The Caruse
of the
Kanowna
Frederick Macdonald’s 1914 Diary
Edited by Colin Macdonald
The Caruse of the Kanowna
Frederick Macdonald’s 1914 Diary
Contents
Frederick Malcolm Macdonald
1894–1966
Fred Macdonald, the diary’s author, was the youngest of six chil-
dren. He was born at Montalbion, Qld, and grew up at the nearby
tin ore mining and processing centre of Irvinebank, Qld. At the
time of the events in the diary he was nineteen. His father was a
prospector and miner, and his mother was a midwife.
Print 100x138 mm mounted on cream card 133x183 mm with
imprint stamped on front ‘J. Biehl, Photographer’. No date. Colin
Macdonald collection.
Index NextSection
The Caruse
of the
Kanowna
Frederick Macdonald’s 1914 Diary
Edited by Colin Macdonald
Contents
Front cover 1
Half title page 2
Frontispiece: Frederick Macdonald . . . . . 3
Title page 4
Imprint page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Contents 6
Preface 7
Diary: The Caruse of the Kanowna 10
Photographs 16
Kennedy Regiment Training Camp, 1900 . 16
Rifle Team, Irvinebank . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Irvinebank Rifle Club, 1911 . . . . . . . . . 18
Troops marching through Cairns before em-
barking in Kanowna . . . . . . . . . . 19
Kanowna leaving Cairns . . . . . . . . . . 20
Kanowna leaving Cairns . . . . . . . . . . 21
Kanowna men at Thursday Island . . . . . . 22
Native village, Port Moresby, W . . . . . . 23
Hanuabada village, Port Moresby, 1913 . . 24
Wireless station, Port Moresby, 1914 . . . . 25
Sydney, AE1 and AE2 at Cairns, 1914 . . . . 26
Kanowna and Physa at Port Moresby . . . . 27
Sisal hemp plantation at Fairfax Harbour . . 28
Shell Oil Company tanker Murex . . . . . . 29
Expedition ships, Fairfax Harbour . . . . . 30
No. 3 Section, D Company . . . . . . . . . 31
Mourilyan at Cairns wharf . . . . . . . . . 32
Troops returned by Mourilyan Sep 20 . . . 33
Troops returned by Marloo Sep 20 . . . . . 34
Some photographs not reproduced here 35
Appendix A: Official War History 37
Appendix B: Holmes’s letter to Legge 40
Appendix C: Admiral’s report to Naval Board 43
Rear-Admiral Patey’s report . . . . . . . . 43
Captain Glossop’s report . . . . . . . . . . 43
Colonel Holmes’s report . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lieut-Colonel Howse’s report . . . . . . . . 44
Captain Maguire’s report . . . . . . . . . . 44
Letter of proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Stores supplied to Kanowna . . . . . . . . 45
Comment by Naval Board member . . . . . 45
Appendix D: Irvinebank Rifle Club members
on Kanowna 46
Appendix E: Rifle club members in uniform 48
Appendix F: Literal transcription of diary 49
An opening of the diary . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Index 55
Maps 57
Port Moresby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Brisbane to Rabaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Contents 7
Preface
This diary records my father’s experiences during the
first seven weeks of World War I. Five days after
the declaration of war he was despatched to Thurs-
day Island on the hastily requisitioned coastal steamer
Kanowna as part of an Australian Military Forces unit
sent to reinforce the Island’s garrison. Four days after
arrival at Thursday Island he was one of five hundred
garrison members who volunteered to join the Aus-
tralian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force which
was then being urgently created, and was transported
on the Kanowna to Port Moresby. The aim of the op-
eration was not at first disclosed to the troops but it
proved, as was widely conjectured by them, to be a
strike against German interests in the western Pacific,
and the chief aim was in fact the capture of the Ger-
man wireless station at Rabaul. For reasons which I
leave to the reader to discover, the Kanowna contin-
gent was not permitted to participate in the ultimately
successful operation at Rabaul, but was sent back to
Australia and disbanded.
Extended quotations from two other Kanowna
diaries—those of Private JW Collinson (who re-
mained at Thursday Island) and Lieutenant HG Smith
(who went to Port Moresby)—are given in an article
on the Kanowna episode.
1
Notes from the diary of
Captain (Dr) Stuart Kay were published in the Daily
Mercury (Mackay) on 21 September 1914.
Before Federation in 1901 each Australian state was
responsible for its own defence. After Federation, de-
fence became a Commonwealth responsibility and the
states’ navies and armies were merged to form the
Royal Australian Navy and the Commonwealth Mil-
itary Forces respectively. The latter body soon be-
came known as the Australian Military Forces. It was
made up chiefly of part-time citizen soldiers with a
small proportion of regulars.
2
Its North Queensland
unit was based at Townsville and was known as the
Kennedy Regiment, a name which had been applied to
a Queensland State force in the north before Federa-
tion.
3
The Kennedy Regiment had orders to reinforce
the garrison at Thursday Island in the event of war.
4
All Citizen Force training in Australia was maintained
on a purely voluntary basis until 1911 when, under the
provisions of the Defence Acts of 1909–10, compul-
sory peace-time training was introduced for the first
time in an English-speaking community. The system
was known as ‘Universal Training’. Liability for adult
service in the Citizen Forces began on 1 July in the
year in which the trainee reached eighteen years and
continued for seven years.
5
A Commonwealth Government pamphlet
6
on Univer-
sal Training published in 1911 states that men born in
1893 and earlier were to be exempt from training ex-
cept in time of war, while men born in 1894 (as my
father was) were to train for one year in Senior Cadets
and then in Citizen Forces until 1920. Men born in
subsequent years were to train in Senior Cadets for
longer before passing into the Citizen Force. The an-
nual training of Senior Cadets was to comprise four
1
Australia, Army, Battalion, 31st, Crossed boomerangs: historical journal of the Thirty-First, Smoke Signals, C Coy. 31 RQR, Ingham, Qld, 1971, vol. 3, pp. 68–79.
2
From the Australian War Memorial’s website (www.awm.gov.au ⇒ Australians at War ⇒ Military Organisation and Structure ⇒ Australian Army).
3
See page 16.
4
See page 38.
5
Australia, Navy Office, An outline of Australian naval history / Department of Defence (Navy), Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1976, pp. 63–64.
6
Universal training in the naval or military forces: notes of lectures by the Quartermaster General, J. Kemp, Government Printer, Melbourne, 1911.
PrevSection Index NextSection
Preface Contents 8
whole-day drills of not less than six hours (preferably
on public holidays), twelve half-day drills of not less
than three hours, and twenty-four night drills of not
less than 1½ hours. In addition,
every year at the end of training there will be
boards of officers in every battalion who will
classify the Cadets as “Efficient” or “Non-
efficient” . . .
the year’s work of the lad who is non-efficient
goes for nought; he will have to do an extra
year’s training for each failure . . .
The Senior Cadet training will be one of char-
acter only, and will include the foundation
work necessary for service in any arm, viz.:—
Marching, discipline, the handling of arms,
musketry, physical drill, first aid, guards and
sentries, tactical training as a company in el-
ementary field work, and some battalion drill
(sufficient only of the latter to move large bod-
ies in an orderly manner) . . .
[The uniform of Senior Cadets] will consist of
hat, woollen shirt, woollen breeches, and put-
tees (issuable every second year). This will
meet the requirements of growing lads, more
especially as the design of the garments al-
lows a certain margin in fitting . . .
Colonel Holmes’s report on the Kanowna contingent
at Port Moresby states that one third of the troops were
trainees under the Commonwealth’s universal training
scheme, some under eighteen years of age, and that
the balance were rifle club members.
7
The regula-
tions for training that are set out in the pamphlet
6
im-
ply that the trainees in the Kanowna contingent would
have been aged twenty or less, and that the men who
were not trainees would have been aged twenty-one
or more.
Many members of the Kennedy Regiment belonged to
rifle clubs before Federation. For example:
Throughout the North Rifle Clubs also played
their part in the defence system. These were
semi military in nature and in many of the
smaller country areas they represented the
only form of military training available. Their
members turned out to be expert marksmen.
The troops of the [Kennedy] Regiment took
a keen interest in the Rifle Clubs in order to
improve their skill in musketry and at times
up to 30% of unit strength were also mem-
bers of Rifle Clubs. By 1900 the following
Rifle Clubs were listed in the Northern Mili-
tary District . . .
[a table listing 26 clubs follows, including
clubs at Cairns, Herberton and Atherton, but
not at Irvinebank]
8
The high proportion of uniformed men in photographs
of members of Queensland rifle clubs taken between
1901 and 1914 suggests that the Kennedy Regiment
maintained its pre-Federation relationship with rifle
clubs, and may even have strengthened it.
9
Interest-
ingly, the proportion of uniformed men seems to have
been high for New South Wales clubs also, but not for
South Australian clubs.
10
Rifle club regulations under the Defence Act provided
for the call-out of members for active service at any
time,
11
and this power was exercised when troops
were being mobilised for the Kanowna mission. For
example:
Captain Toll yesterday received instructions
to instruct 34 suitable members of the [Char-
ters] Towers Rifle Club to hold themselves in
readiness to mobilise with the Second Infantry
at the Regimental Depot, Townsville. No-
tices were promptly sent out to 38 members
of the Club to attend a compulsory parade at
the Drill Shed at 7 o’clock tonight . . .
11
and
JW Collinson, a member of the Kennedy Reg-
iment, recalled that the news that war was
imminent was received on 3rd August 1914,
when word reached Tolga that captains of
Rifle Clubs were to mobilise for active ser-
vice. Capt GE Martin of the Atherton Rifle
Club was required to furnish 23 men.
12
There are indications that the diary as transcribed here
was not my father’s primary record, but was based by
him on notes that he made in some other form soon
after the events occurred. If this is so, the primary
record has not been kept. Examples of the indications
include the following:
• At the head of the eleventh page of the main
text is written ‘Page 7’, and this is the only page
that has been numbered. If double-page spreads
were being counted (rather than single pages)
the appropriate number would have been six.
7
See page 41.
8
Australia, Army, Battalion, 31st, Crossed boomerangs: historical journal of the Thirty-First, Smoke Signals, C Coy. 31 RQR, Ingham, Qld, 1971, vol. 1, pp. 24–25.
9
See for example pages 17, 18 and 48.
10
See page 48.
11
Michael Brumby, Muskets and mantlets: a brief history of the life and times of the Charters Towers Rifle Range 1885–1994, M. Brumby, Charters Towers, Qld., 1996.
12
L.L. Sim, The Kennedy Regiment: Bulletin 266, The Historical Society, Cairns, 1982.
PrevSection Index NextSection
Preface Contents 9
Perhaps ‘Page 7’ refers to a now-lost primary
source.
• The entry for 30 August precedes the entry for
29 August. With this exception the entries are
ordered chronologically.
• The author’s name and affiliation are displayed
inside the front and back covers and show him
as being in No 3 Section, D Company, to which
he was assigned no earlier than on 16 Au-
gust. His previous affiliation with No 4 Section,
G Company was shown in the main text only,
though the diary has entries from the period 10–
16 August during which he was in G Company.
I wish to thank Mrs Pat Broughton, Archivist of the
Cairns Historical Society, for alerting me to the list in
The Northern Herald of the names of rifle club mem-
bers who embarked on Kanowna, and for sending me
copies of selected photos and other information from
the Society’s collection. Thanks too to Neil Bennetto
the North Queensland Military Museum, Townsville
for information about the Kennedy Regiment and
about the Kanowna episode; to Robert Spiers for
alerting me to the Kay diary; to National Archives
of Australia for permission to reproduce photos and
other items from its collection; to the Australian War
Memorial for permission to reproduce excerpts from
the Official Histories, and photos from its collection;
and to Cairns Historical Society, James Cook Univer-
sity, National Library of Australia, State Library of
New South Wales and the Photographic Services De-
partment of Shell International Ltd for copies of pho-
tos from their collections and permission to publish
them.
Special thanks go to my wife Pam for encourage-
ment, for reading drafts of this book and suggesting
improvements, and for entering the handwritten diary
into the computer.
Colin Macdonald
Abbreviations
AN&MEF Australian Naval and Military
Expeditionary Force
AWM Australian War Memorial
CO Commanding officer
IBanker Resident of Irvinebank
IBK Irvinebank
NAA National Archives of Australia
OC Officer commanding
SLQ State Library of Queensland
TSS Twin screw steamer
PrevSection Index NextSection
Contents 10
The Caruse of the Kanowna
Fred M Macdonald
No. 3 Section
D Company
Second Infantry
Kennedy Regiment
Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force
Regimental Number 1929
Number of Rifle 7899
Friday, 7 August 1914
Left IBK
13
with second IBK contingent consisting of
thirty Rifle Club members. We picked up nineteen
members of the Stannary Club at Stannary Hills
14
where we were addressed by Colonel Beach. Arrived
in Cairns at 6 p.m. and reported at the drill shed where
we were allotted to our various hotels. Paraded at
8 o’clock and marched to the wharf to farewell the
Cairns Naval Reserve men who however did not de-
part. until Aug 8th
Saturday, 8 August
Paraded at 9 a.m. for medical examination and was
passed as fit. Four men were excluded as being unfit
and three more for being over forty-five years of age.
Paraded again at 2.30 for drill and instruction. Dis-
missed at 6.30. Baggage parade at 8 o’clock. Were
dismissed at 10 p.m. and paraded again at 12 o’clock
midnight and marched to wharf.
Sunday, 9 August
Kanowna arrived at Cairns at 1.30 a.m. with large con-
tingent of Kennedy Regiment.
15
We were expecting
to embark but were dismissed at 3 a.m., embarka-
tion being postponed until daylight. Paraded again at
7 o’clock and marched from drill shed to Kanowna
and embarked. Departure made at 10.10 a.m. Large
crowd of citizens farewelling us. One thousand two
hundred troops aboard besides crew of a hundred,
horses, ambulance wagons, ammunition, equipment,
provisions etc. A strict censorship on all correspon-
dence was now brought about.
Monday, 10 August
Diarrhoea broke out and nearly all on board suffered
more or less. Some people blamed the doctors for dos-
ing the food. Some idiot turned on the fire hose on
the aft end of the ship and a number of men suffered
a good deal of discomfort through wet clothes. The
regimental band rendered very good music nightly
and some of the companies organised boxing bouts
which tended to make the very crowded conditions
more agreeable. The scenery along the coast is very
beautiful in some places. Passed a good number of
very pretty islands including some atolls. Were al-
lotted to our different companies of the 2nd Infantry,
Kennedy Regiment. I was allotted to No. 4 Section,
G Company.
Tuesday, 11 August
Arrived at Thursday Island at 7 a.m. Disembarkation
commenced at 10 o’clock. Troops were marched to
our camping ground about a mile inland. Pitched our
tents on a good big dry flat which proved to be very
dusty and dirty. Very late in afternoon before all of the
tents were pitched and company lines allotted owing
chiefly to the disorganised state of everything. Groups
of men stood about willing to work but were unable to
do anything without leaders. The result was tea in the
dark and some of the companies had to go to sleep
without blankets.
Wednesday, 12 August
More tent erection and the same disorder. Our com-
pany attempted to put up a big tent and no-one knew
how to start about it. Took over an hour to find neces-
13
Irvinebank, the author’s home town, about 80 km south west of Cairns. The journey to Cairns would have been made by train.
14
The Northern Herald of 14 August 1914 lists the names of 65 men from the Irvinebank Rifle Club and 12 from the Stannary Hills Rifle Club who embarked on Kanowna.
15
These men had embarked at Townsville the previous day and the Kanowna had then sailed to Cairns.
PrevSection Index NextSection
The Caruse of the Kanowna Contents 11
sary ropes, pegs etc. A strong guard was told off and
no one was allowed to aproach us or depart from the
camp. Water tanks and wells were strictly guarded.
The latrines provided were well built and it was no
trouble for the men to comply with the sanitation or-
ders. The officers in charge of this department are to
be complimented for their efforts made to keep down
sickness and disease. Wednesday night A Company
were marched to the port to furnish a guard. A little
improvement was noticed in the food supply which
up till now had been very scant. The capture of a Ger-
man spy has been reported at the fort. The whole of
the regiment were turned out and served with twenty
rounds of ball ammunition and ordered to sleep that
night in clothing with rifles and equipment close by
them, ready to turn out on alarm being given. A large
number of men were without rifles and unable to ob-
tain them owing to the disorganised state of affairs,
and it would have been awkward if anything serious
had happened. Numerous mulga stories now got afloat
as to the cause of these precautions taken but the real
one is held as close as an oyster by those that know.
I think that the fort got out of touch with the wireless
of the warships. Though strict orders were given that
no man should load his rifle until orders to do so were
given, several men did load and the result was a cou-
ple of accidental discharges of cartridges. The feat of
dodging the guard at night time after a secret visit to
town was most precarious as in some cases nervous
sentries loaded their rifles although ordered not to do
so.
Thursday, 13 August
Unloading stores from Kanowna which had com-
menced the preceding day was gone on with, one
company relieving another so that the work would not
fall to the one lot of men.
Friday, 14 August
As there were a number of rifle club members in civil-
ian clothes and equipped with the long Lee-Enfield
rifle, these men were paraded to the quartermaster’s
tent where their long rifles were taken and one uni-
form, one pair of boots, one greatcoat, one web equip-
ment [and] one short Lee-Enfield rifle were handed
to them. Trainees were put through rifle exercises at
drill and some worked transshipping stores. Some one
rooked my shaving tackle, toothbrush and soap from
my kit bag.
Saturday, 15 August
Five hundred volunteers were called for service in the
Pacific Ocean, destination unknown, but it was gen-
erally supposed to be German New Guinea. Men ob-
tained, and those that did not receive equipment were
given same. Necessary stores for the trip were taken
on board Kanowna again.
Sunday, 16 August
Church Parade in the morning for those wishing to at-
tend. Tents required for the 500 going by Kanowna
were struck and packed and sent onto the boat. The
500 men then signed fresh attestation forms and
oaths
16
after which they were drafted into separate
companies A, B, C, D
17
and paraded at 3 o’clock in
marching order for Colonel’s inspection, after which
we marched to the Kanowna and embarked. At about
midnight the Kanowna left Thursday Island wharf
with all lights out and steamed east. Destination not
known to the men. A stiff easterly wind causing a sea
with big swells.
Monday, 17 August
Conditions aboard boat this trip are not so crowded
but the stiff easterly breeze into which we were driv-
ing causing a nasty sea made things uncomfortable
and before the day was out everyone was seasick.
Only one parade this day at 1 o’clock when a first
field dressing was given to every man and instructions
given how to use same should it become necessary.
No lights were shown except those in the internal parts
of the boat. A fairly rough sea right through the night.
Tuesday, 18 August
A cloudy morning and the same easterly wind blow-
ing. Port Moresby was reached after negotiating a
very treacherous looking harbour. A very interest-
ing display by a dozen natives diving for coins thrown
from the boat was given. The natives seemed very ex-
cited and a large crowd of them gathered on the beach,
some dressed in native clothing others with only a
loincloth. The smart looking native police could be
picked out dressed in a loose navy blue frock edged
with white, with belt, bayonet and pouch attached. Pa-
raded at 2.30.
Wednesday, 19 August
A large native village is situated on the north shore
of the cove consisting of a couple of hundred houses
built right in the water on blocks about fifteen feet
high. At about 8 o’clock a fleet of native canoes with
two large square sails hoisted in each boat sailed out
from the villages and headed westerly evidently on a
fishing expedition. Paraded at 9.30 and marched to
Moresby recreation ground for drill and skirmishing.
Returned to boat at 11.30 where some of the natives
had gathered to sell their coconuts, pawpaws etc. Pa-
raded again at 2.30 to parade ground. About dusk the
destroyers Warrego, Yarra and Parramatta appeared
on the horizon crossed the harbour and disappeared in
Fairfax Bay. Their smart stealthy movements caused
favourable comment on all sides. Thursday and Fri-
day were spent drilling and skirmishing at the parade
ground with an additional parade each morning at 6.30
16
This was necessary because the Defence Act restricted Australian Military Forces personnel to service within Australia.
17
The author had been in No. 4 Section, G Company; presumably it was at this point that he was assigned to No. 3 Section, D Company.
PrevSection Index NextSection
The Caruse of the Kanowna Contents 12
for bathing. The swimming bath at Port Moresby is
far superior to the one at Thursday Island.
Saturday, 22 August
Paraded and marched to native village three miles by
land, and it proved very interesting.
Sunday, 23 August
Church Parade for those wishing to attend, both morn-
ing and evening. During the stay at Moresby the fresh
water supply was very limited. Even salt water could
not be obtained regularly. The food was bad and in-
sufficient. On Wednesday the meat was tainted and
complaints were made on all sides about the tea which
smelt very much like senna. The haricot beans sup-
plied on some days were sour especially on Sunday,
August 23rd when nearly every man threw his share
overboard. No hot water could be obtained for wash-
ing dishes after meals, each man being supposed to
wash his own. The men used to go down to the bath-
room and fill their pannikins with salt water and carry
it on deck and wash their dishes, knives, forks etc., and
as the decks were not washed every day they soon be-
came very dirty. Things would have been better if the
military authorities had taken charge of the commis-
sariat department instead of the shipping people. On
arrival C Company was allotted outpost duty guarding
the wireless station which hitherto had been guarded
by a party of Papuan natives.
Monday, 24 August
Kanowna steamed over to Fairfax Bay to coal, tak-
ing all the troops with her except C Company which
was left at the wireless station. Fairfax Bay is a small
cove about five miles from Moresby and is an ideal
harbour. There is a good depth of water in it and it is
quite out of sight of Moresby. Two oil boats and two
colliers were anchored here also the Warrego. The
Kanowna hitched up alongside the collier Koolonga
and soon after 260 native boys came aboard and coal-
ing was in full swing by 10 o’clock. It was amusing to
watch the natives coming aboard, some wearing noth-
ing but a loincloth, but all wore plenty of bead neck-
laces [and] shell ornaments, and each one carried a
bundle of food: yams, coconuts, sugar cane, bananas
etc. though the authorities provided rice and biscuits.
For about an hour or so they were in high glee shout-
ing and yelling and making a terrible row though they
did not shift much coal and the few native police had
to keep them up to their work. It was very funny to see
them at tucker time. A bucket full of rice was boiled
and into this was stirred a tin of preserved meat, and
when all was ready each one dived his hand into the
bucket and then into his mouth. This went on until
each one had his fill. Coaling operations lasted un-
til Thursday afternoon Aug 27th and altogether about
1000 tons were taken on board. This is pretty slow
work as the niggers worked from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
with spells in between for meals. The natives slept
on board the collier on the hard cold iron decks with-
out any blankets or covering of any sort. While the
coaling was going on the troops paraded as usual and
the 6.30 bathing parade was altered to one for phys-
ical exercise. During the next day or two the ship’s
crew cleaned up the ship. [On] Thursday and Friday
nights concerts were held, the sailors from the War-
rego assisting and a very good program was given.
During the week the Latrine Leader
18
a very amus-
ing and widely read journal made its appearance and
was published when convenient.
Friday, 28 August
A boat crew of men from each section of the different
companies had been practising boat drill for a day or
two previous to this and today a test of disembarking
the troops by means of the ship’s boats was made and
was fairly successful.
Saturday, 29 August
We had a sham fight today. A Company was landed
and were supposed to occupy a position not further
than four miles and not less than two miles [away],
and B and D Companies were landed 1½ hours later
and were to find A Company and wrest the position
from them if possible. A Company however did not
play the game and instead of going the two miles went
only 200 yards and took cover. The result was the cap-
ture of all of D Company’s scouts excepting two or
three. The whole thing was a complete failure and I
lost all confidence in the officers.
Sunday, 30 August
The Anglican minister and a Roman Catholic priest
came aboard and service was held at 10 a.m. Boat rac-
ing in the afternoon. Each section of each company
furnished a crew but the time would not permit of all
the sections rowing off. No. 3 Section, A Company
was leading, the crew consisting of four IBankers.
19
Just after tea news came along of something possibly
doing and everything on board was all activity. Orders
were given for every man to pack his kit and be ready
to move at a minute’s notice. One hundred and fifty
rounds of ammunition were also served out to each
man. The Warrego which had been lying alongside of
us steamed out and everyone was told to sleep fully
dressed ready for the alarm. Nothing however came
of it and the rumour next morning said that three Ger-
man cruisers had been seen close to Moresby.
Monday, 31 August
Parades as usual. The food was bad, and a consid-
erable amount of grumbling was heard about both the
quality and quantity. Whenever a complaint was made
18
Full title: The Latrine Leader, incorporating the W.C. Chronicle
19
Men from Irvinebank
PrevSection Index NextSection
The Caruse of the Kanowna Contents 13
it was impressed upon us that we were on active ser-
vice, both by our OCs and the ship’s stewards, though
the officers fared extremely well.
Tuesday, 1 September
Troops again embarked for sham fight but I was on
picket duty pumping water from the Parramatta to
Kanowna. I don’t know how things went though the
other chaps say that things were carried out better on
this occasion than formerly. Condensed water was
supplied to the Kanowna by any of the destroyers
which happened to be in the harbour but only in small
quantities. The destroyers were seldom in the harbour
during the night, it being their duty to patrol the coast,
and sometimes they would be away for a day or two
at a time. Water is now very scarce and the men are
dealt out two pints per day. This has to do for drink-
ing and washing, though we get a pint of tea at each
meal. We have not been allowed to wear our civilian
clothes on parade, and as we have only one uniform it
is very dirty, washing clothes in salt water being un-
satisfactory.
20
[On] Tuesday night the oil boat Murex
came into port and dropped her anchor a stone’s throw
from the Kanowna. There was great rejoicing when
we learned that there was mail aboard for us, this be-
ing the first mail since leaving Cairns. We received
our mail about 10 p.m. and I was lucky enough to get
two letters. I envied some of the chaps who got ten
letters besides newspapers.
Wednesday, 2 September
The parades this morning have been called off to al-
low the men to read their mail and to write and answer
same. The dinner today was the worst we have yet
had. The tea has been cancelled at dinner time owing
to shortage of water. The haricot beans were not well
cooked, the sago was nearly raw and the bread [was]
stodgy and sour. Several men from D company pa-
raded with their meal to the OC and the result was a
rousing on for the cook.
Thursday, 3 September
Sixteen men were told off from no. 3 Section, D Com-
pany to wash dirty clothes of that section at Fairfax
plantation. Left Kanowna and arrived at landing at
11 o’clock. We loaded all the clothes and three break-
ers
21
from the ship’s boats on a truck and pushed it
along the tramway which runs to within a mile of the
plantation. The tramline is nearly all uphill and we
had hard work pushing the truck. We met a good many
natives when we got to the end of the line and they
seemed very frightened of us. They could not speak
English at all. We could see the plantation about a
mile away and we were not sorry when we got there
as we had to carry the breakers from the end of the
line. The plantation is a fairly large one, there being
1000 acres under sisal hemp. It is worked by native
boys with white bosses. There is plenty of water there
and we soon got busy on the washing and while the
clothes were drying had a walk round and a beautiful
shower bath, the first we had had for a month. When
we were ready to return a boy from the overseer’s
house brought us a big billy of tea and some buns
which reminded me of home. On our return we took
three trucks back with us and we selected trucks with
ball bearings. As the grade was pretty steep going
back we were able to ride on the trucks. We reached
the beach at about 5.30 p.m. The tide was running
in strongly and a stiff wind [was] blowing against us.
The sea was very rough and the first time we pushed
off [we] were immediately swept back. We could see
that we were in for a pretty rough time but we pushed
off again and then the fun started. One good thing
though, the moon was shining brightly so we could
see what we were doing. We had hard work row-
ing, each man taking his turn at the oars. We had
two lieutenants, and the fifth officer from the boat was
in charge but he could not command men owing to
an impediment in his speech. The result was every
man in the boat wanted to be boss and whenever the
boat got side-on everyone would give orders as to how
to right it. This was no good and all was confusion.
We got out about 400 yards and though we rowed all
we could, we [could] not get any further. After two
hours of this a motor boat that had been sent out in
search of us picked us up and towed us back to the
Kanowna. Needless to say we were very thankful to
be back again and after a meal retired and woke up
feeling very sore.
Friday, 4 September
The oil boat Physa steamed away today with mail
aboard. The alarm was given today and all hands
paraded on the boat deck and each man adjusted a
lifebelt after which each section was allotted to their
respective boats. At 7.30 tonight the cruiser Sydney
followed by the two submarines AE1
22
and AE2
23
steamed in,
24
the Sydney tying up by a collier and
coaling, and the submarines went over to the Murex
to take in oil.
Saturday, 5 September
The cruiser Encounter came in and anchored by the
Kanowna and gave us some condensed water. The
troop ship Berrima also came in and went alongside of
20
The Kanowna contingent became known to some as ‘The Dirty Five Hundred’.
21
Breaker: a small water cask for use in a boat
22
The AE1 was lost with all hands near New Britain ten days later. See page 35.
23
The AE2 was sunk in the Sea of Marmora on 30 April 1915. See page 35.
24
This sentence is at odds with the Official War History which has the submarines leaving Townsville on 4 September. See page 38.
PrevSection Index NextSection
The Caruse of the Kanowna Contents 14
the collier. One of the destroyers also came in, [and]
after this the harbour presented a very busy scene.
The natives who came alongside selling pawpaws, co-
conuts, curios etc. had a very busy day today and
seemed to be doing a good trade. After the Kanowna
had taken water from the Encounter she shifted over
alongside of the Berrima and we had a chance to chat
with the troops on her for an hour or so, but soon a few
sentries were posted along the rail of each boat and
we were kept away from each other. We found that
the troops on the Berrima consisted mostly of volun-
teers from Sydney and Melbourne and Naval Reserve
men making a total of 1700 all told. On comparing
we found that they (the Berrima troops) had been is-
sued with two uniforms, one shaving outfit, one jer-
sey, two flannelette shirts, two towels, soap, two pairs
trousers, one underpants and one pair braces. We had
only been issued with one uniform. I believe that most
of the goods mentioned above have been given to the
Berrima men by the citizens of Sydney. They also had
hammocks to sleep in, had their meals in the dining
room, and [had] plenty of food—so much that they
handed us several loaves of bread over the rails, and
we found the bread was a far better quality than ours.
Our chaps have our meals on the deck where we sleep,
each man parading past the stewards with his plate
etc., receiving his meal and returning to his place on
deck and then sitting down on the deck and eating it.
The Encounter went over to the Koolonga and coaled.
None of the troops were allowed to vote today.
25
Sunday, 6 September
Kanowna shifted over alongside Sydney (which had
finished coaling) and received more water and some
stores. Church Parade at 11 a.m., the chaplain from
one of the cruisers preaching. This afternoon we were
allowed over the Sydney and we had a good look all
over her.
Monday, 7 September
Raised anchor at 6 a.m. and moved to Port Moresby
where we dropped a pilot who had fallen down one
of the holds and was considerably hurt two or three
days previously. The two submarines had steamed out
ahead of us and were now in sight again. The other
vessels which we had left in Fairfax Bay were now all
on the move and we could see we were going some-
where at last. The cruiser Sydney cleared the channel
first followed closely by the Berrima, Kanowna, En-
counter, storeship Aorangi and two destroyers. The
other destroyer was probably ahead of us all. When
we got outside of the channel the boat began to pitch
and toss and a good many of us were awfully sea-
sick. It was quite a sight to see the way the little
destroyers used to pitch and toss in the rough seas.
Soon after leaving Moresby a big boat could be seen
in the distance apparently heading for Port Moresby
and the two destroyers steamed over to investigate but
they soon returned, evidently satisfied. The Encounter
moved up into line with the Sydney and the destroy-
ers with the Berrima. Soon after 12 o’clock noon the
Kanowna slowed down and eventually stopped. The
Sydney returned and the destroyers came up near us
and stood by. We could not make out what the deuce
was wrong. We were just receiving dinner when the
bugle sounded the fall in. All troops left their half
eaten dinners and fell in, when volunteers were called
for about thirty firemen, and obtained. We found that
the firemen had mutinied and that the Sydney had or-
dered us to proceed to Townsville. The Sydney and the
destroyers continued on their course and the Kanowna
turned and headed south. All of the troops are very
disgusted and disappointed at seeing the Sydney lads
get in before us after we had been first out and wait-
ing for so long and putting up with all of the rough part
of it. During our stoppage the Kanowna firemen had
all been up before the Captain, some ordered up from
their fires, some from their bunks. They had been
complaining all along on account of not getting suf-
ficient water for washing purposes and other things.
Today things came to a head and they were all made
prisoners by the Captain. The rest of day passed qui-
etly, 90% of troops seasick.
Tuesday, 8 September
and Wednesday, 9 September passed without excite-
ment. The boat made good way and the Barrier was
passed on Wednesday. The scenery in the afternoon
was worth watching.
Thursday, 10 September
Early this morning we arrived at the Townsville an-
chorage and dropped anchor. About 8 o’clock a small
cruiser the Protector came up and took from us a
staff officer Captain Fry who was acting as adjutant
and who had come aboard us at Fairfax Bay from
the Berrima. During his stay with us Captain Fry
had personally enquired into the condition of the men
and stirred things up generally. We noticed a big im-
provement while he was with us and were all sorry
to see him go aboard the cruiser which was going
north. Kanowna steamed into the wharf and tied up
but [we] were ordered back again by authorities. Went
out to anchorage and anchored again. Everyone dis-
appointed. Latrine Leader commandeered.
Friday, 11 September
Parades in morning as usual. Steamed into wharf
again in afternoon and tied up. A strong guard was
posted on the wharf and instructions [were] given that
no information was to be given to the townspeople
whatever. No-one was allowed ashore and we were
told not to tell anyone anything at all but some of the
chaps got to work signalling by semaphore and oth-
ers started talking deaf and dumb language with their
friends ashore. Lots of fellows threw letters wrapped
25
A Federal election was held on this day, 5 September 1914. Andrew Fisher’s Labor Party won convincingly, gaining majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
PrevSection Index NextSection
The Caruse of the Kanowna Contents 15
in matchboxes ashore so that it was not long before
everyone on shore knew all about the expedition.
Saturday, 12 September
[Today] passed without excitement. We were not al-
lowed on shore and the guards were strengthened. Pa-
rades as usual. About 10 p.m. we were paraded and
the CO read a wireless which had just come through
saying that Herbertshohe, Rabaul and Simsonhafen
had been taken by the Australia.
26
Sunday, 13 September
We paraded at 10 a.m. and marched to church, and
were all glad to get ashore and stretch our legs. Af-
ter lunch Captain Marks came aboard and told us that
he had received instructions from the Minister for De-
fence to discharge the Kanowna troops and that if any
of us wished to volunteer for Europe we would be
given the first chance with the second Australian ex-
pedition which is expected to depart in October. After
this we were all allowed to go down on to the wharf
where a large crowd of people had gathered.
Monday, 14 September
Preparations were made for disembarking. About
10 a.m. we marched to Kissing Point and pitched
camp. Things were carried out and camp pitched in
a much better manner than at Thursday Island. Went
and had a good swim on the beach about 200 yards
from the camp. We paraded at 7.30 p.m. and then
marched into town where we were dismissed. The
Olympia Picture Company had offered a free night to
the troops but I did not go. I strolled round town un-
til 10.30 when we were paraded again and marched
back to camp. Kissing Point is a splendid place for a
camp, its only disadvantage being the distance from
the town which is about two miles. No. 3 Section was
photographed at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, 15 September
At 10 a.m. we paraded and marched to the drill shed
and handed in our rifles, bayonets and greatcoats. At
5 p.m. we were all given leave until 11 p.m. I went
into town and had a good time. Expect to be paid and
discharged tomorrow.
Wednesday, 16 September
Paraded and handed in the remainder of equipment.
Paraded at 1 p.m. and D Company presented their
commander Lieutenant Harry and the two subalterns
Lieutenants Wren and Clarke with wristlet watches.
The volunteers for Europe numbering about 140 were
examined by the doctor and about 107 were passed as
fit. We were not paid today. Were allowed leave from
7 p.m. until 10.30. Went into town and arrived back
at camp at 11.30 and had to dodge sentry. Washed my
uniform and got to sleep at 1 a.m.
Thursday, 17 September
Paraded and were given a fortnight’s pay. At 5 p.m.
we paraded and were addressed by Major Aitkin.
27
After this the Charters Towers, Mackay and Ayr con-
tingents marched into town and departed for their re-
spective homes. I received my discharge but have to
stay here in camp until Saturday or Sunday when we
leave for home.
Friday, 18 September
We were paid up in full today and expect to leave for
home tomorrow. Fifteen more volunteers for Europe
from the Cairns contingent were examined by the doc-
tor today and ten including myself [were] passed as
medically fit.
28
We were allowed leave to go into town
at night.
Saturday, 19 September
Paraded early with our kit bags packed and marched
down to the wharf where 130 men embarked for
Cairns by the TSS
29
Mourilyan. The remainder
about
30
are to leave by the Marloo. We found the
conditions on the Mourilyan much better than [on] the
Kanowna. The scenery today was beautiful. We are
due in Cairns early tomorrow morning.
Sunday, 20 September
Arrived at Cairns at 7 a.m. The Marloo and Mourilyan
drew up to the wharf together and all of the troops dis-
embarked together. We were met on the wharf by a
large crowd of people and from there we marched to
the drill shed and were dismissed. Paraded at the drill
shed again at 10.30 a.m. where we received our kit
bags, and the hinterland troops were issued with rail-
way passes to their homes. We were dismissed again
at 11.30 and were allowed the remainder of the day
off. Before being dismissed we were addressed by
Major Toll and Captain Walsh. Captain Walsh compli-
mented the riflemen on their splendid behaviour and
work throughout the expedition. I spent the remain-
der of the day strolling round and having a good time
generally.
Monday, 21 September
Left Cairns by 7 a.m. train and had an uneventful jour-
ney until we reached Mareeba. The scenery in the
Barron Gorge and the Barron Falls was good.
26
Herbertsh
¨
ohe and Simpsonhafen were within 20 km of Rabaul.
27
The officer in command of the Kanowna contingent is referred to in Colonel Holmes’s report as Major Aitken.
28
For family reasons my father did not complete the enlistment process. He took no further part in World War I.
29
Twin Screw Steamer
30
The manuscript has a blank space here.
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