General evacuation order back to Alexandria
30th December 1915
Received orders at 5.30 am to pack up and get out. Left camp at 7.45. Embarked from Sapper Pier and got aboard SS 'Tunisican'. At present waiting orders to leave port.
31st December 1915
Left Lemnos Island at 4 am. Picked up our escort, a light cruiser. Submarines fairly busy around these parts. Have been steering a Zig Zag course all day. Great beano tonight with Brunnell, Seymour, Pyemont, Bloomfield and Goldfinch. Real surprise for the New Year; turkey, cakes and Bass.
1st January 1916
Had a slight diversion from feeding at 2.30 am. Submarine reported on the Port bow, started doing evolutions which must have turned Samson green with envy had he seen them. Managed to dodge sub all right. Had several visits from French destroyer. Altered out course quite half a dozen times. At present are heading SE to S which means Alexandria.
2nd January 1916
Sailed at high speed all night. Arrived off Alexandria at 6.30 am. Got to wharf at 9 yam. Got disembark orders at 9.30. At present 12.30 am. Things doing.
3rd January 1916
3.30 am. Arrived at Tel-el Kebir, and walked about a mile and a half to our camp. Snatched about an hour's sleep. Had a wash and nearly murdered a couple of Saudis. Saw B.G.P. Rec a big mail. 3 parcels from England. Kicked around all day taking shots of things. Bunk at 9 pm. Here I finish. Today I had a look at myself in a mirror the first look I've had for some considerable time, just on a month. I got a shock, believe me, and of all the curios I've yet seen, I'll confess I'm the biggest. At present can push the scale up to just on 13 stone, am as brown as a nigger, and feeling bodies fit enough to slaughter a score of Saudis before each meal. Will finish now. Carry on when we get into more trouble again.
GOD SPEED THE CROWS AND FORCE THE NARROWS.
Must record 36 hour leave in Cairo. Went in with Reeks. Chas didn't manage to get in as arranged. Had a great time but felt like a fish out of water.
SLEPT IN A BED WITH SHEETS!
Still at Tel-el Kebir, but expect to leave here within the next 3 or 4 weeks.
FINNIS
[Inside back cover of diary],
Bedford
Harrington
Booth
Buchannan
Corrigan
Dingle
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well. |
