11/04/2007
Diary Extracts - 1938
The following diary extracts are from my grandfather's personal diary during his time in military service in the middle East during the year 1938. As far as I am aware these are the last remaining extracts of his diary.
March 10 Thursday - 1938
_________ twice today. Site for 1st R. T. C Camp now ready. Working all afternoon getting ready for the stunt on Saturday. 22 miles.
March 11 Friday - 1938
Today I am 25. Pay Day. Plenty of maintenance and packing for the scheme. Am tired before I start.
March 12 Saturday - 1938
Left at 8.15am with umpire for Mara. Break of 10 mins and on along the Alexandria Road to Bir Hooka. A salt and soda factory is here. Got in at 9.45pm.
March 13 Sunday - 1938
Stopped at Bir Hooka all day. Walked around the salt lake and the factory. Very hot day.
March 14 Monday - 1938
Left Bir Hooka at 4.40am for Gebel Rame. Met the enemy here and routed them. H. E. Sir Miles Lampeon came to see the fight.
March 15 Tuesday - 1938
At Maret el Zanta today on our way back. Left Company and got back at 8.20pm. No sleep for 41 hours. Sandstorm and rain. Exhausted. 672 miles.
March 16 Wednesday - 1938
Had a wonderful night's sleep. Went to work for a couple of hours. Started writing my letters. Weather is again very cold.
May 5 Thursday - 1938
Duty O. R. all day. Helps to pass away the time. Pay day today. Last one in Egypt. Everyone is fed up with waiting. 97 miles.
May 6 Friday - 1938
Another duty day but not strenuous. Tanks won the command Tug-of-way. 110 stone. Had the kit inspection for boat. Handed in equipment and got our boat stuff. 43 miles.
May 7 Saturday - 1938
Started clearing out all old kit and rubbish, preparation for packing up. Almost everyone has a sore head today after celebrating last night. Had a drop of "skie" and stout. Put two blokes to sleep.
May 8 Sunday - 1938
Scrounged church again today. Just lazed around. Everything is about ready now. Only need packing.
May 9 Monday - 1938
Today was C O' orders. Skook hands all round. Remembered me and thanked me again. Wished me luck in 'every' street. Am going to 6th Bin according to _______ Office.
May 10 Tuesday - 1938
This was the day. Sick parade. Everyone fit. Can't work now. We take it easy for a change. It's almost here now. Marked all the kit bags today.
May 11 Wednesday - 1938
Finished packing our kit. Everything is ready. Drinks have been flying round. Fellows are happy and yet sorry. My pal wishes he was with me. Visited some pals in other units.
May 12 Thursday - 1938
Last day in Egypt. No more kits or inspections. Left Abbassia at 2pm. What a send off. Got on board at Alex. at 6.30pm. Just waiting now. By looks of supper we are going to get good food.
Won't be long now before I see the girl of my dreams.
May 13 Friday - 1938
Left Alex. dead at 12. At last. After 4½ years its come true. So out into Meditteranean. Blue as sapphire. Egypt fades on the horizon. So farewell Egypt and on to England, Home, and Beauty.
May 14 Saturday - 1938
Today the sea is very bad. Waves breaking over 2nd deck. Plenty of ships heading towards Alex. Many fellows bed and the ship's in a mess.
May 15 Sunday - 1938
Nice warm calm day. Sea like a sheet of glass. Nothing of note has happened.
May 16 Monday - 1938
1st stop of voyage over 1000 land. In Malta at 9am. H.M.S. Hood in harbour. Some of all services on boat now. Left at 12. Headed for _______ Glorious as escort. Passed Pantellaria to the Italian Penal Settlement.
May 17 Tuesday - 1938
Passed Galita Isle to Port and Sicily to Starboard. Sea fair. Had a decent concert.
At night could see coast of North Africa.
May 18 Wednesday - 1938
Clear sky and sea. Can see Atlas Mounts 35 miles away to Port. Passed Gani Rocks. Days very monotonous. Saw a school of Porpoise. Coast of Spain coming into view.
May 19 Thursday - 1938
Entered straits of Gib. Plenty of Subs & Warships. Can see Spanish and Morocco coasts. Ran into heavy sea. Can see snow on the Pyrenes of Spain. Sea a bit cleaner. 2nd 1000 miles over.
May 20 Friday - 1938
Went into Gib 12.30am. Saw the Italian Rex come in. Left at 2.30am. Out into the Atlantic. Passed Cape St Vincent at 6pm. Getting very cold now. Saw a shark today.
May 21 Saturday - 1938
Half a gale. Sea rough. Ploughing along at 12 knots. Had a rum issue today.
May 22 Sunday - 1938
Passed Cape Finisterre early morn. Now in the Bay of Biscay. Top deck flooded. Roll on Southhampton. Ran into fog. Ship at 1/3 speed. Rum issued twice.
May 23 Monday - 1938
Woke to see a clear day. Still cold. Medical inspection. Passed Ushant, France. Into the English Channel. Wondering what "Blighty" is like.
May 24 Tuesday - 1938
Passed Needles and I.O.W. Southhampton at 8.0. What a sight. Got to 5th R.T.C. and 3.0pm and had to hand in all our kit.
May 25 Wednesday - 1938
All home at last. Green fields. How strange is this country called England.
Perhaps you have an article to add to the site concerning our family's history? Contact me at the email address for consideration. nrbcpastorkev@yahoo.com.au
11/04/2007
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