These preparations took up several days, during which very little training could be carried on. On the evening of the 13th March the Brigade assembled and was addressed by General Birdwood. His principal theme was Australia's good name and Lord Kitchener's message to the British Expeditionary Force on embarkation in August, 1914. Later General Godley rode into camp to say good-bye and wish good luck to those who had served under him on Gallipoli.
The Transport Officer, together with 25 other ranks and the 56 horses of the Battalion, boarded a train near midnight on the 13th, journeyed to Alexandria, and next day embarked on H.M.T. "Minneapolis," which left the harbour early in the morning of the 15th. This last date witnessed the main body of the 28th, climbing on to open trucks at Moascar siding. From 10 p.m. until next morning the train rumbled and jolted through the night. The air was cold but the single blanket, now the sole covering for the soldier, was reinforced by the heat generated by the crowded condition of the trucks. At Tel-el-Kebir there was a brief halt. Here three reinforcement officers, Lieut. R. S. Browne, and 2nd Lieuts. J. Roydhouse and R. H. Gill, reported and were carried on.
Arriving at a wharf at 6.30 a.m., some little delay ensued before the men could file on to the Transport. Besides the 28th Battalion there were to be accommodated 1½ Companies of the 27th Battalion (Major F. R. Jeffrey), and the 2nd Divisional Signal Company (Major R. H. Goold, M.C.). Later in the day Major-General Legge and the Divisional Headquarters were added to the number, making a total complement of 53 officers and 1,533 other ranks. Travelling as a passenger was Major-General W. G. B. Western, who had recently commanded the troops on Lemnos Island.
The Battalion now found itself on the most comfortable ship that, so far, it had been its lot to travel by. Bearing the number "A32," the Transport was the Aberdeen liner "Themistocles," of some 11,000 tons.
The voyage commenced that evening. The usual precautions against fire and submarines were observed. Life belts were always in evidence, and boat stations practised daily. All lights were covered at night. The weather proved to be ideal and the look of content on every soldier's face gave indication of how the change of life, scene, and air was appreciated.
A modified form of training was carried on—prominence being given to anti-gas measures and trench routine and discipline.
During the morning of Sunday, the 19th March, the rather violent "zig-zagging" of the ship gave an indication of the presence of hostile submarines. There were, however, no visible signs of their presence, and it was not until later in the day that the information as to another ship having been torpedoed, not many miles away, was passed down by the ship's staff.
THE 2nd DIVISION CROSSING THE CANAL EN ROUTE TO EUROPE, MARCH, 1916.
Photo. lent by Mr. Yeldon.[ToList]