1915 – April 18

Entered Aden harbour at 8 a.m. As we flew the wrong signals the outer fort fired a shell at us which passed between the funnels and made a fine splash beside the ship. The Captain’s hair stood on end. Left in tender to Salsette [possibly this ship] at 10 a.m. only about 14 of us. Salsette is a fine pretty boat but full of beetles. We have a lovely cabin and they have let Rose come up the 1st Class end, which was very good of them – without payment.

1915 – April 15

Very hot and sticky with wind aft and a hot night. I am not yet in my cotton clothes. Nothing doing on board, just a peaceful siesta. At Aden I hope we will get news of a naval victory in the North Sea*. The old war is very tiresome, but it does good and the longer it lasts the better.

* This possibly turned out to be the Battle of Jutland, which commenced on 31st May 1915.

1915 – April 14

Arrived Suez at noon and straight off for Aden. Weather fine and not too warm. It was interesting going through the canal, all lights out and portholes closed on the port side for enemy’s snipers. Bridge protected with sandbags. Troops and defences all along. Saw the 56th that is the old 2nd P.I., and passed two French cruisers and one British. The ship is very empty and nice and quiet. Daisie and I enjoy that but other passengers complain that it is dull with no dancing or athletic sports. Susanna keeps well and cheerful with occasional fits of bad temper. She has one nice little boy to play with and seems in no hurry to get to the end of the journey. No particular war news. Where is our new force going to? The Dardanelles or to Bosnia, via Montenegro? Rumours of a naval expedition off Norway. No prospect of the war ending but of course some day it will end. I am certain that we will strike a blow between now and middle of May, that it will be successful and that the war will end in the Autumn. The Turks seem to be still quite serious in their advance on Egypt, but I do not think they can do much in that direction.