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Alan approved of the conditions on board ship, stating:
For dinner we had soup, roast mutton, potatoes and green peas. For tea, bread, butter, jam and tea. Breakfast, fish (whiting at that!), and bread and butter. If this lasts, we will be as fat as mud when we get there.
However, he often became pensive and voiced deeper feelings:
Nell, I cannot tell you how I felt when we pulled off yesterday. I could not have spoken to anyone if I tried. I was down-hearted again last night, when we took up the anchor, but Nell, as it has to be, I am going to make the best of it. I am coming back, and know I will be rewarded better than I deserve to be.
To relieve boredom, the soldiers played various practical jokes - a favourite being blanket-pinching - to such an extent that a blanket-parade was called. Games of draughts, concerts, races, sports and the publishing of a newspaper, the Lincoln Lyre, took up much of their time. Sea-sickness was quite a problem when rough weather struck. Three mascots accompanied them - 2 dogs and a fox.
After a day in Melbourne, Alan was no longer able to name other ports of call or their destination, due to strict censorship.
Members of Alan's mess all agreed
...that 12 months from the day peace is declared, they will all meet at the Marble Bar for a re-union.
I wonder if any were able to keep this rendezvous. No doubt the sentiments of many of the young soldiers were voiced when Alan wrote:
I think we all look forward to one thing and that is to get there, do what is set out for us to do, and then to come back to those we love... A chap does not realise what he is giving up till he leaves Australian shores, and then it comes home to him. I promise you I intend to make up for it all when I get back, which I feel confident I am going to do.
By 20th November, 1915, Corporal Gordon and his Company were at the Heliopolis Camp in Egypt, for training. He marvelled at the sight of the Suez Canal and the marvellous system of irrigation. Bargaining for goods was a novel experience. Cairo was impressive, with fine buildings of white stone.
Training recommenced and the standard there was considerably higher than in Australia. The work is harder, hours longer and the discipline very strict. Food was judged to be just adaquate: We get 3 eggs per man for breakfast, with porridge, dinner is stew, tea, bread and syrup.
The troops were kept in ignorance of their next destination. Rumours constantly swept the camp and at times they expected to go to the peninsula (Gallipoli), or to fight in Africa against the Burganese.
By early December, 1915, another move was made to a camp at Abbassia, Egypt. Here, he finally received his first letters from Australia (they generally took 6 to 8 weeks).
Despite rigorous training and a busy camp-life, Corporal Gordon still took the time to enquire about Nell's doings at home - including a visit to the "Ideal Home Exhibition", church fellowship meetings, the planning of a new garden and tennis court.
He mentioned that in Egypt the 4th Battalion was called the Boozy Fourth, but that over the other side, they are the Fighting Fourth, praised and respected.
Goods sent from Australia were gratefully received, particularly socks, handkerchiefs, newspapers and tobacco. Alan requested that Nell knit him puttees - or footless socks to represent the usually leather leggings. The saga of the
Timespan No 27, June 1987 Page 45