The Road to Chunuk Bair » Transport

Saturday 5th December 1914

lynley — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:00:09 +0000

Our first day. Breakfast at coffee stall. Carry tents from station. Still no transport. Three or four carts obtained eventually. 14 men sent to hospital with influenza. R.A.M.C. provide us with waggons. Gen. Godley visits the camp site. By night we have tents erected and soon settle down. Kitchen’s going and firewood. Capt Rose reports in and is of greatest assistance.

Wednesday 16th September 1914

lynley — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:41 +0000

The morning was devoted again to Company in the attack and then the Regiment started for Home via the Rangitikei Line. Lunch was taken on the road. A shortage of rations being remedied by biscuits hastily procured from Palmerston North by motor car.

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.

Friday 11th September 1914

lynley — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:10 +0000

Today we were all excitement as the Force at Awapuni were to march to Feilding, have tea as the guests of the Feilding people & bivouac the night. It was again a glorious day. We got a good start and on this occasion our transport maintained much better order. We reached Bunnythorpe at lunch time and ate our haversack ration there. We moved quietly along and reached Feilding at 3 p.m. Three bands came out to meet us and being the “Holy Seventh” the Salvation Army were allotted to us. Our gallant company S.M. looked well heading the lads in blue and red. On arrival on the Feilding racecourse we were formally welcomed and then the men set to. As one of our Platoons was raised in Feilding and the mother of one N.C.O was in charge of a table our boys were well attended to. There is no doubt they all got a terrific stuff, as coming from camp fare apples and cream, fruit salad and such delicacies covered with rich cream were irresistible so long as stowing room existed. In the evening men were granted general leave. Our officers were entertained by Mr Graham and later by Mr Short at the Denbigh Hotel. A small dance was hastily organized at which most officers were present.

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.