I booked my passage by the Orient steamer _Orama_, which was leaving Fremantle on July 26, 1914. A fateful date for me. I had said my last good-byes, and as the _Orama_ left port we heard of the declaration of war by Austria against Serbia. Wireless messages reached us later of Germany's declaration against Russia. Then we got no more news till we were reaching Colombo, about August 6. The Great World War had commenced on August 4. By four days I had missed the opportunity of organizing and commanding the division which, through my efforts, Australia had offered to the Home Government a few months before. General Bridges, my successor, raised it and led it to Gallipoli, where, unfortunately, he fell mortally wounded. I have often thought his end would have been a fitting crown to my life's work. INDEX Abruzzi, Duke of the, in Melbourne, 118, 119 Adelaide, author appointed Police Instructor at, 136; author joins Police of, 134; author's arrival at, 132; cash betting introduced at, 173, 174; development of, 152, 153; early method of landing at, 160; Hunt Club Races at, 169; Largs Bay Company and, 160; Military Staff Office at, 133, 143, 145; Polo Club Cup race at, 172; Polo team of, 162, 171-173; _Protector_ at, 177; Racing Club of, 173; Russian Naval officers at, 179; situation of, 154; social scandal at, 183, 184; sportsmen of, 166; Theatre Royal at, 136 Adjutant-General, author's appointment as, 192, 193, 203 Aeroplane, first, at Sydney, 300, 301; author's flight in, 301 Agents-General of the Colonies, and author's appointment as Military Adviser, 224 "Albatross" ridden by author in Drag Cup race, 169 Aldgate, author captures murderer at railway camp at, 138-142 Alfonso XII at Royal Military College, Sandhurst, 42; author and, 42-45; entry into Barcelona of, 36; offers amnesty to Carlists, 36, 44; on Don Carlos, 43, 44; proclaimed King of Spain, 35, 44; result of accession of, 48 American Fleet at Sydney, 302 _et seq._ Ammunition, small arms, 228, 229, 230 Army Council, Australian, establishment of, 280 Arsenals, establishment of, in Australia, 276 _et seq._ Artillery Force of South Australia, author appointed Lieutenant Commanding Permanent Unit of, 159; Staff Instructor of, 142, 143; work with, 151 _et seq._ Asmodeus, Prince, as King of Spain, 30 Auckland, author at, 105 "Auraria" and race for Melbourne Cup, 118, 119; trainer of, 166 Australia, Gordons in, 2; great strikes in, 209 _et seq._; "Russian Scare" in, 179, 180; South African War and, 232 _et seq._; Universal Service System of, 214, 281 _et seq._, 290, 299, 300, 309; withdrawal of British troops from, 156 Australian Contingent in South Africa, 242 Baker, Allen, wedding of, 168; Master of Morialta Hounds, 168; rides "Creamie" at Polo Club Cup race, 172, 173 Baker, Hon. John, 167, 168 Baker, Lieut.-Colonel, 224 Baker, Mrs. John, 168