Diary of a World War 1 Soldier

Bridge across the Nile River,

April 1.
Left Zeitoun at 11am in trucks, 1300 troops on board trucks, we had a good trip down arrived at Tel-el-Kebir at 2.30 in the middle of a dust storm. Truly big camp here. Had a job finding my kit bag. Settling down now and I am taking up Arr??? in Office in evening, on duty in Signals Office in morning.
April 2.
Had a personal interview with Major Rossiter in morning went on duty at Railway station at 1pm as Censor. Have to prevent private messages being sent over the wires. Some of the telegraphists are decent fellows. Had supper at 9.30 with one who could speak good English. They have to learn three languages, French, Arabic and English.
April 3.
Had a lecture by the Major at 7am. Went for a walk to another village after breakfast. Very dirty place with an average of 70 kids to the square yard. Then went to YMCA. In the afternoon we were issued with Service uniforms then went on duty at the Railway Station at 4.30 finishing at 8.30. Sommerville went to Alexandria for our mail today. Writing this at 6.20pm after tea.
April 4.
Same routine as usual today. Had a game of cricket this evening before returning to the station. The man who was sent to Alexandria for the mails, returns tonight. Am writing this at 6.30pm weather cool but dusty for previous few days.
April 5.
Nothing of note happened today Sommerville returned today did not bring any mail back. All our mail is at Port Taufich so S. is going down there in the morning. A big train load of troops passed through at 10pm for Port Said bound for France. Am writing this at 10.15pm.

Camels near a pyramid in the desert. Taken while on training.
April 6.
Nothing much happening today. Weather very warm, had a game of cricket in evening. J.S. returned from Suez with mails by 9.30 train.
April 7.
Mail reached us today, was very pleased to get it. Three from home, one each from Harry and Jim (probably his step-brother).
April 8.
A new staff come on today to learn the workings of the office. Luxmoore takes over from me.(Possibly Pte. Arthur Luxmore or Pte. Robert Hurtle Luxmoore but both were infantry. There is a Leslie Ralph who was in the 3rd Div Sigs but Army Records show he did not join until 1/1/1916.) Received things from Australian Comfort Fund.
April 9.
I am feeling rather fed up with things today. Wrote some letters in the morning, work as usual although it is Sunday.
April 10.
Had flag (Semaphore) and buzzer class today. Nothing else of note. Went on duty after tea as Luxmoore was rather ill.
April 11.
Same old routine very warm and windy weather.
April 12.
Had mail today from Ron and my cousin Mary. Nothing else doing.
April 13.
We have a cricket match on tomorrow “Afric” V Rest of Canp.
April 14.
Match came off today and concluded in an easy win for us. First innings we made 70, Remainder made 44. Second innings we had 7 for 63 and declared innings closed. Made 11 first innings and caught 2.
April 15.
Very quiet. Had a game of cricket, Wrote to home and Ron.
April 16.
Nothing much happened today.
April 17.
Very warm today. Played the A.A.M.C. (Australian Army Medical Corps) a very exciting game in 75 to 74, we won. Arthur Hamilton and self made top score with 13 each.
April 18.
Nice and cool today. New arrivals came in this morning. Jack Pollock was amongst them and is in our tent. A war cruiser came in ?? ?? leaving today. I received a post card of the ship which we had come on. At work from 1 to 8. (Army records show that today he was Taken on Strength at the Engineers Training Depot, signal Section, Tel-el-Kebir as at 18/4/1916)

Photo of William taken in Egypt.
April 19.
Nice and cool today.
April 20.
Played the 2nd ASH today (Australian Stationary Hospital) and were beaten by one run. Some mail turned up today.
April 21.
Good Friday today, nothing doing at all.
April 22.
Spent day marking up pay books for pay day, rather a lot. Weather warm again.
April 23.
Easter Sunday today. Had open air church parade in morning. Walked out to battlefields of Tel-el-Kebir in afternoon and found some curios. (This was the site of the main battle in the Anglo-Egyptian war of 1882 where the troops of Lieutenant-General Wolseley defeated the troops of Ahmed Urabi.).
April 24.
Letters from London today. Heard mother was ill hope it is nothing serious.
April 25.
Holiday today to celebrate the landings on Gallipoli. (ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.The date, 25 April, was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916; in that year it was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia and New Zealand, a march through London, and a sports day for the Australian and New Zealand soldiers in Egypt.) Anzac Mounted Division left in evening. (It was part of the soon to be formed II ANZAC (XXII Corps) Mounted Regiment which was made up of elements of the Light Horse and NZ Mounted Rifles.)

Very battered photo labelled "their Egyptian camp" with William and party and their tent.

April 26.
Nothing much doing today.
April 27.
Outdoor line work today digging holes in rocky ground with hot and dusty winds blowing soil a very good ???
April 28.
Worked on lines all day, partly erecting new lines to LIA? Dept, ( or possibly LH -Light Horse) same old job, finishing up crossbars etc until lunch, had photos taken up a pole. My face is very sore today.
April 29.
Mail in today, some from mother, Jim (his step brother) Ron and Tom. Also a letter from Agnes C. Warpes? ( Not a known relation but then the women (particularly single ones) back in Australia were encouraged to “adopt” a soldier and to correspond to him if they did not have a relation serving. Aim was to keep up morale and the women would also assist by sending parcels of necessary items such as soap, knitted socks, and other items that a soldier would need.) Nothing else of note.
April 30.
Worked again all day today, no church parade. In evening fixed up some phones for Msiat?? School. Inspection by Godley (General Sir A. J. Godley was at this time the Commander of the II ANZAC Corps).