midnight
we left our tents , and just went into our field-glasses , as one goes into a theatre . The men in the transports were delayed a night in the harbour , and on the following day disgorged into the floating omnibuses that plied nightly to Suvla or Helles . These omnibuses were old Isle of Man passenger steamers , jolly old tubs , doing their bit like papa and uncle and grandad in the National Guard at home . Being due to arrive with their crowds of fighting men at the Peninsula in the darkness of midnight , they would get under way just before dusk . They went out with the sun , travelling straight and slowly between the hulls . To the lads , thus being drawn to the danger-zone , a send-off would be given in salvos of cheers from the sides of the anchored vessels , the bands of the Navy sometimes playing them out with the old airs of England . And the lads themselves , enjoying their evanescent triumph , and feeling like the applauded heroes on a carnival car , would shout back a merry response , or pick up the chorus of the tune rendered by the distant band .