Gordon war narrative, ca. 1914-1917 / Alexander Dundas Gordon - Page 10

[Page 10]

stomach.

29th.
Alas! today is the reverse of yesterday as regards the tucker, no quality - no quantity - and consequently most of it remained untouched.  Another disappointment befel us.  It was Pay day, but we were only allowed to draw a solitary "bob" a day!  Lots of it was spent in the dry canteen (perhaps that is the reason we are starved) on Biscuits and cheese, tinned fruit, etc.  We must fill the aching void somehow - where the tucker isn't.  We have all been turned out on the poop deck for inspection, I guess we looked alright.

30th.
Stew for breakfast, (still harping on the same old string) - too oily - much grouching thereat, and many empty bingies.  Orders issued that no letters are to be written giving name of Port, or what is being done.  Several of the boys wrote letters and they placed them over the Ship's side, hoping that wind and wave would kindly carry the messages to those at home.  To-day I am light hearted - a letter from the Mater is the cause, my soul - thank God all's well - all's well.

1st Nov.
No luck!  Meals as bad as ever.  Private Beard and self started doing dental work, for all the Ship's company;  some pretty rotten specimens of molars to hand.

2nd Nov.
Left Port Albany at 6.30.  It was the grandest and most thrilling experience I have had in all my life.  We steamed out in single line, our Boat leading, until we were well out to sea, when we fell, as near as I could make out, into the following order -