大象传媒

Annette Le Page was a nurse who had trained in London. She came from Guernsey, which had been occupied by the Germans, so she was out of contact with her home and family. The following is a an extract from the diary which is in the form of the letters which she could not send to her family.

Nov 14th 1940
We embarked at 11 am 鈥� and were all given state cabins which was quite a luxury 鈥� as we have not had a room to ourselves for some time.
After a few days in the docks, which were not as busy as one might suppose 鈥� we sailed down the river to await the rest of the Convoy.

Nov 21st
On Monday Morning we were awakened at 7am by the steward with our morning cup of tea to find that we had sailed 7 hours previously.
We have now been four days at sea 鈥� practically everyone comes down to meals 鈥� except for a few of the worst sailors 鈥� and so begins a life of routine 鈥� altered only by the weather 鈥�
We breakfast at 8am 鈥� make our beds etc 鈥� walk round the decks to keep warm or find some sheltered spot where we sit wrapped in rugs & cloaks until either we are blown by the wind or it is time for luncheon 鈥� 12.30 p.m.
The afternoons are spent in exactly the same way 鈥� except this afternoon. I lay on my bed and slept for 1陆 hrs.
Tea at 4pm.
Another walk around the decks until news time 鈥� B.B.C. and then time for our bath before dinner 鈥� 7pm.
After a very good dinner we take another stroll around the decks 鈥� as unfortunately the smell and stuffiness of the lounge does not yet appeal to us.
Bed 鈥� sleep - & another day will start again 鈥�
My bath is ready 鈥� God bless you Both 鈥� One comfort 鈥� the stars are looking down over you as they are over the ship 鈥� the same stars

After dinner
One last stroll before bed 鈥� the stars are bright 鈥� no moon 鈥� the foam is beautiful with its 鈥榮tars鈥� shining brightly in contrast with the inky black darkness of the Sea around.
Good Night

After one week at sea
We are all looking ever so well, the weather is warmer and the sun is gorgeous.
Everyone has discarded coats and now appear in skirts and blouses 鈥� the Officers and men look quite tropical in their khaki shorts, deck games are greatly enjoyed during the afternoon and before dinner, apart from that life is just the same.
We have written our first letters home, which will be sent from the next port of call 鈥� altho鈥� we are not allowed to land we are quite excited at the thought of seeing land again.
The sunsets are beautiful but the nights are not very bright.

Nov. 29th FREETOWN We have seen land 鈥� the first since we left . We were quite excited as we got nearer and could see the palms outlined against the sky. The town itself nestles at the foot of some hills 鈥� Not a very interesting town but we were not allowed to go ashore, however we were entertained by the natives who brought oranges, bananas, coconuts, and monkeys to barter or sell, alongside the ship, they are not very successful as we are forbidden to buy. Other natives are diving for pennies.
Two or three days ago I was speaking to an Australian who said that he knew a Guillemette, who had gone to Australia 2 or 3 years ago & was now in the same unit and that he had a letter from Guernsey from parents, which had come via Geneva. My spirits soared & now I too have hopes that one day I too will receive a letter from you.
We are now at anchor in the bay and are very lucky that there is a breeze blowing continuously, otherwise it would be insufferably hot.
We have just had dinner and now I鈥檓 going up a deck to see the lights of the town and of the ships other than troopships, as there is no 鈥渂lackout鈥�
Goodnight to you both. I hope that you are both warm and comfortable. Good night.

Dec 1st
Another Sunday almost over 鈥� we left at 4.30pm 鈥� There is a lovely breeze therefore we are all much cooler.
We have had a very lazy day 鈥� Hammond came with me to the nonconformist service in the Sergant鈥檚 mess 鈥� afterwards we attended the Church Parade Service & this afternoon I slept from 1.30pm till 3pm.
I hope it will be cooler tonight as it was too hot to sleep last night even with the electric fan.

December 3rd
We crossed the line at 13.50hrs. 鈥� It has been a glorious day 鈥� beautifully cool.

December 12th
Once again we are quite excited that we are due to go into dock, we docked at 5.30pm & it was simply lovely to see the lights of the town 鈥� it was almost like fairyland, at least it was to us.
The approach was very ordinary but the town itself is well laid out, with many plots of grass with palm and other tropical trees and beds of flowers 鈥� glorious shades of cannas seem to predominate.

Dec 13th DURBAN
We visited the town, and did quite a lot of shopping also paid a much needed visit to the hairdressers 鈥� the town appears to be very wealthy 鈥� huge American cars in contrast to the rickshaws drawn by the natives.
I thought of the Aunts who had probably visited the town.

Saturday
We shopped again in the morning & in the afternoon went for a drive to see the local sights & the surrounding
Country.
I now realise how I must have missed the babes 鈥� I wanted to nurse those adorable picaninnies 鈥� they really are beautiful.
I think the most beautiful sight were the flamboyant trees huge spreading trees, with leaves somewhat similar to the ash, but with large clusters of brightly coloured flowers, between an orange and scarlet in colour 鈥� simply wonderful.
We went through the natural bush, & saw the monkeys, some with their babies.

December 15th
We were allowed shore leave in the morning, so we went to Church 鈥� I went to the Methodist service whilst the others went to the C of E & met them afterwards.
It was a carol Service by the Boys & Girls 鈥� The singing was of a very high standard 鈥� I thoroughly enjoyed the service altho鈥� whilst the voluntary was being played I felt dreadfully homesick for you all & nearly los a grip on myself.
I was glad to go & heard the message of Christmas once more, everything seems so much more hopeful now.
We left early next morning, another stage in our journey over, & now we are wondering again what lies ahead for us all.

Dec 27th
Dearest Mummie and Father.
I am so very thankful that Xmas is over. For each one of us. I know that it was not easy for you & it wasn鈥檛 easy for us. But is was good to hear the the Xmas message 鈥淧eace on Earth鈥�.
I could not write this before because I know that I was not brave enough 鈥� I thought of you and all and wondered how you were faring and it was difficult to pretend to be happy with your heart as heavy as lead.
I know that God has you in His care otherwise I could not bear it.
I will tell you all about Xmas 鈥� I cannot write it.
I was introduced to a Guernseyman 鈥� a De Carteret from St. Sampsons 鈥� I think he knows Hildred 鈥� but I must ask him if he knows Basil. A Jersey boy came up to speak to me also 鈥� his people are in Jersey.
I wish that I had known they were on board before Xmas 鈥� at least we would have had something in common.

P.S. Yes he knows Basil very well as a member of the Swimming Club, I asked him for his address but I did not see him again as we disembarked on Monday Dec 30th at El Qantara.

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