The Road to Chunuk Bair » J T Watson

Saturday 10th October 1914

lynley — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0000

The Regiment marched with the division to Lower Hutt for inspection by the G.O.C. A vile day of wind and dust and the most uncomfortable time one could have. We were glad to get back to our cabins out of the wind and stones. No one fell out on the march which was done in good time. Capt. Cameron rejoined the company in place of Capt Watson struck off as medically unfit.

Monday 28th September 1914

lynley — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:16 +0000

The company paraded for a short time on the wharf where platoon work was carried out. During the day the other troopships came in. Capt Watson was taken to Hospital and operated on for appendicitis. Case No.2.

Tuesday 22nd September 1914

lynley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:02 +0000

Reveille 4 a.m. A cold sharp morning but in view of our departure everything and everbody[sic] was soon on the move. Breakfast was soon over, luggage packed and away to the station and the spare time was devoted to cleaning camp, which was left as spic and span as it had always been kept. Our train was soon up at Awapuni Siding and the men carrying their kits soon extrained[sic]. We arrived at Wellington about 1.30 p.m. and the detachments marched to their respective boats, our company proceeding to HMNZ.T.No.3, the T.S. Maunganui. Capt Watson who went down ahead, met us at the boat and as every bunk was marked with the man’s name we soon had everyone stowed away. It was expected that embarkation would be completed by Wednesday and that troopships would move out on Thursday or Friday. The rest of the day was spent in settling down and getting the hang of the ship.

Friday 28th August 1914

Gillian Tasker — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:13 +0000

It was expected that Lieut Hardie would fill the vacancy caused by the inability of Lieut Aldridge to get away, but he also withdrew. Ultimately Lieut Bryan an ex Duntroon student and a member of the N.Z. Staff was selected and came on the strength. Lieut Watson was promoted Capt and second in Command. The day was quiet and devoted to section and squad drill.

Friday August 21st 1914

Gillian Tasker — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:28 +0000

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 was progressing satisfactorily and terribly annoyed at being down.

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.