The Road to Chunuk Bair » Trenches

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.

Friday 29th January 1915

lynley — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:00:08 +0000

4 a.m. found every man in a state of readiness in the trenches peering towards the East to try and discover the long overdue enemy. Daylight dawned and general disappointment quickly vanished with the announcement of rations and breakfast. The men spent the day quietly improving their trenches and constructing shell proof bivouacs. Platoons vied with each other in completing their works. Today our fresh meat ration was good and the cooks soon had a most appetizing stew prepared from the meat and vegetables issued. We had an officer of the 7^th Ghurkas to lunch. He was down with their pack mules for water. The mules are sturdy well trained animals and in this country where wheeled vehicles are hard to move owing to the lack of roads they are very efficient . A mule takes 2 camel tanks of water of about 112 lbs each. The trenches were greatly improved during the day and we are now much readier to receive our tardy foe. The night passed quietly, the men not on look out making themselves as comfortable as possible in the shell proof shelters.

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.

Wednesday 27th January 1915

lynley — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:00:08 +0000

There was no reveille this morning. We were all awakened very early 4 a.m. by heavy firing from the Canal about a mile to our front followed by gun fire. Men in the bivouac stood to arms and a platoon was sent out to get touch with Otago Battalion on our right. The firing continued intermittently for quite an hour. Reveille was timed for 5.30. We had hot tea and Bully beef for breakfast and paraded at 9 a.m. whence we marched to the trenches on the West Bank of the Canal. Our section of the line we found in occupation of the 2^nd Battalion 7^th Ghurka Rifles. We were delighted to find ourselves in touch with another 7^th. They moved about 800 yards up occupying ground to our right. We found some 400 yards of trench all ready prepared along our section of the defence, which merely required a little deepening being built for Ghurkas. We were all immensely taken with the Ghurkas. They are compact little soldiers and one would feel delighted to have a company of them. All is quiet (11pm) along our front so far. A strong post guards the position on the Eastern Bank of the Canal in front of our position. It was the position attacked last night by the enemy and they expect further trouble tonight. Our Regiment has about 4 miles of front. We have 2000 yards. There are strong posts held by Indian troops in our front on enemy’s side of Canal. Being the nearest troops to the post on either side we shall soon know if anything is doing.