17th Sept. Thursday
Arrived at Gib. about 7 a.m. Unluckily as we were coming in there was a dense fog. However it cleared just as we arrived and was a lovely day. Could not do much with the men as arms still sore from inoculation. Stayed at Gib. all day. All sorts of rumours flying about. Some said we were going back. At any rate we had to stay where we were till further orders. No sign of our helmets and kit for the men. The men felt the heat very much as there was no breeze as we were stationary. All sorts of boats came round selling grapes and peaches to men till someone found out it was against regulations, and it was stopped. We very nearly failed to get letters and wires off but managed to do so at the last moment. I wonder if they will arrive !
Suddenly got orders to move about 5 p.m. and steamed away East. It was a lovely sight 15 transports with a man of war to keep us company. I suppose there is no danger or they would send more. The sun was setting over Algeciras with the “Rock” in the foreground.
18th Sept. Friday
Everyone says it is nice and cool. I wish I felt so. They have persuaded me I must wear a band around my tummy. I have put up with it to day but don’t think I can stand it much longer.
Last night the fog suddenly came down very thick and they tell me the fog horns were going hard but I never heard anything of it. I believe when the fog did lift the ships were all over the place. It was a wonder there was no collision. We went through a school of porpoises to day. It was wonderful to see them right under the water. It made me long to have a swim. We are all very disgusted they never let us hear something at Gib. It is terrible in these times not knowing what is going on. Had a most interesting lecture from Arnold Ward1 on Egypt. I find every day my knowledge on military matters is appalling small.
I long for a time when we can get near a horse when I shall feel more at home. We have give lectures to our men every day. This I find a great trial as after about five minutes I generally find I have got to the end of my subject ! We are having a concert to night.
Saturday, 19th Sept.
Very interesting day ! The Mesaba2 our horse boat went off presumably to Algiers. We understand owing to lack of forage. We are going now about 11 knots. We still have no idea where we go to in Egypt . Our Colonel says he is going to make us into Cavalry at once and promises to get us swords for the men, I hope he will suceed and I may live to be in a Cavalry charge yet. At present with the number of untrained men it looks hopeless for at least a year.
It is cooler to night thank Goodness. Left most of them trying to decipher Marconi3 message.
20th Sept Sunday
We had the piano in wrong place of ship for concert last night as wind was strong. However it was a fairly good one, rather too much of the Lanc. Fusl. Band. There was a nasty roll on which knocked over a lot of people. Church Parade consisting of 3 hymns was only a moderate success as the band was under an awning and the people furthest away could not hear it. Consequently some were starting a verse when the others were leaving off. The effect was rather like three blind mice. I Saw land for the first time since Gib. Islands of Galeta. They are curious shapes with several sugar loaf hills. They say we do not stop at Malta. Got some news in by Marconi3, first for three or four days. No list of casualties which is what we most dread.
21st Sept. Monday
We are getting thoroughly bored and our one ambition is to get off the beastly ship ! Probably in a weeks time we shall wish we were on board again. Very disappointed to come past Malta in the dark. However as we left it to the North we should not have seen Valetta. We had no news to day as atmospheric conditions were so bad. It is terrible the way the mens things are being stolen. However I suppose it always happens. A man puts his cap down for a second and someone who has lost his sneaks it. Even if he belongs to another unit he only has to take the badge off and he is all right.
22nd Sept Tuesday
Saw a historical sight to day such as the world has never seen before. Our convoy met the convoy convoying the Indian troops 22 ships and a cruiser. I suppose there must have been 40,000 troops on board. There are between 18,000 and 20,000 on our own ships. So in the space of four or five miles square there must have been ships with 60,000 souls on board counting the crews. It was a fine object lesson in sea power ! We took leave of the Minerva4 which had escorted us from home. She sent us a farewell message wishing us good luck. We were glad to be joined by the Mesaba which has our horses on board with Ralph Barnett5 in charge. Douglas Pennant6, Tim Howard are amongst those on board. They put into Algiers I believe for forage. I shall be very curious to see how the horses have stood the voyage. Bill Cunliffe is now sleeping in my cabin as the one he shares with Cecil Bury7 is so hot. The latter sleeps on deck. I did physical exercises this morning with the men and mean to do it in future.
Had no news from the front again to day.
23rd Sept Wednesday
Very dull day of ordinary routine. Have stupidly got stuck with running a boxing show tomorrow. Everyone of course crabbing my arrangements. Two doves following the ship. Is this an omen? No news.
24th Sept. Thursday
Had a most successful boxing competition in which my squadron did very well. There are certainly five good boxers. It is lucky a man cannot strike his officers !
Expect to get to Alexandria to night.
Notes:
1 Arnold Sandwith Ward (8th November 1876 – 1st January 1950), Lieutenant. 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – June 1915 (A Squadron – Egypt) and January – June 1916 (Egypt); commanding a convalescent camp, Cyprus Juune – August 1915
2 SS Mesaba was built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, yard number 319. The ship was launched on September 11, 1897. It’s maiden voyage as SS Winifreda was on March 3, 1898. the ship was torpedoed on September 1, 1918.
3 Wireless message
4 HMS Minerva A light cruiser/old 2nd class cruiser, Eclipse Class. The cruiser was launched 23rd September, 1895. It also supported allied troops in the Gallipoli campaign.
5 Lieutenant Ralph Francis Barnett (1882 – 1968) of ‘A’ Squadron was in charge of the regiment’s horses which sailed in the S.S. Messaba. Five ships transported 3,000 horses. Barnett was appointed Lieutenant A Squadron, Hertfordshire Yeomanry, 1st February 1914. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – August 1918 (A Squadron – Egypt, Gallipoli, Temporary Captain 28th August 1915)
6 Hon. Archibald Douglas-Pennant (25th may 1881 – 3rd April 1971.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 26th March 1915 after service in ranks since August 1914 and service with Royal Scots 1898 – 1903. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry March – August 1915; in Staff Appointments September 1915 – November 1917 (A.D.C. 22nd September 1915 – 15th July 1916; employed Ministry of Munitions July 1916 – November 1917); 6th Reserve Regiment of cavalry November 1917 – February 1919.
7 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.
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