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Gallipoli Diary

Friday Apr 2nd (Good Friday)

page 17

Friday Apr 2nd (Good Friday)

Off day, but I had to
sit on D.C.M. 9 am to 5.30 pm.
& then adjourned to 9 am. Sat.
Proceeded with this D.C Martial
today as early move is expected
& it could not be held over.

This evening about 6 pm a
riot occurred in Cairo & lasted
for an hour or two. This is
most unfortunate especially
on eve of our departure. At the
moment I am told that mostly
Australians with a few Tommies
were the principals but expect
a few N.Z. men were there.

The trouble occurred in a
very illfamed quarter but just
off one of the main streets. I
was not in town but understand
that some Australians (probably
half drunk & under provocation)
began knocking things about in
certain premises. This was followed
by furniture being thrown out
of the upstairs windows and page 18 set fire to in the street. Several
small outbreaks of fire also
occurred inside. Natives were
not concerned & mostly cleared
from the scene but many of
their premises were wrecked
in the scuffle. Military police
arrived & was soon followed
by strong forces assembled
by officers in the town.

Cavalry & Infantry picquets
were called out with rifles
& ammunition & some little
firing took place besides
which bottles etc were flying.

Several men wounded, perhaps
some killed, difficulty being
to sort out rioters from
those assisting, as all were in
uniform. Otherwise soldiers
on duty could have cleared
the place in ten minutes.

Finally all soldiers were
ordered back to camps and
barracks and town cleared.

page 19

This evening orders state
all leave is stopped from noon
on Sunday & all on leave
from camps etc must be
immediately recalled. This
is in anticipation of a very
early departure and we will
not be sorry to go at last.