Item 01: Leslie William Sutherland diary, 24 September 1914 - 23 September 1915 - Page 71

[Page 71]

21 April 1915
Wednesday 36 wks of soldiering

Revielle at 5
Stables 5.30 Boot & Saddle at 7.15 for trek troops proceed by road via Cairo to Maadi where we are now encamped trip out very dusty & rough the LH are all over the shop & were not too considerate for us. Toby went back at seven for orders mail etc, 5 [indecipherable] were run at 6 pm & I had first go at the cammutator to relieve Bobby who is on leave. Maadi still the same only a little dirtier than when we left it, the Stadium is fairly well patronised & several bouts of importance were staged. The Camp Commandant informed us that we are here for keeps so to try & make ourselves comfortable if possible. I'm QMS for the trip & I dont think that the duties will prove too arduous. Bed 9.10

22 April 1915
Thursday

Revielle at 5.30
Stables 6 Boot & Saddle 7.45 The Bde proceeds to Helouan by road with 2nd Reg leading then 3rd Reg followed by the first, road very dusty & troops & [indecipherable] all over the ship. Whilst I was cruising along from rear to advance my front tyre came off & I got a beaut fall broke footrests & pedals, had to replace tube for its ripped to blazes cut myself too a trifle, on the arm knee & hands, we got here at 2.30. After a wash I went round & drew the supplies the HQ is billited (&us to) in a courtyard opposite the Tewfik Palace Hotel, real good, no phones r to be used. Went down to the town for writing material get back in time for tea. Toby Jack hear something of their com's at last & we expect to be thru in a day or two Bed at 9.