Tuesday, 10 Augut 1915

Today we can hear the big guns from the ships. I saw several water planes. We have got on board adout 50 Egyptian solders, they are attached to the RE? They brought on board with them about a dozen sheep + all their baggage. We are still awaiting orders + expect to land any ?????. I gave my mandolin to one of the stewards.

Saturday, 7 August 1915

We had busy day today. Every man was issued out with 1lb of hard biscuits + 1 tin (12 ozs) of bonned beef tea and sugar, rashers of bacon. These are emergency rations. Each man also had a new blanket + 200 rounds of amunition. We also had to pack up a bundle of wood + put this with pack. I reakon they take us for pack ponies. We had our first pay day since we left England. I recieve a 10 note + had a devil of a job to change it. I had to spend 4 before I could change it. I neally forgot. Edga + I did our first day washing. We got on fairly well. we hung them on the side of the ship. I had fastened up a few things + was hanging up Edga's shirts when I turned around + found my kahki shirt had gone for a swim. So some my money went for a new shirt. We stopped at an Island I think is 'Lemnos' rather late. Think this is our destination for a time. We got here about 9pm.

Dairy Entry Friday 6/8/15

I was 5th relief + I did my 4 hours guard from 2am till 6am and during that time I felt pretty bad. We passed an island on the portside, supposed to be 'Crete'. Nothing else of importance today.

Diary Entry Thursday 5/8/15

This morning I was detailed for guard again. I only went ashore once to take my kit bag and then only got as far as the quay. We were not allowed in the town. The natives ???? the ship and it was a bit of fun to see them, They always seemed as if they were rowing?. The dock policemen are natives. If any of the natives do anything wrong the policemen take them up to the chief officer who is walking around and they receive one or two slashes across the back with a whip. The natives are dressed very badly, most of them only were a shirt. I can't say much about the women as I only saw one or two + they looked like bundles of rag tied up in the middle. The 5th Batt Essex Regt (who were in docks when we arrived yesterday) left about 5.30pm. We left soon afterwards at 7pm. About 120 men from our battalion were left at Alexandria for some purpose. It looked as if all the old crocks were left. Again we were disappointed at not having time to have a look around. Now I'll try and get a little sleep. The sea seems a bit rougher than it has been. I can see a few fellows being sick.

Diary Entry Wednesday 4/8/15

This morning I got a job as washer up in the Sergents Mess. I have never handled so much crockery in my life. It seemed an endless job. We sighted land about 6pm and we arrived in the docks of Alexandra at 7pm. It looks a very nice town from the water. We did not get such a good reception as we did at Malta. I saw a few natives that came to meet us in 'Dowhs' (boats). Nurses went on shore today to the Base ??????.

Diary Entry Tuesday 3/8/15

The meal we were served up with dinner was awful, it nearly knocked one down. No one could eat it so they gave us some tinned brawn. This we also had issued out for tea. I was sick a little this evening. I think it was something to do with the food. We have had orders to get everthing ready tonight as we are landing landing sometime tomorrow and shall be glad when we do get on Terra ferma.

Diary Entry Monday 2/8/15

We did not get much good food today. It has turned slightly bad. I am told they have to throw whole sheeps carcesses and a lot of vegtables over board. I was told off for guard today. I ??? at 10am. I had to see that the fresh water was not wasted.

Diary Entry Sunday 1/8/15

At 9.30am we attended a Divine service on deck. We were then in sight of Malta. We stopped in the harbour about 11.30am. The town around the harbour is grand. The building are almost the same colour as the rocks it is built on. I think its name is Yelletta. We were in harbour for 6 1/2 hours. During this time natives came all around the ship selling cigarettes, cigars, shirts and silks while boys dived for money. This diving seemed very profittable. We left the Malta a little after six. A few of the City of London ???? who are stationed as a garison and some wounded solders on a Hosphital ship gave us a hearty sed off. We soon got out to sea again wishing we could have stooped a day or so at Malta.