Chapter 18 – Jayjay

Some details in this chapter are based on descriptions in Voyage to Gallipoli , by Peter Plowman. Some accounts include:

p. 135 – Beer was sold on the transport ships once per day at 12 noon, for 4d per pint.

p. 187 – Of the dunkings at the crossing of the line [equator], Lieutenant-Colonel McCarroll recorded “…We were all charged with some offence – ridiculous of course.”

The First Battalion History states: “The line was crossed on the 13th [November 1914]. King Neptune and his retinue came on board at 2 p.m. with due ceremony, and much fun was indulged by all…We arrived at Colombo on November 15 and anchored off the breakwater…Whilst we were at Colombo, officers of the Sydney were in great request. One dined on the Afric, and we got full details of the fight from him. We also saw some of the prisoners being taken on board the Omrah…The convoy left Colombo on November 17 in three divisions, the slower boats leading the way. Owing to the destruction of the Emden and the Konigsberg, precautions were somewhat relaxed.” (p. 19)

Charles Bean in states in Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 , vol I

p. 106 – On 9 November, at 10:45am, the convoy received a wireless message from the Sydney : “Emden beached and done for.” On receiving news of Sydney’s victory over Emden “An order from General Bridges broke off work and gave the troops a half-holiday”.

p. 108 – “The fleet sailed from Colombo by divisions at such times and speeds as were convenient.” (p. 108). Australian privates were  paid six shillings per day, including one shilling deferred, paid on discharge (p. 42)

In the history of the 4th Battalion, The Fighting Fourth , by Ron Austin, an allowance of an additional pint of beer per man on receiving news of the Sydney’s victory over the Emden is described (p. 25).

Private Archie Barwick records in In Great Spirits that Captain Swannell dressed as Father Neptune at the crossing of the line, and led the dunking of the men (p. 15).