Lt Ralph D Doughty MC |
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| 5th April 1915 to the 15th September 1915 - Egypt - Lemnos Island - Gallipoli |
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A brief account of my personal experience while on active service proper dating from April 5th 1915
5th April 1915
After having come from Australia per SS 'Argyleshire' and arriving in the 'Land of the Pharaohs' where rigorous training and tons of good fun and High Life generally were the rules of the road we got embarkation orders thank God! So here's to it and may our little flutter which we are about to have tend in some way to weight his balance against 'His most Satanic Majesty THE KAISER'. I was detailed to be in charge of 3 goods waggons in one of Cairo's many railway stations. Having got there, I started looking around for the necessary something to eat. Had a last bath at the National (awfully tender memories of that place).
The devil alone knows when we'll get another.
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| 16th September 1915 to the 21st November 1915 - Lemnos Island - Gallipoli |
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16th September 1915
Heavy shelling of the French Reserve lines in rear of our position by a new Turkish 6 gun battery. Not to much damage done however. After last nights rain the French had put out their blankets & waterproofs today on the sunward slopes of the hill and our friends had possibly taken these for tents. Saw one shell lob into a dug-out. Immediately after a Frenchie came out, dusted himself off and went back in again. Big beano during afternoon & night. Beautiful day after last nights squall. "Quiet" night. Particularly for N.S.H & myself. |
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| 22nd November 1915 to the 3rd January 1916 - Gallipoli - Alexandria (Egypt) |
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22nd November 1915
Rained heavily last night. Thanks to someone we didn't go down to the Beach for loading purposes. Bitterly cold today. Been muffled up like a Polar Bear. Today all NCOs went across to A69 5 inch Howitzer Battery for instruction. Find the guns very simple, much more than the Eighteens! Our Battery is taking over similar guns. Awaiting their arrival. 'Beachy' paid us his compliments again. Awfully interfering chap. Stormy night. |
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| 2nd March 1916 to the 11th August 1916 - Egypt - Marseilles - Western Front |
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22nd March 1916
Hur-bloomin-ray. Marching orders at last, and as pleased as a cat with two tails to get them. Just awaiting orders to entrain. Am heartily sick of this confounded Country, however remarkable it may be. This time I leave Egypt as a 'Blooming OFFICER'. Lieutenant R.D.D. of the Galloping Ninth, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. Am feeling awfully fit, so look out somebody! |
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| 12th August 1916 to the 16th March 1917 - Western Front - Passchendaele |
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16th August 1916
Orders to go into the Firing Line. Left Vadencourt Wood at 8am and accompanied the major to our position. Took over the guns and position of the 12th Bty at 1 pm. Received by the Huns with great gusto. Sent over several salvos of 4 H.I to herald our arrival. Annoyed by 77s all night. |
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The Military Cross - The 1914 - 15 Star - The British War Medal - The Victory Medal |
