5th April 1915

The kits of the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade stacked beside the tramway at

Mena Camp, pending removal to base for storage during the absence of their

owners. The troops did not see their kits again until they returned - taken

5th April 1915.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G00880]

xxxxxx

It was something to see the sun set in its last molten fusion of gold.

To think of the relentless rays of the sun beating from above & [illegible] from below the only way out of it is the few hours of the evening when the sun takes his hands off you & you slip through his fingers into the night.

It is the custom of the arabs at sundown to turn their heads towards towards Mecca & give thanks Well they might do so - for such a release.

Sand powdered Egypt.

Pungent smell of a camel.

5th April Monday 

A day of fatigues.

Packing &c A fearful hot dusty dry wind - sand &c as if a very inferno had had arisen to bid us farewell.  We left camp about 8 PM what a relief xxxxx Had rough mount. On canteen duty arrived Cairo about 11.30. All entrained in quick time and left at 2.30 am. Tired - the carriages presented a rather scattered appearance. Had a short sleep - arrived at Alexandria at 9.30 am

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

April 5  8pm 

Left Mena entrained at Cairo 2-30am 5/6^th

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

The end of Mena Camp, with almost all tents & equipment having

been removed, 5th April 1915.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G00878A]

Monday 5th April

All arrangements complete for departure. I am due to leave Cairo station late tonight. I take over the "Cardiganshire" tomorrow as O.C. Troops. Major King’s coming with me. Tents all struck and returned by noon. Posted last letters to Nell, the three boys, Mother, John Halford, Emma and A.T. Sharp re electric torches.

A most dreadful day at Mena, quite the worst we have had. Last night was particularly bad, and I was awakened about 2 AM by my tent collapsing on top of me. The guys had broken.

Egypt must surely be sending us off "full of grit".

Left Cairo at midnight. Said goodbye to Mrs Rabett, King and Sweetland.

Received letters from Nell dated Feby 28th and March 5th.

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