Churchill-Smith, James – January 1916
January 1
New Years Day No drill – Sports morning & afternoon. About 40 men brought back by picquet for being absent without leave. C.O. spoke strongly to Battn. re breaking Camp…
January 2
222 Bags of mail arrived for Bttn… Went for short horse–ride in afternoon. Lot of men in Guard Tent calling out insults to C.O. during night – disgraceful…
January 4
Mail still going strong. Received letters from dear Kate, Mrs Hawson, Mrs Bond, & Mattie; also papers from Kate. Heavy rain during last night. 9th Bttn arrived last night…
January 5
Wrote dear Mum, Kate, Father, Girlie, Mattie & Mrs Bond, Iris Galliford, Emy, Len & Joyce Johnston… Left by 3 pm. train with Lieuts Henwood and Campbell on 24 hrs leave. Henwood went to Alexandra, and Gordon and I to Cairo, stopping at the Eden Palace Hotel…
January 6
…Up at 8 a.m. cold bath. Shopping during morning… motored round all afternoon – Zeitoun, Abassieh, No 2 A.G.H. Gizirah and other places. Most enjoyable time. Bought V.P.Kodak Camera in afternoon and took few snaps… Back at Camp at 9 p.m…
January 10
… Reported at Divisional Hdqrs. at 14 00 for Grenadier instruction. – 3 days course…
January 13
Acting as O.C. “C” Coy all day. Noel Loutit appointed Brigade Grenadier Officer… Sorry to hear of poor Chas. Bagot’s death at Gallipoli in Novr. A good life gone.
January 14
1st Ausn Division paraded out in desert and marched past the G.O.C. Gen Smythe. – very good marching…
January 15
Believe dear Fathers birthday – God bless him, and may Dad have a longer & more prosperous life yet…
January 16
Church Service in morning – new Rev. Fatigue Party at railway siding during afternoon.
January 17
Received letter from Mum & Aunt Nell. Wrote Aunt Nell, Sid, & Mum…
January 18
Dull day with light rain at intervals. Received papers from Kate. (dear kid.) New Seniority list out, I’m now Senior 2/Lt in Battalion.
January 19
Nice fine day. Half holiday during afternoon. Lts Frederick, Boorn, Clyde down during night (27th); spent enjoyable evening.
January 21
At Rifle Ranges all day – very good shooting…
January 25
Battalion struck Camp at 8.30 a.m. “C” left by train (2.30 pm) for Serapium, marched through very heavy sand with packs & all on to side of Canal (5.30 pm) Marched about 1½ miles to Camp and bivouaced for night. Fortunately valise came up early so although a cold night I slept well and warm.
January 26
Tents pitched during morning, and everybody accommodated. I with Capt Hamilton Lieut Armitage in one Bell tent. All desert here & flat country. Well prepared to meet Turks, but don’t think a big fight will result. Took couple of photos of Canal during afternoon. Bed early.
January 28
Packed up & moved off from Camp at about 11 30 a.m. and arrived at destination (Habieta) at about ¼ to 4 p.m. very heavy marching, long way, Bert Hewish & I marched together and stuck it through…
January 30
Lovely warm day – Australian summer. C & D Coys started work about 9.30 a.m. Church Parade at about 10 a.m., only about 30 present. Wrote dear Mum, Kate, Emy Johnston, & C/S Turner. Bridge with Lory, Hooper & Blackburn at night – made some mistakes and was cursed, but enjoyed it very much.
Diary of James Churchill-Smith
