Formerly called
THE RAILWAY TRANSPORT CORPS
Together with additional material regarding Assistant Commissioner Edmund Milne, Major Edmund Osborn Milne D.S.O. and Captain Clarence Gordon Milne
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The compiler would welcome any other material which is known about these men and the work they did in the early part of the "Great War".
1 November, 1914
Each of the boomerangs has two silver plates with inscriptions, those on the smaller of the two boomerangs being:—
"Comeback Boomerang, Mulga Tribe, Far West, N.S.W.," and "Diambiana (Fighting Emu) the Last Chief of the Famous Outlaw Clan."
The inscriptions on the larger boomerang are:—
"Fighting Boomerang, Murrumbidgee River, N.S.W and "Nelson, the Last King of the Tribe"
On the base of the pedestal is an inscription, as under:—
"Presented to the Railway Transport Company of the First Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force, by Capt. E. Milne, President N.S.W, Railway and Tramway Rifle Union, on the eve of his comrades' departure to fight for the Empire. October, 1914.
The boomerangs were specially selected from Mr. Milne's valuable collection of aboriginal trophies.
It is hoped that the members of the Railway Transport Corps will be like unto the boomerangs in so far as that, after having done their duty, they will all "comeback."
The designing, mounting, etc., is a credit to the well-known firm of W. Kerr, Sydney.
[See photo published 1-1-1915.] 1 December, 1914
The Railway Transport Corps, which forms part of the First Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force, is, at the time of writing, camped in the building at Marrickville known as “The Warren”.
Capt. E.O. Milne (Traffic Inspector, Goulburn), is in charge of the company, which numbers 61 men. Only five days were occupied in picking the men to form the company. Mr. E Milne, District Superintendent, Orange, was largely instrumental in the rapid enlistment, he having toured a large portion of the Western district in order to obtain recruits.
The Company is the first purely Railway Transport Corps formed in the Commonwealth of Australia.
The following statement shows the positions held in the N.S.W. Government Railways by the men before volunteering:-
| Head Office | |
| Clerks | 2 |
| Traffic | |
| Relief Officer | 1 |
| Night Officers | 2 |
| Guards | 5 |
| Shunter | 1 |
| Porters | 10 |
| Clerks | 11 |
| Total 30 | |
| Loco | |
| Drivers | 2 |
| Firemen | 10 |
| Cleaners | 3 |
| Loco Mechanic | 1 |
| Loco Storeman | 1 |
| Coal Viewer | 1 |
| Fuelmen | 2 |
| Lifter's Assistant | 1 |
| Fitter | 1 |
| Total 22 | |
| Per-Way | |
| Fettler | 1 |
| Labourers | 2 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Draughtsman | 1 |
| Total 5 | |
| Total Volunteers 59 |
It will be seen that there are 14 Clerks in the Corps, and it may be pointed out that there will be a great deal of checking to be done, and skilled clerical assistance will, therefore, be of great service. This object was kept in view in choosing the personnel of the company.
It will be observed also that the Company is an "All Grades" combination, able, not only to carry on its military duties, but to build, repair, work or operate and defend railway. Anticipating opportunities for edpediting transport of munitions by rapid repair of damaged track, special regard has been paid to the choosing of all-round men.
Many of the members are from inland depots, endured to hard conditions of life, and particularly self-relying.
The following shows other qualifications possessed by members of the Corps:-
| Rifle Club Reservists | 20 |
| South African Service | 1 |
| Militia Service | 3 |
| British Army Service | 1 |
| Universal Training Service | 2 |
| Engineer Submarine Miners | 1 |
| Naval Cadet | 1 |
The members of the Corps are:-
| Name | Position | Departmental Address |
| Acott, B.W. | Fireman | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Ahrenfeld, R.B. | Guard | Sydney |
| Aldridge, W.J. | Loco. Storeman | Dubbo |
| Andrews, E.C. | Relief Officer | Binalong |
| Antill, F.A. | Fitter | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Asprey, G.R. | Clerk | Superintendent of Lines' Office |
| Bell, A.E. | Fireman | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Boles, B | Porter | Orange |
| Borland, W | Guard | Sydney |
| Brown, H.B. | Clerk | Tramway Traffic Supt.'s Office |
| Bruce, R. | Clerk | Sydney |
| Bult, H.C. | Guard | Wellington |
| Cook, A.J. | Clerk | Chief Commissioner's Office |
| Dick, J | Per-way Labourer | Goulburn |
| Dowell, W.H. | Coal Viewer | Wallerawang |
| Downes, G. | Clerk | Supt. of the Lines' Office |
| Egan, J.C. | Shunter | Darling Harbour |
| Fenton, E.V. | Fuelman | Loco. Depot, Wellington |
| Foran, J.D. | Fireman | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Fry, R.H. | Draughtsman, Wireless Operator and Linguist | Railway Construction Branch, Public Works Dept. |
| Gilmartin, F.D. | Clerk | Dist. Supt.'s Office, Orange |
| Grimes, G.T. | Porter | Wellington |
| Hanson, W.E.C. | Porter | Wellington |
| Hardcastle, E.G. | Clerk | Goods Manager's Office |
| Hazell, F.T. | Porter | Dubbo |
| Henry, F.J. | Mechanic | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Hughes, C. | Clerk | Goods Manager's Office |
| James, G.B. | Porter | Orange |
| Lovegrove, R.J.C. | Fireman | Armidale |
| Lowe, H.J. | Porter | Metropolitan Relief |
| Marchant, S.D. | Clerk | Supt. of the Lines' Office |
| Masters, F.G. | Driver | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Matthews, H.E. | Fireman | LOco. Depot, Harden |
| McIntosh, C.D. | Clerk | Goods Manager's Office |
| Merrell, C.R. | Cleaner | Tenterfield |
| Miller, C.S.W. | Porter | Nyngan |
| Murray, R.L. | Night Officer | Stanfield |
| Nash, R.G.B. | Night Officer | Rocky Ponds |
| Newman, C.L. | Clerk | District Supt.'s Office, Goulburn |
| Nightingale, F.T. | Fireman | Armidale |
| Northwood, H.O. | Clerk | Per-way Office, Cowra |
| Paull, J.C. | Guard | Cowra |
| Perkins, F. | Fireman | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Preece, H.A. | Cleaner | Orange |
| Rawson, G.H. | Clerk | Goods Manager's Office |
| Reed, H.P. | Fireman | Wallerawang |
| Robertson, O.C. | Fuelman | Nyngan |
| Rushworth, W. | Labourer | Wellington |
| Samuels, V.O. | Porter and Tram Conductor | Sydney Traffic, Waverley |
| Sedgwick, E.H. | Loco. Driver | British and Indian Railways |
| Smith, H.W.C. | Fireman | Wallerawang |
| Tough, W.A. | Guard | Wellington |
| Turk, C.W. | Porter | Wallerawang |
| Tuffy, P.F. | Clerk | Traffic Clerk's Office, Sydney |
| Turner, J. | Cleaner | Wallerawang |
| Weaver, H.K. | Porter | Orange |
| Wentworth, H.C. | Clerk | Chief Commissioner's Office |
| Wootton, V.C. | Lifter's Asst. | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Worland, S.T. | Fireman | Loco. Depot, Harden |
| Yeomans, H. | Per-way Fettler | Harden |
Company Sergeant-Major, F.A. Antill
Staff-Sergeant, W.A. Tough
Staff-Sergeant, W. Borland
Staff-Sergeant, H.C. Wentworth
Staff-Sergeant, C.L. Newman
One who has come in contact with a large number of the members of the Corps finds them an intelligent, educated and capable squad of young men, who will no doubt be a credit to the New South Wales Railway Department, and to the Commonwealth of Australia. 1 January, 1915
Since the particulars quoted were obtained a few alterations have taken place.
R. H. Fry has been transferred to the Signal Troop, and P. F. Tuffy has been discharged as medically unfit.
New members of the Company are:—
S. C. Cook, fettler, Nyngan;
J. F. E. Marion, surveyor, Railway Construction Branch;
P. L. Lynham, fettler, Barmedman;
A. Pull, fireman, Harden;
E. McDonald, fireman, Wallerawang;
A. Hawkins, guard, Sydney.
Front Row (left to right) : James, Boles, Murray, Wootton, Hanson, Matthews, Yeomans. Perkins, Miller
Second Row : Hazell, Fenton, Samuels, Lovegrove, McIntosh, Weaver, Rushworth, Warland, Bult, Dowell, Hardcastle, Paull
Third Row : Reed, McDonald, Merroll, Masters, Wentworth, Newman, Antill, Milne, Borland, Tough, Nightingale, Bruce, Hughes, Rawson, Egan
Fourth Row : Brown. Asprey, Sedgwick, Preece, Lowe, A. J. Cook, Marchant, Downes, Bell, Northwood, Henry, Acott, Pull, Smith
Back Row : Dick, Gilmartin. S. C. Cook, Marion, Ahrenfeld, Turk, Aldridge, Lynham, Nash, Andrews, Turner, Foran, Robertson, Hawkins
1 March, 1915
"No doubt you will be surprised to receive the following news. We disembark to-morrow at Alexandria and go thence to Cairo, where we shall be stationed for some months. Notice has been issued to the effect that we will take our place at the garrison known as the Citadel right in the main part of the city. This will be a great experience for me to see Egypt and all the historical spots that I've read about so often. I will try and get a few curios typical of the place and send them home. I believe we are to get khaki drill uniforms, with helmets.
"Now I'll turn to my diary and give you some news from ---- onwards.
"We entered ---- on -- about 6 p.m. The coast is nothing to look at - all rocks and precipices, and in general the scenery reminds one of a cardboard theatre representation. The garrison is easily to be seen, in a sandy hollow consisting of a number of square white houses. When we were pulling in, the ---- passed us quite closely, and we saw the damage done by the collision.
"The Arabians are very black, and wear, without exception, the red fez; the soldiers look very smart in white uniforms and headpieces. The natives came near us in boats known as feluccas, green- painted craft, without any beam worth speaking of, and a crescent shaped sail. One thing I noticed, all the launches are driven by steam, not a single motor launch was visible.
"On the -- we left ----. The desert was plainly in view - wide expanse of sand; not the slightest trace of vegetation. We passed a Turkish fort during the morning that a few hours previously the ---- had destroyed. She did 'muck it up.' I saw in the distance Mt. Sinai, from whence Moses obtained the tables of the Law when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness.
"On the 27th we got rather a scare, a rumour being spread about that the ---- had been sunk by the Turkish fleet, but it turned out false - thank goodness. We passed the coast of Nubia, whence the gigantic slaves spoken of by Scott in the "Talisman" were brought. This day was absolutely the hottest we experienced; We had a full-dress parade: several of the men fainted. We have been travelling with all lights out, as the Turks were considered likely to give us trouble, but now we are all lighted up, so evidently the danger is over.
"On the -- we took the ----'s place as flagship of the 1st Division of the fleet.
"Though the -- was Sunday, all church parades were cancelled, and we were put to cleaning gear and harness, fixing up kits, and in general making ready to disembark. Gradually we are getting rid of our patients, discharging them, cured, at the irate of five per day. They are all greatly pleased with the way the R.A.M.C. treated them. (By the way, we have been given the privilege of calling ourselves the 'Royal' A.M.C.)
"The Salvarmy chaplain, who is a bit of a character in his way, has composed a little song, which he sings with any amount of sincerity. It goes:-
"We're all there! there! there!
You will find Australia there
'Mid the smoke and din of battle,
When the cannons roar and rattle;
We will keep things moving there,
We'll be there! there! there!
We're the boys to do and dare,
And when Australia's wanted-
We'll be there! there" THERE!!!" (fff.)
"At 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the 1st December we came to anchor in the harbour of Pt. Suez. We had around us all the other transports; we were kept back some time till the New Zealanders went through the canal, and I had time to have a birds- eye view of the town. The city is split up, one part about two miles from the canal, and the other right on the canal bank. It consists for the most part of large white square buildings, set squarely down in a sandy desert; a tram connects one part of the town with the other. About nine hours after dropping anchor we got off, and some twenty minutes later entered the great Suez Canal. For about two miles along the side of the left bank the scenery is very pretty. There is an avenue of tall trees and beautiful residences; it reminded me very much of the East Esplanade, Manly, seen from the waterfront. As we went along we passed hundreds of coolies, with their donkeys and camels, digging sandstone. The railway runs along the bank only about 20 feet from the water's edge, and as far as Alexandria consists of a single line with one or two loop stations; the stations themselves are very pretty little red contrivances as unlike our conception of a railway station as they could possibly be, whilst at each one there is a beautiful little residence, evidently the S.M.'s. We saw several of these gentlemen and their families. They were all French.
"Not far from Gare-du-Cap we saw a regiment of 'Tommies.' They hailed us and told us they were the ---- and ----. We also were cheered all along the route by Bengal Lancers, the 28th Punjaubs, and 10th Gurkha Regiments. The canal itself is a great piece of workmanship: its dimensions, approximately, are:-width, 250 to 300 feet (it varies here and there) ; length, 87½ miles. Vessels going through are not supposed to do more than 5 knots per hour. We did an exceptionally fast trip, as it took us only about 14 hours to complete. We got to ---- Just after dinner, where we landed.
"Port Said is just the 'Arabian Nights' in real life; everything is simply wonderful. I could spend hours writing a description of this enchanting place. The Egyptians, with their red fezes and parti-coloured dress, look like a scene from 'Kismet' or some other Eastern play. The place is cosmopolitan to a degree; all sorts, races, and conditions of people swarm down on the water front, and the blaze of colour under the beautiful sun was enough to blind one. In the evening the scene was very bright, as hundreds of little motor boats were flitting about just like myriads of fireflies, and for a background they had the town blazing with electricity - it was beautiful.
"Strange how small the world is. A party of singers with guitars, mandolins and violins came near our boat, and one of them, a young girl, sang a little Italian song, 'Stretti,' that ---- ---- used to sing; it took me back home very quickly, I can assure you.
"We left Pt. Said about 7 p.m. on --, and were soon in the Mediterranean Sea, and after an uneventful trip we pulled alongside at Alexandria. We soon got to work to get stores ashore, and met some of the New Zealanders, and also some of the R.A.M.C. 'Tommies'; they are a fine set of chaps. Alexandria is a dirty place, and the railway is right down on the wharf. The railway men in our lot at once christened it Darling Harbour. We saw a great row amongst the natives, about 10 aside; they used bottles, sticks, and all yelled like one thing. One man got a smack on the head and dropped like a stone - dead. The native police made no attempt to interfere, and when we spoke to them about it they said 'Oh, that's a common occurrence.' Rather a swell suburb this to live in, we thought." 1 April, 1915
Base Details Camp,
Abbasia, Cairo,
Egypt, 14/2/1915
Dear Mr. Editor,Abbasia, Cairo,
Egypt, 14/2/1915
When I wrote my previous undated letter* to you, some restrictions existed, which have been removed now that we are quartered in Egypt. Our trip across in the------- was calm in every respect, and the Australian roughriders weren't given a chance, to show how they could manage the white horses. We sailed out of the usual trade routes, and saw few other vessels,- but our fleet of -- Australian and N.Z. ships kept us from being lonely. Sometimes at daybreak we fancied we had lost them, but gradually they would come out of the morning mist, and when the sun touched each in turn they made a fine and unique sight. We called at Melbourne, Albany, -----, -----, and ------, and although we weren't allowed ashore anywhere, we saw a good deal of local color, because the natives visited us with their wares, and kept us awake o' nights with their jabbering.
We had our own diversions, too, with deck games, sports, concerts, etc., and the railway company always held a lone hand at tug-o'-war. The champion heavyweight of the boat was a Russian.
The Red Sea we found to be much larger than it looks on the map, and not red at all. Nearing Suez, we saw Mt. Sinai, where, one of our chaps told us, "Moses laid the tables."
We were the best part of three days in the Suez Canal. There were Imperial, N.Z., Australian and Indian troops camped and entrenched right along both sides, and several warships all ready for immediate action. It was the blast of war on our ears all right. To pass within a few yards of a cruiser with Jack standing to the guns is an inspiring experience. There were brushes with the Turks a few days later, but we had passed hence. Port-Said is much bigger and better looking than I expected. If its reputation is deserved, it is certainly covered with a goodly outside.
After six and a half weeks on the water, we disembarked at Alexandria, and came by train to Cairo. I have not been able to obtain the distance yet, but it took us 5½ hours. We travelled third- class, but were not uncomfortable or crowded. The trains here are quite equal to our own, and all the work is done by natives. The train ride was through a continuous belt of irrigated cultivation, not an unfilled acre, not a fence, and, I think, not any differently conducted from the time when Joseph had charge of the Public Supply Department. Some of the wooden ploughs, and the water wheels, and the buffaloes that turn them, seem very ancient. However, here it is, the oldest irrigation scheme known, and still in business.
Cairo is a dirty, crowded, interesting town, much bigger than Sydney proper, and much more twisted. It looks as if the original plan of the city was rescued in a much crumpled state from the waste paper basket.
It has plenty of electric trams (first and second class), motor cars, and other twentieth century fixings, but in other respects is anything but modern, and the lower classes still wear the garb of antiquity (in both respects). The merchants and the upper ten appear to get their clothes from Bond Street. They dress faultlessly. All of them, as well as the native soldiers, policemen, postmen, etc., wear the red fez-I've forgotten the proper name for it. There are plenty of French, Greeks, and other Continentals in Cairo. Every public notice is in English, French, and Arabic.
We quickly mastered the coinage, of which the piastre (2½d.), is the basis. You will see the postage stamp shows five milliemes-1¼d. Labor is cheap, but for food and luxuries there is no fixed price-it is just whatever the soldier can be made to part with, very often many times their actual value. We ride half-fare in the trams, but the conductors very seldom have any change (for a soldier).
Abbassia (also spelt Abbassieh) is the headquarters of the regular garrison. The barracks and stables are very extensive and substantial. We are in tents on the desert sand, but the necessary conveniences have been well installed, and we are comfortable and contented. We have also restaurants, barber, shoemaker, post office, etc., so we are practically a self contained community.
It is incorrect to say that Egypt is cloudless and rainless. They had heavy showers here a couple of years ago, and the sun is often veiled. The dawns and sunsets are the best I have ever seen, especially when they outline some of the domes and spires of the mosques with which the city abounds. Near our camp is the aristocratic suburb of Heliopolis. It has been built within the past six years, and architecturally can make any part of Sydney or Melbourne look like a slum area. It is connected with Cairo by electric train and tram. It also has a Suva Park and skating rink, much patronised by the troops.
It is now five months since we enlisted, and I think the proper military spirit is soaking into us. The hand that used to play the editorial blue pencil is now frequently grimed with gun oil, or has to descend to the menial task of sewing on buttons. The assistant editor that was is an adept at finding vantage points for photographs, and has snapped the company on sea, on land, on camels, in the regimental barber's chair, and elsewhere.
I hope the "Budget" is going strong. There are dailies here, but I blush for them.
Yours faithfully,
C. D. McINTOSH.
*This would appear to be the above letter published on 1 March, 1915
1 June, 1915C. D. McINTOSH.
It will be remembered that this young officer established a record by recruiting his company of 65 expert railway men in four days after his own services had been accepted, and he had been authorised to recruit this detachment of the army service corps. Had the Imperial regulations permitted it Captain Milne could have doubled the number. His officers are Sergeant Major Antill of Harden loco., Guard W. Tough, of Wellington; traffic guard Borland, of Sydney; Sergeant L. Newman, of Goulburn; and Sergeant H. Wentworth, of the Railway Commissioner's office.
They are all keen soldiers, and good shots, besides being front rank railway men.
This welcome news is supplemented by advice that the President's youngest son, Clarence Gordon Milne, 2nd Lieutenant, and transport-officer, with the 4th Battalion 1st Infantry Brigade, now in Mena camp, has been promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant.
It will also be remembered that, when Lieut. C. Milne farewelled from Orange, with Sergeant John Earls, Mrs. Milne presented her son with a horse purchased in Orange which she named "Cooee." The latest advices about "Cooee" are excellent. He has done all that has been asked of him, and done it well, with one exception. Under no circumstances will he tolerate the company of camels. If they don't get away from his vicinity strenuous arguments with his rider naturally result.
We extend our congratulations to the veteran rifleman, Mrs. Milne and family on the honorable record established by their sons. Promotion whilst on active service is always coveted by soldiers, and these young Australians who volunteered for the front immediately the war cloud shrouded the Empire have given their friends, who are legion, every reason to be proud of them.
Photograph of some of our Boys at Mena Camp [where Lieutenant Clarence Milne was stationed]
"The former (the Loco. Workshops), while fairly large, do not compare with ours. We saw some fine engines of various makes: British, French and German. I remarked to the driver of a German high-flyer that his engine was a 'very good one' - this term covers anything from good to excellent - but he most emphatically declared that it was German and therefore 'no good.' Nevertheless, he certainly kept it in beautiful condition, every part being spotlessly clean; this is the case with all the engines, labor being cheap and plentiful, making it possible. An engine-driver's position in this country is really a soft snap, inasmuch as he does not drive himself, having with him two assistants, and in most cases he is a very well dressed individual. All labor in the workshops with the exception of heads and foremen, is native - this is the case throughout the lines. The better positions are mostly held by Britishers. The wages paid for native skilled labor ranges from ten to twenty piastres per day (2s. to 4s.), although in some cases the piece work principle is employed.
"An amusing incident was told by the head of the machine room, who was showing us round. He pointed to a native working a lathe, which is used for making bolts and nuts, and said that before the piece work system was brought into force he did very little else with his time but pray, he being a devout Mahommedan, but when the change, was brought about it was found that he had very little time to pray, eat, or do anything else, with the result that he got through about six times as much work.
"The Railway Institute, which is about five minutes' walk from the shops, stands in about four acres of ground comprising a football field, surrounded with a strip of garden, and in one corner a skating rink, and the building itself overlooks this. While the members are well catered for in regard to sporting facilities, there are no educational classes such as we have in New South Wales. The Institute appears to be more like a recreation club. There are a couple of fine billiard tables, together with a liquor bar, and there is also a fine concert room, but this was not visited, as a sewing class for ladies was at the time in progress.
"We received the utmost courtesy from everyone, the Managers of the various shops showing us round and personally explaining everything."
The following extract from a letter received gives a description of their journey from Suez Canal to their arrival at the camp:-
"I will give you a short account of our trip and our doings from where this letter left off. We reached Suez on 28/1/15, and lay in the harbour until 11.30 a.m. on 29/1/15, when we moved off. We were soon passing down the Suez and entered the Suez Canal on the Egyptian side of which the town is built. From what we could see, the town of Suez looks a very nice place with some fine buildings. Along the Canal front and opposite the town there is a fine road with a nice big avenue of trees under the leafy shade of which seats are placed; these were all occupied by natives, and gave the town a very lazy appearance. There did not seem to be much business doing.
"We had been told by the Major on the ship that possibly there would be some sniping directed against us by the Turks, and were given minute instructions how to act should occasion arise. However, nothing of the kind occurred. British troops, including Imperials, Territorials, Hindus, Egyptians, and a few Australians and New Zealanders were strongly entrenched right along the whole length of the Canal, and we had plenty to amuse us in exchanging greetings and messages by signals.
"The Canal is a fine piece of work, and one has to see it to realise the magnitude of the task which De Lesseps set himself. We only travelled in the daytime as we had no searchlights to enable us to travel by night, but the rest of the fleet went straight through to Port Said. We were two nights in the canal; on the first night anchoring in the lakes, and the second night in a big lake just opposite Ishmalia, which is about 30 miles from Port Said on the Egyptian side. It was here that we first struck the Australians, a body of engineers being towed out on a pontoon bridge in course of construction for bridging the Canal. They looked very well on it, and we had a good chat. The Turks were then 3,000 yards off the Canal, and several little skirmishes had, I understand, taken place between them and the Hindus, but in each case our side gave the enemy a good hiding.
"On leaving Ishmalia we had to pull up in the Canal for about two hours to allow a lot of mail and passenger boats to pass us, and as each boat came past, cheers and greetings were exchanged. We saw a Messageries Maritimes, and the Frenchmen nearly went silly with shouts and gesticulations. We passed several British warships, and one French and Italian cruiser, and got a good reception in each case.
"We arrived Port Said about 7 p.m. on a Sunday night, anchored in the Canal (the Canal widens out here, and there is plenty of room for shipping) right opposite the centre of the town. Coaling operations were immediately begun, and the way they carried out this work is an education in itself. Their peculiar very or incantation is carried on all the while with ceaseless monotony. Complaint was made to the boss that the officers could not sleep for the noise, but a reply was given that it would be impossible for them to work without the assistance of their song, so we had to put up with it. Woke in the morning and found ourselves still in the same position, and was surprised soon afterwards to hear beautiful music floating up over the side of the ship, and on investigating found a boat full of Italian musicians playing violins, piccalos, banjos, and guitars, with a little Italian girl joining in the chorus of some of the songs. It was very nice, and they secured a good harvest of coins. Afterwards several other boatloads came along, and we were besieged, by music. In addition we were regaled with conjuring tricks by a couple of natives, and also a couple of divers for coins. For the sum of 1/- they would dive under the boat and come up on the other side. We were unable to get ashore.
"Left Port Said about 5 p.m., and arrived Alexandria about 8 o'clock next morning. Alexandria is another artificial harbour, and was full of shipping including a great number of sailing ships and one U.S.A. battleship. Pulled alongside the wharf about 2 p.m., but did not leave the boat until 9 a.m. next day. We were a bit sorry to leave the old ship in which we had put in such an enjoyable time. It was all bustle getting away, but had not very far to walk to the train, which bore us away to Cairo. About 10.30 a.m. we left Alexandria travelling at about 4 miles per hour, all the time niggers were running alongside trying to sell oranges, cigarettes, etc.
"The goods yard at Alexandria is an eye-opener; there are miles of platforms covered in and trucks and trucks and stack upon stacks of crops, lucerne, maize, oats, cotton, sugar-cane, and lots of other stuff. One does not realise the potentialities of Egyptian agriculture until one sees all this. We were soon leaving Alexandria behind, and the train gathered speed. We were put in third-class carriages sitting 48, wooden seats, but only about 25 men were in each carriage, our equipment taking up the rest of the room. The officers and non- commissioned officers occupied first and second- class accommodation respectively, which was very good indeed. All the railway staff (or nearly all) are blacks, but things are managed very well indeed, but on the whole the railways here do not in any way come up to ours. As soon as we left Alexandria we came upon fertile alluvial flats (the Delta of the Nile), and as far as the eye can reach on either side see crops of every description, nothing but one long strip of grain cultivated land. The natives on camel back and foot were working in the fields, and the scene depicted the prosperity of Egypt in a way that mere figures and words cannot portray. Every few miles big centres of population were met with containing some fine buildings. They looked very nice, but I warrant it would be very different when one got amongst them. The native quarters were built of mud and straw, and looked veritable hives of filth and vermin.
"We reached Cairo about 3 p.m. in the afternoon, and stood in the station yard for some time, and were shunted on to the road leading to the military barracks at Abbassia, about 3 miles out of Cairo. After a little delay and inconvenience we marched off from the barracks (a fine class of buildings where the garrison is quartered), and about a mile past on the sandy desert plain to our present camp. We were very tired and hungry, and had tea of bread and bully beef, washed down with water."
Another letter details an account of the doings of some of the Company after their arrival at the camp. Portion of the letter is as follows:-
"We came to the hospital in which are quartered the wounded Hindus from the Suez Canal fight. Here we spent close on an hour making friends with our Indian brothers. There must have been a couple of hundred of them altogether. I understand the Turkish wounded are also there, but we had not a chance to see them. The Hindus are a fine body of men, and one cannot but feel proud to know that they are with us. Geniality, good humour, and kindness is well marked on all their features, they appear so sincere and honest, and I can quite understand the reputation they bear as soldiers. One little Ghurka, we were told in broken English, bayonetted six Turks, and then received a bullet in the mouth coming out at the side of his neck. He looked quite happy all the time, and we took his photograph. If they could have spoken our language we should, no doubt, have heard some fine tales, but all they could do was to smile and point to their wounds. We could get particulars of their cases from cards at the back of their beds. Most of them are on the high road to recovery. Most of them were allowed all comforts and cigarettes of which a goodly supply were obtainable from a native selling them in the vicinity, and they were particularly relished.
"I heard an incident this morning in connection with the Suez Canal fight. Our captain visited the Citadel yesterday, and a Hindu Sergeant, who could speak a little English told them that the Turks were allowed to come right up to the Canal banks before they were fired on. They were in rather a bad position, and the German officers in charge hoisted the white flag. With the British troops the Captain of the company named Morgan went up and shook hands with the German officer before taking them prisoners. Immediately afterwards the German withdrew his hand, drew his revolver, and shot Captain Morgan dead, when the Lieut. of the Hindus shot the German. Then followed a big dusting up which was the encounter, no doubt, where the little Ghurka mentioned previously acquitted himself so ably.
"A little joke well worth telling was played on General Birdwood, Officer Commanding Australian Army Corp, which includes New Zealanders. He had his car in town, and while in Shepheards (where headquarters are), two or three of the more highly spirited Australians stole his car, and drove it to Mena Camp, near the Pyramids, where they left it at a convenient place where it was afterwards found. When told of what had been done to his car, he said, 'It's the Australians all over.' I might say that he was in South Africa with our troops."
Friends desiring to communicate with any of the members of the Corps should address their letters,-
Private (_______) No.______
Railway Supply Detachment,
11th Army Service Corps,
2nd Australian Imperial
Expeditionary Force,
Abbassia Military Camp,
Egypt.
[The regimental No. of the person should be quoted if available.]
Sidelights on a Soldier's Life
The general health of the Company has greatly improved. Colds have practically disappeared. The Cairo Railway officials chummed up with me instanter. Everything is run on English lines, such as we are used to. The pneumatic buffer stops of the Central Cairo Railway Station, are beautiful machines and would be of much advantage if installed at our Central Station. I saw the Khartoum mail go out. Splendid train - engine, mail and brakevan, dining car, sleeper, first class, two seconds, three thirds, and a horse box, vacuum brake. The Cairo station has 19 platforms, but has the big advantage over us of half being through and half being terminal. The officials all speak French and Egyptian and most a little English. I am laying in fine stock of Stone Age relics for your collection; they know how to charge for relics in Cairo. Displeasure has been officially expressed at the publishing of military information at home from Expeditionary sources. The newspapers you sent are most welcome. Our soldiers fairly revel in Australian newspapers, of which unfortunately we don't get too many. We have had some little eye trouble amongst the men, probably due to sand glare and dust. The 7th and 8th March were vile days, typical of the Darling showers of our Western Country, blustering winds with clouds of sand and dust and general discomfort. The Cairo Museum is a marvellous collection showing the ancient history of Egypt. The Stone Age relics are very fine; they are practically all donations by Seton-Karr, the English explorer. The General Manager of the Cairo Railways gave permission to the railway soldiers to visit the workshops, etc., Sergt.-Major Antill has been thinking of taking them in batches of 19. They report having had a great time; the Chief Mechanical Engineer and Chief Draftsman met them and showed them round, watched the sports on the Railway Institute Ground, afternoon tea and a concert at night at the Institute. I let a party of 19 go to Sakhara on the 5th; they had a splendid outing. It is one of the principal attractions in these parts; they got 19 donkeys and started off with Australian war whoops on a wild race from the railway station. Big Bill Rushworth, of Wellington, had the smallest donkey; Sergt. Tough and a number of the others got busters; by all accounts it was certainly a great time for the railway boys. A number of the units are leaving - destination not known. It will be of interest to N.S.W. friends of the soldiers when writing in future to know that it will be advisable for them to address their correspondence as usual, but add the words "Care of Intermediate Base Depot, Cairo." At this address all correspondence will be sorted and despatched to wherever we have gone to the front. Most of the Third Expedition came here first, but the greater part has now been dispersed and allotted to the various units of the other camps. As literature will be restricted inside the War-fog, I am sending postcards to friends. There will be great difficulty in keeping up correspondence later on. It is now six months since my railway company started training at the old Warren Camp, Marrickville, and we have now completed three stages. We are all anxious to get to the serious work for which we came and there is not one but will welcome the day when they start to issue ball cartridge to oppose the Turks or the Hun. When you get the flint weapons and tools which I have selected and secured for you, your collection will then be as representative, and as good in quality, of primitive man's work as the Cairo Museum exhibits.
Under date of the 22nd of last month, received to-day, Captain Milne writes:-
"Instructions have been received to do away with officers' swords and take up rifles instead. On the 20th, at the Egyptian Railway Institute, we gave a concert, at which Corporal Macintosh, Privates Nightingale, Downes, F. Cook and myself assisted. I sent Sergt.-Major Antill with 19 loco men to get instruction on the German type of engine in the loco. shops. The railway workshops are doing a lot of repair and construction work for us, overhauling waggons, a railway motor car for headquarters, hospital and armored trains, etc. These loco. shops are very fine. The chief cause of pneumonia in Egypt is the great difference between day and night temperatures, which range from 100 to 40 degrees or less, and men are caught napping instead of increasing their clothing at night; all the colds amongst the railway soldiers have quite disappeared. Pull, of Wallerawang, has a touch of measles, and Hughes has a sore throat; Fenton, of Wellington, is alright now; he had a touch of blood poisoning arising from teeth troubles; they are all good men. We saw the "Ocean" warship at Suez ; sorry the old ship now lies at the bottom of the Dardanelles. Someone aboard of her signalled us "good luck" as we passed her on the "Berrima" up the Canal. Fortunately we got a photo of her. We are all glad that nearly all the crew of this ship were rescued. Col. McMorland and other friends of the Warren Camp, Marrickville, are now at Ma'adi and Heliopolis. Have written Canon Martin, of Marrickville, with news of our voyage, and have also written Mrs. Hutton and Mrs. Hathaway, those kind ladies who so long supplied my railway guard at the Warren gate with coffee and tea. The rim of the old Sahara Desert can be identified; the Pyramids mark it. Records show they were built where the desert and the Nile meet. They are on a plateau perhaps 100 feet higher than the valley of the river. I have finally closed up two boxes of curios, having added seven more flints during the week; also two very good stone knives, quite like the Western Australian glass spear-heads.
Extracts from letters received by District Superintendent Milne from his youngest son, Lieutenant C. G. Milne, Mena Camp, Egypt:-
"Censorship of letters is being started again. All sorts of rumours about our destination. So far the Third Brigade have left - we don't know where for. The general opinion is Constantinople will be our objective. However, if we do well, a piece of Turkey won't go too bad, though it is said the 'unspeakable' is pretty tough stuff. I got the bundle of newspapers you sent. They were much appreciated both by myself and my men to whom I passed them on. The Orange papers are interesting. The men like the 'Referee' and the 'Bulletin.' Our two local papers here are the 'Times of Egypt' and the 'Mail.' I have seen Lieut. Smith, from Molong, of the Light Horse, a couple of times. Jimmy Grey, late N.S.M., Blayney, is here - signaller in the headquarters' staff, 2nd battalion. He is trying to exchange into Eddy's (Capt. Milne's) command. With his knowledge of signalling and his French he should be an acquisition to the railway company. Everybody is anxious to get away from the sand here and get going. The foot-slogging is pretty tough on the sand, and too much of it creates a lot of malingerers. Lately I have had to put the acid on some of my own chaps. Camp life soon brings out the best or the worst that is in men. All my horses are doing fine, and I believe just now they are second to none in the division. I have been giving them molasses purchased locally - and this has certainty improved them wonderfully. Old 'Cooee,' from Orange, has been doing O.K., but was put out of action a couple of days ago by a nasty kick on the stifle. He has filled out wonderfully. Of course we don't get any chaff for horses. They live practically on grain and very poor stuff at that. Yesterday some Queensland reinforcements arrived in camp with some Australian chaff, and I have an impression some of the bags have mysteriously got into our lines and are being much appreciated by our nags. Jack Massie, the University cricketer, is our Adjutant. He is an A1 all-round sport - one of the best. There has been a lot of sickness in the camp lately, but so far I have escaped it. We have had some boxing among the troops, and one of my chaps won his fight a few nights ago. He beat a Victorian named Ike Smith in a 10-round go. It was a good exhibition, I was in my man's corner. I met Bert Fitzpatrick in Cairo recently. He was looking alright and doing O.K. (This officer is the only son of our respected member, Mr. J. C. L. Fitzpatrick.) You meet so many chaps that you knew in Sydney that this place does not seem so far away from Australia as it really is. It is said here in Cairo that our troops are the only means of keeping the place going. We have been doing a lot of hard divisional training - all night affairs. Our men are all keen and as fit as it is possible to be. Tom Nicholson, Claude West, and Jack Earls and Ted Munro are all doing O.K., and send all sorts of good wishes to you."
Writing home, Sergeant Malcolm Stewart has the following to tell of the sights he has seen in and around Cairo :-
"We came to Cairo and took the train to the Palace of the Sultan. Had a look round the building because we couldn't go inside, and then proceeded on a two-mile walk down an orange-tree avenue to the Virgin's Tree and Joseph's Well. The tree is fallen down now and all you can see is a dry, old trunk, on which are many engravings of tourists, but all the damage I could do was to take a few sprigs which were growing on the top. The foot of this historic tree is where the Virgin Mary with Joseph sat, and had their abode, before they hid in the crypt which I told you of in a letter or two back. Near the tree is an old well where Mary washed or bathed Christ's feet. I had a wash there, also a throat wash, and found it quite good. From there we went into a small, but beautiful Roman Catholic Church, built on the same ground as the tree and well. Had a screw inside and then proceeded for about half a mile to the obelisk of Heliopolis, a huge granite rock shaped like a needle, and, standing in the ground - probably there when Adam was a boy, or before, but I am not to know that. On the face of the rock are old Egyptian writings, as you may, perhaps, discern on the card I am sending you this mail. We then returned home after a very cheap trip, in fact the cheapest yet, and interesting afternoon. We are still here. I suppose we will go some day unexpectedly, so while I have the chance I am writing."
[Continued]
