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[Page 9]
30/9/15
Could eat a meal off floor of fire trench Sent Coustley out to beach to see what could be picked up for the mess He returned with reply that he had not bought anything as a man told him the stuff was "pinched" Wish now I'd sent my batman Mitchell.
In evening going through personal things of dead men ready for sending back to next of kin. Have as a rule to go very carefully through all papers and letters, a necessary precaution as pain would only be caused by sending some of the things found home to a man's people – particularly after our stay among the vicious Caireans. In all cases bibles and religious books found and some intensely religious letters These on bodies in clothes. Bed 2130
1/10/15
Bright moonlight at stand to but raw air. When sun rose it disclosed heavy fog, sea obscured and only the top of this position and the opposite hills on our second line of defence could be seen above the eddying mass of white vapour. Slight mist falling. Doubled all the sentries and took other precautions against surprise. Two men killed and buried before breakfast. Turks machine guns laid at top of parapet made sweep of fire and caught these two looking over.
One machine gunner committed suicide blew every particle of brain out and portion of head gone. Instantaneous fused bomb found under his pillow. Strain evidently too much for him. Traces of doubtful syphilis. Court of Inquiry to sit on case.
0924 Delightful spring morning like Australia only occasional shots being fired. Quiet afternoon. Little ruse tonight – going to drag a dummy right along our front with a wire attached. Will the Turk bite? (N B Egypt On meeting two Egyptians say Saida (Sigheader) and touch forehead and then chest. As [indecipherable] appears to be dress from which RC nuns dress has evolved may not this custom be the origin of [words deleted] of R.C crossing