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PART. IV

Life at Sea

The Marnix Van Saint Aldergonde was slowly pulled away from the dockside by two panting tugs straining like dogs on a lead, soon the little boats cast off their lines and left us to proceed under our own steam, we did not sail far, anchors were dropped and we rested in the lanes between New Brighton and Liverpool for the night. Dawn broke and there were rumours that we were sailing that day, this rumour was correct and the Marnix began to slowly head towards the open sea, we passed the docks and enjoyed our last look of England — when would we see it again?...perhaps never! The boat was about 18,000 tons and was carrying about 3,500 troops, so the reader can realize what the conditions were like on board. The first week was spent laying about on the decks so that the men could get accustomed to the sea, after that a training programme came into being. Conditions on board were terrible, that is for the troops, it goes without saying that the Officers were well looked after. The mess decks were the scene of many things, at night we slept over them, on them and under them, during the day we ate our food off them. Meal times were never enjoyed because perpiration was present no matter how still a person sat, the heat was unbearable but all survived, how, we are not quite certain. The Officers naturally had cabins, meals for them were laid in a large Dining hall, with music provided by the Manchester Dance Band, of course we realized that such luxuries could never be appreciated by the common soldier. The days on board passed fairly quickly and we used to watch the sunset over the Atlantic — a large convoy sailing under the setting sun is a fine sight, colours are seen that no artist could paint, the scenes were beyond description. No smoking was allowed below decks and no smoking was allowed on deck after black-out so men sat and talked until they felt tired enough to sleep, I say sleep, but one actually fell into a coma and woke up feeling far from rested but this went on for the duration of the voyage and we could do nothing about it.
The journey was prolonged owing to the fact that an enemy submarines might be lurking in any part of the water and a convoy of our size would be a nice prize. Our first sight of land was a few palm trees rising from a a small piece of land, we found out that this was Freetown — we were well on our way to our unknown destination. We anchored here for a day and a night. The heat was getting worse and we could do nothing to make ourselves cool, this was Army life with a vengeance but we still carried on with the training programme and P.T.. We left Freetown and put out to the open sea once again, up this time the sea had been calm and there had been no exciting incidents - perhaps it was as well because we should not have stood much chance if we received a torpedo amidships. On we sailed, watching the sun rise and set, one night however a flickering light was seen in the distance, what could it be? Questions were asked and we found out that the ship was nearing South Africa and we should be there in the morning. Morning came and we were pulling in to the dockside, so this was South Africa, so far it looked all right. We were told that we should get shore leave but it would not be a very long leave. Our first duty was to march round the streets of Cape Town, it was a novel experience but no one saw the funny side of things, it must be remembered that the Army authorities have an awful sense of humour. The march finished at lunch time, after that we were free to go ashore until midnight. What was there to do in a strange country? Several of us decided that we would make the best of things and go ashore and have a good time. We left the boat after an inspection, we were supposed to have nicely creased clothes and polished boots — after a long time at sea, the trousers were creased but in the wrong places, what else could be expected after being packed in a kit bag? We went along the docks until we reached the gates, it was here that I was greeted with the words “what are you boys going to do this afternoon”? we did not know what to say, actually we did not have much chance to say anything because three of us were escorted to a large American Limousine and introduced to the owner,- it appeared that the owner would give us all a good time while we were in Cape own, we said nothing. We lay back on the cushions in the car, the wireless was playing and everything seemed good after being cooped up in a ship for such a long time. We were taken up the winding roads which run behind the famous Table Mountain, the scenery was really wonderful. The lady in charge of operations asked us many questions about England and the present conditions, she asked about our families and about ourselves, the questions we answered as best we could. Before long we found ourselves slowing down in the drive of a large house, the car stopped and we climbed out. During the afternoon we had visited a vinery in the hills and signed the visitor’s book, and as far as I know our names are still there. Tea was the next item on the programme, I say tea, well it was more like a feast, cakes of every description were placed all over the table, fruit salads helped to break up the monotony of cream cakes, while cream helped to make the salads even tastier. We certainly were being treated with kindness and it was greatly appreciated after the hot greasy stews which we had eaten on the boat. In the evening we went to one of the largest picture places in Cape Town, the roof is moving all the time which gives the effect of being out in the open, we were heavily laden with Cadbury’s Milk Chocolate and enjoyed a good film, time was passing and we returned to the ‘Hell Ship’. The rest of the shore leave was spent in much the same manner, Cape Town opened its heart to the British Soldier, and to this day people are still writing and sending well-stocked parcels to England. The town itself is worth mentioning, all the houses re of a modern design, the roads are clean, modern cars are to be seen everywhere, of course there is a black population which is apt to spoil many things, but I cannot say much on that subject. And so the time came to leave a fine land, we were on board again and putting out to sea, perhaps on the last stage of our journey. On we sailed across the waters slowly getting further away from home.
We heard that we had passed Durban on the Starboard side, it was then that we realised that we might end this voyage at Bombay or some other eastern port, a very thrilling thought. On we sailed until we again sighted land, the land came nearer, we could see Bombay — the land of Mystery and Romance was getting closer, little did we know what this country had in store for us, we found that out much later. Tugs came out to meet the ship, hawsers were made fast and we slowly made towards the dockside, so this was India, well we should see what was going to happen as time went on. The first horrible sight which greeted us was swarms of black coolies running up and down the dock, they would unload the boat, all we wanted to do was to get off the boat for good, to stretch our legs and have a certain amount of freedom. And so the long journey ended after a period of eight weary weeks aboard a ‘Hell Ship’, it was afterwards known as the second Altmark. We would soon be landing and another part of our Army life was beginning, while another chapter was closing, the next part of this story will tell of our life in India.

Continued in Part V

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