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On a morning in December 1942 we embarked on a train at Wool, and went via London on the LMS Line to the North. By night time we arrived at Gourock on the Clyde. We all loaded on to lighters and out into the Firth of Clyde. In the darkness we came upon a very large ship — The Queen Mary — we embarked, and in the early hours we were on our way.

By daylight we were out in the Atlantic.

The first Port of call was ‘Freetown’ and all went to the side to look and smell the land (spicey). But we were quickly told to spread out as the ship keeled over after stores were taken on. There were plenty of troops to assist in the matter. We were up anchor and away back to the Atlantic. All this time, in the horizon, was a plan circling, ever watching over us. We had one or two scares in the next few days. The ship picked up speed to avoid other shipping.

The second week we called at Cape Town. No one disembarked. Fuel and food was taken on board. Plenty of helpers for this job. Also a lighter full of oranges for troops abroad, from the people of Cape Town. Then it was once again up anchor and on our way.

Where we were going no one knew so bets were taken for Burma or Middle East. Then we headed North so it was to be Middle East. After 3 ½ weeks we landed from England. We anchored off Port Taufik near Suez, disembarked and travelled over land to Cairo.

We spent a few days in tents at Mena. We were then taken to Abbasia base depot. Time was spent retraining Sherman tanks, under desert conditions. During this time there were also excursions to the front to guard tanks on transporters by rail.

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