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