The road to Panagia, the town two hours' journey over the hills from Kephalos,
to which Will Sparkes journeyed after landing (below).
To-day I made up my list & as Lieut Sparrow in charge of our Party was going to Panaghia I arranged with him to include me in his party on the pass which had to be obtained.
see next Page
Ploughing Oxen
Rocks Old Greeks
Turmoil of Camp after storm
Egyptians gore [illegible]
Sparrow Lieut
Greek children
Mountain scenes & rocks
Clouds encompassed – Villages of red tiles – Poplars & Olives in lovely position
Dinner Partridge
Wine – Buying – Goats
Shave & Hair Cut – Drunken men
Shops – Buying – children out of school
Partridge & Mutton
Panagia
tea & British Subalterns gift of mits etc
Joined them afterwards with champagne etc.
Slept in Cottage etc one long bed
A Host of children there
Picturesque - Streets of flag
Stores. No verandahs – cleanliness etc
Govenor & Settlement of dispute 3 Brothers
Fasting day (Sat) till Xmas 40 days
I omitted to mention change in Imbros. The ravages of the storm could be seen. The Egyptians gone etc
I omitted to mention change in Imbros. The ravages of the storm could be seen. The Egyptians gone etc
Friday 3rd Dec
I left list of goods to be got at Canteen with Eltham & we made a start for Panaghia about 10 oclock – Lieut Sparrow, Sergt Warner (N.Z. Artillery) Sapper Bates (6th Brigade) & myself. We decided to walk in place of riding Donkeys & I quite enjoyed the trip which proved very exhilerating indeed. Up over the hills – down rocky pathways & ravines. The sky was overcast & the clouds were low – quite enveloping the high peaks & as we passed through them we got quite damp. We passed some Greek hamlets. Built of rough stones but they looked comfortable. Here & there were spaces in the Valleys which were cultivated & the old time custom ploughing with Wooden Planks & oxen could be seen.
It was a lovely scene as Panaghia came into view. We had just mounted from a valley to a high ridge & down below lay the village on a flat piece of land & beyond it could be noticed the sea. Hills surrounded the place except the opening towards the sea. We had really travelled right across the island. The village was just a collection of rock houses with red tiles & interspersed were the tall Poplar & also Olive trees. The contrast of red & green was very striking after the uninteresting view of trenches one had been used to of recent months on the Peninsula. As we entered the village the path lay through an avenue of Olive trees. The streets were laid with large big stones. We sought out the hotel called the London over which an Englishman who was called Jim presided. It only had one bedroom & one sitting room upstairs & the kitchen was downstairs somewhere. On the landing upstairs there was a little round table to seat 4 & we promptly confiscated this & ordered dinner as our appetites were keen to a degree after the walk which took us 2 hours. The dinner was good just imagine Partridge baked in the tenderest of Mutton or was it Goat & potatoes after which a sweet omelette was served. This with a little wine & fruit finished our feast for such it was after the daily menu over at Anzac.
I was delighted with the Greek children who crowded the principal street. Their quaint little faces smiling with dark eyes was pleasant to look on I had a hair cut 7 shave after dinner & felt quite refreshed. We went into the few shops that Panaghia boasted & some of our party made purchases. I was content to take notes till the following day & I afterwards found it was the best procedure as I got the best values & low prices – the competition in the little place being very keen. During the afternoon the children came trooping out of School & what memories that brought back to me with their happy gambols.
At tea we had another spread & several Imperial Subalterns who were staying at the London came along & gave us nuts mandarins & figs & in their own words “Let us have a dam good feed". We got a few bottles of fiz (Champagne)
[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]
(Captain Alan Percy Crisp, temporary O/C 7th Battery)
The Battery did not fire.
(Major Francis Augustus Hughes, temporary O/C 3rd Field Artillery Brigade)
0734 Enemy gun from OLIVE GROVE fired at intervals on Beach Unlocated.
0915 Enemy gun from extreme left of left Section OLIVE GROVE fired on Beach.
0940 8th Battery engaged OLIVE GROVE.
1000 Large party of enemy working in Sap on GUN RIDGE in Square 68-R-7-W-1. Engaged by 8th Battery.
1130 Scattered movement of enemy in vicinity of Square 47-M.
1315 Party of enemy again working at Square 68-R-7-W-1.
1410 Large body of enemy moving with full equipment throu gh Sap 68-R-7-W-1. 8th Battery engaged the head of this movement which halted, the rear formed up and caused a block. 8th Battery swept along sap, enemy then tried to turn about, 8th Battery then shelled left of Sap which again caused a block and then again swept along sap, causing numerous casualties.
1500 Enemy troops cleared Sap retiring back over GUN RIDGE . Scattered movement observed after this in Sap, 8th Battery shelling apparently very effective. Estimated number of troops from 300 to 400, misty weather settled down after this and no further observations could be made.
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