21st April - 30th April 1953

Tuesday 21^st  

Spent a very boring day at the studio.  After drinks at the Naafi in the evening we went to see the film “Three Little Girls in Blue”.  It was an utterly awful musical!

 

Wednesday 22^nd

Half day today! So after lunch we went straight down to the pool.  We splashed around until about 4o’clock when we returned to an excellent tea.  Naafi in the evening and that’s all.

Thursday 23^rd

A very boring day at the studio today with absolutely nothing to do.  Captain Stocker issued me with my rifle and ten rounds at 4o’clock. 

Goodbye to the office – I’m sure the sergeant is glad to see the back of me.  After tea, went down to the village and bought a pair of slacks ($7.50), a blue shirt ($3.50) and a fountain pen ($1.20).  Followed this by supper at the Naafi.

Friday 24^th

Rose at 6o’clock and left with Woodward just after 7a.m.  The train journey to Kuala Lumpar was quite pleasant, although it lasted 10½ hours (8am-6pm).  Had drinks with a Gordon and afterwards shared my lunch with an S.A.C. – Ken Crowhurst.

On arrival at K.L. there was no transport available so I spent the night at the K.L transit camp.  A ghastly place closely resembling Ash ranger.

 

Saturday 25^th

Managed to get the guard commander to phone H.Q. Malaya and obtain a land rover.  Arrived at my new camp at 10o’clock and spent the morning getting settled down.  The lads here appear to be a pleasant crowd.  Although one or two strange characters are at loose.  Naafi in the evening in the company of Dennis and Nick.

Sunday 26^th

Broke the day quite early and went swimming before lunch.  Spent the rest of the day in siesta.  Torrential rain as usual.

 

Monday 27^th

My first day at the studio.  Began by having an interview with the C.O. of A.P.I.S.  Then spent most of the day practicing lettering – much to the horror of the Staff Sgt in charge.  Library and Naafi in the evening completed the day.

 

Tuesday 28^th

Laboured under Corporal Khoo at the studio, helping with my first mosaic.  Sweltering heat throughout the day and also, naturally, we had torrential rain.

Wednesday 29^th

Toda I began my first actual mosaic.  Again with the watchful eye of Corporal Khoo ever observant.  After tea I went with Nick for a short splash about in the pool.  Completing the day musing in the room and feasting upon Charwholler visit.

 

Thursday 30^th

Began the day with drill and positively ghastly inspection.  Following visits to the sort and the camp tailor.  I commenced work again on my mosaic.  After a deal of fiddling on both my part and Corporal Khoo, managed to complete it before the end of the afternoon.

Another inspection after ten, in which Nick was charged.  Then a pleasant evening reading, writing and musing.

11th - 20th April 1953

Saturday 11^th
 

During the morning heard a lecture on Singapore! It was most interesting, but unfortunately I missed the second half owing to fire piquet duties.

The lecture was interrupted by 3 blasts on the ships hooter – signally man overboard.  The ship turned round and retraced its path.  Eventually the life boat was lowered and the fellow was rescued (after 20 minutes).  It appears the sailor was a religious maniac and was going to meet the “New World”.

 

 

Sunday 12^th
 

Today was darkened by numerous cloud bursts, which made the drying of clothes impossible.

After dinner several new postings for Hong Kong came in for some of the draft.  Fortunately it appears that I am one of those still going to Singapore.

 

Monday 13^th

 

Saw a school of porpoises speeding away from the ship on the starboard side today.

Again the sea was extremely calm.

During the evening saw the film “Lydia Bailey” which was most entertaining.

 

 

Tuesday 14^th

Followed the coast of Sumatra through most of the day.  Its several mountains crowned in cloud, and its dense forests sweeping down to the shore.

Further political arguments today with Kevin Kelly.

Wednesday 15^th

Kept close to Malaya all day.  The waters here are a bright green, but simply crowed with sharks!

Thursday 16^th

Disembarked at 8.30 at Singapore and Pete and I were met by a R.A. Captian who drove us to the R.A.F. camp and aerodrome at Seletar.  We will work here in the Army Photo Interpretation Unit which employs about half a dozen army personnel and several civilians.

The camp is most pleasant with three storey, white-washed billets and well kept gardens.

 

The food is excellent and all the conservancy and kit cleaning is done by bearers – so every one is happy.

Friday 17^th

Spent most of the day lounging around the A.P.I.U. section.  It appears that our documents are not through yet, so the major I.C. cannot decide what to do with us.  It is very likely that one of us will be posted to the unit in Hong Kong.

After tea we went in to the village and bought several things (I purchased a shirt, swimming trunks, and slip on sandals – costing $12.80.)  Then travelled back to the Naafi by taxi and went to the Naafi cinema and saw “No Resting Place”.

Saturday 18^th

Awoke this morning at seven.  After a short period of letter writing Peter and I paid a visit to the Naafi.  After an excellent lunch the two of us went by bus to the camp pool, where we spent a most enjoyable afternoon.  The pool was tiled and was beset with flowering gardens and palm trees, and a cafeteria on one side.

During the evening we had drinks at the Naafi and went by taxi to the other camp's cinema, only to find we had seen the film.  On returning to block we were entertained by a section of the R.A.F. pipe band.

Sunday 19^th

Spent an extremely cozy day – doing nothing but eating drinking and sleeping.

In the evening Peter Morgan and myself wandered down to the village.  Although it was about 7.30 there were a considerable number of shops open, and kerb vendors selling their wares.  After a while we found it advisable to keep to the road as the sidewalks were covered with pot holes and open drains.  After drinks at the Naafi we retired for the night.

Monday 20^th

Began the day’s work with an interview with the major.  Calamity!!  He said that I would be going to a detachment in Kuala Lumpar, and that Peter may be posted to Hong Kong.  I was informed later that I would travel by the day train on Thursday.

I spent the rest of the day copying some photo plotting from one map to another.  Idled during the evening – having drinks at the Naafi.

1st - 10th April 1953

Wednesday 1^st April

Extremely rough all day with occational waves breaking over bows.

Was sick four times during morning – my first bout of sea sickness on the voyage.

Saw the film “Road to Bali” starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

 

Thursday 2^nd

Still extremely rough most of the day, until we rounded Arabia into the Indian Ocean.

At teatime we began following the mountainous coast, arriving at Aden about 9pm.

Its many lights twinkling round the huge rock which stands sentinel at the entrance to the bay.

Managed to get first line in Tombola in the evening.

Received a letter form Mary at 11pm.

 

Friday 3^rd

Left Aden at 5 o’clock this morning.

The sea was pleasant calm all day, and the slight breeze made life on deck quite enjoyable.

Tried a further hand at Tombola, but this time was unlucky.  Kevin however managed to get a line.

 

Saturday 4^th

Passed the coast of Somali land during the morning.

It was pleasantly warm all day with a strong breeze.

Saw many porpoises, a possible shark and several flying fish (which flew several hundred yards).

Saw the film “The World in his Arms” starring Gregory Peck and Ann Blyth.

 

 

Sunday 5^th

Continued all day without event through the glassy Indian Ocean.

It was hot, though not too uncomfortably so.  A fresh sea breeze make deck living quite enjoyable.

Slept on deck that evening.

 

Monday 6^th

Woke to the shouts of “whales”, rushing to the rails we saw half a dozen black whales spouting water between 200-500 yards from the ship.

This morning we had potted sports – unfortunately the R.E.’s were last but one.

I appear to be losing things right and left.

Played cards during the evening.

 

Tuesday 7^th

Rose this morning at 6.15am. and greet day with rise and shine policy after a perfect night’s sleep.

A pleasant day with the Indian Ocean still and glassy as ever and as full of flying fish as could be.

 

Wednesday 8^th

Rose this morning to discover that I am still losing thing right and left.

Happily I was not chosen to do fire piquet at Colombo.

Terribly hot all fay, in fact probably the hottest yet.

 

Thursday 9^th

Greeted the morn from below decks, as there was a violent thunderstorm in the middle of the night which forced all “deck sleepers” downstairs.

Sweltering heat all day!

 

Friday 10^th

Docked at Colombo about 8.15am.

Eventually managed to get ashore about 10.50am.

Visited Naafi Club for drinks following which we had photos taken!

Then with Peter, George and Sarfend (Whittaker) we went by Rickshaw to Seaman Mission (absolutely swindled – 5 rupees for the two of us).

Lunched at the Mission and then trekked round town, visiting the bazaar and buying various souvenirs.

More rickshaws, iced drink, sundaes etc. etc.

The people all appeared extremely friendly – although often eager to overcharge.

Back to Empire Hallade at 6.30pm.