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[Page 8]
And every man was on pins and needles that he would be left behind and I dont think there was 6 men was out of that camp that night. I know there was 14 in the tent I was in and we took it in turns to watch the C.S. Major and the word came out that 150 of the 11/1 had to join the Batt in the morning the 6/1/16. Fred, Dave, Car and myself was at the door of that tent with nothing on but our shirt getting our names down then Dave & Car missed. This is there [where?] the Terrible Four started to get broke up. For Fred and I had to leave there in the morning and leave the other two behind. Well we that was picked up to go was told to be ready leave for the train in the morning at 5.30 on the morning of the 6/1/16. So we was and we had 3 that scaled away with us. I forget the name of the place here we entrained but it was a good march and we boarded the train at 8 am for Tel-el-kebei [Tel-el-Kebir] on the line between Cairo and Port Suez. And when we got there we was lined up and R.S.M. Pegg came out and inspected us. And the first thing he said is there any Bandmen amongst you or buglers and nobody answered. He said a damn fine lot you are. Well you can sleep here tonight and we will put up tents for you tomorrow. The Battalion had only been back off the Peninsular and they were a pretty sight when we joined them all in rags some with there pants inside out to dodge the chats and some with no shirts and they rushed us for a change of clothes so we fixed them up as well as we could.
On 7/1/16 we was lined up for the C.O. Captain Jackson who was in temporary command at the time. And he inspected us and told us we were a fine lot of men and that we ought to be glad that we were allowed to join the Famous first Battalion. And after he gave us a lot of kid stakes we were told off to our Companys so Fred and I was put into C.Coy. Where I remained until I left the Battalion. Well we had to get to work and put up tents and get the camp into shape which took a few days. This done we had to settle down to drill and then came Major Heane from the 4th Battalion to take charge. And he proved himself to be a soldier and a man although he was very strick and severe. I have seen him ride up to the Parade ground about 11 clock in the morning after the men had been doing hard drill on the sand all the morning. And then would call the men together and point a place out about 1 1/2 miles away and he would say that the enemy is suppossed to be there and he would detail the Batt off in Companys and make an attack and it may be 2 or 3 oclock when we would get back and if it was not done to his sattisfaction we would have to do it over till it was done properly. And if it was done right at first we could have the rest of the day to ourselves. We often called him some funny names but when we lost him we know we had lost a good soldier. We done drill like this till the 10/2/16 when came from H.Q. that the 1st Brigade that is the 1.2.3. and 4th Battalions was to be broke up and the 5th Division to be formed. Well half of the 1st Brigade was to make half the 14th Brigade 53.54.55. and 56 Batt. 5th Division. And this caused a lot of dissatiffaction amongst both Officers and men for the men that left Sydney with the 1st Batt did not like to be sent to another Battalion so mates got split up they complained but it was no use they had to part. And on the 11/2/16 we had a sort of farewell day. The 2 M. Stores was turned out and we got such a lot of