The Wartime Memories Project

"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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 tom

The Wartime Memories Project - Africa