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