Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 2]
in view – also numerous old fashioned round wind-mills for grinding grain – nice green cultivation patches here and there – some troops are ashore here – had practice climbing down rope ladders into boats and back with all our full marching gear and rifles.
15/4/15
Beautiful day – nothing much doing – some more transports arrived and war ships are going – a little drill aboard ship – we are now part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force"
17/4/15
Message from General Birdwood re. Conserving water and food during first three days of our attack on Gallipoli read out – We are warned we may get no more water than we can carry in our water bottles during that time –
18/4/15
Sunday – Usual Sunday service – the rest of the 13th are on the S.S. "Ascot" here – We hear that a Turkish Torpedo boat chased a British transport which was making for here and fired three torpedoes at her which missed but caused a bit of a panic on board which resulted in some going overboard and being drowned – also that subsequently two British Cruisers chased the Turkish Torpedo boat and ran her ashore and blew her to pieces – the transport subsequently arrived here O.K.
19/4/15
Went ashore with a full pack climbing up and down ship on rope ladder – had a much needed swim on the beach – many of local (Greek) villagers came round selling edibles, cigarettes etc. Saw some English troops ashore who appear to be much smaller men on the average than our chaps – (recd. letters Mothers and Mary's)
20/4/15
By order each man cut a small faggot of wood from the waste Seal cases aboard to take ashore as it is said firewood is very scarce where we are to land
21/4/15
Colonel [Burnay] came aboard from the "Ascot" to have a look at us
24/5/15
Several transports and battle ships leave this harbour – told we are leaving tomorrow.
25/4/15
Those sleeping on deck heard big gun fire during the night and it could be heard this morning – presumably the allied