22nd - 31st March 1953

Sunday 22^nd

We awoke to the blue Mediterranean and glorious sunshine, though in the morning only.

At ten o’clock we passed land (probably C. de Gate off Spain)

The afternoon, however, was extremely cold and windy – and impossible to roam on deck.

317 today

 

Monday 23^rd

This morning we found ourselves about a mil off Algeria.  Its white houses scattered over the hill, and a cruiser lying just off shore.

The whole day we crept along the Algerian coast, keeping between 1 and 4 miles off shore all the time.

The coast is very mountainous and rugged.  The peaks appear to be shrouded in cloud and also covered with snow.

Today we witnessed the strange sight of the sea changing colour at a certain point.  There appeared to be a definite dividing line between the green and blue waters

301 miles today

 

Tuesday 24^th

The morning found us once again off the African coast.

At 7 o’clock we passed though the Galita Channel between Galita Is. and the mainland.  At the same time saw a school of porpoises very close to the ship.

At times we crept to within a few hundred yards of the shore, which is extremely rugged with sandy patches.  The whole of the coast line appears terribly mountainous.

Later we crossed the Gulf of Tunis, passing “Zambro” on our starboard.

At 6.30pm. we passed Pantelleria, with lights twinkling in the dusk, and a little cloud crowning the peak of its mountain.

This evening we head for Malta to deposit an appendicitis patient there.  We expect to arrive at midnight.

291 toady

 

Wednesday 25^th

Nothing in slight all day.  It was rather chilly at times

The only entertainment was the film “The Ringer”, which was quite good.

 

Thursday 26^th

No land in slight all day.  Busy doing nothing the whole day through.

 

Friday 27^th

Again nothing in sight the whole day through. 

Simply played cards and listened to records.

 

Saturday 28^th

Sighted Port Said this morning.  Picked up pilot at 7 o’clock and docked about 7.  From then until 2.30pm. when we sailed the ship was swarming with trades and bumboats, they sold everything from fruit, leatherware, watches, rings, photos, cosmetics, sweets, drinks, daggers, coshes etc.  there was also a magician aboard.  A solitary Egyptian guard strolled the bank with rifle slung.

Afterwards we began crawling down the Suez.  We were all struck by the negative energy – bareness and coldness.

* It rained while we were in post Said.

 

Sunday 29^th

Today we sailed down the Gulf of Suez and into the Red Sea in the evening.

The coast is extremely rugged and sandy, with no visible vegetation at all.

We passed several Arabs dhows and rocky islets.

The waters were very smooth and inky, with no sign of life.

There was a misty haze throughout the day, giving no dividing line between the sea and sky.

Witnessed a display of hypnotism during the afternoon.

 

Monday 30^th

Nothing in view all day, save the rippleless sea and the misty haze.

We wore tropical kit today, even so we sweltered under the Red Sea sun.

 

Tuesday 31^st

A pleasant breeze on deck eased the sweltering heat a little

Saw many flying fish after lunch (they appeared about 4” long and blue-silver n colour, and flew between 5 and 20 yards).

Had a session of Tombola in the evening.  Missed full house by one number – worst luck!!

Intend to sleep on deck tonight as the sleeping quarters are truly stifling (84°F last night).

11th -21st March 1953

Wednesday 11^th

Moved to a better hut during the afternoon (2 lamps and a fire) – but still no windows.  We labelled our kit bags in the morning – DRAFT DCDTM with destination Singapore confirmed.

 

Thursday 12^th

Messed around during the morning burning bushes and grass for R.S.M.

Paid during afternoon.. the weekend prospects are pretty gloomy – with only 30 in the camp to do all the duties.

Went to the local Globe cinema at 7 to see “Operation Swallow” – awful programme.

 

Friday 13^th

Spent the day packing kit bags and labelling.

 

Saturday 14^th



Garry and his sister Gaynor

Started Cook house duties at noon.  Finished at 5 o’clock and travelled home – arrived 10pm.  Grand to be home again.

 

Sunday 15^th

Awoke at nine and commenced the day letter writing and playing records.  Sad farewell once again at 2 o’clock when I left for London.

Ivy met me at Fenchurch St. and returned to have tea at Brixton.  Uncle Gilbert arrived home at 6 o’clock.

Caught 6.54 at Waterloo and got back to camp at a quarter to ten.

 

Monday 16^th

An extremely brief medical this morning, and no jabs – thank goodness.

Suffered O.C. inspection at 2 o’clock, and pay parade at three.   However we were consoled with 2 weeks pay.

After a drink at the Naffi, the complete draft went to the Globe Cinema to see “Gift Horse” staring John Mills – extremely good.

Tonight I settle down to my last night on tera firma.

 

Tuesday 17^th



Empire Halladale

Left Barton Stacey at 6.30 and travelled to Liverpool via Waterloo and Euston.

After lunch at Reception Centre in Liverpool docks, boarded Empire Halladale about 3pm.



Left port at 6 o’clock after 15 minutes boat drill.

Passengers include R.A.F. and various infantry mobs.

Food excellent!  Have been appointed mess orderly – no other guards or other duties, cheers!!

 

Wednesday 18^th

It was a little rougher and naturally we felt the roll of the ship more.  Consequently many were sick  I felt a little queer, but nothing more.

The ‘Naffi’ queues are tremendously long, but I actually managed to see one out yesterday (3/4 of an hour)

The food is very good, but owing to the general sea sickness – there is a considerable waste

173 miles up to noon

 

Thursday 19^th

I did not feel so sick today although the ship was rolling just as much.  I but be getting used to it.

It has been gloriously sunny and quite warm.  With the exception of one Tanker we saw neither ship nor shore all day.

At noon it was announced we had sailed 307 miles since Liverpool, with average speed of 12.8 knots.

This afternoon a Major chatted with our draft about lectures.  In future we will either have lectures or practical classe for half an hour each afternoon in connection with field Engineering

303 miles

 

Friday 20^th

We awoke to see the mountains of N.W. Spain (between Vigo and Ferrol) loom grey against the sky.

In the evening we passed a light house off Lisbon.  In its beam we could see huge rocks which appear about a hundred feet high ½ mile from the ship.

The day was exteriorly sunny.  I did not think it could be so warm off Portugal in March.

Physical training on the deck was great fun.

313 miles

 

Saturday 21^st

At ten o’clock this morning we rounded Cape St. Vincent.  We passed beneath the cliffs (which appears about 150’-200’ high), with a “white stone” lighthouse on top.

Entered the mileage sweepstake today with a 316 mile prophesy – actual result : 311 miles.

This evening we saw the lights of Gibraltar and Tangier sparkling across the water.  Tomorrow we will wake in the Mediterranean – cheers!

Gibraltar, Enroute to Tangier

311 miles

1st - 10th March 1953

Sunday 1^st March

Visited Aunt May and Uncle Arthur at 12 o’clock and stayed the day.

Wandered around Beckenham Park with Mavis during the afternoon.

Played cards all together in the evening and around arrived back at Brixton 11.30.  Gilbert slightly vexed

 

Monday 2^nd

Had my photo taken at Tieromen, Brixton during the day.  Collected same at 5.30, results: excellent.

During the afternoon Guy and I wandered over the exhibition site and also around Downing Street and Home Guard Parade etc.

Arrived back home- Thorpe Bay, about 7.30

 

Tuesday 3^rd

Cycled over to Malcolm in the morning, but we unanimously decided that it was far too cold and dismal for our intended ‘day of cycling’ in South Essex.

We went ot the Odeon after lunch to see “The Black Castle” and “Top of the Form”.

 

At seven I met Chloe at Southend Victoria and had supper at her home.

Wednesday 4^th

Supper at Chloe’s.

Thursday 5^th

Saw Aunt Agnes during the afternoon – still suffering from Bee poison.

Met Chloe at 7 o’clock and spent the evening at her home.

Friday 6^th

Finished leave, worst luck. A two year holiday lays ahead – I sincerely hope.

Saturday 7^th

Completed my “Officers Mess Duty” by 8p.m., and then hitch hiked into Newbury to catch 9.7.

Arrived home 1 o’clock – all abed.

Sunday 8^th

Met Robert and Malcolm during the morning.

Robert is at present waiting for his porting.

Visited Chloe after lunch – fond farewell.

Farewell to all – left 7.55 and managed to get back to the school before midnight. (quite a relief to get great coat with all contents back).

Monday 9^th

An extremely busy day – rushing round getting our clearance chit completed.

Collected Tropical Kit during afternoon.

S.Q.M.S. extremely helpful over the ground sheet I lost.

Tomorrow we move to Barton Stacey with an escort (corporal).

 

Tuesday 10^th

Left for Barton Stacey at 11 o’clock, escorted by Corporal Clark.

Alas, out hut (19) is absolutely useless. There is no lighting, no heating, no furniture and several windows broken.

Consequently after 6p.m. one either goes out of goes to bed.

I write this by candle light at 9 o’clock.

In our draft there are 6 drivers, 2 d’man, 1 railway bod, and 1 other. But all are very pleasant.