynley — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:00:51 +0000

Between midnight and 1 a.m. we were awakened twice by heavy bursts of firing from the direction of El Kubri post. Men were quickly in their trenches on the look out for a likely target, but again we saw nothing. At 9 a.m. the Company marched to Campimento siding. Nos 2 & 3 platoons and 23 men of No 1 under Lieut Turnbull proceeded to Port Tewfik Base depot where we relieved the Ceylon P.R. Corps who were doing garrison duty. We arrived about 4 p.m. and in quick time the 5 guards scattered over all parts of Suez were quickly relieved and the rest of the men settled into the base depot. We had great difficulty in getting our kits and rations down, some coming by steamer others by train but eventually all were landed and distributed to the different guards at 11 p.m. It rained heavily for several hours during the night and we were thankful to be in comfortable quarters for the night. The base depot for the Suez Defence troops is situated at the termination of the main Railway at Port Tewfik and is close to the docks. We are actually in the quarantine station Bldgs. The officers have beds with mattresses and there is ample bath room and washing accommodation.

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.

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.

Saturday 30th January 1915

lynley — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:00:06 +0000

At 4 a.m. orders reached Coy Headquarters to concentrate immediately at El Kubri about 2½ miles further north on the Canal. Orderlies were soon dispatched to the different platoons and at 4.20 the Company had assembled and was marching to the rendez-vous. It was smart work especially on the part of No 1 Platoon who received the message last, had the greatest distance to come and arrived at Hqrs first. We reached the Rendez-vous complete in 70 minutes from receipt of the order at Hqrs. Considering it was fairly dark the whole time, the time taken was not excessive. Kits however were short and we had not a full ration, our rations being ready for issue at 6 a.m. It proved when we got to El Kubri that the move was an experiment in concentration and after waiting for dawn we returned to our trenches which had meantime been occupied by the Otago Regiment. It was a bright sunny day and most of us viewed for the first time an aeroplane. One of our machines had been out to see if the Turks were still maintaining their position about 12 miles out. During the afternoon Coy Commanders in company with O.C. Battalion visited El Khubri post and inspected the trenches and field works. Night settled down quietly and the men having little else to do and little inclination for anything but sleep were soon in bed. Our friends the 2/7^th Ghurkas are to day shifting across the Canal to occupy some of the posts. Capt Whittaker their Q.M. had tea at our mess and we hope to pay them a visit so soon as they are settled down.