Merrylees, John Innes, Diary, 4-5 November 1917

Diary, John Innes Merrylees dated November 4-5, 1917.
Description: 
Diary of John Merrylees

Tabs

Case Study: 
British Forces in the Middle East
Creator: 
Merrylees, John Innes
Source: 
diary
Date: 
4-5 November 1917
Place: Beersheba
Collection/Fonds: 
Contributer: 
McMaster University Libraries
Rights: 
Copyright, public domain: McMaster University owns the rights to the archival copy of the digital image in TIFF format.

Identifier: 
00001415-4
Language: 
eng
Type: 
image
Format: 
jpg
Transcript: 

ordered to take company up hill & hold on. While doing so stopped by OC Kents who wanted me to attack Hill I. I refused point blank & said "I'll be damned if I do" After many contradictory orders we went forward & occupied the hill. Lack of water greatly felt. In response to call for company commanders I returned to B.H.Q. & had fit of hysterics, from which I soon got better. Considerable agony caused by this lack of water. Water arrived at 1500, 2 bottles per man, which eased situation considerably. I spent night in wadi & sent Stringer to relieve Sussex with one platoon. Again fainted with exhaustion but soon recovered. Peaceful night. Later that night a third water bottle per man arrived.
Kent Co. Major Jude
Artillery strafe at night. Stood to at 4.30 Slack day. Stringer & I shared a [?] of Burberrys [?]