A SHORT RECORD FROM DAY TO DAY OF MY EXPERIENCES ABROAD,
ON ACTIVE SERVICE, H. NORMAN ROYCE.

July 18th. 1916.

Having been out till late last night, reveille doesn’t sound too good; but as we are to embark today as advance party and sail for the front tomorrow we hastily dress and accept our last meal from the cooks of the Signal School Broadmeadows.

A little fuss and quiet confusion tempered with an unusual feeling of importance we then assemble and fall in for our last words of good luck from our C. O. , who very quietly though sincerely made us feel we were some stuff. He congratulated us on our success in gaining a place in the 2nd of the 3rd. and 14th. of the 2nd. Div. Sig. Reinforcements respectfully, and made out he was very proud of us. I was then handed (with another chap in our lot) my Certificate and Medal for attaining full marks in the Signal School Test. We then left the School amidst cheers from the poor beggars left behind and stepped out onto the slippery road to the Station.

Arriving at the Transport A 26 which was berthed at the New Pier – Port Melbourne, we were without any waste of time taken on board and to the Troop Deck below where we put in a good half-day drawing bedding, eating utensils and washing same. Each table is laid out for the wants of 12 men and the last of our duties were to see that each Mess was supplied with 12 dishes, spoons, knives etc. and for the rest of the men to arrive tomorrow.

Everything in our little caboose is very clean and comfortable and we expect to have quite an enjoyable trip. When everything was settled we were granted leave from 5PM to last train which naturally was availed by every man.