War diary

War diary
Date
1 Jan - 13 Sep 1915
Reference
MS-Papers-3775-1
Description

This folder contains the war diary written by McRae from Jan to Sep 1915. At the front of the diary is a brief timeline of travelling dates from leaving Auckland in Sep 1914, through to arriving in Cairo on 5 Dec 1915. McRae's entries in the diary are brief. He describes his time at Zeitoun Camp, parades, training drills, and visits to the Egyptian Pyramids. McRae transfers with his unit to Ismalia on 26 Jan 1915. Comments on the attach of the Turkish Army at Suez Canal on 3 Feb 1915. Transported on the `Katuna' on 10 Apr 1915 to the island of Lemnos. Ship moves off ANZAC Cove on 24 Apr 1915. Details fighting and wounded until 4 May 2015 when he disembarks at ANZAC Cove and moves up to the firing line. Wounded in leg on 8 May 1915, wound dressed on beach the next day. Taken aboard transport with other casualties including Lieutenant-Colonel Plugge and Major Harrowell. Shipped to Malta via Alexandria to recuperate at St George's Hospital. McRae details life on Malta over the next month. Returns to Gallipoli and the front line on 25 Jun 1915. Involved in the battle of the Turkish Army's last major offensive against the ANZAC soldiers on 29 and 30 June 1915. Injured for a second time on 7 Aug 1915 during Auckland Infantry's attack in the ANZAC offensive which included the attack on Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Lay out without dressing for three days then carried down to shore. Medical attention the following day and transferred to a medical boat on 11 Aug 1915. En route to Malta the bullet was removed from his leg. Very few entries in the diary from this point. Leg operated on 19 Aug 1915, amputated 13 Sep 1915 (last entry). End pages of diary include some contact addresses and a list of names (possibly correspondents).

Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Physical Description: Holograph (9.5 cm; red cover)

Processing information: Digitisation details - Part of WW100 digitisation project. 273 digitised images

Access restrictions
Partly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of original
Part of
McRae, Donald, 1881-1915 : Diary and letters
Format
1 folder(s), Diaries, Manuscripts, Holograph (9.5 cm; red cover)
See original record

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War diary. McRae, Donald, 1881-1915 : Diary and letters. Ref: MS-Papers-3775-1. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23201086

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