'From Fremantle To The Pyramids...A Subiaco Boy's Diary' (1915).
This post is titled 'From Fremantle to the Pyramids...Subiaco Boy's Diary' from an article published in The Record newspaper in 1915. The article gives credit to a Subiaco boy, an Australian soldier in the Australian Imperial Forces with writing it. The soldier left on the HMAT A7 Medic, a ship that sailed from Fremantle to the pyramids on 31 October, 1914.
This article published in The Record in three parts describes the journey the soldiers travelled to Egypt, their life on board the ship, their interactions with the locals from the countries they stopped in along the way and what happened when they arrived at their destination.
There is no author for the article. The Record was a Catholic newspaper published in Western Australia in the early years of the colony. The details may have been changed to protect future voyages, the individual soldier and family.
The article inspired me to research who this soldier might have been with details like religion and a birthdate being provided. There is a list of some of the soldiers who departed with the HMAT A7 Medic ship in October, 31 1914. The majority on that list of soldiers were Church of England and none were associated with Subiaco. Further research into soldiers from Subiaco on the war eliminated through birth, religion and ship departures may shed light on who the soldier was but in the end the words of soldiers and diary entries should speak for themselves.
There are many articles from soldiers on Trove the database of the National Library of Australia. There are also letters and diaries from soldiers on the HMAT A7 Medic that have been left to the Australian War Memorial that can be accessed. Over one hundred years on researchers whether they be professional research or for family history and research are lucky to have access to these records.
The Australian War Memorial online site has an autograph photograph of the transport ship HMAT Medic A7 from some of the soldiers who left on the 31 October, 1914. The photograph is copied below.
This article is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
W.A. Record, 20 February 1915.
From Fremantle to the Pyramids !
A SUBIACO BOY'S DIARY
Transport A7 Medic:
Monday, November 2nd.
At 4.30 a.m., today the boat left Gage Roads. Turning her head towards, the north, she stood out to sea, The Ascanaus All, another transport, a British cruiser, and anther war boat accompany us are having a very smooth trip so far. The part of the ship we are on is luckily the best part of the boat for travelling. We are on No. C deck, 'mid-ships, which is one open deck, with a long row of tables at each side. The tables are made to seat 18 ; over each of them is a row of hooks, on which the men swing their hammocks at night. The hammocks, I must say, are a bit softer than the ground at Blackboy Hill.
Tuesday, 3rd.
Today at 3.30 p.m. I saw the sight of my life. We were travelling N.W. at the rate of 11 knots per hour, when, to the general excitement of all on board, our escorts were seen to chase a sail on our right flank. All hands on the boat went up on deck to see the fun. On coming closer to the strange boat, we could see through, our glasses that it was a big battle cruiser. Our boats followed her for some time, when, to the alarm of all, two more boats masts were seen on the horizon. Well, to cut a long story short, the strange cruiser, we found out later, was a scout for the main fleet. I with a couple of others got up tin mast ladders. I shall never forget the sight I saw. About seven miles to our right were three lines of boats, in all 36 big steamers, the main transport. On coming closer, we took up our new position with the fleet, No. 2 in the third row. It is, I assure you, a wonderful sight, 38 big steamers advancing in three lines one behind the other that is, of course, without our escorts. There are about a dozen escorts, some of which we very seldom see.
Wednesday, 4th.
A good many sick : I am not with them. We are still on a N.W. advance. Two hours drill is all the work we do a day.
Thursday, 5th. It was pay-day to-day ; we collected 10s. We are being paid at the rata of Is per day while on board.
Friday, 6th.
All hands were inoculated again. The doctor gave us a bigger dose this time. At 7.30 p.m. the Osterley passed us, going in the same direction as we were.
Saturday 7th.
It was a half-holiday today. Pipes and tobacco were issued out to us all. It is getting very hot now. 'We organised a sports committee. A number of prizes were donated by the people of Perth for us to compete for, so it will be worth while trying for them, as we are told they are of good, value.
Sunday, 8th.
Very hot. A church service for Catholics was conducted by Lieut. McAdams. Capt. Laylor was also present.
Monday 9th.
This morning an incident happened of which the whole of Australia, or the British Empire will he proud. On going on deck at 6 a.m. we were surprised to see that our escorts were busily signalling to one another, and coaling up to full steam.
The Battle of Cocos Island
H.M.A.S. Sydney started off for Colombo at 7.30 a.m., and at 9.30 a.m. she had sighted the Emden travelling at full speed. She was able to get within range in twenty minutes ; at the same time she signalled that she was travelling north. At 10.45 a.m. the Sydney was engaging the enemy busily, and at 11.10 a.m. the latter had to beach herself to avoid sinking. Her foremast and three funnels were down, but her flag was still flying. The Sydney then went after the Emden's collier, took the crew off and sunk her. The Sydney then returned to the Emden, where the crew surrendered. The extent of the German casualties are not yet known, but are bound to be severe. The Sydney's wounded required hospital attention, which was probably found on Direction Island. The Emden had time to destroy a wireless station and to exit one of B cables. The second cable is intact, and notably the third. All the instruments were destroyed but one ; they had been buried, and are now in use again. The wireless and cable station operators deserve much praise, standing to their posts and sending distress signals, ; for saving instruments. When this news came through we were having dinner, and the men in great excitement cheered and ran on deck, scattering plates and falling over each other everywhere.
Tuesday 10th.
It was very hot today. A band has been formed of men from different units, and they gave their first concert, which was in every way a great success.
Wednesday, 11th.
A fine big three-funnel steamer, which has lately been converted into a British battle cruiser, passed us going to join the Sydney so as to take some of her prisoners aboard.
Thursday, 12th.
We crossed the line today. Great fun was experienced in doing so. A crowd of fellows went about throwing everyone, clothes and all, into a big tank, which has been erected as a swimming bath. The New Zealand boats (ten in all) left us, and went ahead to Colombo.
Friday, 13th.
It was a scorcher today. There were a number of flying fish about, and two big sharks were seen.
Saturday, 14th. We had our first sports meeting today. It was very successful. Sack races, in which dozens of fellows went sprawling over the deck, potato races and boxing took up the greater part of the programme.
Sunday, 15th. The H.M, A. S. Sydney and another ship, an auxiliary cruiser, passed us going on to Colombo early this morning. At 10 a.m. we got our first sight of Ceylon, and at 2.45 we were laying outside Colombo. Numbers of porpoises were seem on nearing the land ; there must have been thousands of them. Another strange thing we noticed was the great number of native boats about. It is hardly possible to credit the thousands we saw. The military authorities would not allow the natives to come near us. We were looking forward to a great feed of fruit, and were therefore greatly disappointed.
Monday, 16th.
We laid outside Colombo all day today. It. was very slow. Colombo looked a beautiful place, many fine buildings out from the city made us wild to think that we were so near and yet so far. At night a lovely sight was seen, hundreds of lights shining over the water, with, a big three-flash lighthouse on the top of a hill, adding to the beauty of the place. In the daylight you can, see the big mountains far in the distance behind the city.
Tuesday 17th.
Early this morning hundreds of beautiful butterflies, several of which we knocked down with our hats and kept, swarmed over the boat. At about 9 a.m. two or three boats of natives came out from the port and steadied up alongside of us. The natives then started diving for money thrown to them by the men. It was wonderful to see them; they would stay under the surfaced fully two minutes, and never, once missed the coin. At 11.30 a.m. we got under steam again, to the relief of all. Heavy tropical rains fall frequently in these parts, and often at night when we have been sleeping on deck we have been forced to retire below drenched to the skin.
Wednesday, 18th.
We seem to be taking a course for Aden. It was very hot. We seem to be travelling faster than we did before reaching Colombo.
Thursday, 19th.
We are getting some good training on hoard as regards field engineering. I forgot to mention that while we were laying outside Colombo an officer and three N.C.O.'s were transferred to us from the boat that the main body of engineers are on. They are very decent fellows, and know a lot of work that we are to learn.
Friday, 20th.
We are beginning to know what hot weather is like another roaster today. We have had a delightfully smooth trip though. Some days there was hardly a ripple on the water. Men who have been on the sea all their lives say that they have never had a smoother trip. (To be continued).
OUR WEST AUSTRALIAN BOYS AT THE PYRAMIDS, WITH FATHER FAHEY IN THE FOREGROUND.
W.A. Record, 27 February 1915.
From Fremantle to the Pyramids (continued)
A SUBIACO BOY'S DIARY
Saturday, November, 21st.
We had another sports meeting today. I started in the sack and potato races. As I drew with a man in the heat for the sack race, we had to run again, and I won. In the potato race I was more successful, winning the heat and semi-final. I have to run in the final on a later date. In the evening we had a band concert, and very nice it was, too ; we have got some special talent with us.
Sunday, 22nd.
We carried on with the sports today. The obstacle race was the main event, and very comical it was too. Starting off we had to crawl under a net about 12ft long ; next were a number of lifebuoys suspended in mid-air, to crawl through, then on the other side of the deck were long wind-shoots laying on the ground, and after crawling through them (which was difficult), we found that they had a quantity of flour in, and we emerged, half smothered and covered from head to foot with the flour. The next obstacle was a high net which we had to climb over, and the last was a big tank, to swim through. This course we had to run round twice, so you can imagine the state we were in on finishing. I ran third in this race. It was a very hot day. I always sleep on deck since we have been in the tropics.
Monday, 23rd.
We passed Sokoctra Island today. It was first sighted at about 8.a.m., and by midday we were abreast of it. It is a big volcanic island, and a good few thousand feet above sea level. If you look in the Atlas you can see the course we are taking. We passed on the right-hand side of her, and by night we were still in sight of it.
Tuesday, 24th. It was very hot today. At about 2 p.m. we saw a huge turtle, and not long after a big sword fish. A dolphin was the next to add to' the variety. We see all kinds of fish and sea monsters, and I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the size of the turtle — it was about 4ft across and 6ft long.
Wednesday, 25th.
We arrived in Aden at about 4 p.m. this afternoon. Land had been in sight all day. We dropped, our anchor outside the harbour. It is not nearly as nice a port as Colombo. There are two huge barren rocks on either side of the harbour, or rather small islands of rocks. The lights from the harbour and the boats make a beautiful sight at night. It was one of the hottest days we have had.
Thursday, 26th.
At 6 o'clock this morning we left Aden. We have been in sight of land ever since. The land looks very barren and rocky. St. Perim came into our track ; the place round her is called "Hell's Gate." It is very hot, and is the entrance to the Red Sea. We passed several boats belonging to the Indian troopship transport returning to India. About 30 miles from where we are now the English cruisers and battleships are bombarding a Turkish port called Mucha, and we are travelling with our portholes masked so as to show no lights. At present we can see both the African and the Arabian coasts.
Friday, 27th.
We passed a number of Indian troopships again today. They are a smaller craft than ours, but seem very speedy. Once more we are out of sight of land. It has been very hot. We expect to be in England by the 18th of December.
Saturday, 28th.
We had another sports meeting today. The chief event was the pillow fighting, and wrestling, both of which being held on a greasy pole suspended over a tank of water. It was great fun ; you should have seen us, smothered with soft soap, which was used to grease the pole. Every one of us got a ducking. I got third place in wrestling, and fourth in the pillow-fight. We also had some exciting boxing contests.
Sunday, 28th.
Today we got the surprise of our lives. News was broken to us that we were nearly at the end of our journey, and that instead of going to England we were going to Cairo (Egypt). We expect to be in Port Said in a few days, and from there we will proceed to Cairo. Some were greatly disappointed with the news, others were indifferent. I myself, think it is a good step; the climate will suit us, and the horses must be considered, as, not being able to lie down, they are getting leg weary. Many of the Pommies are very wild ; they had already made up their minds as to the Christmas they would have when they met their friends in Pommy-land. It came with such suddenness that our sports have to he concluded at once.
Monday, 30th.
It was my birthday today. The weather has taken a sudden cool change. This afternoon we came into sight of land once more. We are now nearing the Suez Canal, and have spread out in one long line (single file). The New Zealanders have gone on ahead of us, as I believe they are going on to the Old Dart. The land we see is of a very barren and mountainous nature, but in the evening the sunset is glorious. It is impossible to describe the beautiful sight. There are more lighthouses in the Red Sea than I thought we would see all the journey.
Tuesday, December 1st.
Today at 12.30 p.m. we anchored at Port Suez. It is a barren old place (as much as we see of it from on board). Natives came alongside of us with boats of fruit, and the Major ordered them away, so that we could not buy any of their goods. Anyhow, we made up our minds to give the canteen a wide berth. They charge one penny for apples and oranges, each, and the supply of them was run out before we reached Colombo and we have not had; any fruit since. I suppose we will be going through the Suez tomorrow.
Wednesday, 2nd.
We laid outside Port Suez all day today. At 7 a.m. we sighted some Indian troopship transports coming into port, in company with a French cruiser. By 8 a.m. they were close up to us, and anchored by the side of us. There were fifteen boats in all, and were a big class of steamers. It is said, that, the Indians are going to disembark here, so as to guard the Canal. Many natives came alongside, but we were unable to purchase anything. The natives are characters in these parts ; they call themselves names such as Bob Johnson from Aberdeen, Hector MacGregor, etc: They are a very intelligent race.
Thursday, 3rd. This morning they rigged up a searchlight on the front of our boat as every boat that passes through the Canal has to have one. At about 10 a.m. we saw a monoplane flying over the harbour ; it flew right over our boat and passed at a great pace. At 12 noon we again got on our way. The entrance to the harbour was fine, and a lovely sight was witnessed. As we advanced further into the Canal the land became barren and desolate. At various intervals along the, way bodies, of native troops (some Englishmen) were gathered, and were busily engaged in building entrenchments for the purpose of defending the Egyptian coast in case of invasion by the Turks, whose boundary is only six miles from the Canal. The weather is cool. It is winter in these parts (just as well), and is like a moderate summer's day in the West.
Friday, 4th.
When we woke this morning we found ourselves in Port Said. The Port itself seems a very clean place ; there is a big row of buildings facing the harbour. Every nationality in the world seems to be gathered here. As soon as the sun was up, hundreds of the inhabitants came out in small boats, which were laden with cigarettes, postcards, fancy goods and lollies. At first they put the price on, but when they saw that we would argue with them, they cut them down again. Egyptian cigarettes were 2s a hundred, or Is for fifty. We were forbidden to buy anything, but we did. The officers must have seen that it was no use trying to keep us back, and they took no notice of us after a while. None of us had, however, too much to spend, as we only get Is per day on board. We saw a hydroplane this morning, and a great sight it was, too. It was a French one, as we could see by the flag she was flying. At about 4 p.m. we moved outside the harbour, and are now anchored outside in the roads. A French mail steamer passed us this morning going to Australia. There are several battle ships anchored in and about the port. We are going to disembark at Alexandra as soon as we can, and from there we are going to Cairo.
Saturday, 5th.
We are still laying outside Port Said, and are likely to be here for some time, as the port of Alexandra cannot hold all the boats at once. Some of the New Zealand boats passed us going back to Port Said.
Sunday, 6th.
Still another day was spent in the roads outside Port Said. We heard that we will be one of the last boats to go to Alexandria. Some of the boats left in the night, so the fleet is gradually getting smaller.
Monday, 7th.
The four of our men who were transferred to the Geelong at Colombo returned today. They said that they had received good instructions on the other boat, on which the three other sections of our company are. We also learnt a lot while they were away. The officer who came over to us was a very well educated man, and has not come from the University. He was a good sort, and was very popular with us all. (To be continued).
W.A. Record, 6 March 1915.
From Fremantle to the Pyramids
(Concluded).
Tuesday, Dec. 8th.
Our O.C., who has spent many years in Cairo (garrisoned there for five years), gave us some very good advice about that city. He is from a very good sort. He is very strict, and is a man right through.
Wednesday, 9th.
Tonight, at about 8.30, we got on our way once more. We expect to be in Alexandria about 10 a.m. tomorrow. We have been mending our clothes tonight, and packing and cleaning our kits so as to be ready for disembarkation tomorrow.
Thursday, 10th.
We arrived in Alexandria at about 9.30 a.m. It is a big port with big buildings all round. We expected to disembark today, but we could not, as we were not able to get alongside the wharf, but we are anchored in the harbour. I suppose we will land tomorrow. There are a lot of sailing vessels in this harbour, and it is a very big fishing station. As we approached the port we passed thousands of boats which formed part of the fishing fleet, hundreds of boats came alongside, but we were not allowed to buy from them.
Friday, 11th.
We drew alongside the wharf at 5 p.m., but did not disembark.
Saturday, 12th.
We discharged our cargo today, and disembarked at 7. 30 p.m. The train left Alexandria for Cairo at 8 p.m. We travelled at a great rate and arrived at our destination in the early hours of the morning. In Cairo we had a cup of cocoa, a roll, and a bit of cheese given to us. It was a very chilly night. After waiting about an hour at the station, we caught the train, for the Pyramids, a distance of ten miles from Cairo. We arrived in the camp at about 4 a.m. We all got a surprise to see the huge Pyramids looming out in the darkness. The trains travelled at a great rate, as fast as the trains in the West. There were not any of us who were not glad to turn in for a couple of hours.
Sunday, 13th.
We were all allowed to sleep in until 10 a.m. Upon rising, this morning we had breakfast, and then went up to the Pyramids, at the foot of which we are camped. They are a wonderful sight, and a mystery to us how they were erected. It is a very sandy place where we are camped, and there are about 8000 horses with us. Our horses are not a had lot. Mine is full of life, and a real beauty. I am afraid I cannot continue this diary, as we are so busy that I hardly ever get the chance, but I will do my best to let you know what is happening. We get leave two or three times a week and go into Cairo. It only costs 1d in the train (ten miles). Cairo is a wonderful city. Many large buildings stand out in the city. It is now the 28th. We had leave on Christmas Day. I with two others went around Cairo. It is a city that one could easily get lost in. There are some lovely buildings here. Singes have one of the largest (about twice as big as the A.M.P.). Last Sunday week I climbed up to the top of the biggest Pyramid. It was a wonderful sight from the I top. Looking far into space, you I feel giddy. One poor chap at the beginning of the camp fell off the top, and was dashed to pieces. We started work with the horses today properly. Every fourth night I am on nicket. two hours on and four off. This is the end of the first stalment. "
