Monday 27 July 2009

December 10th - 14th 1914

December 10th Thursday

All of us were attached to ‘C’ Coy. Marched to Vendala, under Capt Ving Bariles in 4 hours. Just missed a guard that night. C Coy Colour Seraf breaks his leg. We relieved ‘H’ Company and will do guard on alternate days with the 3rd Batt. Established myself in No 1 Room St Pauls Bastion with Buglers Jul and Reullier. First time we have ever been in barracks.

December 11th Friday

20 of us under Lieut Lang escorted 26 German and Austrian Prisoners from compound to a French warship and handed them over to the Froggies. Maltese hiss and spit at prisoners.

Changed our quarters to St Johns Bastion. Settled down with L/Cpl Bruce and Pte Galé. Proper beds to sleep in. Mattress, pillow, 2 sheets and 3 blankets. Have got 2 rooms to ourselves.

Racks, lockers, table forms, lamps and fireplaces in fact everything necessary.

December 12th Saturday

Mounted guard at 9.00am and relieved 3rd Batt men from No 4 Exterior Sentry group. Life sentry. Don’t think there is any chance of escape for Prisoners. Orders are ‘shoot on sight’.

December 13th Sunday

More Prisoners came in, so were unfortunate and did not get relieved till 2.00pm. Washed and changed and then went out to enjoy ourselves in Gospicun. Plenty of English people.

December 14th Monday

On No 6 guard this time, which is on the other side of Compound and much better. All of enclosure borders the town so we slip off to shops when nobody is about. Made friends with English folk. Prefer this place at any time.