Thursday October 29 1914
We are still on board in the
harbour. It is very quiet here no news
from shore yet we havent had any decent news since we left Pt Melbourne. I have had several letters from home but from
today all letters are supposed to be sanchioned and it is just right. A chap on board who has a real German name had
his letters opened and he couldnt make it out.
Billy's above reference very possibly refers to 1602
Battery Quartermaster Sergeant Leopold Novak
Augstein. Despite the stigma of a German surname,
Leopold served throughout the War & after returning
to Australia as a Lieutenant, changed his name in
1919 to Leo Austen to avoid anti-German sentiment -
he would go on to become a renowned anthropologist
due to his work in Papua, writing extensively on his studies.
[Courtesy of National Library of Australia]
Another message stating that General was to inspect
just received this morning. He visited the "Shropshire" but
afterwards returned direct to his own ship. Our ship had been very nicely
prepared. Units at work during day. One horse took ill, suffering from colic,
but has much improved. Most definite instructions received re censorship. Boat
crew put off to "Shropshire" to get kits of three men recently posted
to "Rangatira". Only one could be found. Reading up afternoon and
evening. Received wireless instructing ship to go into harbour for water
tomorrow morning.
Two of the First Convoy vessels berthed at the
Albany Pier, taking on coal & water.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial]
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