The Road to Chunuk Bair » Highden

Tuesday 15th September 1914

lynley — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:32 +0000

This day we spent at Highden. The work was company in the attack. Major Temperley was present critizing the work. The men got back to bivouac about 4 p.m. to find the far-famed Harry Lauder in camp and mounting a transport wagon he very generously gave the men a concert. The Officers of the 7^th Regiment including the O.C. Senior Major and practically all the officers who were not serving with the Expeditionary Force arrived about the same time and stayed to tea at the bivouc[sic]. It was very pleasant to see them all again and our farewell as their car pulled away from the glow of the bivouac fire will be long remembered. The night passed quietly.

Monday 14th September 1914

lynley — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:23 +0000

Kit inspection in morning. 1.15. Regimental parade. The Regiment in full kit marched again to Higden[sic] and bivouaced for the night. The officers returned per motor lorry to camp to hear Major Temperley’s lecture on the war, reaching Highden again about 10.30. Companies quickly settled into their old bivouacs.

Monday 7th September 1914

Gillian Tasker — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:34 +0000

Today we had our first introduction to a real bivouac. The Regiment paraded at 8 a.m. with transport and full mobilization equipment including 24 hours rations for the purpose of a route march to Highden. It was again a glorious sunny day. The Regiment paraded punctually but the transport as it was their first day out experienced difficulty in getting into column of route, and the pack horses of companies created endless diversion for the first few miles. Loads were badly put on by inexperienced men and if the load did not tumble of[sic] of its own accord the indignant pack horse soon made shift to rid himself of it. One I saw persisted in lying down until his load was altered and afterwards he went quite well. We arrived at Highden about 15 miles in time for midday tea. In the afternoon there was a short parade and then the troops were dismissed to their bivouacs. With plenty of dry scrubby bush and long grass to shelter in the men made themselves quite cosy. Logs were plentiful, camp fires were lit in each Company’s quarters and impromptu concerts were held. The night was clear and cold but everyone got a little sleep despite the novel surroundings.