Churchill-Smith, James – August 1915
August 26 1915
Left Mitcham Camp at about 11.30 am Said Good–bye to dear Father … Met Mum & dear Kate on Railway Station … & proceeded to Outer Harbour Boat ( R.M.S.”Morea”) left about 7.20 pm. Streamers out to Mum, Mrs Bond, Mattie & Dear Kate; Mrs Bond’s broke 1st, Kate’s 2nd, Mattie 3rd & Mum 4th, (Mums was last streamer to break from boat) God bless them all especially Dad Mum & dear Kate and may I be spared to return safely to them.
Had good sleep. No breakfast nor dinner. Slept from about 10 am to 3 pm. On deck for about ½ an hour. Boat rocking terribly, sea is extra rough…
Majority of men ill, very unpleasant in their quarters… Not sick yet feeling fair. Bed early Left teeth out all day
August 28 1915
Feeling pretty right, beginning to get used to things. Met Col. O’Loughlin at 8.30 am… Very decent fellow, sure to get on well with him.
Men much better, only a few ill. Allotted them all to their messes. Find 1 man short, strength 2 Officers 149 men. Wish this was my honeymoon trip with Kate, miss her very much. Hope she is alright. God bless her. Will make her happy if I return. Wearing false teeth again…
Very high sea at night, water coming over deck. Had a good meal at dinner. Feeling A.1. Miss Kate very much, hope she is well.
Men singing on well deck, seem very happy…
August 29 1915
… Will be glad to see some land again; wish this sea trip was over… Men now very lively. Down at mens quarters for about 2 hours this morning; very stuffy owing to Port–hole having to be kept closed: makes one feel crook…
…Sea very choppy; spray coming all over the deck; reminds me of time with Kate at Victor Harbour. I wonder if I shall ever be there with her again, I hope so…
August 30 1915
… Miss my girlie.
8 p.m Arrived off Fremantle ; laying out all night, will birth first thing in morning…
August 31 1915
Birthed at Fremantle at 7 am…
Left 1.20 pm. Good–bye dear Australia, hope to see you again some day…
Diary of James Churchill-Smith
