September 4th - 13th - Leaving, Aboard Ship and Malta

September 4^th Friday

Very soon after mid-night, we had to stand, and to, and then marched off, band playing and the waiting crowds cheering us.  The crowds lined the streets as far as Moorgate Street, here and there you could see people recognize, and rush to bid him farewell.  We had our rifles and packs, also our kitbags.  Many of the pedestrians carried our kits for us.

Arrived at Waterloo at 2.00am, and there we found another large crowd waiting for us.  Right and left half battalion boarded separate trains and left Waterloo amid great cheers at 4.00am.  We traveled in a 2^nd class corridor train.  All the early risers along the route gave us cheers as we passed through the stations.

We stopped at Winchester and there bought some papers and breakfast.  We made a decent journey and eventually arrived at Southampton Quay at 7.30am.

Disentrained and then crossed the platform to where a huge ocean liner was laying, boarded her and found that she was the HMT Galician which I have already mentioned.  Immediately handed arms and equipment into armoury and drew hammocks and blankets.

We are the first troops to board this vessel.  She impressed me very much.  After being quartered, we had breakfast, which consisted of curry meat, tea, bread and butter.  Then I had a nose round and in doing so missed a chance of going into town to dispatch telegrams.  This ship has plenty of deck space.  Dinner at 12 – Irish stew and rice pudding.  Went on deck to sun myself and noticed that, there are many other vessels, laden with troops.  We were towed out, whilst having tea, and then made way under our own steam.  The rocking sensation appeals to me.  The Isle of Wight have in sight.  We hung off there all night.

September 5^th Saturday

Aboard Ship

Woke up to find the ship under weigh, also there are 6 other ships with us, one a cattle boat, and the other 5 troop-ships.  Arrived off Plymouth about midday, and there picked up our escort HMS Ocean, making a convoy of 8 ships altogether.  We soon passed the Eddystone Lighthouse which was our last sight of Old England.

A heavy sea is running and already many fellows are feeling the effects of it, but I am as right as rain.  Went to bed at 8.00pm and slept like a top.  The first time I have ever slept in a hammock.  Steel helmets issued out.

September 6^th Sunday

Up at 5.00am.  Had breakfast at 7.30am.  Curry and pickles, tea, bread and butter.  Church Service on deck at 11.00am.  Ships Master conducts the Service.  Stew and current duff for dinner.  Am feeling like a sailor, no signs of sickness yet.  Nothing but other vessels in sight except gulls which circle round us.

September 7^th Monday

The food aboard is fairly good.  Had two parades in the morning, one for roll-call and another for fire-drill with life-belts. Sighted a lighthouse off the coast of France in the afternoon.  Our escort stops a strange liner but finds all is well.

September 8^th Tuesday

Food as usual.  Roll call at 11.00am.  Sighted Cape Finistere about midday and passed it about 2 hours later.  Saw some curious vessels off coast, very interesting to us. 

September 9^th Wednesday

During the day we passed a few outlying points of Portugal.  Major Parr (RAMC) and the ships Surgeon examine us to see if any of us are diseased.  Soon after sunset we sighted lights of Spain and could also see Northern Africa.

September 10^th Thursday

Spent the night on deck, very cool.  We touched Gib at 2.00am.  Tender brings small mail alongside.  We only stopped there for an hour, or so – was unable to get a good view of the ‘Rock’.  Was very lucky – got a nice letter from Nancy.  Left other vessels behind.  Some deck sports had been arranged and were held in the afternoon – wrestling on poles and tub ducking, also an all round boxing contest, all weights, for anyone aboard.  First 2 rounds.

September 11^th Friday

We sighted Algiers in morning and it appeared to be a very pretty place.  Later on we came quite close to the shore and could see everything easily with the naked eye.  Country is very hilly and sandy.  Very little vegetation about, hardly any trees, in fact practically barren.  The Semi-Final and Final Bouts of Boxing contest were fought that evening.  Corpl Harring won middleweight. F Coy.  Pte Morris beat Harry Bass and Coy in heavyweight champ.  Thus the highest award went to the 3^rd baff man.  By the way I have forgotten to mention that we have 1 Coy RAMC and 2 Companies 3^rd RF aboard with us.

September 12^th Saturday

We arrived off Tunis in the morning which is much the same sort of place as Algiers.  Saw the town of Tripoli, a pretty little town which is in a valley below the hills by the shore.  Homesteads few and far between.  Later that day we made for open sea. 

September 13^th Sunday

Sighted islands early in the morning and Malta about 11.00am.  Pilot came aboard just outside harbour and steered us safely in.  Dropped anchor in the Marisa Moscatto Harbour at 2.00pm.  Immediately after we had scouring with the tide, the ship was surrounded by native hawkers in dghaisa’s or bombeats who sold cheap cigarettes and fruit.  Amused ourselves in tossing money overboard for the ‘boys’ to dive after.  The large town and surroundings look rather quaint and pretty.  There are 8 French warships in Port here.  Busy for the rest of the day unloading stores etc.

 

September 3rd 1914. Leaving England

September 3^rd Thursday

Went and had a bathe in the Hornsey Road Baths and then went down to the Seven Sisters and Holloway Roads, to make various purchases such as socks and shirts which were necessary.  Went home and made myself presentable and then had dinner.  After that said good-bye to all for the last time and then rushed off to report at Headquarters, was ½ hour late but did not care.  Crowds of people are waiting outside barracks, weeping and trying to get a last sight of their relatives.  As is usual many of the old soldiers were drinking hard.  

After roll-call and being checked we were allowed out for 2 hours, but I did not go home again, so my chums and I went to find a teashop and had a light tea.  Then explored the back streets of City Road to pass the time away.  barracks at 5.00pm.  About 8.00pm Capt Stilwell and Lieut Stanham (Officers of G Company) bid us goodbye as they had other work to do, and then handed over command to Lieut Saunders.

Companies paraded and lay down in long lines, waiting to move.  In the meantime, they gave us bread and jam to eat.

August 27th - 31st, 1914. - Time to Leave Home

August 27^th Thursday 

Strong rumor is circulating that we are going to move shortly.  Thornby hears of it and discharges himself from hospital.  I went down to meet him and the same nurse drove us back in her car.  Had a fine swim in the Wey.

August 28^th Friday 

In morning all are paid 5/-, at the same time got the order for all G Coy men to pack up, and then report to Bentley Station for orders.  Only Clarke and myself have to go.  Arrived at Bentley about 3.00pm and had to go on to Farnham Surrey.  All of us were then split up amongst the various sentry groups.  Clarke and I are now under Drm Cpt. Smith.  Our quarters are now in a Hop kiln belonging to F. Bide.  Went into town that evening and got a ganger to enlist.  Had tea in town.

August 29^th Saturday

Our duty here is to guard two bridges.  One over the Wey and the other over a road.  Two girls from the town came down to cook our meals.  On duty at 7-11am and 7–11pm.  In afternoon went to town had tea in a cozy teashop.  Had a letter from E. Donst that day. 

August 30^th Sunday

Had a bathe in the Wey.  Farmers wife cooks us a splendid dinner.  Harry and I went on a bus to Aldershot in afternoon.  Had tea in the Soldiers Home.  Then went to see Lord Kitchener inspect the first of his New Army.  Arrived back just in time for guard.

August 31^st Monday

At 6.00am in the morning all were roused and told to pack up and report at station at 9.00am.  Old Sammy Bide carted all our packs and kits to station for us and loaded us up with fruits and sandwiches.  Am sorry to leave the L and SWR.  Liverpool Regt. relieved us.  Entrained at 9.00am for Waterloo.  Rumour about leaving home.  That afternoon Coln Botterill asked us to go to Malta with him.  Only 6 refused.  Then had to sign our papers.  Then had 24 hours leave to say goodbye.  

Gave them all a scare at home.  Had tea and then caught train to Dartford to say goodbye to Arthur, but was disappointed, found that he had ere I went to Sidcup, the boys on the point of retiring to rest.  Stayed there the night.  Said goodbye to them after breakfast.  Aunt Lil accompanied me as far as Eltham on the bus.  Arrived home about 11.00pm.  Had to report at barracks at 12.00.