Antill war diary, 1915-1916 / John Macquarie Antill - Page 11

[Page 11]

War Diary
1915 2nd Sept
1 Troop D. Sqn. 9th L.H. took over Table Top post this morning – made sketches of forward positions – Lt. Col. Abbott visited A.H.Q. and saw Genl. Birdwood – 8th L.H., 1.w [wounded]; 10th L.H. 4 men k [killed]; 1w, 18 men to hospital – Lieut. Hughes (S.C.) to Hospital also B. Ms. batman BUS – Captn. Cowlishaw A.M.C. to 16th Battn. Lieut. Oliver from Hospital returned – Major Parsons sick to Hospital – Marched into Bde Area and attached – Three officers, 206 of 1st, - 5th Suffolks: 50 other ranks of 1st. 8th Hants: 25 others 8th M.Gs.: 20 others 9th M.Gs.: 5 officers 55 others, including M.G. Section:
"D" Sqn. 9th L.H. and 2 officers, 172 of 54th Divn. took over Canterbury Slope from Canterbury Infy. (Lt. Col. Young.) 8th L.H. M.Gs, to Table Top.
[In right margin] G. 929 B.M. 699 B.M. 703

3rd Sept.
Took over Area "B" section 5 – Capt. Skelsi N.Z.R.E. cabled and received instructions re defences of Post. All the men of any experience whatever retained in No. 6 area. Total number of rank and file available for Trenches at present are 8th L.H. Nil, 9th L.H., 108 (new and transferred from 11th L.H.) – 10th L.H. Nil – Hants and Suffolks 233 – 341. Altogether unsafe and inadequate as represented to Division. There are no supports. No Reserves, and all the men who are not raw are dead beat – The Territorials are poor physiqued and undersized and when put to work with tools at digging make the poorest show – There are only 4 officers with them. Should any misadventure occur in this command the above is recorded but responsibility cannot rest with the Brigade from which all its men have been detached and sent to another section.
[In right margin] B.M. 711 G. 954

5th Sept.
Spent all the morning supervising new area – There is an accumulation of all sorts of arms, equipment, ammunition used and unused – tools – clothing scattered everywhere – The place is filthy and covered