World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula; World War, 1914-1918 -- New Zealand
Gradually the weather moderated and the men became steadier on their
legs. Musketry practice at floating targets was initiated; where there
was room on the crowded decks physical training was carried on, while
the mounted men had their horses with the never-ending stables--it
being recognized that the habit of absolute cleanliness in regard to
both the men's and the horses' quarters should become second nature
before the really hot weather was encountered.
[Illustration:
[_Lent by F. W. Randall_
THE WELL SET UP INFANTRY OF THE MAIN BODY PARADING AT HOBART FOR A
ROUTE MARCH.]
A private of the New Zealand Medical Corps died on Sunday, October
26, and next day a most impressive burial service was conducted on
the "Ruapehu." At three o'clock she steamed out of her line and took
station in the centre of the parallel divisions. At half-past three,
when colours were hoisted and lowered to half-mast, the troops in
each transport paraded with their bands. The flagship having made the
signal to "Stop engines," the troops on all ships stood to attention,
whereupon the "Dead March" was played, followed by a short funeral
service; the body of the first soldier of the New Zealand Expeditionary
Force to die overseas was reverently committed to the deep. The firing
party having fired its three volleys, the solemn notes of the "Last
Post" floated over the sunlit waters, the flagship signalled "11
knots," and the convoy proceeded on its way.
Young Australia greets Young New Zealand.
Thirteen days after leaving Wellington the New Zealand ships crept into
the spacious harbour of Albany, Western Australia. Here were gathered
innumerable vessels of every line trading in the Southern oceans. Not
painted uniformly grey like our ships, but taken in all their glory of
greens, blues and yellows, they rode on the calm water of King George's
Sound packed with the adventurous spirits of the First Australian
Division. The cheering and counter-cheering, the Maori war cries
and answering coo-ees would have moved a stoic. Young Australia was
welcoming Young New Zealand in no uncertain manner in the first meeting
of those brothers-in-arms soon to be known by a glorious name as yet
undreamed of.
After a few days spent in replenishing supplies, the wonderful armada
put out to sea. The twenty-six Australian transports steamed in three
parallel divisions, being joined a day out by two Westralian transports
from Fremantle. The New Zealand ships retained their old formation, the
two divisions covering off the blank spaces of the Australian convoy.
We parted company from the old "P" class cruisers, but got in return
the two new Australian ships, the "Sydney" and the "Melbourne," long,
snakey-looking craft with four rakish funnels. The "Minotaur" was
still steaming away ahead, while to starboard was our old friend the
"Ibuki," evidently burning bad coal, her three black funnels belching
forth tremendous volumes of the blackest smoke.
[Illustration:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account