William Ambrose Cull letter diary, 1915-1918 - Page 22
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[Page 22]
Two of our men were buried at Colombo, while six others off the "Euripides" died while we were crossing the Indian Ocean and of course were buried at Sea.
We were steaming through the Red Sea when we awoke on the morning of June 2nd, having passed Aden during the night. We passed the Islands of Perim, (fortified) The Twelve Apostles, The Brothers & through Hell's gate: On Sunday evening 6th we passed the Shedwell Islands.
On the morning of Monday 7th the most beautiful picture revealed itself that ever one could wish to see.
A sea picture in deep blue with a frame work in beautiful contrast of color.
It was as though one watched a cinematograph screen. The rising sun lent to the rugged African coast on the West a rich golden tint while to the East even the sandy waste of the Arabian desert seemed to hold some extraordinary beauty.
It was truly a fine sight; one that I shall not forget.
A British and a French light cruiser were in the Port. During that day sand-bags were hoisted on the Bridge Machine Guns were mounted on the Fore-well deck, and a Guard was posted on the Sun-deck: it was expected that we might get a shot at a Turk during our passage through the Canal.
7 o'clock on the morning of the 8th we entered the Canal. We saw much to interest us: after being on the ship for four weeks without hardly seeing land, it was quite a pleasurable change to steam along, with land so close on either side.
For a while the chaps would almost climb over one in order to see a camal –
A great number of English and Indian troops are posted along the Canal –
We were greeted by each unit, with loud cheers, to which we loudly responded, and to the opening question of "who are you", we answered with one proud voice "Australians".
We passed a British and a French light cruiser on a small lake in the Canal (one of the Bitter Lakes) We dropped anchor at Port Said about 9.30 that night. The following morning I was on deck by reveille, taking in all I could see.
Three British and three French Cruisers were in the Port We each give the other the General Salute, the French-man