TCD MS 10515 folio 24r
[March 12th 1916] in progressing inland. But how easy are these criticisms; we know naught of facts and difficulties; we make our condemnations in our ignorance.
Monday: March 13th 1916: Basra
At last ashore. The ship weighed anchor at 11am and steamed to the jetties. We disembarked later, and after I had transferred my sick to the general hospital, proceeded to the standing camp. The camp, known as Margill, is large with plenty of accomodation in its present empty state. The ground, however, is a sticky clay which after the recent storm, is converted into a soft, sticky mud and gives some idea of the great difficulties opposed to all kinds of progress in the heavy rains. Rumours fill the air. Pessimism