大象传媒

Part 1: 13 March 1943 to 31 July 1944 can be found at A6955815.

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THE DIARY (Part 2: 1 August 1944 to 1 June 1946)

AUGUST to NOVEMBER 1944 - "Doharzari and Kutapalong, India"

I returned from CRE Bawli on the 1st of August, only to have to return the following day in order to attend a Civil Court on the 3rd. I was a witness in a fraud case.

At the beginning of August I was very busy handing over stores to the Engineer Battalion in preparation to moving to a new camp at Doharzari, by the side of the River Sangu.

I was admitted to the 82 IGH (Indian General Hospital) with malaria and was there from the 11th to the 22nd August. I was then given a few days leave so I went to Calcutta with Jack. As all the leave camps were full, we stayed with a friend of Jack's, who lived 13 miles from Calcutta. We had a good break and I managed to buy some presents for my family.

When Jack and I got back to Camp we found that the Coy was returning to Kutapalong. The Coy left in Convoy on the 11th September, and on the following day I took over all the stores, compressors etc from the Engineer Battalion.

On the 23rd I went to CRE, Mech. Equipment about new rock drilling machines and then I went to 683 W/S and PK Coy, Doharzari to collect them. Arrived back at Camp 6 hours later.

In October Frank and I had a few days leave in Darjeeling. We managed to book into the 'Alice Villa'. We went on a trip to Birch Hill with some friends who were staying in the same digs. We went to Tiger Hill and saw the sunrise but it was too cloudy to see Mount Everest.

See photographs of this time at:

* A8766048 "Time off from the Burma Front" (Photograph of Alice Villa)

* A8766471 "Time off from the Burma Front" (Photograph of Phil and Frank)

* A8766589 "Time off from the Burma Front" (Pony Trek to Jalapahar Camp - photograph)

Whilst on leave I received a telegram to go to Jubblepore for a selection board. I travelled to Calcutta and caught the Bombay Mail train to Jubblepore. There were 4 days of tests and interviews. It then took me 6 days to get back to the camp at Kutapalong.

I then went down with another bout of malaria, I was quite ill for a week. The rest of November was work as usual.

DECEMBER 1944 - "Course at SME Roorkee, India"

In December I had to go to Roorkee to attend a course. I travelled on the Dehli Mail train, on the train I met a fellow who was going on the same course. On the 9th we went round Old Delhi in the morning and round New Dehli in the afternoon. The course started on the 11th and finished on the 23rd, it was a very intensive course.

Verbatim Diary entries for the Course:

Mon. 11th: Course commenced. I.C. Engines, Diesels etc.

Tues. 12th: Caterpillar, Rushton, Chrysler, National, Waukesha and Buda, diesel engines.

Weds. 13th: Overhauling Morris Commercial.

Thurs. 14th: Overhauling Waukesha engine, on Ingersoll Rand compressor.

Fri. 15th: Photos taken in morning. Steam boilers and Steam engines all day.

Sat. 16th: Steam again.

Sun. 17th: Walked round Roorkee in morning and after lunch wrote again.

Mon. 18th: Concrete mixers, Compressors, Stone Crushers, Granulators, Outboard Motors, Saws etc.

Tues. 19th: Electric Welding, Crane Driving and W/S Lorry.

Weds. 20th: Driving "Bulldozers":- D4 and D8, "Huber" road rollers:- 6 ton and 10 ton. Generating sets:- 4KW "Div Lighting". "Buda" 3ph AC, "Beach" Lighing and various sizes of charges (battery).

Thurs. 21st: Refrigeration, and Battery charging. Night scheme down by canal. We had a 10 ton "Huber" scheme and a concrete mixer to repair. Drove the "Huber" back when it was repaired, to W/Shops. Finished about 12 midnight.

Fri. 22nd: Driving, "D,4", "D,8", "Huber" rollers, "Dumpers", "Compressors" Trucks, (Le Roi and Morris). After lunch went up to Danhauri, to see demonstration of all kinds of "earh moving" equipment, (Scrapers", "Dozers", "Graders", "Dumpers","Excavators", "Trenchers", etc), then all types of bridges including "Bailey Suspension" and last of all every type of motor boat.

Sat. 23rd: In the morning, talk on stores, film show, and then closing talk. At night went to SME Cinema, and saw film "Invisible Agent".

I spent Christmas at Roorkee, on Christmas Eve we went to the Officers' Mess at night to a Quiz, and a dance and supper. On Christmas Day went to Church in the morning and then to the Mess, the officers came for a drink. Had Christmas Dinner at 2.00 pm and sat in Mess afterwards. Later we had tea and a sing-song.

On Boxing Day I left Roorkee on the train to Soharanpur and then on to the midnight train to Delhi.

Verbatim Diary entry for Wednesday, 27th DECEMBER, 1944.

"Arrived Delhi 9 am, and then had breakfast in "Wavell" Canteen. Took kit to transit camp, in Delhi Fort. Went by tonga into New Delhi, and had lunch there. Took a four wheeled "gharri" all round New Delhi, looking at the main places etc. Went up, passed the "Secretariate" (GHQ India) to the gates of the Viceroy's Palace, and whilst we stood there, Wavell came out by car at a terrific speed, the road having been cleared of people, etc, etc. He returned our salute as he went by. Then we went to the Indian War Memorial and King George V monument, then along pass the Maharajahs and Princes Palaces and back to Connaught Circle. Saw Film "Dragon Seed", and then had supper and returned to the transit camp."

JANUARY to JUNE 1945 - "Bhairab Bazaar, India"

I got back to Chittigong at 7.00 am on New Year's Day, I 'hopped' a lorry going to Maungdaw and arrived back at camp by 3.00 pm.

Between the 3rd and 5th I started packing stores for moving, on the 6th we finished quarrying and brought all the compressors backi. Continued packing for the next 3 days.

Jack Hall got word to go home on repatriation on the 16th January, it was pretty lonely after he left.

A week later the stone crushers were loaded for transporting to Doharzari, then 4 days later I left with the 'advance party' going with 4 lorries to Chittigong on our way to Bhairab Bazaar. On the 28th I started taking over the crushers and some of the stores, and on the following day took over the Decauville Railway and all electrical installations. A week later the rest of the Coy arrived. The next few months were very busy.

see photograph of the stone crusher being loaded at A8766705 "Bawli Bazaar to Bhairab Bazaar"

In March I had another bout of malaria.

In April Doc got married, and I went to Dacca to his wedding. It was very interesting as it was an Hindu (Bhramin) wedding.

On the the 14th May we had a holiday to celebrate Victory in Europe. Had yet another bout of malaria. On the 20th a "Catalina" made a force landing on the river. I went in a speedboat to see it; it had an USA aircrew. The following day the crew came up for lunch, and I went back to the plane with them.

On the 26th June I had word to leave for home on 28 days leave.

JULY to SEPTEMBER 1945 - "Home Leave: to England and Back."

After going to a party that night, I travelled by train, steamer and train to Calcutta; then by train to H.B.T.D.. I had hoped to travel back to England by plane, but there was to be no chance of a plane for sometime. We were formed into a squad for Lancashire District.

I travelled on the "SS STRATHMORE", the journey took 17 days. On the 15th day and officer died on board and was buried at sea. We dropped anchor in Liverpool Bay at midnight, awaiting high tide to sail in with - couldn't sleep!!!

Verbatim Diary entry for 26 JULY, 1945

"Spent morning in Bay, and set sail at 12 noon up the Mersey, passing New Brighton, and one or two ferry boats, including the "Royal Daffodil". Tied up at the pier at 2 pm, and disembarked at 2.20 pm, and was I happy, to set foot on English soil again. Band was playing, as we went out of the docks, on to special buses, and plenty of people by the gates as well. It felt really great, to be almost home again. Buses took us to the Transit Camp, at Prescot, where we got fixed up with pay, passes etc., and was back at the railway station at 7.30 pm, train leaving at 8.30 pm for Manchester, arriving there at 9.25 pm. Crossed to Victoria and caught 10.05 pm train to Rochdale, arriving there at 10.33 pm. Saw Reet waiting for me at the top of the steps, went and kissed her, and I was the happiest person in all the world then. Got my kit out and left Bob, and Reet helped me, with my kit home, dragging all the way. Mother and Dad and Ma Stott were at home when we arrived. Reet brought Muriel down to see me, but she had a bad ear, and was really poorly, poor little girl. Had supper, and a bath and sat and talked until late. I was happy to be with Reet and Muriel once more, after so long, and home sweet home again."

I had the greatest month of all with Reet and Muriel. Left Reet and Muriel at Rochdale Station on the 25 August; broken hearted again.

Going back we had to travel from Liverpool to Southampton Docks, we sailed back on the troopship "SS CANTON", we reached Bombay in record time: 15 days and 4 hours. When I got back I found I was going back to Bhairab Bazzar. Then when I reached Akhara I learnt that the Coy had moved to Comilla.

Mid-SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER 1945 "Comilla, India"

The Camp was near the aerodrome, here I met our new OC;it was G Newson who had been on the same course as me at Ripon in 1941.

Work as before, inspecting plant etc.

On Christmas Eve, Officers and the Cinema lads came over at night. Spent Christmas Day at the Officers' Mess, had dinner, played records and of course had a drink. On Boxing Day weent to C.R.E.'s Mess at night, and then to our Officers' Mess for a dance.

JANUARY to APRIL 1946 - "Comilla, India"

In 1946 I worked as usual maintaining equipment and vehicles. And, at last the BIG DAY came, on the 17 April, 1946 I learnt that I was to be REPATRIATED. I was to be at Deolali between the 25 and 28 April. Happy once more.

I sent a cable to Reet; then I received a further signal cancelling the previous one, I now had to be at Deolali on the 3/4 May. Started packing up etc. etc. etc.

On Muriel's 4th Birthday, 21 April, I had a farewell party, the OC and the Cinema lads being there. I left the Coy on the 24th, the OC, Bill and Venk came to see me off.

see photograph at A8767065 "Goodbye to India" (Farewell to Phil)

MAY to JUNE 1946 - "Homeward Bound"

On the 9th May I learnt that I was to travel back on the "RMS ALCANTARA". We left Bombay docks at 10.40 pm on the 17th and we were out at sea by 12.30 pm. Last sight of land at 3 pm. FAREWELL TO INDIA.
By the 1 June we were sailing close to the coast of Portugal.

see photograph of ALCANTARA" at A8852088 "Homeward Bound"
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AFTERNOTE:

My father stopped writing in his diary at this point. When my father got back to England he was given 28 days leave (Python); and then he had release leave; he was demobbed on the 12 October, 1946 after over 5 years service.

After demobilisation he went back to work for the Rochdale Electric Company Ltd; in 1947 he went to work at the Arrow Mill (Branch of Courtaulds Ltd) in Rochdale. He remained there until he took early retirement in 1980.

My father was mentioned in despatches; London Gazette No. 37730 dated 19 September 1946 "In Recognition of Gallant & Distinguished Services in Burma".

Medals received were the 1939-1945 Star; the Burma Star and the War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf.

My father never wore his medals, but as his elder daughter I wore them in his memory on Remembrance Sunday, 2005. "Thank you Daddy for being the best, I only wish I had known what I know now, whilst you were still alive."

My mother's story "Keeping the Home Fires Burning" can be found at A7045814. My Story "From Daddy with Love" can be found at A7570046.

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