other ranks returning from hospital, the strength of the
Battalion had been brought up to near the authorised establishment. The
last draft marched in on the day before departure for Alexandria.
Transport vehicles and bicycles were not to be taken overseas and were
transferred to the charge of the New Zealanders.

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 1-1/2 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 s