NB: Take note that they were enlisted as a Machine Gunner and others in similar roles, yet they had never really fired anything before. I think the overwhelming madness of the WW1 was the sheer amount of information and things that they just didn't know. Imagine going into a war in the modern era with limited military intelligence. Back then, they just did it because that's what you meant to do. They did also find time for football though, of course!
November 1914
November 1st Sunday
Church parade as usual. Got a mail up and considered myself lucky to get a few letters from home.
November 2nd Monday
Started to learn field firing at disappearing targets and taking cover.
November 3rd Tuesday
Now they have put us on Rapid firing, which is loading, firing and unloading 15 rounds in 1 minute. Fairly easy.
November 4th Wednesday
Went on to Range and had a test in Visual training. Managed to find 5 out of 7 targets.
November 5th Thursday
Marched over to Melleha Ridge and had our test on judging distance. Done fairly well. Only had 10% of error.
November 6th Friday
Had our test in Rapid loading. Had to load, take ammunition out of pouches and close them up each time, and unload 90 rounds in a minute. Done it in 57 secs. Paid 7/-. G Coy played C Coy at cricket. Beat them by 6 wickets.
November 8th Sunday
Church Service at 6.00am. Went to St Pauls Bay after dinner and had my usual weekly bust up. Of course I have to mix with civilians here, especially the females. Our 1st Batt pitches camp close by.
