Terrell, Frederick Leopold – July 1915
1 July Thursday 1915
… Life is getting unbearable with our pig of a Commander. He is absolutely the worst type of an officer that I have ever met. His very appearance is enough to turn one sick. Went out for a trip ashore on Elephanta Island and visited the Elephanta Cave Temple which is a sight worth seeing….
2 July Friday
Am again on guard duties after being relieved for four days… There is terrible discontent on board boat over the treatment we are receiving through Lieut. Bracegirdle.
3 July Saturday
… Left Bombay at 7.30 a.m
5 July Monday
Still very rough turned out at 6 oclock, to a burial, which took place at 6.30 A.M. It was a very sad spectacle as the deceased was a highly esteemed man by his fellow shipmates Passed a hospital ship making for Bombay it was reported that she had 800 odd men wounded on board…
11 July Sunday
… The heat is very oppressive. Not a ripple on the water… sighted land again…The country is very arid and bare hilly and sandy beaches… we are now in the Red sea
15 July Thursday
… Arrived, and moored at Pt of Suez at 10.30 P.M did sewing until 11 P.M and turned in
16 July Friday
… still laying at anchor. The military Signallers left at 3.20 P.M. for their camp in Egypt…
17 July Saturday
… Entered Pt Said at 11 am … The canal is very interesting. and is guarded by Indian troops… there is a big French camp and laying at anchor are two warboats the Pt is full of steamers transports and merchant men…
There are seven War Boats in Harbor 5 French & 2 English. We are laying just to the N.E. of a big camp consisting of English and Frenchmen on the Quay there are 20 Hydroplanes. today I had the pleasure of seeing 5 of them do flites 4 from the canal and one rose straight off the Quay. Abreast of us lies an auxiliary Cruiser which is going to proceed to the Dardanelles. On her D deck she also has Hydroplanes, ready for flight at any moment. No leave was granted, but like Australians they found a way to get ashore, though we lay away from any wharf … We are already now to proceed on our way as we have coaled and watered and are waiting for orders to proceed….
20 July Tuesday
… At 4 a.m. passed the Ionian Islands… We are about ½ way to Lemnos, expect to arrive there at 4 am tomorrow. We are in the midst of the Grecian Archipelago…
21 July Wednesday 1915
… Entered Lemnos Harbor at 9.15a.m and was met by three French destroyers, who have the duty of protecting the entrance. Before taking up our berth we had to get an escort steamer to take us through rings of mines which are laid to protect the multitude of shipping here. Nearly all the Mediterranean Fleet is lying here, if not all…
22 July Thursday
… Rose at 7 a m to put in another day of suspense, as we do not know anything. Troops still arriving here and 1,000’s those who are leaving are mostly Frenchmen. We are expecting to sail any moment for an Island 10 miles from Dardanelles where we are to undergo a test in bridging…
23 July Friday
Turned out at 7 oclock a.m. to find ourselves still in the same place … Numbers of wounded arriving daily…
24 July Saturday
… of 1,100 of one regiment which proceeded to Dardenelles only 50 returned and the highest officer was a sergeant, who had been through the Boer war, Boxer campaign, and retreat of Mons and he states that in all these wars they were mere childs play compared to the landing at Dardenelles. Many of those who returned had as many as 11 wounds. But still they are full of spirit
25 July Sunday
Arrived at Imbros at 6.a.m. after what could be classed an uneventful voyage took our berth at 6.15 A.M. this like the harbor we left was well mined…
26 July Monday
Turned out at 12 midnight, mounted guard till 4 oclock. During that time an airoplane came over the harbor and dropped bombs but did no damage … There is a heavy cannonade going on and the flash of the guns can be seen quite plane
27 July Tuesday
Still very fine, saw a vessel get chased by submarine, she flew her signal S.O.S. and before we knew it, almost every torpedo boat was around it and escorted it in out of safety During early part of morning, could be seen over the Peninsula a military balloon. It remained there for several hours and after it had been brought down, we could see two airoplanes maneuvering in the air.
28 July Wednesday
Started to disembark this is a big thing when there are not Barges and landing stages consequently we had to use our equipment to the best advantage…
29 July Thursday 1915
… had to turn to unloading ship, kept on all day until 3 oclock when I rowed ashore with our fellows to pitch camp This is a very laughable constructed of a few pieces of sticks or wood sufficient to stretch a blanket over…
30 July Friday
Turned out at 2 a m to mount guard and did not get releived from duty until 9 a.m, mounted again at 10 a m relieved at 12 noon when I stood off until 6 p m. Went a swim, Which is the only means of having a wash. There has been a terrible cannonade going on all day On this island there are over 32,000 troops and are all anxious to get at the fighting …
Diary of Frederick Leopold Terrell
