Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 78
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[Page 78]
and stay at Government House so we packed our kit bags and made for the beach on arrival.
Dinners were given and riding and tennis provided, in fact everything that was good was bestowed on us with a lavish hand, for which we who were in the Sydney will never forget the kindness of Trinidads hospitable Viceroy.
We revisited Trinidad several times afterwards and were always very well treated.
In harbour the ship put on her peace time rig; carpets and mats were put into the wardroom and awnings spread and for a day or so here and there we lived as civilised people but in the little jaunts at sea war routine was rigorously observed. Just after dark night defence was sounded off and all lights which showed outboard were covered, cabins deadlights were screwed down and the guns crews closed up. Double watches were kept and in this fashion in inky blackness without even a northern light we pursued our course. The heat in the wardroom and cabins was stifling and many brave souls tried to sleep on deck, but the coal dust from the funnels and the rain which had a pleasant habit of falling each night eventually drove them below.
In several months I can scarcely remember one peaceful night on deck.
During the day time in these latitudes we wore a rig which I believe was first evolved in the Melbourne. No tunic was worn but a soft white shirt on which the badges of rank were fastened then a pair of duck trousers and a pair of white sandshoes. Some of the bloods affected socks but the more economical went without.
There was no dressing for dinner in fact we undressed for in the heated wardroom made hotter by the