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[Page 1]
[10th June]
Egyptian Hospital, Alexandria.
Diary sent by Private Frank T. Makinson, [A Coy 13th Battalion] to his mother Mrs J.F. Makinson Neutral Bay – In the Trenches from April 26th to May 31st. [Written in a dugout.]
I just been in hospital here for a couple of days the Doctor having sent me back from "Gabba Tepee". [Gaba Tepe]
10/4/15
A Company (only) of 13th Battalion left Heliopolis Camp at 7.13 p.m. and marched with band playing through Heliopolis to Palais de Zebbub (?) Railway Station (about a mile) and entrained for Alexandria – We were cheered by all our chaps at Heliopolis camp as we marched out and by the soldiers and crowd in Heliopolis – train moved off at 11.20 p.m, – passed [packed] pretty close in train and chaps sleep all over the floor and under the seats.
11/4/15
Arrived at Alexandria at about 5.a.m. and embarked on 5.5 [S.S.] "Seeang Bee" – a [A] Coy of 13th Battalion and 2 Coys. of New Zealand's and 1 Company of the 15th Battallion and 1 of 16th – about 1100 troops all told – great military activity in the Port many transports, English French and Australian taking troops on board – moved away from the wharf and anchored out in the stream – taking in cargo all night from lighters.
12/4/15
Left Alexandria at 6.30 a.m. beautiful weather and sea but still a little rolling made some men sea sick – food good and plenty of it – no work and only muster parades on deck – it is said we are going to some island off the coast of Turkey which we are to use as a base for operations in Turkey.
13/4/15
In Mediterranean – had a nice shower of rain – passed several small and apparently uninhabited islands – were served out with 200 rounds of ammunition each – informed we are en route to Island of Lemnos.
14/4/15
Fine sunny morning – other boats in sight and also Island of Lemnos where we anchored at 7.30 a.m. in a nice little Bay where numerous other transports and men of Wat and Gunboats are anchored – Lemnos, a rocky Island with hills and peaks – few trees or shrubs but several small villages and many cultivation patches