Item 02: Gordon Macrae diary, 9 January 1916-20 January 1917 - Page 59

[Page 59]

August 1916
vary the monotony a bit.

August 25th to September 5th
The Brigade has been getting leave to Port Said. 10 % are allowed to go each day Some get 48 hrs & others 72 much a matter of luck & how the trains run It is 26 miles on a narrow gauge line in open trucks & they are crowded. It takes about 3 hrs to go in & I can say it is a relief to get there. All the hotels are crowded with soldiers on leave & they are out for a good time too.

I got in the morning Port Said was bombed & there was some excitement for a time. However we did not let bombs trouble us long. We had some good feeds, champagne, suppers, hot baths, sea bathing, afternoon teas & ices & a general gorge of everything. I got some cool clothes as we still are served with a thick winter issue & the weather is still very hot especially in Port Said. The horses have been going off lately, the vet says they have sand colic. We have got