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We embarked on H.M.T ‘Strathmore’ on August 27th 1943 in company with many men of the South African Army and Air Force and set sail on the next day August 28th 1943. This boat was much better than the last one in nearly every way, the only bad part of it was the sleeping compartment. There were 360 of us in a small compartment and we were all supposed to sleep in hammocks, but after two nights of it a lot of us slept up on deck. It was on this boat that I first learnt what it was like to really sweat and I don’t think there is anything more uncomfortable than to continually be sweating. The food was quite good and also there was a good canteen on board with plenty of everything.

We put into Aden on September 8th 1943 for more oil and water and left about six hours later not being sorry as it was very hot there.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Becky Barugh of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Dorothy Cottis and has been added to the site with her permission. Mrs Cottis fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Walter's letters and diaries:

• 1) Scotland to South Africa — In Letters
• 3) Aden to Egypt

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