Gallipoli Diary

[January-1915]

Friday Jan 1st 1915

Training as above until
11 am. Sat on D.C.M. at
3 - 30 am to try private
Gilson on charges of theft
of public money and
attempted desertion. Accused
found guilty & sentenced (Recvd mail including letter
from Rita of Nov 3rd)
to 18 mths H.L. and dismissal
from the service.

Saturday Jan 2nd 15

Quiet morning in camp
afternoon attended races
at Khedivial Sporting Club
at Geizvirch grounds. Dined
at Shepheards and then ended
up at Kursaal Music Hall
where a very good programme
was shown.

Sunday Jan 3rd

Usual routine divine
service in morning. Afternoon
visited Mr Andrus at
Sharia Ayad Bay Cairo.
dined in town & returned
camp 9 - 30 pm.

Tuesday Jan 5th

Battalion training
2 pm to 10 pm. Marching
by day & night & protection

Wednesday Jan 6

Batt. Training.
(The attack) Miserable
day out as strong wind
rained clouds of dust
all over the desert.

Thursday Jan 7th

recv'd letter from Burl Chis.
of 14 Nov. & papers & show
cat. from Rita up to Nov 27.

Dust storm – parades off

Friday Dec 8th

W'gtn Batt'n marched to
2nd watch tower on Suez Road
via Heliopolis & was
inpected by Brigadier, in
full service kit. Left camp
8 am returned at 3 pm.

Wednesday Jan 13

Ditto. — I returned at
noon to camp to attend
D.C.M. in Otago lines
adjourned at 5.30 pm

Friday Jan 15-15

Company training in
bayonet fighting and
fire control

Saturday 16th

Lecture to officers on
Communications in the fields
by Capt. Edwards of Engineers.
Afternoon free. I dined
at Continental & stayed
to small dance.

Monday Jan 18 - 15

Battalion training - (protection
& attack). 8 am to 4 pm

Wednesday Jan 20th 1915
to Friday 22nd

Usual
routine in camp. The men
resting from hard training
owing to vaccination.

Saturday Jan 23rd

The GOC
met all N.Z officers at conference
in camp at Zeitoun and reviewed
the training programme etc Afternoon free. I visited the
Citadel and attended N.Z. & Australian
Boxing Tournament in Cairo in
the evening.

Sunday Jan 24/15

Visited Egyptian museum
with Major Hart. Afterwards to
tea at Mr. Andrews & went to
Luna Park in the evening.

Monday Jan 25

I am appointed Landing
Officer for N.Z. reinforcements &
proceeded to Suez by rail with
Col. Esson and others, arriving 5 pm.
At 7 pm received wire advising
N.Z. Infantry Brigade ordered
to Canal immediately & NZ
transports not due until 28th.

Friday Jan 29th

Usual routine of life in the
trenches but splendid weather
conditions rendered work pleasant.

Today 14 Aust & NZ transports
passed bound for Alexandria. Also
a submarine which escorted
them here. Strict censorship
is now being exercised on all
correspondence.