1914

Thu 31 Dec

Inoculation.

1915

Fri 1 Jan

Resting greater part of day, suffering from effect of inoculation.

Sat 2 Jan

Arm still stiff and painful, went to church, St Bath's during evening. Left spurs behind. Unable to get attention of caretaker.

Mon 4 Jan

Left Mason St 6.15 for Southill, arrived Shefford* during early part of afternoon, billeted at Station View. * H.Q. Western Signal Service, 38 Mason St, Edge Hill, Liverpool. Southill & Shefford are located in Bedfordshire.

Tue 5 Jan

Drilling.

Wed 6 Jan

Marched to Haynes Park,* where inspected by Lt Col. Who complimented Shefford party on smart and clean appearance. * Haynes Park was a R.E. Signal Service camp located in the grounds of a stately home in the village of Haynes, Bedfordshire.

Thu 7 Jan

Drilling.

Fri 8 Jan

Drilling.

Sat 9 Jan

Marched to Haynes Park where we were set to work cleaning up generally and making trenches for drainage.

Sun 10 Jan

Church Parade Clophill.

Mon 11 Jan

Drilling just outside Shefford.

Tue 12 Jan

Musketry drill. Awfully tired.

Wed 13 Jan

Tele' instruction and manipulation tested on buzzer 25 a min' awfully tired and ill, got severe cold. Bed early to try to sweat it off.

Thu 14 Jan

Stay in bed 'till 9am, soreness not nearly so bad, but throat still hurts very much. Not fit at all for much.

Fri 15 Jan

Still in bed.

Sat 16 Jan

Still ill, but soreness nearly gone. Stay in bed 'till late. Not paid. Haynes fellows came over in afternoon.

Sun 17 Jan

Church parade at Clophill, pleasant walk in afternoon, church in evening.

Mon 18 Jan

Parade 6am tele' manipulation. Guard at Haynes Park through night.

Tue 19 Jan

Arrived from Haynes Park 9.15, on parade 10.30. Tele' manipulation. Lecture by Sgt Jackson. Aircraft over Yarmouth.

Wed 20 Jan

Parade 6am. Tele' manipulation. Lecture by Sgt Davis. Received letter from Nig.*Nig was J.W's wife.

Thu 21 Jan

Parade 6am. Letter from Kilburn. Tele' manipulation under Sgt Davis. Lecture by Sgt Hearn.

Fri 22 Jan

Parade 6am, snowing hard. Tele' manipulation under Sgt Davis, lectures by Sgt's Davis and Hearn. Letter from Nig, replied to it. Raining most of day. Very cold.

Sat 23 Jan

Parade 6am, route march until 1pm. Pay 1.30 two weeks 17/6. Wrote Nellie, permission to go to 8 o'clock church service at Shefford not allowed. Orders to go with party to Clophill tomorrow.

Sun 24 Jan

To H.C.* Shefford Parish Church. Sent to Clophill billeted at Flying Horse.** * Holy Communion. ** The Flying Horse is a Public House. The publican was Sidney Chase.

Mon 25 Jan

Parade 7.15. Lecture by Major Newell. News of naval encounter in North Sea, Bulcher sunk and two other Germans damaged. Route march. Wrote home.

Tue 26 Jan

Parade 7.15. Lecture. Route march via Maulden and Silsoe. Received postcard from Nig. Wrote Nig, Nellie and the Williamson's.

Wed 27 Jan

Parade 7.15. Fitting up office at Haynes. Instruments put in and working about 4pm.

Thu 28 Jan

Parade 10.00 for exercise. Walked to Haynes. On duty 4pm to 8 pm. In soldiers room.

Fri 29 Jan

Parade 09.30 for exercise under Lt Saunderson. On duty 11.30 am to 4.30 pm. In charge of S.F. Wrote to Nig and walked into Amptill to post. Lovely day.

Sat 30 Jan

On duty 7.30 to 11.30. Walked to Amptill Station. Had tea in Amptill and a look around the church. On parade again at 8pm. On S.F.set again. Closed down 10.30.

Sun 31 Jan

To church for 8am.

Mon 1 Feb

Parade 7.15. Removed from Flying Horse to R. Peck's house in the High St. On duty again 8pm. Closed down 11.45.

Tue 2 Feb

On duty 4pm. Went for walk through the woods.

Sun 7 Feb

On duty 8 am and again 8 pm.

Mon 8 Feb

On duty 4 to 8.

Tue 9 Feb

On duty 12 to 4.

Wed 10 Feb

On duty at 8 am and proceed to Wilstead where office fitted up. Back to Clophill at 4 pm.

Thu 11 Feb

On 8 to 12, to Wilstead and back by motor lorry. Received waistcoat from Nellie and letter from mother. Major Evans looks in. On again 8pm to 8 am.

Fri 12 Feb

On duty 4 to 8pm. Removed back to Clophill. Major Evans came in.

Sat 13 Feb

On duty 12 to 4pm. Number have orders to go to S.F.* to form H.Q. there. * Signal code for Shefford.

Sun 14 Feb

On duty 8am. Went to Evensong. On duty again at 8pm.

Mon 15 Feb

On duty 4pm to 8.

Tue 16 Feb

On duty 12 noon to 4. Ordered to go to Haynes, but Lieutenant Saunderson, C.S.M. Burke and Sgt Hearn get it cancelled. Received letter from Nig saying Boy* ill. Wrote back to her. * J.W. referred to his son Michael as Boy.

Wed 17 Feb

On duty 8 am. Orders again for H.N.* but C.S.M. Burke gets them cancelled. He tests me on sending and reading on vib'. Inoculated during evening. * Signal code for Haynes.

Thu 18 Feb

Received letter from Nig, Boy in bed with 'flu but improving. Answer her letter by 11.5 post. Resting.

Fri 19 Feb

Still resting after inoculation. Received letter from Nig. Boy improving. Sent postcard to Boy. Went out for walks. Lovely day. Paid 8/6. C.S.M. Burke sent word for me to parade at 4pm W,* with 1st relief. * Wilstead?

Sat 20 Feb

Paraded at 8 o'clock with 3rd relief, but only stayed about 1 1/2 hours. Received postcard from Nig, Boy still in bed but slowly improving. Have to parade at 4 pm with first relief, vice Sgt Shepherd.   

Sun 21 Feb

To church for 8am. To Amptill in evening.

Mon 22 Feb

Parade 8am. Received letter from Nig. Boy downstairs again. On duty again 8pm. Heard news of removal from Wlt.* * Wilstead ?

Tue 23 Feb

Off duty at 8am. Told to parade at 2pm. Hanging about doing nothing all day.

Wed 24 Feb

Parade at 8.0, full marching orders for Haynes. Had full kit given us. Kit inspection at night.

Thu 25 Feb

Parade 8.0 to Haynes, full marching order. Back again to Clophill about 2.15. Parade again for pay at Haynes. Received 9/6. Mounted guard over wagons at Haynes until 11pm.

Fri 26 Feb

Told had to go to Egypt. Parade 8am. Full marching order to Haynes. Blue and white bands given out. Back to Haynes 1.15. Wrote letter to Nig. Route march at 4pm. Took new uniform back to Haynes.

Sat 27 Feb

Parade at 8.30 with pair of boots. Dismissed after inspection until 12.

Sun 28 Feb

8 o'clock celebration at Clophill.

Mon 1 Mar

To Haynes Park. Off at 12.45 for 24 hours leave. Left Bedford by 1.22 train. Arrived Haddon about 5.30. Met at railway by Nig.

Tue 2 Mar

To Kilburn to see home people. Had very nice time and they all came down to station with me. Arrived Bedford 8 o'clock. Reached Clophill about 11.30.

Wed 3 Mar

Parade 7.30 and again 8.30. Moved off at latter time to Haynes where inspection took place. Marched to Bedford and entrained for Avonmouth Docks. Arrived between 3 and 4 am (4th).

Thu 4 Mar

Moved on to the S.S. Minnewaska. Helping to ship mules etc. Wrote to Nig.

Fri 5 Mar

On S.S. Minnewaska. Sent postcard to Nig. Set sail from Avonmouth OK about 9pm.

Sat 6 Mar

At sea. Wretchedly ill.

Sun 7 Mar

Still ill. Promoted 2nd Corporal.

Mon 8 Mar

Still ill, said to be nearing Gibraltar. Wrote Nig.

Tue 9 Mar

Feeling little better. Passed Gibraltar about 11am.

Wed 10 Mar

Wretchedly ill again.

Thu 11 Mar

Not much better.

Fri 12 Mar

Delightful weather and feeling much better. Wrote to Nig, but not finished letter.

Sat 13 Mar

Feeling myself again. Glorious weather.

Sun 14 Mar

Arrived at Alexandria about 6am. Posted letter to Nig etc.

Mon 15 Mar

Set foot on Egyptian soil. Up at rest camp all day putting up tents. Corporal of guard from 6pm to 7am.

Tue 16 Mar

In rest camp. Bad thunderstorm during last night. Raining. Went to Alexandria for about two hours in afternoon. On guard again at night from 6 pm to 6pm Wed.* *Probably should read 6pm to 6am Wed.

Wed 17 Mar

After guard went into Alexandria. Called at Sailors and Soldiers Institute. Drew 50 piastres from account.

Thu 18 Mar

Glorious morning. Out for route march to Alexandria. Finished letter to Nig by seaside.

Fri 19 Mar

Sick orderly. Wrote to Haddon. To Alexandria in evening.

Sat 20 Mar

Drill and bathing parade. To Alexandria in afternoon. Visited Pompey's Column and the Catacomb. Afterwards to Roman Catholic Cathedral where Father Holland took us in hand. Had very pleasant time.

Sun 21 Mar

To St Mark's M and E. Posted letter to Nig and Haddon.

Mon 22 Mar

Drill and bathing parade. Packing up in afternoon for removal. Glorious weather.

Tue 23 Mar

Left Alexandria 9am. Arrived Cairo 2 o'clock. Walked out to the camp near the Pyramids. Hot day.

Wed 24 Mar

In Mena Camp. On fatigues all day. Had diarrhea badly.

Thu 25 Mar

No's 1 and 2 went to Pyramids and Sphinx. Had photograph taken.

Fri 26 Mar

Orderly Corporal.

Sat 27 Mar

On fatigue duty. Had afternoon off.

Sun 28 Mar

Sandstorm raging all day.

Mon 29 Mar

Went to go to Cairo but (came back?). To Y.M.C.A. in evening.

Fri 2 Apr

Parade 6.30 and again 8.30. Helping with wagon until after 12. To church for about one hour then down to Cairo. Saw Mohammed Aly's mosque.

Sat 3 Apr

Parades as usual. Taking tents down in order to leave Mena Camp. Left camp for Cairo at 9.30. Arrived Cairo about 12.15. Saw procession from Greek church all carrying lights. Entrained for Alexandria at 3 o'clock.

Sun 4 Apr

(Trouble?) to get to church.

Mon 5 Apr

Bathing in sea.

Tue 6 Apr

Bathing in sea. Rather rough owing to storm during night. Packing up ready to leave camp A. To Moustapha Pasha Barracks in motor lorry with C.S.M.

Wed 7 Apr

Left camp 'A' and embarked on S.S. Arcadian. First impression decidedly good. Arcadian very great improvement on Minnewaska. General Sir Ian Hamilton on board with General Staff. Do D.Rs desk work. Receive letter from Nig, first since leaving England.

Thu 8 Apr

Set sail from Alexandria about 6am. Very ill after breakfast. Sick all day.

Fri 9 Apr

Sick all day.

Sat 10 Apr

Arrived Lemnos about 6am. A number of warships are here among which is the Implacable and (it is said) Queen Elizabeth. Also a number of French men o' war. Advised by Lt Genge that we should probably be trans-shipped and sent with first landing party.

Sun 11 Apr

Still on Arcadian. Glorious day. No Church Parade.

Mon 12 Apr

Moved from Arcadian to Minnewaska with party under Lt Genge. Slept on deck. Storm during night.

Tue 13 Apr

On Minnewaska. Went ashore in afternoon with Australian Cable Company, landed near Mudros. Saw barn like structure which had evidently been formally used as a church. 2m (?). Cold and wet.

Wed 14 Apr

On board Minnewaska. Glorious day, brilliant sunshine all day. Stayed on board.

Thu 15 Apr

Landed again with Australian party under Major Mackworth. Returned again in afternoon. Glorious weather. Country very pretty. Sent Boy a flower. The sunset was glorious.

Fri 16 Apr

Most magnificent sunrise. Expected to go ashore but didn't. Sheldrake fell down steps and was taken to hospital. Gave letters to Lt Genge for censorship. He informs me we are now under Major Wagstaffe.

Sat 17 Apr

Went ashore to Mudros with Mackworth's party. Had a very nice day. Sent a postcard to Boy. Party of four from Arcadian came over to us. Suppose will be for Sergeants party.

Sun 18 Apr

H.C. at 7.30. Must be Methodist Chaplain. Received three letters from Nig.

Mon 19 Apr

Moved from Minnewaska to Novian. Not very grand quarters. Lovely day. Slept in open on deck.

Tue 20 Apr

On Novian. Ship crowded. No room to do anything. Much cooler. Rigged up temporary shelter on deck. Rain during night.

Wed 21 Apr

Raining hard most of day. Went over to Minnewaska with officers for lecture by Major Mackworth. Rather rough sea. Rain ceased towards evening.

Thu 22 Apr

Still on Novian although expecting to move at any time. Nicer day though still cool. Nothing doing on Novian, too crowded.

Fri 23 Apr

Glorious day. Brilliant sunshine and quite warm. Did washing. Received letter from Mums and Con. Still expecting to move. W of transports move during evening.

Sat 24 Apr

Sun25 Apr

Mon 26 Apr

Sailed from Lemnos at 11 o'clock on Novian. Went to place unknown until 11pm when sailed for Saros Bay, where landed about 7 o'clock. 3rd Battalion landed first. Said done magnificently. YA opened on beach. No AC office yet. Australians suffered very severely. Heavy firing all yesterday. Shrapnel falling all round, no snipers at us during night. Heavy fire again this morning. AC opened on beach. Not much work for us New Zealand draught.

Tue 27 Apr

Very heavy firing. Shrapnel sweeping the beach frequently. Numerous casualties. Things believed to be rather serious, but naval guns silence the Turks.

Wed 28 Apr

Quiet all day and not much shrapnel on beach. Said to be Turkish heavy guns being placed in position to the south. The Prince of Wales went round reconnoitering. Kitchener sends thanks to the Australian and New Zealand Army, said done splendidly. Cold and wet night. Naval Brigade land.

Thu 29 Apr

Lovely day and rather quiet. Naval guns still going strong. Said to have demolished armoured train yesterday.

Fri 30 Apr

Very quiet day. Situation apparently unchanged. Heavy musketry fire in evening.

Sat 1 May

Very heavy bombardment during early morning. Goeben fired about fifteen shells across. Heavy shrapnel firing, several killed and injured. Expecting remainder of H.Q. staff. Sent letter off to Nig and home.

Sun 2 May

Still suffering from shellfire. Cable laid from C.S.W. to Arcadian.

Mon 3 May

Main party landed. Major Evans, Sapper Evans* and Dr Batterick wounded by shrapnel. Glorious weather. Received biscuits from Mother. On duty from 8 to 10pm. *78519 Sapper S Evans, attached to 2nd Anzac Signal Company.

Tue 4 May

Received mail from England, 8 letters and a postcard. Wrote to Nig and Mother. Shrapnel fire heavy. Moved dugout up hill.

Wed 5 May

Received two more letters. Wrote to Father, Frank and Reggie. Shrapnel fire heavy.

Thu 6 May

Still at Anzac Cove. Turk's shell beach by enfilading fire, cause number of casualties.

Fri 7 May

Glorious weather but cold at night. Enfilading fire still able to get us. On from midnight.

Sat 8 May

Wrote to Nig and I.R. Glorious day but rather cool wind. Still no further movement.

Sun 9 May

Heard news of Lusitania being sunk.

Mon 10 May

Glorious day, had walk up to trenches. Fine sight. Heard that allies had a bad reverse in Europe. Attack at Quinn's Post, 200 casualties. Turks, 600 killed 2000 wounded.

Tue 11 May

News of allied reverse false, allies advanced. Cunard Company state 764 lives saved from Lusitania. Day turned wet and colder too. Gun still enfilading the beach. Wrote to Nig but have not posted it yet.

Wed 12 May

Very wet night. Unable to light fire in time to have breakfast. Wet during morning but turned fine in afternoon. Shrapnel still able to enfilade beach. Wrote to nig and Mother. On at midnight again. 

Thu 13 May

Glorious day, brilliant sunshine all day long. Very quiet. Had bathe in sea in afternoon. Heard that Goliath had been torpedoed.

Fri 14 May

Captain Denham arrived to take place of Major Evans. On fatigue building up his shanty with sandbags. Quiet day. Bathing in afternoon. Still no mail. General Birdwood slightly wounded in head by bullet. 

Sat 15 May

Glorious morning. Received one letter and two newspapers. No letter from Nig, awfully disappointing. Quiet day.

Sun 16 May

More guns landed. Weather grand. 

Mon 17 May

Usual morning greeting. Received letter and paper from Nellie and paper from Nig.

Tue 18 May

Very quiet day. Received letter from Mother and one from Lizzie. Glorious day but very hot.

Wed 19 May

Heavy bombardment by the Turks, who have been attacking nearly all night. Bullet struck mess tin lid from hand making dent in it. Turks repulsed with very heavy losses.

Thu 20 May

Yesterday a big shell burst just above dugout covering us with dust. A piece of shell came in. The expected attack last night didn't come off. Heavy firing down at Cape Helles. Turks try to get armistice and under cover of white flag, mass men in their trenches.

Fri 21 May

Rather quiet day. Turks said to have suffered terribly, over 2000 dead. Officer comes in under white flag, to arrange armistice to bury dead and succour wounded.

Sat 22 May

Wet morning. Turkish officer came in under white flag to discuss terms of armistice. Moved into freshly dug office. Submarine sighted about 12pm. Destroyers and battleships maneuvering round.

Sun 23 May

Received letter, letter card and paper from Nig.

Mon 24 May

Armistice from 7.30 to 4.30 for Turks to bury dead and succour wounded. Raining. Went up into firing trenches, opposing trenches in places only about 10 yds apart. Estimated 3000 Turks killed since May 18th. Albion aground off Gaba Tepe, off again at about 9.15 wonderful fight. Sent letter to Nig and Mother.

Tue 25 May

Glorious morning. Triumph torpedoed about 12.20 and sank about 12.50. It is said that a British aeroplane has been smashed by shrapnel at Cape Helles. Cable to C.S.W. down. Very wet during day. Shelter gave way and wet through.

Wed 26 May

C.S.W. cable still down. No battleships in sight. One or two destroyers round.

Thu 27 May

Majestic torpedoed 6am near Cape Helles. Most of crew believed to be saved.

Fri 28 May

Received two letters from Nig and one from Nellie R. Paper from mother. Very quiet.

Sat 29 May

Turks attack Quinn's Post mining our advance trenches. Driven back again with heavy losses. Major's Bruce and Quinn killed. Turks said to be reinforced by another division. Between twenty and thirty thousand men.

Sun 30 May

Quiet day. Wrote to Nig, Mother, Nellie and N.R.

Mon 31 May

Glorious weather. Bathing every day. Changed dugout. Very quiet. Verch and Whitley arrive, say S Evans dead. Hostile submarine sighted and hunted by aeroplanes and destroyers.

Tue 1 Jun

Bathing. Lovely weather. Lt W. asking about my rank and said he would do his best both in rank and pay. Said mined some of enemies trenches.

Wed 2 Jun

Understand am recommended for Sgt, and increased trade pay. Bathing and learning to swim. Can do about a dozen strokes. Glorious weather.

Thu 3 Jun

Received letter from Nig and paper from Mother. Nig enclosed one from A. Kay. Boil on wrist awfully painful. Bathing it with hot water all morning. Went to 4th Field Ambulance* in afternoon. Said poisoned. Majestic man said forty five went down with her. * 4th Australian Field Ambulance, located in Canterbury Gully, Anzac.

Fri 4 Jun

Went to Doctor who said left arm is poisoned. Dresses it twice daily. Big attack on Turks at Quinn's Post. Trench taken but had to evacuate it again. 

Sat 5 Jun

Arm awfully painful. Went to Doctor who says thinks he got it in time. Dresses it again. Rather stiff and still very painful. 29th don't seem to advance much. F. Smith sends kind remembrance through Beymont and Pearson. Had difference of opinion with Blackburn.

Sun 6 Jun

Very quiet day.

Mon 7 Jun

Heard London had been bombed by twenty Zeppelins, no details. Made Corporal back dated to June 2nd. Arm much better. (D.A.S. 7-6-15)

Tue 8 Jun

Very quiet day. Monitor (Humber) arrived in evening. Went to Cape Helles.

Wed 9 Jun

Very quiet. Lewis went off sick. Assisted Captain Denham in lesson he gave to operators. Monitor firing in evening over against Anafarta.

Thu 10 Jun

A few shrapnel shells over in morning. Captain Denham gives another lesson.

Fri 11 Jun

Received (DELETED)

Sat 12 Jun

Received letter from Nig dated May 10th. Wrote to her and Mother.

Sun 13 Jun

Chatham and Bacchante firing early in the morning. Church service at 11am.

Mon 14 Jun

Aeroplane dropped bombs on Turkish lines. Pearson* and Verch back from Lemnos. Rough sea. Heavy shrapnel fire enfilades beach in morning. Heavy bombardment down south. * 78377 Sapper William Pearson, W.E. Cable Section, R.E. Died 16 July 1916 in Egypt, from wounds sustained at Gallipoli.

Tue 15 Jun

Monitor firing over Suvla at Anafarta on Sunday. Turks enfilade beach again. Destroyers and Humber firing over Gaba Tepe.

Wed 16 Jun

Very heavy firing on beach and numerous casualties from enfilading Turkish fire. Still bombarding down south.

Thu 17 Jun

Up in trenches having look round with glasses. Turned back by officer. Glorious morning. Monitor and batteries firing on Gabe Tepe.

Fri 18 Jun

Monitor firing on Gaba Tepe. Aeroplane dropped two bombs on G.T. otherwise quiet.

Sat 19 Jun

Received letter from Nig containing snapshots and one from Nellie R, containing photo. Quiet day.                    Wrote (DELETED)

Sun 20 Jun

Church parade. Glorious day. Wrote to Nig and Mother. Heavy fire during night.

Mon 21 Jun

French attacked and took Turkish lines. Heavy bombardment down south all day. French making good progress. Captured first and second lines of trenches. Received papers from Nig and Mother.

Tue 22 Jun

French make good their gains and consolidate their positions. German aeroplane engaged by one of ours and forced to descend into enemy trenches down south. French also occupy advance trench in front of captured trenches.

Wed 23 Jun

Turks shell beach. Number of casualties. Number of shells drop in near dugout just below ours.

Thu 24 Jun

Turks shell beach. Numerous casualties. Promoted Sergeant from June 9th. Increase in pay to 1/4 from June 21st.

Fri 25 Jun

Received letter from Nig and one from Mother.

Mon 28 Jun

Move down south. Said to be very successful. Attack round Quinn's Post to hold Turks here.

Tue 29 Jun

French said to have also attacked yesterday and advanced 1000 yds. Parcel arrived from Nig marked April 14th. Heavy bombardment during evening down south. Sudden storm at night.

Wed 30 Jun

Consolidating gains down south. Done splendidly, especially 29th Division. Sea rather rough. No services in consequence. Water in lighter scarce. Heavy thunderstorm at night but soon over. Lightning very vivid.

Thur 1 Jul

Quieter day. Still firing down south. Not much news. Sea rough and heavy swell. Not many shells over this way.

Fri 2 Jul

Seas still heavy. Intermittent firing down south during day, heavy during evening. Letter from Lizzie and one from Mums received. Answered them same night.

Sat 3 Jul

Quiet day.

Sun 4 Jul

Received big mail. Quiet day.

Mon 5 Jul

Big shells coming over. One dropped just above and covered us with dust. 11.2 shells. Answered letters to mother, Nig and Dick D.

Tue 6 Jul

Quiet day.

Wed 7 Jul

Quiet day. Received letter from Mum and Dad and paper from Nig.

Thu 8 Jul

Quiet day. Monitor shelling over Gaba Tepe during afternoon.

Fri 9 Jul

Quiet day.

Sat 10 Jul

Aeroplane dropped bombs on Turks trenches. Agamemnon shelling Hill 600 in afternoon. Later Chatham shelling, unable to see target. Aeroplane and balloon spotting for Chatham. Bombardment down south.

Mon 12 Jul

Attack down south again. Believed to be successful.

Tue 13 July

Quiet.

Wed 14 Jul

Quiet.

Fri 16 Jul

Quiet.

Sat 17 Jul

Quiet.

Tue 20 Jul

Quiet.

Wed 21 Jul

Quiet.

Thu 22 Jul

Expecting big attack by Turks. Quiet. 

Fri 23 Jul

Nothing much doing. Attack didn't come off. Expect attempt will be made tonight.

Sat 24 Jul

Still nothing doing.

Sun 25 Jul

Joe Wheaver* badly wounded. * 78175. L/Cpl. Joseph Lowndes Wheaver. WA Cable Section. RE.

Mon 26 Jul

Through to C.S.W. and G.H.Q. on new cable as intermediate.

Tue 27 Jul

Inoculation, 2nd anti cholera. Put Morse in at N.Z. and A.C. Had letter from F.S.

Wed 28 Jul

Lt Onslow killed*. Received letter from Nig and Mother, Aunt S and Nellie. * The circumstances of Lt Brian Onslow's death are described in Birdwood's book "Khaki and Gown".

Thu 29 Jul

Sent letter to Nig. Hostile aeroplane over, dropped two bombs in sea. Six operators arrived.

Fri 30 Jul

Battleship shelling Achi Baba during evening. Monitor also firing.

Sat 31 Jul

Hostile aeroplane over, dropped three bombs but no damage done. Bombardment going on down south. Whitley back. Shell (4.2) through roof of office, narrowly missed several operators. Went through wall partition also, but fortunately didn't explode.

Sun 1 Aug

Lewis to hospital. Hayhow to C.S.W. C.S.W office wrecked 12.12 by shell. Five killed, ten and seven wounded.

Mon 2 Aug

Hayhow back. Hostile aeroplane over in evening. Telephone to 29th Indian Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade put in. Duplex set put in.

Tue 3 Aug

Some mail in, nothing for me. Hostile aeroplane over in evening. Reinforcements landed at night. Enemy shelling pretty badly.

Wed 4 Aug

Enemy aircraft over in morning, dropped bomb. Shelling rather bad at times.

Thu 5 Aug

Very busy, many summons. Party told off to go to Report Center under Lt Williams and Sgt Hayhow.

Fri 6 Aug

Lt Williams party leave to open station at A.R.C. Very busy. On about 2.30 and worked through till about 9.30 on 7th.

Sat 7 Aug

Big attack at Quinn's Post to hold Turks. 9th Army Corps landed at Suvla Bay. Attack at Quinn's etc held up. Big bombardment by ships. Very busy.

Sun 8 Aug

Very busy indeed. Desperate fighting.

Mon 9 Aug

Chanuk Bair gained and lost. Ghurkas reach top but driven back again.

Tue 10 Aug

Another attempt to take Chanuk Bair repulsed. Heavy losses both sides. Quieter during day. No night attacks.

Tue 12 Oct

Take out war loans stocks for 25 pounds.

Wed 13 Oct

Pay book returned. Sheets sent to paymaster Chatham, re war loan.

Thu 14 Oct

Lt Westwood went over to Ribble for stores.

Sat 16 Oct

Lt Westwood returned with canteen stores. Not much doing. Blockade of Bulgaria declared.

Sun 17 Oct

On early. Canteen stores given out.

Mon 18 Oct

Sir Ian Hamilton issues farewell (17-10-15) to troops. To be succeeded by Sir C.C. Munro. Write Nig.

Tue 19 Oct

Drew 5 pounds pay. Wrote to Nellie R. Greece refuses to abide by her treaty with Serbia.

Wed 20 Oct

Post 3 pounds 10 to Nig for her birthday by registered post.

Thu 21 Oct

Quiet day. Sgt Hayhow evacuated. Dull and threatening rain. Officer Commanding told me should have to take over Sgt Hayhow's relief at weekend.

Fri 22 Oct

Quiet day. Weather cold and showery.

Sat 23 Oct

Quiet day. Weather very cold and showery.

Sun 24 Oct

Weather very cold. Quiet.

Mon 25 Oct

Most glorious day. Turks shelling beach in afternoon. Write to Dick, Billy and Nig. Ask Billy to send a Tommy Cooker.

Tue 26 Oct

Dull morning and slight rain early. Heavy shelling of beach by five gun battery. Cruiser engages and silences. Write home to Nellie. Ask for Tommy Cooker.

Wed 27 Oct

Very rough sea. Glorious day and high wind. Unable to land anything after morning. Received three letters from Nig, one from N.R., one from home and one from E.R. Wrote Nig.

Thu 28 Oct

Fine day. Wrote home.

Fri 29 Oct

Glorious day. Wrote to Dick.

Sat 30 Oct

Received two letters from Nig, one from N.R. and one from home. Also postcard from D.D.

Sun 31 Oct

Wrote to Nig but not finished. Stormy night.

Mon Nov 1

Sent off letter to Nig. Glorious day but sea rough. Acknowledged D.D's postcard.

Tue Nov 2

Grand day, sea calmer. Mail in but nothing for us. Canteen stores come in. Awfully disappointing.

Wed Nov 3

Wrote home to Haddon, E.R. and Nellie R. Grand day. Canteen stores dished out. My lot nil, but Q.M. lets me have 1 lb of butter.

Thu Nov 4

Nig's birthday. Glorious day, but rather fresh wind. Very rough sea in afternoon and evening. Keep and others come here. Write Nig. Enemy attack at Chatham's Post driven off.

Fri Nov 5

Most glorious morning. Sea quite calm and day most brilliant. Grafton firing at 10.00. Monitors firing 13.30. Our lines said to have been advanced at Chatham's Post because of last nights attack. Sent letter off to Nig.

Sat Nov 6

Glorious morning. Saw Officer Commanding who says firearms must be inspected. Afterwards Sgt Major tells me not to take too much notice as O.C. thinks more of me than any other N.C.O. Also that I should have got Sgt Majors place if he, Pearce, hadn't come.

Sun 7 Nov

Went for walk to Y.B.

Mon 8 Nov

Slight cold, but glorious weather. Went for a walk round Y.B. and Walker's Ridge. No mails.

Tue 9 Nov

Wrote N.R. Submarine (hostile) sighted off Gaba Tepe during morning. Grafton firing very rapidly on hostile camp. Aeroplane spotting. Glorious day.

Wed 10 Nov

W.6. Office wrecked by 8" howitzer shell. Davies* mortally damaged and several others suffering from shock. Heavy shelling of New Zealand H.Q. Heavy seas in evening. * 94841 Sapper G E Davies, Anzac Signal Depot.

Thu 11 Nov

1778 bagmail, but not landed owing to heavy seas. Heavy shelling of New Zealand H.Q. still. Sea moderating. Lost H.C.O. on cable 060.

Fri 12 Nov

Nice day but quiet.

Sat 13 Nov

Nice weather. Lord Kitchener arrived in morning and inspected Divisions. Apparently left again same day. Received letters from Nig and home.

Sun 14 Nov

Nice day but strong wind.

Mon 15 Nov

Nice day but very rough sea which soon made sea very rough (sic). Heaviest seas we've had so far.

Tue 16 Nov

Nice morning and sea moderated very much. Very calm in evening. Glorious sunset.

Wed 17 Nov

Glorious morning with rather a strong wind which increased to a gale later on. Very rough sea. By far the roughest since we landed. Q'r Sgts stores moved in a hurry. Sea up to office in evening, but (words illegible). Rain in torrents. Gaby foundered in heavy seas.

Thu 18 Nov

Beautiful sight early in the morning. Glorious day. Sea calmer. Received letter from Nig and Lizzie. Busy building new office. Turkish aeroplane dropped bombs. Wrote to Nig, home, Lizzie and Nellie R.

Fri 19 Nov

Glorious day. Sea calm. Beach and new Headquarters, gully, heavily shelled. Move to new temporary office in gully. Big shell burst in front just after opening. No damage.

Sat 20 Nov

Nice weather but colder. Beachy* busy again. Endymion firing very heavily about noon. Digging Mr. Gilchrest's dugout. * Beachy Bill was the nickname given to a Turkish gun that enfiladed the beach.

Sun 21 Nov

Cold. Letter from Nig, the Echo House, Nellie and N.R. And answer. Wrote Nig.

Mon 22 Nov

Cold but fine. Wrote Nellie. Beachy and others busy. Grafton and others give them a plastering. Draw 5 pounds. Wrote to Nellie R and home. Send 1 pound home.

Tue 23 Nov

Cold but not so much wind as yesterday. Another shoot. Send Mother letter (registered) off. Write Nig send 3 pounds 10 shillings off to her by registered letter. Write to Dad and Mum and Aunt S.

Wed 24 Nov

Warmer. Fine. Shelling of beach intermittent day and night. Bomb dropped just over hill. Endymion shooting.

Thu 25 Nov

Cold again, Beachy still at it. No rifle or machine gun fire at all today by us. Endymion firing at target in Olive Grove. First target got OK nr of lines. Long range gun firing at destroyers and trawlers. Intermittent firing of beach all night.

Fri 26 Nov

Cold. Heavy shelling of beach all day. Monitor M21 shells Olive Grove. Shells still coming over. Terrific thunderstorm at night. Eng pay raised to 1/8.

Sat 27 Nov

Very cold and awfully muddy. Strong keen cold wind. Awful getting down the hill. Fell three times. Snowing. Sea very rough. No off loading possible. Shelling of beach day and night.

Sun 28 Nov

Snow on ground. Very dirty.

Mon 29 Nov

Fine but bitterly cold. Sharp frost during night. Enemy seems to have lots of ammunition to spare.

Tue 30 Nov

Fine, but very cold. Really glorious day, smooth sea. Ships firing over Gaba Tepe. Lot of shelling from enemy. 1/4 rations of water.

Thu 2 Dec

Went over to wells for water. Also visited W.6.

Fri 3 Dec

Washing during morning. Nothing of importance.

Sat 4 Dec

Grand weather. Heavy shelling.

Sun 5 Dec

Canteen stores come in. Very heavy shelling of N.Z. and W.6.

Mon 6 Dec

Glorious day. Went round W.6. and towards Chocolate Hill.

Tue 7 Dec

Fine day. Still no mail. Monitor and cruiser firing on Turkish positions. Battleships firing down Cape Helles.

Wed 8 Dec

Heavy shelling by Monitor and ships on Turkish positions. Fine weather. Saw officer commanding who said he had recommended me for an award.

Thu 9 Dec

Fine. Brilliant weather. Till no mails. Round Russell's Top for walk. Connor to go to N.Z. Heavy shelling of beach and by ships. Aeroplane came down in sea. Officers OK. Connor goes to N.Z.

Fri 10 Dec

Fine again. Got parcel from Nig, but no letters etc. Monitor and cruisers pouring shots into the Olive Grove, Bacchante amongst them. Usual shelling. Wilson comes from N.Z.

Sat 11 Dec

Fine. Still no mail. Send postcard to Nig. Submarine submerged seen off Gaba Tepe. Usual shelling of beach etc.

Sun 12 Dec

Shelling as usual. Packing of stores in afternoon.

Mon 13 Dec

Beachy still busy. Hear we are to evacuate. Packing stores etc. First party moves off about 17.00. Relief's re-arranged.

Tue 14 Dec

On duty with Mr. Ard. Very busy in afternoon 16.00 to 20.00. Telepexe been altered and Morse sets taken out last night. Also moved to new office last night at 20.00.

Wed 15 Dec

Beachy busy during night. Very quiet and begins to look deserted. Packing up etc. Q.M.S. and party left.

Thu 16 Dec

Mr. Buchan and his relief left. Other two relief's split up. Nice day. Wrote Nig and sent letter off by Keyworth.

Fri 17 Dec

Storm in early morning. Beachy rather busy. Sea not at all rough and weather improving. At work 'till midnight. Fetched out again at 12.40 to help put fire out at Austord. Thanked by General Lesslie.* * The Australian war correspondent C.E.W. Bean, recorded this incident in his diary see note 1.

Sat 18 Dec

Things going smoothly. Very quiet sea again. Glorious day. Shelling pretty heavily. Several near Head Quarters. One severely injuring Major Levine* and a Sgt (mortally) and wounding Captain Wainhope. Mr. Mason and Gilchrist leave with party. *Not Levine, but Major William Fitzgerald Levin, N.Z. Division H.Q. He died of wounds on Christmas Day, 1915 in Egypt.

Sun 19 Dec

Busy and not much rest. Things going splendidly.

Mon 20 Dec

Evacuated Peninsula. Going on last party from Williams Pier. Marvelous how smoothly things gone. Shipped on to Heroic. No casualties. On to Mudros West.

Tue 21 Dec*

Sandstorm succeeded by rain. Digging trenches for water round tents. Clear and fine during afternoon. Out to Y.A. and Y.B. seeking line to A.L.H.

* J.W. wrote to his wife on this day. See note 2.

Wed 22 Dec

Parade 07.00 for physical drill. Again at 09.00 for fatigues. Very busy. Run airline during afternoon. Walk over to Y.B. in evening.

Thu 23 Dec

07.00 physical drill. Cold but fine. Running new lines to General Godley and H.Q. Got fresh clothing in evening. Plumb pudding from Australia. Have orders to get ready for embarkation to Egypt. Received two letters from Nig. Go to Greek church Porha-- (?)

Fri 24 Dec

Parade 06.30. Get ready for going away. Parade 08.15 full marching order. Down to Sarpi Camp. Received letter from Nellie. Embark on Servla. Rather crowded. Concert in evening.

Sat 25 Dec

H.C. at 07.00. Glorious to go again. Fine morning not yet sailed.