Monday 1st June 1942

We have all had a very busy day, repairing and servicing the vehicles. Most of them must have been up on deck and fortunately they had taken the canvas sheets off to save them being damaged. But it is a long job finding which sheet belongs to which truck. The drivers have each been given the number of the vehicle they are going to drive and be responsible for. Bill Lloyd, Russell Youngman and I, were allocated the three Ford, four wheeled drive trucks, they are all identical, so when Bill found the sheet for his, Russell and I found the other two identical sheets, one each, Bill said you crafty pair. We carried out most of the visual checks today, like oil, water, tyres, tyre pressure, (all low) wheel-nuts, (I found two loose) tools, (all there) nuts and bolts, (I found one of the spring clips very loose and no lock washer on). Engine and brakes we are leaving until tomorrow when we can take the vehicle out on the road to test drive. The mechanics have been very busy all day repairing damaged vehicles, most of them belonging to the artillery. When we finished work in the evening, some of us went to a local picture house, which the dock Sergeant had told us about.

Tuesday 2nd June 1942

Our first job this morning was to finish servicing the vehicles, then we put some petrol in and took the vehicles out to road test them. I was a bit apprehensive at first, not having driven the type of truck I had been allocated, and thinking of the distance we have to drive. Climbing up into the driving cab, it is rather high off the ground. A Leyland I drove in England was high, butt his seemed higher, There is no bonnet, (it is flat-nosed), with the engine in the cab, there is great big flat steering wheel, which I found very easy for manoeuvring. The gear leaver is to the left, high up, almost behind the driving seat, at first I thought it was in an awkward position. Driving out of the shed, I tested the brakes, and found them very good. Then I went out through the dock gates on to the open road, the vehicle proved exceedingly good and very easy to drive, the position of the gear lever was no problem. The view from the driving position was excellent. I found this big heavy truck, easier to drive than a private car, after only a short distance I felt as if I had always been driving it and I will have no trouble driving to Calcutta. In the army recovery section I was with in England, I drove in snow and icy conditions and the vehicle did not have a windscreen, just a piece of canvas that came up to your chin and no doors, just another sheet of canvas. In this heat we have truck’s with a windscreen and an engine in the cab! There does not seem to be a lot of thought gone into the type of  vehicles to be used in this climate. Where were the people that should have brains?

Wednesday 3rd June 1942

This morning we started loading the vehicles with the workshop equipment, there is a lot more than I thought, including a mobile, canvas and metal workshop that takes up a great deal of space. Finally the large movable items had to be secured with ropes. The tanks had to be filled and spare petrol containers have to be carried, vehicle logs have to be made out. The petrol tank on my vehicle took 34 gallons, the start mileage reading was 445. Each vehicle must carry spare containers of water. We are now ready for the long journey to Calcutta.

Thursday 4th June 1942

Shortly after breakfast our convoy, which is fairly large, there is not only our vehicles, some of the Artillery Battery's are with us. We left Alexandra Docks, negotiating through the early morning traffic in Bombay, we were soon on the outskirts. Passing through numerous small villages, the further we went the road surface deteriorated quite noticeable. We stopped once during the day for a drink to quench our parched throat and to eat our bully- beef sandwich. Everyone was covered in white dust, from the road. It is very hot and we have to open the windscreen wide and the side windows. The vehicle in front throws up dust all the time, it gets every ware, on your face in your hair etc, we are like dustmen, said Bill Lloyd. This evening we reached a place called Nasik, after a journey of 117 miles. We are staying here for the night, making our beds in the back of the trucks. Our C.S.M, told us there are no Europeans in Nasik, there are three Picture Houses, but they are all Indian and no use to us. Bill, Russell, Titch, Harry, and I had a walk round, it is quite a colourful place, but the inhabitants don't seem very friendly. George Jordan and John Knott had been a walk and they said the same. The Sgt/Major said he had heard that some of the Indians were getting up a campaign against us, saying British out!! Swaraj, meaning self government.

Friday 5th June 1942

This morning before starting off we had to check the oil, water and fill up with petrol, I put fourteen gallons in. There was a number of other jobs to be done, we did not get on the road until 08.00 hrs. We were all clean and tidy starting out, after a few miles we were covered in dust again and as the day wore on it rapidly got hotter and hotter. Our dress was shorts and shirt, I had to be careful, if my bare leg touched the engine cover at one side I got burnt, similarly if the other leg touched the metal door at the other side that got burnt, certainly made me sit straight up. After what seemed a long hot tiring journey we stopped on the outskirts of a town called Dhule in Maharashtra, western India. The mileage today was 98, not a lot really. Back in England on our roads, we would have done that distance in a quarter of the time. Some of the lads were not feeling to good after the trip, saying the heat was getting them down, Wheeler did not look well at all. When we arrived, hundreds of children came to meet us. After our meal some of us decided to have a walk into the village, the children came to show us round. There is only one British Office, stationed in this place. He informed us that there is no drinking water here, however we do have a water tank with us, it is on a trailer pulled by one of the vehicles. The only thing wrong with it, after two days in this heat the water is hot, almost ready to brew up. Ice cold water would be very nice, but I will make do with two mugs of tea. We have been told we will have to go easy with the water there are not many stops where there are supplies fit for drinking.

Saturday 6th June 1942

Up at dawn, wash (there is washing water, but no drinking), breakfast and one cup of tea. Then secure the vehicle for the road and fill the petrol tank, 10 gallon today. Not much to see on the road today, just a few hamlets with very poor houses. The road surface was nothing but thick dust, the heat was terrific, driving along the hot air blowing in your face, was like the heat coming from a furnace, combined with the dust from the road my throat was dry and parched. When we did eventually stop for a drink, some of the men, said they were nearly passing out. On the way again we passed through barren land, like a desert, there were skeletons of dead animals on the open ground and at the side of the road, on that stretch we did not see any people. When we pulled up for the night it was near a very small Village miles from anywhere, it is called Jahore. Bill came to my truck and said "that was a right wilderness, we passed through, did you see all the bones of dead animals around? I bet there is no water here". I had a drink from my water bottle which I had filled from the tank this morning, I had only been taking sips from it during the day but it was nearly empty and very warm. The first thing the C.S.M, told us, there is no fresh water supply here, that would mean only one cup of tea with our evening meal, of stale bread and oily bully beef that poured out of the can. The mileage driven today was 81, on roads that were far from ideal. Some of the boys were not feeling very well and soon got their heads down for the night.

Sunday 7th June 1942

We were up early, washed had some breakfast and got on the way, hoping to put some miles behind us before it got too hot. Unfortunately it gets very hot early in the morning here. The terrain we passed through in the morning was much the same as yesterday, barren, little vegetation. Until about 11.00 hrs, then the road ran alongside a wooded area, when we stopped for tiffin, we were not a long way from the trees. While we were eating our one sandwich of greasy bully beef, on black bread (black with dust), we watched a large number of great big wild monkeys, playing near the edge of the trees in what looked like a forest. From there to our destination for today, although still very hot and dusty there was a little more vegetation, we passed a dry river bed and through a ghaut. We soon seemed to reach Mhow, where we are camping for the night, when I checked the mileage we had only done 64 miles today. Mhow is much bigger than the villages we have stayed in on our journey, and is a rather busy town. A lot of people were being transported around in Tonga's rather than rickshaws or gharry's. The air was filled with the smell of wood burning mixed with the smell of curry cooking, which was very inviting, specially after nothing but the bully beef we have had for the past days.

Monday 8th June 1942

The area's we camp in is usually on the outskirts of the town or village. There is always a small building and place where you can make a fire to cook or make tea, and a tap with running water not I might add drinking water. These area's are not only for the army, they are for any traveller the Indians make good use of them on their travels. Washed and refreshed we moved off early in driving North. There were some dwellings along the road, but after about nine or ten miles we came to another town bigger than Mhow, it was called Indore. Beyond there was the thick dusty road and the scorching heat. During our stop for tiffin, Harry Stout brought out a egg he had bought at our last stop, he wanted to put it on his sandwich. He said how am I going to cook it , Russell said I'll show you, and cracked it on the bonnet of the Bedford truck in a matter of seconds it was cooked. The heat has been exceptional today and the winds were like fire coming straight out of a kiln, you feel as if your face has been scorched. This evening after a long drive we have camped in a small village called Biaora, our mileage for the day was 124. Some of the men look definitely jaded. Poor Titch Wheeler, I feel sorry for him, there is not a lot of him to start, and with all this sweating he looks all about all in. Most of the lads said they feel rough tonight and could do with a good rest, somewhere cool. Myself, I can manage with the heat although it gets uncomfortable, what I don't like is the dust it gets everywhere in your throat, up your nose, in your hair and eyes we could do with a face mask and a pair of goggles.

Tuesday 9th June 1942

We started off washed and fresh this morning, ten minutes on the road and we were covered in dust. Some parts of this dust track is absolutely terrible, I have never driven on anything as bad, It is just like driving on a ploughed field, flippin awful. To make things worse the sun is blazing hot again and we don't have any cool water, that out of the tank is nearly boiling. For tiffin we had Bully and hard tack, it was a job getting it down with only one mug of tea. Back on the road the pot-holes got bigger and the grey coloured dust, changed to red the further we went along and there were no stones or tar anywhere. Two of our lads collapsed during the afternoon and had to be laid down in the back of a truck for the rest of the journey. After a gruesome days trip we stopped at Shivpuri for the night having covered 118 miles since this morning. The two chaps that had gone down with heat stroke were taken by staff car to the nearest hospital we have not been told where that is. The road we are travelling on, according to our small map, goes to Agra and on to Delhi, of course we are not going there.

Wednesday 10th June 1942

Shortly after leaving Shivpuri this morning we took a right turn, leaving the road we had been travelling along and are now driving East, we know that is the direction for Calcutta, but we still have a long way to go. This road is no better than the one we have just left and the heat is just as uncomfortably hot. Fortunately our journey was a comparatively short one today only 62 miles. We arrived at a town called Jhansi and our accommodation is in a Military Barracks. Two more our men were taken straight to hospital with heat-stroke. Bill Lloyd came along the trucks all excited saying, we are sleeping in beds with punkahs over them tonight. I will admit it will be smashing to have a shower and take our clothes off to sleep, every night since we left Calcutta we have slept in clothes. We have changed them but we have not got a lot of spares with us and what we have all need washing. The staff gave us a decent meal the first we have had for a while, then they showed us to a barrack room, with rows of iron beds with electric punkah's over them, they say these stay on all night. While talking to one of the regular soldiers we told him that four of our men had gone down with heat-stroke, he said it is common out here sometime it is called heat exhaustion or loo, it is caused by the hot winds. He said take plenty of salt that helps prevent it. When we took our kit to the barrack room, the dhobi-wallah was soon there, grinning all over his face, our dirty clothes meant money to him. He went away with so much washing, he needed another bearer help him carry it, he told us he would have it back early in the morning, boult sabkro (very clean). One bearer took our plates, knife, fork, spoon etc and washed them, another bearer took our shoes away and cleaned them. A barber- whallah came round cutting hair and I found George Jordan, sat in the open, a bearer had washed his feet and was cutting his toe nails. Of course the char-wallah will bring you a mug of tea any time. There is one thing about the barracks none of the lads liked. When the cooks were serving us with a meal, they set trestle tables up outside the cook house door and put all the dixie's on them and served us from there, the dinning room is across a square from the cook house and we have to carry the meal across in the open. There is a lot of birds around (the feathered type) great big Kite Hawks, (our lads have another name for them) they swoop down and pinch food off your plate, you have to watch them carefully and move about, if you put your arm over the plate they nudge your arm and the food ends on the ground, you can not eat it then, but they soon make short work of it. I cannot understand why the mess is not next to the cook-house.

War news :- We were told that our troops in Burma have retired to the border area with Assam, and are sorting themselves out on the rain sodden plain of Imphal. Sporadic cross-border fighting continues.

Thursday 11th June 1942 Jhansi, Military Barracks India

Reveille 05.00 hrs, the char-wallah with a mug of tea. After breakfast we all went down to the M.T, compound where our vehivles are parked, they all have to be serviced ready for the next stage of our journey tomorrow. There was a lot to be done the trucks have been over some very rough roads during the past days. All the air-filters needed cleaning and one chap had a blocked carburettor. We finished the maintenance, topped up with oil, water and petrol by tiffin time. We were told that the Army regulations for this barracks is that everyone is confined to their barrack room after tiffin until 16.00 hrs to sleep, they call it siesta, we call it Army Bull-shine. I admit it is exceptionally hot again, it is 120 degree's in the shade. We have been working in this heat recently driving along the terrible dusty roads which seems to throw the heat up, and taking into account the wind factor it must have been more than 120 degree's. The barrack has a fair size swimming pool most of our lads spent the afternoon, splashing about in it, much better than being in bed.

Friday 12th June 1942

Quite refreshed after our rest we left Jhansi very early this morning. We were told before moving off that we have a long journey in front of us today. The temperature quickly began to climb until I am sure it must have topped 120 by tiffin time. I have heard of a tropical heat wave, this is more like a blazing tropical heat wave. When we stopped to eat and have a drink, Bill Lloyd came to my truck, he said do you know, I am sure I am dehydrated, he started drinking from his water bottle and I thought he was never going to stop until he had emptied it. He said Russell doesn't look too well, but he says he is all right and Harry has a face like a red tomato, and several of the other chaps look all in. After lots of drinks, myself I liked my tea best, two bugs now we have a full water tank and some of the lads did not want tea. They say it makes them too hot, I admit when you first drink tea, you feel hot but very soon you feel refreshed, better than water. During the afternoon we drove over a number of bridges made of bamboo, mainly the road was the same dusty track like what we have travelled on mile after mile, with the burning wind scorching our faces. We saw a few Indian people walking at the side of the road but not many during the afternoons. On one stretch we did see about six Indian women walking along some way from the road, they each carried a large chati or chatty (an earthen pitcher or water pot) on their head. They were brick coloured pots and filled with water they must have been very heavy, the women only looked small, the chati's were cushioned by a rolled up piece of cloth, one or two of them had one hand to steady the pot but most of them just balanced them on their head. After a very long, very hot day, we arrived at a town called Cawnpore, our destination for today, this has been our longest trip so far, we covered 150 miles. Not bad under these conditions, Bill Lloyd said there were times today when it was so hot I thought we were in hell itself. When we arrived some of the lads were so bad they were taken to hospital straight away, Four of them were kept in, including our mate Russell Youngman. Bill said "Did you see those Bibie's (Indian women) with the chati (or chatty) pots on their head" I said "yes and I think it is marvellous how they can walk over that rough ground balancing those heavy pots". He said it is practice they do it from being small girls, and I have been told those pots keep the water cool, what do you say if we go into a bazaar and buy a couple. When we had finished our evening meal we went and bought two part filled them with drinking water and tied them in the trucks so that they would not get broken.

Saturday 13th June 1942

All the lads were up at 04.00 hrs, had breakfast, everything checked, petrol tanks filled and we were on the way at 05.00 hrs. There as not been any let up in the weather, it must have been in the hundred and twenties again today. There was one consolation the chati pots kept the water much cooler, each time we stopped the lads came for a drink. During our trip today we saw a lot of working Elephants ambling along, they are magnificent animals, some were moving great big tree trunks, They were working near a rickety old bridge, probably repairing it, we had to go very slow over it. On another stretch of the road we saw some Camels but the main traffic is bullock-carts we have seen hundreds of them and a few motor cars and vans. The roads are in a poor state, but we have seen working gangs repairing them during our journey. When I say a gang, it is more like families, the men dig the earth at the side of the road filling the baskets for the women who carry them on their head to where it is required. Other women and children sit at the side of the road breaking stones into small chipping's these are loaded into the baskets for the women to carry on their head and scatter on the road. We reached our destination tired, hungry, thirsty, very dusty and some lads were exhausted, they were taken straight to hospital, where three were detained. It is a good thing we had spare men with us who can drive, like the mechanics, fitters, Officer, Sergeants and dispatch riders their motor-cycles are in the back of a truck and they are driving a vehicle. The town we are camping in tonight is called Allahabad today we have driven 120 miles.

Sunday 14th June 1942 The terrific heat and poor state of the road were the same conditions we have been experiencing during previous days, except there was more traffic on this stretch today. In the afternoon we arrived at Benares which is on the river Ganges, having covered 85 miles since early morning. The Ganges, is a sacred city to the Hindus we were told by an old Indian gentleman that thousands of pilgrims come here to visit the city every year and bathe in the Ganges. We have heard so much about Benares and seen photos, some of us decided we would like to have a look round and see the sights. Jim Galloway said we may never have the opportunity again. Leaving those who were too tired after our trip today, we split into groups and went off on our sight seeing walk about round Benares. There are a great number of shops many of them selling jewellery and other products of India. We found a large drapery stores, one of the chaps was very interested, so in we went. They had a very large selection of cloth, you name it they had it, suit lengths, silks, dress materials. They also had made up garments, light weight khaki shorts and trousers which some of us bought. The shop also advertised a mailing service. Clothing being rationed at home, I bought a length of cloth for a skirt and jacket for my Mother and paid postage, they said it would be despatched to England next day. (My mother did receive the material, but it was months later) In the shop they had some very beautiful sari's, I would have sent my Mother one but I don't think she would have worn it in Manchester. From the shop we could see the Golden temple dedicated to Siva, which we had heard so much about. We all agreed it was most important that we pay a visit on our sightseeing expedition. It is truly a magnificent sight, with its golden towers glistening in the bright sunlight. Another fine sight was the Mosque of Auranjeb with its two minarets each 150 foot height. We also visited monkey temple and a temple I think the Indian who showed us round called it Nepalese temple. He said it is better known as the temple of love, all round the temple, above the door height, there are wood carvings of a explicate sexual nature Our next visit was to one of the burning ghats (crematorium) I was told there are many in Benares. Hindus believe the body of those burnt here and their ashes scattered in the Ganges will go direct to haven because all their sins will be washed away and he will be free from all trouble. Down in the river which is crossed here by the Dufferin bridge, we saw lots of people, men and women bathing with all their clothes on. On the river bank we found it far from being  picturesque scene, in fact it was rather squalid. There are many burning ghats, I am sure they would be better away from the town and more private. Like Calcutta and other cities we have seen in India, we saw poverty and squalor, but in Benares there was a considerable amount of wealth. Although as I said to my pals when we were walking round, the best way to see India, is in picture books, post cards, photographs or on the cinema screen. That way you don't feel the heat, you don't get the awful pong and you are not troubled by the thousands of flies and other insects.

 

Monday 15th June 1942

Before we left Benares this morning we were told to go careful with the drinking water, because we will not be able to get any more for the next three days. In the driving cab today, sat alongside the engine the heat seemed worse than ever and the burning wind was a scorcher, making me want to drink more. Maybe it was just imagination, knowing we are short, I made do with just sips out of the chati pot, which I have moved into the cab. The convoy covered with dust inside and outside arrived at Aurahgabad this afternoon. Having driven 102 miles in the heat on a bumpy tiring road, I don't feel much like writing tonight. Specially as we have been told, due to the number of lads that have gone into hospital there are no spare men for guard duty, so we will be driving through the heat of the day and guarding the vehicles at night. Fortunately we will only do two hours on duty and everyone will take a turn, there will be four men on duty at a time in order to cover the convoy. I have checked the oil and water in the truck, topped up and put 10 gallons of petrol in the tank, this will save me a job in the morning. My rifle as been covered up to keep the dust out but I have given it a good clean and oiled it ready for duty tonight. Now I am going to get my head down and have a sleep.

 

Tuesday 16 June 1942

The convoy was slow to leave Aurangabad this morning everyone was rather tired. A few miles along the road and we were covered in dust, wanting a drink. I think it had been made worse because we did not have any bread this morning, instead the cook gave us hard tack biscuits, they are a plain white biscuit about four inches square and very hard, just like a dog biscuit. They make you feel dry and this morning we only had one mug of tea. The road was as bad as ever, very few stretches with tar or stones on. It was well into the afternoon, and the trip had been slow, when we stopped for a meal having covered only 71 miles. After our bully and hard tack, followed by tinned fruit, the officer in-charge decided to camp at the side of the road and not go any further tonight. I don't think he wanted to take a chance of any more men going down with heat exhaustion otherwise we could be in a right mess, with vehicles and know one to drive them. The nearest village from our road side camp is called Barhi. One thing wrong with this road side camp site, was the thousands of creepy crawly insects. I have never seen so many in all my life I was awake most of the night killing them.

 

Wednesday 17th June 1942 

Up early this morning, all rather tired after a poor nights sleep, doing guard duty and   being tormented with insects. We were soon on the way after only an apology for a wash due to water shortage. The journey today seemed more hot and uncomfortable than previous days, even the trucks in front were throwing the dust up in clouds, I could hardly see the vehicles in front. I thought it must be me, with not having much sleep last night, with all the mosquitoes and other insects keeping me awake. But when we stopped all the lads said they felt the same, saying it was a very tiring run today. When we arrived at our destination for the night, our trucks were covered in dust, so were all the lads. The camp site this evening is in Asansol, Bengal, when I checked the mileage it was 107 since this morning, it seemed a lot more. One good thing we are nearly at journeys end, tomorrow we reach Calcutta.

Thursday 18th June 1942 

Reveille 04.00 hrs, we had a quick wash then breakfast and were on the way at 04.30 hrs. About 06.00 hrs my vehicle broke down, the mechanics tried to get it going, but said it was gong to take a long time, Sergeant Galloway decided it would be best if they towed me, it would save time and the truck could be repaired later. It was not very pleasant being towed close behind another truck on these dusty roads. I fastened a towel round my nose and mouth, which helped keep the dust out. Fortunately there were stretches of the road that had been tarred and stoned. As the Indians would say the day was 'boult garum' (very hot). However I survived the long uncomfortable journey being towed, but was very pleased when we reached Calcutta at 13.00hrs, a day sooner than was expected. The first thing we were asked was, 'where are all the other lads?'. We left Bombay with 24 men, arriving back at Barrackpore with only 9 men, the other 15 being in hospital across India. By the look on the O.C.s, face he was not very pleased. Our trip to-day from Asansol we covered 142 miles, the total covered from Bombay to Calcutta was 1,441 miles.

 

Friday 19th June 1942 Barrackpore Reinforcement Camp, Calcutta.

Reveille (By that flipping bugle) 05.00 hrs. After a wash, our first job was to start unloading the vehicles. Breakfast at 06.45 hrs, then back to work until tiffin time 11.00 hrs. Then rest until 15.00 hrs, we were then given the remainder of the day off to compensate us for our long strenuous journey across India. (It would have been better if, we had been left in bed this morning to have a good sleep, they could have put a sock in the bugle)

Below is a copy of my vehicle Log for the Journey From Bombay to Calcutta.

Date 1942       Trip Mileage              Daily Mileage             Town or Village

   Start                445                                                                   Bombay

4th June              562                                  117                            Nasik

5th June              660                                    98                            Dhule

6th June              741                                    81                             Jahore

7th June              805                                    64                             Mhow

8th June              929                                  124                             Biaora

9th June             1047                                118                              Shivpuri

10th June             1109                                  62                             Jhansi

11th June Inspection and Maintenance of Vehicles Jhansi.

12th June             1259                                150                              Cawnpore

13th June             1379                                120                               Allahabad

14th June             1464                                  85                               Benares

15th June             1566                                102                                Aurangabad

16th June             1637                                  71                                Road Side near Barhi

17th June             1744                                107                                 Asansol

18th June             1886                                142                                 Calcutta

Total Miles :- 1441.

Saturday 20th June 1942

Up at 05.00 hrs, woke by that ruddy bugle, the only good thing in the mornings, is the mug of tea, supplied by the char wallah. Our first parade was 06.00 hrs, drill parade, there is nothing I like worse. I would sooner be back on the awful roads driving from Bombay. Sergeant Gow the drill instructor said we will have to do arms drill every day while we are here, this being a army H.Q. Breakfast at 07.00 hrs, then work parade. Today all our tools and works equipment had to be checked by the various tradesmen to make sure we have everything for when we move into a workshop, all deficiencies have to be listed, and requisitioned. Vehicles and equipment damaged in transit have to be repaired, cleaned and maintained, everyone has been kept very busy.

War News:- Libya, Rommel's tanks are advancing towards Tobruk, supported by dive bombers.

Sunday 21st June 1942

The boys thought we might get an extra hour in bed this morning, being Sunday. No such luck, up at 05.00 hrs, then one hour on the parade ground doing arms drill before breakfast. Then to work, where there is a lot to be done. The Artillery are moving to gum-sites in and around Calcutta, some of us are working with them. I took a party of our instrument mechanics with a predictor and range-finder to a site on Dum-Dum airfield. The rest of the day I have been kept on the move, collecting stores, and taking men to various sites, I did not get back to camp until after dark. With so many drivers still in hospital those of us who are fit will be kept busy for some time to come. The R.A's are also short of drivers, today they have had to take gunners (who are able to drive) off there own job to help out.

Monday 22nd June 1942

This morning after breakfast we were all given work for the day, my first job was to take Lt Seal and some of the radio mechanics to an airfield, to work on the R.A.s equipment. When I left the camp and turned right, there was a shout from the lads in the back of the vehicle!! "put your foot down, there is some flipping great Monkeys running after the truck, trying to hitch a lift". From there I had to go into Calcutta and collect an engine and some vehicle spares for one of the H.Q staff cars. We were all kept very busy and it was late when we got back to camp, which does not give me much time for writing. There is no table in the tent and it was dark when we got back, thankfully one of my mates had put my mossie net down. The canteen is only small and when there is a crowd in you are unable to write in comfort.

War News Libya :- More bad news, yesterday after desperate fighting Tobruk was occupied by the Germans and some of our troops were forced to surrender.

 

Tuesday 23rd June to 30th June 1942 Barrackpore

This week has passed quickly we have been kept very busy although we still have not got our own workshop. The jobs are being done mainly on gun-sites or in vehicle parking areas. The weather is still scorching hot and we have not had a chance to go for a swim, much to Bills disgust. Nearly all the lads are being driven mad with prickly-heat, specially those with fair skin, it is a skin disease which shows up as a rash of red marks that itches and stings very badly. It is caused by the heat which makes you sweat and over works the pores. Arthur Woodcock and I have not been troubled very much, least of all Geoffrey Herne I have not heard him complain once and he still keeps his vest on. Geoff is a truly remarkable character! The radio mechanics that work with him say he is very good at his job. In fact most of the men are proving efficient in their particular trades. Everyone in the unit is fed up at Barrackpore, being a H.Q. we all agree there is too much bull-shine and the sooner we move the better.

War News, North Africa :- On the 29th June Mersa Matruh fell to the enemy.

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