JULY 1918 - ZAMBESI

River scene on the Zambesi

The message on the back of the card reads: My Dearest Bob, A typical scene on the Zambesi, but it is much prettier higher up. One has to beware of croc. When making this journey. Love from Walter xx

Monday 1st

Chinde once more. Dropped anchor about 8AM Landed about 9AM & found we had got to stay here. The famous Murry’s Hotel is under new management so we fare better.

Tuesday 2nd

Sat down to a splendid breakfast. 3 Courses. We patronise the Rest Hut well. The tea & cakes in the afternoon are very acceptable. Mosquitoes busy to night.

Wednesday 3rd

Still hanging on waiting to go up the river. Rolled up in full force for afternoon tea. More writing after dinner.

Thursday 4th

Had our Photos taken this morning. At last. Embarked on board the River Boat “Centipede” at 4PM Shortly after commenced our eventful journey up the Zambezi. Spent a musical evening.

Friday 5th

Some of the hunting enthusiasts busy shooting at Crocs. After lunch arrived at Marromeu where there is a big sugar factory. Hasty look over the works. Very interesting. Spent remainder of time in Rec Room.

Saturday 6th

More halts for fuel. It seems to get hotter. The scenery is getting a bit more interesting. The hunters hit a croc. What cheers rent the air. After tea we were all in a remeniscient mood.

Memo

Saw a Pelican which had been shot at one of the crossing places on the Zambesi. Its measurement from wing to wing was 8 feet 6 inches.

Sunday 7th

Arrived Chimolio at 11.30AM Junction of Zambesi & Shire Rvrs. Went ashore & fixed up in tents. Later on it rained so returned to the boat to sleep. Had a lovely dinner of Duck.

Monday 8th

What a lark. Missed the train. So to prevent further accident we make our home on the Station. Had a “bonser” tea off of fried fish. Fried in the London style.

Tuesday 9th

Did not intend to miss the train to day so was up at 4.30 A.M. Left about 7. Arrived Port Herald at 10.30 Found my Batt there so I proceed no further. Pleased to see Uncle & Jock.

Wednesday 10th

Started the uneventful life again. Breaking myself into work once more. On fatigue this morning clearing ground on which to build a camp.

Thursday 11th

Having lost touch with Von Setow for 8 days the heads have got the wind up as was busy digging trenches this morning. Very cold & wet.

Friday 12th

Still keeps cold. Nothing doing before lunch. A small mail arrived but of course nothing doing for your humble. Fatigue on new camp ground.

Saturday 13th

A little drill before breakfast provided a change. Fancy having to work on a Saturday afternoon. The usual job.

Memo

The sight of a lifetime to see a train load of niggers on the S.H. Rlys. What a noise they make as they crowd into open trucks. And what a picture they make some standing & others almost sitting on top of the weaker.

Sunday 14th

Able to lay in a bit longer this morning. No work & nothing to do. Some try fishing. Like a bolt from the blue the order came to pack up. We’ve got to be isolated. Reached our new camp just before dark.

Monday 15th

Not too bad sleeping under the stars but the mosquitoes were busy. Cutting wood this morning to build Banda’s Chicken 3 times to day. After dinner sat around the campfire talking. It kept the "moses" away.

Tuesday 16th

Heavy dew last night. After breakfast we moved over into an old farmhouse. Reminded one of Billets in France. It is much more comfortable.

Wednesday 17th

Nothing much doing. Did about an hours fatigue. We are pretty free from mosquitoes in our new billet.

Thursday 18th

An hours drill before breakfast after which we had a lazy time. Started the foundations for an oven in which to bake our bread.

Friday 19th

After lunch strolled into Port Herald “poke yangue”. Stayed there for dinner. Strolled back in the dark tormented by mosquitoes. The baking day has not been a success. Loaves hard as bricks.

Saturday 20th

1 hrs work & then nothing doing save a little correspondence. The boys bread is more of a success than ours.

Memo

What one can buy at Port Herald for 2/-. 5 Chickens, 1 Duck & 1 Pig small.

Sunday 21st

What a lazy day. Nothing doing so I spend nearly all the day lying on the bed.

Monday 22nd

Cutting more wood to day. In the wood behind our billet monkeys are very numerous.

Tuesday 23rd

Got paid to day so after lunch strolled into Port Herald. I needed a little exercise as I had no work to do to day. Spent a merry day.

Wednesday 24th

More drill before breakfast. After that nothing eventful doing.

Thursday 25th

Howell left for Port Herald to take charge of Porters. To day the last of the Batt leave P.H. for Limbe. Only we are left. Nothing doing to day. Getting fed up.

Friday 26th

More drill this morning. Again after lunch in the so called cool of the evening. After dinner spent a musical evening.

Saturday 27th

Various orders floating round. I am to stay behind. O.C. Sick. Later I proceed I proceed with the Batt tomorrow & on arrival Limbe report to 4/1st K.A.R for a course in the Stokes Gun.

Sunday 28th

Getting up so early does not agree with me. Bad headache. O.C. Wapagari to day. Some job. Entrain at 9 AM. Arrive in Limbe at 7.30 PM. Work finished at 9 PM.

Monday 29th

Up about 4.30 PM. But found that I do not proceed with the Coy. Report to 4/1st K.A.R. & then am sent to Blantyre to M.G School. Reach there in time for lunch. Bitter cold & raining.

Tuesday 30th

Started work this morning at 9 AM finished at 11 AM. Not overworked here. It is very cold here. Afternoon spell from 2 to 3.30. A good mess here.

Wednesday 31st

Much warmer today. Had a stroll round Blantyre. Not too bad. Some good stores here.

AUGUST 1918 - NYASALAND

Thursday 1st

Went firing the Stokes Gun this morning. Over the hills & far away. It is a very fine gun without a doubt. Rather windy of it at first. Very hot.

Friday 2nd

The course getting slower now. Went & saw the boys playing tennis. They are having the time of there life here. A bit different to cold???

Saturday 3rd

Nothing doing to day. Quite a long week end. Had a stroll round the town & spent a little time in the Rest Room.

Memo

Quite a nutty Church they have got at Blantyre. Built of brick and by natives I should think. It is very rough but the attempt at architectural beauty is quite good and worthy of note.

Sunday 4th

Strolled over to the Sports Ground and watched Blantyre play 4/1st K.A.R. cricket. Blantyre got whacked. In the afternoon went to the anniversary service in Blantyre Church.

Monday 5th

Spent our Bank holiday working. But not too hard. ½ doz chaps left for colours this morning.

Tuesday 6th

Went firing dummy shells this morning. It makes a long morning of it. Getting fed up again. Awfully windy in the night.

Wednesday 7th

Very cold today. Made a futile protest against doing Stokes gun drill with the niggers. They delight in heaping indignity upon indignity on us N.C.O’s

Thursday 8th

Very cold & windy. Had a stroll round the town and spent an hr in the reading room. After dinner toasted myself before a big roaring fire.

Friday 9th

Another route march. Firing live shell again. Saw Jimmie Stocks. Had a game of football after tea.

Saturday 10th

Another weeks work finished. Heard that we stay here for another week. Would sooner be on the road. Played 4 games of billiards at the Mandala.

Memo

Sent home photos of Blantyre Church. Back & Front view. Florrie Back & Avenue View.

Sunday 11th

Still keeps very cold. Spent a very quiet day. Did not even possess the energy to put my Boots on. Chicken for Dinner.

Monday 12th

No work to day. Before lunch had a stroll round Blantyre to get myself warm. Before dinner a little cricket warmed me up.

Tuesday 13th

Start work again & what a monotonous time it is. Football again after tea.

Wednesday 14th

Another holiday so go and have a game of Billiards before lunch.

Thursday 15th

Still another days coldness. Don’t know what to do to kill time. Watched the tennis players after tea.

Friday 16th

I am afraid I am getting old. The war is still going on & also the years are rolling by. A quiet Birthday not even relieved by work. After dinner visited James & watched the billiards.

Saturday 17th

A stroll down to James & a game of Billiards passed the morning. After tea went & saw the football match between Blantyre & 4/1st K.A.R. Result Draw. Bitter cold.

Sunday 18th

After Breakfast strolled over to Limbe. 12 mile there and back. Partook of lunch & dinner at the 4/1st K.A.R. Returned in the moonlight. Were lucky to get a lift in a motor.

Monday 19th

O.C Fatigue party now. Watched 8 Askari dig a big hole. Tried our luck getting money at the detail camp. May be successful.

Tuesday 20th

Everyone has got the wind up. Von Settow the Will of the Wisp is not far away. What excitement in camp several instructors warned to proceed on coloum. Got some money.

Wednesday 21st

Up at 4 AM ready to proceed on coloum. Some stunt. Entrained at 7 AM. Waited at Limbe until 10 AM and got out at Luchenza about noon. Camped about a mile from the station near the foot of the Mlenge mountain. Great excitement prevails.

Thursday 22nd

Continued our march round the foot of the Mlenge Mountain. Passed through the village of that name & through large plantations (coffee). Marched 18 miles. Camped at 2 PM & a bath or swim revived me wonderfully.

Friday 23rd

A 20 mile motor ride in the early morning was much appreciated. Splendid Country. I & Sgt Hosi were warned to start on Safari. So started at 10.30 Feeling rather seedy. Could not reach our destination. So camped out. Did 16 mile.

Saturday 24th

Off again at 4 AM. Arrived at Lupalu about 8 AM & had breakfast. Mid-day halted for tea. Arrived Chipweri 4 P.M. & found the others here. So our rush is finished. 17 miles.

Memo

On Friday we arrived at Kitchemlaa by motor car. Same day started Safari. On the road the Askaris killed a snake. 51 miles

Sunday 25th

Continued our journey in the rain. After 2 hrs march halted for breakfast which we had in the rain. Arrived in camp at 1 P.M. 14 miles.

Monday 26th

It rained all night & nearly all the morning, but still we continued our journey after breakfast. Reached camp at 2.30 P.M. After dinner got orders to pack & push on again. 14 miles

Tuesday 27th

No sleep as we started again at 10 PM. And what a stunt it was. As we neared camp we all got scared at the sight of hugh fires. Wofagozi bolted. Got into camp at 4 A.M. 12 miles

Wednesday 28th

Could get no sleep. 6 P.M. I go on advanced picquet. At 10 PM. Turn myself in to R Guard? As we are moving back to camp in rear. Marched 14 miles & arrived Nantuti 3 A.M. & turned in. nothing doing today so was thankful for a nights rest.

Thursday 29th

Had a good lay in. About 10.30 A.M. we made another start towards Regoni. Arrived at this camp about 3.30 P.M. A bit different doing the journey by day.

Friday 30th

Made a start at 4 A.M. I was Rear Guard. Arrived Regoni 11 A.M. & joined the Batt. Left at 2.30 PM for Luo River where we camped for the night.

Saturday 31st

Still treking. Made a start at 9 AM. & arrived in camp about 5 PM. Marched about 20 miles.

Memo

Marched about 106 miles this week.