Diary of a World War 1 Soldier

This is the diary that my father kept for 1916 when he left Australia for the Middle East. According to Army records, he joined the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 18 October 1915 and did his basic training at Seymour. Due to the heavy losses of the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns and the German push into France, extra reinforcements were required and sent to Egypt for further training. He was in the 2nd Reinforcements for the 3rd Div Signal Company which left Melbourne on the 5th of January 1916 arriving in Egypt on 9th February 1915 where further training was undertaken. Where extra information has been provided to clarify points they are in blue and italic. The attached photos and postcards are from his collection

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Front pages of his sign up papers Two diaries are possessed, one is a small diary and it seems to have been the initial place where details were kept. Some of it is hard to read as it was written in the field with a blunt indelible pencil, then it was copied across to an A6 sized notebook. The entries are generally similar though there are some differences between the two books. The grammar has not been corrected.

William in uniform of the AIF with emu feathers in the slouch hat. Normally worn by the Light Horse.

1916. January 5. Left Melbourne on HMAT “A19 ” otherwise the “S.S. Afric” (A19 was also in the first Expedition of the Australian Imperial Forces which left Australian waters on 1 November 1914 and one of the escort warships was H.M.A.S. Sydney left the convoy to attack and destroy the German raider Emden which was attempting to destroy the radio station at Cocos Island. The Emden had during October entered Penang Harbour and sunk a Russian cruiser and destroyed a French destroyer which tried to engage her.). Entrained at Flinders Street (Railway Station) at 10 am and reached Port Melbourne at 11. Embarked straight away and moved out from the pier at 12.10. Crowds of people lined the pier and before moving out they threw ?? coloured streamers on board. Saw several people fights before we left. The guard on pier had a hard job to prevent some women throwing themselves into the water. Moved down the bay and anchored off Queenscliff at 4pm. During the evening several yachts came off to us. We remained here until 1am. During the evening we sent off several messages etc. The “Loongana” passed us inward bound from Tasmania.

January 6. We found ourselves in Bass Strait on awakening this morning. Steamed SW in sight of land all day with a heavy sea running (the other diary mentioned a fairly calm sea). During the day we had some porpoises which were very interesting and flying fish. Weather fine though cold. Past a few coastal boats during the day. I sent a wire to Ron and mother from the pier, wrote to them as well during the afternoon.

 January 7. Weather still good though slightly cold. Passed a boat during afternoon, some men seasick. Our course due west. 

January 8. Very rough weather on these few days. Most fellows sick so far I’ve escaped it. Boat rolling and a good list.

January 9. First Sunday away from home and feel rather homesick. I imagined what they would be doing at Newmarket. (Newmarket was the Melbourne suburb where his parents lived). Church parade in morning conducted by a ?? of ?? from ???. Wrote several letters during the day.

January 10. Still rolling and pitching on the wild and woolly ocean. The fellows who are sick have had a lively time dodging the waves which continually come over the side and drenched them as they gave up their meals to the fish.

 January 11. Land in sight today at coast of W.A.. Had our last sight of Australia this afternoon in the shape of Cape Leewin. A tall white lighthouse is a prominent feature of an otherwise dull and dreary coast. ( the other diary had after lighthouse…stood out clearly against the rocky background) We are supposed to be 50 miles out of the trade route. Course North. (The ships travelled 50 miles off the regular route in case of German raiders and hopefully, be a little harder to find.)

January 12 to 16. Weather warming up. Nothing very exciting happened on these days.. Weather is very warm indeed. Course NW. 

January 17. Church Parade in morning and evening. We passed Cocos Islands on 17th. January 18. Our course is still NW and weather still pretty warm. We are approaching the equator. January 19. Numerous birds were flying around the ship all day, Albatrosses etc. Some came down on deck and were captured. Our course is still NW and weather is hot. 

January 20. Light showers of rain on these days. Nothing else doing.

January 21. Crossed the line between 1 and 2 am this morning, no ceremonies of any kind. Glorious weather and course still the same. 

 January 22. Mails to Australia closed 10am today. We are due to reach Colombo (Sri Lanka) tomorrow morning. As I write I can see the two lighthouses (starboard side) near entrance to harbour. Passed a few boats during the afternoon. 

 Above: Colombo Harbour. Below: Street scene Colombo.

January 23. We anchored inside the breakwater just after sunrise. Several ships were inside the breakwater including an outgoing Mail Boat and a Transport. Just as the sun was rising over the hills behind the city. It was a very pretty sight to see the city gradually coming to life. ?? boats came out to us selling fruit etc. Some of the boys would dive carefully under the transport for a rupee. All of then are experts at diving for money in the water. Went on shore at 10am and came aboard at 7pm. Had a good look around. Saw the famous Cinnamon Gardens. Went towards the city in a rickshaw. We took on coal here.  

January 24. Remained on board today and wrote letters. Beautiful sight to see the city illuminated of an evening. Amused myself by reading Morse messages from one warship to another. Cruisers “Jupiter” and “Venus” are here. We leave at 9pm tonight. January 25. Out of sight of land again today. Weather very rough, course West. Saw a whale spouting at a distance of one mile, in the afternoon. A warship came alongside and exchanged signals early this evening. 

January 26. Today we passed several ships all going fast, sea calm and weather fine. Course North of West. 

January 27. Nothing of note happened today. Saw several porpoises during the afternoon. Overheard rumours of good war news today. Hope it is true. (This would probably be the successful withdrawl of troops from the failed Gallipoli campaign, the last group left Cape Helles on 8 January.) 

January 28. Had submarine alarm in afternoon. Sea still calm and the weather fairly warm. 

January 29. Sea calm in morning, during afternoon it became rough and boat rolled a great deal. A big wave came in through our opened porthole and drenched all of us. It spoilt several of my letters. What have I done to deserve this! Some chaps were sick again. 

January 30. Very quiet today, Nothing in diary at all. Sighted land in the morning.

  January 31. Nothing of note happened today.

Photo of William left rear, and others soldier before leaving for overseas.