The Road to Chunuk Bair » Suez

Tuesday 16th February 1915

lynley — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:00:38 +0000

Definite orders arrived for our move tomorrow. We go to the West Bank of Canal above Khubri. A great part of the day was taken up with orderly room. The men who were found in Suez received 10 days detention each. Fortunately we were able to send them all away to Abbassia barracks today so that they receive the additional punishment of being returned to the base. It was an unexpected move so far as the detention men were concerned, and it will serve as an excellent example to the rest of the men. Lieut Turnbull left for Cairo by 7 a.m. train in charge of Turkish prisoners including the officer (bimbashi) who was captured at Tor. He returned by midnight train.

Monday 15th February 1915

lynley — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:00:04 +0000

We received word today that we would after all move out to the trenches on Wednesday. We regret having to leave our comfortable quarters but it is unavoidable. The only consolation is that if there is anything doing we stand a good chance of getting into it. The General today asked for a full report on the shooting business of Friday night. This took quite a time to prepare but I hope will prove satisfactory to the G.O.C. It was quite clear from the evidence that Kaimakam A. R. [?Yelding Bey] did not take any steps to prevent the men getting into trouble when he saw there was every chance of there being trouble if they were not immediately ordered home. This phase of the matter is to be regretted. The men were paid a fortnights pay today and in spite of strict orders to the contrary some five or six of them broke camp and went to Suez about 10 p.m. They were caught by the officers on guard and will be suitably punished tomorrow.

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.

Thursday 28th January 1915

lynley — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:21 +0000

A quiet night – and daylight found the trenches fully manned and everyone waiting for the enemy which did not arrive. It was a calm bright moonlight night, in great contrast to the rest of the day (27^th) which was windy and rainy, quite a typical Wellington day. The men were keenly looking for a sight of the Turks but were disappointed. Our water supply is a difficulty. There is no usable water near our post. All has to be brought by steamer from Suez some 6 or 7 miles and is delivered at a gase[?] or landing jetty in the centre of our position. This morning the line is to be occupied by 2 platoons with 2 in reserve. The men are somewhat tired after their 2 days of excitement and everyone is looking for a little sleep. The day passed quietly The men took a very keen interest in their separate portions of trench and all available tools were in use all day. During the day we improved our acquaintance with the 7^th Ghurkas. Our water difficulties were overcome by the arrival of more Kamel Tanks from Chaloupe further up the Canal and we now have plenty to drink though we are dependent on the Canal for washing. Today fresh meat was issued. Skirt steak the cook called it. Tough as leather. Paddy got most of it. By the way Paddy is with us right up to the present and is quite fit.

Tuesday 26th January 1915

lynley — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:00:26 +0000

A warm cloudy morning. Other regiments moving out ahead of us, judging from noise in their lines.

Tuesday January 26^th 1915. At Kubri, 8p.m. We paraded at 6.45 a.m. 240 all ranks including attached, and proceeded to Palais de Kubbeh station about 1½ miles. We entrained at 8 a.m. and train was dispatched at 10.30 for Kubri. Kubri is a small siding on the railway 5 miles from Suez on West Bank of Canal. We arrived at Kubri at 5 p.m. after an uneventful journey. Of our own strength 22 were left in camp including storeman and base officer and S.M. Woodhead under arrest. 217 effectives of all ranks of our own strength being present. We are bivouacing tonight on the West side of the Suez Railway, the Otago Regiment being on the East. We have heard that the enemy are not very far away, some 10-15 miles. That our Regiment is for the trenches in the morning. The men are eagerly looking forward to action and have settled quite quietly into their bivouac. Hawkes Bay Coy & ourselves arrived 6p.m. Taranaki and Ruahine by a separate train at 8 p.m. The men are all carrying 150 rounds ball ammunition. The sick in camp and Hospital were very disappointed at being left behind.

Monday 30th November 1914

lynley — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:00:08 +0000

A much cooler day. Wind cold. Everybody putting on winter clothes. Arrived Suez at 5 p.m. Received our orders to disembark at Alexandria. Started up the Canal at 7 p.m. A glorious sunset. First view of the Desert. Passed numerous posts manned by Indian troops. Had to anchor during night for fog. Armed guard roused at 11 p.m. in case of sniping. Staff officers depart for Cairo.

Thursday 26th November 1914

lynley — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:00:46 +0000

Left Aden about 8 a.m. A calm day. Coast visible on all sides. An interesting days sail. It became known here that orders were awaiting us at Suez and our ship and the Orvieto pushed on ahead of the rest of the convoy.