Major E.B. Sheppard's Diary , 7th - 14th November, 1915

7th. Nov. Sunday.

Quiet day. Inspected drafts. Seemed good lot of men 75 in all, 14 of these were policemen. Bathed after with C. Bury1. The weather was lovely.

8th Nov. Monday.

Route march to Condia with about 20 men, all could raise. Inspected Church, most tawdry affair, and apparently the playground of all the children. Started 12.30 p.m. with H. Daniell2 for Therma. Arrived 2.0 o’c and had a delightful natural hot bath, a real luxury. Reached camp about tea time and had had about enough. Having walked altogether about 14 miles. Was met by news of my promotion, which other people seemed to be much more excited about than myself (owing to the cause of it.) T Pitt returned which saved what might have been rather an amusing incident as I should have had to transplant Morrison Bell as C.O. 5th Regt. Whyte-Boycott is still Brigadier; as Wiggin has no right to take over command.

9th. Nov. Tuesday.

Gilhlome3 went off to Egypt on leave. Inspection of new draft by Colonel Pitt. Rode with C. Bury1 over to “Gift” camp run by Mrs. Vane Agnew. We had great difficulty in finding it but eventually did and had tea with Mrs. V.A. and Miss Keyes (sister to Roger4.) We got 2 footballs. Hugh Bowlby called in pinnace to take Miss Keyes to the Y.M.C.A. Canteen, where she is going to assist. This Camp is run for Lady Ian Hamilton’s Fund. Hugh B. is on flagship.

10th Nov. Wednesday.

Arranged allotment of draft into Squadrons. Rode to hospital to see sick men. Mostly jaundice cases. Called on Herbert Reeve who was out. Dined with Peacocke of Sherwood Rangers.

11th November Thursday

Gale in early morning. Tent nearly came down. Lovely day. Had arranged to ride over to Castro with T. Pitt but General Peyton was reported to be coming over. Had a new bell tent to myself. Peacocke (brother to Mrs. Edgar Lubbock) dined with us.

12th Nov. Friday

Another annoying day as we expected General Peyton5 till after lunch when we heard he was not coming till next day. Saw two Naval Officers riding past in afternoon, one was Capt. Filer. He asked me to lunch on Monday.

13th. Nov. Saturday.

General Peyton5 inspected the division about 94 Officers and 800[0] or 9000 men on parade. T.P. very annoyed that more of our draft had not turned up, but they had been sent off on a fatigue. O.C’s Yeomanry Regt. was summond and asked to send in names for Medaille Militaire. I sent in R.S.M. Steele’s name. Walked to top of highest hill on Island with Harry and Victor6. It was a lovely day, and we had glorious view of the island and its surroundings. We could see coast of Greece and Asia Minor, Imbros, Samos, Thrace and the Peninsula. There was a chapel on the top of Hill, where our wretched troops had written their names. Certainly there were very few English names, mostly Australians, N. Zealanders and Candians.

14th Nov.

Wrote P.D.’O.S.7 Blustery day. Church Parade. Walk in afternoon with Victor6.

Notes:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Edward Gilholme (1877 – 1950.)  Served as Adjutant, 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry 14th October 1915 – 10th November 1916 after service as R.S.M. (W.O.I. 21st lancers, Served Egypt; Dardanelles.)
  4. Presumably refers to Sir Roger John Brownslow Keyes (1872-1945)
  5. General Sir William Eliot Peyton, KCB, KCVO, DSO (7 May 1866 – 14 November 1931)
  6. 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)
  7. Phyllis D’Oyly Sheppard (nee  Noble), Edward’s wife
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