We were rather pessimistic as to our chances of reaching Salonika

13th [October 1916] Friday

Saw in orders last night that our kit goes on board today and ourselves tomorrow.
Kits packed by 11 am to go at 4.
Miller I find is a grand nephew of the late Earl Roberts and lived with him.
We were rather pessimistic last night in the Osborne as to our chances of reaching Salonika for we expected then to sail today – Friday 13th. The authorities seem deliberately to have wasted a day in order not to start till Saturday 14th!
By the way, the day the Regiment suffered its heavy casualties was in an attack which commenced on the 13th day of the 13th month of our service abroad. I am not superstitious but there you are!
I am very bucked at the last few days work. A fortnight or three weeks is generally spent at Ghain Tuffeiha and up to a month at All Saints – say 5 week s leaving hospital. I am out of hospital a week today and by tomorrow afternoon will be on the High Seas . This camp has been filling for a month and now we get in within three days of a clearance.