30th September 1914

Port Melbourne

Wednesday September 30 1914

Had a very busy day of it today.  Took our horses ashore and had a treat too.  We are allowed on the pier till 9 p.m. at night.  There is a guard on the end of the pier and they won’t let anyone off except those on duty.  It is said we will get leave after tomorrow to go into town. We tied our horses onto the railway lines.  It is cold and blowing a treat.

Horses tethered along the Railway Pier, Port Melbourne - date unknown.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - PB1286]

Wednesday 30th September

General cleaning parade during morning. O.C. Troops inspection at 9 AM. General Bridges (accompanied by Colonel White) and Col Hobbs inspected ship at 10.30 AM. General Bridges expressed his entire satisfaction with the ship. General given "General Salute" on arrival. He gave permission to place horses on ground adjoining wharf. Men to sleep and mess on Board.

Inspected site for Horse lines, arranged to borrow timber from Wharf Contractor and with plumber for water service. Mr Jopp reported to Head Quarters re Ordnance Supplies; Veterinary Officer also reported to Head Quarters. Artillery horses disembarked. Infantry details and Brigade Head Quarters remaining on board till morning. Colonel Tunbridge instructed D.A. Column Section to move to Broadmeadows Camp. Col Sutton and F.A. details to show grounds.

Adjutant reported satisfactorily re replacement of Ordnance shortages.

Wrote Nell addressed to Gordon. Promised to write boys later.

  [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]

29th September 1914

Port Melbourne

Tuesday September 29 1914

This morning a complete change of affairs.  We turned into Port Melbourne instead of going on to Albany.  This port looks a smoky busy place.  We pulled up along side the new pier and the Star of England put in on the opposite side.  We were not allowed off the boat but the chaps off the Star of E. where let off onto the pier for a run.  Had a few words with Jim and W. McLennon.  I picked Jim out by the call of the eagle hawk. There was a bit of excitement.  Our mascot, the Wallaby fell overboard and the sailors lowered a rope ladder and one of them got down for it.  Everyone was shouting do this or that.  Anyhow he got it.  There was great excitement and the hat was passed around.  We don't know if we stop here or go Broad Meadows for training for a few weeks.

Billy's reference to Jim above, refers to his older brother

 (my other Great Uncle, seated, with Billy standing left)

113 Corporal James Edgar Pacey, 2nd Light Horse Regiment,

 A Squadron - James departed Pinkenba on the Star of England,

 alongside Billy in the Rangatira.

29  7am

Arrived PORT MELBOURNE

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

The A22 Rangatira berthed alongside New Pier, Port Melbourne.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A3100]

Tuesday 29th September

Came up on Captain’s Bridge at 1.30 AM with Col Sutton. The "Examination Boat" and the Search lights playing over the water from the Forts made a beautiful picture. The Pilot came on board with instructions for us to proceed to Melbourne. We entered the "Rip’ with the "Star of England" following in our wake, arrived opposite Port Melbourne and anchored. After the Health Officer had made his inspection anchor was weighed and we moved alongside new Railway Pier, Port Melbourne, berthing at 10 AM. I immediately went to Victoria Barracks, and reported to Colonel Hobbs, Colonel White and General Bridges.
 
 Ordered to allow no leave. Returned to the ship with Major Glasford.

Colonel Grimwade, (Embarkation Officer) visited ship at 1 P.M. Instructed to proceed with disembarkation at 9 AM Thursday morning. Col Hobbs inspected ship at 4.30PM. with Major Anderson and Party. Notified that General Bridges would inspect at 10 AM 30th inst. I made a suggestion to Colonel Hobbs that our horses should be picketed on Crown Land adjoining wharf. Officers and men to take meals aboard ship and sleep there. Colonel Hobbs approved suggestion and promised to consult General Bridges. Adjutant compiled list of Ordnance deficiencies and submitted same to Major Anderson.

 [Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]