Gallipoli Diary

[December-1914]

Friday Dec 4 th

Showery day but rain does
not last long as only
about 2 inches fall during
a year. Unloading of stores
& troops goes on. Ruahine
Coy & portions of H. Bay Coy
with reg'l camp equipment
entrained for Cairo during
afternoon. I went into city
in evening & visited the
Khedivial Club, a splendidly
equipped private institution.

Also went through town this
morning and lunched at
English Club.

Tuesday Dec 8th

Easy day to allow men to
settle down. Prohibition of liquor
in camps is now done away
with & canteens are established
as in English camps.

Railways here are run on
English lines & seem to be
splendidly organised. A double
line runs from Cairo to Alexandria

Visited Cairo “Kursaal” Theatre
in evening. The men are
allowed leave everyday from
5 pm to 9.30 pm

Saturday Dec 12th 14

Brigade Training in morning and
easy afternoon in camp.

Sunday Dec 13th

Divine service 9 - 30 a.m.
general leave from 11 am. I
visited Pyramids & Sphinx. Lunched
at Grand Continental & dined at
[ unclear: Sanlths]. Very interesting day &
pretty drive from town to Pyramids

Tuesday Dec 15th 1914

Quiet day. Taranaki Coy being
on brigade fatigue duties. I
am still nursing the influenza.

Wednesday Dec 16th 14

I stayed in camp owing to
severe cold. Coy did usual
training in the field.

Thursday Dec 17th 14

I remained in camp.
— Usual battalion & company
training was carried out.

Sunday Dec 20-14

Wellington Battn' with
other troops left camp
[ unclear: 6] - 30 am & entrained for Cairo
where we lined the streets
for the procession and
ceremonies of formally
proclaiming the Sultan.

Marched back to camp
(7 miles) arriving 12-30 pm

Sunday afternoon free.
Stayed in camp for a rest
this afternoon. Proclaiming
of Egypt a protectorate seemed
to be taken kindly and
with satisfaction generally
by the population.

Received first letters from
home since leaving NZ.

Monday Dec 21st

Usual fine weather and
company training was
carried out.

Tuesday Dec 22nd

Taranaki & Ceylon coys.
marched out to “Virgins Breast”
hill & took part in field
operations of English brigade.
returned via Heliopolis
after marching 7 miles each
way to the training area.

Thursday 24th

Company training on
the desert until 2 - 30 pm.

Attended a dinner at
Shepheards' Hotel of [ gap — reason: illegible]officers &
former officers of 7th Reg't
Captains Glenhill & Acton of
our allie [ unclear: d] reg't, the Royal
Irish, being present.

Cairo city was a very
animated & lively spectacle
on Xmas Eve —

Dec 26th. Saturday

General leave today. I
lunched at Grand Continental
with Ceylon Officers & then
attended English Territorial
sports at grounds of the
Khedivial Sporting Club
a pretty spot on the banks
of the Nile.

Pvte Cooper of Hawkes Bay Coy
died in hospital of pneumonia.

Tuesday Dec 29 - 14

Company Training (attack
and defence) – 8 am to 12 noon
and Night operations 7 pm
to 11 - 30 pm on open country
towards Suez Road Tower.

Wednesday Dec 30 - 14

The N.Z. Division complete
was inspected and marched
past
Generals Birdwood and
Godley in front of Zeitoun
camp. Hon T McKenzie was
present. Returned camp 11 am
Marched out at 1 - 15 pm and
practiced entrenchments.

Rec'vd. 2nd mail from N.Z.
letter & 16 th Nov from Rita.