The Road to Chunuk Bair » Prisoners of War

Sunday 14 February 1915

lynley — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:00:03 +0000

Padre Green came down and held a short service. The intelligence officers arrived early and spent a great part of the day in examination of prisoners. The Turkish officers kit was examined and he displayed a good assortment of highly scented and embroidered silk ware of all kinds. He had two large bags with him. In the afternoon an enquiry was held into the matter of the two men who were discharging firearms on Friday night. Their identity was ultimately established and they received 18 days detention each. The men deeply resent the discredit brought on the detachment by the behaviour of these two men. There is no word yet of moving our prisoners.

Thursday 11th February 1915

lynley — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:00:15 +0000

Our 5 prisoners left by the 7 a.m. train this morning and with them Lieut Cross on 48 hours leave for Cairo. The day passed very very quietly, there being nothing but usual routine work to do. A New Zealand Newspaper mail arrived and was very welcome. Our medical officer is Capt Drake I.M.S. and he comes daily from Suez Camp to see our sick men. He is a most obliging and conscientious fellow and makes dealing with sick men a pleasure.

Wednesday 10th February 1915

lynley — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:00:40 +0000

A bright cool morning. We were on the go early getting ready for the General. He has requested that our kits be put out for inspection. Fortunately we had a big washing day yesterday so everything is clean. At 10.15 the General arrived and was received with a general salute in proper style. He inspected the men on parade. Then the parties fell in in front of their tents and he inspected the kits expressing his approval of our blankets and thick underwear. He finished kit inspection then chatted for a few minutes with the officers and said adieu. He is a short active little man. Carries three rows of war ribbons and has a very unassuming and prepossessing manner. We were all pleased at meeting him. Col Malone and Capt Cook also paid us a visit and stayed with us to lunch. The general said that the latest information was that the Turks had retired right away from the Canal and that there was no signs of them within 25 miles. It looks as though we were in for some more quiet routine. Our 5 prisoners are to go to Cairo tomorrow.

Tuesday 9th February 1915

lynley — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:35 +0000

Another quiet day. A train load of Indian sick & wounded arrived at the docks to go on board a hospital ship for return to India. We received word that General Melliss V.C. commanding our section of the Canal Defence would inspect us tomorrow. Some three more prisoners were bought in by the Ghurkas. They were Arabs very poorly armed and clothed and a poor quality of fighting men. We had a visit from the Brigade Major & Staff Capt 30^th Brig. with whom we are working.

Monday 8th February 1915

lynley — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:00:44 +0000

The day passed quietly in ordinary routine. The men’s Kit Bags arrived from Zeitoun and also a New Zealand mail which we were all very pleased to get. We heard that the aeroplane went out forty miles and reported that they could find no traces of the Turks. We are all wondering what this signifies. Since arriving at the Canal we are under very strict censorship regulations so it may be some time before this portion of the Diary reaches Regtl. Headquarters at Wanganui. It is rather a pity it should have to be kept until it is stale. We got rid of three of our prisoners by sending them to Cairo, the escort came down especially from Cairo to fetch them.