We have a journal, neatly typed, written by , Bernard - my grandfather - from when he was shipped out in World war 1. It is 36 pages long, and ends mid-sentence, suggesting some is missing. It spans only about seven weeks, from early November to late December. It is not clear if this is 1915 or 1916 - he says both in the diary. We suspect that after writing the postcard, he went to Gosport in July 1915, and from there to France where he was a dispatch rider, and then somehow became attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and sailed with them, again from Gosport, in 1916.
The first three pages describe his first day on the ship Anchises. Although he does not mention it here, later he says it was Gosport, near Portsmouth, he sailed from.
ON THE "ANCHISES".
Though not so large as the two-funnelled boat, the "Anchises" was none the less a good sized ship - probably not far short of 10,000 tons. As we reached the top of the Gangway a ticket was handed to the first of the party, showing what mess the party were to take. Somehow or other, Baldwin and I were in the last four, and therefore headed the next mess, as our party was too big for one. The rest of the mess was assigned to an A.S.C. (M.T.) Coy. From the gangway we passed across the well deck, up to the Saloon Deck, down again to the front Well deck, and thence through a hatchway down; into the hold. Fortunately for us "B" Deck to which we were allotted, was the first step down. There a perspiring Naval Sergeant made himself hotter than ever in trying to direct everybody to their various quarters. No. 4 our table, stood immediately facing the stairway, so there was not much trouble in finding it. It was less trouble still to stow our Kit bags into the recesses provided in the walls of the ship, and our packs and equipment in sundry nooks and corners around the mess. In doing so, several hooks in the ceiling forced themselves into unnecessary prominence. Chen I discovered , that the whole roof was studded with them — obviously for us to sling our hammocks, when we got them; From this deck more stairs went down to "C" Deck. We went up to the deck proper, to get some fresh air. The morning passed slowly at first, until we went on the quay and nosed round there. A little way ahead of the Anchises lay a Pre—dreadnought undergoing rather extensive repairs. In spite of its rusty appearance it looked quite attractive, and it was not long before we were aboard it.
As it was then, much of what was of interest had been removed. The big guns were missing. Coils of rope and cable lay all over the place, interspersed with odds and ends from the ship's fittings. The small armament constituted the attraction. From point of size, she was decidedly small. A Super-dreadnought lying close by completely dwarfed her. Our own transport would have made several of her. As a matter of act it seemed quite a long way up to the top of the sides of the liner.
All this time what little cargo had to be stowed in the ship was rapidly being disposed of. At tea-time all was aboard, and two A.S.C. lorries securely lashed down on deck. As evening fell the ropes were cast off, the bow swung round, and we headed the harbour entrance. In a very short time the men there were cheering us as we passed them. Night closed in before we were through, and the night hid the shore from our sight. With no moon, the darkness was very intense, and to all other vessels we must have been almost invisible. Yet, not one of them but gave us a parting cheer as we passed. All the way until the open sea was reached this continued, where, since no lights were showing, we gradually faded away into the darkness. I had stood on the forecastle all this time. The quiet of the Deep made one averse to all demonstrations. In the interest of the casting off I had forgotten all else, when a touch on the shoulder gave me a reminder that tea was only on the table for a limited time. By the time I was back on deck only the two dark blotches of smoke, one on either side, of two escorting destroyers, relieved the inky void. The voyage had begun in real earnest.
So far no thought had been given to our accommodation for the night, but the appearance on deck of a man with a hammock suggested the the advisability of seeing to it. Inquiry soon elicited the fact that they were being distributed on "D" deck. Really there was not much need of inquiry, for a huge crowd round the entrance to the said deck was enough to show anybody that something was on. I joined the throng. It took several minutes to get to the top of the stairs. Down below the atmosphere was a dull bluish colour. One could almost have cut it with a sharp knife! Up the centre or the stairs came the more fortunate ones, bringing their hammocks with them. Down the sides pressed the newcomers, every one trying to go his own way, and few succeeding. Gradually I worked my way about half down to the floor below, just in time to learn that for the time being no more hammocks were being issued. On the face of it it looked cheerful to say the least. For the time being we forsook the stairway. But not for long. Rumours soon sent us back. This time I was more fortunate. I got a sight of the counter where the issue was proceeding. Now the order was that only the N.C.O.s in charge of the various messes were to draw them, and they would be responsible for the whole of their respective messes. That caused some small diversion, in the course of which I managed to worm my way right up to the counter. In less than five minutes the order had been found impracticable, and hammocks were issued to each man individually. Five minutes more and I was on deck with my bedding under my arm. Down below again on deck I selected two hooks at the side of the ship, slung the hammock, climbed into it, and was soon asleep. So ended Sunday November 7th. the day of our embarkation.
The Anchises was a civil ship that sailed out of Liverpool, but was hired as a troop carrier by the Australian navy. It made a number of trips from Australia, bringing troops to fight in the war.
The diary continues...
During the night we passed down the Channel, and as dawn broke Left the escort and England behind us. It was barely light when I went on deck. From the forecastle the trails of smoke from the two destroyers were just visible on the horizon. Originally I should say that the "Anchises" carried chiefly cargo, with just a few passengers amidships. Now the two top fore-holds have been refitted to accommodate. troops. The upper of these two is deck where we are quartered. Most of the other men of the Squadron have a place on the Saloon deck. About dinnertime yesterday I began to think that the boat must be full. After that about three more train-loads came in. I wondered where they could put them all, but somehow or other they all disappeared. Altogether I fancy we carried about 2500 troops. It is early morning now, and about half are still down below, yet the deck is full of recumbent forms. One thing is certain. We cannot have much exercise. About every other day will be the limit .
The sea is calm, and the air fresh. It gives one an appetite. Breakfast consists of porridge and cold meat to which all do full justice. The morning was spent on the forecastle, reading or watching the waves. Dinner consisted of soup, meat and vegetables, and then pudding. quite a respectable turnout. Tea was stew and jam. The issue of meat three times a day was rather unnecessary, but then no one was forced to have it. Altogether it was a very idle day, and I for one was anything but sleepy when darkness set in. The prospect of a night too down below was not very alluring, for the place got very stuffy before morning, However I turned in, and got some sleep. It was so hot that no covering was necessary, although in England there would be frost on the ground.
Tuesday morning broke fine and fair, with the sea as calm as ever, Judging from the ventilators, preparations were made to give about 100 men air. Actually we have just over three times that number. Hence the remarks.
Yesterday there were rumours of my being detailed for a permanent guard, or something of the sort. I heard someone inquiring about the number of my rifle - the one I hadn't got. Just after breakfast one of the Sergeants told me that I was to be one of forty making up a guard against Submarines. The duties seem rather vague. Apparently it is necessary to have a rifle, so I have had to trouble Sergt. Gibson. He handed his over quite cheerfully. By the way Baldwin is in it as well. As far as I have been able to make out all we have to do is to be ready to strafe any enemy representative that we may see. Also we are liable to be called up at a moment's notice — therefore we do no other duties. I think on the whole we win the toss.
On the whole it has a quiet day, so quiet that they have taken the opportunity of inoculating us against cholera. At 10 a.m. all of us paraded outside the hospital and were duly punctuated in turn with the usual diminutive bayonet. So far I have felt nothing more of it. By the way it was done on the breast this time , instead of the arm. This seems rather the better way.
The nights now are warm as we11 as the days, so much so that I shall try sleeping on deck to-night. Just on the forecastle are two 1arge coils of roap will do very well for a couch.
Wednesday November 10th.
This sleeping on deck is a great improvement. The air is fresh and you can get a really good nights rest.
Surprisingly few ships have passed us as yet. I have a sort of an idea that we are sailing a good deal to the West, of the usual trade route. It seems fairly certain that, we are in the Bay of Biscay. The sea is decidedly choppy. Tomorrow should see us at Gibraltar.
It is a lazy life sprawling about the deck a11 day. The stock amusement seems to be card playing. Generally too it is accompanied by numerous transferences of cash. I should judge that 99% of all on board gamble more or less. A very popular game is "House" . At almost any time of the day you can hear someone crying "Who'll have a card". The said card contains various numbers. Then the caller dives into a bag and pulls out a numbered disc. If that number agrees with one of those on your card you cross it off. The object of the game is to cancel all your card before anyone else. It is a childish amusement.
The canteen has opened to-day. They sell mineral waters, biscuits, and doubtful chocolates. Cigarettes are very cheap as there is no duty on them.
All this time we steadily plod on our way. Apparently we increase speed after dark. I wonder if this is because the smoke must be minimised as much as possible during daylight? Needless to say I am sleeping on deck again to-night. T have found a good place between two steam winches where I can swing my hammock. Actually this turns out to be most successful. Being near the middle of the ship, you are not bothered so much by the rolling of it as on the forecastle. The morning finds me somewhat unwilling to get out of the hammock. However, a sudden resolution, and the prospect of missing one's breakfast settle the business.
At dinner time there is quite a commotion because there is something on the horizon that looks like land. Just a misty something that appears more solid than the rest of the horizon. "Gibraltar" flies from mouth to mouth, but gradually the belief loses ground as, instead of getting nearer, it gradually fades away. I checked our course with my watch, and found that we were still making South and slightly West. Apparently therefore the land that we saw must have been Cape St. Vincent.
In part two, he passes the Rock of Gibraltar.
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