Antill war diary, 1915-1916 / John Macquarie Antill - Page 23

[Page 23]

War Diary
1915 26th Sept.
400 bayonets, no supports or Reserves: - 6 old M. Guns and only 1 M.G. Officer left: Bombed last evening by enemy – evidently with a long range, mortar -- Three long 4 feet bomb tails or round sticks found where bombs fell – Two men hit last night – working very hard to put trenches safe –

27th Sept.
Gen. Godley (G.O.C. Div) inspected Area and Trenches and was very pleased with progress being made – saw men recommended for commissions – 8th L.H. S.S.M. McGrath, Trooper C.S. Austin: 9th L.H. RSM Slattery (to be W.O.) 10th L.H. R.S.M. Rosevear, S,SM MacCallum, Sergt. Crowther –
Very heavy shelling heard N around Sufla Bay from 1800 for an hour and unusual stir about Amafarta -- Star shells and small arms fire – Lieut. Fisher C.O. Engineers away enteric, also 8 men from usual sickness – Lieut. Oliver sent to 7th brigade to instruct in Mortar and Bombs – Patrols sent out to try and locate Turkish watering places and Bivouacs no success – news last night that our army in France making a push. Sent list of officers and men away from Brigade – they number 55 officers a 1209 others –

28th Sept.
13 to Hospital (1W 9th L.H.): Enemy now active in Bombs which are fired some 400 yds. or more from a mortar with a long stick 4' 6" by 2". These are thrown with great accuracy – Last night Pte. Friday and two others under Sergt. Linacre patrolled to the bottom of donga to try and ascertain watering places of Turks came across two patrols – did not fire in accordance with my instructions – Approval at last received – send an officer to Egypt to purchase stores for Regts. for winter – sending Lt. Oliver to-morrow –

29th Sept.
Visited 3rd L.H. with Lt. Col. Abbott and saw Genl. Chauvel and Lt. Col. Meredith – Installed M.G. on Table Top and did good work in rear and enfilade of Snipers Nest and comn. trenches – 4 sick and 2w