The Road to Chunuk Bair » Transports

Friday 16th October 1914

lynley — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:13 +0000

A grey cold morning. Reveille was scarcely needed to rouse the men as it being generally known that we were to sail at daybreak everybody was anxious to see the last of N.Z. About 6.30 the Minotaur followed by the Abouki pushed out into the stream and the Maunganui leading the transports followed. Round Seatoun and at every point crowds could be seen and faint cheers reached the transports. We were soon out of the heads and round Terawhiti and the rest of the day was spent in elementary work such as the nature of the deck space allowed. It was a delightfully calm bright day but there were a few cases of sickness. Our first day at sea caused us no regrets.

Wednesday 14th October 1914

lynley — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:18 +0000

Orders received from Headquarters for final embarkation. In the morning General Leave was granted. Two fresh men, Fisher and Davison, reported to fill vacancies caused by Brookes going home and Shiel becoming medically unfit. At 3 p.m. all transports save the Maunganui pulled out into the stream – a great crowd assembling to see them off. The Maunganui remained at the wharf and leave was granted to a few for the night.

Sunday 27th September 1914

lynley — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:15 +0000

Church parade and general leave. A day in Wellington when most of us expected to be at sea and most unwell. However that no doubt is still to come. The other transports still remain in the stream.