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[Page 20]
PRIVATE War Diary. Commencing December 30th 1915.
Written by Captain S.J. Fox
1st Jan. 1916 New Years Day was spent at Mudros which is the port of Lemnos Island. It rained heavily and nearly all tents were flooded. At midnight flares saved from Gallipoli were fired up into the air. The 5th,6th and 7th Brigades were camped near the harbour, the ground was undulating, exposed and stony. Fresh water was difficult to obtain. I was in B Company at the time and in charge of No 6 Platoon. Visited the small village of Condia. Population appears to be about two thousand. People of two distinct classes. The peasant class dress in sheepskins, baggy pantaloons, black hair, sallow complexion, slow deliberate, swinging walk and older men always carry sticks.
The better class have intellectual faces, and a quick brisk walk. Dress like Europeans. Police look very smart in their blue uniform, black leggings, silver buttons and braid. They come from the mainland.
Houses built of stone and wood, two storeys. Cows particularly odd looking. All structures are in a simi-dilapited state. Cemeteries crude. A rough wall of stone painted white on top represents the boundary of the cemetery. Poor attempt at grave stones. Churches small, roughly ornamental, tower contains small bell, inside Similar to other churches, seats are of the old fashioned style.
Streets narrow, paved with kidney stones. Sanitation bad. Water supply wells and springs. Windmills are seen in every direction. They have no carts. People polite and keen on business. Shops sell chocolate, oranges, figs, tin-fruit, cigarettes. English money taken. Animals donkeys, goats, chickens, camels, dogs, cats, sheep. Women draw water. Use plough made of wood which can be carries away on a donkey after use. They do not plough deeper than six inches. Products-figs, oranges, cabbages, dates and nuts.
2nd Jan. 1916 Orderly Officer. Trouble about the lights in the camp. One Officer and ten men detailed to clean up excreta down Y Valley.
3rd Jan. 1916 Embarked on the ManitouB 12. On board 20th Battn. 5th F.A. 5th A.E. 120 mules and horses. Tommy A.S.C. and Artillery. Lt. Battersby and Holland. Prisoners, spies, 22 men and 5 ladies, (one prostitute and two others married) very mixed lot of commercial type, physically poor.
Sea rough when taken out by tug. Weather exceedingly cold.
4th Jan. 1916 Still awaiting orders to sail. Loading horses and water. Food for men fair. Boat clean. Good seagoing boat. Tonnage 8000, steams 8to 12 knots.
5th Jan. 1916 Transferred to A company as second in command. Officers' accommodation good. Still in the same spot.