Allsop Diary

May 1916

4 Thursday

Hot. In charge of party to clean up camp. Then marched out to dig dug out for advanced Dressing Station. Our plans as follows [Diagram] Gilgandra Kembla [Mt Australia?] Katoomba

5 Friday

Arrived Rail Head. Warm march from Rail Head North. Interupted while half way through dug-out. If attack comes we act from Rail Head. Went with Advance Party. Hard days work. Good Home at previous camp.

6 Saturday

Very Hot. On deep sandbag pit From 7am till 9pm. Fell in numbers of times & finally collapsed. Hard days work. Capt Mollison wants me to look after new mess shed

7 Sunday

Hottest day so far since we arrived in Egypt. Mail arrived. Still on Pioneer trench more falls. A.D.M.S arrived to act on Med Board. Working after tea

May 1916

8 Monday

Hot day: Continuing on trench but now making headway. Camp to be prepared and left standing for the unit which will take our place. May be leaving Egypt in a fortnights time possibly 23rd inst.

9 Tuesday

Hot. Carpentering latrines Heard that I may have leave to Cairo on Thursday. Water tanks sandbagged for proof against bombs from hostile aircraft.

10 Wednesday

Still warm. Continued carpentering. Left for Cairo in party of 5 at 6.45. Travelled to Ferry Post in light service waggon Seat broke. Going like fire engine Delay at Canal. Stayed. No 2 Stationary Hosp for night. Cup Cocoa. Slept in open on stretchers Two blankets & pillow

May 1916

11 Thursday

Train to leave 5.45 Nurse woke us at 5am. Breakfast of eggs & ham, jam bread & butter. Orderly wouldn't take tip. Major & Captn looking at passes on Ismailia station. Arrived Cairo 9am. Nice day shopping in morn Bath & dinner at Anzac Hostel. Visited Zoo. Sent cable home. Rode from Shepherds to Railway on donkey to catch return train at 7.15. Motor lorry to Ferry Post slept 15 F. Amb!

12 Friday

Warm Day. Waited till mid-day for Anzac DR Train. On returning camp learnt that we move to Ferry Post tomorrow Packing up

13 Saturday

Extremely hot. Marched from standing camp to standing camp Arrived like drowned rats

14 Sunday

Still hot. No Church Parade. Building Incinerator

May 1916

15 Monday

Fearfully Hot. Putting up Flagpole. Aeroplanes fly over daily. Piquet at night. Rise at 4am. Breakfast 4.30 Parade 5.15 to 8.45. Morning tea 10.30. Afternoon tea 3.30. Parade 5 to 6 Tea 6pm.

16 Tuesday

Scorching day. 115 in shade in Cairo. On Piquet but hours were cut down & 12 men put on instead of 6. Rush for water All sorts of rumours about going away. Inspection by A.D.M.S. & D.D.M.S. "A" Section congratulated

17 Wednesday

Fine day Stretcher drill in morn. Capt Lind took us to trenches. Infantry were bombing. Practicing assisting wounded under fire. Was informed that my squad did it best and kept the best protection. Lecture by Col. Shepherd on tomorrows manouvers

May 1916

18 Thursday

Hot Div day postponed to Monday. We were to have gone out today with 8th Brigade. Col informed us that the 8th was officially considered the finest that ever left Aust. same with 8th F.A. & he hopes we will be together. He remarked on significance of being with 8th B [immeasurable]

19 Friday

Cool Brushes issued for cleaning boots clothing & buttons, also button stick. Lecture in afternoon by Capt Nance

20 Saturday

Cool On Cooks fatigue. Had photo taken while peeling potatoes. Mail arrived. Prepared for inspection which didn't take place

21 Sunday

Cool. Practicing for inspection. Inspection by Mjr Gen McKay in afternoon. He asked me what regiment I was in before enlisting. I was the first he spoke to. Church Parade