Monday 1^st February – 7^th February

Usual routine. Woken up at 12 pm on Sunday 7^th by the Provost Sergeant as somebody had broken into Felays Bank and stolen some money, cutting themselves in doing so. Hands and arms inspected..

Monday 8^th February

Hands and arms inspected again. Thief not found.

February 9^th – March 31^st

Usual routine. Made ammunitions man, then CO said I was to attend school regulary so back to officers servant.

Thursday 1^st April – 7^th April

Usual routine. On 7^th got into the ingle john with Sergt eulsh and left the ridge for Treet. Got there about 6.30 and pitched tent.

Thursday 8^th April

First part of Gordons arrive back at ten and pitched camp. We took over in the evening.

Friday 9^th April

Goprdons left about 5 am. I then set the sweepers to work and cleaned up the cam and took inventory.

10^th April, Saturday

No troops passed through today

Sunday 11^th April

Second party of Gordons arrived

Monday, 12^th April

Second party left about 5 am. Cleaned up camp Had a storm at night.

Tuesday 13^th April

No troops came through. Squared up the camp – storm again last night.

End of book 3.

Book 4

14^th April 1897

No troops came through today.

15^th, 16^th 17^th April 1897

The Gordons and 33^rd Western Division, 5^th Southern Division of Garrison Artillary and 3 companies of Rifle Brigade all came through.

Sunday 18^th – 29^th April

Small party of Artillery, one company of Rifle Brigade, Companies of KOSB all went through. Some heavy thunderstorms.

30^th April, 1^st May – 12^th May

Party of KOSB some West Kents, East Kents, and Argyle and Sunderland Highlanders, Scotch Fusiliers – to take over, the rest passed through.

13^th May 1897

Wired for a Jonga, left about seven in evening and arrived at Church Lines at ten pm.

14^th May

Went sick this morning – pronounced fit and well at the hospital.

Saturday, 15^th May – 23^rd May

Usual barracks routine. Rifle practice daily.

24^th May

Fired a feu-de-joie and gave three cheers in honour of the Queens birthday.

25^th May – 30^th May

Usual barracks routine. Rifle practice daily.

31^st May, Monday

Drill order for manning Rawal Pindi Fort. Inspected by the Colonel, then dismissed.

Tuesday, 1^st June, 2^nd 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, - 18^th June

Usual barracks routine, rifle practices, and route marches.

Saturday, 19^th June

Paraded at eight thirty for Doctors inspection we being placed in the second brigade that is for the Tochi Valley Expedition. Was inspected and passed as fit.

Sunday, 20^th, 21^st June

Usual barracks routine.

Tuesday, 22^nd June

Jubilee Day – holiday. Rawal Pindi was illuminated by coloured lights at night, we had an open concert on the garrison cricket ground which was very good.

Wednesday 23^rd – 24^th, 25^th 26^th, 27^th June

Usual barracks routine.

Monday, 28^th June

Paraded at 9am for fatigue, loaded up coir on camels, dismissed at twelve and fell in again at 2 pm and loaded up the remainder of the coir and marched off down to theGodown. Later we fetched out all the mobilization tents.

Tuesday 29^th June

Packed up field service kit ready to take to the station. Served out with 100 rounds of ball cartridges, then marched off to the station with the troops in the station cheering as we went up the mall. We entrained in corridor carriages and left about 2 am.

Before writing any more of my dairy, I will give you a short discription of the country we were going to.

Topography of Tochi

Now that operations have commended in the Tochi valley it may be of interest to give a general idea of the topography of the route along which the troops have to pass and of the country to which they will be engaged in. On leaving Hhushalgarb, the farthest the railway runs and you then cross the Indus by the bridge of boats. The weary traveller looks forward with dread to the hot tonga journey on a dusty road of 100 miles to Bannu. It seems incredible that a narrow gauge line has not years ago been put down from Khushalgarh to Dera Ismail Khan. If we cannot have a bridge across the Indus, give us the next best thing, a railway without the bridge. It would open all the trade in that part of the frontier. All along the road the hills are parallel to the road at varying distances. Bannu is a small frontier station with a large mud fort surrounded by a settlement. It consists of a mess, post and telegraph office, Dak bungalow, racket court, swimming baths tennis courts, also a smalal cricket and polo ground and a very small race course. Bungalows make up the remainder of the station. One always feels that one is cut off from civilisation. The surrounding country is well cultivated. After leaving Bannu for the scene of the present expedition you travel towards the hills which are about 10 miles from Bannu, then you drop into the bed of the Tochi river and reach Saidge, a small post 16 miles from Bannu. There is no cultivation and only a few houses on the road. From Saidge to Idak is also about 16 miles. About 6 miles from Saidge is the Thinkai Hotal but not very long on reaching the top the Idak plain opens to the view. This point is covered more or less with cultivation and one can either keep to the river or go along the plain which is about 10 feet above the level of the river on a good road. The village of Idak contains about 2000 inhabitants and is rather a large place and a centre for trade. The original post overlooked it but the present post is some distance off. From Idak to Miran Shah is about 16 miles and about four miles from Idak the plain is left and you get into the hills again. The road is good. Half way is a levy post and about twelve miles from Idak one goes over another Hotal and then gradually descends into the Miran Shah plain. Parts of this road are ideal for the sniping at travellors but one can follow the river instead of crossing through the hills and over this Kotal though it is several miles longer. Muran Shah is a plain about six miles in diameter for hills surround it like a saucer but the post is only a mile or so from the hills. It is not well cultivated owing to the want of water but the water from springs and wells for drinking purposes is excellent. At night there is always a cool breeze but in the tents by day the heat at this time of the year is most trying and the wind hot. From Miran Shah to Boya is ten miles along the bed of the river which is about 200 yards wide. On both sides are numerous villages, most of which hug the fort of the hills which are no great distance off and between the villages and the river are cultivated terraces. At some parts the villages are actually on the bank of the river, being at these places about 12 to 15 feet high. On reaching Boya one can continue on the bed of the river or take a turn to the left which brings you on the Boya plain which is very stony, but there is a road on which one can canter all the way to Dhagham which is six miles from Boya. A few villages are on the side of the road and the hills about two miles from the bed of the river, though on the other bank the hills end in precipices . From Dhaghan to Datta Khel is about six miles. Sheram can be seen from Dhaghan, it is on this side of the hills. The climate is excellent and the hills covered with trees, many being pine trees, on both sides of the river. Range after range of hills fade away into the far distance. The Dauris or the people who inhabit the Tochi river are a despicable Fanatical, cowardly race and very immoral. In dress and appearance they are like the Wazires with long hair, dirty clothes and their eyes painted with antimony. They have a horror of Waziris and prefer sniping and murder to fighting. Politically every man is either a friendly or a wellknown badmash, you can take your choice. Personally I think it is time the friendly or confidence trick was stopped. If without there is a few, a very few friendlies, tell them to "git", after which shoot every man on sight. It is reasonable that in a country where might is right that after an expedition the true friendly will be allowed to live; certainly not, he would be a traitor. No he is used as a spy and to get money out of the Sirkar and when the shoe pinches as a go between. I hope these friendlies will not be allowed to stroll about the camp by day to get all the information they want. Look at it from another point of view, were England and France to go to war, would the Frenchman spare the Englishman or his property who his friendly and "vice versa". No the innocent would have to suffer with the guilty, it is the only way to make the whole agree. It is hard to say how long the present expedition will last for we are practically on the Afghan border and must go either to the right or to the left. We should do this and put it to the sword. No half measures, these people don't understand them. Were a few editors of our scurrilous native press and some others of the same kidney taken up to see the fun it might damp their ardour for they would see the Sirkar is quite able easily to put a holy dread into thousands of men of a class from which if 50 were let loose in Calculla there wouldn't be many bahadurs left. Personally I am not at all supprised at the Maizar affair. The only wonder is that with the half hearted policy so expensive in the long run something has not happened before. The next thing I expect to hear is the cutting up of a convoy. Firing into camp will be a matter of course but I should be surprised if there was any real fighting. If officers are wise they will be always prepared for the man who hangs about for a sahib. (CMGS July 25^th 1897).

Continuation of diary –

Wednesday, 30^th June 1897

I laid down and went off to sleep and woke up when we got to a station called Laugar. We stopped there two hours, left there, and arrived at Kulsagurak about eleven am, I then saw the officers luggage in an ackery and left the station in charge of it. We crossed over a long bridge of boats over the Indus, a big but treacherous river and arrived in camp at 12 o clock. I unpacked his things and got his tub ready then found a tent to go in. We were served out with ice as it was hot, also goggles or glasses for the eyes. I packed the officers kit and drawed mule for it then got off by 7 pm and marched to our next camp called Gambal, a distance of 15 miles. We got there about 2 am on Thursday 1^st July. I got the officers bed ready then turned in myself till 6 am, then brushed up his things and went and laid down till eleven, feeling very funny inside – could not sleep nor eat. Packed him up again at 5 pm and left for the next camp called Kohat, a distance of ten miles. I remember getting in sight of camp with the mules, then I fell down . The next thing I remember was finding myself in a thorn hedge with my helmet in the middle of the road. I picked myself together and got into camp and unpacked the officers things. The troops arrived about 3 am on Friday morning, the 2^nd July. I laid down until 6 am then got the officer his bath and cleaned all his clothes for him. Finished about one feeling very sick and vomiting. Laid down till 5 pm got up was very bad, I packed up the officers things, my nose now started bleeding and I felt faint. I went to the doctors and had a dose of medicine given me, then put my officers things on the mule and started them off. The next thing is a blank to me, but when I came to myself I found I was in a doolie and wet through and at Kohat Native Hospital having had the tap or a touch of the sun. I found it was Saturday morning at 2am, they put me to bed and I slept tin ten am when the doctor said I was alright. I stopped there all that day and night and left there in a jungle jonie about 10 am

On Sunday the 4^th to catch the battalion up. Some more of the Rifles came in just before I left and brought my kit with them. I took that with me and we passed the camp of Chickama about 9 miles from Kohat about 2 pm the horse gave out and we laid down for two hours then got in again and went on to the next camp called Lachi about 7 miles from the last camp getting in about 5.30. The regiment was packing up to proceed to the next camp. Reported myself, then paraded with the company at eight pm. I was inspected and marched off alright for about three miles. I then began to feel a bit light headed and started talking out loud to myself. They took me to the rear and placed me in a tonga. I rode into the next camp a distance of 17 miles called Bundo. I went to the field hospital tent and stopped there until the sick horn went. I was then inspected by the doctor and admitted into hospital. I went up to the Dock bungalow and stopped under the punkka till night, I had quinine and milk. I left there in a doolie about 8 pm on Monday 5^th, and arrived at the next camp – a distance of 14 miles – about 3 am on Tuesday the 6^th. The camp is called Khowanam, stopped in the field hospital tent all day, there was 13 more cases of sunstroke that day. I left there in a doolie for the next camp at 8 pm. Arrived in camp Suttaman about 3 am having come a distance of 18 miles, on Wednesday 7^th. Stopped in hospital all day and left at night at 8 pm in a hospital tonga. Got out at the halfway house and walked the remainder of the way, a distance of 17 miles altogether, getting into Bannu at 7 am on Thursday the 8^th, went to my companys tent and stopped there all day. Saw the doctor and he said a day or two's rest and I would be alright.

Friday 9^th July

Paid out 7 rupees. I stopped in camp all day and was much better.

Saturday 10^th July

Shifted over to the depot section tents, us and the Argyles that where sick. The regiment packed up and left here about 3 am.Sunday 4^th for the front. We are to go on shortly with a convoy. Went for a stroll around the camp, had rifle inspection in the evening.

Monday, 12^th July

Rifle and rounds inspected at 9 am.

Tuesday 13^th July

Doctors inspection at 7 am and arms inspection at the same time. Went for a walk down to Bannu bazaar, it is a nice clean place, and all kinds of fruit are sold and very cheap.

Wednesday, 14^th July

Doctors and arms inspection at 7 am. Patrol from 2am till 5 am, the 6^th P I left here for the front.

Thursday, 15^th July

Doctors inspection at 7 and arms inspection at 6 pm. A party of ours and the Argyles left here at midnight to join the regiments.

Friday, 16^th July

Doctors inspection at 7 am at the Fort Hospital, the 3^rd company are stationed there. The fort is built of mud with a deep ditch all round it, also it has a few guns.

Saturday 17^th July

Doctors inspection at 7 am, was discharged as well. Arms inspection at 6 pm, then squared up the camp.

Sunday 18^th July

Inspected by the station staff officer at 7 am, he then inspected the camp and found all correct.

Monday, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd. 24^th, 25^th, 26, 27^th, 28, 29^th, 30^th, August 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd,

Usual barracks routine and inspection. The staff officer said we were a better lot of men than the lot that went away last.

Wednesday, 4^th August

Paraded at 6 am and marched off to Saidgi, the next camp to Bannu, the march was very hot (16 miles), we did not get in before eleven.

Thursday, 5^th August

Paraded at 5 am and marched to the next camp, Idak, 16 miles, we crossed the Tochi river about 13 times, the water up to our waist at places. It was also very hot, we reached camp about 12, done up, dinner at 4. This camp is entrenched all round. The native troops stationed here turned out to try and capture some robbers which we could see in the distance, but they were unsuccessful, this part is very dangerous.

Friday 6^th August

Left camp about 6.30, I was baggage guard. The country is very hilly. I felt bad about 2 miles from camp and rode in on a camel, the distance is about 12 miles. This camp is Marin Shah and is a very large one with entrenchments all round. The 25^th P I , one native battery, and the 6^th, are here. During the night some shots were fired into the camp.

Saturday, 7^th August

Paraded at 6, marched off at 7, half way at 10 am, changed camels. No natives were allowed to go by here without a pass, the road was in and out of the foot of the hills. I rode on a mule three miles, crossed the Tochi river and got into camp at 1 pm. This camp is Boya, ten miles from the last place. This camp is well protected, but a small place and only two companies of native troops here. It was attacked the night before we came here but the enemy were driven off. Stopped here all day, Sunday the 8^th, and marched off on Monday 9^th for Data Khel, a distance of 9 miles, we rode on mules 3 miles and walked the remainder. The country is very hilly and we crossed a high range of hills and then the camp came in sight. It is situated in the Tochi valley. Arrived in camp about 12. This is a large camp and well guarded. The 14^th company lay here. We left here for the next camp, Shrannai which could be seen from here on Tuesday 10^th. Rode on mules for three miles and then walked the rest of the way, the distance is about 9 miles, passed some towers on the road that was blown down by the artillery. Got into camp about 10 am and rejoined my company. This camp is a big one, both brigades being here, the Argiles, and the Rifle Brigade, 6^th Bombay mountain artillery, 3^rd Seikes. Went sick at 5 pm, was dismissed and warned for tent guard. Paraded at 10 pm in straps and had to sleep in them all night.

Wednesday, 11^th August

Paraded at 5.30 am for convoy duty to escort 1600 mules half way to Datta Khel. Our sector was rear guard. We did the five miles by nine, had breakfast then fell in and marched back to camp. Our section being advance guard got in by 12.30, it was very hot.

Thursday, 12^th August

Paraded at nine am for fatigue digging a large trench around the outside of the camp. Dismissed at ten,paraded at eleven for the same job, dismissed at twelve. Warned for no 8 picquet. Cleaned up straps and got ready by six pm – not wanted, then warned for companies guard. Went on guard at twenty past twelve and came off at a quarter to three Friday 13^th morning. Warned for sports picquet, paraded at 4 pm and marched off down to a large piece of clear ground close to the river and helped to keep the soldiers back off the ropes. There was putting the shot – the Argyles won. Loyd Lindsey racing the Argyles finished 100 yds race. The Rifle Brigade also won, the tug of war was won by the Argyles. We marched back and were dismissed by 7.30.

Saturday, 14^th August

Paraded at 5 am in full marching order for road fatigue. Drawed tools and marched off three miles out of camp towards Data Khel. I did sentry, go over arms. We knocked off at 9.39 and got back to camp by 10.30. It was very hot. Wrote a letter home.

Sunday 15^th August

Church parade at 7 am, dismissed at 8. Doctors inspection, then guns inspection.

Monday, 16^th August

Paraded at 6 am in full marching order, taking rations with us and we marched off to the village of Mizar, taking with us a thousand mules to collect firewood and get fodder for the cattle. Arrived at the village (4 miles) by 7 am. Piled arms then went into the empty village and pulled down the doors and roofs. Collected enough wood by 8 am, then had breakfast. I went for a stroll through the place and saw the mules that were shot by the enemy, also Colonel Bunny's horse they have blown up all the trees and made everything as desolate as possible. Fell in and marched back by 12 pm.

Tuesday, 17^th August

Paraded at 4 am in full marching order and marched off to Mizar. Arrived there about 5 am and skirmished through the village across the Tochi river and up the kudds for 4 miles. We halted on a low ridge facing some hills where the enemy had retired to. Stopped there for two hours and then retired back to camp the same way we came, getting in by eleven am. Went on guard at 12.30 and came off at 3.

Wednesday 18^th August

Paraded at 10 am, served out with lime juice. Paraded again at 5 pm and made a road from the camp down to the river bed, finished at 7 pm.

Thursday 19^th August

Paraded at 5 marched off along the road to Datta Khel village and did some road work, finished at 10 and got back to camp by eleven. Warned for waiting guard. Mounted at 6 am in full marching order (serge). One man went sick, took on quarter guard. Went on sentry go from 6 pm to 8 pm and again from 12 till 2 am on Friday morning 20^th.I did patrol duty from 4 until 5,then got in kharki and paraded at 12.30, 12 of us and one corporal. We marched off to Sharranni villager as a picquet, not to allow any wood to be taken out of the village which is in ruins, having been blown up and burnt. Stopped there all day and marched back and dismissed by 7pm.

Saturday, 21^st August

Tent orderly, drawed rations. We have started cutting the enemy's crops. Fatigue at 4.30 fetching money from the Pay office.

Sunday 22^nd August

Church parade at 7 am

Monday 23^rd August

Paraded at 7.30, marched off to Mizer, piled arms and fell out. Had dinner at 11.30, the mules feeding on the enemy's crops and the drivers cutting down their corn. Fell in at 12 and marched off back to camp as an advanced guard. Got back by 1.30, warned for companies guard. Went on sentry go at 12 and came off at 3.30 this Tueday, 24^th. Paraded at 4.30 for fatigue building walls in the Argyles lines, finished at 7 pm. Our tent was for sleeping in straps. At 10 pm two shots were fired over the camp.

Wednesday, 25^th August

Warned for eastern picquet, paraded in full marching order (serge) at 6 pm was inspected and marched off to a detached post about 100 yds east of the camp. Went on sentry go from 7 till 8, then relieved. Went on again from 4 till 4.30. 20 men and one sergeant mounted, dismissed at 6 am.

Thursday, 26^th August, 27, 28^th, 29^th, 30, 31^st

Usual routine of guarding, marching and cleaning.

Wednesday, 1^st September 1897

Revelle at 5 am, packed up kits, also struck tents, packed them on mules and marched off as part of a column to Sundi Khel about 9 miles from Sharranni and the other side of Maizar. Pitched camp by 12, paraded at 5 pm to build walls round the camp. Was dismissed at 7. Was fired at around 10 pm, a dozen shots were counted.

Thursday, 2^nd September

Paraded at 6am and cut down brushwood to line the walls with. Paraded at 9 am, building walls and again at 5 pm.

Friday, 3rd September

Building walls all day.

Saturday 4^th September

Had ague and fever come on me and went sick at 5 pm. Was detained in a tent all night and saw the doctor again on Sunday morning and he told me to go to my tent and be an attending patient.

Monday 6^th September

Attending morning and evening.

Tuesday 7^th September

Left camp the whole column was sick, riding on mules we arrived at Sharranni about 12 pm. Pitched camp and went sick again at 5 pm and was ordered to stay behind with the A & S H as the column was going out on a surveying expedition and those that were sick were to stop behind. There was about 100 of us, paid out 7 rupees. The battalion and other troops struck camp at 6am on Wednesday 8^th and marched off to Datta Khel. We then went over to the red coats camp and pitched tents. Saw the doctor who gave me still attending the whole of us paraded again at 5 pm and were ordered to march down to Datta Khel tomorrow.

Thursday, 9^th September

Paraded again at 6,30 am in full marching order with kits packed and loaded them on mules. Then mounted a mule and rode into Datta Khel, getting in by 10.30. Found the battalion camped there and joined my company. Saw the doctor in the evening.

9^th, 10^th, 11^th 12^th 13^th 14^{th 15th}

Treatment from doctor, passed fit for duty.

Thursday, 16^th September

Cleared up the officers tent, paraded at 5 for bathing parade, marched down by the stream to Datta Khel village, getting back to camp by7.30 pm.

Friday, 17^th September

Got the officer ready for parade and cleaned up his tent, packed up a box of things to be carried by transport.

Saturday, 18^th September

Packed my kit by 5 am then drawed one camel for the officers baggage, loaded up and left Datta Khel by 7 am and marched with the baggage to Boya, getting in about 12 pm. Pitched the tent then at 5 pm, cleaned his clothes.

Sunday, 19^th September

Packed up kit at 4 am, then drawed camel, packed up officers baggage and left at 7 am for Marrin Shah, arrived in camp at 12 pm. Pitched officers tent and dug trench, etc, at 5 pm.

Monday 20^th September

Cleaned up tent at 9, warned for guard civil post mounted at 6 pm and came off at 6 am.

Tuesday, 21^st September

Cleared up tent at 9 am, bathing parade at 5 pm.

Wednesday 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th, 25^th, 26^th, 27^th, 28yj, 29yj.30^th, October 1^st,2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th,6^th,7^th, 8^th,9^th, 10^th,11^th, 12^th 13^th,14^th,15^th,17^th October

Usual barracks routine as well as medical attendance for fever.

18^th October

Left Mairn Shah at 7 am with the cook house. Got to the halfway house and made tea for the company. Left there and arrived at Idak at 1 am, saw the dinner up at 5 pm and went sick at 6 pm. Still attending.

Tuesday, 19^th October

Left Idak at 7 am for the halfway house, got there at 9.30, made tea and left there and arrived at Sadigi at 3 pm, doing the later half of the journey through the Tochi river bed. Saw dinner up at 5 pm, went sick at 6 pm got medicine and duty.

Wednesday, 20^th October

Packed up the cookhoue and left Sadigi for half way house, got there about 8.30, made tea, left here about 10, riding on a mule. Arrived in Bannu at 1 pm. Dinner at 3 pm. Took over my officer again.

Thursday, 21^st October

Paraded at 5.30 in serge for walk out, then went over hospital in evening.

Friday, 22^nd October

Rifle and sword inspect at 7.30 am, paraded at 5.30 for walk out.

Saturday, 23^rd October

Doctors inspection at 7.30 am, paid out six rupees. Paraded for a walk out at 5.30.

Sunday 24^th October –Saturday 30^th October

Usual routine.

Saturday 30^th October

Packed up officer's baggage and left Bannu at 7 am for Cornel, a distance of 9 miles.Got in at 12 and pitched his tent.

Sunday, 31^st October

Left Cornel at 6 am with officers baggage and arrived at Suttuman at 9 am. Attempted to pitched his tent, but fell down sick. Went sick in a Dooley. Got mutton broth and some brandy. Got better towards evening.

Monday, 1^st November

Packed up and left for Khowamar at 6 am, a distance of twelve miles. Got in about 12 and pitched tent.

Tuesday, 2^nd November

Left here at 5 pm and marched to Bundo a distance of 14 miles. Got her about 10 pm and pitched tent.

Wednesday, 3^rd November

Left Bundo for Ismal Khel, distance of 8 miles. Got it about 9am, then went on to Lachi, a distance of 7 miles, got there about 9 pm.

Thursday, 4^th November,

Left here at 4 pm for half way, arrived at 8pm.

Friday 5^th November

Left here for Chickama, arrived at 9 am. Then left at 4 pm for Chickama Kotal, arrived there at 7.

Saturday 6^th November

Left for Kohat, arrived 8 pm. The battalion came in at 9 pm, played in by a native band.

Sunday, 7^th November,

Left Kohat at 4 pm and arrived at Gambat at 8 pm.

Monday, 8^th November

Left for half way house, arrived about 9 am.

Tuesday 9^th November

Left here for Kulsagurah arrived about 8 am. Crossed the bridge of boates and arrived at the station camp. Unloaded hackery then packed up baggage and put it in the luggage van. Left here by train for Rawal Pindi at 10 pm. Arrived at Pindi station at 6am, Wednesday 10^th, picked up our kits and marched to the rest camp. Pitched the officers tent and got all the baggage away from the station. Stayed in the rest camp on the 11^th October.

Friday, 12^th November,

General inspection at 8 am. The General wished us farewell and hoped we would soon get better, paid out at 16 rupees. Got all the officers baggage back in the luggage van then packed our kits away and left Pindi for Umballa. At 4 pm arrived at Mean Mir camp at 6 am on Saturday, 13^th November and stopped all day. Left here at 7pm and arrived at Umballa on Sunday 14^th November at 8 am. They had a good breakfast ready for us. Saw the officers baggage to his bungalow, then got my bed and kit together.

Monday 15^th November – 21^st November

No parades for us.

Monday, 22^nd November- December 17^th

Usual routine and parades.

Saturday, 18^th December

Medical inspection at 8.30 am by the Inspector General of the Medical Staff of all the Indian Forces. School at 2 pm.

Sunday 19^th December – Tuesday 28^th December

Usual routine, plus entertainment for Christmas Day, plus medical inspections.

Wednesday, 29^th December

Paraded at 9.15 for Brigade practice on the large plain formed in line with the other troops of the garrison. Then marched pass in column back again in mass of quarter column then by again as a brigade. Marched off and dismissed at 12.

Thursday 30 th December

Holiday.

Friday 31^st December to Saturday 8^th January 1898

Usual routine and parades, Joined the I O G F lodge.