page of war diary transcript

• June 6, 2017 21:23:43 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  also Quartermaster Roberts of the Herefords in the right thigh. Wound not

  dangerous. Under my instructions mules were collected undercover in a donga

  -after this I ordered them to come out 3 at a time and directed them to

  the new dumping ground. Fortunately I got the remainder there with no

  casualties but we lost several boxes of ammo and picks etc (?) which I had

  collected afterwards. (Extricated p. and shovels from wire, carried them

  also ammo myself into donga- shells all the time). It was a hot soup and

  General Lloyd remarked that they (Turks) had sprung a nice surprise on us.

  I consider I extricated the convoy from a perilous position and really

  saved men, mules and supplies. Up to now no one seems to have considered it

  much except myself but no one knew the circumstances only myself and Delany

  who was with me. Returned to rest camp thanking the almighty I was spared

  to do my duty.

  (The action that Lt./Qm. Claridge took was recognised and he was 'Mentioned

  in Despatches'. See a separte report for the official details).

  14th Aug
  

  Orders received to move from 'C' Beach to 'A' Beach. Took party over- dug

  in- very cramped and unsatisfactory camp also filthy day- flies in

  galore, enemy soon found us out consequently we got shelled morning and

  night. This camp was right opposite supply depot and landing beach and was

  continually under shell fire. Food sent up by Q.M.S.

  15th Aug . Sunday..
  

  Enemy said "Good Morning" as usual by popping over a few shells - just as

  one was having a shave- or at the latrine. Nearly everyone has an attack

  of diarrhoea which seems very acute, climate is undoubtedly the cause.

  16th/17th/18th & 19th Aug.
  

  Days passed without anything of importance happening.

  20th Aug.
  

  Shell fell among Divisional troops at Supply Depot , 6 yards behind my

  rations and fatigue party. Killed 4 and wounded 13. Shall never forget it

  as long as I live. Quartermaster suggested supplies should be drawn at

  night. Bombardment (terrific) 2.30 to 7 p.m. then our troops attacked.

  Many, many lives lost.

                                                     -3-

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• June 6, 2017 20:04:37 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  also Quartermaster Roberts of the Herefords in the right thigh. Wound not

  dangerous. Under my instructions mules were collected undercover in a donga

  -after this I ordered them to come out 3 at a time and directed them to

  the new dumping ground. Fortunately I got the remainder there with no

  casualties but we lost several boxes of ammo and picks etc (?) which I had

  collected afterwards. (Extricated p. and shovels from wire, carried them

  also ammo myself into donga- shells all the time). It was a hot soup and

  General Lloyd remarked that they (Turks) had sprung a nice surprise on us.

  I consider I extricated the convoy from a perilous position and really

  saved men, mules and supplies. Up to now no one seems to have considered it

  much except myself but no one knew the circumstances only myself and Delany

  who was with me. Returned to rest camp thanking the almighty I was spared

  to do my duty.

  (The action that Lt./Qm. Claridge took was recognised and he was 'Mentioned

  in Despatches'. See a separte report for the official details).

  14th Aug
  

  Orders received to move from 'C' Beach to 'A' Beach. Took party over- dug

  in- very cramped and unsatisfactory camp also filthy day- flies in

  galore, enemy soon found us out consequently we got shelled morning and

  night. This camp was right opposite supply depot and landing beach and was

  continually under shell fire. Food sent up by Q.M.S.

  15th Aug . Sunday..
  

  Enemy said "Good Morning" as usual by popping over a few shells - just as

  one was having a shave- or at the latrine. Nearly everyone has an attack

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• June 6, 2017 20:03:08 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  also Quartermaster Roberts of the Herefords in the right thigh. Wound not

  dangerous. Under my instructions mules were collected undercover in a donga

  -after this I ordered them to come out 3 at a time and directed them to

  the new dumping ground. Fortunately I got the remainder there with no

  casualties but we lost several boxes of ammo and picks etc (?) which I had

  collected afterwards. (Extricated p. and shovels from wire, carried them

  also ammo myself into donga- shells all the time). It was a hot soup and

  General Lloyd remarked that they (Turks) had sprung a nice surprise on us.

  I consider I extricated the convoy from a perilous position and really

  saved men, mules and supplies. Up to now no one seems to have considered it

  much except myself but no one knew the circumstances only myself and Delany

  who was with me. Returned to rest camp thanking the almighty I was spared

  to do my duty.

  (The action that Lt./Qm. Claridge took was recognised and he was 'Mentioned

  in Despatches'. See a separte report for the official details).

  14th Aug
  

  Orders received to move from 'C' Beach to 'A' Beach. Took party over- dug

  in- very cramped and unsatisfactory camp also filthy day- flies in

  galore, enemy soon found us out consequently we got shelled morning and

  night. This camp was right opposite supply depot and landing beach and was

  continually under shell fire. Food sent up by Q.M.S.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• June 6, 2017 20:01:12 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  also Quartermaster Roberts of the Herefords in the right thigh. Wound not

  dangerous. Under my instructions mules were collected undercover in a donga

  -after this I ordered them to come out 3 at a time and directed them to

  the new dumping ground. Fortunately I got the remainder there with no

  casualties but we lost several boxes of ammo and picks etc (?) which I had

  collected afterwards. (Extricated p. and shovels from wire, carried them

  also ammo myself into donga- shells all the time). It was a hot soup and

  General Lloyd remarked that they (Turks) had sprung a nice surprise on us.

  I consider I extricated the convoy from a perilous position and really

  saved men, mules and supplies. Up to now no one seems to have considered it

  much except myself but no one knew the circumstances only myself and Delany

  who was with me. Returned to rest camp thanking the almighty I was spared

  to do my duty.

  (The action that Lt./Qm. Claridge took was recognised and he was 'Mentioned

  in Despatches'. See a separte report for the official details).

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• June 6, 2017 19:58:48 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  also Quartermaster Roberts of the Herefords in the right thigh. Wound not

  dangerous. Under my instructions mules were collected undercover in a donga

  -after this I ordered them to come out 3 at a time and directed them to

  the new dumping ground. Fortunately I got the remainder there with no

  casualties but we lost several boxes of ammo and picks etc (?) which I had

  collected afterwards. (Extricated p. and shovels from wire, carried them

  also ammo myself into donga- shells all the time). It was a hot soup and

  General Lloyd remarked that they (Turks) had sprung a nice surprise on us.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• June 6, 2017 19:57:34 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  also Quartermaster Roberts of the Herefords in the right thigh. Wound not

  dangerous. Under my instructions mules were collected undercover in a donga

  -after this I ordered them to come out 3 at a time and directed them to

  the new dumping ground. Fortunately I got the remainder there with no

  casualties but we lost several boxes of ammo and picks etc (?) which I had

  
  

  
  

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• June 6, 2017 19:55:41 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  instructed by Maj. Armstrong to bring back the mules which were 300 yards

  in front towards (the old Hd. Qrs.)  Immediately I got near them the enemy

  started shelling again- landed over a couple of mules, hit a driver and

  
  

  
  

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• June 6, 2017 19:54:15 Annick Rodriguez

  nullah (and) found Division and Brigade staff together under cover in the

  nullah. Were informed Battalions were coming into nullah for a rest and

  that food was to be dumped in it. S.C. Davies took Maj. Armstrong to show

  him where to put food.  I went with them- when spot was found out I was

  
  

  
  

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  • Compare to current version
  • Compare to previous version

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