8th November 1914

Indian Ocean

Sunday November 8, 1914 - A22

Hot as usual, only a slight breeze blowing from the south east.  There was a funeral today on the second ship in front of us.  She went right out of line and stopped while the corps was lowered.  Some poor chap went to a watery grave.  I felt much better today so went up and got some more tablets.  They seem to be very plentiful.  I think they must have got them from the Petrioic fund.  I am on top deck picquet tonight.  These picquets are as plentiful as the tablets, we expect a horse or two down, they seem to be getting leg weary and they go to sleep and when a sea strikes the ship they rock and slip down and get under the rails.  We went through five or six shoals of flying fish, they look very pretty when flying.

147 Private Varley Haddon Kendal, 3rd Infantry Batallion - a

21 year old Police Constable from Sydney, Varley embarked

on the 20th October 1914 onboard the A14 Euripides, & was

buried at sea from the same vessel after passing away on

the 8th November 1914 from pneumonia.  Long believed by

his family to be the first Australian Soldier killed on Active

Service in WWI (& most likely the first from the A.I.F. First

Convoy), recent attention due to the 100th Anniversary

has identified 22 year old Lieutenant Malcolm Chisholm 

as the first Australian to lay down his life in the War.

Sunday 8th November

Another very hot day. About 3 PM a heavy rain and wind squall came up, very materially cooling atmosphere and horse decks. Message sent through to Major Bessel-Browne O.C. Troops Medic, re First-aid classes and medical Certificate.

Early this morning the "Minatour" passed down the convoy to the "Melbourne", which latter ship was keeping station in rear of convoy. After travelling for about 15 minutes beside the "Melbourne" the ‘Minatour" steered off to the westward and has not since been seen, the "Melbourne" taking up position in "Minatour" station at head of Convoy. Tonight special orders came through to travel without lights. I am of opinion the "Minatour" has received information concerning German ships, and is doing reconnaissance work. "Afric" hauled out of line this morning also "Argyleshire". It looked as if they were passing horses overboard but we could not see clearly.

At 10.15 a wireless message came through telling of the death of Private Kendall 5th Battalion on board "Euripides". This ship drew out of line at 10.30 and conducted burial Service, all Ensigns being flown half-mast.

I think this is the first Casualty in the A.I. Force.

Lecturette this evening by Lieut Urquhart on "Employment of Artillery".

Church service at 7PM. Big attendance and very good singing.

One of the ship’s crew caught broaching beer. Dealt with by Captain, fined & logged. Last 24 hours travelled 238 miles, leaving about 150 miles to go to "Cocos Islands" from noon today. Expect to pass about 3 AM tomorrow morning.

Position at noon 13° 55’ S, 99° 25’E. 

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

The H.M.S. Minotaur passing in between the lines

of the A.I.F. First Convoy, November 1914.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - PS0228]