Next Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

This is the final postcard sent home for Christmas.

This post card was also printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto'. The printed message on the reverse reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

This postcard is addressed to A.G.Adams' eldest brother, A.P. Adams (Arthur Parker Adams), who lived on his sheep farm 'Bidgemia', outside the town of Urana in the Riverina district of New South Wales, Australia.

The front of the postcard depicts a young rubber plantation.

And the reverse reads:

'Hot as Hades and raining a fair amount. Good trip not much excitement. AGA.'

This card was probably written whilst on board the H.M.A.T. Orvieto and then posted on arrival at Egypt.

Another Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

This Christmas postcard is quite similar to the last card.

It was printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and includes the printed message which reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

This post card shows a picture of 'Adams Peak', which no doubt amused A.G. Adams who shared its name.

The reverse shows that the Christmas postcard was sent to A.G. Adams' mother, Mrs Guy Sherwood, who was travelling with her husband in New Zealand.

The hand-written note says: 'Best of luck for Xmas and New Year. AGA.'

I think that the card was written whilst at sea on the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and then posted on arrival at Egypt in early December 1914.

Christmas postcard - undated - probably December 1914

A.G. Adams sent three post cards home for Christmas.

All three postcards were printed aboard the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto'. Two have a printed message on the reverse which reads:

'Kind Thoughts and Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the Coming Year.' Athol G. Adams.

A short verse is also included in the corner:

The wind blows cold,  but hearts are warm And love smiles at the weather, For Yule is here,  when those apart In spirit are together.

The first of these postcards is addressed to Athol's step-father, Mr Guy Sherwood.

The hand-written note says:

 'Have you ever seen anything like this? AGA'.

I think that the card was written whilst at sea on the H.M.A.T. 'Orvieto' and then posted on arrival at Egypt in early December 1914.

5th Battalion arrives Mena Camp

The 5th Battalion reached Cairo on 5th December. On arrival at the railway station the Battalion formed up and passed canteen tables with each soldier served cocoa, a small bread roll and a segment of cheese by British tommies. They then marched eight miles west to the Mena Camp. There was not time to set up camp so they slept in the open. All around them was sand and above was a rocky plateau that stretched east towards the Pyramids.

In the next few days and weeks, the soldiers worked to create the camp. Through the middle was to be a crushed limestone track which was named 'Infantry Road'. Fatigue parties carried stone to form battalion boundaries.

The 2nd Brigade Headquarters was at the end of Infantry Road nearby were the 2nd and 1st Brigades which included the 5th Battalion. Other structures which rose out of the sand included the YMCA hut, the boxing 'stadium', canteens dry and wet, the cinema 'palace'. The Light Horse were also based at the Mena Camp.

Nearby was Mena House surrounded by Eucalyptus trees. This old building was now staffed as a hospital.

Egypt was hot. Our troops had expected to be sent from Australia to England. They thought they would be in a chilly English November for a short time before being sent to France to fight the Kaiser's men. The AIF were in heavyweight woolen tunics and thick corded breeches suitable for a Winter in Europe. In contrast, the British troops in Egypt were in light khaki drill and pith helmets. It was a long time before the Australians were provided suitable clothing. The AIF were permitted to purchase drill shorts and pith helmets privately. The majority of the 5th Battalion did eventually wear shorts while the wide-brimmed slouch hat became the more popular hat. Some regiments did make an 'issue' of slouch hats and shorts and tunics and their pay was deducted accordingly. During the change-over period out troops had a variety of gear.

Our troops remained in Egypt until April 1915. Most of their time as taken up with training in the nearby desert.

An excellent photograph of the 5th Battalion at the Mena Camp can be found at:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn6374635

Orvieto arrives Alexandria

The 5th Battalion Unit Diary (AWM Ref 22/23/1) notes that the H.M.A.T Orvieto arrived Alexandria, Egypt, on 3rd December. Four companies were sent by train to Cairo on the same day, the remainder of the Battalion on the 4th and 5th of December.

The army camp was about 10 miles from Cairo at Mena. Training commenced here on 10th December. At the Mena Camp the men were put on the 'Imperial Scale of ration and this was not sufficient', notes the Unit Diary. Later, these rations were supplemented with extra rations purchased with an additional 6d. per head per day.

HMAT Orvieto arrives Port Said

The 5th Battalion Unit Diary (AWM Ref 22/23/1) notes that the H.M.A.T Orvieto arrived Port Said  on 1st December. The German prisoners from the Emden were transferred to H.M.S. Hampshire the same day. 'A' Company of the 5th Battalion disembarked at Port Said and went by train to Cairo as the advanced party.

The entire Battalion was vaccinated between Colombo and Port Said.