TCD MS 10515 folio 72v
[May 6th 1916]
A severe storm, with dense dust, thunder, lightening, followed by rain, burst over the camp at midnight. Some atmospheric disturbance was expected when we turned in , as the wireless operators reported that they were unable to connect up with Basra owing to the unusual electrical conditions in the air. When the storm burst, it came with a vengeance. Many tents were carried bodily away. I clung for two hours to my tentpoles, and succeeded in staying the shelter with additional pegs and ropes. The greatest inconvenience was the loss of the few hours of precious sleep, as 3a.m. had to see us loading up again. The Dorsets suffered most. The river, driven shoreward before the strong wind, washed over their camp in a shallow flood.