Xmas Day at Sea.
Later: - Arrived back once more in civilization. In Alexandria. Entraining for Cairo at 1900. J. A. Graham
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Somewhere in the Mediterranean. Xmas Eve at sea.
J. A. Graham Passing through the Grecian Archipelago, taking a zig zag course.
J. A. Graham Sailed at 1600 together with 5 other transports and a convoy.
Sea moderate. J. A. Graham Later - Left Anzac last night. Starting from 5th L. H Hqs at 1800. Only one casualty and that from a stray bullet. A fine performance. If we would have had to fight our way off, none of us would ever have lived to tell the tale.
The second last batch was the one I went with starting from HQ at 1800 with all gear up and our feet muffled. The course all the way was marked in whitewash and guides posted at certain points to see that we kept to the right road. Everything went without a hitch and hardly a shot was fired. It was the best piece of work carried out at Anzac. In the trenches rifles were fixed in the loopholes which fired automatically and bombs fastened to the entanglements, so that the least knock would set them going. Mines were also exploded under enemy trenches by means of electricity. It was wonderful, SS Abbassia brought us to Lemnos and we trans-shipped on the Beltana, a P&O Liner. Still in harbor. We can now breathe freely again. I consider myself a lucky dog to get away almost without a scratch, considering the numerous narrow escapes I’d come through. At times my duty kept me under a perfect rain of shrapnel and bullets whilst others were able to keep out of danger and often my friends thought they had seen the last of me. J. A. Graham A deserted camp. Only a very small body of men left behind and the silence can almost be felt.
It’s a bit uncanny to think of the handful of men spread out at long intervals and firing off their rifles rapidly to make the Turks think nothing unusual is happening. All the dugouts are left with their coverings on so as to deceive hostile aeroplanes and the boys when marching away have their feet muffled. Everyone is feeling lonely and high excitement prevails. Would not miss this experience for worlds. This time last year we were on board the Persic lying out in Sydney harbour. Reg left last night. Won’t Abdul get a shock when he finds us gone. J. A. Graham Greater bulk of troops leaving tonight (18th).
Everything in readiness to quit. J. A. Graham Further activity re disembarkation of troops.
Heard that our Regt will fight a rearguard action from the right. J. A. Graham Artillery engagements, sniping and heavy bombardments by our warships.
Something in the wind at last. Heard that we are evacuating Anzac. Rations are cut down. Stores and old equipment are being taken away. All Orderly Room Sergts and so many men per Regt have left and no more letters are allowed to be posted. J. A. Graham |
AuthorJack Graham, ANZAC soldier, kept a diary from 1914-1918. Here it is, blogged 100 years later to the day.... Archives
February 1958
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