大象传媒

1944

THE DIARY OF
ARTHUR FREDERICK
SMITH

ARMY NO: 14632448
DORSET REGIMENT

15 HEATHERBANK
ELTAM
LONDON SE9

SUNDAY 26TH DECEMBER 1943 - Went to church a.m, tried to get drunk p.m. Browned off.

MONDAY 27TH DECEMBER 1943 - Not much to do, I am fed up.

TUESDAY 28TH DECEMBER 1943 - Prepared to leave for Oswestry.

WEDNESDAY 29TH DECEMBER 1943 - Stayed in camp felt queer, very much browned off. Left Liverpool for Oswestry. Not a bad camp but thats all.

THURSDAY 30TH DECEMBER 1943 - Got Pass, left Oswestry 2-15 p.m. Journeyed home.

FRIDAY 31ST DECEMBER 1943 - Arrived home 12.45 a.m. WHAT A WELCOME.

SATURDAY 1ST JANUARY 1944 - Celebrated, no whiskey. Ethel does love me so very much.

SUNDAY 2ND JANUARY 1944 - Went to s. Besto. Saw Win, Edith, Harry & children.

MONDAY 3RD JANUARY 1944- Went to Hayes, saw Harrie. I think a lot of Flossie.

TUESDAY 4TH JANUARY 1944 - Plenty of beer. Smashing time. I know I have the best girl of all.

WEDNESDAY 5TH JANUARY 1944 - I am enjoying my leave, Thanks to Ethel.

THURSDAY 6TH JANUARY 1944 - More beer. More love.

FRIDAY 7TH JANUARY 1944 - More beer. More love.

SATURDAY 8TH JANUARY 1944 - Last night with my darling wife. More beer at the WELCOME. I hate leaving Ethel.

SUNDAY 9TH JANUARY 1944 - Browned off returning to Oswestry. Left Paddington 10.10 a.m. arrived 5.30. Browned off.

MONDAY 10TH JANUARY 1944 - Muster parade. Not drafted, most of deserts going to Kent. 1, 4, & 5 Battalions. Went to pictures, wrote to Ethel.

TUESDAY 11TH JANUARY 1944 - Not much doing today. Rain all day (spud bashing). Stayed in. Wrote to Ethel. Browned off.

WEDNESDAY 12TH JANUARY 1944 - Some Gloucester's drafted. Wrote to Ethel. Went on the bus. Wrote to Ethel.

THURSDAY 13TH JANUARY 1944 - Bit more cheerful, had a letter from Ethel, Fred ill, replied to Ethels letter. Stayed in. Browned off.

FRIDAY 14TH JANUARY 1944 - Nothing much doing, went on the bus. Heard we are going to Newcastle. Wrote to Ethel.

SATURDAY 15TH JANUARY 1944 - 2 letters from Ethel, Fred a bit better. Very cold stayed in. Wrote to Ethel. Browned off.

SUNDAY 16TH JANUARY 1944 - Not much doing today, stayed in. Very browned off.

MONDAY 17TH JANUARY 1944 - Prepared for leaving Oswestry. No letter from Ethel. Went to pictures. Jackson sentenced to three months in the clink.

TUESDAY 18TH JANUARY 1944 - Plenty to do today packing up etc. Left Oswestry 8.30 p.m. arrived York 5.30 a.m. Had letters from Win & Ethel.

WEDNESDAY 19TH JANUARY 1944 - Arrived York 5.30 a.m. wait on station till 10 a.m train for Newcastle. Rain. Arrived Morpeth 1.10 crash camp, what a dump, feel very fed up with it all. Food not bad. Very cold.
Wrote home.

THURSDAY 20TH JANUARY 1944 - Had gas test. Map reading, p.s.o. Lots of rumours. Interview in regards to what job I wanted in Army. Q documents. Stayed in and wrote to Ethel.

FRIDAY 21ST JANUARY 1944 - Interview with C.O. A documents digging. Stayed in wrote to Ethel, Bert, Harry Stokes & Eileen. Put in for pass to Newcastle. Browned off.

SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY 1944 - Morning nothing much to do, went to Newcastle saw Uncle Len, Auntie Kerrie and Tony. Arrived back at camp about 10.15.

SUNDAY 23RD JANUARY 1944 - Church parade. Was warned would be going on embarkation leave 14 days, wrote home. Stayed in .

MONDAY 24TH JANUARY 1944 - Done nothing this morning, told we are going on 14 days leave on Tuesday. Dont mind the idea of going myself , wonder how Ethel will take it. Had 771 rather worried.

TUESDAY 25TH JANUARY 1944 - Told we may be going to our own battalions. I think it is Sicily (dental company talk) by sea. Left station 6.35, arrived Kings Cross 3.15 Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY 26TH JANUARY 1944 - Arrived Kings Cross 3.15a.m. Arrived home 7 a.m. Have not told Ethel yet dreading this. Went to bed for 1hr very tired. Went to doctors with Ethel. Had a drink with Arthur. Have not told Ethel yet (1911). Ethels birthday xxxxxxx

THURSDAY 27TH JANUARY 1944 - Went to Woolwich with Ethel. Went to pictures Ethel, Betty, Rene and I. Had a drink at Eltham. What a night Ethel loves me like mad.

FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY 1944 - Went down depot. Saw Fred, phoned George Baker. Went to social, Vera got tight, Ethel also. (poor kid).

SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY 1944 - Took Ethel, Rene & Betty to Granada. Had a drink at Welcome.

SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY 1944 - Went down to the Welcome, saw Bill Hanrahan. Went to Plumsted.

MONDAY 31ST JANUARY 1944 - Went to pictures. Welcome inn evening. Ethel loves me so very much.

TUESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 1944 - A day at home O.K. Most of day loving Ethel.

WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 1944 - Another day at home. O.K. Still lots of love.

THURSDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 1944 - Went to Sydenham, called at Catford. Saw Bill & Cora, fitted valve in Radio. Harry came over.

FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Went down depot, had a drink with Sailor Payne. Stayed in evening.

SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Went down to Welcome, quite enjoyed ourselves. Went to bed about 2a.m. Rash has come on my back, the old trouble.

SUNDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Flossie came to dinner, we all went to Plumsted. Early night. My back still irritated.

MONDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Ethel, Betty & I went to pictures. Spent quiet evening at home, had a drink. My back about the same.

TUESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Spent this morning getting my things together, dont like the idea of going back, very hard to leave my Ethel. She takes it bravely. Caught 11.15 from Kings Cross.

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Arrived Newcastle 2a.m. arrived camp 9a.m

THURSDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Kit inspection, handed some kit back. Heard we may go to Canada. Wrote again to Ethel. I wish we were from here and get to over with. Letters from Win. Saw ENSA show.

FRIDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Kit inspection, Pay parade, Two taken off draft. Wrote to Ethel, Bless her I miss her. Letters Shaddock. Stayed in. Some have K D but not me.

SATURDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Kit inspection by Brigideer. went and saw Uncle Len. Had a letter from Ethel and Stokes. Had to walk home to camp, got lost.

SUNDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 1944 - My back is not so good, thinking of going sick with it. Wrote to Ethel and Stokes.

MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Went on the Grenade range today, had the afternoon off. Went to Bedlington. Had a letter from Ethel. Wrote to Win and Ethel. Stayed in.

TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Firing on the range. Had a letter from Ethel. Wrote to Ethel, I miss her. Stayed in.

WEDNESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Not much doing today. No letters from Ethel. Wrote letter to her and one to Abbeywood about my arrears in pay. Went to the show and sing song. Browned off, think we are going to Italy.

THURSDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Had a letter from Ethel, the last for a week or so I expect. Wrote her. Left Crash camp 11.15 from Newcastle.

FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Arrived Liverpool a.m. went aboard The Ormonde 10.20, dont know when we leave, our gang still together. Cast off 5.45 now anchored in Mersey. Very cramp, for sleeping. I sleep on the table

SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Rev 6.30a.m, Breakfast 7.30a.m, Dinner 12p.m., Tea 6p.m, Lights out 8p.m. Wrote to Ethel today. Met a girl .

SUNDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Still aboard, not much to do, went sick with my back. Met a fellow from Deptford.

MONDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 1944 - Met a fellow from Sydenham, same as Sunday. No improvement in my back. The M.O is a pig.

TUESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 1944 - Met a fellow from Sydenham, same as Monday. One of two are sick. Wonder when it is better. Back still about the same.

WEDNESDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 1944 - Same as Tuesday, Still aboard. have not yet been sick!

THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Not much to write about, usual routine went to the pictures, still thinking of Ethel.

FRIDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Things about the same, weather getting warmer. Have no idea where we are going now.

SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Same as yesterday getting bored now as their is not much to see except plenty of water. Very misty.

SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Nothing to do today except to see Gib tomorrow. Raining a bit. Still dont know where we are bound. Jack thinks it is Algiers.

MONDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 1944 - Not much to do, my back has not improved. Still in the Atlantic.

TUESDAY 29TH FEBRUARY 1944 - We are now through the Straits of Gib. Expect to disembark tomorrow. The M.O. says I have psoriasis says I may be sent home.

WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH 1944 - Landed at Algiers 11.30 left Algiers 7.15p.m. arrived Blida 8.15 under canvas. Bloody awful, raining. Kept thinking of my darling.

THURSDAY 2ND MARCH 1944 - Got wet through last night, moved to another tent, got my Francs 1000. Plenty of wogs here, bloody awful camp. Mud and water.

FRIDAY 3RD MARCH 1944 - This is a fun place, quaint people! Arabs and French (Rain). Went into Blida had quite a few drinks. Carried home a few drunks. Arabs treacherous.

SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 1944 - I am a mess today. Stayed in as it was raining. Wrote to Ethel. Air mail. I miss her very much. Am worried about the raids.

SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 1944 - Wrote airgraph to Ethel & airmail to Win. Not much to do. My first Sunday in Algiers. I wonder how long we will be here. Not long I hope.

MONDAY 6TH MARCH 1944 - Plenty of oranges here. Weather has improved. My back is getting better. Had a bath in a petrol tin. Wish Ethel could see me.

TUESDAY 7TH MARCH 1944 - 771 today beleive we are moving off tomorrow, think we are going near Algiers. My back is about the same. On guard tonight. Jonis got bashed up, we guard him.

WEDNESDAY 8TH MARCH 1944 - Left Blida ( Algeria) arrived la Perouse. This is a bit better than Blida. Wonder what we will do here. I am thinking of going A1. 771. Wrote to Ethel. Had a raid (hell).

THURSDAY 9TH MARCH 1944 - I will have to go sick with my back. Nothing much to do. Don't know what they are going to do with us, getting browned off here. Food not bad.

FRIDAY 10TH MARCH 1944 - Went sick. Have put me on a charge for being absent on sick parade, but I think I was there, wonder what I'll get. Didn't draw pay. Have not heard anymore of charge.

SATURDAY 11TH MARCH 1944 - Went to Algiers today Hitch Hiked it, returned about 5p.m had another bad night, pains in my stomach. I have laryngitis.

SUNDAY 12TH MARCH 1944 - Church parade. Stayed in, wrote to Ethel, Mum & Dad and Bert, wonder how long I will be here, not long I hope. Put in for days pass.

MONDAY 13TH MARCH 1944 - Day off today, wrote to Flossie and Arthur, wish I had a letter from Ethel. Did not go out of camp. Dont know when we leave.

TUESDAY 14TH MARCH 1944 - Have not heard anymore about charge. On guard tonight(24hrs) Wish I had a letter from Ethel. Getting browned off. Thinking a lot about my darling.

WEDNESDAY 15TH MARCH 1944 - Still on guard, my back s driving me crazy. I do miss my Ethel so very much. DCLI's draft going away tomorrow.

THURSDAY 16TH MARCH 1944 - Day off today nothing much to do. No mail yet. D.C.L.I have gone. No mail from home yet, met a fellow from Plumsted, name of Dougtry.(Herberts timers, croft lane).

FRIDAY 17TH MARCH 1944 - Told we are going away tomorrow. I am now in the SLI's.

SATURDAY 18TH MARCH 1944 - Left La Perouse by lorry and train to Phillipville, cattle trucks 9a.m. Heard we are going to Sicily.

SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 1944 - Still on train, living like animals arrived Phillipville 7.15p.m arrived transit camp 9.p.m. Slept well.

MONDAY 20TH MARCH 1944 - Nothing much doing today. Believe we are going to Italy. Bathed in the Mediterranean today. Plenty of sand here.

TUESDAY 21ST MARCH 1944 - Same as yesterday nothing to do NAAFI issue of cigs. Wish I had some mail getting browned off. Bathed in Med. I would do anything for a letter from Ethel.

WEDNESDAY 22ND MARCH 1944 - Same as yesterday, thinking very much about Ethel and Betty. Washing day today. Ken a Yank gave me some underwear, very handy. My back is about the same.

THURSDAY 23RD MARCH 1944 - I was ill last night (stomach), changed our money for BMA, told we move off tonight, this is our last night here, have not had any mail yet.

FRIDAY 24TH MARCH 1944 - All packed up for the boat. Now aboard Billi D Aran bound for Italy, food not bad. Going to concert tonight. Telford and I still together.

SATURDAY 25TH MARCH 1944 - Up early this morning, weather good, thinking of my darlings. Storm tonight, expect to arrive Italy in morning.

SUNDAY 26TH MARCH 1944 - Sea still rough, we sight Italy see Vesuvius in eruption, this is a fine sight of Naples. Docked here for tonight.
MONDAY 27TH MARCH 1944 - We are off for Sicily. sea calm, saw Isle of Capri, saw Stromboli (italy). Straight of missing a grand view. Stayed aboard disembarking tomorrow.

TUESDAY 28TH MARCH 1944 - Disembarking this morning saw Etna, by train to Catania, stay in Dorsch for the night. Nice town had a look around. We are going to Palismo in morning.

WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH 1944 - Packed ready for Palismo, went by diesel train to Palismo arrived approx 7.p.m. Browned off very interesting country. Oranges 80 per 11-.

THURSDAY 30TH MARCH 1944 - Interview with C.O. not very much impressed with SLI's. Went out saw the town. Wrote airgraph to Bert, wrote airmail to Ethel. Had letter from Ethel from Newcastle.

FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 1944 - Exchanges today, told we are going to move. I am now posted K G Coy, and browned off with this shower. Went to pictures.

SATURDAY 1ST APRIL 1944 - Not much doing today, going into Palisimo today, bought Ethel a ring and Betty a bracelet, wrote to Ethel, Win & Bert. No mail yet.

SUNDAY 2ND APRIL 1944 - Went church parade. Wrote to Ethel, Win. Went to pictures, did not do much today, also wrote to Eileen.

MONDAY 3RD ARPIL 1944 - My first day on parade, didn't do too bad.

TUESDAY 4TH APRIL 1944 - Wrote to Ethel, went on 12hr guard, not too bad. Very happy received a letter from Ethel. Written on 22nd March, very pleased to hear she is O.K. (poor kid).

WEDNESDAY 5TH APRIL 1944 - Training today not much to do really. Wrote a letter and tore it up. Mondella is the name of this place. Browned off.

THURSDAY 6TH APRIL 1944 - Went to Palismo bought a watch, came back went to camp concert, got to bed about 1.a.m, wrote to Ethel.

FRIDAY 7TH APRIL 1944 - Church parade this morning, wrote to Ethel. Stayed in today. No mail from home yet. This is no way to spend Good Friday.

SATURDAY 8TH APRIL 1944 - Received letter from Bert, wrote to Ethel. Told we are moving on Monday, beleive we are going to Italy.

SUNDAY 9TH APRIL 1944 - Very busy packing for the move. I am on guard tonight. Spent Easter Sunday guarding railway tracks. Very much browned off. Thinking of Ethel.

MONDAY 10TH APRIL 1944 - Still on guard this is rather boring. Plenty of oranges here. Slept in trucks. Lousy journey this is going to be.

TUESDAY 11TH APRIL 1944 - Left Palismo. Really browned off arrived at Mussina by lorry. Went out got really drunk. got lost arrived at camp at 1a.m.

WEDNESDAY 12TH APRIL 1944- Left Mussina, lorry to Reggio, Italy on trucks bound for Taranto.

THURSDAY 13TH APRIL 1944 - Still in the trucks, at last we arrive at Taranto 186 transit camp, it is now dusk. Feel browned off.

FRIDAY 14TH APRIL 1944 - Not much doing today. Food not too good. Went into Taranto, not much for us here. Not a bad town though.

SATURDAY 15TH APRIL 1944 - On fatigues today. What a day. We are joking.

SUNDAY 16TH APRIL 1944 - Church parade, done some washing, wrote to my Ethel, wished Betty a happy birthday.

MONDAY 17TH APRIL 1944 - Dog and stick walk. I'm pleased because I had a letter from my Ethel today, don't somehow like the idea of the Yank? not that I doubt my Ethel. Letters from Win.

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