A WW1 Soldier’s Diary

July 23rd. 1916

Sunday on the water- just the same as any other day as far as we are concerned only that we had a sort of a church parade about 10.30 at which function I officiated at the piano. Canteens are open just the same and men can do anything they like. Now we are out at sea we get cigarettes for 2d (pence) and 4d a packet, boxes of 50, 1s/9d. (three Castles), tobacco 1s/- per 4oz . tin, 1s/9d in Melbourne.

I played cards and read all the afternoon so I have nothing very important to record for the day. I expect the passing of time to be rather strenuous before long- some fellows are sick of it now. What will they be like when we are another month or two on the way? At the rate the boat is traveling now I don’t think we’ll make England until October.
After tea we were herded around the piano by the parson for a Hymnal sing-song -whilst this was in progress it was not uncommon to hear the clink of money on the tables behind the scenes by the lads playing cards, which in my opinion was rather off- anyhow the two didn’t sound very well.