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[Page 20]
APRIL 1915
12 Monday
Col[onel] Giblin went ashore with some of the men & went route march to the north of the Island.
I fear Russell may have accepted an appointment in the R.A.M.C. [Royal Army Medical Corps] which is likely to mean a Regimental Medical Officership in France. May God protect our boy against mutilation or death.
13 Tuesday
Many transports coming in for for several days past; berthing in pairs. Harbour very full.
On ship all day.
Wrote another post card to Russell in case letter went astray – addressed P.& O’s S.S. Malwa Port Said Egypt Urgent.
14 Wednesday
Unit ordered to pack kitbags for transfer per to “Osmanich” to the Base.
Pontoons made by Engineers.
Lecture by Colonel Weir C.O.[Commanding Officer] of 10th Battalion, in the Gallipoli peninsula, giving proposed landing place of 3rd Brigade & giving details of defensive preparations on land.
On ship all day.
15 Thursday
On ship all day. Rearranging my baggage. Heard from D.A.D.M.S. [Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services] that the C.H. [Clearing Hospital] is to be converted into a bearer division and to land on Gallipoli peninsula with the covering party, making the beginning of the land attack to capture the ports. Volunteered to lead, if there is to be a separate bearer division. In that case, will land on the first day. Have asked O’Brien, Atkins & Carlyle (all agreed). We will be in the thick of it.
16 Friday
Heard we are to be taken on board cruisers and destroyers to Gallipoli Peninsular & then transferred to Barges and towed ashore. 2 Companies from 10th Battalion went on board the “Prince of Wales” this evening, fully armed, for practise for 2 3 hours, then returned to Ionian. Engineers also went. Heard a Turkish destroyer which escaped from Dardanelles some week or 2 ago, had attacked a transport & fired 3 torpedoes at her at 100 yards, all missing; destroyer sunk by Minerva.
17 Saturday
Ionian moved away from Suffolk, and anchored just inside boom at mouth of harbour. Heard that a Turkish destroyer had fired 4 torpedoes at a transport and missed with all; but that 60 to 100 men had been lost through one boat falling on another when men in alarm were taking to the boats. Giblin & Corbin to be in advance party; not Carlyle.
18 Sunday
Captive balloon, seaplane, submarines & destroyers all very busy about mouth of harbour.
Agamemnon near us has her hind funnel badly wrecked & shrapnel holes in fore funnel.