30th November 1914

Gulf of Suez

Monday November 30 1914

There was a Marching Order Parade on today.  Everybody was bristling about looking for their lost equipment and some pinching anything they were short of.  Then after that we got down to our harness room and started to get it together as it was in a hell of a state too, all over the place.  Some of the other corps that were a bit short of anything just came over to ours and took what they were short of.  We came in sight of land at 2 pm and now we are in the Gulf of Suez.  We can see land on both sides, passed a lighthouse at 5 pm and all the fleet go into single file so as to go through the canal.  The Orveito has gone ahead at full steam to find out about the landing and to get things ready.  Passed another lighthouse 6.30 pm.

Troopships of the First Australian Convoy steaming through the Gulf of Suez.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C01674]

Monday 30th November

A howling wind blowing all night. Today we have had an exceedingly strong head wind with plenty of "White Horses". Great drop in temperature about 25°. Marching order inspection of all units today in view of early disembarkation. Two horses bad with Colic last night. Improved this morning. Ships boats swung inboard in preparation for Suez canal. Fumigation continued today. One more case of measles. Commenced packing of Head Quarters stores, Completed checking of Harness of all units. Mr Jenkinson’s hopelessly mixed. Red Cross issues made to all units. Wrote special letter to Nell. Tonight roaring winds and heavy sea. Most beautiful sunset behind the African hills just as we entered the Gulf of Suez. Mount Sinai ranges showing up prominently in Arabia. All ships are now proceeding in Single line. All told about 20 miles in length. Expect to reach Suez before lunch tomorrow. Run to noon today about 250 miles.

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

One of Billy's photo postcards sent back to Australia, "Taken on

Board, S.S. Rangatiara in Port Suez 30th Nov. 1914 Troopship A22.

With Love from Br W L Pacey"

29th November 1914

Red Sea

Sunday November 29 1914

We had startling news yesterday.  We were told that we would be landed at Alexandria and then go to camp at Cairo and do our training there.  Certainly the climate will suit us Australians.  The sports yesterday were O.K.  The obstacle race was the king daddy of the lot.  Such places they had to go through, one place was a long canvas wind pipe laid along the deck and in this was laid a trap of a mixture of flour and water and after they went through this they were smothered in dough.  I bet it took some time to wash it out of their hair.  I was in for some but having a stiff leg it was a case of giving it in and the chap that took my place in one race got it.  It is getting much cooler and some thin skinned chaps had to come in off the decks at night and sleep in the mess room.

Group portrait of unidentified members of 'A' Sub Section, 7th Battery,

3rd Field ArtilleryBrigade, on board the troopship A22 Rangatira. The

soldier third from left in the front row is holding the Battery's wallaby mascot.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - A03104] 

Sunday 29th November

A much cooler day. Early this morning a strong breeze arose, which has cooled the horse decks and ship generally very much indeed. We heard today that a death had occurred on the "Suffolk", one of the ships crew having succumbed to heat. This makes six deaths during the voyage. Measles broke out on our ship yesterday, two cases being isolated from the D.A.C. They had evidently carried infection from Broad Meadows camp in Melbourne, where they were stationed during our delay in Melbourne. As a consequence we are now faced with the problem of disinfecting all clothing, blankets, etc of all troops on board. In view of the fact that we expect to land either at Port Said or Alexandria we shall not have much time. This will very much interfere with our training, particularly that for first aid which had been arranged for the last fortnight at sea prior to reaching England. This latter instruction will now have to be given when we reach camp. Church Service this evening.

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

28th November 1914

Red Sea

Saturday November 28 1914

Was unfortunate today to get kicked by the Trumpertors horse, got landed a beauty on the thigh and it pretty nearly outed me for a time.  At first I thought my leg was broken but I got off with a contused thigh.  We were exercising the horses around the horse deck and I just got within reach of the Trumpetors horse and he let out and got me such a beauty, so I went on deck and lays down for the rest of the day.  I was on No. 2 hatch guard tonight but as there was no walking to be done it was alright.  No. 2 hatch is the place that all the beer is kept and a few other stores.  There is also a refrigerating room in here to and it is as cool as a cucumber.  I posted my men and then slept like a top.  Some time ago when there was no guard on the store where the beer is kept was broken into and a lot of grog stolen.  So that is why we guard it.

28

Received advice by wireless that troops were to go to CAIRO to complete training + go from there to the front

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

Games Day onboard the A22 Rangatira, 28th November 1914 - "The

Wheelbarrow Race is being thoroughly enjoyed by everyone on board."

 [Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00117.019]

Saturday 28th November

Another terribly trying day. Temperature in horse deck up to 100°. If this is Red Sea winter I can duly appreciate the fact that it was not our misfortune to come on this journey with horses during the Summer Season. Rather an "off" day. Ordinary routine work and drill during the morning. Sports in the afternoon. Just before men’s midday meal a series of tug of war contests took place, the units providing teams being Head Quarters, battery (2 teams) B.A.C. and D.A.C. (the AAM.C for some inexplicable reason held out of all sports). The D.A.C. team proved to be winner with the Head Quarters team "runner up". During the afternoon sports of all kinds were held - Potato race, Alarm & Obstacle races, Rooster in the ring, Sling the monkey, etc, also the finals of the tugs of war, and a special match between Officers and Sergeants. I was anchor man for the officers. We won, much to the disgust of the Sergeants. At night the men had a very good concert. While at dinner at night Capt McGee of the D.A. Column, made a statement to the effect that their "anchor man" in the winning Tug of War was the most powerful man on the Ship. He weighs 17 stone 3 lbs and is a hefty farmer. I could not stand this, so there and then issued a challenge to pull him after the concert at night. This raised no end of excitement in the Dining Salon. However Capt McGee at once went out, consulted his man (generally known as "Tiny") and coming back notified his acceptance of the Challenge. Then betting commenced. Some of our officers backed me, while two officers of the D.A.C. and the Chief Engineer backed "Tiny". After the concert we set to work, and I proved to be the winner by the best two out of three pulls. For a few moments I was quite a hero, and am now acknowledged the "strong" man of the ship.

During the morning we received a wireless message notifying that instructions had been received for Troops to go to Cairo in Egypt for final training, and from there proceed direct to the Front. Under these circumstances we do not know how long it will be before we see England – if ever. The "Orvieto" has gone on ahead and the "Euripides" now leads the Convoy. Yesterday’s return for horses showed about 9 deaths since previous return. Fortunately no losses on our ship, Medic or Katuna, which carry artillery horses.

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