18th December 1915

In order to deceive the Turks, all hospital tents were left standing as usual but all equipment

was removed except from two, in case of casualties - taken 18th December 1915.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01287]

Saturday 18th December

My sleep was a good one last night notwithstanding I did not appear a welcome visitor in the Sergeants tent in which I had to rest. They tried to crowd me out. After Breakfast I packed up & went back to the Baggage it the Pier. I went to the Canteen & got some tinned fruit etc for the Guard & also got some Beer which I had to manage with a little bit of diplomacy. We fared well in cooking stuff & I had a game of Bridge with the 2nd Batallion Corpl & Corpl Preston & another comrade.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

[Author's Note:  At this point, the 7th Battery's Unit diary under Captain

A. P. Crisp falls silent, as the men transfer through Lemnos for Egypt.]

18 Decr

(Captain Richard Stewart Gee, O/C 9^th Battery)

1100

TARGETS ENGAGED OLIVE GROVE (GUNS)

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 4500 to 5500

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. 2 SHRAP 33

Retalliation - Unlocated gun firing on beach.  Thick fog obscured our observations but fire on right lines apparently effective as hostile fire ceased.

1500

TARGETS ENGAGED OBSERVING STNS. GABA TEPE

GUN FIRING No. 1

RANGE 7650

ROUNDS FIRED H.E. 2 SHRAP 28

This series to upset enemys artillery observations.  Hostile fire temporarily ceased.

At 1705 2 very heavy shells came from about due E. + dropped unexploded near LONE PINE.  In accordance with orders 8 more N.C.O.'s 1 men embarked to-night.  There was much bomb + rifle activity on Rt. Flank this evening.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 9th Battery]