21st Oct. Thursday
Flocks of blue cranes again flew over causing the usual fusillade but no casualties. Fritz came flying over in the morning and they shelled the end of the line directly afterwards. More or less official report that we go to Mudros1 on 24th. though what the good that is I don’t know, unless they send out big drafts.
Rather seedy first thing from usual complaint, likewise T. Pitt who is going to hospital. Suppose Morrison Bell will have command unless my promotion comes. Heard one of the Lovat’s Officers and one man went out the other night to reconnoitre where I sent C. Bury2 and Whurr3. They bumped into some Turks and the Officer was so badly wounded, he died that night.
22nd Oct. Friday
Insides rather rocky in morning and meant to stop in bed but suddenly had orders to report to Divisional Headquarters at Lala Baba. Walked there with Morrison Bell and E. Rothschild. Was horrified to find how weak diarrhoea had made me. Found great difficulty keeping up with other two. When we got there we found we had come all the way for nothing. They (Div’l. Hdqrs.) had told us wrong and Meeting was at Brigade hdqrs. where we had come from. Our Brigade had to find 1 Major to command, 3 Sqdn. Leaders, 4 Subalterns, 3 Sergts. and 4 Corpls. I sent in names R. Bennett and Whurr3. These are to go to Salonica at once probably. We imagine the lot that went there have proved incapable. It is dreadful the way they are mixing up units and so destroying the “esprit de corps.” The General (Peyton)4 who announced that we were going to Mudros1 for a rest and hoping to re-organise with the help of drafts. We probably go on Sunday if Transport can be provided. Turned much colder and rained. The water did not run off roof properly so propped supporting bough higher with rifle. In middle of night it came bang down on my face.
23rd Oct. Saturday.
Very cold wind. Rather seedy in morning, R Bennett, Whurr3 and Burn (servant) went off at 8.0 p.m. for Salonica5. I hate losing them as the two former are invaluable.
24th Oct. Sunday
Very cold N.E. wind still. Felt rotten from diarrhoea. Walked in afternoon to beach where stumbled across a new Naval gun just behind our trenches. Glorious sunset behind Inbros, the purple mountains of which made a grand sight.
25th Oct. Monday.
A lovely morning with cloudless sky. Flies all out again. Feel much better. Had a lovely bath, managed to get some warm water. Wrote P.D.’O.S.6 A bullet came into my dug-out this morning about 6 a.m. and they were fizzing past for a long time. It is wonderful that no one is hit. Went for a walk with H. Daniell7 to beach. The battery there began to fire as we came away. However had a nice snooze in the sun.
26th Oct. Tuesday.
Rather cooler, rain in the morning. Felt much better. Walked towards Anzac with V. Ponsonby8. Lunched with General Hodgson9 our old Brigadier, now temporary C. O. 54th Divn. really Brigadier Norfolk, Suffolk and Welsh Yeomanry. The country was most interesting being a succession of cuplike gorse-clad hills, absolutely sheltered from every point of view, except glimpses of sea. It is all an absolute warren. The difficulty they have is water, as it all has to be brought up by hand so we have some advantage, of being on the flat. Introduced to Lord Kensingto[n] who commands Welsh Horse. He is the brother-in-law of Pilkingtons10. I also saw young Ruggles Brise, who is in Norfolks besides a lot of people, Hodgson introduced me to. The latter was very kind and insisted on showing me round. Sent all my heavy luggage to Lala Baba ready to embark to-morrow. Hodgsons’ Division numbers 4,000 about instead of 18,000 or 19,000! Some of the Welsh had been upset by some sort of gas. One man said he had not smelt that since he had his teeth taken out at Cardiff! Meaning laughing gas. It appears they blew up a mine near Turks Sap and Turks did ditto and they suppose it was the fues of the mine that affected them.
Notes:
- Mudros – small port on the Greek island of Lemnos. It became significant after the British decided to seize control of the Dardanelle Straits some 50 km away.
- Cecil Oliver Haigh Bury (16th November – 26th September 1967.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 2nd october 1912; Kieutenant 28th Novemebr 1916, with seniority 1st June 1916; captain 17th December 1917; resigned retaining rank 14th August 1920. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – February 1919 in Egypt, Dardanelles, Western Desert & Mesopotamia.
- Charles E. Whurr appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire 15th December 1917 after service in the ranks. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry – Egypt, Dardanelles. 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry January – April 1918; 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry June – July 1918 (D Squadron – Mesopotamia)
- General Sir William Eliot Peyton, KCB, KCVO, DSO (7 May 1866 – 14 November 1931)
- Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Phyllis D’Oyly Sheppard (nee Noble), Edward’s wife
- Henry Charles Nugent Daniell (26th August 1869 – 13th July 1925.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 26th August 1914 after rpevious service with Hertfordshire Imperial Yeomanry. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – May 1916 (Egypt, Dardanelles); 3rd/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry May 1916 – February 1917; 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry February – November 1917.
- Victor Coupe Ponsonby (21st June 1877 – 22nd April 1966.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, C Squadron, Hertfordshire Yeomanry & Liuetenant 10th December 1914, with seniority 4th September; Captain 23rd July 1916, resigned retaining rank 22nd January 1921. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry 1914 – 1919 (Egypt; Dardanelles – Dispatches)
- Major General Sir Henry West Hodgson KCMG CB CVO (29 June 1868 – 5 February 1930)
- Hubert Carlisle Pilkington (23rd October 1879 – 17th June 1942.) Served 2nd/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry September 1914 – June 1917. Apppointed 2nd Lieutenant Hertfordshire Yeomanry 20th September 1914; Lieutenant 27th June 1917; temporary Captain 1st September 1915 – 27th June 1917
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