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 [...]
The day opened disastrously. The O.C. visited the outpost groups between 4.30 and 6am and caught several groups not standing to arms. A crop of severe punishments followed. It is very noticeable how many men on duty are continually asking for concession to their own personal comfort and convenience, the inevitable result being that the [...]
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 [...]
This morning we received news of very heavy fighting yesterday on the Canal in the direction of Kantara and Ismailia. Through towards Suez everything is perfectly quiet. Capt Cameron returned to us tonight though not yet fit for duty. The day passed quietly. Had an interview with oc. Native Coy detailed with ourselves for defence [...]
The beginning of another month. Our friends the Ghurkas have gone and we now have the 24th 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 [...]
As the men were standing to arms at 4 a.m. 4 or 5 shots rang out in quick succession and in a few minutes men had scuttled in from their bivouacs and manned the trenches. After this however all was quiet. Enquiries located the firing opposite one of No.3’s trenches and apparently one or more [...]
Christmas eve. Battalion parade as usual though company training in orders. Lecture by Brigadier. Orders changed. A good days work. Officers dinner Shepherds 8 p.m. Present Majors Cunningham, Young, Capts. Cook, Hume, Cameron, Acton (1st Batn. Royal Irish), Gledhill (2nd Battalion ditto), Lieuts. Turnbull, Menteath, Baddeley. A pleasant evening and great cordiality between ourselves and [...]
We arrived at Albany at midday. There we found the Australians, their large convoy of transports presenting a very fine sight. The ship tied up at the wharf and the company were sent ashore for a short march under Capt Cameron. Major Cunningham proceeding to one of the other ships for a Board of enquiry.
Our second quota of men from Wanganui arrived during the day in charge of Lieut. Watson and formed a welcome addition to our strength. The Battalion paraded at 9am and was inspected by Col. Johnstone[sic] the Brigadier and then marched to the Golf Links for Regimental Training. The O.C. visited Capt. Cameron and found he [...]
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. [...]