Saturday Oct. 21, 1916

Left Petawaw at 7 P.M. for Halifax. Lt. Burrows in charge. Capt Johnston & Mulock warned fro draft overseas. Mulock finds he can't go thru defective eyesight and is in tears. Capt Johnston sore that he has to go with Mulock turned down, as he has given up several good chances to stay with him. Irwin & I satisfied that Johnston is one of the cleverest officers of his age in Canada. His treatment of us has always been of the best & we have no complaints. In fact admire him in a good many ways.

People at Pembroke and along the way give the boys a good send off. Supply them with candies & eats.

Accomodation of the train good. Pullman for the officers & a separate car for the Sergeants. 14 cars all told with 12 officers (including 1 M.O. & a chaplain) and 492 N.C.O'S. & men.

Sunday Oct. 22, 1916

Arrived in Montreal early this morning.

Had an hours walk at Chaudiere Junction. Took all the men with us for exercise.

At morning passed a Highland Batt'n from Glengarry bound for overseas.

Capt. Omond holds church service in each car in the evening. The boys all happy so far.

The scenery along the route quite different from what we are accustomed to in Ontario. French village after village, each house whitewashed and each village with its large church.

Monday Oct. 23, 1916

Took the men out for an hour's walk at Moncton N.B. about 3 P.M. Our train is the 8th troop train that day & 2 more are to follow.

The trip is very monotonous and the Pullman to cold to stay in. The Engineers claims there is too many cars to get the heat back to the rear ones.

Tuesday Oct. 24, 1916

Arrived in Halifax early this morning and after breakfast marched to the dock and embarked on the S.S. "Grampian" along with the 203rd Bttn of Winnipeg and some A.M.C. details.

Remained at the dock all day but no shore leave was granted, were not allowed to send any letters even.
Have Sir Hamar & Lady Greenwood aboard and a few lady passengers (7) also 3 flying corp men & one a brother of Percy McKissock.

Wednesday Oct. 25, 1916

When we wakened up this morning found ourselves anchored in the Basin while the S.S. Corsician was being loaded.

Still allowed no communication with the shore.

Local papers brought aboard. See that Wilf Bowles has just returned on the Mauretania which docked today. He is home on leave - shell shock.

Physical drill commenced today & is to continue for the length of the voyage daily.

Thursday Oct. 26, 1916

Left at 5 P.M. for the open sea, accompanied by the steamer Corsician and the Cruiser Antrim as an escort.

A slight roll to the ocean and the tables are not completely filled at dinner.

Meet Tim Mc[?] who is going across on some headquarter job.

Our table consists of Lieuts Ocarth, Gouinlock, Bird, Skey, Lough, Leslies and myself - all from Toronto.

Friday Oct. 27, 1916

Sea smooth but with the customary roll.

All portholes closed and windows heavily curtained after sun down, last night. Was glad to get out side in the morning and see the ship. She has a big 6" gun mounted on the stern, the shells weighing 100 lbs.

Guards are arranged for i.e. (1) the Quarter guard consisting of 3 officers and 99 men divided into 3 shifts giving each relief 2 hrs on and 4 off. They are scattered all over and thru the ship (2) Submarine guard whose duties are to look out for subs. (3) Lifeboat guard who carry fixed bayonets, 2 men to each lifeboat and (3) The 4 machine gun crews. 2 guns mounted fore & aft on each side of the boat (4) the men detailed to handle the 6" gun.

Saturday Oct. 28, 1916

Day fine - sea smooth. Rain in afternoon.

See a school of porpoises which scared some of the people half to death, mistaking them for submarines.

Pass a tramp steamer.

The three steamers ziz-zag continually as the American shore is considered a submarine zone. The Antrim continually keep in front.

Printed marconigrams are laid beside our breakfast plates this morning, giving us the news of the day.

Some funny characters aboard. "Gyp the Blood" an aviator, Capt. Clipperton of the 203rd Bttn who is a good scout. Lieut Chalmers, a veterinary from the west whose forte seems to be good nature and a love of cards. The chaplain of the 203rt Bttn and a Miss Sherwood from Ottawa who seems to be enjoying herself with the officers and an American Lady who has a fondness for cigarettes.

Was on Quarter Guard to-day.

Sunday Oct. 29, 1916

The wind is freshening up. The men on Quarter Guard are getting sick as fast as they go down into the hold. The lower hold is something fierce. The front holes remaining closed day & night combined with smells of the place and the roll of the boat has laid low nearly every one quartered in that part of the ship. Fortunately the artillery are quartered in the second class cabins, the 203rd down below.

The waves are washing over the bow and the guards are soaked by the spray.

I began to feel a little unsteady but as yet have not got sick.

Monday Oct. 30, 1916

The wind is abating a little but the sea is running heavy. The cruiser ahead appears to be rolling completely under each time but always bobs up serenely.

The 203rd Bttn gave a concert in the 2nd class Dining room. Sgt McLean of the 67th acted as accompanist.

Tuesday Oct. 31, 1916

The artillery gave a concert in the 2nd class dining room this evening. Made a big hit with everyone, especially the 67th Sextette which was brought up to the paloon afterwards to repeat their performance.

Medical Inspection today.