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DIARIES
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Garrett 1915
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| May |
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| June |
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| July |
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| August |
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| September |
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| October |
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| November |
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| December |
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Garrett 1916
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| January |
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| February |
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| March |
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| April |
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| May |
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| June |
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| July |
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| August |
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| September |
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| October |
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| November |
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| December |
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Z Special
Diary |
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Z Force member's diary summary of Z
Special Operations 1944 & 1945 involving secret deliver
behind enemy lines of Australian Z Special Commandos by American
submarines .... |
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Albert Vinall Diary |
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Albert
was like many other young, courageous Australian men, enlisting to
fight for his country. He, also, was meticulous in keeping
memorabilia, almost everything he could have been given, bus and
train tickets, postcards, letters, photographs, etc. Sadly, he
died a few years ago before I could talk with him at length.
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Garrett War Diary - SEPTEMBER
1916
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01/09/1916 |
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Twenty two men per regiment going 48 hours leave to
Port SAID, via MAHMEDIYAH. One each day from Signallers. |
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02/09/1916 |
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Lt. COWELL, Corporal JEPHCOTT , Privates SCHOFIELD,
TELFORD, ROBERTSON left for six weeks at Imperial School. Privates VIRGO
, HDYE, DOUGLAS, HAYMAN, HARVEY, FIELDER, transferred temporarily to
Signals. |
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03/09/1916 |
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Bathing parade. There has been several Taubes over
lately, breakfast time.
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Translation of a great order by O.C. of Group No.3
on 29th July 1916 at ABOUNAFEL |
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"The strength of the enemy patrol who is
engaged with the whole of our company and makes us spent so much
ammunitions not more than 20 to 30 men, the Commanders of the Companies
or Platoons must act them with more freedom. They must separate 5 - 10
of their most skilful men and act like the enemy. They must make
assaults from the flanks and approach the hills driving the enemy
patrols from these positions. It is disgraceful to allow the enemy to
annoy us with so small a party. If I was not busy myself I should like
to take a platoon and do it for an example"
(signed) Mjr KIAMIL
OC 3rd Group. |
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04/09/1916 |
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I commenced instructing squadron beginners in
signalling this morning. Taking Jeff's place, alright as soon as I got
into my stride. Flag drill, morse. Extended charge on morning exercise.
Line will advance Charge. |
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05/09/1916 |
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Usual exercise. Charge. Morse, flag drill, all
hands. |
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06/09/1916 |
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MOSSOP has returned after absence of about 12
months, assistant adjutant. HUDSON and his wake up message.
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08/09/1916 |
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Parcel, cocoa, salmon, lollies, prunes, raisins.
Charge this morning with flag poles as swords.
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10/09/1916 |
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Mahamadiya. Swimming parade, surf running high,
fine time. COXALL stayed home. SCOTT made permanent Corporal.
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11/09/1916 |
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Leave granted, 48 hours to Port SAID.
Fell in for inspection by orderly officer and gtr Daly rmple i/c rode to
Brigade further inspection wearing borrowed felt hat, FIELDERS borrowed
spurs, HOPE - riding breeches, leggings, drill tunic and stripped belt.
Noticed wallaby or rabbit catcher at Brigade, he has been transferred.
Lt. TRELOAR who is orderly officer, got his promotion on peninsular and
went away to England ill, just returned 2 or 3 days ago with 36
reinforcements. Arrived at Brigade and Staff Captain HUDSON reads we're
saying all passenger traffic on Port SAID - MAHAMIDIYA line discontinued
on account of washaways. Heavy seas. Returned to camp. Received mail
containing copy of letter from Mrs EWIN's to Mr WELLS re death funeral
etc. Of late Commonwealth Taxation Commissioner.
Later. Did not go to PORT SAID. All leave stopped more like that we go
to BIR EL EBD. |
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15/09/1916 |
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Bill HOPE went up today for being absent from his
post while on telephone duty between hours of 7.00 p.m. and 8.40 p.m. on
the 13th instance. Prosecutor had it that HOPE left phone to go to
canteen and that he sent me to latrines to see whether HOPE was there.
Watched me go over (moonlight night) and I came back reporting not
there. He warned me not to go near the canteen. He heard voices calling
for HOPE. HOPE was quite sober when he came back and when giving
evidence I said he was sober all day. HOPE got 5 days Number 2 field
punishment.
A Squadron left for out front, 7.00 a.m. this morning, camel escort.
Remainder of Regiment left for attack on BIR EL MARA at 6.30 p.m.
Marched all night arriving at BIR EL ABD at about sunrise. Bivouacked
here all day. |
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16/09/1916 |
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Bivouac at BIR EL ABD all day. Concrete wall here
similar to that at KATIA. All of Brigade here. Plenty of traces of
Turkish occupation. "One of ours" and "One of
theirs" had a scrap overhead and it didn't look as if our man was
enjoying himself. Battle plane came over afterwards, our plane retreated
to ROMANI way. A man belonging to 3rd Brigade was killed by a Machine
Gun bullet from fighting planes. |
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17/09/1916 |
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Left for the scrap at about 10.00 a.m. and watered
at SALMANA about 7 miles east. From SALMANA to MAZA is waterless. At
about 8.00 a.m. we halted in a rather deep gully, for these parts. The
track clearly defined running below. Halted fed up and had brekker,
boiled billy. The last hour of this part of the journey was specially a
snorter, horses pouring sweat, hot sun and no wind. The Brigade Field
Ambulance rigged up a marque hospital and a couple of bell tents. A
scouting Taube came over, circled around once or twice and made off. We
are supports to the 2nd and 3rd Brigades and the Camel Corps
(Imperial?). Who attacked 2,300 Turks, strongly entrenched at MAZA.
At about midday these Brigades passed us going back. They made no
serious attack and from what I can see of the stunt it was only a
reconnaissance in force. Their horses had not been watered since the
previous day and were feeling it. Brought back between 20 and 30
prisoners, regulars and Bedouins.. Regulars are dressing in a light
yellowish cloth, red sash and Bedouin style head gear, good puttees.
Rifles are Martini-Peabody (U.S.A.) a little wallar on a donkey and two
young cow camels, several camels, and 1 Turk Officer. We had several
casualties, one officer killed, 5 killed and 20 wounded, I heard, but
perhaps wrong, that two batteries, RHA, supported our chaps.
Colonel COX is in charge of our Brigade. We started back at about 2.00
p.m. SALMARA at 6.00 p.m., watered, salty water. BIR EL ABD at 8.30
p.m., drew rations and water and slept. The other Brigades operating
from HOD ES AMARA not ROMANI.
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18/09/1916 |
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9.00 a.m. saddled and Brigade returned to Romani,
arriving at about 6.00 p.m.
Notes on Trip. Distances, as far as hearsay goes. Romani to Maza 49
miles. Romani to BIR ABD is 20 miles. BIR EL ABD to Salamana 6 to 7
miles. Salamana to Maza about 20 miles. We went no further that about 12
miles from Salamana. Railway is now at 77 kilometre post which is
between BIR EL ABD and OGHRATINA. Tommy camps are now well past
OGHRATINA. Cuttings and embankments now reach within very few miles of
BIR EL ABD. Believe I recognised the scene of our (A Squadron) scrap at
BIR EL ABD on the 9th August. Numerous crosses denoting graves on a
neighbouring low ridge. Barring the 3 feeds we carried on the saddle the
horses had no kibben during the stunt. Barley and bran was the sole
issue. We got Machonacles meat and vegetable (tinned) both days, biscuit
on first day and bread on second.
Salt lake north east of SALMANA, wonderful sight, stretching to horizon
like snow. |
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19/09/1916 |
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Rest of the Regiment having a spell. Washing
clothes etc. Signals must present 4 complete rakes by evening stables or
look out. So mob turned out making rakes from hoop iron and palm stems.
I had my class in morning. Officers 2nd Light Horse learning sword
drill. One officer on a mule.
19/09/1916 cont..
Rumoured we are to be turned into cavalry, cases of swords for us at
KANTARA. Also rumour still floats we are shifting down towards the Canal
within a week or so. |
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20/09/1916 |
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Private KINNARE sentenced to 12 months for sleeping
on out post duty during a night in July. Same man was recommended for
the D.C.M. for bringing STOTT (wounded) out of line on August the 4th.
Leave to Port SAID has been granted again. Lt. COXALL left this morning
for SAID leaving syllabus behind. |
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22/09/1916 |
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Strong rumour that we are going to be converted in
to cavalry. I was to have gone to PORT SAID on leave this morning, but
woke up with a splitting head ache and nausea. Paraded sick. |
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23/091916 |
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Could not go to SAID again today for the same
reason.. Woke with headache and vomiting, narrowly avoided being sent to
Ambulance. |
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24/09/1916 |
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Sunday, should have gone to beach but the General
is going to inspect the lines so that trip is cancelled. |
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27/09/1916 |
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8.30 a.m. Brigade drawn up and addressed by General
CHAUVEL. Presentation Medalle Militare to Lt. WASSEN of 2nd Light Horse,
for gallantry on GALLIPOLI. Two 1st Light Horse men received D.C.M. (GALLIPOLI),
also Corporal McRAE and didn't catch the others name. Addressed us on
the subject on venereal and also re keeping up our work at KANTARA. It
transpires that the Brigade moves off for KANTARA tomorrow. The 3rd
Regiment to stay two days at DIVDAR. Old "Nigger" has had a
very bad colds for 2 or 3 days, running nostrils and eyes. No cough
thought. Tonight glands between jawbones very swollen. Raising tiny
lumps all over face. DABRYMPHE dressed liniment and gave a ball.
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28/09/1916 |
Later at day break, riding a sick horse I borrowed
(Dick KENNEDY's mare No.2 Troop A Squadron. And leading Nigger, at about
7.00 a.m. we breakfasted at a hod which was well planted with dates.
Gathered some fine fruit. About 10.00 a.m. we sighted the redoubts of
DUIDAR. They are rising ground and are six or seven in number with a Hod
in the centre. The camp is in this Hod and a railway (light) from
KANTARA terminates here. Old Roman well supplies good water.
5th Mounted Brigade. Warwick Worchester Gloucester.
Hill 383, over looks DUIDAR and this fact makes one doubt its
stragetical position. This place was invested and attacked by the Turks
last Easter. We occupied the horse sheds and tents vacated that day by
Warwick Yeomanry (I think) was moved to ROMANI.
Nigger is looking very bad this morning. Tiny lumps have risen all over
him. Quanter gave him another ball. Some Lancashire Fusiliers manning
redoubts. We are supplying two signallers for daily patrol and for
outpost duties or observation post on Hill 383. There the latter are
relieve at midday. Two signallers for phone and one stableman. Nine men
on duty per day. Strength 13 men and 3 N.C.O.s Headquarter cooks have
been left at ROMANI to go on with advance party to KANTARA so that we
are doing our own cooking. Other two Regiments of Brigade left us
outside DUIDAR and camped on HILL 70. |
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29/09/1916 |
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Colonel FULTON says we are to go into KANTARA. We
are burnishing irons, bit etc. Stripped saddle inspection 0900 hours,
and tent inspection 1400 hours. Colonel FULTON said only one service
gear permissible, so I'll have to get a Portsmouth bit instead of the
swivel curb. Also that Signallers tents always were dirty. Horse better
today. Not so muck discharge from nostrils and eyes. Ball taking effect.
Feeding on tibin, bran, sucrephaillc and driese. No corn.
Have a bad cold in head, believe I caught it from Nigger.
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30/09/1916 |
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Self and Sam FIELDER, observation post at Hill 383.
Left camp at 0530 hours. Taking helio and phone D III. Got in touch with
patrol, Corporal SCOTT at 0800 hours. Spoke to SCOTT again about 10.00
a.m. at 6 miles away. DUIDAR redoubts, splendid view, sea salt lakes,
MAHAMADIYA, KATTIBGANNIT, the Canal, the near redoubts and the sand
hills stretching east and south for 30 or 40 miles.
Met a man, Gloucester Yeomanry named F.E. GARRETT, a Yorkshire man. |
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