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"JUST A SO-SO DAY"
"Just A So-So Day" has been compiled virtually word for word from the
notes and diaries that my father penned during the whole of the period
from leaving England in December 1940 to his returning home to
Wickersley near Rotherham in July 1945.
It gives an account of life during the Second World War as seen through
the eyes of a Dental Mechanic in the Royal Army Dental Corps travelling
with a Mobile Dental Unit attached to the famous 8th Army and the Long
Range Desert Group.
Sometimes sad, often humorous and certainly a love story as far as he
and my mother were concerned. Reading through them, I found myself
becoming involved in his daily life and I began to feel quite sorry for
my father towards the end of the war. A number of his mates were going
home early but this was never to be his luck.He had to stick it out to
the bitter end. As one entry says, "missed the boat"!
"Just A So-So Day", as he would often begin a daily entry, is I believe
quite unique in its content. It is a genuine and completely honest
account.
"......... felt pretty bloody awful today so eased off work. Tummy
upset. Taking tablets. Just after tea, Jerry came over with eight
'planes. A bit of fun was seen, bombs, ack-ack, but nothing was brought
down.........a quiet night".
THE DIARIES OF A ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS DENTAL MECHANIC
THE WESTERN DESERT 1940 - 1945
These are the War Diaries of Private Steve Lonsdale, 7538963. The Army
Dental Corps 131st Mobile Dental Unit, 8th Army MEF & later with the
LRDG, RAMC & ADC Corps Base Depot MEF & 64th General Hospital
Alexandria.
Later as Corporal Steve Lonsdale, No5 Field Dental Lab from 5th December
1944.
To my wife Una
This diary is about my journey east from England to Egyptand later in
Genifa, Alexandria and many other places in the Western Desert. During
the period from December 1940 to July 1941, the facts were as I
remembered them writing in Cairo during July 1941.
The remainder as I saw daily life during the war in the desert.
I hope someday she will read them.
Steve Lonsdale
1940 - 1941
10th December. Everything naturally all in a rush. Arrived Maidstone
after tea, got eventually to Tudor House at night. Did manage to get to
bed around 12.30am.
Next day a rather disappointing start, got tickets made out for Leeds,
was laughing, but no it was not to be, they were changed for Boyce
Barracks. Set off for Fleet, stopped on the way at Beckenham to visit
the home of Stan Mole. We had a grand dinner and an hour or two with his
people. Then on to Fleet. Boyce had not altered at all. That was 11th
December 1940.
The weeks at Boyce were just lousy, the most miserable of my army
career. Xmas day was spent there. No Xmas leave, we were supposed to be
leaving any day. The dinner was really marvellous but even that could
not make up for the heartache I had. Typical kit was collected, had one
day to parade unit, it was colder at Boyce than I have known it for
years. Imagine tropical kit with inches of ice everywhere. The army sure
do think of everything. While there had my foot x-rayed. Did manage to
get out of drilling.
In the cold grey hours of 5th January 1941, to be exact at 4.00 am, we
left Boyce for Aldershot and after a nightmare ride in a lorry, boarded
the train and left Aldershot at 6.00 am. By the way, I posted a letter
for you at the station but I do not know if you got it. Arrived at
Liverpool after a cross country run at 4.30pm, not so bad considering it
was non stop. It was not until we got to Liverpool that we knew where we
were going.
Spent two days in Liverpool at a so called rest camp. I think I can pass
over that. One bright spot, the Dental Corps got out each night. One
thing I must mention, all day Monday 6th January we stood by from early
morning all packed up and ready to move, but did not go. Another thing I
must mention, I did not think it possible to wash and shave in such a
small quantity of water. Then on 7th January we did move down to the
docks, stood there for hours and eventually went on board the Windsor
Castle. My heart sank then, for up to the last I hoped against hope we
should not go. On board and into a grand cabin and then up anchor and
out into the bay of Liverpool.
For a day or two we stood around and then off, good and proper. Sailing
again into the unknown, we could only guess where to. On board I became
batman to Sgt Stonehouse and Sgt Thomson, both Dental Officers and very
nice chaps. That got me out of a lot of other unpleasant duties. The
food was good, everything was nice, no, the heartache was still there. I
had no doubt that It will go sometime. You will probably remember your
letter to me at Boyce, I got no card from you at Xmas, then the letter,
well it just broke my heart. I know dear you had had a bad raid, but you
just took it out of me, I forgave you darling, I made allowances for
everything but my heart was just about breaking. Everything was all
right, the food continued good, was not sea sick, I must confess,
though, I had some bad headaches.
Then after a week of nothing but sea, sea, everywhere, we had to leave
our cabins and were put into a 2nd Class smoke room. This was on deck
level, at first it did not seem too good, but later proved okay. For
eighteen days it was just the same routine, batman, on deck, look at the
other ships and the sea. When the weather got warmer nearer to the
Equator we were glad to be above deck. At night it was terrible, a
strict blackout being observed. In the smoke room, or should I say, our
billet, it was terribly hot, one just sat and sweated. The first sweat
of the day was the worst it just poured out. It was good to have a dip
in the pool on deck. I was in every morning early. At night I sat on
deck with Stan, we just talked of things gone by. My heart was with you
all the time. Wondering all day long what you were doing.
Then after eighteen days we saw land. On 25th January we got to Freetown
and anchored there for four days. It was very interesting. The bum
boats, with natives trying to sell fruit and all sorts of things and
watching them dive for money. It was good to see land again though we
did not go ashore. The nights were grand, all the ships lying around lit
up, the moon was up, lights twinkled all over the bay. It was a real
tropical moon, made for love, if only you had been there my darling.
Then on the 29th January, we left Freetown to run into even hotter
weather as we got nearer the Equator. Again nothing to see but sea. No
incidents at all, no shocks or anything unpleasant. I never gave a
thought of anything happening, though I must confess before I started
from England I was a bit windy but nothing happened. Thank God.
On Friday 31st January we reach the Equator and had the ceremony of
crossing the line. This was very good to watch. The weather was now
extremely hot. Then after another week or two of sea, we came to another
stop. One thing I must mention, the much vaunted Southern Cross, that
according to our authors, (whom I have doubts if they have ever seen
it), "hangs from the sky like a flaming jewel". Well l was disappointed,
or maybe I expected too much. Then on 11th February we reached Durban.
Before getting there we had sports day on board, it was very enjoyable.
We stayed at Durban for four days. Every minute ashore I enjoyed. It was
good to be on land again, I had quite a lot of cash saved from my batman
job. I went with four more of the boys. Luck was with us, we were picked
up by some people and taken along to dinner. All our time was spent in
their company. The hospitality of the South Africans was wonderful. As I
write this the wireless is playing "When my dream boat comes home".
Sure, that will be the day.
Our first dinner with the Smith's was grand, eggs, steak, potatoes,
kidney beans, rice and custard and pineapple, loads of breads and heaps
of butter followed by tea. Our hostess apologised for a make-shift meal.
Gee! after the pig swill on board the Orbita it was a banquet. (I am
running ahead of my story). It was the third day in Durban we changed to
the Orbita (I have learned since that both the ships we came over on
have been sunk). One thing, the sinking of the Orbita, has certainly
saved a few thousand heartaches.
On to Durban again, the Smith's had a car which we went out in, or
rather set out in, to go to an open air dance place, the Athalone
Gardens. Eight of us crowded into the car, my pal Stan Mole was driving.
The car was pretty old, we had not gone very far, in fact we were
driving down a main road, one with an island in the centre set with
trees, a really beautiful thoroughfare. We attempted to overtake another
car and I must confess that disaster nearly overtook us. The other car
swerved in front of us, Stan pulled out to avoid it and hit the island
in the middle of the road. Then started the most hectic few minutes of
my life. We got into a violent skid, went tearing right across the road,
just about to crash then skid right back again. It was just like one
sees on the films, just about to hit something and then across the road
again. In the middle of one skid the back tyre burst, the car rocked
right over on one side, righted itself and turned completely round
facing the way we had come! Those few seconds when the car rocked, I
thought my time had really come, but it was the last skid and the car
finally stopped right outside the Durban Cricket Ground where the Test
matches are played. A huge crowd gathered round and told us how lucky we
were. (Didn't we know it).
However, we got a spare on and returned home. No dancing that night.
Finished the evening up with a drink.
Each day of our shore leave we spent with our friends, every day having
a grand feed. Troops by the way, travel free on the buses. Durban is a
wonderful place and I shall never forget the wonderful hospitality of
our friends, but like all goods things it came to an end.
During our stay in Durban we changed ships on to the Orbita, a positive
hell ship. A terrible ship, stinking and rotten, one had to sleep and
eat on the mess tables, crowded and herded like cattle. The first two
nights we had to sleep where we could. I got curled up on deck, it
wasn't too bad seeing we had Durban to sweeten it. Then on Saturday 15th
February, the day to leave Durban came. We had our first dinner on
board, IT WAS CRAWLING WITH MAGGOTS, my God, what a start. Mutterings
were heard from all tables. The Officers came, complaints were made,
talks of leaving the ship were heard. Then, headed by the Dental Corps,
all the chaps trooped on deck to leave the ship. An Officer blocked the
gangway, it looked like being good, one man did get off. It all
quietened down and the ship put off in a hurry out of the dock.
We were promised better food but it was terrible, dysentery broke out,
hundreds a day going down with it. I had a touch of it and believe me it
is no joke being on the run all day and night. The tea wasn't bad, the
meat you dare not touch, so I lived on a bread and butter tea. Potatoes
all went rotten, more than two hundred sacks were thrown overboard and
tons of black slime that had once been spuds scraped up and slung. The
whole ship was in a filthy state, the decks all filth and flies. We were
told that the Air Force had got it in that state. Before we left it was
looking like a ship. I still carried on with my batman job. Had to clean
the things in the officers cabins, no room anywhere else.
Moving round the Red Sea, the heat was terrific, I did not think it
possible to sweat as much. On board we had washing parades. Had to wash
our clothes on deck owing to the water shortage. When one thought of the
number of good ships that had been sunk and a ghastly wreck like this
had missed it all - well it made one wonder if there was any justice.
However, good things and bad things must end, and on 8th March, we
arrived at Port Tufay at the entrance to the Suez Canal and on the 9th
March we disembarked. The disembarking and the getting on the train was
the quickest move I have ever made in the Army. We got straight on the
train and were away within the hour. At the station we were given tea
and a cake, it was very welcome. Then we started on our journey into the
unknown.
The Egyptian trains are no picnic but it was something new. All the way,
hawkers passed up and down the train, all of them having a licence to do
so. We came onto native villages, then hour after hour of nothing but
desert. One part was extremely pretty, had I seen it on the films I
should have said it was not real. The sand hills looked almost like a
stage back-cloth. Then without any warning the whole scene was
transformed from desert to green fields and trees, land under
cultivation, houses, it was hardly believable. We were nearing the end
of our journey which turned out to be none other than that wonderful
city of Cairo. Right into the centre we went on the train then back
again, side-tracked to a big military depot where all the troops
unloaded.
This was Abyassia. The native houses were remarkable, made of mud with
flat roofs or flat tops. Roofs were no where to be seen, it looked for
all the world like a land mine had gone off and shattered them, how
anyone can live in such hovels is beyond human understanding. Then we
were conveyed on lorries to Helmich Camp which is the RAMC and ADC Corps
Base Depot. This is a few miles out of Cairo. It was funny trying to
imagine what sort of place it would be. After running around for quite a
long time, the driver having lost his way, we did eventually get there.
It had no doubt at one time been desert as it was all sand. The barrack
rooms were built of brick and plaster, which was a relief for me as I
had expected tents. There were roadways and laid on water so really it
was not too bad. It would be about 5.00pm or round that time when we had
our first meal there and what a feed. Chicken, baked spuds, spinach,
Yorkshire pud, custard and fruit and tea. The question of the moment was
would it last. Unfortunately no! In fairness I must say the food was not
too bad as far as food goes. I did not go out that night, I was not
feeling too good, having a terrible headache.
The first day there was not too bad, the usual kit inspection, etc. Then
the day after it was drill, fatigues and all the other lot one expects
from a Depot. The drill I soon put a stop too, also PT early morning. I
went sick with my foot and got an exemption from both. Some of the
mechanics went to No1 Dental Lab to work, at first I was not so lucky.
Then started postings. The boys went to various places, Sudan,
Alexandria, Greece and other places. My pal Stan Mole went to the 9th
General Hospital at Heleopolis which is only a mile or two from Helmich,
so I was able to see him everyday. After a week of mucking about I went
into the lab to work and was there until I was posted.
Now a little about Cairo. It was a bus ride into Cairo and what a ride.
Unless you have ridden in a Cairo bus you haven't lived. The traffic by
the way is on the right hand side of the road, which took quite a lot of
getting used to. The first ride on the bus into town just simply put the
wind up me. The bus careered all over the place, missing things by
inches, I was pleased when it was all over. I got used to it later.
Cairo is a wonderful place, (I realise this now as I write this, for I
am on the edge of the desert). There are some wonderful buildings. The
Egyptians, some in native dress, others in modern dress. The cars,
donkeys, goats and cattle, everything all mixed up and some really
beautiful women, Greek and French mostly. Open air cafes, bars, picture
houses and street hawkers. I must make special mention of the hawkers
for they were a dam nuisance. You could not move without something or
other being thrust in your face.
Another place I must mention is the "Birker", the Regimental Brothels in
Cairo. They are situated in one street, Birker Street. There is a PA
centre attached where one goes for treatment after going with one of the
women. This by the way is encouraged out here but thank God I kept off
them. I have been round them, believe me it is an education. The women
sit in various stages of undress waiting for their clients. The price
being 20pt. What a sample of women, not a decent one amongst them. Most
of them were coloured. Some of our boys went to see an exhibition. It
was really funny, though disgusting to see chaps mauling them about and
then go into the rooms with them, an education without a doubt. Another
thing one visits in Cairo are the Pyramids and very wonderful they are.
I went along with one or two of the boys and was conducted round with a
guide who explained everything. The Zoo is another interesting place,
also the School of Hygiene which is more than interesting.
On the 29th March, I was posted to the 15th Scottish Hospital along with
Bob Murray. Harry Butler was already there. It was for temporary duty.
Eric Farrel was the mechanic attached to the unit so that made four of
us there. It was the happiest part of my stay in Cairo. The hospital was
at Guava on the banks of the Nile. Gizera was just across the water with
a wonderful sports club. What a treat to see green grass again. I spent
a lot of time there playing cricket umpiring for the hospital team and
also watching Gizera play. I saw one or two County players there. Wally
Hammond and F.J. Brown being the two most famous. At cricket I did
pretty well considering I have not played for such a long time. An
interdepartmental competition was run, the Dental and Labs won it. I had
some wonderful successes with the ball.
May 1941, Gizera Sporting Club, Cairo, the worlds richest club.
L to R - Steve Lonsdale, Eric Farrell and Harry Butler.
May 1941, Gizera Sporting Club, Cairo, the worlds richest club.
Steve Lonsdale, with Bob Murray and Harry Butler.
The food and conditions were grand at the hospital. Plenty of denture
work to do. I started at 6.30am until 1.00pm, the afternoons and
evenings being free. Most weekends I went into Cairo to a show and
supper. But alas like all goods things it came to an end. One very
interesting thing I recall was a visit to the Path Lab in the hospital.
There I saw some human 'innards'. One was the heart and lungs with a big
cancer between the lungs. These had been taken only a few days before
out of a patient that had died. Also the bladder and the accompanying
parts of an Italian that had been shot through the bladder. I was
invited on many occasions to witness a post mortem but declined with
thanks, although I should very much have liked to have seen one.
May 1941. Taken outside the Dental Lab in Alexandria. More of the dental
boys.
L to R - Steve Lonsdale, Cpl. Kelly, Alvey, Farrell and Butler.
May 1941. Taken at the hospital, Alex. The dental staff. L to R -
Farrell, Steve Lonsdale, Butler, Alvey, Cpl. Kelly and Gordon Anderson.
Then on the 6th July, Capt. Johnson the Dental Officer brought the sad
news that I was to be posted to Genifa to the 19th General for temporary
duty until the opening of the No4 Dental Lab. Harry Butler and I left
Cairo at 6.15pm on the 8th July having had two days rest before
starting. The journey was the same as all Egyptian journeys, pretty
awful. Hard wooden seats. It was interesting enough the new places we
passed through. At 10.00am we arrived at Ismailia and changed trains. It
was midnight before the train left there, that part of the journey being
completed on the platform of the train owing to half of the train being
reserved for prisoners of war. They sat, we had to stand. Very nice
indeed! Then at 1.00am on the 9th July, the train arrived a Fayed, a one
platform stop in what appeared to be the middle of the desert. It was a
beautiful moonlit night. We had to wait around for half an hour before
an ambulance came to pick us up. It was about 1.45am when we reported at
the hospital and were accommodated in the reception room for the
remainder of the night. I slept on an operating table.
After the usual completion of toilet, we met the boys at the 19th Lab
and quite a decent crowd of fellows. Our first breakfast was quite good,
all the meals there were good but nothing like the 15th food. It was the
following Monday 14th July that we moved to the new lab and were
attached to the Infantry Base Depot for rations. Tuesday morning we
started work. Monday being spent unpacking equipment and setting it out.
Genifa, well, all I can say is it is a lousy place and could be called a
semi-desert station. The Syna Mountains run right along one side of us,
this by the way, is the Syna Desert. On the other side about three miles
away is the Suez Canal. The part against us is Lake Bitter, the swimming
there being quite good.
A few meals at the IBD proved how rotten food can be. Never enough and
on the whole pretty lousy. It was cooked outside in field boilers fed by
wood, As one can imagine nearly everything tasted of wood smoke. Tea is
about the best thing they make apart of course for 'Mayfeesh' sugar and
occasionally tasting of onions. Feeding in a tent with that kind of food
brings a chap down nearly as low as possible.
There is always some interesting shipping on the canal, destroyers,
cruisers, etc. and an occasional aircraft carrier. August Bank Holiday
Monday was just another day, the same work routine. One thing to
remember it by, a big raid on Ismailia, they certainly dropped some
stuff but nothing near enough here to cause any upset. Naturally all of
us were awakened. These raids are nearly every other night.
7th August 1941. This is more or less up to date. Today has been the
same as another day, the same amount of work etc. I have had a terrific
headache all today, last night I slept very heavy. It was the only
nights sleep I have had for three weeks. What with the heat, the bad
food, lack of sleep, well I am just about feeling all in. If I have
anymore sleepless nights I shall go sick. If you only knew how I am
missing you dear. I am well fed up with everything but I think I can
stick it out. That is all for today.
Friday 8th August. Just another day. The only difference it was pay day.
At night I went to the Gaff but was unlucky again, the air raid warning
went and had to come out. There was a raid during the night, nothing
near here, the planes passing right over. A few bombs were dropped and
plenty of ack-ack in the distance.
9th August. A Saturday, work as usual in the morning. The afternoon
free, went for a swim, it was glorious, just swam lazily about under a
tropical sun. What a welcome change after a week of sweating by the
bench. The heat is terrific, sunbathing is out of the question, to sit
in the sun is to ask for trouble.
Saturday evening went to the Gaff, first house, with Fred Cooper, RAOC
boy from Sheffield, using the same tickets as the previous evening. Did
manage to see the show though but what a wicked show it was. The
apparatus is very bad, if you can hear one word out of twenty then you
do well. Saturday finished nice and quiet with no raid. Stood half an
hour for a drink of tea, then it had all gone. This is just one of the
small trials of life.
10th August. Sunday today and a day off. This morning I stayed in bed a
little later. The sun is just shining on the Syna Mountains giving them
a wonderful effect, to see it does break the monotony just a little. It
is a place that grows on one. Ismailia after its raid of the other
night, I hear, has now practically emptied of Arabs. Most of the shops
having closed. Went after dinner for a swim, it was really grand, swam
around for about half an hour. Another warning during the night, nothing
near on.
11th August. Just another ordinary working day. In the evening went to
the Gaff, listened first to a chap playing the piano in the Scottish
Church Club, he was very good indeed, played many beautiful melodies.
Took me back home in thought. Air raid warning again in the night.
Ismailia had another heavy bombing. I did not lose much sleep. Thank God
I am sleeping better these days. The sleepless nights were just about
driving me crazy.
12th August. Nothing of any importance during the day. In the evening
stayed in. A raid again during the night but nothing to get worried
about.
13th August. The day passed without incident, cig issue at night, went
to the Gaff, had a few minutes on the piano at the Club. Raid again
during the night. Ismailia was dive bombed for two hours. Sleep was not
disturbed during nightly bombing.
14th & 15th August. As usual just work during the day and no raids at
night. Went to the Gaff on the Friday night.
16th August. On duty today so could not go out for a swim. Played darts
most of the time, another quiet night.
17th August. Day off, went swimming and sunbathing, very enjoyable. Went
to the Gaff at night. Another quiet night, no warnings.
18th to 20th August. Just humdrum days, pretty boring nights. Went to
the pictures to pass away the time. On the 20th I sent a cable for your
birthday darling. I hope you got it. On the 19th I got Jean's birthday
card, it was very nice. I was very much touched with it. The day brought
back many pleasant memories of those saner days. At the present I am
very worried, not having received any word from home (apart from the
card) for three weeks. Shall have to send a cable to see what is wrong.
I hope to God everything is all right, for if anything happens to Jean
or you darling, I'll go stone crazy.
21st August. I still await a letter. Work as usual. Things are shaping
towards a new surgery being made. We are to move into tents. I have
volunteered to sleep in the lab at nights to look after the place. I do
not fancy a tent at all. A most noteworthy event- a few drops of rain!
Received letter from home on the 21st. I was very pleased and much
relieved to know that everything was all right. One thing pleased me
very much, Jean had started to go to Sunday School and Church, how that
kid must be growing up. I do miss her, as for you darling, I miss you
more than I dare say.
22nd & 23rd August. Friday was payday, one outstanding day of the week.
Went to the pictures at night. Saturday afternoon is a day off, was
going swimming but fell asleep. Must go Sunday without fail. Quite a lot
of new chaps have passed through this last few days, all happy and
cheery. Wonder how long it will be before that smile is wiped off their
faces. Wrote a letter card in answer to your letter darling. Quite a
shaker about Freda. Certainly thought they were marking time for a bit.
Don't think it will be a boy, I hope not. For why? Goodness only knows.
If I still had been at home dear, I wonder if you would have wanted
another one.
24th August. Went down to the beach soon after 9.00am and had a really
good day in the sun. Came back at tea-time. If you could see me now
darling all sunburnt, I'm sure you would fall for me. What a day. A lazy
swim, then laid out in the sun, a cup of tea. Oh. Gee! if only you had
been there darling. It was a well deserved rest after a week of work.
Finished the day off by going to the pictures.
25th August. Your birthday darling girl. Wonder if it was a lonely one.
I am with you in thought, do so hope darling you have got the cable I
sent . A very puny present but under the circumstances all I could do. I
know you will forgive so small a remembrance. I received today four
postcards and two letters. They were dated April. It is good to get some
news through, especially good news. Have not been feeling too good
today. Got a nasty pain in my chest. Fancy it may be indigestion, shall
see the MO tomorrow.
26th August. Did not feel too good today but did not go sick. Everything
just the same work as usual. Just seen a tent on fire. Tomorrow we start
to dine at the DID lets hope it will be better food. Had a really good
nights sleep last night, maybe shall be a lot better with a few good
nights. There have been no raids for a few nights, there being no moon.
The new moon is just coming up, so can expect something later. There was
a warning at night but nothing to disturb me much.
27th August. Heard of a most remarkable thing. A patient in the hospital
got his sight back suddenly after being blind for eight months. Another
raid during the night. Hit an ammunition train 15 miles away from here.
Killed a few Arabs. The food is certainly excellent. It is absolutely of
the best and no wonder, it is the place they distribute the food and
everything all round the district. One outstanding thing is butter, no
wagon grease like we have been having. If this continues I'll get as fat
as a pig. Have got a real fat tummy now.
28th, 29th & 30th August. Just three more days, ordinary everyday days.
The food continues to be excellent. On Friday night there was a warning
but nothing at all new here. Saturday just all quiet, had dinner at
12.30pm then just fell asleep after it like a big fat pig. Went in the
evening to the Gaff, all quiet during the night. Received newspaper
dated 4th May 1941.
31st August. Sunday, the best day of the week, it means a few hours away
from the bench. Went down to the beach for a swim and a laze. Came back
for a dinner for the grub is far too good to miss. Tried to sleep in the
afternoon but the flies would not let me. Another air raid warning
during the night.
1st September. Of course a day to be remembered, our wedding day
darling. I wish I had sent a cable, it was stupid of me not to do so but
I was with you in thought. I learnt that a plane had crashed on Sunday.
One of ours. Just behind the hills. I heard the crash and saw the smoke
but did not know what really happened. Went to the Gaff at night. Three
parts of the picture there was no sound at all. A quiet night.
2nd September. I must confess that I am having trouble with my eyes.
Today they have been considerably worse. Went to see the doctor and I am
going to see an eye specialist on Thursday. It was a hard struggle
working today. I hope there is nothing seriously wrong but quite frankly
I am worried, very worried indeed. L/C Nicholson arrived today.
3rd September. Just another day. Work did not go down too well today, my
eyes were not too good. Air raid during the night.
4th September. Went today to see the eye specialist. Tested my glasses,
they were okay. My eyes are strained, got three days rest, excused duty.
Went across to Fred the ROAC boy and slept most of the day on his bed.
Another raid in the night at Aba-Swah. Plenty of ack- ack.
5th September. Had a newspaper this morning dated 14th June. Had another
good rest all day, slept most of the time. Air raid at night around
Mouska.
6th, 7th & 8th September. All quiet days. Raid on Saturday night. Can
only be expected owing to full moon. Went to see MO again on Sunday. Got
another three days rest, Big raid on Suez district. Ack-ack and bombs -
very heavy indeed. Monday went down to the beach and had a sleep in the
morning. Just mucked about in the afternoon.
9th, 10th, 11th & 12th September. A little variety crept into things
these past few days. Moved the lab to the other end of the building. Had
the Arabs in the building, they made a hell of a noise but at least it
was a change. Started work again on Wednesday. Raids each night, except
Friday. Three planes fetched down in the district.
13th September. Saturday morning, work as usual. Spent the afternoon
doing a buckshee job. A heavy raid at night over Suez.
14th September. Just stuck around all day and finished of my buckshee
job. The cash I am getting for it I am sending to you for Xmas. A quiet
night for a change. The weather is getting much colder, mostly at night.
15th September. Received first aerograph from you. Was most upset to
hear Jean was not well, hope to goodness it is not serious, should go
mad if anything happened while I am out here. Raids during the night but
nothing happened.
16th September. Had a letter from Una and a card from Jean. Everything
just the same during the day.
17th, 18th, & 19th September. Ordinary days with nothing exciting
happening. Raid on Thursday night over Suez, nothing to worry about.
Only event of Friday is pay day. Went to the Gaff at night and had a few
minutes on the piano at the Club.
20th September. Really and truly outstanding day or should I say night.
We threw a farewell party in the lab for Jimmy Lamb who is leaving us to
go to the ENSA concert party as a sketch artist. What a spread we have.
Steak, beans, tongue, some new fancy meat (tinned), fruit and cream,
beer, whisky and gin. It was a real slap up do, cooked by one of the
boys. Loads of cigs, in fact five hundred buckshee. It is amazing what
one can get when you know the right people. I got two hundred cigs the
other day for 10pt. We had a nice little concert with a chap on his
mandolin. Everything went well and we finished at 11.00pm. Truly an
outstanding evening.
21st to 30th September. Just an ordinary week regarding work but one or
two changes have occurred. First my pal Harry Butler has gone to
Palestine to work in a lab there. Now I am more or less on my own. He
was my only real pal here. Jimmy Lamb has also left to take up his ENSA
job. To counteract all that, two new Dental Officers and a new clerk
have arrived straight from England. Capt Reed is to be in the new lab,
he is a decent chap, seems to take an interest in us. I received a card
from Jean, very old but welcome. Have not heard from you darling for two
weeks now. On Tuesday I got card from Nelly dated 28th June and a letter
from Capt Johnson, my old DO and 'photos taken at 15th Scottish. It is a
letter I shall treasure. It is a letter to Harry and I. Capt Johnson was
a real toff, now on his way home, good luck to him where ever he lands.
Up to the time of writing we have not had any raids, although the moon
is pretty well up. Today, Tuesday, I sent you some money. I hope you get
it okay darling.
1st to 12th October. Quite a few days have passed by with nothing much
to report. Work as usual. One or two warnings at night. One night, the
7th, two planes were fetched down in the district. The most interesting
day was Sunday when I went to Suez with Duff and Eric. We set off at
8.00am, travelling by lorry from the DID. I was a bit disappointed by
the trip, it was all through the desert. Arrived at Suez about 9.00am
and wandered into town. After the desert, the stink here was terrible.
The buildings seemed to be on top of me but after a while I got used to
it. It was good to see a woman again, even though most of them were
Egyptians. I was very disappointed with the place, I expected something
like Cairo. The only resemblance was the smell, only ten times worse!
Wandered around the shops. The streets are narrow, filthy, fly ridden
and crowded with dirty Arabs and children. One sight I will never forget
was a meat shop with the counter thick and black with flies. No wonder
disease is rife there. In one street I put my foot on a dead chicken, it
sickened me. In yet another street, a dead cat lay there covered in
flies. What a horrible, filthy place it is. Came back by train and was
glad to get out of it. The rest of the week has just been so-so. Did get
off on Friday to watch a football match. Next week I hope to play
myself. Received on the 8th three cards and a newspaper. Was very upset
to hear you are not well. I hope you soon get right again.
12th October. On duty today, just stuck around the place, had a sleep in
the afternoon, it's terrible just to be in alone. Most of the boys are
at Suez.
13th to 22nd October. Just ordinary days. On the Tuesday I played my
first game of football for the DID against the Internee Camp. Although
we lost 2-1, I managed to impress them a little. On the 18th I received
a post card that took only twelve days to get here, the quickest I have
had. On Sunday the 19th I played football again against the CTC at
Karbret twenty miles from here. It was actually a washout as we were
late getting there and only played ten minutes each way, after which we
were losing 2-1. Played again on the 21st, the bakery this time and we
drew 1-1. There was a lot of money on this game. At night we had an air
raid warning but nothing happened. Football seems to be the only thing
to look forward to now. Up to now my foot has held out but oh dear my
poor knees. I have skinned them each game and they are very sore. All
the kit is provided for by the clubs. Tuesday the 21st marked the end of
the Arab Festival of Ramadan, being their Xmas there was a lot of
feasting and no work. On the 25th set off for Cairo on leave with some
of the boys. Took a lorry to Ismailia and got a train there. Left about
10.30am and arrived at about 4.00pm after a pretty lousy journey. Had to
change trains in the middle of the line but did get a seat, with the
Officers standing for a change. Got some really good digs, B & B for
21pt. Went to a show in the evening.
26th October to 2nd November. Started off by going to the Pyramids. Went
inside, half way up, then climbed right to the top of the big one. What
marvellous view. Took snaps which all turned out very well. I saw more
of Cairo in a week than I did in the whole four months I was stationed
there. Monday we visited the Zoo, finishing the day with a show. On
Tuesday spent a good day at the Delta Barrage, two hours each way down
the Nile. What a wonderful place, like a real English park. Obtained
some more good snaps. The Bazaars were very interesting, visited the
leather and silver works and many places of interest. Visited a lot of
Mosques, what wonderful places with roofs inlaid with gold. What a pride
the Egyptians take in their places of worship, the Alabaster, Blue and
Royal Mosques, all very wonderful. Some of the streets are only about
fifteen feet wide, with scents and spices and all weird and wonderful
things. It was a marvellous week, a very pleasant change. I saw things
that I shall never forget. Someday, if I ever have a lot of money, I
would like to bring both Una and Jean out here. I wonder if I ever
shall? For all its splendour, beauty, filth and smells, I would trade it
all right now to be at home. When will it all end, I wish I knew. The
week finished, like everything else and back to the humble desert we
came.
3rd November. Today has been just another day, the same grind but harder
still than ever. Tomorrow I shall have to settle down to it. Football
seems now to be the only thing here to interest me.
4th & 5th November. Another ordinary day. Work is certainly not going
down very well. The 5th was really a day of happenings. I received today
an airgraph that had taken twenty five days to get here. How I welcomed
that mail, the first for three weeks. I was interviewed today by Col
McCullam and Col McGeorge regarding my trade test. McGeorge was not very
helpful but my interview with the 'Big Shot' McCullam certainly was
successful. I was informed later in the day that I was to be transferred
to some place to take my test. Finished off the day at the Gaff.
6th November. Was informed this morning by Col McGeorge that I was to go
to Helmich for my test. This really is good news. Whether I get back
here I don't know. I hope so, if only for football and grub. In the past
few weeks I have put on seven pounds. Today I feel very homesick, lots
of little things have cropped up to make me think of home more than
ever. Don't I just wish it was all over.
7th to 13th November. Still no news of going away. On the 8th I went to
Ismailia to play football against the Royal Marines. Lost again but had
a good game which is everything. Stayed in the joint until 10.00pm.
Didn't see much owing to it being dark. The most outstanding day was the
11th, we had a party for Major Symons farewell. What a party it was. Two
hundred pints of beer, six bottles of whisky, gin, loads of soft drinks
and bags of food. As usual I did my stuff and raised a few laughs. Col
McGeorge congratulated me and said I ought to be in the ENSA concert
party, which is an idea I am seriously thinking of. I met Capt Thomason
of the Dental Corps from Sheffield. He qualified with Oswald Menie and
knew me through Menie. I am going to see him one evening. I had loads to
drink and went to sleep just curled up on a stretcher. Some I understand
got very drunk and it developed into a rough house. All the Officers
there were real toffs. The next day I knew all about it with a head like
six. Major Osman arrived to take over. I wonder how he will turn out.
The rest of the days were just so-so.
14th & 15th November. Received two airgraphs today dated 20th & 26th
October. One from you dear and the other from Jean. Was informed today
that I should be taking the trade test here and not going away. Start
next week. Went to concert at night. The 15th just an ordinary day. Went
to the Gaff at night.
16th & 17th November. Played football again today. The first game in the
league. We won 7-1, the first win this season. In the evening went to
the Gaff. It passed time that's all one can say. The 17th was another
working day. Tomorrow I start my test, my fingers are crossed. On duty
at night so no pictures tonight. The weather is getting quite cool. Batt
le dress is to be worn tomorrow.
18th to 21st November. Started test today, Tuesday, a part upper. It
went quite well, got 95% for it, a good start. Thursday, I set up for a
full upper and lower. Made a slight mistake and got only 75% for it.
Friday, I finish off the upper and lower and got 95% for both of them
which made 88% for the whole test. I finished third out of the six of us
that took the test. Got through okay, so now I am a First Class
Mechanic.
22nd to 24th November. Played football again today in the league and we
drew 2-2 after being two goals down at half time. A good feed was
waiting for us after the game. Sunday being a day off I went to see a
football match in the afternoon. By the way, on Friday, Eric and I won
seven games of tombola and we picked up 35/- between us. Went to the
Gaff at night. On the Monday I received a letter from my darlings at
home and what a charming letter it was. Booked an order for a gum shield
for the famous boxer Frank Hough who is in camp.
25th November. Finished off the gum shield for Frank Hough and got an
invitation from him to go to the pictures. Got an order to make him some
teeth, not a bad weeks work. Heard today that I was going to Moascar on
temporary relief duty for a couple of weeks.
26th to 28th November. Ordinary days, nothing happened to write about.
Played tombola on Friday and managed to win 45pt. Paid the expenses for
the night.
29th November. Played football again today against the 77th DID and won
4-1. Got a nasty kick on the shin. Had my posting to Moascar held over
to Sunday. Two boys arrived from Suez, two of the boys from Uckfield.
All the old crowd have now gone abroad. Went to the Gaff at night after
I had packed my kit.
30th November. Left for Moascar by lorry early morning and got taken
right to the door. The Dental Centre is within the hospital, the only
inhabited place around the hospital, the rest having evacuated. It's a
very nice place. Went into Ismailia in the afternoon buying a few things
I needed. The prices of everything are astounding. Two vests cost me
10pt each( making 4/- for two), a pair of suspenders were 10pt and the
biggest shock of all, a reel of cotton was 6 1/2pt (1/4d). It is hardly
believable to pay that for a reel of khaki cotton not thread. Everything
that is necessary is so terribly dear. Shaving soap 1/- a stick, boot
polish 9d a tin. A good job I had a few shillings from buckshee jobs.
1st to 3rd December. Started work today with very little to do. The food
is not too bad but not as good as Genifa. The nights are the worse,
there is nothing to do. The 2nd was a busy day, ten impressions to do,
it passed the time away. The 3rd another busy day with eight impressions
to cast. Today, after tea, it rained quite hard for a time. The weather
is now much colder, almost like that at home.
4th to 6th December. On Friday, Duff came over from Genifa and we went
to the pictures with him. Saturday went over to Genifa to play football.
Picked up a lorry quite easily. Xmas card, cake and four papers waiting
for me, the cake was in good condition and tasted very nice.
7th December. Went to play football against HQ and we won 3-1 so we are
still at the top of the league. Had another lot of luck by winning 15/-
on the football sweep. Went out at night to the Gaff.
8th December. What a day. Set off from the DID at 8.25am for Moascar,
got there at 9.00am but nothing was said. The place was crowded with
orderlies and Officers. Saw Col McGeorge and he told me to come back to
Genifa straightaway, just packed up and went. Picked up a DID lorry
after waiting about an hour. Did over 60 miles by lorry in a few hours.
Real glad to be back.
9th &10th December. No place on the bench for me, so I helped Major
Osmond in the surgery. Took some bites and fitted some dentures. Helped
him quite a lot. Wish I could keep the job regular. Sent an air mail
letter home. Have not had a letter from you dear for a little while but
I am living in hopes.
11th to 14th December. Thursday just another ordinary day. Friday I had
three post cards, one from you dear and one each from Gert and Nelly.
Gee! it was good to hear again from home. Played tombola again on
Friday. Won one house and two lines, we cleared 1pt each on the night.
On Saturday I received an airgraph from you darling. My luck seems well
in. Played football in the afternoon and got a surprise. Only managed to
draw 2-2 with a supposedly poor team. Went to the Gaff at night and saw
a good show. On Sunday I got another card, the quickest yet, just
thirteen days to get here. Did another buckshee job and went of the Gaff
again at night.
15th December. Started at the bench again today, not so hot after a
month away from it. Wrote to you dear at night and also to Gert and
Nelly.
16th & 17th December. Received an airgraph today posted in early
November, all well at home. Work as usual but not feeling too well.
Nasty pain around the appendix. Woke in the morning feeling pretty
rotten, a bad head and I still have the pain. Head cleared off after
dinner and pain not so bad. Got two airgraphs, both early November. One
from you darling and the other from ma and pa.
18th to 21st December. Felt much better on Thursday thank goodness. Had
two parcels today. One from you dear and the other from the church. I
was so glad to get them safe. I do appreciate your parcels dear and one
day I will repay you. Friday just another ordinary day. On Saturday
played football against HQ but lost 2-0. The first league game we have
lost this turn. On Sunday went to Moascar for a run and saw the new lab.
It is a fine affair. A letter for me when I got back, air mail, dated
18th October.
22nd to Xmas Day 25th December. Just ordinary days, plenty of work. Xmas
Eve went into the canteen and had a few bottles of beer. Xmas Day we
worked in the morning. Dinner was a most marvellous 'do', the best yet
in the army but I felt oh so sad. I was terribly home sick and nearly in
tears. The festivities kept on until well after midnight. There was
loads of stuff to eat but my heart was not in the party. I told one or
two jokes after dinner. Never before have I heard such filthy songs sung
and all by regulars. In the evening I went to the Gaff, it was a
buckshee show.
26th to 29th December. I was feeling much better Boxing Day. Work as
usual. Saturday we played football and lost 4-0, however, I managed to
play a decent game. On Sunday played football again but I'm afraid it
looks like being my last game for quite a while. I twisted my knee
during the game but it did not feel too bad until night when I had a
terrible time with it. Could not sleep for pain. On the 29th I reported
sick and was told that I had torn a ligament in the knee. I shall have
to keep having it dressed until it is right again. Received another
airgraph again dated 30th November.
30th December to 3rd January. The 30th, Jean's birthday. Still visiting
the doctor with knee. New Years Eve we had a little party. A few bottles
of beer some whisky and two whole legs of lamb, was a nice little do.
1942
4th to 10th January. Received a letter from you darling with 'photo of
Jean. What a big fine girl she is. Also a letter from Gwen with 'photo
of Jill, she too, I must remark, is a fine baby. Continued seeing the
doctor. Nothing much else to report.
11th to 14th January. Saw the doctor again on the 11th and was told that
it was my cartilage that was wrong and I had to see a specialist at the
hospital. This does not sound too good. Tuesday 13th went to the
hospital and wasted three hours. Saw the MO there and he said it was a
torn cartilage and it would have to come out but it was too swollen to
do straight away. Advised to rest for two weeks and he gave me fourteen
days Attend C, which means excused all duties. Said I must have
operation in two weeks. Rested all day in one of the tents.
15th to 17th January. This resting is a lot harder than I expected, in
fact it is boring. On the 17th a sandstorm raged all day. What a day.
One could only see a few yards, if one dared to open ones eyes. On
Saturday the storm finished about tea-time. What a hell of a night.
Tents blowing about, sand to eat and drink. This is not my idea of fun
and games. Still no mail. I am getting a little worried again.
18th to 22nd January. Still going all right. Came into the lab to to a
bit even though on the sick list. Knee gets no better, will not be right
until it is done. Received airgraph on 19th and was jolly pleased to
hear from you again darling and to know everything is okay. On Thursday
had quite a change in the shape of an air raid warning at dinner time.
Nothing happened, not a sight nor sound of a 'plane. Went to the Gaff
most nights. Only thing to do around here at night.
23rd to 27th January. The only thing of interest was some new mechanics
arriving at the lab. Owing to pressure of work I have to work six and a
half days a week for a month. Went to see specialist again and was told
to come into hospital at tea-time. Had my first go in dock! Got Tuesday
night over all right in a room of my own.
28th January. Saw the doctor this morning, gave the knee a good going
over, waited around all day expecting it to be x-rayed, nothing doing.
Saw the doc again at night and is sending another one to see me. What a
load of cheerful chaps in here, even though badly messed up. Most of
them from the desert. Not as bad as I expected in dock, food not too
bad.
29th to 31st January. Just routine days with plenty of rest and
attending for massage. MO says that knee is improving. Now five weeks
since it was done.
1st February. A new month is with us, never expected being in dock.
Thank goodness knee is improving. Had a nice job sweeping up. It is
remarkable how cheerful all the chaps are in spite of being so badly
hurt.
2nd to 5th February. Just routine days. Massages, plenty of rest and
reading. Go out tomorrow, shall be rather sorry. I am just beginning to
like it.
6th to 8th February. Went for massage again. The knee is coming along
nicely now. On Saturday was discharged from hospital but have to go for
treatment for another week. Went to see the MO on Sunday and got another
week off work. I learned a lot in hospital. What a brave crowd of chaps
they all are. Good luck to all of them.
9th to 21st February. Quite a long spell to try and remember. Had a
quiet week off work. Went each day for a massage (electric). Started
work again on the 17th but did not go on the bench. Helped the Major in
the surgery. Just a nice easy job. Took over room the Sgt one day and
managed quite well. Got a lot of newspapers and Tit-Bits through, but
very little else in the way of mail. Got a letter from Les Hudson in
Uckfield and one from Stan Mole in the Sudan. Another airgraph from home
and a card from Nelly.
22nd February. Had a very sore toe today caused through walking on the
side of my foot because of the knee. Had to have it dressed. Today had a
Court of Inquiry on my knee, this was necessary owing to the hospital
saying that the injury was serious and may interfere with my future
service. Lt Frost and two of the team came as witnesses. All went well
and the finding was that it was an accident and done while on military
duty. This clears me all right. Wrote an airgraph today.
23rd February to 3rd March. Work not going down too well. On the bench
again. Two chaps gone back. Managed okay. Shall soon get used to it
again. Got a little information this week. Stand a good chance of being
made up. I do hope that it comes off. Shall know more later. In the
early morning of 3rd March, had an air raid. Not had one for months. It
was at the airfield about 15 miles away from here. Quite a lot of bombs
were dropped. Understand two 'planes were brought down. Got an airgraph
dated 13th February.
4th to 8th March. Another raid early in the morning, lets hope that it
is not going to become a habit again. Quite a distance off here but the
bangs disturbed my sleep. No more raids at night, everything just as
usual, work in plenty. Received air mail letter on the 7th with snaps
in. I think the snaps are very good. Played tombola at the IBD on
Saturday. Picked up five houses and won 6/- between us.
9th to 15th March. Just a so-so kind of week with plenty of work, etc.
No raids to report. Spent most evenings in the IBD canteen playing table
tennis and darts. During the week received three cards and one airgraph.
Sent off air mail letter. Heard that Cpl Harris was coming here. Very
disappointed. Certainly the nearest I have been to promotion. However,
all I can say is "Ma-leesh", and better luck next time. Got a very sore
toe, having to have medical attention.
16th March to 3rd April. Quite a long jump. Nothing really exciting
happened in the meantime. Refereed a football match. Went down to the
beach and continued to make friends in the IBD One night during the
week, Paddy and I were having a drink in the Company Office with the
CAMS at 10.30pm when we met a chap who claimed to be a relation of the
Bratley's in Rotherham! I must see him later when he is sober. Fixed up
to go on leave to Alex'. Something at least to look forward to. Received
a little mail. Work has increased tremendously. Thank goodness I am well
again and can get finished the same day. Have been off colour for a week
or so now. Today is Good Friday, what a shock I got when I found out.
Did not realise it was Easter. Had a sailor, a Rotherham boy, called
Bacon up to see me. Chatted with him for about three hours.
4th to 7th April. Easter weekend but just another weekend. Toe is about
right now. First swim upset knee a bit. Started working from 6.00am to
leave the afternoons free. Getting quite warm. If this keeps up it is
going to be as hot as hell in the summer. Received post card on the 6th
saying Jean was much better. What a shock I got. I did not know she was
ill. Wrote home on the 7th, hope it gets there.
8th to 19th April. Just ordinary days, awaiting leave to come round. Set
off with Paddy on the 10th for Cairo. Got a lift by lorry all the way.
Had a weekend in Cairo and then on the 13th went to Alex'. After a four
hour train ride, got there okay and put up at the St. Andrews Hostel.
What a smashing place, clean white sheets and nice beds. A cup of tea in
bed each day and very cheap. o1 for six days B & B, showers and tea
included. Had a very nice time there. The most interesting being a
morning on the docks. Never seen as many ships before. Saw all types of
naval vessels, from small torpedo boats to the Queen Elizabeth, the
newest battleship, subs and destroyers. Considering the heavy raids of
the previous week, there was very little damage done. Only the brothels
seemed to have been hit, what better target could they have hit.
Stinking filthy holes. What a colossal place Alex' is. Never seen so
many big buildings in so little room. Visited Stanley Bay, one of the
most famous Med seaside resorts. Saw some very good films but was
disappointed I could not stay to see Bitter Sweet. Like all good things
it came to an end. Back again on the 19th to the lab.
20th to 22nd April. Back again to work. Airgraph from my darling
awaiting me. Sent o5 home to my sweetheart on the 21st. I do hope it
gets there okay. Received five cards, three from home and two from
Nelly. So pleased to hear that Jean is getting well again. 22nd,
received Jean's birthday cake in good condition. Have just eaten it and
it was good. Was very pleased with card inside it.
22nd to 25th April. Just everyday sort of days. Big changes are in
store, a new Major is due. The 25th, my birthday has come around again,
35 years old today making my third birthday in the Army. I hope to God
it is all over before my next birthday. I played in a darts match
to-night against the ROT. The game was stopped by an air raid. Quite a
number of thrills. Was stood outside the lab with Paddy when a plane
came over machine gunning. I dived under a water tower. They came too
near to be really healthy. I gave my knee a real crash as I dropped.
Thank goodness he missed me!
26th April. The new Major has arrived with big ideas. One thing is
certain, if he increases the staff as he says so, there will be no room
to work. Today, I regret to say, I hit a chap for the first time in my
life. We have a very nasty piece of work, a Clerk Orderly, new out here,
30 years old. Today I collected the mail being eager to get your cable.
He was very annoyed and gave me a shower of abuse. I threatened to slap
him down, I just removed my glasses and hit him dammed hard. He is about
one of the nastiest pieces of work I have ever met. My only regret is I
did not hit him hard enough.
27th to 30th April. The frenzy started today. What a lot of shouting and
running about, like a lot of lunatics. On Tuesday things were a little
quieter, just running about and no shouting. I am, of course, referring
to the new Major and his henchmen. Thursday was a day of surprises.
Heaps of papers arrived by sea mail but no letters. Charlie Lee turned
up, also Arthur Day, an old pal from Uckfield.
1st May to 2nd June. I have let this go for a whole month so it will be
mostly guess work. More changes have taken place. The lab has been
altered and Noah Lab is being opened up here with No4. Again I have just
missed promotion. Another chap got it because he was older than me. It
is very disappointing, however, my time will come. Many new faces in the
lab. Bert Mountain has arrived here. Have had three games of cricket at
Moascar. The Canal Area is forming a team to tour around. In the first
game I took 5 wickets for 9 runs, in the second 1 for 22 and in the
third 1for 10. I wonder if I shall be picked. I don't suppose so, there
are too may Officers hanging around. However, I shall get a game with
the DID at the weekend. My mail is coming through very poor.
3rd to 22nd June. Everything pretty much the same. More new faces, more
of the old ones going. Expect I shall be going myself quite soon. Had
one or two games of cricket. Still plenty of work.
23rd June. Well it has come at last. Today I move to No5 Lab at Alex'.
Did not know what to think about it. It looks as if my promotion has
gone to the wind moving into another district. Left Genifa about 7.30am
by truck. Got to Ismailia for the 9.40am train. Met a chap I knew on the
way to the new lab at Mona, Cairo. What a job with two kit bags and
pack, however, I let the locals do the carrying for me. Got a seat all
right on the Cairo train. Arrived at Bank and changed there. On the
Alex' train at 1.10pm and away. What a hell of a journey. Arrived in
Alex' about 4.30pm, or rather Sidi Gaber, which is near Mustapha
Barracks my destination. Tried to ring up for a truck but could not get
through. Went to the place on foot, about five minutes walk and left the
kit at the station. One of the boys went in an ambulance for it. Just
got in in time for tea, fish and chips. Got fixed up with a bed and
settled down for the night.
24th June. Started work today, just nice and steady. It is a nice lab,
gas and electricity and very clean. There is a nice club room for the
Corps with books, table tennis, darts, etc. Went to a very posh cinema
at night, what a change from the Gaff. 25th to 28th June. Getting quite
used to things now. Went to the famous Stanley Bay for a swim on Friday
evening but it was too rough for me. Saturday we had a day off. In the
morning I went to the Bay, had a lovely swim and sun bathe. What a lot
of beautiful women about, but they take no notice whatsoever of the
soldiers. What a crowd there, but it is the holiday season. I was coming
here on leave this weekend. My pal is coming up so I shall be all right.
On Saturday afternoon I got a game of cricket with the Alex' Area Dental
Corps. I have no doubt whatever that I shall get a place okay. The Canal
Area are coming here in a week or two. Made 5 runs with the bat. Only
had two overs with the ball and took 2 wickets for 6 runs. Had a run
into town at night just to have a look round. Sunday was just a lazy
day, in the morning went into town to send a cable, swimming in the
afternoon and pictures in the evening.
29th June. Received a cable today, was very pleased. Things here are
getting a bit sticky. Air raids, etc. Everyone confined to barracks
after 8.00pm. Things certainly are looking bad. Talk of evacuating.
30th June. Today a bigger scare than ever is on. Have learned that we
are one of the few to run when the time comes. Everyone is standing by.
No one allowed out at all. The Germans are a lot less than 100 miles
away. Something will have to be done quite soon.
1st July. Ordered to get kit packed and ready for a quick move. Rations
have been drawn. A telegram came at dinner time to say the stand-by was
off but to be ready to move at one hours notice. At this stage it is
very hard to say what will happen. It is a nasty thought to think that
Jerry could be here in two hours. If we go, goodness knows where we will
finish up. Any place rather than in the hands of the enemy. So dear,
though things are a little black, I still have every faith in God and I
know I shall come out all right. Goodnight my love and God Bless.
2nd to 31st July. Well dear, we are still here and things are more or
less settled down again. Jerry has been well held up the 'Blue' and the
flap is just about over. This month has been the busiest I have ever
had. Finished eighty two new jobs and sixteen repairs. Keep having air
raids but nothing to worry about. I'm afraid this month has been all
work with an occasional run into town. The work slackened off toward the
end of the month and we were lucky enough to have three days holiday.
1st & 2nd August. No work today. Saturday morning I spent swimming, the
afternoon I played cricket against a NZ team. Got 2 wickets for 24 runs.
In the evening had a run on the front. On the Sunday had a morning on
the beach at Stanley Bay. My, what a crowd of hundreds of beautiful
women. In the afternoon played cricket again against GHQ and managed to
win this time. Got 2 wickets for 27 runs. Again a run on the front in
the evening.
August Bank Holiday 1942, Stanley Bay, Alexandria. Some of the boys from
No.6. Steve Lonsdale on far right.
3rd to 5th August. Ordinary days, some mornings on the beach. Not as
many people there now. The sun is getting to me quite a lot. It is
terribly hot.
6th August. IN THE DESERT. George Iles and myself left Alex for duty on
'B' Mobile Lab with 14 Field Ambulance in a forward area. Left at
11.00am and got a truck, picked up field equipment and off up the
'Blue'. A nice journey up the coast to Burgel-Arab, turned south about 4
miles, then about 6 miles along the level of the coast. Just before
getting to the destination, three German bombers dropped bombs on an
aerodrome a mile or so from the truck then flew over us. Had I got the
wind up! Arrived at Mobile Lab and got a good welcome. I am about 25
miles from the front line, right in the desert but I shall get used to
it. The food is not too bad. What a night. Slept outside under a tent
flap.
August 1942. In the desert. On the right of the truck is the surgery.
The other side is the lab. The tent flap on the right of the surgery is
where I sleep.
7th August. Was awakened at 3.45am this morning by German 'planes.
Flares were dropped a few miles away. I was out of bed in no time. Two
fires were started, one burnt for hours. One very heavy bomb dropped and
I could feel the wind from it. Started work. Not too bad. Plenty of sand
on everything. The lab is in a tent. A pretty quiet evening. Played
cards for cigs until it got dark then bed at 8.30pm. No raid during the
night.
8th August. Work all day as usual. This morning plenty of activity. Two
'planes came over and gunned the road about 200 yards away. Hit two
truck drivers. Came over once or twice during the day. Hear that Winston
Churchill is up the front line. Plenty of heavy gunfire from the front
in the early evening. The night was very quiet. The food here is
marvellous.
9th August. Working all day today. Everyday is the same. Pretty quiet
today. Jerry came over once or twice but nothing happened. Heavy gunfire
started at tea-time. Another quiet night.
10th August. Today has been very quiet. Very windy at times, as a result
a lot of sand was blowing about. Everything in the tent got covered. I
was covered all over with fine dust. It will take a lot of getting used
to. In bed by 8.00pm. Rather under the weather today. Another quiet
night.
11th August. Gunfire could be heard today. A dog fight took place this
morning with some good bursts of gunfire. Four loud explosions in the
distance, may have been bombing the rail head. Another quiet night.
12th August. Rather a dusty day. Quiet until after tea then Jerry came
over and the ack-ack (new in the district) opened up on them. Shrapnel
fell near to the cookhouse. All night long gunfire could be heard and
'planes were over all the time.
13th August. Pretty quiet day. Gunfire intermittent during the day.
After tea, a crowd of our fighters came in very low, a couple of minutes
afterwards a dozen Jerry's just played around at a great height. No guns
or bombs. About 11.30pm, some Yank in the ambulance unit started playing
a trumpet. A good player, but not appreciated at that time of night!
Otherwise very quiet.
14th to 16th August. Just quiet days and quiet nights. On Sunday lunch
time, a dog fight took place but was soon over. Had the afternoon off.
Did washing and read.
17th &18th August. Monday was a quiet day and night. Today, Tuesday, I
am really fed up. No mail and a hell of a lot of sand blowing about.
Eating it and drinking it. What a bloody mess. Another quiet night.
Tried to rain in the early hours.
19th August. Another quiet day but very sandy again. Had a letter from
Ernest with snaps in. George Iles found a scorpion in his bed this
morning! Heard news of an invasion in France. Hope that this is true.
Quiet night but very rough, thought I was going to be blown away.
20th August. A nasty rough day with great dust clouds blowing about.
Jerry came over this morning but was soon driven off. A quiet night
again.
21st & 22nd August. Still no mail and getting a little worried. Friday
during the day was very quiet but at night Jerry came passing over. For
a long time the guns opened up and a barrage went up as big as I have
ever seen. On Saturday after dinner, very heavy gunfire could be heard
from the front. No doubt the push has started again. Learned later this
was a heavy artillery duel. Quiet night.
23rd August. This morning witnessed the cheekiest thing yet. Ack-ack
opened up and a Jerry flew very low overhead. What a shock when I saw
the black crosses on it. Did a spot of washing. Had a bottle of beer at
night, first for three weeks. Wakened during the night by ack-ack fire.
24th August. Received some mail today, been sent to 'D' Mobile. Gunfire
heard intermittently during the day. About 9.30pm we had a parachute
warning. Jerry was expected to attempt a land by air or sea. Had to
sleep fully dressed. Nothing happened. Jerry came over and got a hot
reception. We were instructed to try if possible to attack parachutists
with picks or shovels, failing that, show Red Cross arm bands!
August 1942. The boys on the unit, including an orderly from the Dental
Centre of the 14th Field Ambulance and the lorry driver. This is how we
dress during the day.
25th August. Una's birthday today. Hope she has got my cable. Ack-ack
busy nearly all morning. Bad dust storms in the afternoon, worst yet.
Was wakened during night by heavy crash of bombs, otherwise quiet.
26th August. A very quiet day. Heard that Jerry push was to start. Also
heard that the Duke of Kent had been killed. One or two bangs during the
night but otherwise very quiet. Still no attempt at landing.
27th August. Received airgraph, everything very quiet, almost too quiet
day and night. I see that PT has started out here in the evenings, what
a load of tripe. A Cpl Collins returned to unit. Why must I suffer so.
28th August. Still nothing to report during the day. A little gunfire
could be heard later in the afternoon. My God what a night. The gunfire
from the front was terrific all night. Then to top it all, Jerry was
over all night. For two hours the ack-ack near here was terrific,
shrapnel falling all around us. It was 11.15pm before we dared to turn
in and we were in and out again twice before 1.00am and again at 5.00am.
29th & 30th August. Friday was a quiet day and night thank goodness.
Saturday was quiet during the day, Capt Liggins arrived to take over
from Capt Powell. Not so quiet at night. Jerry was over and we were out
of bed two or three times. At 5.00am a terrific barrage went up and
shrapnel fell all around the lab.
31st August. At 7.00am the day started with the cheekiest raid yet. Ten
Jerry fighters came in very low and strafed the aerodrome. The ack-ack
was terrific, the road was machine gunned and they all got away. Learned
that seven planes were brought down during the night about 30 miles
away. It was quiet during the night but very rough.
1st September. Today is our wedding day and what a start. At 4.00am
Jerry came over and with utter disregard for the Red Cross, machine
gunned the camp. My God, did I get the wind up. Fortunately all the
bullets were on the other side of our outfit. The Officers Mess was
wrecked. Everything that could break was broken. A lot of other tents
hit but nobody hurt. More of our planes than I have ever seen went up
forward. A nasty day with sand blowing about. The night was disturbed by
Jerry again. Bombs fell near but nothing to worry about.
2nd September. Learned today the 'plane that machine gunned the camp was
brought down, two were killed and the Sgt gunner was brought into the
hospital here before moving to a POW cage. Almost every hour today from
early morning, our bombers and fighters have been going over in big
flights. The push we hear is on in all sectors. Heavy gunfire heard
during the afternoon.
3rd September. Heard that Jerry had pushed through in the south and was
only 18 miles south of here. Later they went back. Activity during the
night. Broke my glasses diving into a slit trench.
4th & 5th September. Things very quiet, plenty of our 'planes over,
nights not too bad. Jerry pushed back on all fronts. Another very cheeky
incident after tea. Twenty six of our fighters were playing about. Two
minutes after they had gone, a Jerry 'plane glided in and dropped a
stick of bombs across the aerodrome. A quiet night.
6th September. Received three postcards, taken forty seven, fifty one
and fifty seven days to get here. Dinner time today, four 'planes nipped
in and had a go again at the aerodrome. Early this morning, one Officer
and thirteen Italian Marines made a landing a few miles from here and
put a mine on the railway track. Three trains and the ambulance train
passed over it but did not go off. Then they gave themselves up to an
Arab. Another quiet night.
7th September. Received another card today. Jerry came in again this
afternoon behind about twenty of our fighters and had a go at the
aerodrome again. Very heavy artillery fire could be heard about 6.00pm.
Another quiet night.
8th September. Today Jerry came in behind our fighters and shot one down
but one Jerry crashed during the day to level matters up. Five 'planes
raided the aerodrome again but were driven off. Was kept awake at night,
not by planes, but bloody dogs, they really drive me crazy.
9th to 13th September. Received airmail letter, took seven weeks to get
here. All days and nights very quiet. Sunday received cable. Sunday
morning Jerry came over and dropped a few bombs around the district.
15th to 16th September. Pretty quiet days and nights apart from dogs.
Monday night ack-ack went up. Wednesday morning Jerry came in and bombed
the aerodrome again. About 9.00am Jerry came in again but a terrific
barrage went up. Quiet during the night.
17th to 22nd September. Very sandy during day. Ordinary days. Jerry made
a few trips over. Thursday night had a good booze up. 'C' Mobile arrived
on Friday. Monday and Tuesday very quiet in the day. At night, loads of
our 'planes went over.
23rd September. Today three years service is up. Jerry came in this
morning and dropped a beautiful stick across the aerodrome. The ack-ack
missed again as usual. Not so quiet during the night. Jerry came over
and dropped some bombs near to the camp. Quiet after that.
24th September. A pretty horrible day, windy and a hell of a lot of sand
blowing about. A day to brown anybody off. Received a long letter at
night which cheered me up.
25th to 27th September. A bit of activity. Saturday night was the worst
up to now. A terrific barrage went up almost every half-hour. Hardly
slept at all. On Sunday I was inoculated and am feeling the effects of
it now. I hope it is a quiet night. Received two newspapers. Felt pretty
rotten during the night.
28th September. Feel pretty near okay today. Received airgraph. Jerry
was over around 6.00am. The worst day yet, wind started blowing about
8.00am and visibility was nil until the middle of the afternoon.
29th & 30th September. Ordinary days. Feel off colour at present. Went
to see the doctor on Wednesday. Had a good examination. Heart and chest
very good. Right kidney not quite so good. Doc suggested leave, said I
was run down.
1st & 2nd October. Felt pretty bloody awful today so eased off work.
Tummy upset. Taking tablets. Had a decent nights sleep for a change.
Friday did not feel too bad. Just after tea, Jerry came over with eight
'planes. A bit if fun was seen, bombs, ack-ack, but nothing was brought
down. A quiet night. Had another good nights sleep.
3rd October. A queer day. Thunder and rain and also very hot. Learned
that I am going back soon.
4th to 6th October. Just so-so days, each night a real good electrical
storm. Tuesday we moved a matter of 500 yards and became attached to a
NZ CCS.
7th to 10th October. Received quite a bundle of mail during this period.
One letter and eight cards. The food is really marvellous, the new site
is much better, miss all the sandstorms. Had thunderstorms for two days
with plenty of rain. On Saturday, got a new set of dentures fitted. At
last I look quite respectable. Has been very quiet during the nights.
11th to 14th October. Just ordinary and very quiet. On Tuesday, went
into Alex' for the day. Stayed overnight and returned Wednesday morning
with a bad hang-over. Saw one of our 'planes crash on the way back. The
pilot was not hurt badly at all.
15th to 18th October. Experienced the worst sandstorms and rains up to
now. Inches of sand everywhere made work impossible. On Saturday went
into Alex' again. Had a run to the pictures. Returned at night, heavy
raid. Took the best part of an hour to clear up the sand in the lab.
19th to 22nd October. Weather quite good. Tuesday, went into Alex' again
returning at night. Each day, big crowds of our 'planes went over all
day long. Jerry over Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. On Thursday, big
formations of our 'planes over again all day. Nights very quiet again.
23rd October. Today was the day for the big start at 10.00pm. (The
Battle of El Alemein). At 9.45pm the artillery opened up with a terrific
bang which kept me up nearly all night. Hundreds of 'planes went over
during the day and night.
24th October. Everything went to plan. The first casualty arrived in.
arrangements made to treat four thousand a day for five days in all the
CCS's. 'Planes over non-stop all day, as many as sixty five in one lot.
25th October. Did some denture work until 2.30pm then went to the
reception station to help until 9.30pm. Heard many interesting stories.
The push seems to be going as was expected.
26th to 28th October. No dental work. Went again to lend a hand. Some
work in on the Wednesday. A few dentures to do.
29th to 31st October. Still pretty quiet. Thursday did not have a single
job to do. Doing nothing in the desert is pretty tough. Had a job on
Friday. Things quiet in the hospital so no help was needed. Saturday
still no work in the morning. Had a job in the afternoon and finished
it.
1st to 6th November. Very quiet period. Just a little work to do. Heard
Wednesday that everything was going very well up the front.
7th November. Packed up ready to move.
8th November. Moved off 100 miles up, stayed the night near Fuka.
9th November. Moved up another 40 miles. Stopped and CCS opened up at
Garuala near Mersa Matru.
10th to 12th November. Just wandered around the desert. Try to find some
loot but not very successful as yet. Expect to move up again anytime
now.
13th to 15th November. Started work today, just a few jobs. Went for a
swim. On Saturday went to Matru for a run. A decent place apart from the
stink and the flies. Swimming in afternoon. On Sunday a spot more work
and more swimming. Rationed to two pints of water a day.
16th to 19th November. Some work in the morning. Started raining. Went
to Matru again. Heard we were to move to Tobruk. On Tuesday we started
to pack. It poured with rain in the afternoon. On Wednesday started to
wear battle dress. The next day, after lunch, we were off and moved up
80 miles.
20th November. Off again early, another 113 miles. At about 1.00pm we
went over the famous Hell Fire Pass some 450 feet high.
21st November. Off again, on last lap, stopped and opened up 10 miles or
so from Tobruk. Planes over all night and ack-ack fire.
22nd to 27th November. Had a run to the caves today. Quiet night. Went
into Tobruk. Started work, plenty of patients. After lunch on the 27th,
packed up ready for off.
28th November. Moved off about 20 miles past Tobruk up the Derma Road
with the 5th Light NZ Field Ambulance. Started work straightaway. Rained
hard. Received some mail. First for many weeks.
29th & 30th November. Plenty of work to do. The food is really
excellent. Played cards, won 4/-.
1st to 4th December. Still plenty of work. Air raid on Tobruk on the
night of the 2nd. Saw one 'plane come down in flames. Heard we were to
move again.
5th December. Started to pack to move to Benghazi. Received three
postcards. Poured with rain, got flooded and had to stay until the next
day.
6th December. Moved back to 1st NZ CCS.
7th December. Moved off to Benghazi and eventually arrived there at
1.45pm on 9th December after a 350 mile journey.
10th to 13th December. On the road, a long trip, past Agedabia. Ran
around the desert for days. Finished up with the Highland Division Field
Ambulance. Rained hard most nights, got wet and hellish miserable. The
truck broke down several times.
14th to 17th December. Opened up and started work. Received some mail
and papers on the 17th.
18th December. Packed up and moved up 15 to 20 miles. Now about 40 miles
from Agheila.
19th to 24th December. Very busy, plenty of work. Food not too great.
Only less than half a mug of tea each meal.
25th to 29th December. Worked all day on the 25th. Not by any means the
best Xmas. Did get some beer and cigs. The meal was so-so. No mail or
parcels, just one card from Nelly.
30th to 31st December. 30th, Jean's birthday. Moved up again 52 miles,
12 miles past 175th ADS Ageila. For two days we ran around the desert
and finished up 2 miles back!
1943
1st January. A New Year but just an ordinary working day. Very cold.
Received quite a bundle of mail. Jerry 20 miles away. Previous night
bombings.
2nd to 5th January. Plenty of work. Very windy and cold. The 3rd was a
terrible day with thunder and lightning, rain, gales and a sandstorm.
Had to pack up work. Conditions impossible. Two tents blown down but lab
tent okay. Received Xmas parcels from home. Weather much better. Rumours
of moving again. Getting really fed up with things.
6th January. A much better day. Sun quite warm. Hear we are to move up
again 100 odd miles to Serti. Still plenty of work to do. Had a bad
headache all day. Still no mail. Hear that the parcels I sent in October
may have been lost.
7th January. Each day is very much the same, just bed and work. Each
night and morning the massed bands of pipes and drums of the Highland
Division can be heard. Very cold indeed at night.
8th & 9th January. Heard that we were to move on our own. That will be
much better than going in convoy by desert track. No mail again. What a
heartache it is when the other boys get theirs and I don't. Sent air
mail letter card home. Received a letter from Gwen, replied straight
away. Still no news from home. It is intensely cold morning and night.
Colder than I have ever known it at home.
10th January. Received two Rotherham Advertisers. Still no other mail.
The ADS has moved out leaving us on our own again. Had a grand dinner,
cooked by the driver. Still very cold. Do not expect any mail for a long
time now.
11th January. Clearing up the work. We are having really good food on
our own. Had a bottle of beer at night and a real good old sing song.
The harmony was really good. Stayed up until nearly midnight. It was the
best evening I have had on this unit. At night the roar of the sea can
be heard quite plainly.
12th &13th January. Did not get up until 8.00am. Finished my work by
lunchtime and read in the afternoon. It is no good writing letters, it
will be a week before I see a post office. Must send a cable when I get
to the new site. Started to pack on the 13th ready to move. Very rough
in the afternoon.
14th January. Struck camp and moved off at 9.45am. Passed under Marble
Arch at 11.30am. Roads very bad. Pulled in for the night just past
Nufilia, 100 miles up. Had a very good nights sleep but very cold in the
early morning.
15th January. Up early and off before 8.00am. Covered 100 miles in less
than four hours. Passed Sirte. Received Xmas cable. A pretty bloody
journey across desert. As usual, chasing around, no where to go.
Finished up with NZ CCS 20 miles back. Jerry came over at night.
16th January. Pitched tents in the morning. Had a good wash down after
lunch. Wrote an airgraph home. The food is very good. A quiet night.
Very cold again. Have now got three Clerk Orderlies again. The
blundering D Corps. George got his First Class through. Wish mine would
hurry up.
17th January. Sunday. Did a bit of washing. Started on a new upper
denture for myself. Only one job in so far. Picture show in the evening
but could not get in. Started a long letter home. Pretty quiet, but
during the night heard a bit of machine gunning. Found out First Class
pay was 1/6d a day extra.
18th January. Heard that we had entered Tripoli today. Finished and
posted my letter home. Finished off my teeth. Had a kick about at
football in the afternoon. Another quite night.
19th January. Heard we were to move again. Rushed through some jobs.
Started to pack up ready for the off. Going to the LRDG. Not sure about
my knee. A quiet night. Still no mail. It may be weeks now before I get
any.
20th January. Off again back to Nufilia, over 100 miles, then south into
30 miles of desert track. Had a bloody puncture. Left two Clerks at 14th
CGS. Joined the LRDG convoy. All of them with long beards. Had dinner in
transit camp. Rained a little at night. Journey to take four days over
400 miles of desert.
21st January. Pulled out back to main road, then back to Marble Arch.
Not a bad trip. Distance 100 miles. Pulled into desert for the night.
Watches set to the sun. Told no shaving or washing. A good dinner with
rum and coffee. Later passed under Marble Arch at 5.00pm.
22nd January. Set off early across a trackless desert plotting course
with a compass. Truck got stuck several times. Another puncture. Passed
over desert that had not been gone over before, making new tracks.
Remarkable how the trucks got through. Dinner then rum and tea. A good
night.
23rd January. TRIPOLI ENTERED. Off to an early start, 7.00am sun time.
At 8.30am found the track. Passed through a most wonderful waddie.
Reached Fort Tagrif at lunchtime. Truck got stuck several times. Had to
dig out. Finished the day 200 miles inland. A really amazing day with
wonderful sights.
24th January. Off again towards Zela. steep hills and soft sand held
things up at the start. Two trucks on tow. At 10.45am, struck Zela to
Hons track. Another puncture in afternoon so a day of wheel changing and
digging. Three trucks pulled in at the Oasis Waddin. Other trucks went
on. Very cold during the night.
25th January. Intensely cold early morning. Only 20 miles to go. Arrived
at Hons at 9.30am. A wonderful modern town. Got fixed up in the
hospital. Running water and electricity. One would never imagine such a
place 200 miles in the desert. A game of darts at night. Wrote home. A
good nights sleep.
26th & 27th January. Started work this morning. Two chaps got in
yesterday having walked 250 miles! Good lunch. A game of darts after. A
good wireless set. What a grand place this is. A wonderful dinner.
Rained in the evening. Went to recreation room and played darts. On the
27th did not feel too good. Had a dose of Epsom Salts. Feel much better
now. Had a real good dinner of goats meat. Rained in the evening. Had a
game of darts and felt much better at night.
28th & 29th January. Started denture work for one of the men who did the
250 miles walk. Work coming in nice and steady. A wonderful dinner at
night. The food is really excellent. Keep hearing some marvellous
stories from the chaps. Next day just ordinary work. The food gets
better. Had a grand feed of meat and potato pie. Just curled up and
slept all night.
30th & 31st January. Had a walk on the Saturday around the native
quarter. Very interesting. Met Spud Murphy who use to be with 14th UK
Field Ambulance. Had a real bath. First in two years! Some beer provided
by Spud. On Sunday worked all day. Tried doing a gold inlay for Spud but
not very successful. Wrote air mail letter home. Still no mail. Goodness
knows when I shall get any. A quiet night.
1st February. Just a steady day. It is getting nice and warm. Food is
excellent. A game of solo at night with a rum and lime. Won 2/6d at
solo. This place grows on one more and more. Too many land mines about
to wander far.
2nd February. The LRDG led the 8th Army into Tripoli. This is the 'pukka
gen'. That is of course when it fell a week or two ago. Played solo at
night and won 10/-. Food still very good. Eyes not so good today.
3rd February. Today a native boy was brought in with an arm that had
been broken twenty eight days. It was amputated owing to gangrene.
George watched it being done. Played solo again at night. Game not
finished. 8th Army still not in Tunisia as they are waiting for the LRDG
to find a way in.
4th February. Nice steady days work. Had a good dinner of the old
favourite meat and potato pie. Finish off game of solo from previous
night and won 1/6d after starting 3/- down. Had a nice hot bath. Another
rare treat.
5th February. Ordinary day. Steady work. An Indian got two fingers blown
off. The place is lousy with mines. Started long letter. Posted air mail
card. Played solo again and won 5/-. Food still really good.
6th & 7th February. On Saturday went to native village for some cigs.
Finished and posted long letter. Heard some beautiful singing on the
wireless. Made me feel very home sick. How I wish I was back home by the
fireside again. Spent a pleasant evening with the Heavy Section playing
darts with a spot of rum thrown in. Spot of work on Sunday morning. Went
to village for cigs. Had a read and sleep during afternoon. Very windy
and dusty. Evening was pretty appalling. Went to bed early.
8th February. Just ordinary. Had a walk into village. Just one job to
do. Tummy a bit upset last few days. In bed early again. Will not be
long before we are finished here.
9th February. Approx. credit o13. Had some pay today. Drew o2. Still no
mail. Don't expect any here. A colossal dinner of egg and bacon pie,
spuds, peas, cabbage, rice and tea. Fixed up a dart board. Had a game of
darts and read a decent book.
10th February. Had a full set to do. Got cigs, chocolate and sweets
issued this lunchtime. Today the ex-driver of the Mobile, now in the
LRDG left here for Tripoli to fly home. A good dinner but a nasty sick
headache prevented me from enjoying it.
11th February. Felt pretty rough this morning. Stayed in bed until
10.00am. Eyes and head had cleared off a bit later on. Went to Heavy
Section at night and played darts. No rum this time. Head cleared off
during night.
12th February. Very rough and dusty today. Not too warm. Very
heartbreaking today. The rest of the boys got mail but I was unlucky.
Can't understand it, it is very upsetting. Made ready for a darts match
but other team did not turn up.
13th & 14th February. Just a steady day. One or two jobs. Still no mail.
Got one or two buckshee jobs to do. Went to Ordnance to play darts and
got hopelessly beaten. Got a packet of cigs as losers. A quite night.
Worked Sunday morning. Refereed a football match. Could have played but
did not care too owing to knee. Had a good dinner with Yorkshire
pudding. Windy again.
15th February. A steady mornings work. Referee in a football match again
in the afternoon. Played RADC at darts at night in the hospital. Managed
to win this time. Still very rough and not too warm.
16th February. Today has been very nice, quite mild and warm. Had a walk
into village. Got a souvenir cig case. Smashing dinner. Patrols left for
Casablanca. Wrote long letter home. Still no mail.
17th February. Another steady day. Saw a pair of wonderful hand made
slippers in village which I may buy. Plane came in today but no mail for
us. A quiet evening. Finished a book and turned in early. Tummy a bit
upset.
18th February. Went to village to buy slippers, he wanted 30/-. Will
have to try again. Turned quite rough and cool. Had another quiet night.
Heard the Yanks had had a cracking.
19th to 21st February. No work today. Just laid around and read. Heard a
convoy was on the way, may be some mail. Played a darts match with the
REME in the evening. On Saturday did a little work in the morning. Went
to village in afternoon but all the shops were closed. Had a look
around. It is astounding. On Sunday had two jobs. Wrote home. Letter
should go Monday. Played darts and read in evening. Went to try and buy
slippers but shop closed again.
22nd February. Went in morning for slippers but had left it too late,
they had gone. Rather a pity. Spent a quiet evening. Keep bringing in
men blown up with mines. Today two Indians, one dead, the other badly
hurt.
23rd February. Finished off two jobs this morning. Heard we were to stay
another week. Referee another football game in afternoon. Another Arab
blown up. Fingers and one eye gone. Knee felt a bit groggy. Started
letter.
24th February. Finished long letter and posted it. Had to strap up knee.
Yesterdays fall upset it. Rested most of day. No work to do. Watched
football in afternoon. Read all evening.
25th February. Went to Socna in morning for a swim. Lost my little
scissors. Watched a football match this afternoon. Still no mail on the
convoy that has just come in. Another quiet evening.
26th February. Saw the doc about my knee. To keep it strapped up for a
few days. Went to village to try to see a dance, but they had finished.
Read all that evening. I fear that money and parcels I sent are lost. A
list of mail has been on orders.
27th & 28th February. Quiet morning no work. Read and played darts.
Refereed a football match in afternoon. Played Ordnance at darts in
evening. Quite a pleasant time. Beat them this time. On Sunday heard we
are to move on Wednesday. Refereed football match in afternoon. More
LRDG men got in today after a few hundred miles walk. Played darts in
the recreation room at night.
1st March. Got a job today, a steady days work. Had a bottle of beer
from Tripoli. What horrible stuff it was. Read and turned in early at
night. Moving on Thursday.
2nd March. Finished off job then more work came in. Drew rations for the
trip on Thursday. Boys had to put off football to work. Wrote home,
pretty strong letter. A wonder it got past censor. Had a nice hot bath.
Played darts in evening.
3rd March. Did a spot of washing this morning. No knowing when we shall
get another chance. Started to pack up and get the truck loaded. Went to
recreation room at night & heard a good forces programme from England.
Off to Tripoli tomorrow.
4th March. Set off by 8.15am to the coast and did 100 miles by
lunchtime. Very rough going. Pulled up for night 8 miles from coast. Saw
a number of trucks that had hit mines. Spot of rum and then to bed
early.
5th March. Off at 7.45am, reached coast at 8.00am. Arrived at Misurata
10.45am. Left Misurata after lunch. Sent a cable. Passed through very
nice country. Pulled up for night at a wayside house occupied by Italian
peasants. Not a very good nights sleep.
6th March. Left early, arrived 2 miles from Tripoli at 10.00am. Received
some mail dated 20th January and 14th February. The others must have
gone astray. Pulled in at 131st Field Ambulance and put up in a garage.
Distance 410 miles. Poured with rain all night.
7th March. Still raining heavens hard. Wrote and posted a letter home.
Went into Tripoli, not at all impressed by it. May get some scent
tomorrow, one bottle 52/-. An air raid at dusk. The most terrific
barrage I have ever seen and heard.
8th March. Went into town and bought some presents. Received more mail.
Went to NAFFI, saw picture show. An air raid again at night but not very
heavy. Not too thrilled with Tripoli.
March 1943. Tripoli.
9th March. Wrote home and sent a parcel. Went into town morning and
afternoon. No mail for me today. Started long letter. Went to a show in
the hospital, Hello Happiness, saw this two years ago.
10th March. Finished and posted long letter. Filled in forms to send
home o10. Went to town and met all the boys from No7 Lab who have just
arrived to start a lab. A quiet night.
11th March. Went to 48th General Hospital to help Mechanic Bert Warner.
Got a shock when I got back, the unit had opened up for work so our rest
is over. Airgraph from Jean. Air raid at night.
12th March. Started work today in the garage. Did not go down too well.
Airgraph from home. Had some of the boys from No7 Lab across. Wine and a
good sing song.
13th & 14th March. Plenty of work on the Saturday. Received two airmails
both dated early March. Wrote home. Had a walk in the evening, a quiet
night. Sunday work as usual. Saw Col McGeorge about my trade pay. He is
seeing to it right away. Went to a local unit concert party. Pretty
terrible. Started a long letter home.
15th March. Finished off my work and long letter home. A quiet day. Two
raids at night, a terrific barrage. A big piece of shrapnel came through
the roof. Fortunately it missed us all.
16th March. Wrote to ma & pa. Went into town to a show. Projector broke
down so did not see finish. Had to come back to pack up ready for off.
Terrific air raid at night. Saw three planes fetched down. Very
unhealthy while it lasted.
17th March. All ready for off, money changed to francs. Set off about
10.00am. The road was bad in places, saw an Indian lorry turn over.
Pulled in for the night after 110 miles. Thunder, lightning and rain all
night. Miserable.
18th March. On the road early, crossed the Tunisian border early
morning. As usual ran all over the place. After about 190 miles, arrived
10 miles past Medenine at the 14th CCS and within a few miles of the
Mareth Line. Rained when we put up the tents. Rain and gales all night.
19th March. The food is lousy. Wrote home to Nelly. More rain in the
morning. Went to see mechanics on 3rd CCS. One of our boys to help
Dental 14th CCS. The driver cooked us a good meal. Bed early. Gunfire
heard all night.
20th March. Wrote long letter home. Heard that we were to move again to
174th Field Ambulance HD. Had a raid at night and the unpleasant
experience of being machine gunned. Could see the barrage going up on
the front line.
21st March. The push was to start this morning. Set off at 9.30am to the
174th HD. Some 19 miles. Opened up in the afternoon. The push did start
and our boys broke through. The food up to now is good. Spent the night
in and out of a trench. Another big barrage on the front line.
22nd March. A whole heap of work. At tea-time, told we were to move
again 6 miles up and within 10 miles of the front line. What a bastard,
Jerry over all night. Slept in a slit trench.
23rd March. MARETH LINE PENETRATED. Started packing up early. Heavy
gunfire heard. Moved up 9 miles to only 5 miles from the front. Jerry
shells fell nearly all day. Saw tanks and guns moving in. Big barrage at
night. A few bombs dropped. Slept underground.
24th March. Plenty of work. Jerry dropped shells over most of the day.
Can see his ack-ack fire on our planes. Div Photographer took snaps of
me and the boys at work. Wrote home. Good barrage again at night and
could hear machine guns in the line.
25th March. Changed into shorts today. A pretty quiet day. A few shells
over now and again. Rough and a sandstorm. Quiet night, just a few guns
going off. Things going very steady. A decent nights sleep.
26th March. Twenty two years in dentistry completed today. Again, not
much artillery action. Very rough again. Not too bad during night, a
little activity but did not interfere with sleep. Heard Jerry had
retreated.
27th March. Plenty of work. Artillery going on most of day. Heard again
that Jerry had gone. No mail through as yet. Pretty quiet night. Heavy
artillery heard early evening.
28th March. This morning, heard that Jerry had gone from the Mareth
Line. Still no mail. Very dusty again. It appears to be true, Jerry has
gone. Fifty of our fighter bombers went over. Picture show at night.
29th March. We are to move again today. Packed up, moved up 7 miles and
opened up again, still with the 174th. Gabes fallen, fifteen thousand
prisoners taken. Slept in tent at night. Rained very hard. Quiet night.
30th March. Seven days pay stopped. Packed up again to move to
Teboulbou. After messing about as usual, pulled up after doing 33 miles.
A few miles from Gabes. Ack-ack early evening, otherwise quiet.
31st March. Opened up with 174th HD Field Ambulance, for how long? Went
into Gabes in the afternoon. No shops open. Knocked about badly. Still
civvies in. A quiet night. Wrote airgraph home.
1st April. Plenty of work. No mail for me, all the other boys got it.
Heard we are to move tomorrow. 174th Field Ambulance moved today.
Everything is moving up. Started a long letter home. A quiet night.
2nd April. Received mail. Packed up and on the road by 9.00am. Moved up
13 miles to Aquinet and ready to start by 11.00am. Jerry still only 10
miles away. Can see his ack-ack. A few shells keep dropping near by.
Jerry over twice. One shot down. Saw pilot bale out.
3rd April. A nasty cold day. Jerry over in the morning. Air mail letter
card from home. Shells coming over at tea-time. A bit nearer than usual.
Posted long letter home. Jerry came over at dusk and dropped
anti-personnel mines in the hospital area and on the road. An ammunition
truck went up.
4th April. 8 miles from front line. Jerry over early morning, not too
pleasant. Came over again twice in a few hours. Received a bundle of old
mail and papers. What a hellish night. Jerry dropping shells over very
close. One fell in hospital area only 100 yards away.
5th April. Jerry over during last night and dawn this morning. Wrote to
Gerty. There is this air of tenseness that precedes a big battle. Early
tomorrow morning the show starts. Jerry over during the night.
6th April. The show has started this morning just before dawn. A
terrific barrage. Can see our boys in action. Two planes down. Barrage
on from 4.00am to noon. Plenty of prisoners through. Jerry over just
after tea. Too close to be happy. A hell of a raid during the night.
Received airgraph dated 14th March.
7th April. The ADS received a hit. Jerry started again about 7.00am. One
of them nearly lifting me out of my hole. Jerry is on the run again.
Hundreds of our 'planes passed over during the day. Usual dusk raid by
Jerry. Over again during the night.
8th April. Col McGeorge visited us at 6.30am. Jerry came over at dawn.
Wrote letter home. Letter came about trade pay, eight months wrong with
dates. A quiet day and night. No Jerry's over. Everything going well.
Heard the two armies had joined up.
9th April. No dawn raid today. Hear we are to move on Monday. Letters
from home, latest dated 29th March. Hear that Sfax has fallen. Another
quiet night. Wrote air mail letter card home as Jean is ill.
10th April. No mail today, a quiet day. Wrote home and sent 300 francs.
Hope it gets through all right. Sfax fell at 8.15am. More work coming in
and to stay until it is done. Another quiet night. Expect we shall move
to Sfax.
11th April. Still plenty of work. Went for a swim in afternoon. Jerry
driven past Sousa. Work just finished off. Ready for moving on Tuesday.
Another quiet night. A treat to get a good nights sleep.
12th April. Finished off work. Packed up in afternoon ready to move. No
mail again today. Wonder how long it will be before I get any. Quiet
night. Very little to do in the evenings.
13th April. Finished packing and on the road by 8.30am. Pretty slow
journey but good. Covered 74 miles finishing with 174th HD Fld Amb some
4 miles from Sfax. Wrote home. A quiet night. A very nice green site.
14th April. Went sick with a septic hand, not too bad. A lousy day,
raining and not too warm. Still no mail. Plenty of work. A nice site in
a field of barley with marigolds, poppies and night scented stock. More
rain during night.
15th April. Went sick again, hand going quite nicely. Still no mail. 'F'
Mobile pulled up on the way up and stayed the night. A Jerry came over.
Heard he was shot down by a night fighter. Otherwise quiet.
16th April. Still plenty of work but no mail. Looks like being a few
days before it comes through. Hand about right now. (I hope). Had a film
unit round today. A quiet night.
17th April. Plenty of work. Mail came through. Airgraph and two air mail
cards dated 4th and 8th April. One from Nelly. Wrote long air mail
letter and card home. A picture show now running in Sfax. A quiet night.
18th April. Up very early and had a bath. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. No
mail today. Still plenty of work. Very quiet around here. Three more
Mobiles in front of us. Another quiet night. Apart from writing, there
is nothing to do at night.
19th April. Nice and warm today. Received birthday cable and airgraph.
Cable came in six days. Ack-ack over Sfax during afternoon. Wrote to Una
and ma & pa. The place is lousy with mosquitoes, non malaria type, so
the powers that be say!
20th April. Will the last big push go in with the moon? Heard later that
push started yesterday. Thyner is the name of the place here. No mail.
Another quiet night but rained most of the time.
21st April. Received cable from ma & pa today, taken twenty days to get
here. Wrote airgraph back. Got new khaki drill but it did not fit. Heard
we were to move again. A quiet night.
22nd April. Had a run to Sfax. Chased after kit this morning. Airgraph
from Una. Saw a train pass by, this is an event. Getting khaki drill
altered by an Indian tailor. Poured with rain, thunder, etc. Quiet
night.
23rd April. Good Friday but just another day. What a treat to see scores
of Yankee bombers going over. No mail. APO moved up, Fld Ambl moving
tomorrow. Useless writing home, will not get away. We are to move in two
or three days. Quiet night.
24th April. Hear that all is going well, only expected to last four more
days? Got a new truck today. Wrote airmail letter card to Una. The usual
rush to finish work. Don't look like seeing Sfax, what a devil. Can't
get time off. Quiet night.
25th April. Many Happy Returns of your Birthday Dear. (This must have
been written in the diary by my mother when it was purchased. My father
then wrote in for that day as usual). To which I say THANK YOU DARLING.
GOD BLESS.
26th April. Packed up and on the road by 8.30am. Joined 174th HD Fld Amb
again after travelling 102 miles. Exact place not known but is near
Enfidaville, 30 miles from front line. Another nice green site. A pretty
quiet night. Could hear guns in front line.
27th April. Started working today. Barrage on most of the day. Hear a
push is to start again tonight. Wrote long letter to Una. Don't think
the push did start, too quiet a night. Rained a little during night.
28th April. Work still pouring in. Received newspapers and Tit-Bits
today but no letters. What a treat to see our 'planes going over.
Hundreds of them. Rained again. A barrage started during the night
otherwise quiet.
29th April. Planes started at dawn, hundreds passed over during the day.
Jerry must be getting a real hammering. Still no mail. Wrote airgraph
home. Got posted to 132nd Mobile Dental Unit. What a shock!
30th April. Set off by truck at 9.00am to Mobile Hospital at Sousse. Had
dinner there and left by ambulance along with wounded to Sfax. Arrived
about 6.00pm. Had another dinner. Unit to move on Sunday. Had a good
nights sleep.
1st May. Had a walk into Sfax in the morning. Learned I was to return to
Tripoli when finished on this Unit. Packed up in the afternoon. Wrote
air mail letter card to Una. This is not much of a place. Shall be glad
when we get to El D'Jem.
2nd May. Up early ready to start. Left at 9.00am and arrived at El D'Jem
before lunch after 40 miles. Unpacked and set up with an ack-ack unit on
an aerodrome. Wrote, or started a long letter to Una. Had a nice nights
sleep. Very heavy dew.
3rd May. Work poured in as usual. Dug a little slit trench after tea -
just in case. Finished long letter. No mail through yet, expect it will
be weeks before I get any. Turn in pretty early.
4th May. Big squadrons of bombers left the aerodrome this morning. Hear
the raid was successful. One 'plane was lost. Col McGeorge came today.
Hear I shall be going back to Cairo soon. Another quiet night.
5th May. Still more work coming in. The crowd we were with moved off
after lunch leaving us on our own. Heaven knows when I shall receive any
mail. Another quiet night.
6th May. Hear I am to go back to Sfax on Saturday. Received airgraph
dated 16th April and long letter dated 20th October, 1942! It is nice to
get news again. Wrote air mail card to Una. Hear I am to move on Sunday.
Heard that Tunis should fall tomorrow.
7th May. Finished off what work I had. Managed to get my mail away. Hear
things are going very well at the front. Should be over anytime now.
Rained during the night.
8th May. Heard Tunis fell yesterday 12.30pm also Birzerta and Ferryville
today. Finish off work early. Did a spot of washing. No mail. How long
will it be before it is really all over?
9th May. Scores of bombers left the aerodrome early this morning. Packed
up for off. Got to transit camp at Sfax and got away within a few
minutes on a truck for Tripoli. Pulled up at Telboulbou for the night,
after a 160 mile drive. Had a good nights sleep.
10th May. Hear that fifty thousand prisoners have been taken. Should
reach Tripoli sometime on Tuesday. Roads very bad, a rough journey of
142 miles, then pulled up at Pisida on the sea shore. Still another 94
miles to go. Another quiet night.
11th May. Cooked breakfast this morning. Stopped at Zuara for a wash and
shave. Arrived in Tripoli at No7 Lab about 2.00pm. Total journey was
some 430 miles. Got settled in all right. Lab very near to the sea. Had
a good nights sleep. Quiet in the night.
12th May. Started work today doing some vulcanising. Put in for o15,
hoping to send o10 home. Went for a swim in afternoon. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una. Work is7.30am to 12.30pm and then 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
A quiet night.
13th May. At last the fighting is finished. This is really good news.
Went for another swim and a spot of sun bathing. Jerry came over during
the afternoon. No mail. Quiet night.
14th May. Plenty of work to do. Did not go swimming today. Went on pay
parade and drew o15. Must send o10 home tomorrow. Wrote long letter to
Una. Ack-ack for a short while, otherwise quiet.
15th May. Went to the bank and sent home o10. Went into Tripoli in the
afternoon. Got measured up for a pair of hand made shoes. Pictures in
town, then a show in the camp.
16th May. Work in the morning. Went into town to have khaki drill slacks
altered. Came back for dinner. Very hot today. Just hung about all
evening. Expected a show in the camp. No mail. A quiet night.
17th May. Work today as usual. No swimming as I am on duty. Started on
the bench this afternoon. One chap gone sick. Ack-ack at night. Played
cards. Quiet night.
18th May. Started on the bench in earnest this morning. Work did not go
down too bad. Too cold to go for a swim. Wrote to Una. Still no mail.
Rained very hard during the night.
19th May. Plenty of work. Getting settled down all right. Still no mail.
Saw a show in the camp at night. It is a grand sight to see the
moonlight on the sea.
20th May. Just another day with plenty of work. Felt a bit rough so
turned in early. Like all places, there is not much to do after work. It
is too late to go to a show. No mail.
21st May. Work as usual. Feel much better today but still not quite
right. Lots of troops and ships passing through. Turned in early.
Another quiet night.
22nd May. Work in the morning. A really lovely day. Went into Tripoli to
see a show. Still no mail again. Saw a show in the camp at night. A
quiet night.
23rd May. A Sunday, but worked an hour or two in the morning. Went for a
swim then into town again to a show. Received newspapers. Started long
letter to Una. Quiet night.
24th May. Work as usual. Went into town for shoes. A lot of ack-ack in
the morning. Finished long letter to Una. A quiet night.
25th May. Heard I was to go to 3rd CCS so I went sick with my eyes and
have to go into hospital. Admitted to No2 General Hospital in the
evening. Had a good nights sleep.
26th May. Saw specialist and ophthalmic doctor this morning. Eyes no
change. Had to bed down, sleep treatment. Slept for most of the day.
Keep having a sleeping draught. Wrote air mail letter card home.
27th May. Started sleep treatment. Doped three times a day. Only managed
to sleep an hour or two. Smoked three cigs during night.
28th May. Have a terrific headache today. Had some more 'Stuka' juice
this morning. The food is not so good. Just slept most of the day. No
mail.
29th May. Still more sleep. Today I have a headache worse than ever.
Slept all afternoon. Had a pretty fair night. Still no mail.
30th May. More sleep today. Had two of the boys to see me. Still no
mail. Started long letter to Una. A real decent nights sleep.
31st May. Another day of sleeping. Finished off long letter to Una this
morning. More dope and more sleep. 1st June. Another day of sleep. This
is my last day. I wonder what treatment will follow this? Today, I had
the best dinner since I came here. More dope at night.
2nd June. Finished with dope today. Saw a Major Palmer, what a lot of
poppycock he talked. Just lazed away the afternoon. Played cards at
night and had a good nights sleep.
3rd June. Collected my kit ready to go out. Going into convalescent camp
tomorrow. Head just about cleared off now. Still no mail. Wrote to Una.
Had a good nights sleep.
4th June. Up early, getting ready to leave hospital. Set off to the
convalescent camp in an ambulance. Arrived during afternoon. Slept in
garages on stretchers. Had a good nights sleep.
5th June. Went to see Dental Officer and MD Got fixed up to go to Dental
Lab to knock around. This will be better than fatigues. Went to a
concert at night and quite a good show. A good nights sleep.
6th June. Went down to the lab this morning. Slept most of the
afternoon. Wrote to Una. Played tombola but no luck. Another good sleep.
7th June. Down to lab again, morning and afternoon. Did a spot of work.
Went to a concert at night, a really excellent show. A good night out.
8th June. Lab again. Went swimming in afternoon. A picture show in
evening. No mail.
9th June. Lab again morning and afternoon. Still no mail. Finished long
letter to Una. Played tombola but did not win.
10th June. Lab again. Still no mail. Feeling much better. Had a good
nights sleep.
11th June. After lab in morning, paraded to see Major Palmer. Wrote
airgraphs to Una and Nelly. No mail. A quiet night.
12th June. Did a spot of work in the morning. Received air mail letter
card dated 27th May. Swimming in afternoon. A concert at night. Very
quiet.
13th June. More work in the morning. Swimming and sunbathing in
afternoon. Received air mail letter card dated 24th May. Pleased to hear
that all the cash arrived home safely. A quiet night, wrote home.
14th June. In the lab again in the morning and afternoon. No mail. Went
to a concert at night, a good show. Feeling much better.
15th June. Lab in morning. Major Palmer's inspection in the afternoon.
No mail today. Played tombola at night and managed to win.
16th June. Went into lab in morning. A big 'do' in Tripoli on Saturday a
lot of 'Cons' to line the streets. Do not feel inclined to go on this.
Swimming in afternoon. Played tombola but no luck.
17th June. Down in the lab again in the morning and afternoon. Big show
on Saturday is off. No mail. Wrote airgraph to Una. Went to a concert at
night.
18th June. Major Palmer's parade and interview. Got another week here.
Wrote to Una. Played tombola at night but no luck. Quiet night.
19th June. Lab in morning, swimming in afternoon. No mail. Concert at
night. The King is in Tripoli. Shall give a turn next week lining the
streets.
20th June. Went down to Tripoli for the day. Looked around shops. Went
to pictures. Was pleased to get back. Nothing to eat in town. No mail.
21st June. Went down to Tripoli to line the streets for the King. Went
by ambulance. Had to stand for hours. Saw him twice. No mail. Played
tombola but no luck again.
22nd June. Went to lab in morning. Interview with Major Palmer. Have
finished at last. Wrote long letter home. Air mail letter card from Una.
23rd June. Lab morning and afternoon. Wrote to Una. Refereed a football
match at night. Two letters from Una. Quiet night.
24th June. Busy morning, FFI Colonels interview. Big shot around
inspecting the camp. Wrote airgraph to Una. Went to see a football
match.
25th June. Went to lab in morning, move out in afternoon. Left at 3.00pm
and went to 2nd General Hospital. Hear that I may go to base in Cairo
again. Slept in Dental Centre. A good nights sleep.
26th June. Went to No7 Lab in morning and saw the Major about getting
back there. Watched a cricket match in the afternoon. Two new Mobiles
pulled in for the night. No Mail. A quiet night.
27th June. Did a spot of work. Not heard anything yet about a move.
Slept all afternoon. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Started and
finished long letter. Went to an open air cinema show given by the
Yanks.
28th June. Went to Dental Centre and finished off a job. It looks like I
will be going to Cairo. Went to No7 Lab and collected four letters.
Wrote to Una. A quiet night.
29th June. Did a spot of work at the Dental Centre. Not heard about
moving yet. A little work in the afternoon. Read all evening. Another
quiet night. No mail today.
30th June. Lab again in morning. No news of move. Only five in pool now.
Order to move came just before dinner. Left about 1.00pm for docks to
board HS Talamba an Indian boat. Pulled out at 5.00pm and slept on deck.
1st July. Spent all morning playing solo. Food very good, a real nice,
clean boat. Still playing solo all afternoon and night. Lost 10/- all
day. Had two bottles of beer at night.
2nd July. Spent all day playing solo. Not too lucky. Arrive Alex'
tomorrow. Two hot meals a day.
3rd July. Up early, packed and ready for off. Arrived in Alex' at
9.30am. Disembarked at 3.00pm. Played solo all morning. No luck. Went to
Mustapha transit camp for the night and then into town. Saw a good
picture.
4th July. Left at 9.00am on train to Cairo. Hell of a crowd as usual.
Arrived 12.30pm, at base depot at 2.30pm. Wrote air mail letter card to
Una. Went to the lab, did not know anyone. No cigs. Good nights sleep.
5th July. A day messing about, here there and everywhere. Got fixed up
in No1Lab while I am here. Went to Cairo and saw a show.
6th July. Went down to lab all day. Got trade pay fixed up. Played
cricket after tea, managed 2 for 32 off 6 overs. After tea there was a
wonderful sight. A star almost touching the moon. Found out later this
was a close conjunction of Venus and the moon.
7th July. Started twenty four hour fire picket at 8.00am. Found out
later it was telephone duty. Went to lab in morning. Received letter
dated 8th November 1942! Wrote long letter home. Went on duty at
10.00pm. Went to camp cinema. Pretty terrible show. Had a decent sleep.
8th July. Did not get relieved until nearly 8.00am. Down to lab in
morning. Moved into a tent at dinner time. In lab again in afternoon.
Went into Cairo at night and saw a show, bottle of beer and a feed. A
good nights sleep.
9th July. Down to lab, had a couple of jobs to do. Pay parade at dinner
time. Trade pay was in. Went to Helopilis. Had a few drinks and a show.
10th July. TODAY SICILY WAS INVADED. Worked in the morning. Afternoon
went to the zoo and had a grand time. Pictures in evening and a bottle
of beer. Good nights sleep.
11th July. Finished off two jobs in the morning. Received air mail
letter card from Nelly. Wrote to Una. Played cricket for Base Depot in
afternoon. Went to camp cinema. A good nights sleep.
12th July. Lab in morning as usual. Arranged to have o30 sent home.
Received air mail letter card from Una. Finished off a job in afternoon.
Went into Cairo at night to order snaps. Saw a show.
13th July. Not much work to do in lab today. Wrote to Una. No mail. Went
into Cairo for a film. Saw a good show, a really cheap evening.
14th July. Hear some chaps have gone home including Dental Corps. A
Corps man who was beaten up a week ago has died. No mail today. Sleep in
afternoon. Went into Cairo again at night. Another show. A very cheap
night.
15th July. It is too late to send Una a birthday card, will have to send
a cable. Down to the lab again. Received two air mail cards and one
airgraph from Una. I am still puzzled and worried about this compulsory
allotment? Got to get it settled up. Wrote air mail card to Una and
airgraph to Nelly.
16th July. Went again to the lab. Slept all afternoon. Did not feel too
good. Went into town again. Saw a good show. A nice cheap evening.
Nobby, an old 1939 pal, came to see me. Now a Sergeant.
17th July. Went to the lab in the morning. In the afternoon went of
Gizera. A grand time. Loads of ice- cream and cold drinks. Went to a
good picture show at night. A really good day but expensive.
18th July. To the lab in the morning. On messenger duty in afternoon.
Wrote long letter to Una, surface mail. Went on duty at 5.00pm to 6.30am
Monday. Wrote airgraph to Una. Good nights sleep.
19th July. Went down to lab again in the morning. Air mail letter card
from Una. Taken eight days. Read all afternoon. Dashed to Cairo to
collect snaps and straight back to see a show, the famous Will Fyffe in
person. A good show.
20th July. Lab again in morning. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Went
into Cairo at night to an open air show. A decent evening. Good nights
sleep.
21st July. Down to lab in morning. Hear that some of the boys are going
home. Wish it was me. Read all afternoon. Went to a South African
concert in camp. The best show I have seen out here. No mail today.
22nd July. Down to lab in morning. Posted to No17 Dental Centre near
Alex'. Arrived Alex' 9.00pm. Transport to Amriya at 10.45pm. Stayed the
night at Dekheila.
23rd July. Left Dekheila for Noah Lab, Alex'. Posting to No17 Dental
Centre was cancelled. May be posted to 64th General Hospital. Went into
Alex' at night to an ENSA show. Not so hot. A good nights sleep.
July 1943. In Alex. Steve Lonsdale.
24th July. Hear they are busy at the 64th General. Looks like I will be
going? Went to Nusa Garden in the afternoon. Dinner at the NZ YMCA and a
show. Back to the lab. A game of darts and then bed.
25th July. Posted to 64th General Hospital. Went back to Mustapha to
play cricket. A few drinks at night back at the hospital. A decent
billet on the roof overlooking the sea.
26th July. Started work this morning. Right now I am on the beach but
just cannot enjoy it. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Feeling very
restless today. Wrote a long letter to Una. Just hung around the NAFFI
at night.
27th July. Did a spot of work this morning. Watched a cricket match in
afternoon. Collected some mail, three letters, two airgraphs and an air
mail letter card. Wrote to Una. Turned in early and read. A good nights
sleep.
28th July. A bit of work in the morning. Read and slept in the
afternoon. Airgraph from Una. Walked along the front at night. Had a bit
of supper out. FFI early morning.
29th July. Kit inspection early morning. Got a dose of 'gippy' tummy
today. Feel half dead. Went down to the pictures in the evening after
running and resting all day. Feel much better.
30th July. Pay this morning. Cricket in the afternoon against the
Officers. Lost the game. Went down to Noah Lab but no mail. Just hung
around the rest of the evening. Turned in early.
31st July. Spot of work in the morning. Should have played cricket this
afternoon but got caught out for stretcher party. Went into Alex' and
bought some foreign stamps for Jean. Collected some very old mail.
1st August. Work in the morning. Went down to Noah Lab. Walked along the
prom, very nice. Got a letter from ma & pa. Went to pictures at night.
Still got a gippy tummy.
2nd August. Work in the morning. On stretcher party again in the
afternoon. First anti-typhus jab after tea. Went down to lab. Walk along
the prom. A glass of beer, spot of supper and then back to the hospital.
Air mail letters to Una and Jean.
3rd August. A spot of work in the morning. Received airgraph from Una.
Went to pictures in afternoon. On police patrol at night. My shift is
2.00am until 6.30am. Had a marvellous supper and got a couple of hours
sleep.
4th August. Did a full upper this morning. Had a sleep after dinner.
Went down to Mustapha for tea. A good show at night. Had a good nights
sleep.
5th August. Worked all day. Went to pictures at night. No mail today.
Settling down to things all right but wish to God I was at home.
6th August. Work in the morning. Lazed about all afternoon. Went for a
long walk at night on the front, a drink and a spot of supper. Quite an
enjoyable evening. No mail.
7th August. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una
and wrote straight back. Went to the races, the first time in my life.
Only lost 4/-. Started long letter to Una.
8th August. Worked all morning. Finished and posted long letter to Una.
Received airgraph from Una and air mail letter card from Nelly. Went to
Mustapha and walked on the front. A spot of supper, a couple of whisky's
and back to hospital.
9th August. Finished off two jobs. Went to Alex' in afternoon and sold
some gold and got 32/- for it. Wrote airgraphs to Una, Nelly and ma &
pa. Had another anti-typhus jab. Had a walk and turned in early.
10th August. Work in the morning. Cleaned up in afternoon ready for a
big shot from England tomorrow. Received long letter dated 4th July and
an air mail letter card dated 14th July. Wrote air mail letter card to
Una. Went to Alex' to the pictures.
11th August. Cleaned up this morning ready for the General. Waited all
afternoon but had not arrived at 6.00pm. Waited until 7.30pm but did not
turn up. Went to a concert in the hospital. Very good.
12th August. The big shot did not turn up. Did a spot of work in the
morning. Read most of the afternoon. Went to the pictures at night and
saw Bitter Sweet, a very beautiful show.
13th August. Did a spot of work this morning and got paid. Attended mess
meeting early evening. Went to a concert in the hospital. Very poor
indeed. Turned in early. No mail.
14th August. Work in the morning. Went to the races again in the
afternoon and won 76pt. No mail. Went to Mustapha in the evening to an
open air dance and had a few drinks. A good evening. Only had one dance.
15th August. Work in the morning. Went to races in afternoon but no
luck. No mail. Had a run into Alex' at night. Turned in early.
16th August. Made myself a new denture today. Received three air mail
letter cards from Una. Wrote air mail letter card, airgraph and long
letter back. Had another anti-typhus jab. Turned in early.
17th August. SCIILY IN ALLIED HANDS. Posted long letter and sent
cable.Went to meeting of concert party. May get into it. Turned in
early. Nobody allowed out today.
18th August. Must send cable for Una's birthday. Received some
newspapers. Spot of work in the morning. Went to Mustapha in the
afternoon. Down to Alex' at night to the pictures. A real good show. No
mail.
19th August. Worked in the morning. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
No mail today. Went to hospital cinema at night. A rotten show and a
deadly evening all round.
20th August. A spot of work during the day. Received airgraph and air
mail letter card from Una. Down to Alex' at night and saw a good
picture. A pretty deadly place if one does not go to a show.
21st August. Work in the morning. Went to races in afternoon. Wrote
airgraph to Una. Down to Mustapha at night and walked on the prom. Down
to town for cakes, etc.
22nd August. Work in the morning. Received two airgraphs from Una dated
3rd and 9th August. Went down to Mustapha for tea. Down to Alex' at
night to a show. Back quite reasonable. Just another day.
23rd August. Worked all day today. Wrote long letter to Una. Just hung
around the hospital all evening. A pretty deadly pastime. Turned in
early.
24th August. Work in the morning. Hear that a new draft of Dental Corps
have come out. Just lazed around in the afternoon. Went to Alex' at
night to a show. Had to wait over half an hour for a tram.
25th August. My darlings birthday. I hope she is very happy and next
year we are together again. Applied for a pass for the Fleet Club. Went
into Alex' to a show in the afternoon. Lecture at night on Christian
Marriage. Very good. Sent cable for our wedding anniversary.
26th August. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha for tea. Back to the
hospital at night to a concert. Nearly all women, plenty of leg! No
mail.
27th August. Dental Officer back at work today. Hear one of us has to go
to 8th General Hospital to work. No mail. Went to Alex' in the
afternoon. A show at night. An accident held up the trams. Took an hour
coming back.
28th August. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha in afternoon. Walk on
the front. Down to town early evening to try to get a prayer book for
Jean. Back to hospital to see a really good show by an RAF party.
Received airgraph from Una.
29th August. Work in the morning. Talk of men going home with four years
service. Went to races in afternoon and finished up straight. Walked on
the front at night. Wrote airgraph to Una. Turned in early.
30th August. Work in the morning. FFI at 6.30am. Down to Mustapha at
night and walked on the front. Received cable from Una. No other mail.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
31st August. One of the boys posted to 8th General Hospital. Wrote long
air mail letter. No mail today. Just hung around the hospital all night.
On duty so could not go out.
1st September. Our wedding anniversary. Newspapers and air mail letter
card from Nelly. Worked most of the day. Went into town to celebrate.
Had a good feed. Saw a real good show and finished the evening with two
double whisky's, the best in town.
2nd September. Work all day. Received air mail letter card from Una and
wrote one home. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. Had a walk at night. Finished
up at the pictures.
3rd September. ITALY INVADED TODAY. Worked all day and finished a
Kalodent upper and lower. Went down to Mustapha and a walk on the front.
No mail today.
4th September. Work in the morning. Down to the races in the afternoon
and won 9/-. A band concert in the hospital. Received air mail letter
card. Taken only six days. Also airgraph from Una.
5th September. Work in the morning. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
Races in the afternoon. Last meeting. Lost 4/-. Called in Royal Arms at
night. Had one dance. Pretty poor. No mail.
6th September. Worked all day, busy making a gold tooth. Went to Sidi
Bish to play tombola but no luck. No mail.
7th September. Work all day. Went to town at night to the pictures. Just
an ordinary day. No mail today. Noel Coward is coming on Friday.
8th September. ITALY PACKED IT IN TODAY. Company dance off on Friday
owing to visit of Noel Coward. Wrote long letter to Una. Stayed in all
evening on duty.
9th September. Worked in the morning. Finished off a little buckshee job
of a gold tooth for 35/-. Went to town to the pictures. Pretty poor
show. No mail.
10th September. Worked all day. Company dance at night, a really good
do. Danced nearly every dance with Sisters. Had a hell of a lot to
drink. No mail.
11th September. A filthy hangover today. Feel half dead. No mail. Felt
much better after tea. Went with Doug down to the pictures. Had a good
nights sleep.
12th September. Worked in the morning. Received airgraph. Waited an hour
to hear Josephine Baker the singer but she did not turn up. Went to
Fleet Club at night to tombola. No luck.
13th September. Wrote airgraph to Una. Work all day. Down to Mustapha at
night. A walk on the front. Back early. Capt Manton the Dental Officer
is to leave.
14th September. Work all day. Down to the pictures at night. New Dental
Officer has arrived, a Capt Armitage. No mail today. Just a so-so day.
16th September. Work all day. New Officer on the job today. Received two
air mail letter cards. Wrote one to Una and started long letter. Play
tombola at night. No luck.
17th September. Wrote airgraph to ma & pa. Received airgraph from Una.
Wrote airgraph back. Worked all day. Down Mustapha at night and walked
for miles on the front. Returned dead tired.
18th September. Work in the morning. Received newspaper. Heard and saw
Noel Coward at the hospital. Very good. Down to town at night. Went to a
show.
19th September. Work in the morning. No mail. Went to Methodist Chapel
at night for the first time in this country. Social afterwards with free
tea and cakes and sing song.
20th September. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from
Una and wrote straight back. Went on night patrol. A quiet night, did
not patrol at all. A good supper.
21st September. Work in the morning. Rested in the afternoon. Received
newspapers. Down to town at night and saw a good show. Back early for a
good nights sleep.
22nd September. Worked all day. Saw a show in the hospital at night. An
ENSA party. Just passable. ATS fresh from England in the NAFFI.
23rd September. Four years service. Worked all day. Down to a show at
night. Started a long letter. Received air mail letter card.
24th September. Working all day. Down to a picture show at night.
Received newspapers. Wrote air mail letter card and finished long
letter. On parade, OCS in the morning.
25th September. Worked in the morning. Slept most of the afternoon.
Received airgraph from Una. Wrote airgraph straight back. Went to
dancing class in hospital. Started buckshee job for o2.
26th September. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card and
wrote one straight back. Went down town in afternoon, bought dressing
gown for Una, o4. Dancing at Royal Arms at night.
27th September. Worked all day. Two more buckshee's in hand. Air mail
letter card from Nelly. Went to town to a show. Saw Romeo and Juliet.
Back early. Finished of a job.
28th September. Work all day. Buckshee job started and finished, 35/-.
Received newspaper. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. Stayed in all night. Fitted
jobs. Got o2. Turned in early.
29th September. Work all day. Quite a few jobs in. One of the mechanics
posted to Cairo. My luck is still holding. Stayed in again. A bottle of
beer and a tinkle on the piano.
30th September. Work all day. Received eight bundles of Everybody's.
Wrote long letter to Una. Another night in on stretcher party. Turned in
early. 1st October. One mechanic posted to Cairo. Worked all day. Down
to town at night. Saw an ENSA show. Very good. Broke my glasses.
Received air mail letter card from Una.
2nd October. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Went to town, had dinner
then on to a show. Rained very heavy. Worked all day.
3rd October. Work in the morning. Don't feel too well today. Nasty pain
in side again. Went for a walk at night. Back into bed by 8.00pm.
Terribly hot this past few days.
4th October. Still continues hot. Can hardly breathe. Sent parcel to
Una. Still feeling pretty rough. Received airgraph from Una. TAB jab at
night. Felt pretty shaky.
5th October. Feel pretty rotten today. Work in the morning. Wrote
airgraph to Una. Laid down all afternoon and evening. Turned in early to
bed.
6th October. Feel much better today. Work all day. Put in for weekend
leave to Cairo. Went to town. Saw a show. No mail.
7th October. Worked all day. Received newspaper. Went to a town to see a
show. Feel so much better today. Put in for a travel warrant for
weekend.
8th October. Work all day. Drew o5. Got pass through all right. Wrote
air mail letter card to Una. No mail. On stretcher party at night. Two
hours in the theatre carrying patients.
9th October. Called out early morning to move a body. Off to Cairo,
arrived 1.00pm. Went to Helopolis to army graveyard. Back to Gizira for
tea. Saw a film at night. Not a very good nights sleep.
10th October. Went to the Citadel into the Mosque. Very wonderful. To
Gizira for lunch. Back to station for 3.15pm train. Did not arrive in
Alex' until 10.30pm. Stopped at every station. Almost spoilt the
weekend.
11th October. Work all day. Buckshee repair, 10/-. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote one back also long letter. Stayed in all
night. Another job on the way.
12th October. Work all day. Down to town at night to a show. Back early.
No mail. Just a so-so day.
13th October. Work all day. Wrote air mail letter card. Back down to
town to the pictures. Back fairly early. A good nights sleep.
14th October. Work all day. Down to town at night to a show, just so-so.
15th October. Parade this morning. Work in morning. Down to town for
Xmas presents. Unit dance at night. Danced most of the evening with the
Assistant Matron. A good do, did not get drunk.
16th October. Work in the morning. Rested in afternoon. Down to Mustapha
at night. Got some snaps. Dental Officer posted.
17th October. Work in the morning. Down for a swim in afternoon.
Pictures at night. A lousy show. Back early.
18th October. Work in the morning. Officer left today. Refereed a
football match in evening. Received air mail letter card and airgraph.
One from Nelly. Wrote long letter and air mail letter card. Stretcher
party duty.
19th October. Work in the morning. New DO started, Capt Boothroyd. Just
hung around in afternoon. Going to start football again. Pictures at
night. Back early.
20th October. Worked all day. Went to town at night, had a few beers and
a good feed. Back pretty early. No mail today. A lot of four year men
going home.
21st October. Work all day. Received air mail letter with photos. Wrote
straight back. Went to town to a show. Thunderstorm at night.
22nd October. Posted Jean's parcel. Worked all day. Down to Mustapha at
night. Back early. Clerk got posted today. Four in the area posted.
23rd October. Four year men left unit for home. Work in the morning.
Watched football match. Heard Solomon the pianist. Went to town to a
show and good feed. Received air mail letter card from Una.
24th October. Work in the morning. Watched a football match in town.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Back early. Nasty night, raining.
Spent evening in NAFFI.
25th October. Received papers. Work in the morning. Played football in
afternoon, drew 2-2. Down to town at night to a picture show. Feel very
stiff. Knee held out.
26th October. Posted parcel to ma. Work all day. Down to town. Wrote
long letter. Concert in hospital at night. Just a so-so day.
27th October. Work in morning. Went to watch a hockey game in afternoon.
Down to town at night. A good show and a good dinner. Back pretty early.
Have to move into barrack room.
28th October. Work in morning. Played football in afternoon, drew 3-3.
Knee went in first few minutes. Pictures at night and a decent feed.
Received airgraph.
29th October. Received Jean's photo's. Worked in the morning. Received
two air mail letter cards, wrote straight back. Just a few jobs to do.
Wetton posted back. Concert at night in hospital, pretty lousy. Turned
in early.
30th October. Work in the morning. Wrote airgraph to Una. Received
airgraph and papers in eleven days. Refereed college game, got 3/-. Down
to pictures at night. Won sweep, 32/-.
31st October. Work in the morning. Watched two football matches in
afternoon. Down to town at night to a club for dinner. Back early. Could
not get any beer. Clocks altered. Extra hour in bed.
1st November. Wrote airgraph to Una. Sent Xmas cards and Jean's birthday
card. Wrote long letter to Una. Played football, won 4-2 against the
hospital 2nd team. Moved into barrack room. Stayed in all evening.
2nd November. Worked in the morning. Watched a hockey match in
afternoon. Down to town at night. Saw a good play. Back fairly early.
Thunderstorm and heavy rain during night.
3rd November. Work all day. Put in for nine days leave and was granted
it. No mail today. Stayed in at night and played solo, lost a few
shillings. Buckshee job, 30/-.
4th November. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon, won
1-0. Back to hospital at night. Fixed up for extra pay. Went to picture
show in hospital. No mail again today.
5th November. On OC's parade today. Spot of work in the morning. Card
playing in afternoon. Down to town at night to a show. Received air mail
letter card from Una, took eight days. Wrote straight back.
6th November. Started leave. Down to town to play football in afternoon,
won 3-2. To a picture show at night. Sleeping at the lab, Mustapha. A
good nights sleep. Air mail letter card from Nelly.
7th November. Up to the hospital and back to town in the morning. Lunch
in town. Hospital in afternoon to finish a job. Stayed in at night. Too
tired to move. Wrote to Nelly.
8th November. Down to town. Played snooker in Bath Club, Sidi Bishr.
Hospital in afternoon. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote
back. Pictures at night, Reap The Wild Wind, a good Show.
9th November. Town in the morning. Up to hospital before lunch. No mail.
Wrote long letter to Una. Watched a hockey and football match in
afternoon. Hospital at night to hear a Palestinian orchestra. Very good.
10th November. Up to hospital in the morning. Walk back part of the way
on the front. Watched football in afternoon. Dancing at night at
Montgomery House. A very nice evening. Airgraph from Una.
11th November. Jock McClure posted. Up to hospital early to see Mac,
back to town for lunch. No football, cancelled. Wrote airgraph to Una.
Pictures at night. Poor show.
12th November. Went walking in the morning. Up to hospital at dinner
time to finish off a buckshee job. Back to town at night to a show.
Received air mail letter cards from Una and ma. Wrote back.
13th November. Wrote airgraph to ma & pa. Went to hospital and watched
two football matches. Back to town to a Girl Guide social and dance.
Pretty lousy, had four dances all night.
14th November. Hear that I am to work at No6 Lab. Up to the hospital,
stayed and watched two football matches. Down to town at night to a
show. Back to hospital, leave finished.
15th November. Work in the morning. Down to town in the afternoon. A
spot of work after tea. Wrote long letter to Una. Stretcher party duty.
Just hung around all night. Photo to Una.
16th November. Worked all day. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
Hospital concert party at night. A pretty deadly show. Some turns good,
others awful.
17th November. Work in the morning. Football in the afternoon, we won
10-0. Dance at night at Montgomery House, very nice, stayed two hours.
No mail.
18th November. Work in the morning. Watched football in the afternoon.
Anti-typhus jab. No mail. Got silk for Una, 5/-. Stayed in hospital all
evening. A beer and picture show.
19th November. Working all day. No mail again. Down to Mustapha at
night. Back very early. Played piano in NAFFI but a poor evening.
20th November. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from
Una and wrote back. Played football against College and won 8-2. Down to
pictures at night.
21st November. Work in the morning. Football in afternoon. Unlucky
again, got kicked on the jaw and knocked out. Took no further part in
the game. Jaw x-rayed. Stayed in at night, felt very rough. Stretcher
party duty.
22nd November. Worked all day but felt very shaky. Watched a football
match before tea. Down to Mustapha and then to a show. Received
newspapers and Everybody's.
23rd November. Work in the morning. Wrote long letter to Una. Down to
town with the boys in the afternoon. Back to hospital after tea. Turned
in early. Feel much better today.
24th November. Work all day. Down to Montgomery House dancing, almost a
dead loss. Glass of beer on the way back. Back fairly early. Wrote
airgraph to Una.
25th November. Work in the morning. Played cards in the afternoon and
lost 6d. Sent parcel of silk to Una. Played cards at night, won a few
coppers. PAD night.
26th November. Work in the morning. A spot of card playing in afternoon
then down to pictures at night. Still no mail from home.
27th November. Work in the morning. Cards after dinner, won 7/-. Watched
a football match. Down to pictures at night. Air mail letter card from
Nelly. Still no mail from Una.
28th November. Work in the morning. Stayed in on duty all day and
evening. Still no mail from Una. Wrote long letter to her. Watched
football match. Saw a play at night in hospital.
29th November. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon.
Air mail letter card from Una, wrote back. Stretcher party at night.
30th November. Work in the morning as usual. Down to Alex' and back by
truck. A good RAF show at night in the hospital. Wrote to Una.
1st December. On parade at 6.30am. Work in the morning. Geraldo and his
band in the afternoon. Part of the show broadcast home. Wrote airgraphs
to Una and Nelly. Stayed in all night.
2nd December. Work in the morning. Down to town, dinner in Fleet Club
and a grand picture show. Back pretty early. No mail.
3rd December. Stretcher party evacuation, up at 4.15am. Work rest of
morning. Rested in afternoon. Tombola at night in NAFFI, no luck. No
mail. PAD night. A good sing song in the NAFFI.
4th December. Work in the morning. Down town to a dance, dinner and then
the Fleet Club dancing at night. Received air mail letter card and
airgraph from Una.
5th December. Work in the morning. Watched football in the afternoon.
Stayed in at night, PAD duty. Started long letter to Una. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una.
6th December. Work in the morning as usual. Watched football match in
afternoon. Down to Mustapha at night. Back early. Turned in early, a
decent nights sleep.
7th December. Work in the morning. Sleep in afternoon. Received air mail
letter card from Gerty. Wrote airgraphs to Una and Gerty. Stayed in all
night. Band in NAFFI. Best sleep for months.
8th December. Arab Xmas, Bahram. Work in the morning. Received long
letter and Xmas cards. Football in afternoon, won 3-1. Fleet Club at
night dancing. Not too good. A few drinks.
9th December. Work in the morning. Received some very old papers. Wrote
air mail letter card to Una. Stayed in all night. PAD duty. Air raid
warning during night, but nothing happened.
10th December. Work all day. Down to Mustapha for tea then to town at
night to a picture show. Back pretty early. A good nights sleep. Very
cold during night. No mail.
11th December. Work in the morning. Down to town in the afternoon to
Montgomery House for tea and a dance or two. Back to the hospital early
evening. No mail.
12th December. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon.
Did not turn out at night. Fell asleep. Sleeping much better now thank
goodness. No mail again today. Very hard to find something to do at
night.
13th December. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon.
Received air mail letter card from Una, wrote long one back and also a
long letter. Picture show at night in hospital. On night stretcher party
duty.
14th December. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon against
8th General Hospital, lost 4-1. Stayed in all night. Played tombola, no
luck. Another good sleep.
15th December. Una has received parcel of silk. Work all morning. Broke
my glasses again. Fleet Club at night dancing. Pretty good evening. No
mail today. Had a few brandy's to drink. A real good nights sleep.
16th December. Work in the morning. Rained heavy and very cold. Pictures
in town in afternoon. Still no mail. Stayed in at night. Should have
been a concert. Still rainy and very cold.
17th December. Work in the morning. Football in the afternoon, won 1-0.
Tombola at night in hospital, won 40pt. Air mail letter card from Una.
Still cold and wet.
18th December. Work as usual in morning. Down to town with the boys.
Pictures followed by dinner at the New Zealand YMCA. A few beers at
Delices. Back early. Dead tired. Air mail letter card from Una.
19th December. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon.
Received Xmas parcel, air mail letter card and newspapers from Una.
Wrote back, also wrote airgraph to Jean. Started long letter. Turned in
early.
20th December. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon for
hospital third team, won 8-0. Finished long letter to Una. At night,
received an old newspaper. Turned in early and slept well.
21st December. Work in the morning. Just hung about all day and read.
Tombola in the NAFFI, no luck. Turned in early. Poured with rain all
night.
22nd December. A lovely day? Poured with rain! Work a little in morning.
Down to pictures in afternoon. Dinner in NZ YMCA at night. Back to
hospital to see a concert party, no too good. Rained all night.
23rd December. Rain stopped today, a treat to see the sun again. Work in
the morning. Down to Mustapha for tea. Back to the hospital at night for
concert party, quite good. Received four Xmas airgraphs.
24th December. Work in the morning. Down to No6 Lab at night to a party.
A wonderful do. Everything really grand. Played the piano all night.
Just about drunk! A good sleep.
25th December. Started the day with a few drinks of brandy provided by
the Dental Officers. Played football in afternoon, won 3-2. In the
evening I played the piano in the wards for the patients.
26th December. Today was our Xmas Day. Went down to Mustapha early and
had a drink. A really excellent dinner. Watched football in afternoon. A
smashing tea. Then down to Alex' to the pictures. A grand day.
27th December. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and airgraphs to ma &
pa, Nelly and to Blackpool. Received cigs and air mail letter card from
Una. Wrote airgraph and long letter to Una. On stretcher party duty,
three patients to move, otherwise a quiet night.
28th December. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from
Una and letter from Church. Down to Mustapha, then to town. Pictures at
night. A quiet evening.
29th December. Work in the morning. Watched football in afternoon.
Played tombola at night, no luck. On night patrol, walked around for one
and a half hours. Very cold, was dead tired.
30th December. My darling daughters birthday, nine years old. God Bless
her and make her very happy. I hope she has a nice party and likes the
present I sent for her.
XXX
Wrote air mail letter card to Una. In bed very early.
31st December. So we come to the end of another year. It was finished
with a dance, not as good as the other ones, as my thoughts strayed
home. The New Year came in with the hope that soon I should be home.
1944
1st January. Work in the morning. Played football in the afternoon, not
very happy, lost 6-2 with a hospital team against College boys. Dinner
in town at night, then to an ENSA show at the Globe. Back early. No
mail. Both knees very sore.
2nd January. Work in the morning. Watched two football games in
afternoon. A marvellous Yankee concert party in the hospital at night.
Knee still very sore indeed. Still hear rumours of going home in a month
or two. No mail.
3rd January. Work morning and part of afternoon. Watched football in
afternoon. Down to town at night to a picture show. Back fairly early.
Still no mail. Still rumours of hospital moving.
4th January. Worked most of the day. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
Still no mail. Tombola at night, won 2/6d. Concert in hospital pretty
lousy, everyone walked out. Vaccination at 5.00pm.
5th January. Work in the morning. Down to pictures in the afternoon to
see Random Harvest. Dinner at NZ YMCA. Went to Montgomery House but did
not dance. A glass of beer and back early. No mail again today.
6th January. Work in the morning. Watched football in afternoon. Just
hung around all evening. Still no mail. Finished long letter and wrote
airgraph to Una.
7th January. Worked all morning and afternoon. Rush job. Watched boys
play football. Tombola at night in NAFFI, no luck. Band in NAFFI
afterwards. Turned in early. Very cold. Still no mail.
8th January. Work in the morning. Linesman in cup tie and referee in
afternoon. Received air mail letter cards from Una and Nelly. Stayed in
all evening. Heavy rain and very cold. Wrote air mail letter card to
Una.
9th January. Work all morning. Down to town in afternoon. Dinner at NZ
YMCA and then to pictures. Received newspapers. The other mechanic here
is posted. Awarded Africa Star Ribbon.
10th January. Work in the morning. Buckshee job in afternoon. Watched
football for a while. Reported to MI room at 5.00pm for vaccination.
Took okay. Stayed in all night and turned in early.
11th January. Work in the morning, was very busy. Down to Mustapha in
the afternoon. Back to hospital at night. Played tombola and then a very
fine concert of light classical music. Really enjoyed it all. No mail.
12th January. Work all day today. Received air mail letter card from
Una. Wrote air mail letter card and long letter back. On night stretcher
party duty. Stayed around all night. Weather wet and cold. Did not get
called out.
13th January. Changed duty day to today. Worked all day up to 6.00pm,
very busy for a change. Air mail letter card from ma. Wrote airgraphs to
Nelly and ma & pa. Wetton left today. Still wet and miserable. Just read
all evening. Turned in early.
14th January. Work in the morning. Still very wet and cold. Down to
Mustapha in the afternoon. Heard and saw Pushinouf the famous pianist in
hospital. Pictures at night. Intensely cold. No mail today.
15th January. Work in the morning. Refereed two football matches in the
afternoon. Stayed in all evening. Had a bottle of beer and turned in
early. No mail today.
16th January. Work in the morning. Still very cold. Watched football in
afternoon and then was a linesman in a cup tie match at 3.15pm. Stayed
in all evening. Too cold and miserable to go out. No mail.
17th January. Work as usual. Still no mail today. Wrote air mail letter
card to Una. Started and finished a Kalodent denture for the Orderly.
Worked until 9.30pm. Still intensely cold.
18th January. Work in the morning. Capt Boothroyd the DO, went to Cairo
on a course. Received two air mail letter cards from Una. Down to town
for dinner and then to pictures. Very cold, was pleased to get back.
Judy Shirley was in hospital tonight. A gale during night with heavy
rain.
19th January. Work all day. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Still
very cold and wet. Finish a buckshee job for 25/-. Went to a concert in
the hospital. Poured with rain most of the night.
20th January. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha and then to a
picture show. Still intensely cold and wet. No mail today.
21st January. Worked in the morning. Received air mail letter card from
Gwen. Started long letter to Una. Sat around a stove all afternoon.
Played tombola in NAFFI and won 19/-. Not a bad evening. Still very
cold.
22nd January. Work in the morning. Watched football in the afternoon. A
game I should have refereed was called off. Down to Sidi Bishr Bath Club
at night to play tombola but no luck. Had supper there and walked back
along the sea front.
23rd January. Work in the morning. Refereed a football match in the
afternoon. Had to stay in at night on stretcher party duty. Finished
long letter to Una. Just read all evening.
24th January. Work in the morning. A fair amount of work in. Watched
football in afternoon. Received two air mail letter cards from Una and
wrote back straight away. Down to town at night to the pictures.
25th January. Worked all day. Buckshee job in afternoon for 10/-.
Another one started for 35/-. Tombola at night in the NAFFI but no luck.
Shouted some numbers out in a few games. Wrote air mail letter card to
Gwen. Poured with rain.
26th January. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha in the afternoon.
Back at night to see a really fine play at the hospital. No mail today.
27th January. Work in the morning. Down to town in afternoon to the
pictures. Back early evening. Played darts in the NAFFI all night. Col
McGeorge came in and was surprised I had not gone home.
28th January. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha in afternoon. Cpl
from lab has gone home. Tombola at night in the hospital and picked up
25/-. Shared it with Doug. A grand play later in the evening. No mail.
29th January. Work in the morning. Refereed football match in afternoon
and watched another game. Stayed in all night and played darts in the
NAFFI. Received some newspapers but no mail. On night stretcher party
duty.
30th January. Work in the morning, was very busy. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote straight back. Tombola at Fleet Club but
no luck. Had supper in town.
31st January. Worked all day until 5.00pm. Started long letter to Una
and finished it. Stayed in all night and played darts in the NAFFI. No
mail today.
1st February. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from
Una that rather upset me. Wrote letter then tore it up. Refereed
football match in afternoon. Concert in hospital at night.
2nd February. Work all day. Received air mail letter card from Nelly.
Wrote one to Una but not quite as strong as the one I tore up yesterday.
Stayed in all evening. Did a buckshee job for o1. Darts in the NAFFI.
3rd February. Work until 3.00pm and then down to Mustapha and then to
town to a show. Back fairly early.
4th February. Work all day. No mail today. Shouted numbers at tombola at
night, got 10/-. Just hung around the hospital all night.
5th February. Work in the morning. Refereed two games in the afternoon.
Pictures in town at night. Air raid warning.
6th February. Work in the morning. Down to stadium to see a big rugby
and football game. No mail again. Wrote airgraph to Una. Feel pretty
lousy. Nerves really bad. Stayed in all night and turned in early.
7th February. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon for
hospital. A very poor game for me. Shall give it up altogether. Down to
town at night to a picture show. No mail.
8th February. Work all day until 6.00pm. Tombola in the NAFFI, no luck
tonight. Just hung around the rest of the night. Terrific thunderstorm
during the night with the heaviest rain I have ever seen.
9th February. Work all day. No mail. Concert in hospital. Very good
show. Still very cold. Just a so-so day. Wrote airgraph to Una.
10th February. Work until 6.00pm. Received two air mail letter card's
from Una and one from Nelly. Wrote air mail letter card back to Una. Had
a walk on the sea front at night. Supper and back to hospital.
11th February. Work in the morning. Refereed two games in the afternoon.
Did not see Harry Roy. Tombola at night, no luck. Received newspapers.
12th February. Work in the morning. Refereed two games in afternoon.
Hospital concert party at night. Not very good. On night stretcher party
duty.
13th February. Worked in the morning and for one hour in the afternoon.
Refereed match in afternoon. Down to pictures at night. Back fairly
early. No mail today.
14th February. Work in the morning. Walk on the sea front in the
afternoon. Very nice. To Bath Club at night to play tombola. Finished up
6/- in pocket. Walked back on sea front. No mail. Capt Boothroyd is
back.
15th February. Work until 4.00pm. Down to town at night to the Alhambra,
a new picture house. Back by 10.00pm. Received air mail letter card from
Una.
16th February. Work all day. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and
finished long letter. Shouted numbers at tombola at night and made 11/-.
Turned in early.
17th February. Work until 4.00pm. Down to town to Fleet Club for tea,
then on to pictures with the boys. Sandstorm blowing all day, everything
is covered. No mail.
18th February. Company Officers Parade. Work in the morning. Hung around
all the afternoon. Shouted numbers at tombola at night. Concert in
hospital. No mail.
19th February. Work in the morning. Refereed football in the afternoon.
Tombola at night, no luck. Yankee concert in hospital at night.
20th February. Work in the morning. Down to town, dinner at NZ YMCA.
Then on to a symphony concert. All pictures full up. No mail.
21st February. Work in the morning. Watched football in afternoon. Down
to town to picture show. Still no mail.
22nd February. Worked all day. Wrote airgraph to Una. Down to Sidi Bishr
to tombola and won 15/-. Had supper then back to hospital. No mail.
23rd February. Work in the morning. Refereed football match in the
afternoon. Tombola at night in NAFFI, no luck. Still no mail.
24th February. Work in the morning. Down to town and straight back in
afternoon. Received air mail letter card's from Una and Nelly. Wrote air
mail letter card back to Una. Tombola at night, no luck.
25th February. Work in the morning, very busy. Down to Mustapha in the
afternoon and played tennis. Air mail letter card from Una. Tombola at
Sidi Bishr but no luck. Wrote airgraphs to Una and Nelly.
26th February. Work in the morning. Refereed two football matches in the
afternoon. Down to town to a show at night.
27th February. Work in the morning. Refereed football game in afternoon.
Down to pictures at night. Weather getting nice and hot during the day.
28th February. Work in the morning. Wrote long letter to Una. Down to
Sidi Bishr for tombola but no luck. Back early.
29th February. Work in the morning. A walk on the sea front in the
afternoon, very warm. Dance and supper at night, very nice. Tickets 5/-.
Back before mid-night.
1st March. Worked all day until 6.30pm. Shouted numbers at tombola in
NAFFI. Received cable form Una. Feel pretty rough today.
2nd March. Work in the morning. Feel really ill today. Tummy upset to
make matters worse. Down to Mustapha in afternoon. Felt much better at
night. Tombola at Sidi Bishr, no luck.
3rd March. CO's Parade today. Feel much better. Worked in the morning.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Concert in hospital. A real good
show. No mail.
4th March. Work in the morning. Refereed a football match in afternoon.
Down to town at night to a show. Still no mail.
5th March. Work in the morning. Received three air mail letter card's.
One from Nelly and two from Una. Wrote back to Una. Started long letter.
Watched football. Turned in very early.
6th March. Work in the morning. Football game in afternoon. Down to town
at night to pictures then on to see a show, The Merry Widow. Was not
impressed, seat not too good. Back very late.
7th March. Worked in the morning. Carol Lewis in hospital in afternoon.
Shouted numbers at tombola, a very poor house. Play at night in
hospital, was very good. On night stretcher party duty.
8th March. Received some cigs. Work in the morning. Watched the boys
play football in afternoon. Down to Sidi Bishr to play tombola, no luck.
Back early to go on night stretcher party duty again. Wrote airgraph to
ma & pa.
9th March. Work in the morning. Walk on the sea front in afternoon. Sidi
Bishr at night to tombola. Walk back in the moonlight on the front.
Supper out and then back to the hospital. No mail today.
10th March. Work in the morning. Down to town in afternoon, tea and a
picture show. Back fairly early. Wrote airgraph to Una.
11th March. Work in the morning. Refereed football in afternoon. Very
hot. Sidi Bishr at night for tombola, no luck. Wrote airgraph to Nelly.
12th March. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una
and wrote straight back. Went to church at night in Stanley Bay. Walked
back on the sea front.
13th March. Work all day. Received air mail letter card from Una.
Watched the boys play football in afternoon. Down to Sidi Bishr at night
to tombola, no luck. New mechanic arrived.
14th March. Work in the morning. Big shot expected around. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una. Down to Mustapha for tea then back to tombola
at Sidi Bishr. Concert later in hospital.
15th March. Work in the morning. New Colonel from England around. Not
very hopeful about going home. Refereed football in afternoon. Weather
very hot. Wrote long letter to Una. Had bottle of beer in the NAFFI and
then turned in early.
16th March. Work in the morning. Down to town in the afternoon. Back to
Sidi Bishr at night to try to win some cash but no luck. Back fairly
early. Turned in early.
17th March. Work in the morning. Watched the boys play football.
Everybody confined to hospital today. Tombola in NAFFI at night, no
luck. Received air mail letter card from Nelly.
18th March. Work in the morning. Down to town to buy some new glasses,
18/-. Refereed football match in afternoon. Down to pictures at night,
supper and back to hospital.
19th March. Work in the morning. Watched football all afternoon. Wrote
air mail letter card to Nelly. Stayed in all night reading. Turned in
early.
v
20th March. Work in the morning. Watched the boys play football. Down to
town to a picture show. Still no mail.
21st March. Worked in the morning and most of the afternoon. Watched the
boys play football. Concert at night in hospital, Fol-De-Rols. A very
good show. Still no mail today. Getting worried again.
22nd March. Work in the morning. Wrote airgraph to Una. Went to town to
a picture show. Saw Col Blimp a very good picture. Had supper and back
early. Still no mail.
23rd March. Work all day. Still no mail, getting very worried again.
Sidi Bishr at night to play tombola, no luck. Walked back on the sea
front.
24th March. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una
and wrote straight back. Down to town, dinner in Fleet Club then to
pictures. Back to ATS Mess for an hour to a dance.
25th March. Work in the morning. Refereed two games in afternoon. Down
to Sidi Bishr at night. No luck at tombola. Walked back on the sea
front.
26th March. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card's from
Una and ma & pa. Down to town to see a football match. Fleet Club for
dinner, a walk round and then back.
27th March. Work in the afternoon. Refereed Sgts cup tie in afternoon.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una and airgraph to ma. Down to Sidi Bishr
to tombola but no luck. Weather very stormy.
28th March. Work in the morning. Wrote long letter to Una. Played
football in afternoon. Concert at night in hospital.
29th March. Went sick. Have to go into hospital next Tuesday for an
operation on a rupture. Received air mail letter card from Una and lots
of papers. Cinema show in hospital at night.
30th March. Work in the morning. Down to town in the afternoon to see
Phantom of the Opera. Dinner in town then back to the hospital. Turned
in early. Feeling pretty rough.
31st March. Work in the morning. Wrote airgraph to Una. Watched football
in afternoon. Should have refereed a match at 3.00pm but did not as
feeling too rough.
1st April. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card's from Una
and Nelly. Watched football in afternoon. Tea in NAFFI afterwards given
by College. Down to Sidi Bishr then back to a concert in the hospital.
2nd April. Work in the morning. Hung around all afternoon. Down to town
at night to a show. Back straight away. Not feeling too happy about
going into "dock".
3rd April. Work in the morning. On to the beach in the afternoon. Wrote
air mail letter card to Una. Down to Sidi Bishr to tombola but no luck.
4th April. Admitted to hospital. Dinner, well one look at it was enough.
In bed all day. 'Prep' in the afternoon with more cuts than enough. A
decent nights sleep.
5th April. The day started at 4.15am. A day in bed reading. Received
newspapers. Another 'prep'. Spent all evening reading. This is getting a
bit deadly.
6th April. Awakened at 4.00am for final 'prep'. The first record of the
morning on the radio, "I'll See You Again", our favourite! Went out very
nice. Came too feeling fine at about 3.30pm. Received air mail letter
card from Una. Slept most of the day.
7th April. A reaction set in today. Feel pretty rough but got through
the day all right. Had plenty of visitors.
8th April. Did not feel too bad today. Got a cough that is causing
trouble. Had a decent nights sleep. Still on fluids.
9th April. Feel much better. Tried first meal at dinner time. Managed
the chicken but the sight of the rest made me ill. Turned pretty rough
later in the day.
10th April. After a shaky start, feel pretty good. Had a decent dinner.
It is getting hellish laid in bed. Must write a letter when I can sit
up. Was pretty rough early evening. Had a good nights sleep.
11th April. Bad spell of coughing early in day but was okay later. Had a
decent dinner. Still feeling okay. Was carried outside into the
sunshine. Cakes and sweets brought round by civvy workers. Had a good
night.
12th April. Chest getting much better, did not cough as much today.
Feeling so much better in myself. Received air mail letter card from Una
and wrote straight back. The day passed very slowly. A good nights
sleep.
13th April. The day began at 5.00am. Felt okay first thing. Was carried
outside into the sunshine. Wound started hurting a lot. Had a decent
night.
14th April. Feeling quite well today. Received air mail letter card from
Nelly. Outside in the sun again. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. Felt really
hungry. The food is pretty bad. A good sleep.
15th April. Still feeling pretty good. Drew 10/- wages. Received air
mail letter card from Una and wrote back. Doug came to see me and
several of the boys dropped in.
16th April. Feeling good, had stitches out this morning. Started making
a leather dog. Writing long letter to Una. Good nights sleep.
17th April. Still feeling good. Went outside all afternoon. Played cards
to pass the time. Received birthday card from Jean. Played cards at
night. Good nights sleep.
18th April. Wrote airgraph to Jean. Still feeling all right. Civvies
around with cakes and sweets. Played cards in afternoon and night.
Another good nights sleep.
19th April. Still okay. Finished off leather dog. Received newspaper.
Just read all day. It is getting pretty deadly.
20th April. Two weeks today since operation. Feeling pretty good. No
mail. Outside all afternoon. Doug and Mick came up to see me at night.
21st April. Still okay today. Outside all afternoon. Had first smoke for
sixteen days. Still no mail. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. A good
nights sleep.
22nd April. Just another day. It is getting very deadly laid reading and
listening to the radio. Nothing at all to report. On the whole, pretty
deadly.
23rd April. Some Greeks brought in early this morning, shot up badly,
the result of mutiny. Outside all afternoon, feeling pretty good. Just
read all night, not a very good sleep.
24th April. Billy Turtle, English jockey brought in. Awakened at 3.30am,
some patients being evacuated. Hope I don't have to go. Moved from B
Ground to Hut 6. Quite a nice change. Received cable. Had a good sleep.
Shall be glad when I can get up.
25th April. Many Happy Returns My Dearest. Thankyou my darling. Today
laid out in the sun. Met an ex-jockey from Wentworth called Ray Simpler.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una. A good nights sleep. Received two air
mail letter card's.
26th April. Feeling pretty good. Outside in sun until 7.30pm. Finished
off a dog for Jean. Get up tomorrow. Getting on well with Billy Turtle.
27th April. Still okay today. Received air mail letter card's from Una
and Nelly. Got up today, put in a bath chair. Went to the pictures at
night. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
28th April. Up today after dinner walking. Felt very shaky. Had a
haircut and wandered around. Was glad to get into bed after tea. Hope to
go to the races on Sunday.
29th April. Feeling pretty good considering still shaky. Watched cricket
match in afternoon. Concert at night. Good nights sleep.
30th April. Just a so-so day. Very cold with rain now and then. Got a
dose of gippy tummy. Supposed to be going out on Tuesday.
1st May. Saw the Colonel first thing, then a Major. Fixed up to go to
convalescent camp then back to UDF rest home. Received air mail letter
card from Una, wrote straight back.
2nd May. Left hospital for convalescent camp but on arrival was not too
thrilled with it. May get used to it. Tents and sand. Received cable
from ma & pa.
3rd May. Spent all morning seeing doctor and dentist. Afternoon on the
beach. Picture show in the evening. It is going to take me a long time
to get used to it. Too much sand for me.
4th May. Raining, cold and miserable. Sun through in afternoon but still
not too warm. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Turned in early. No
tombola.
5th May. On kitchen fatigues, not too bad, plenty to eat. Nothing doing
at night, pretty deadly. No mail through yet.
6th May. Just a so-so day. Laid out in the sun. Met Jimmy Lamb an old
pal, now with ENSA. Show at night. Air raid warning during night.
Ack-ack pretty heavy.
7th May. Laid on the beach in the morning. Races in Alex' in afternoon,
won o1. Back to picture show at night. No mail.
8th May. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Sunbathing in the morning.
Just rested in afternoon. Getting really fed up. Pictures in the
evening. Air raid during night.
9th May. Re-graded this morning. Still Grade Four. Went fishing in
afternoon, caught a few small ones. Received two air mail letter card's
from Una and wrote one back.
10th May. Lecture first thing this morning. Rather a shock this
afternoon, detailed to move tomorrow to No2 convalescent camp in the
Canal area. Went to picture show at night.
11th May. Up at 5.30am. Left Alex' at 9.00am and arrived El Ballah at
4.00pm. Pretty deadly place. Only just managed to get a bed.
12th May. A morning of parades. Going to have special physiotherapy.
Dental Officer made arrangements for me to sleep in dental centre. Went
to pictures at night, a good machine and place. Had good nights sleep.
13th May. Up early soon after 5.30am. Parade at 7.15am. Dental
inspection then physiotherapy. Got to go to the gym on Monday for
exercises. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Slept all afternoon. A
walk at night.
14th May. Only one parade today. Did some washing and ironing. Slept
most of the afternoon. Wrote long letter to Una. A walk to the Lido at
night, supper and then back. Some good fishing in Canal.
15th May. Started exercises in the gym. Slept all afternoon. Sandstorm
after tea. Went fishing when storm finished but no luck. Supper and back
to camp. Good nights sleep.
16th May. Up early and off to a good start. Gym at 10.30am. Did a spot
of work in the lab. Read and slept in the afternoon. Fishing at night,
no luck. Supper and then back. No mail through yet.
17th May. Exercises in the gym. Shall be glad when I get away from here.
Reading and sleep in afternoon. Too hot to go out. A walk in the evening
then supper and back.
18th May. Received air mail letter card from Una. Gym in the morning.
Reading all afternoon. Pay after tea. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
A walk to the Lido, supper and back to camp.
19th May. Received letter from Capt Boothroyd. Exercises in Gym. Went
swimming and sun bathing in afternoon. A walk to the Lido at night,
supper and back to camp.
20th May. No mail today. In the gym in the morning. Asked about getting
away from here. Swimming and sunbathing in afternoon. Down to Lido at
night, some supper, back to camp and the day finished, just like all the
others.
21st May. Received air mail letter card from Una, wrote straight back.
Wrote to Doug. Went fishing after tea, caught seven fish and one crab.
Had supper and back.
22nd May. In the gym at 8.00am. Read all afternoon. Weather stinking
hot. Fishing after tea, caught one. Terrible night, too hot to sleep.
23rd May. Gym at 8.00am. Very hot today. The Khamsin wind blowing, it is
unbearably hot. Fishing in the evening. Only caught two. Still very hot.
24th May. Received papers this morning. Sunday routine, no gym. Went
swimming in the afternoon, did twenty minutes non-stop. Umpired cricket
match in evening. Turned in early.
25th May. Gym in the morning. Gave Jock a hand in the lab. Pay day
today. Sleep in afternoon. Fishing at night, no luck. Supper and back to
camp.
26th May. Gym at 8.00am. Received air mail letter card from Nelly.
Helped Jock in the lab. Rest in afternoon. Fishing at night, no luck.
Very rough and cold. Supper and a good nights sleep. No mail from Una.
27th May. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and airgraph to Nelly.
Helped Jock this morning. Rest in afternoon. Fishing at night but no
luck. Supper and back to camp. No mail.
28th May. Dodged around all morning. Swimming in afternoon. Fishing at
night, again no luck. Rather cold and rough. No mail.
29th May. Work in the morning. Got Third Grade. Sleep in afternoon.
Fishing at night, no luck again. Still no mail.
30th May. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Physiotherapy in the morning. Helped Jock all day. Fishing at night,
plenty of fish about but could not catch them. Supper and back. Buckshee
job on.
31st May. Work in the morning. Received letter from Doug in Alex'.
Dodged around in afternoon. Cricket at night then down town fishing but
no luck. Supper and back to camp.
1st June. Work in the morning. Sleep in afternoon. Picked up o2 for a
buckshee job. Pay after tea. Fishing at night, no luck again although
plenty of fish around. No mail.
2nd June. Helped Jock in the morning. Wrote long letter to Una. Sleep in
afternoon. Fishing at night, still can't catch any! Supper and back to
camp. No mail.
3rd June. Work in the morning and some physiotherapy. Swimming in
afternoon. Fishing at night, not even a bite. Supper and came back to
camp. No mail.
4th June. ROME ENTERED. Went to Port Said for the day with Jock. Quite a
nice place. A change from the camp. Back at 7.30pm. Still no mail.
5th June. FALL OF ROME? Just the same routine, physio in the morning and
a spot of work. Reading and sleeping in afternoon. Fishing at night.
Still no mail.
6th June. D-DAY INVASION STARTED. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
Apart from being the invasion day, everything just the same. Received
newspapers.
7th June. Regrading this morning. Asked to go out. Leaving here on
Saturday. Got forty English Players cigs issued today. Dodged around all
morning and afternoon. Fishing at night, caught three nice ones. Supper
and back to camp. Still no mail.
8th June. Physiotherapy this morning. Did a buckshee job in afternoon.
Fishing at night, caught two. Pay day today. Got 15/- for buckshee job.
Still no mail.
9th June. To see Colonel tonight. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
Helped Jock in the morning. Fishing at night, caught one. Colonel's
parade okay. Received papers.
10th June. Everything packed up, off back to Unit at 8.00am. Left El
Ballah at 9.00am, arrived 4.45pm. Went out for a drink.
11th June. Running about most of the morning. Went to a cricket match in
Alex'. A charity show at night. Received air mail letter card from Una.
12th June. Saw Dental Officer, got seven days leave granted. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una and sent parcel to Jean. Pictures at night.
13th June. On leave at St John's rest home. A grand place. Food good and
good beds. 1/- a day.
14th June. Went to town in the morning. Walk on the front in afternoon.
Show at night.
15th June. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and long letter. Sleep in
afternoon. Doug up for dinner. Received air mail letter card from Una.
16th June. Town in the morning, Mustapha in afternoon, pictures at
night.
17th June. Swim in morning. Races in afternoon, no luck. Show at night.
18th June. Advance party leave 64th today. Read all morning. Races in
afternoon, no luck. Hung around in evening.
19th June. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Pictures in afternoon,
dinner and back to hospital.
20th June. Air mail letter card's from Una and Nelly. Dodged around all
day. Down to town to dinner and a show.
21st June. Air mail letter card from Una, wrote straight back. Dodged
around all morning. Down to town. Two glasses of beer. A walk round.
Started packing up.
22nd June. Hung around all day. Pictures at night.
23rd June. Received old mail and papers. Train loading today. Got job of
directing lorries. Tombola at night, no luck. Supper and a bottle of
beer.
24th June. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Packed kit and dodged
around. Town and show with Doug in evening. Whisky and soda as goodbye
drink. Air raid at night. Plenty of gunfire.
25th June. Off this morning to new place. Excellent arrangements with
food and coaches. Very hot. Left hospital at 9.30am, arrived Alex' at
11.15am. Arrived Quasin (Kasasin) about 8.00pm after a quite a decent
trip. Hot meal laid on. Good sleep in tents.
26th June. Parade at 9.00am. Got put on police duty. Did two hours in
sisters quarters. Boys unloading train all night. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote one back.
27th June. Airgraph to Nelly. On duty from 8.00am to 10.00am. Boys
working until 3.30am. Police duty 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Shall we go home or
open up here? Laid down after dinner at night and slept. On early turn
in morning.
28th June. On from 6.00am to 8.00am. On sisters gate 12.00pm to 2.00pm.
Off until 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Had airgraph returned for putting in "sand
and tents"? Walk to a canteen. Received air mail letter card's from Una
and ma & pa.
29th June. Day off today. On picture house duty tonight. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una. Did extra turn 2.00pm to 4.00pm at sisters gate.
Still in doubt about opening. Did picture house show duty, have seen
film twice before. Turned in early.
30th June. On sisters gate 10.00am to 12.00pm and main gate 4.00pm to
6.00pm. Still stuff coming in but nothing about opening yet. Pictures at
night buckshee. Received newspapers.
1st July. Sisters gate 8.00am to 10.00am and main gate 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
Extremely hot. Went to pictures at night, nothing else to do. Wrote to
Nelly and to ma & pa. No mail.
2nd July. Sisters gate 6.00am to 8.00am. Went with Dental Officer to see
new department. Duty 12.00pm to 2.00pm. Sleep in afternoon. sisters gate
6.00pm to 8.00pm. Went to pictures at night.
3rd July. On duty 8.00am to 10.00am. Rest of the day off until 9.00pm
then police on cinema. Read all afternoon. Duty pictures at night. Wrote
to Doug. Received papers.
4th July. Hear we are to move again? Sisters gate 10.00am to 12.00pm.
Sleep in afternoon. Police 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Pictures at night. No mail.
5th July. On duty 8.00am to 10.00am sisters gate. Played cricket in
afternoon, lost but made 5 runs. Pictures at night. Still many rumours
flying around. No mail.
6th July. On duty 6.00am to 8.00am at sisters gate. Still nothing
official about moving. Things shaping up for a move. Pictures at night.
Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote one back.
7th July. Off duty day today. On picture house police duty at night.
Informed by Dental Officer at 11.00pm at night that I was being posted
with the other mechanic. Is this good or bad news? Received some
newspapers.
8th July. On duty 10.00am to 12.00pm and 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Learned I was
to be posted. Got issued with a beret. No further news of posting.
Received air mail letter card from Una.
9th July. On duty sisters gate from 8.00am to 10.00am and main gate from
2.00pm to 4.00pm. Posted to No3 Dental Lab. The usual medical
inspection. Pictures at night. Will this move turn out for the best?
Wrote to Jock Mein.
10th July. Left for No3 Dental Lab. Arrived there about 10.30am. Not too
impressed. Food pretty decent. Just hung around all night. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una.
11th July. Started work this morning. Sleep in afternoon. Renewed old
friendships at night with chaps I met in 1941. Had a couple of beers.
Got a lift back in a Jeep.
12th July. Not a very happy day. Nothing would go right. Had a beer at
night.
13th July. Not too happy today either. Worked all day. A beer at night.
Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote one back.
14th July. Again the Officer seems to want a lot of pleasing. How long
before I flare up?
15th July. A bit better luck today. Managed to do something right! Did a
bit in the afternoon. Laid down most of the time. Had a run out in a
truck at night.
16th July. Day off today. Reading and sleeping all afternoon. Stayed in
all night reading. Wrote long letter to Una.
17th July. Not too happy again this morning. Had to work all day. Sat
out in the cool evening breeze. What a pastime. What a deadly place.
Turned in early to read. No mail.
18th July. Today must be my lucky day. Got two jobs right first time!
Went to the 64th to say goodbye to the boys. Received air mail letter
card from Una.
19th July. Things went a little better today. Finished soon after
3.00pm. Had a little party at night, one or two beers and a drop of
sherry. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
20th July. Things much better today. Pay day. Reading all afternoon.
Pictures at night.
21st July. Settling down to things much better. Doing a lot of reading.
Sleeping much better.
22nd July. Work all day today. Read all afternoon. Things not going too
badly.
23rd July. Went to Ismailia and saw the boys in the lab. Played tennis
in the afternoon. Very hot. Pictures in the evening. A very nice change.
24th July. Work in the morning. Read and slept all afternoon. Should be
getting some mail any day now.
25th July. Work all day. Pictures at night. Extremely hot today. Wrote
air mail letter card to Una and received one from her.
26th July. Working all day. Read and slept all evening. This is pretty
deadly.
27th July. Work in the morning. Learned I was to go to No8 Lab. This is
pretty terrible. Really fed up.
28th July. Off to Genifa early this morning. Left on post truck, got
lift all the way. Arrived about 11.00am. What a big difference in the
place. Had a beer and brandy at night. Did not sleep very well
29th July. Work in the morning. A bit of cricket practice in the
afternoon. Reading all evening. Turned in early. Had a decent nights
sleep.
30th July. No work today. Suez in afternoon to play cricket, lost but
had a good game. A really marvellous tea. Back about 9.00pm.
31st July. Work not gone down too well today. Finished long letter to
Una. Just hung around all night. No mail.
1st August. Things gone much better today. Worked on steadily until
about 3.00pm. Sat all evening in canteen reading. Must write to Una
tomorrow. Still no mail.
2nd August. Work all day. Had interview with Col Gentleman about home.
Took all particulars and advised me to put in application and also to
try and get home on medical grounds. No mail.
3rd August. Work in the morning. Played cricket in afternoon, lost by 1
run. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Still no mail.
4th August. Work gone very well today. Typhus inoculation in the
evening. Reading in the canteen all night. Received air mail letter card
from Una.
5th August. Work in the morning went very well. Cricket in afternoon,
lost again. Had a nice tea. Sat around in canteen all night.
6th August. No work today, hung around all morning. Played cricket in
afternoon with RTC, lost again. Reading again all night. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una.
7th August. Work went well. Finished by dinner time. Had a sleep in
afternoon. Reading again all evening.
8th August. Work a bit behind this morning. Played cricket again this
afternoon, lost again. Wrote long air mail letter card to Una and
received one from her.
9th August. Work went well today, finished by dinner time. Reading and
sleeping in afternoon. Sat in canteen all night reading. Nothing else to
do.
10th August. Finished work early again by lunch time. Reading and
sleeping in afternoon. In canteen again all night. A couple of beers,
one with the boss. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and received one
from her that took only four days.
11th August. Work gone well again, finish by lunch. Sleep again in
afternoon. Pay day today, o5. The evening was again spent in the
canteen. Listening to the radio, reading and drinking pop!
12th August. Finished work by lunch time. Received some old mail, one
from Jean and Nelly and two from my pal Doug. Jean had received my
leather dog on 7th August. Another evening in the canteen. Wrote to
Gerty, Nelly and Doug.
13th August. No work today. Just lazed around all day. Spent evening in
canteen. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and received one from her.
14th August. Work okay today. Alf White arrived today from Alex'. Spent
evening in canteen. Had a few beers and brandies. Felt real good. Slept
in lab, a very poor night.
15th August. All behind today with work. Alf gave me a hand. Canteen at
night. Received old air mail letter card from Una. Sent o2 by registered
air mail to Una.
16th August. Work went down much better. Got job finished just after
dinner. Sleep in afternoon. Reading all night in the canteen. The only
thing there is to do.
17th August. Finished work by dinner time. Just hung around all
afternoon. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and received one from her.
18th August. Work just so-so today. Feel rather fed up today, maybe it
is the place getting me down. Spent evening in the canteen. Had a good
nights sleep.
19th August. Got a bit pushed today with work. Everything much the same.
Just one deadly routine. Sat all evening in canteen drinking pop and
reading. Best nights sleep for a long time.
20th August. Did about an hours work this morning. Just lazed around all
afternoon. Sat in canteen reading all evening. Received air mail letter
card from Una and wrote back.
21st August. Work a little behind today. Played cricket in afternoon,
made 19 not out. Went to ENSA show at night. Quite a nice change. Sent
cable to Una.
22nd August. Just a so-so day. Had a terrific headache. Went off during
afternoon after being on for two days. Sat in canteen reading and
listening to the wireless. Had a really good nights sleep.
23rd August. PARIS FALLEN. Just so-so again. Worked all day. Canteen
again all night. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
24th August. Work all delayed today. Played around most of the
afternoon. Sat in canteen all night and had a few bottles of beer. Quite
a change.
25th August. UNA'S BIRTHDAY, 34 YEARS. How I wish I was home to wish my
darling Many Happy Returns. Just a so-so day. A quiet night in the
canteen.
26th August. Work went well, got finished before dinner. Went to
Ismailia for the weekend. Went to the pictures at night, an open air
one. Slept at the YMCA on the veranda in the fresh air.
27th August. Had breakfast early and then on the beach all morning, some
swimming and fishing. Sent to the French Gardens in afternoon. Got back
at 8.15pm. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
28th August. Got a move on this morning with work. Cricket in afternoon,
managed 5 not out. Started long letter. Turned in early, did not feel
too good. Received air mail letter card from Una.
29th August. Very busy today. Finished about 4.30pm. Finished and posted
long air mail letter to Una and sent a cable to her. Had a couple of
beers in canteen.
30th August. Work went okay today. A bad sandstorm just around tea-time
but cleared up after half an hour. Received air mail letter card from
Una. Sat reading all evening. Address is now No8 Field Dental Lab.
31st August. Just a so-so day. Finished work after dinner. In canteen at
night. Had a bottle of English Guiness. Wrote air mail letter card to
Una.
1st September. Our wedding anniversary. Just an ordinary working day.
Sleep in the afternoon. Spent a quiet night in the canteen, reading and
listening to the wireless.
2nd September. Just a so-so day. Reading and sleeping in the afternoon.
Evening in canteen. This is beginning to be just an existence. Received
air mail letter card from Una.
3rd September. No work today. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Just
hung around all morning and slept most of the afternoon. Received a
letter from Harry Rusholme in Italy. Canteen all night.
4th September. Work finished just after dinner. Read most of the
afternoon. Canteen at night and a few bottles of Guiness. A bit merry.
5th September. Work steady, two jobs did not come in. Just hung around
all afternoon reading in canteen. Just a so-so day. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote back.
6th September. Very busy today. Did not finish until late afternoon.
Reading all night. Received air mail letter card's from Una and Nelly.
7th September. Finished work by dinner time. Sleep most of the
afternoon. A beer at night in the canteen. Wrote air mail letter card's
to Una and Nelly.
8th September. Got finished by dinner time. Just hung around again all
afternoon. Once again in the canteen at night. Wrote to Doug.
9th September. Worked steady all day, very busy. The same old routine,
just hung around. All day and all night so much the same. Received air
mail letter card from Una.
10th September. No work today. Just hung around. Sleep in the afternoon.
Received letter from Roy. Finished long letter in evening and wrote
airgraph to Roy.
11th September. Work nice and steady. Got finished after dinner. One of
Mechanics posted to Alex'. Canteen at night. Doug Ducat arrived during
night as a Corporal.
12th September. Work went down okay today. Pleased to have Doug working
with me. A few drinks at night in the canteen. Received air mail letter
card from Una and sent one back.
13th September. Work as usual today. Finished just after dinner. Reading
and dodging around in afternoon. Reading most of the evening. Received
newspapers.
14th September. Work okay today. Finished before dinner. Cricket in the
afternoon but did not bat. Corps won for a change. A few drinks at night
in the canteen. No mail.
15th September. Work very much behind today. Worked most of the
afternoon. Played darts at night in the canteen and won two bottles of
beer. No mail.
16th September. Must write over this weekend. Work steady most of the
day. Darts at night in canteen. Received air mail letter card and
newspapers from Una.
17th September. Wrote home to Una. In afternoon went down for a swim.
Evening to RASC Base Depot to see a play reading, "French Without
Tears." Very good and a nice change. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
18th September. Work finished just after dinner. Just lazed around all
afternoon. Darts match and party in canteen at night. Plenty to drink
and eat. A really good do and a very nice change from the deadly
routine.
19th September. Just an ordinary day. Plenty of work. Knocked on
steadily all day. Just a so-so evening. A bottle of beer and just hung
around.
20th September. Plenty of work today. Finished in afternoon. Canteen in
evening. Everything pretty much the same. Received air mail letter card
from Una and wrote back.
21st September. Well ahead today with work. Worked all day. Darts at
night in canteen. Only lost one game. Had plenty to drink. Received
newspapers.
22nd September. Not too busy today. Cricket in afternoon. Just hung
around in the canteen all night. Game of darts and a drink. Received air
mail letter card and papers from Una. Wrote straight back.
23rd September. Just a so-so day. Finished soon after dinner. Had a
sleep. Everything is so deadly and so much the same. Started long letter
to Una. In canteen all night.
24th September. Just a very lazy day today. Reading most of the day and
sleep in the afternoon. Finish long letter to Una in the evening.
25th September. Not so good today, had a slight mishap with a job. Got
finished in afternoon. The same deadly evening. Dinner, canteen, beer,
darts and bed. What a life. Received air mail letter card from Una.
26th September. Everything okay today. Just a so-so day. Canteen at
night, a bottle of beer and a game of darts. Wrote air mail letter card
to Una.
27th September. Got on very well today. Another buckshee job. Worked
most of the afternoon. Evening just the same. Canteen, a drink, game of
darts and that's that.
28th September. Just a so-so day. Spent all afternoon starting a new set
of dentures for myself. Evening a game of darts and a glass of beer.
Turned in early to read. No mail.
29th September. Everything okay today. Two more buckshee jobs. Messed
around all afternoon. Usual evening in the canteen. Received air mail
letter card from Una. Wrote back to her and sent airgraph to Nelly.
30th September. Work as usual today. A buckshee job in the afternoon.
Went to the pictures at night for a change. Was pretty ghastly! Received
an old, wrongly addressed air mail letter card from Nelly.
1st October. Played around all morning. Reading and sleeping in the
afternoon. Went to another play reading in the evening, not too hot but
made a change. No mail.
2nd October. Work as usual. Worked through the afternoon. Evening in
canteen. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote straight back.
3rd October. Work went well today and finished soon after dinner. Messed
around all afternoon. Evening just the same in canteen. No mail.
4th October. Just a so-so day. Finished off work in the afternoon. ENSA
show at night for a change. No mail. Staff Sergeant was posted.
5th October. Work all day. Finished by dinner. Just so-so in afternoon
kicking a football about. Canteen in evening, a few games of darts and a
bottle of Guiness. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. No mail today.
6th October. Just a so-so day today. Pay this morning. A spot more
football practice in the afternoon. TAB inoculation not so good. Canteen
at night not so hot. No mail.
7th October. Don't feel so good today as a result of the inoculation.
Work all behind. Worked most of the afternoon. Just a usual evening on
the canteen. Still no mail again.
8th October. Played about all morning with a buckshee job. In afternoon
just hung around canteen after writing to Una.
9th October. Work just so-so. Finished off about 3.00pm. Darts match in
canteen at night. Three Officers were there. Plenty to eat and drink.
Made a nice change. Was very late turning in. New rates of pay entered.
10th October. Work as usual during the day. Finished in afternoon.
Pictures at night for a change.
11th October. Work just so-so. Finish by dinner time. Refereed a
football match in afternoon. Dental Corps lost 3-1. Canteen at night.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
12th October. Just another so-so day, finishing work in the afternoon.
Usual evening in canteen, a bottle of beer and a few games of darts.
Received air mail letter card from Nelly and wrote back.
13th October. Again just so-so, finished in afternoon. Mail very bad,
had nothing since last Sunday. Canteen in evening. Received some
newspapers but no letters.
14th October. Just an ordinary day. Finished just after dinner. Watched
a football match in the afternoon. Went to pictures at night. Arabs
around again during night. Received air mail letter card from Una and
wrote one back.
15th October. Did nothing at all today. Reading all morning and sleeping
all afternoon. Making up for lost sleep. Went to a play reading at night
and enjoyed it very much. Received papers.
16th October. Work as usual. Finish soon after dinner. Went to watch a
six-a-side football match in afternoon. Canteen at night. Turned in
early. A very poor nights sleep.
17th October. Finished work at dinner time. Refereed a football match in
afternoon. Dental Corps lost again 3-1. Went to the pictures at night.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una. No mail again.
18th October. Finished work today before dinner. Just hung around all
afternoon. Darts in canteen at night. Started long letter to Una. Still
no mail. One a week seems to be the average.
19th October. Got a bit behind today. Did not finish until 3.00pm. Had a
walk in afternoon. Same routine in evening, canteen, a game of darts a
drink and so another day is done. Still no mail.
20th October. Very busy day today. Meeting for Xmas Day festivities. On
football committee. Canteen at night, a bottle and darts. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una. Still no mail.
21st October. Finish off work by dinner. Refereed football match in
afternoon in Genifa. MFO drew 2-2 with BBSC. Went to pictures at night.
Received newspapers but still no letters.
22nd October. Set off to go to Ismailia but after waiting for two hours
could not get any transport. Slept all afternoon. Canteen all night.
Still no mail. Very worried.
23rd October. Finished work by dinner time. Sleep in afternoon. Wrote a
letter to Una. Darts match at night, won again. Received air mail letter
card from Una. Sent Xmas cards.
24th October. Finished work by dinner time. Reading and sleeping all
afternoon. Canteen at night. Just so-so. Received air mail letter card
from Una and wrote back.
25th October. Worked most of the day. Finished off before tea. Weather
getting cold. Usual evening in canteen. All just so-so. Received papers.
26th October. Worked all day and got ahead. Darts match at night in the
Sgts Mess, won again. Quite a pleasant evening.
27th October. Felt pretty rough this morning, too much to drink last
night. Sleep in the afternoon. Quiet night in the canteen. Received air
mail letter card's from Una and Nelly and wrote one to Una.
28th October. Work as usual today. Finished off by dinner time. Went to
Ismailia with Doug and had lunch at the YMCA. Did a spot of shopping and
came back by 6.00pm. Got a birthday card for Jean. Canteen at night then
turned in early.
29th October. Did odd jobs this Sunday morning. In afternoon watched a
good football match. In evening went to a play reading, a good show and
a pleasing evening. Altogether a good day.
30th October. Finish off work just after dinner. Just hung around in the
afternoon. Pictures at night. Received air mail letter card from Una and
wrote back.
31st October. Rain in the morning. Quite heavy for a while. Cloudy and
showers for most of the day. Watched the boys play football, lost 5-1.
Canteen in evening, darts and a drink. Got a new Aussie battle dress.
Clocks put back one hour tonight.
1st November. Work finished just after dinner. Went to see one of the
boys in hospital. Saw a good football match in afternoon. Evening spent
reading most of the time. Average dull day, not much sun.
2nd November. Not so busy today. Finished before dinner. Reading and
sleeping in afternoon. Pictures at night, first house. Saw part of an
open air show on way back. Had a drink and turned in early. No mail.
3rd November. Finish work before dinner. Linesman at football match in
afternoon. Reading and canteen at night. Drew o5 wages. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una.
4th November. Finished work just after dinner. Watched football match in
afternoon. Concert at night. Started long letter to Una. Received air
mail letter card from Una.
5th November. Just hung around all morning. Went to Moascar to see a
football match. Pictures at night to round off a good Sunday. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una and sent some money.
6th November. Finished work before dinner. Sleep in afternoon. Darts
match at night. First defeat this turn. Heavy storm in evening. Received
air mail letter card from Una.
7th November. Heavy rain early morning and extremely cold. Finish work
just after dinner. Played football in afternoon and won 3-0. Pictures at
night. Very cold during night. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
8th November. Just so-so this morning. Refereed football match on the
B...........? ground. (I am unable to read this word). May get more to
do. Started long letter to Una. Canteen at night. Received air mail
letter card from Una.
9th November. Finish after dinner. Much warmer today. Darts match at
night in canteen, we lost. Sent long letter to Una.
10th November. Just a so-so day. Play football in afternoon, lost 3-0.
Afraid I may have damaged the leg again. In canteen all night playing
darts.
11th November. Finish work before dinner. Watched football match in
afternoon. Leg much better but very sore. Pictures at night. Received
air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
12th November. Arabs were around during night, stole one of the boys
clothes and pay book. Watchmakers shop robbed at mid-day of o300 of
watches. Refereed football match in afternoon. Canteen at night.
13th November. Arabs around last night. Work finished after dinner.
Pictures at night. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote
back.
14th November. Stacks of work today. Watched football match in
afternoon. A real feed of bacon and eggs in the lab. Big shot around
again. Canteen at night. A real good nights sleep.
15th November. Bags of work today. Finished off around tea-time. ENSA
show at night, was very good. On picket duty 12.00pm to 2.00am. Nothing
outstanding during night.
16th November. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Finished work soon after dinner. Watched football match in afternoon.
Pictures at night. A good nights sleep.
17th November. Finished around 3.00pm. Just a so-so day. Darts match at
night. Won again. On picket duty 12.00pm to 2.00am.
18th November. Received Xmas cards. Arabs in Doug's tent early this
morning, stole his clothes and money. Did not finish work until 4.00pm.
Stayed in canteen all night. New Staff Sgt was mistaken for an Arab
during the night and was lucky not to be seriously hurt.
19th November. Received Xmas parcel. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
Just dodged around all day. Canteen at night. Turned in early, on picket
duty from 4.00am to 6.00am.
20th November. Received stacks of newspapers. No incidents last night.
Just a so-so day. Work as usual. Felt pretty rough at night. Had a
double brandy and turned in.
21st November. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Finished work just after dinner. Busy with tents in afternoon. Canteen
at night. Sent airgraph to Jean.
22nd November. Received air mail letter card from Una. Very busy today.
Everything behind. Did not finish until after tea. Darts in canteen at
night. On picket duty from 2.00am to 4.00am.
23rd November. Had a really bad headache today. Cleared up after tea.
Pictures at night. Just so-so. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
24th November. Picket duty 4.00am to 6.00am. No incidents but was
hellish cold. Finish work in afternoon. Canteen at night. A few drinks
and a game of darts.
25th November. Just a so-so day. Refereed a league game in afternoon.
Caused a hell of a stink when I awarded a penalty. Went to pictures,
first house. Turned in early, on picket duty at midnight.
26th November. Arabs around all night. Finished off Saturdays work. Just
hung around all afternoon. Play reading at night, was very good. Slept
in the lab at night owing to picket duty being off. Best nights sleep
for months.
27th November. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote one
straight back. Just a so-so day. Finished after dinner. Just hung around
all evening.
28th November. Work as usual, knocked on all day. Everything much the
same. Canteen at night. Doug is going to 19th General as Sgt.
29th November. Work All behind, just could not get going. Knocked off to
watch a football match. Canteen at night. Heard I was to be promoted to
Corporal.
30th November. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Knocked off work and
watched the boys play football. Finished work after tea. Canteen at
night. No word yet about going.
1st December. Everything okay today. Work went down well. Went to the
APO to play darts. Had a really grand night. Did not get back until
after midnight. Still no mail.
2nd December. Knocked on steady all day. Did not finish until after tea.
Evening in canteen. Still no news of my posting. Still no mail.
3rd December. Received two air mail letter card's from Una. Worked all
morning. Went to Moascar in afternoon to see a football match. Stayed
there until 9.00pm. Poured with rain. Had dinner at the YMCA.
4th December. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Promotion through
tomorrow. Finished work after dinner. Darts match at night in canteen.
Paid for all the drinks to wet the stripes!
5th December. Officially Corporal today. Went to No5 Lab. Did not work,
just wandered around getting my bearings. Just hung around all evening.
6th December. Started work today. Finished just after dinner. Not too
bad a start. Went to see a really good show, How They Are Back Home.
Went there and back in a Staff car. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
7th December. Finished work about 4.00pm. Albert Elvidge arrived today,
one of my pals from 1939. Went to a concert at night, then to the NAFFI
for a drink and tombola, no luck.
8th December. Just a so-so day. Finished work around 4.00pm. Went to the
NAFFI at night. Had a beer and played tombola. Settling down very
nicely.
9th December. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Finished work at dinner time. Watched a football match in the afternoon.
NAFFI at night, a drink and tombola but no luck.
10th December. Received cigs from ma & pa and two air mail letter card's
from Una. Wrote back to ma & pa. Just dodged around all morning. Went to
Genifa in an ambulance, a nice run out. NAFFI at night and a bottle of
beer. Wrote long letter to Una.
11th December. Work as usual. Finished at tea-time. Settling down okay.
NAFFI at night. Pictures in the camp are not so hot. Pretty difficult to
find something to do at night.
12th December. Just a so-so day. Enough work to keep me going. Food is
really grand. NAFFI at night and then to the pictures. Very hard to find
something to do at night here. The town is rather a long walk.
13th December. Nice steady day. Finished soon after dinner. Played
around with a gold inlay for one of the boys until 8.00pm then went to
the NAFFI. In bed early. Rained very heavy.
14th December. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Again just a so-so
day. Finished in afternoon. No mail thought yet, must be held up. NAFFI
at night, a drink and a game of tombola but no luck again.
15th December. Received papers and air mail letter card from Nelly.
Finished by dinner time. Watched football in afternoon. Tombola at
night. Wrote letter to Nelly.
16th December. Received cigs from Una. Work in the morning. Refereed a
football match in afternoon. NAFFI at night to play tombola but no luck.
Hear that some mail has been sent on.
17th December. Messed around in the lab all morning. Watched the lads
play football in afternoon. Met Doug and some more of the boys. NAFFI at
night. Had one bottle and then came back. Turned in early.
18th December. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Knocked off at dinner
time. Refereed football match in afternoon, a poor game, waste of time.
Work again in the evening. Pictures at night.
19th December. Work until around 3.00pm. Just hung around the rest of
the day. NAFFI at night, just so-so. Still no mail, am getting very
worried.
20th December. Received airgraph and papers from Jean. Finished just
after dinner. Had a bath and changed and then a run to Kantara in the
ambulance. Still no letter from Una.
21st December. Received two air mail letter card's from Una and wrote
back. Heard that my pal Doug had drawn a home leave. NAFFI at night and
tombola.
22nd December. Worked all day, just so-so. NAFFI at night. Tombola a
dead loss again. No mail today. Everything is going okay. Sleeping much
better.
23rd December. Received Xmas airgraphs from Nelly and Gerty. The Colonel
was around this morning. Worked until dinner. Watched a football match
in the afternoon. Dance at night, met three people from Wickersley.
24th December. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Just hung around all
morning. Went to see the Canal Area play football. Played solo from
8.00pm until 3.30am. Won 3/-, a good evening.
25th December. Received two air mail letter card's from Una. Chasing
around all morning for some beer. Got three dozen, no buckshee issue. A
wonderful dinner and a good evening followed. Kept sober! Really very
nice day.
26th December. Had a walk to town in the morning. Watched a football
match in the afternoon. Pictures at night, not too bad. Wrote air mail
letter card's to Nelly and Gerty.
27th December. Plenty of work today. Knocked off at 4.00pm. Twenty one
days completed as Corporal. Started long letter to Una. Pictures later,
a buckshee show on King Farouk.
28th December. Sent long letter to Una. Not too busy today. Finished
before dinner. Down to Genifa in the ambulance with a patient. Tombola
at night, no luck again.
29th December. Work until dinner time. My lucky day today. Got 10/- for
a repair, won o1 at tombola and 10/- at cards. So the luck has come at
last!
30th December. JEAN'S BIRTHDAY 10 YEARS OLD. Received newspapers. Poured
with rain all day.
31st December. Received three air mail letter card's from Una and wrote
back. Poured with rain all morning. Just hugged the fire. The rain
stopped about 7.00pm after forty one hours continuous downpour. Saw the
old year out. Won 16/- at cards. So goodbye to 1944.
1945
1st January. So this is the start of my last year out here. Received
papers. Won 30/- at tombola.
2nd January. Extremely cold today. Worked all day. Pictures in town at
night. No mail.
3rd January. Still very cold. Pictures at night. Wrote air mail letter
card to Una. No mail.
4th January. Three new mechanics arived from Blighty. Won o2 at tombola.
5th January. Just so-so. No mail. Tombola at night. No luck.
6th January. Work in morning. Pictures at night in town. No mail. Won
5/- playing cards. A good week on the whole. Plenty of luck.
7th January. A run in the ambulance. Crossed the Suez Canal. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una.
8th January. Just a so-so day. Tombola at night but no luck. Received
air mail letter card's from Una and Nelly.
9th January. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Ordinary day. No luck at tombola tonight.
10th January. Just an ordinary day. Worked until 5.00pm. ENSA concert at
night in the garrison cinema.
11th January. Just so-so. No luck at tombola. Received air mail letter
card's from Una and Jean, wrote back to Una.
12th January. Sent o15 to Una. Run into town afternoon. Tombola at
night.
13th January. Work as usual. Refereed football match in afternoon. Town
at night to a show. Not a bad week apart from a really bad cold.
14th January. Work in the morning. Referee football match in afternoon.
NAFFI at night to an ENSA show.
15th January. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from
Una. Went sailing in afternoon. Won 35/- at tombola at night.
16th January. Fishing in afternoon. Caught quite a lot. Tombola at night
but no luck.
17th January. Fishing again. Got a real nice soaking. Fell in the water!
Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
18th January. Work all day today. NAFFI at night, a couple of beers and
tombola but no luck. Received air mail letter card from Una.
19th January. Worked in the surgery today. Fishing in afternoon, caught
four. Tombola at night, no luck.
20th January. Sent 4 lbs of sweets home. A spot of fishing. No luck.
Tombola at night. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
21st January. Fishing all day. Brought back twenty three fish for the
lads. Pictures at night. Received air mail letter card from Una.
22nd January. Worked until dinner time. Fishing in afternoon, only
caught three. Pictures in garrison at night.
23rd January. Fishing again after dinner, caught four. Tombola at night
but no luck. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
24th January. Work in the morning. Fishing in afternoon, no luck.
Pictures in town at night.
25th January. Two new mechanics arrived today. Went fishing and caught
two fish. Won 18/- at tombola.
26th January. Worked until dinner. Fishing again, caught three. Won 13/-
at tombola again.
27th January. Work until dinner. Fishing again but not one bite. Tombola
again at night but no luck this time. Not a bad week. Off each
afternoon. Tombola luck good but mail poor.
28th January. Went fishing all morning, not a single fish. Received two
air mail letter card's from Una and one from Nelly. Wrote long letter to
Una.
29th January. Worked all morning in surgery, lab in afternoon. No luck
at tombola at night.
30th January. Work until dinner time. Fishing in afternoon, no luck.
Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
31st January. Worked in the morning. Football in afternoon. Very windy
and sandy. Received air mail letter card from Una.
1st February. Very cold today. Worked all at. Tombola at night but no
luck.
2nd February. Still very cold again. Work all day. Tombola at night.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
3rd February. Work in morning. Fishing in afternoon, caught a few.
Tombola at night. Weather extremely cold all week. Mail pretty good.
4th February. Fishing all day. Quite pleasant but not many fish.
Pictures in town at night.
5th February. Work until dinner time. Went fishing for an hour in the
afternoon. Received air mail letter card's from Una and Nelly. Wrote
back to them both.
6th February. A lovely day? Rained on and off all the time! Made
initials for Jean's case. Tombola at night.
7th February. Not too good a day, plenty of rain. Tombola at night, no
luck.
8th February. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Worked in the morning. Just hung around the rest of the day. ENSA show
at night.
9th February. Bought a music case for Jean. Tombola at night but no
luck.
10th February. Work in the morning. Fishing and tombola, no luck at
either. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back. Luck dead
out this week. Mail not too bad.
11th February. Fishing in the morning was a dead loss. Wrote a long
letter to Una.
12th February. Just a so-so day. Sent home some sweets. Three mechanics
posted. No luck at tombola.
13th February. Started work on the bench again. Not so good. Just hung
around all night. Wrote airgraph to Una.
14th February. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
Work not too bad.
15th February. Just a so-so day. Worked all day. Tombola at night, no
luck.
16th February. Work as usual. Dance at night in gym. Not bad at all.
17th February. Worked until 6.00pm. No luck at tombola. Received air
mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
18th February. Fishing in the morning. Went sailing in the afternoon,
really good. Pictures at night in the garrison.
19th February. Worked all day. Pictures at night. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote back.
20th February. Work in the morning. Refereed football match in
afternoon. Tombola at night.
21st February. Went sick, cold in the ribs. Massage twice a day.
Pictures at night.
22nd February. Feel much better today. Refereed football match in
afternoon. Tombola at night. Received air mail letter card from Una and
wrote back.
23rd February. Work all day, really busy. Tombola at night but no luck.
Feeling okay now.
24th February. Very cold and wet today. The Prime Minister of Egypt has
been shot. Looks like trouble. Egypt could come into the war. Big
trouble looming. Confined to barracks. Went into town at night
25th February. Had a run out in the ambulance. Everyone confined to
barracks. Pictures at night. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
26th February. Worked until tea-time. Confinement to barracks lifted.
Will be working in the surgery tomorrow. NAFFI a night. No mail today.
27th February. In the surgery today. Just messed around in the
afternoon. Pictures at night. Still no mail.
28th February. Still no mail. Worked until dinner time. Went fishing for
an hour, no luck. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
1st March. Received air mail letter card from Una. Worked until dinner
time. Refereed football match in afternoon. Tombola and a couple of
beers at night.
2nd March. Work as usual. Watched football in afternoon. Concert at
night. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
3rd March. Working in the morning. Just hung around all afternoon.
Pictures at night. Not a bad week. Mail okay at the end of the week.
4th March. Fishing in the morning. Received cigs and air mail letter
card from Una and wrote back. Watched football in afternoon.
5th March. War established today. Went into town to celebrate.
6th March. Received air mail letter card from Una. WS today. Work in the
morning. Refereed football match in afternoon. Worked until 11.00pm on a
denture.
7th March. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Work all day. Pictures at
night.
8th March. Work again all day. Tombola at night. Received air mail
letter card from Una.
9th March. Sent airgraph to Nelly and wrote to Una. Worked until dinner
time. Hung around all afternoon. Tombola at night.
10th March. Just a so-so day. Got photos, very good. Tombola at night
and won 14/6d. Mail not too bad this week. Everything else so-so.
11th March. Sent photos home air mail. Had a walk into town in the
morning. Watched football match in afternoon. Pictures at night.
12th March. Just a so-so day. Pictures at night. No mail.
13th March. Work in the morning. Messed around all afternoon. Received
air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
14th March. Just so-so. Pictures at night. Received air mail letter card
from Una.
15th March. Work in the morning. Messed about in the lab all afternoon.
Won just over o1 at tombola. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
16th March. Work all day in the lab. o2 for a buckshee job. Tombola at
night but no luck.
17th March. Working, or rather messing about all day. No luck at
tombola. Mail not too bad this week. Tombola luck fair.
18th March. Fishing in the morning but no luck. Football match in
afternoon. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
19th March. A really heavy cold, feel very rough. In bed all afternoon
and evening. Had a good going over at the MI room.
20th March. Feel much better today. Shouted numbers at tombola, made
24/-. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
21st March. Just a so-so day. Went to town to pictures at night, not too
bad today.
22nd March. Twisted my knee rather badly today. Won over o1 at tombola.
Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
23rd March. Worked in the lab and surgery today. Tombola at night but no
luck.
24th March. Received some cigs and newspapers. Work as usual. Messed
around all afternoon. Won o1 at tombola. Quite a good week for money and
mail not too bad.
25th March. Wrote airgraph to Una. Town in the morning and bought myself
a pocket watch. Sleep in afternoon. Town at night to pictures
26th March. Work as usual. Rained very hard and was cold. Stayed in the
lab all night. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
27th March. Worked all day. Several jobs on. Tombola at night but no
luck. Received air mail letter card from Una.
28th March. Working all day until late evening. Wrote air mail letter
card to Una.
29th March. Work all day again. Really busy. Tombola at night but no
luck this time.
30th March. Good Friday and a holiday today. Waked into town in the
morning. Was very sultry all day. Tombola at night.
31st March. Received air mail letter card from Una. A nasty day, windy
and a sandstorm. Worked all day until 2.30am on Sunday morning. Won o2
at tombola. Not a bad week all told. Mail was fair.
1st April. Just hung around all morning. Football match in afternoon
called off. Pictures at night. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
2nd April. Work as usual today. Dinner in town at night. Received air
mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
3rd April. Working as usual. No luck at tombola at night. Three
mechanics posted to Cairo.
4th April. Work all day again but why worry. Started long letter to Una.
5th April. Work all day. Tombola at night. Received air mail letter card
from Una and sent long letter to her.
6th April. Worked all day again. Had a beer and played tombola at night.
No mail.
7th April. Worked all day, getting very warm. Tombola and then a run
into town with some RAF boys. Rheumatism in back not very good.
8th April. Town shopping in morning. Sailing in afternoon. Pictures at
night. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
9th April. Feel really off colour today. Worked as usual then went off
sick with muscular rheumatism.
10th April. Just a so -so day. Plenty of work. Feel a little better. No
luck at tombola.
11th April. Attending for massage today, think it is doing me good. Work
as usual. Received air mail letter card from Una.
12th April. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Work all day. Rheumatism
just as bad. Got buckshee tickets for tombola but no luck.
13th April. Working all day. A small win at tombola. Wrote air mail
letter card to Una.
14th April. Working in the morning. Watched football in afternoon.
Tombola at night. Received some papers.
15th April. Got khaki drill in the morning. On duty all day. Pictures at
night. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and received birthday card from
her.
16th April. Work in the morning. Sailing in afternoon. Pictures in town
at night. Received air mail letter card from Una.
17th April. Work all day. No luck at tombola. Received air mail letter
card from Una and wrote back.
18th April. Working all day. In khaki drill again today. Pictures in
evening. Had a drink in the NAFFI later.
19th April. Work in the morning. Swimming and sailing in afternoon. Won
share of house at tombola, 13/-.
20th April. Working in morning. Swimming and sailing again in afternoon.
No luck at tombola.
21st April. Work all day. Tombola at night again but no luck. Received
two air mail letter card's from Una and wrote long letter back.
22nd April. Went fishing in the morning. In town in afternoon to buy
some shoes and slippers for Una. Shouted numbers at tombola and made
19/-.
23rd April. Work in the morning. Run into town in afternoon to change
slippers. Pictures at night.
24th April. Sent Una's slippers and shoes. Worked in the morning. Went
sailing in afternoon. Won 21/- at tombola. Sent air mail letter card to
Una.
25th April. Birthday today. Worked all day. Went fishing after tea.
Pictures at night. Received air mail letter card from Una.
26th April. Work all day again. Tombola at night but no luck. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una.
27th April. Work as usual. Tombola at night, a small win.
28th April. Work in the morning. Sailing in afternoon, a real thrill.
Club at night. Received air mail letter card's from Una and Gerty. Wrote
back to Una.
29th April. Had a bad tummy today. Went fishing all morning. Slept in
afternoon. Fishing again early evening, caught five. Pictures at night.
30th April. Finished work by dinner time. Fishing in afternoon, caught
seven. Went down again in the evening. Did lab books at night. Received
a letter from Gerty.
1st May. Worked all day today. Tombola at night but no luck. Received
air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
2nd May. Work in the morning. Fishing after dinner, no luck. Worked
after tea. Pictures at night but too cold so came out.
3rd May. Very busy today, worked until 5.00pm. Won 24/- at tombola.
Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
4th May. Work again all day. Another win at tombola, this time 7/-.
Received air mail letter card from Una.
5th May. Work all day again. No luck this time at tombola. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una.
6th May. A good day out in the sun. Fishing a dead loss. No luck at
tombola either. Pictures at night. Received air mail letter card from
Una.
7th May. WAR WITH GERMANY FINISHED. Had a few drinks in town. Wrote a
long letter to Una.
8th May. No victory celebrations here today, worked as usual! Town at
night. Received two lots of cigs.
9th May. VICTORY DAY CELEBRATIONS TODAY. Swimming and then races in
afternoon. Sgts mess at night celebrating. Received air mail letter card
from Una and wrote back.
10th May. A nasty morning, rain and wind. Rained all afternoon. Dance at
night almost a washout.
11th May. Worked all day. Dance at night in HQ, another washout. Wrote
to Una.
12th May. Work again all day. Tombola at night, just bad luck. Wrote to
ma & pa. No mail again. More rain this week than I have ever known.
13th May. A funny day, terrific rain storms, was marooned in town at
night. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
14th May. Terrific hail storm followed by torrential rain and thunder.
15th May. Worked all day. Tombola at night. Wrote letter to Una.
16th May. Big shot around all morning. Worked in morning. Received two
air mail letter card's from Una and wrote back.
17th May. Work all day. Won 10/- at tombola.
18th May. Worked in the morning. Swimming in afternoon. No luck at
tombola. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
19th May. Work in morning. Swimming and sailing in afternoon. Went into
town with Doug at night.
20th May. Swimming all day. A small win at tombola.
21st May. A terrible blow today. I am not going on this python. Received
air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
22nd May. Work all day today. Two small wins at tombola, 7/- in pocket.
23rd May. Worked in morning. Cricket in afternoon. Pictures at night.
Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
24th May. Worked until the middle of the afternoon. Was supposed to be
on holiday. Tombola at night but no luck.
25th May. Work all day. Tombola at night, no luck. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote back.
26th May. Work all day again. Tombola and a few beers. Received air mail
letter card from Una. Could anything in the world have happened worse
this week - missed the boat.
27th May. Sailing all day, quite nice. Tombola at night, won 10/-. Wrote
air mail letter card to Una.
28th May. Work all day today. Pictures at night. Stinking hot all day.
29th May. Work as usual. Tombola at night, picked up 8/-. Received air
mail letter card from Una and wrote back.
30th May. Work as usual. A picture show at night, Our Teeth. Then to the
Gaff. Received air mail letter card from Una.
31st May. Worked all day. Tombola at night but no luck. Wrote letter to
Una and received air mail letter card from her.
1st June. Worked as usual. Small win at tombola.
2nd June. Working all day then to town in the evening, made 10/- at
tombola. Had a party at night.
3rd June. Feeling pretty rough. Had a run into town. Pictures at night.
Sgt and staff left today. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
4th June. Work as usual. Pictures at night. Received air mail letter
card from Una and wrote back.
5th June. Worked all day. No luck at tombola. Received papers and a
letter from Gerty.
6th June. Kit check in the lab. Very busy. Received air mail letter card
from Una and wrote back.
7th June. Work as usual. Tombola at night but no luck again.
8th June. Work all day. In pocket by 10/- at tombola. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote back.
9th June. Worked all day. Tombola at night but no luck.
10th June. Went swimming all day today. A small party at night.
11th June. Work all day as usual. Pictures at night. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote back.
12th June. Work as usual. Shouted numbers at tombola at night.
13th June. Worked all day. Town at night for a drink. Received air mail
letter card from Una and wrote back.
14th June. Work all day again. Tombola at night, another small win.
Received air mail letter card from Una.
15th June. Work all day. Won again at tombola but not much. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una.
16th June. Worked until dinner time. Made o4 on buckshee job. No luck at
tombola. Received air mail letter card from Una. Not a bad week for cash
and mail.
17th June. Swimming in the morning and again after dinner. A couple of
drinks and then to pictures. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
18th June. Finished off work by dinner time. Started with a gippy tummy.
Was ill all night.
19th June. Packed up today ready for the off tomorrow to Cairo. Tummy
still bad during day but felt better at night. Received air mail letter
card's from Una and Jean. Wrote back to Una.
20th June. Arrived in Cairo at 1.15pm after a tortuous journey. Had a
few beers and then played tombola. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.
21st June. Messing around all day. Kit and medical inspections. Pictures
at night.
22nd June. Down to the lab all day. Tombola at night and won 10/-.
23rd June. In tents as from today. Went into Cairo and bought some
presents for home. Pictures at night. Hear that we are to move next
Tuesday.
24th June. Went into Cairo again to pictures and a good feed. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una.
25th June. Hung around all morning. Down to Cairo in afternoon to
pictures and some food.
26th June. Again just hanging around. All of it very upsetting. A couple
of bottles at night and then to the pictures.
27th June. Still no news of moving. Met Capt Muntus from Rotherham.
Tombola at night but no luck.
28th June. Still no news. The waiting is pretty deadly. Had a beer at
night and then to the pictures.
29th June. No news again today. Went swimming in the afternoon in
Helopilis, was quite good. Won 70/- at tombola.
30th June. The good news today, we are to move in the morning. Wrote air
mail letter card to Una. Busy packing up. Bought a present for Jean. AT
LONG LAST THIS IS IT!
1st July. Left Cairo at 7.15am. Embarked 2.00pm at Port Said. We sailed
at 6.30pm.
2nd July. Just lazed around all day. Not too thrilled! No luck at
tombola.
3rd July. The usual reading on deck. Should be in England in one week.
Sea got a bit rough in the night.
4th July. Just so-so. Lazed around on deck. Getting cooler. Should pass
Gibraltar tomorrow.
5th July. This is getting pretty deadly just sitting around. Passing the
North African coast all day. Some rain. Concert at night.
6th July. Getting much colder. Battle dress out today. Should be passing
Gibraltar tonight. It is hard to pass the time away. No luck at tombola.
7th July. Passed Gibraltar at 3.00am this morning. Getting much colder.
Played cards at night. The sun shone until after 10.00pm. Should arrive
in England on Tuesday and disembark Wednesday? A long weary week.
8th July. Passing through the Bay of Biscay. Rough and cold. Won 28/- at
tombola.
9th July. Should see England today. There was a partial eclipse of the
sun. Did not see Blighty. RAF Officers to disembark tomorrow.
10th July. Pouring with rain. Arrived Southampton at 10.30am.
Disembarked at 1.30pm. Arrived Boyce in the evening. Still raining.
11th July. Running around all morning for new kit. Leave in the morning.
ENSA concert at night and a glass of beer.
12th July. Pay this morning. Left Boyce at 12.00pm. Arrived in London at
1.30pm. Arrived in Rotherham at 8.30pm.
13th July. Just getting things organised. Lunch in town. Got some new
glasses.
14th July. Just so-so. Kiddies party at night. A few drinks.
15th July. Church this morning. To Grandma's in the afternoon.
16th July. Sheffield for lunch and to pictures. Back at tea-time.
17th July. Just so-so. A spot of gardening.
18th July. Down to Rotherham to see Winnie and Clifford.
19th July. Down to Far Lane to see Gerty and Tom.
20th July to 27th July. On leave. Went to Bridlington. Good journey.
Good trip back home on the Friday.
28th July. Just so-so.
29th July to 10th August. On leave. Gainsborough on the 31st.
Huddersfield on the 7th. Back home in evening on the 8th. Doncaster on
the 10th. Quite a nice leave.
11th August. Packed up ready for the off.
12th August. Left Rotherham at 9.00am. Arrived London at 2.45pm. Left
London at 5.00pm. Arrived Fleet 6.00pm and Boyce at 6.30pm. Had supper
and a drink. Wrote post card to Una.
13th August. Posted to York. Polishing brass all day. Wrote letter to
Una.
14th August. Cleaning all day. Finished a night. A drink in the NAFFI.
15th August. V.J. DAY. Big inspection parade and medical. A drink in the
NAFFI.
16th August. Left Boyce for York. Arrived London 10.00am. Boarded the
Flying Scotsman, arrived York 2.15pm. Pictures and a drink at night.
17th August. Pay today. Interview with an Officer. Walk into town.
Posted to Dental Centre. Home on a long weekend.
18th August. A run into town. Pictures in afternoon. A drink at night.
19th August. Church in the morning. Lazed around all day. Long walk at
night.
20th August. Cut grass in the morning. Left Rotherham at 6.15pm. Arrived
back in York at 7.50pm.
21st August. Posted to Leeds Dental Lab. Pictures in town. Bottle of
beer.
22nd August. Left York at 10.00am, arrived Leeds lab in afternoon.
Cricket match and some beer.
23rd August. Work today. Just steady. Pay at 5.00pm. Left Leeds for home
at 7.15 on V.J. leave.
24th August. Stayed in most of the day. Raining in afternoon. Just so-so
in evening.
25th August. UNA'S BIRTHDAY. Went to pictures and a firework display.
26th August. Drink at dinner time. Stayed in all day. Set off for Leeds,
then turned back again.
27th August. Left Rotherham at 7.15am, arrived Leeds 9.00am. In lab at
9.20am. Nothing said. A good days work. Pictures at night. Wrote to Una.
28th August. A steady days work. Got cigs and chocolate. A walk at night
and a couple of drinks.
29th August. Work as usual. Rained at night. Went to pictures, saw a
good film, Waterloo Road.
30th August. Received letter from Una. Just a so-so day. Wrote to Una.
On NCO picket duty tonight.
31st August. Work today very steady. Finished at 4.00pm. Pictures in
town at the Odeon. Had a couple of drinks.
1st September. WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. Finished at 12.30pm, home by car.
Sheffield Empire at night then celebrated. A wonderful wedding
anniversary.
2nd September. WAR OFFICIALLY OVER TODAY. Day at home. Back by train to
Leeds at 9.00pm. Nothing to drink.
3rd September. Work just steady. Pictures at night. A few drinks later.
Wrote post card to Una.
4th September. Received letter from Una. In town at night to the
pictures. Wrote letter to Una. 5th September. Left Leeds for York this
afternoon. Pictures in town at night.
6th September. Chased around all morning. Went to the races in the
afternoon. Pictures at night.
7th September. Medical today and release book done. Home tonight.
Arrived Rotherham 7.40pm.
8th September. Just a so-so lazy day. Down to town to a picture show.
Back home early.
9th September. Church in the morning. Lazed around all afternoon. Stayed
in all night.
10th September. Left Rotherham, arrived York 9.10am. Lecture in
afternoon. Pictures at night and a glass of beer.
11th September. A spot of work. Home for the night. Arrived Rotherham
5.45pm.
12th September. Back to York by 9.30am. Pictures and a few drinks.
13th September 1945
THIS IS IT
THE GREAT DAY
"DEMOBBED"
UNA CAME TO YORK
-------------------------------------
That was the last entry in the diary.
In 1968 my father was diagnosed as having lung cancer.
He died two years later aged 63.
In 1988, aged 78, my mother died of a heart attack.
Stuart Lonsdale
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Add Your Story
The picture of Marble Arch brings back one hell of a memory for me!!and for those who ever had the experince of winding up 8 mile behind German lines in trying to find the 3rd rtr in the dark with a right clever sh**e officer whose name I will not tell...but began with a P...WHO THOUGHT HE COULD NAVIGATE IN THE DARK and had no idea where we/he was.. here's a little story!!!
