Unit Diary - 28 March 1916 - Letter to Major Smith

Athol writes to Major Smith after taking command of the 2nd Camel Company.

This letter is not in my collection but forms part of the 2nd Camel Company Unit Diary available at the Australian War Memorial collection at page 10 of this document:

https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1014812.pdf

Sollum

28-3-16

Dear Major Smith,

Captain Parker will no doubt have explained to you before you get this, the circumstances relating to my taking over the command of this Company.

Captain Parker also told me that he had given you full details to date of our work etc.

Our strength today is 4 officers, 112 O.R. (other ranks). Two or three of the men in hospital are likely to be out in a day or two so our present need of reinforcements is 1 officer, 1 batman and 10 men. Two of the Sgts, Jenkins and Young are in hospital, which is the best place for them.

I am forwarding today recommendations for Commissions in reply to C32. Cpl Clemens of No4 Section is the best of the lot I think. It would suit me if he got his star. L-Cpl Forrest is about the next best.

The camels are in pretty poor condition but as we have had a week’s spell they have started to pick up a bit. Today I sent them out under Nicholson for exercise and, during the half way rest, they had about half an hour’s grazing which is very scarce round here. There are a good many sick camels on the sick lines. I’m enclosing a list of medicines required. Also please send a good supply of ‘crena’ for the saddles as we cannot get this from Ordnance. Our vet reports that of the nine sick camels in his charge 2 will be fit within a week while the other 7 will be from 3 to 10 weeks before they can be used. The remainder, he says, could be used at once, but would be all the better for a spell.

So our needs in remounts, to bring us up to establishment, are 17.  Our present strength being 143. Two of these should be pack animals.

Six camels have had mange but are all on the improve and three appear to practically free.

The rest are in very good condition.