大象传媒

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The story is almost exactly as I wrote it in 1943. For clarity and gramatical reasons I have made one or two minor additions or alterations

Part 2. On board.
Thursday 14th October 1943
At the final parade at Blackpool we were, as instructed, on parade at 10am, but as usual the NCOs were late. Eventually we were marched to the 鈥楤lack Hanger鈥�, arriving at about 11am. Here we were issued with rations and Shipping Index Cards (mine P.1321), then herded into a lorry which took us to the Railway Station. It was roughly 1 o鈥檆lock when the train drew out of the station and arrived at Liverpool at about 5pm. We were lined up on the dock side and called out in order as shown on our Shipping Index Cards. These were then taken from us and we were given an envelope in which three letters could be placed and sent off before sailing. Then we given a slip of paper giving our deck No. (B4) Mess No. (106) and place at our table (10). My feet then left the soil of England for what I presumed would be a very long time.
We entered the side of the ship and I was surprised to find how large and modern and not at all what I expected the interior of a ship to be. I didn鈥檛 expect wide staircases and corridors panelled in Walnut. Within minutes we had entered our Mess deck. Initially I had no idea it was a mess deck; I couldn鈥檛 see anything, for fellows were all around me. It was packed with RAF. Eventually we got sorted and I could now see that our section was like a long room with 21 tables, each seating 18 men on the LH (Port) side. 378 men in our section. Overhead racks were supplied for storing our Kitbags etc but I鈥檓 afraid accommodation was a bit cramped and so most of our stuff was put under tables, benches or jammed between pipes and beams or anything else that seemed a convenient place to park our equipment. An hour or so later tea of Spam and white bread and butter was provided.
Directly after tea, a rush was made for hammocks. (A hammock was by far the best to sleep in because suspended from above it remained still during the roll of the ship [in the one direction]) I was fortunate in getting one but those less lucky had to make do with mattresses and sleep on the floor or a table. I found no difficulty in slinging a hammock and once settled in it dropped off to sleep quicker that I imagined I would.

Friday 15th October 1943
Being the beginning of our first day on board, things did not, as one would expect, run smoothly. Reveille was at 06.00 hrs. The situation was somewhat chaotic. Some fellows didn鈥檛 rise immediately; those of us with hammocks had problems in rolling them up on the floor between sleeping bodies and finally stepping over and between them to the washing and toilet facilities, such as they were.
The normal times for meals were 08.00 hrs breakfast, 13.00 hrs dinner, 18.00 hrs tea. However this morning breakfast was late, 09.00 hrs and everyone had to rush to make everything on the mess deck spick and span before 10.00hrs for an inspection. Believe me it had to be spick and span. Every strap on our packs and tail of greatcoats had to be moved out of sight so that on entering one could only see a level surface. Just before 10.30 hrs we were all in our places at our tables awaiting the inspection by high ranking RAF, Naval and Army Officers (As I write this, the ship is rocking in a very uncomfortable manner) The 鈥渋nspection鈥� lasted two minutes and we were thanked, through our officer in charge, for the splendid effort we had made. Apparently the RAF effort was the best of the lot!
After, I went up on deck. Cranes were on the go, loading stuff into the ship. At that time bags of rumours were floating around: 鈥楪eraldo on board?鈥� 鈥楾wo ENSA shows on board?鈥� 鈥榃e鈥檙e going to India via Gib?鈥� 鈥榃e鈥檙e going to Glasgow, picking up a convoy, then round Ireland to Gib?鈥� 鈥楾he ships name 鈥淒ominion Monarch 27,000 tons?鈥� 鈥楴ot going in convoy?鈥� 鈥楪oing in convoy?鈥� 鈥楴ew crew aboard?鈥� and many others. At the time of writing, there was a rumour that the ship was due to sail and sure enough at 17mins to 12 (11.43hrs) the ship moved out of the docks. It anchored in the mouth of the Mersey an hour or so later.
In the afternoon there was some Lifeboat drill and at 14.30hrs we were paraded at our muster stations; ours being No. 10. Here was another inspection by Army, Navy and RAF officers. In the evening I visited the recreation room where three films were showing. The place was packed out and very stuffy. The films were 鈥淲ater Bugs鈥�, 鈥淐ommunity Singing鈥� and Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby in 鈥淗oliday Inn鈥� I spent a pleasant evening but comfort was out of the question. After I had a quiet smoke, I returned to the mess deck to my hammock which luckily was still where I had left it, although according to a fellow in the hammock next to mine, many attempts were made to extract it from the hooks and use it for their own benefit. It was not long before I was in it and fast asleep.

Saturday 16th October 1943

I enquired at the orderly if it were possible to see Mr. Reid, the Staff Chief engineer, a relative of mine. I was told to enquire in two days.

About half way through the morning, the ship sailed. After breakfast 18 of us were detailed for a job. The job being to fetch the Sgts and Flt/Sgts meals, dish it out and wash up after. We were detailed to report to our mess Sgt. At 11oclock (11.00hrs). However, as it happened, there was an inspection of all mess decks which continued until about 11.30, which consequently delayed us reporting. When we did, we were sent up to A1 deck where the Sgts and Flt/Sgts abided. My mate (a scotchman) and myself grabbed the cans and made our way down to the galley. I deem it unnecessary to give a detailed description of the galley; just imagine a huge place with huge boilers, ovens, tables, sinks etc and men running around in sweaters and trousers. The heat was terrific too. Anyway we joined our proper place in the queue, secured the food and made our way back to A1 deck. The meal consisted of half a mug full of soup (More like paper hanger鈥檚 glue) one unpeeled partly uncooked potato, three tiny bits of carrot and a small particle of meat. The whole could easily go on a small saucer. That was typical of every dinner meal (for all non commissioned ranks) Sweet was much better; Pears and Custard. Having served the lazy sergeants etc we washed, dried and cleaned up generally, then returned to our tables. In the afternoon I played cards with my mates. The ship is beginning to rock and roll now. We think we are near Scotland.
During this detail were urgently called to emergency stations but were relieved to know it was only a drill!

Sunday 17th October 1943
Today a day of woe! The boat took it into its head (If a boat has a head) to rock, consequently the lower decks were empty and the upper decks crowded 鈥� queuing for a turn at the rail. During the morning a destroyer drew alongside and messages were exchanged via loudspeakers and small tubes containing the message tied to a rope was passed to the ship. In a way I did not observe, the end of the rope was slung across to our boat and the rope hauled in with the small canister on it. The commander of the destroyer was speaking to our boat but the wind took away most of what he was saying. At the end, before the destroyer drew away the captain (of the destroyer) said through his mike 鈥溾�︹�nd good luck to all passengers and a safe journey鈥�
Before Dinner I was feeling a little groggy and spent a lot of time on deck, getting down fresh sea air. On serving the Sgts. Dinner (Rabbit, potato, soup, fruit and custard, I thought it looked good and that, if I could get it all down me (An accomplishment I can assure you) it would more or less cure my illness. (Illness meaning that uncomfortable sickly feeling one has on board a rolling ship) I did
stuff all that meal down me with considerable difficulty, resulting in a turn for the worse, not as I had hoped for the better. However I was not sea sick and a game of 鈥楶ontoon鈥� and 鈥楰nockout Whist鈥� took away my thoughts and so I lasted the Sunday.

Monday 18th October 1943

Made further enquires about Mr. Reid. Told to try next morning.

Tuesday 19th October 1943

Today I was directed to Mr Reid鈥檚 cabin. Had trouble getting past a sentry but finally entered his cabin.

He was just as I had imagined him to be; big, jovial and always smiling. My father鈥檚 description suited him well. At that moment however, he was extremely busy and after asking about home he invited me to come back in a couple of days time at 11oclock and have a chat.

Thursday 20th October 1943
Prompt at 11.00 I was down in his cabin after having the usual trouble with the sentry. I had two cups of tea and 7 biscuits. The biscuits were grand 鈥� Australian and lovely sweet tea! We chatted for 陆 hour about home and other interesting things; then I had to go and feed my sergeants!
Every morning, up to now, I go down at 11 and have my cup of tea and biscuits. This morning he gave me some sweets, a cake of soap which was used by this liner in peace time and replaced a mug which I had lost. He also asked me to come down at 1.45pm into his office to do any writing I wanted to and here I am.
Now for some odd bits of news. There was a cruiser on or port side (ahead now) and has been for the last few days. Apparently new, is busting for a scrap!
Had a bath yesterday evening (Wednesday) in salt water and used the wrong soap. I got in a heck of a mess, finding it very difficult to dry myself, especially with a wet towel! The night before (Tuesday) I went to a concert. They were all amateurs; RAF, Navy, Army and some WRNS. Some sang, some told jokes, others played instruments and were judged by many high ranking officers and civies including Geraldo. Johnny Lockwood, Geraldo鈥檚 comedian was compere. He was awfully funny. First prize was to an AC2 for a song, 2nd. to some WRNS for singing Negro Spirituals and 3rd. to an Army Officer for a song. On Wednesday night, I think it was, a Concert was broadcast over the speakers to the decks and was given by Geraldo and his Band. Some fellows, who were fortunate enough to draw tickets, went to the show. The night before, (Tuesday) a dance was held. All these shows etc are held in the recreation room.

Here is a typical day in brief;
6.0 am. Get up. Wash etc. Roll Hammock.
6.45 up to A1. Collect tins and down to galley to collect Sgts. Grub.
7.10 back to A1. Dish out grub.
7.20 wash, dry and clean up.
7.30 go for a blow on deck.
7.50 return to B4.
8.0 Breakfast.
8.30 finish breakfast and go on deck.
11.0 Uncle Bob鈥檚 cabin.
11.40 Return to Sgts mess (A1) Collect utensils and to galley.
12.10 return to A1 and serve food.
12.30 Wash plates etc.
12.45 to B4.
1.0pm. Dinner.
1.40 Finish. Blow on deck.
2.30 To B4. Play cards.
4.40 A1. Utensils.
4.45 Collect grub.
5.10 Back to A1, dish it out.
5.20. Wash and dry etc.
5.30. Blow on deck.
5.50 return to B4.
6.0. Tea.
6.30 finish Tea and to Canteen for Lemonade.
7.0. Get Lemonade.
7.20. A1 for utensils.
7.30. Collect Supper.
7.40. To A1 and B4 (No washing or dishing out) [Collecting Sgts supper once every other night]
7.50. Cards until 9.30.
9.30 Turn in.
10.0pm Bed and lights out.

Saturday 23rd October 1943 (Morning)
About 10 we sighted land for the first time in 8 days. On one side, French Morocco or islands on the outside; on the other (Port Side) Coast of Spain (or Portugal 鈥� I don鈥檛 know which.) At Dinner time we sighted and about 2.0 passed through the Straits of Gibralter. We could see land clearly on both sides of the ship. On the Port side, the coast of Spain and Starboard the coast of Africa or at least islands of the coast of Africa. Both were very clear. We passed through the Straits and went sailing merrily on, keeping to the African coast.

Today is Wednesday 27th October 1943
I am again in my Uncle鈥檚 office. Since my last writing, I have been every afternoon to his Cabin. (2 Days!) Lots of interesting things have cropped up in the last few days, so I will mention them at random.
As one would expect, the sea is much calmer and there is no roll of the boat. Rumours as to where we are, are issued daily. According to rumours (which I think are not far wrong) we passed Algiers, either Monday or Tuesday, Pantelleria, yesterday (I saw the Island) [Tuesday] and today we passed Sicily.
Of course, rumours as to our destination are common and the majority seem to think India. Although, there is a difference of opinion as to whether we shall travel all the way and some can鈥檛 make up their mind. The outcome may mean a loss or gain of 6d. as I have a 6d. bet that we don鈥檛 disembark at Alex., leaving this ship altogether.
The Cruiser has vanished and so have some of the other ships but we have picked some more up.
Just lately we have started to sleep in our clothes; also only one in four portholes is open. Of late, depth charges have been heard. Barrage balloons are flown by this and a few other ships.
(Here follows labelled diagrams showing an example of the type of food we had during the voyage viz.)
Breakfast. Sugarless Porridge. Rasher of Bacon and piece of Liver. Chunk of bread 3inches X 3inches X 2 inches. 戮 inch Cube of butter. Mug of sugared tea.
Dinner 陆 Mug soup. Meat, one potato, 3 small pieces of carrot or turnip. Dish of (unnamed) dessert.
Tea. Cheese and potato pie. Similar size portion of bread and butter as for breakfast with jam. An orange or apple.

It has been a long time since I wrote the last piece and things have begun to grow more interesting. Thursday (28th.) we gave in our money for Egyptian currency which we did not draw on the boat. I think, Friday, I changed into shorts and an announcement was made over the speakers by the O/C troops. Colonel Lyle Grant, that we would arrive in Port Said at 07.00 hrs, Sunday morning, (31st.) meaning that I had won my bet 鈥� but he wouldn鈥檛 pay up 鈥� he was a Scotchman.
In accordance with instructions, I got my kit together on the Saturday night and wished my uncle goodbye, thanking him for all his efforts to help me etc. He did do a lot for me to brighten things up for me and I still feel as though thanks were not enough and must try and repay him later on. He gave me a beautiful pack of playing cards with (a picture of) the Dominion Monarch on the back of each card.

Sunday 31st October 1943
On Sunday morning I found time to pay a last visit to my uncle. He welcomed me and ordered his Steward to bring me a cup of coffee and some bacon and eggs.
It startled me to hear the word 鈥渆ggs鈥� and startled me even more to see one -
but to eat one on board that boat was a miracle. I was with him when we arrived at Port Said. This was my first close glimpse of a foreign land I have seen.
Port Said stands on either side of the Suez (Canal). It looked a very bright place (meaning light colours). Natives on their small boats would sail by grinning and waving. Big advertisements stood out advertising 鈥淛ohnnie Walker Whisky鈥�, 鈥淧ears Soap鈥� etc.
It was very hot and wearing our blue serge uniform didn鈥檛 help. However we disembarked at about 15.00hrs and set foot on the soil of Egypt

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