Friday 1st May 1942

We have been lucky again in regards sleeping quarters, the cabin is panelled in light coloured wood, I think it is teak. The bunk beds are O.K but with six men to a cabin, we are a bit crowded there is no place to sit and write. I get up early to make sure I get a wash before breakfast, there is only one wash basin in the cabin. It is hot and stuffy at night, so we leave the door open. The food on the Orion was very good (but never enough) Food on this ship is even better and more of it. Dinner is always a three course meal and on a side plate there are always brown cobs with best butter. After the meal there is fresh fruit, apples, oranges, etc,

Saturday 2nd May 1942

The ship is cutting through the water at full speed, much faster than the old Orion. There is no naval escort, in case of attack, but there are a number of guns, placed at various positions on the decks. The rumour circulating among the troops, is that we are going to Madagascar. I personally do not think this is correct, we do not have any infantry troops with us. Unless the infantry have already gone in, then again the artillery have not got their big guns with them, they are still on the slower ships following in the convoy. I remember the lectures on the Orion and I think we are going to India. A few of the lads were talking on the deck this afternoon and Dennis Quinn said we could be going through the Red Sea to Egypt and on to north Africa, or to India.

The food has been exceptionally good again to day, at lunch we had a salad with a great big slice of roast ham. There was not a grumble from anyone. Weather today fine, sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, very hot, not too bad up on deck, the speed of the ship makes it bearable. In the cabin is very different, sweat just runs of us, we continually use a towel. Also there is no where to sit in comfort and write.

War News, The Japanese have captured Mandalay.

Sunday 3rd May 1942

Much too hot in the cabin this morning, Bert Roberts, Jim Webster, Bill Lloyd and I, found a shady spot on one of the upper decks and sat talking with a few other chaps from our unit all morning. Jim Webster told us he spent a long time in Australia before the war. In that country it gets very hot, most of the houses have refrigerators. He said in his, opinion the people at home will want them in their homes after the war, and that is the business he intends going into, when the war is over. Murrell said we could do with one right now, to make some ice-cream. Carvel said good idea son, can't we borrow the ships? Dring got up, he said I'll go and ask the Captain, wont be long, and away he went. He is a right dry stick! Probably went to the toilet.

Monday 4thMay 1942

The five days since we left Cape Town, have passed quickly, at least they seemed to have done We do nothing much all day, just sit around and talk. This afternoon we spent some time leaning on the ships rail, watching the flying- fish skim over the water, then suddenly disappear into a wave, caused by the wash from the ships bow. Harry Coe said they are going our way and hitching a lift on the waves, Bert Gladden said they are not, they are playing hide and seek. Vick Garlinch said you are both wrong, there is a ruddy great shark chasing them. Really we were all interested watching the flying fish, it was a sight none of us had seen before. In the evening, when it was dark, some of us watched the large fish, swimming alongside the ship, their phosphorous bodies with a greenish glow showed up plainly in the dark sea. I do not know what kind of fish they were but one of the lads said they were Porpoise.

Tuesday 5th May 1942

The ship is still steaming North in the Indian Ocean, along the East coast of Africa. Steaming describes all the lads, wherever we go on the ship, we take a towel with us to wipe off the sweat. The ships crew told us we are nearing the equator, it is certainly very very hot. We are unable to see land, but I understand the ship is not very far out, and should be passing Mombasa sometime today. We have not been told our destination, it is obviously not Madagascar, if we are near the equator then we are well past the island. This morning Bill Lloyd was on the borrow, he lost all his money last night gambling. Bill is a compulsive gambler, one day he has plenty of cash, next day he is broke. When he is winning he is very generous and will nearly give his money away. This evening he came back to our cabin, loaded with fruit, chocolates, sweets and biscuits for everyone. He said he was on a winning streak and off he went to play that most boring game, housey-housey. Jim, Bert and I, went for a walk round the deck, on our way back we decided to see how Bill was getting on playing housey. The place was full of people playing, we did a rough heads count, calculated the takings from the price of the cards, with the prize money declared, we worked out the sailors running the racket, were making 33% profit on each game. We told Bill later and all he said was, well, it passes the time away. On the way back to our cabin, we were told, news had come through a short time ago, our troops have landed in Madagascar, with very little resistance, sporadic fighting is still going on. The troops that landed were some of those that sailed with us from Glasgow.

Wednesday 6th May 1942

George Jordan, Bert Roberts and I went a walk round the ship, parts we had not visited before. We all wear plimsolls on this ship, so that we do not damage the highly polished wooden floors, like the floor in dining-room. In peace time, they have dances in there. The dining room the crew call the first class, is absolutely wonderful, with different wood-panelling and numerous coloured mirrors all set in. They said the luxury carpets and furnishings were taken out and placed in store, when the ship was converted to a troop carrying vessel. Another feature that caught our eye was the grand stair-case's all very wide, with shaped polished woods. The SS Mauretania is a truly magnificent a ship as it is now, I would have liked to have sailed in it before the war.

Thursday 7th May 1942

Another glorious day, hardly any cloud in the sky, very hot and a calm sea. On the way to the upper deck this morning I met Geoffrey Herne, looking as cool as ever. He assured me that he was enjoying this cruise and the good food very much and hoped it could go on for a long time. With a shrug of his shoulder as he walked away, he said all good things come to an end much too soon. Woody and some of our lads were on deck playing quoits with difficulty. There are so many people on the deck, you cannot do much, but just sit around. The ships rails are full, with spectators watching the flying-fish at play. Back in the cabin Bill Lloyd was in the gambling school, losing all his money. They were all sat on Bills bed on the floor, (Bill is one the lads who has to sleep on the floor in our cabin) with towels in their hands, now and again they would wipe the perspiration from their face and body. When Harry, came in, he said how can you lot stick it down here in this heat, why don't you go up on deck and get some fresh air? This afternoon we handed all our money in to be exchanged into Rupee's and Anna's, Indian coinage. A Rupee is equal to one shilling and sixpence in our money. One Anna is the sixteenth part of a rupee. This is confirmation India is our destination. Bill and his friends had no money this evening so there was no gambling.

Friday 8th May 1942

A quiet lazy day in the sun, nothing to do but sit around and talk. We are still cruising North in open sea, no land in sight. A ships sailor said we are now off the West coast of India. Ted Hampson said we are approaching from the West and the ruddy Japs are nearing India from the East, where are we going to meet them? Huddlestone one of the RA's, was with us at the time, said "wait until the Japs see our ruddy great guns, they will turn and run" John said "we hope". He still keeps going on about the blinking great sharks, and not being able to swim. Now he can worry about the Japs.

War News:- On the 5th May, Japanese troops landed on Corregidor Island, defended by American forces, after heavy bombardment, by the 6th of May the battle was over, the defenders surrendered. Considerable number of American troops were taken prisoners. In Burma 6th May, the Japanese are advancing from Lashio, along the Burma Road towards the China border, in spite of Chinese resistance.

Saturday 9th May 1942

News from Madagascar, we were told this morning, the costal batteries at Anisrana were silenced, with this all resistance in the North of the Island, ended.

This has been another hot lazy day in the sun, everyone walking around with a towel in hand to wipe away the sweat. When Bert, Bill and I went on deck this morning, there was already a crowd of our lads in prime positions, Lumb, Woodcock, Purslow, Youngman, Wheeler, Stout and Carvel were enjoying the sun, while Bloomfield, Martin, Phipps, Dring, Murrell and Ball were sat in the shade. Frank Cribb kept moving about, with a towel on his bald head, he said I have to be careful I soon get sun-burnt. All the meals on the ship have been excellent again today, when we get back to the usual army food, I am sure we will miss these meals. How the cooks on this large very crowded ship, manage to serve up such good meals three times a day, I will never know.

War News, 7th May British forces continue to withdraw northward through the jungle in Burma along the Chindwin River towards Kalewa.

Sunday 10th May 1942

Great excitement after breakfast this morning, the ship dropped anchor in Bombay harbour at 08.15 hrs. In fact some of us were still in the dining room talking, when one of the lads came back to tell us that we had arrived. There was a rush then to get up on deck, the ships rails were crowded. Some small boats had come out to meet us, in one there was a photographer taking pictures. (we found out later he was from a news paper) The sight that greeted us was certainly not as impressive as the first sighting of Cape Town. We went on parade at 10.00 hrs, the CSM put us in the picture. First he told us we would not be disembarking today. Our baggage in the ships hold, (large kit-bags and webbing etc,) is to be taken by lighter, (type of barge for unloading and loading ships) and stored overnight in one of the dock sheds, where we will collect it when we disembark tomorrow. At the Railway Station we will board a train which will be waiting to take us to Calcutta, the journey will take a few days. After the parade we went and collected our money in Indian coinage.

War News:- From Burma, the Japanese captured Myitkyina on the 8th May. Also on the same day, the US aircraft carrier "Lexington" and other American warships were attacking the Japanese Fleet. The enemy launched a counter-attack, scoring hits with bombs and torpedoes which sank the "Lexington".

Monday 11th May 1942

After a good breakfast we started packing our cabin kit, ready for moving off. We were given a packed lunch before disembarking. Our kit-bags and big packs were loaded on vehicles to go to the Station. With our small-pack, webbing and Rifle, we were lined up and marched to the station. The CSM said this was probably done for the benefit of the local population and any Japanese agent, who most probably will be reporting troop movements via the docks. With all the troops on the Mauretania, and all the other ships that were in our convoy, loaded with troops, the agents will have an awful lot of reporting to do, said Dickie Ball. At the Railway Station, we had to be careful not to trip over luggage, of every description, tin-trunks, suit-cases, bicycles, bed-rolls some with the owners stretched out asleep on them, crates of chickens, a few goats and other live-stock. On the way to the Station we had seen many people with umbrella's up, I could understand this, they would be using them for protection against the sun. But in the station, undercover of the canopy there were lots of people walking about with their gamps up!! Maybe they were Indian snobs!! There were various types of people who seemed to be walking about aimless, predominately Indian and Mohammedan’s, there were a few European, Chinese and Mongol types. Many of them looked very like Japanese. Some of the men wear European style cotton trousers and shirt, both garments are very white. Frank Jefferies said they must have a good laundry. Hedley said, they use cold water and a stone to knock the dirt out, each article is put out in the sun to dry. He said most of the men dressed like in this fashion are either Mohammedans, or affluent Indians, they looked very clean and smart. The majority of the Indian men wear a garment called a dhoti and a shirt hanging loosely over the top, both of which appeared to be made out of muslin and looked very cool. The dhoti is worn rather like a nappy, tucked in at the waist. Russell said they are men size nappies and George said they are diarrhoea catchers, he said there is a lot of it out here. The Indian women wear a garment (type of dress) called a sari, they are bright with well designed colours and look cool. There were hawkers walking about, carrying their goods, of all descriptions for sale, on trays hung round their necks with string, and many beggars sat on the ground with a tin can in front of them. Numerous children were going to all the soldiers, saying, no Mamma no Papa baksheesh sahib!! They all had bare-feet and ragged clothing. Three women and two men, European, (I don't know if they were English) walked close by, while we were waiting to board the train. One of the young women dropped a tennis racket, Dickie Finch was close by, and being a gentleman, he picked it up and handed it to her. Without a word of thanks, or a glance in his direction, she snatched it and walked on. Bert Gladden who was near, said sarcastically, so that they could all hear, "thank you my good man" There was no reaction, and they carried on walking. Hedley said you will have to get used to their attitude while you are in India. The white people out here have money, they are ignorant, and most of them are snobs!! And have no time for the ordinary soldier's. Bert Gladden was blazing mad, his face went red, he said "do they know there is a war on, otherwise we would not be in the army? don't they realize we have been sent out here to defend them and their business interest, from the Japanese? Someone should tell them it cost nothing to say thank you" The incident did not go down well with any of our lads. Ted Hampson said, she was not even a nice looking girl. In the dance hall where I work in London, she would not even have got a second glance and her clothes went out of fashion in the nineteen twenties. The ramshackle, well used carriages we were ushered into for our journey, had wooden seats running mostly lengthwise, they certainly did not look very comfortable for a long journey. Inside there was an obnoxious odour, which was very bad in the toilet. This was a small compartment at the end of the carriage, with a hole cut in the floor and two foot pads at either side for the user to stand on, or squat down on, as the case maybe. Not at all like the toilets we are used to. The carriage is equipped with two small fans. At 15.45 hrs, the train pulled out from Bombay Railway Station, hauled by electric traction. It was very hot in the afternoon, the start of a rather long and what could be possibly, an extremely uncomfortable journey to Calcutta. The train stopped at several stations during the day, one stop was to change over to a steam engine. In the evening we stopped for tea and sandwiches, we were certainly ready for a drink and food. 

Tuesday 12th May 1942

The train was been speeding along all night. It was far from a feather bed slumber, trying to sleep stretched out on the wooden seats. We were all rather stiff and tired this morning when the train stopped for us to have something to eat and a drink. Feeling refreshed after the food and two mugs of tea and a few physical exercises, we settled down again as the train speeded on its way. There been many stops during the day, for various reasons, a few for the locomotive to take on water. At one station another engine and driver took over. In all the stations, the train was besieged by children asking for baksheesh. The Mohammedans don't come round cadging, like the other races, most of them have European features but darker skin, they have black hair and brown eyes, a lot of them are good looking people and very clean. Some of the Indians have European features and their skin is light coloured, there are some that are very dark in colour, most are small in stature. The heat was  terrific all day, it is caused by the hot winds blowing in through the open doors and windows, if they are closed, you can hardly breathe. Switching the fans on does not help, it blows hot air the effect, almost burns you. I understand it is the hot winds are called Loo, thy cause heat stroke in India.

Wednesday 13th May 1942

Similar day to yesterday, the train has been speeding along through this very hot country. The heat was so intense in the afternoon, Bert Roberts said, let us try the fan again, at least it should circulate the air. He switched it on, it circulated the air all right, it was like blowing it out of a furnace, he very soon switched it off again. The moaners and groaners have been enjoying a good grumble. The other lads have been making the best of it and joking about the heat, George Jordan said it is OK a free steam-bath every day, I could not have afforded it at home. Frank Cribb said, it is alright for you and I, we have some spare weight to lose, but what about Bill Kennedy, he lost all his spare in the ships galley, and poor old Dennis Quinn, his glasses keep slipping off his nose now. The train made many stops again today, the most welcome were for a brew-up. During one halt at a station, we were talking to the C.S.M, about the journey, Smudger asked him "why are we going to Calcutta?" He said it is one of India's large towns with a Main Shipping Port situated on the Hooghly River in the Ganges delta. There is a Railway Station, Air-Port and a large concentration of troops and supplies in the area. The Army command anticipate it will be a target for the Japanese air-force, therefore they are deploying the HAA guns in and around the town, to defend it from the bombers.

Thursday 14th May 1942

We arrived at Howrah Railway Station, Calcutta at 11.30hrs, this morning. What a sight to behold, there were hundreds of people about, some in the most unlikely places, on the roofs of the railway carriages!! A train came in with people sat on the engine, in front of the boiler!! some were standing on the carriage running-board holding on to side. We did not see many prosperous Indian people on the Station, like there were in Bombay and the area looked more squalid. There were some well dressed, one in particular I noticed, he had on what looked like a expensive topee, navy blue jacket, cream waist-coat, white trousers, highly polished leather shoes and spats. He had a gold watch-chain, with a coin hanging from it across his stomach and of course a umbrella on his arm, he looked a right over dressed fop. There were two porters following behind him, each with large leather bound portmanteau's on their heads and cases in each hand. What a contrast, the porters were bare footed, they had on a loosely fastened turban, rather dirty through carrying peoples luggage on their head. Their dress, that I imagine was a uniform, consisted of the turban, a dark blue type jacket made out of coarse fabric and a dhoti, that was anything but white. There were lots of hawkers, char-wallahs, beggars and children asking for baksheesh on the Station. We saw people chewing betel-nuts, when they opened their mouth their teeth and tongue was bright red, now and again they spat it out a stream of red juice all over the platform. This was something we had never seen before. From the Station we were taken by army vehicles to Calcutta race-course for a meal. The dinning room was large, very clean and the food, served by Indian bearers was the best we have had since leaving the ship. After tiffin we did not have time to look round, it was back into the army transport and off to our temporary accommodation. This had been arranged in Loreto Convent in the Entally District of Calcutta where normally children are taught by the nuns. We were told they have gone to a hill-station, during the very hot season. Our beds are in two neat rows in a long narrow dormitory on the first floor, the walls are painted white. This being our first night here, we are not allowed in to town. The sleeping quarters have to be sorted out, mosquito nets fixed up, etc.

 

Friday 15th May 1942

Reveille 05.00 hrs, 06.00 hrs, half hour PT, 07.00 hrs breakfast. Then we had nothing to do but sit around and talk or go a walk round the grounds. We cannot start work until our vehicles and workshop equipment arrives. The C.S.M, said he does not know how long it will be, everything is on one of the slow ships in the convoy. Between 12.00 hrs, and 15.00 hrs, it is very hot, out here they say it is siesta time, you are supposed to rest or sleep. Most of the lads did just that, we were not allowed out of our quarters, until 16.00 hrs, when we were told we could go into town and have a look round. One of the Indian workers told us, when we go out through the convent gate, to walk down the road called Duramtella (that is what it sounded like) we would come to Chowringhee where there are Cinemas, restaurants and shops etc. Bert Roberts, Bill Lloyd and I decided we would not wait for our dinner we would have our evening meal in town. On our way out we met up with a crowd of the boys with the same idea, and we all walked together. The area adjacent to the convent was squalid and the people appeared to be living in poverty. Walking along Duramtella we had to be careful not to fall over the cows laying on the footpath or treading in their dung. Although I must say the poor Indians are quick to scoop it up with their bare hands, make it into cow-pats and stick it on the wall of their house. I was told they do this so it will dry out, then they use it as fuel for the fire. The smell of urine and other offensive materials is overpowering in this terrific heat, flies are attracted in swarms. People walk about with bare feet and don't seem to notice the state of the ground, the stench or the flies. I suppose, being brought up with it from childhood they are accustomed, to this way of life. We on the other hand not being used to these things in England find it very offensive. Personally I like to see cows in green fields, eating the grass or chewing the cud, not in the town among the traffic and fowling the pavements. My first impression of Calcutta is anything but good, in fact I would say it stinks is squalid and very poverty stricken. We are newly arrived here and everything is strange to us, maybe when we have been here a while, things will be more acceptable. Right now I would far sooner be in South Africa, the European people in Cape Town were more friendly than the toffee nosed white people in India. Best of all, we would all prefer to be back in dear old blighty. I must add, the Indian people I have come in contact with have been very nice, specially the poor, they are pleasant and helpful. Chowrinhee is a wide, very busy thoroughfare. The mixture of traffic I have never seen or imagined before, there were cars, trams (overloaded), hansom cabs (with a closed wooden body), buggy (single seat), Tonga (two wheeled cart for four persons), landau (a four wheeled carriage with four seats and a driver), buses (with no windows), rickshaws (a two wheeled carriage with a hood, pulled by a man), hundreds of cycles, weaving in and out of the traffic. Taxi-cabs speeding along blowing their horn, for other road users to get out of their way. There were many hold-ups caused by the Bullock carts, ambling along (the not to be hurried carts). Then there were the people dashing in and out between the traffic, tram drivers dinging their bells at them and the taxi drivers conking their horns and swearing in Urdu at them. (at least that is what it sounds like) We met some squadies, they told us if we wanted a good meal, to go and visit the Salvation Army Canteen, they cater for the troops, at reasonable prices. We started with a glass of cold lemonade, then ordered, ham, three eggs, chips, bread butter and tea. It was very good and only cost us one Rupee each. From there we had a walk round the shops and a Bazaar. Bill Lloyd and I had a small tattoo on our arm. It was quite pleasant in the evening, walking around in the warm air. You have to be careful not to fall over the cows, they lay down anywhere on the pavements. Not only the cows, in some places we had to be careful, there were some poor Indians laid down on the ground fast asleep. Bill, who is a real harum-scarum, was a bit upset, he said perhaps they have no home. Bert had seen a lot of people sleeping rough in London, and said at least these people would not be cold like the tramps at home. Back at the convent, the lads were all talking about where they had been and what strange things they had seen. Jock Neil had a parrot on his shoulder, that he had bought in a Bazaar.

Saturday 16th May 1942

After breakfast there was nothing to do, the lads just sat around telling one another where they had been in Calcutta last night. Most had been for a meal and then to a cinema, they had all tried the ice cold drinks, mainly lemonade and tea. Those that had tried the beer, said they did not like it and the whisky etc, was not very good. Jock Neil had bought a parrot and some of the boys were trying to teach it to swear. In the late afternoon a few of us walked to Chowringhee, taking in the unfamiliar sights on the way. The old boys, Dring and Murrell were fascinated watching the trams loaded to the gunnels, with people hanging on to the outside. When it stopped some would get off and jump on again when it started moving again. Our first call was at Ferpoes, where we had a meal. Then we went to the Metro (Bar, in the cinema) where we had a few ice cold lemonades, before going on to a show. Before going back to our billet, Bill Lloyd said let us call in and have some supper, we went to a restaurant called Friscos and had three eggs, chips, bread butter and tea. We met a few of our lads and some of the R.A's, in there. Our lads came back to the convent in a convoy of buggy's. The boys call them buggies, to me they look more like a Tonga or a landau.

War News:- We heard to-day, that on 14th May, the Japanese captured Kalewa in Burma. That means they are almost at the India, Burma border.

Sunday 17th May 1942

Jock Neil woke all the lads up this morning, he was looking for his parrot. Seemingly it had gone missing during the night, at first he was blaming his mates, saying they were playing a trick on him. Then Geordie, Hedley, said "why, I man, you've been the victim of an Indian con-trick. He probably doped it, and when it came round after a good sleep, out it flew back to the man in the Bazaar, to be sold again to another unsuspecting mug" This evening we walked down the Road, taking in all the strange sights and smells. Some of the shops do not have doors or windows, you just walk in off the Street, at night some of them put shutters up, other shop keepers just lay on the shop floor and go to sleep. That is how it appears to us, maybe they stay open all night. If you go in they will serve you. I cannot understand the caste system yet, but I do know there are rich and poor and the poor are very poor. Once a person is a sweeper, that person always remains a sweeper. Some of the spicy foods cooking, smell very nice, the like of which we do not get at home in England. Then you get the sewage and obnoxious smells a bit further along the Road, (which spoil your anticipation of a good meal) We certainly do not get these smells in our Streets. Reaching Chowringhee, we went along to the Metro Cinema and booked tickets for the film. It is a rather elaborate Cinema, walking into the large foyer from the hot muggy street, you meet with refreshingly pleasant cool air. There is a bar where you can buy all types of drink, I usually have a glass of ice cooled lemonade, or a pot of tea. (They also have iced tea) The whole of the inside of the Cinema is tastefully decorated and there is a relaxed atmosphere. After we had a few cold drinks and were well cooled down, we went along to Frisco's for our evening meal. From there we went to an Arcade and had our photo's taken, they cost one Rupee eight Anna's, for three photo's. We wanted them to send home so our families could see us in our tropical uniforms. Back at the Metro we were a little early for the film, so we sat in the lounge to cool down again. Very soon we were in a crowd, I think half the chaps from our unit had booked to see the film, even Jock Ferguson (and he has to be up very early in the morning to cook our breakfast) After the film we all went to the Convent in a Tonga convoy.

War News:- Russian and German Troops have been engaged in heavy fighting during the past few days in the Crimea and around Khaskov

 

Monday 18th May 1942

Walked down into Calcutta early today with a crowd of the lads, we wanted to have a good look round. At night it goes dark early and there is not much to see, I might add there is not a lot to see during the day, apart from lot's and lot's of traffic. I will say the variety of transport must be seen to be believed. One half of the loads and the vehicles would not be allowed on the roads at home. One poor little Indian had a hand-cart made of wood, with solid wooden wheels, loaded to the sky, he could not possibly see the road in front, there he was pushing it along and trying to peep round the side to see what was in front. Crossing the tram track, in front of a tram, the driver was clanking his bell like mad, but not attempting to stop, the poor little man had to run to get out of the way. George Jordan who was with us said I have a good mind to go and give that poor man a helping-hand. Bert Roberts said, if you do George, you will be at it all day, look there is another one coming. He had the same type of cart, with wooden wheels, his load was two very long thick poles (nearly as long as the tram). George said I see what you mean. We walked along looking at the sights of Calcutta, also the shanty areas where some of the poor people live in hovels which was very squalid. None of us liked seeing people living in such poverty, but it got to big hearted George more than most, he said come on let us get back to Chowringhee. We decided to have our first rickshaw ride in Calcutta, I was not very keen being pulled along by a man but has George said, we could always say we've had a ride in a rickshaw. I prefer the rickshaw's pulled by a man on bicycle. To show our appreciation we gave the man more than what he asked for, and got lot's of Salaam Sahib!! My wrist watch was broken so I decided to buy a new one, some of the others wanted to do some shopping, that is how we spent the rest of the afternoon. Before going for our evening meal, Bert, Bill and I went to the Arcadia to collect our photos. From there we went to Ferpoes restaurant to meet the rest of the boy's for our evening meal. After dinner we watched the variety show on the stage, they had some very good artists. We did not stay too late, because we have to be up early in the morning.

Tuesday 19th May 1942

Reveille 05.00 hrs, I do not know why they wake us so early, mind you we get a mug of tea and I enjoy that, but our breakfast is not until 07.00 hrs. (maybe it is just to keep us on our toes, ready for things to come) There is nothing to do after the meal, we are still waiting for our transport and equipment. The C.S.M said it should not be long now and that some of us will probably have to go and collect it from the docks. He also said we shall be moving from the convent very soon, it could be to-morrow, the O.C is just waiting for news as to where we are to be accommodated. He told us, if there is anything we want from the shops to get it to-day, in case there are no shops where we are going. We did not go out until late afternoon, I wanted some vest and pants, so we went to a Bazaar where I had seen some good ones like we buy in Manchester. They are much cheaper here only eight Anna’s each. In the West End Watch Company, where I had to go and collect a watch I had ordered, we met the owner of the shop, who asked how we liked India and did we find it to hot, and where we had been in Calcutta, etc. He told us where there was an Indian, men only club where you can play snooker, billiards and also have a drink. He said service men are made very welcome. We decided to go and see what it was like, sure enough we were made welcome and we had a few drinks there. But it was not very big, although they had a few full size snooker tables and large fans all round the place, it was very hot and smoky inside. When we went in Furpoes for a meal, we met Huddlestone one of the R.A's. He told us about a club called the Tiger, saying it was not a first class place, but they put good show's on every night and you can have a drink. (the rough element are the army lads who go in when they have had a lot to drink) When we got there, we found a lot of our unit had already found the place. They were sat on a raised balcony, on the right hand side of the floor. We joined them and were surprised to see some of them there, specially Geoffrey Herne, who seemed to be enjoying himself. He said to me fancy seeing you here. Sat with him at the table was Dring, Phipps and Boomfield, Finch also in the crowd was Quinn, Woodcock, Martin, Youngman, Gladden, Lumb and Casey. Later on in the evening we heard an argument starting at one of the tables on the centre floor. Near to where two of our cooks were sitting, Ferguson and Black (both are Jocks), they were with Jefferies, Birkett, Hedley and Neil. Black came across to us and leaned on the balcony rail, He said you had better watch out some Jocks, sat at a table near us are starting to argue, next they will be starting a fight and they are not particular who they involve. He no sooner said it, there was a crash, a table went over, all the glasses smashed. Jock said that's me away, I suggest you do the same, with that he went. Most of our lads drank up and started for the door, bar one Geoffrey Herne, he had pulled his chair up to the balcony rail and was watching the fight!! Bert Roberts, Woody and I went and said come on Geof, let us go, the M.P's will be here in a minute, we don't want to be run in. Geof, said that is a pity I am just enjoying myself, by the look on his face I am sure he was, I doubt if he had ever been so close to a fight like this before.

Wednesday 20th May 1942

Early this morning we were instructed to pack our kit ready to move. Just after 10.00 hrs, we left the Convent in army vehicles, our destination was not very far from Calcutta. The place is called Barrackpore, we are told it is to be a reinforcement camp and that it had been a racecourse. The camp covers a large area, there are some buildings here, but the accommodation for the troops is under canvas. The tents are like small marquee's, they are furnished with charpoy's for the troops to sleep in. We have been issued with white sheets for our beds and mosquito nets. The sheets will make it more comfortable to sleep at night, it is still very hot and seems to be getting hotter, each day. We were told that this camp is roughly 250 miles from the Burma border, where it is understood our troops will make a stand and hold the Japanese until we bring in sufficient men to defeat them. There are already a lot of soldiers camped here, including Sepoy's, they are a pleasant cheerful crowd. I don't think the camp as been set up very long, but they are getting it organised, there is a small cinema and a canteen etc.

Thursday 21st May 1942

Reveille this morning 05.00 hrs, was by bugle-call. Then the Char Wallah brought us a mug of tea in bed, I like my morning mug of tea when I first wake up. (If, I get married I must make sure she will wake me with a cup every morning!! or no Marriage!!) There are also bearer's who come round and shave you, if you want them too. We did a half hours P.T, before breakfast, after we had a lecture, but really there is nothing much to do until our equipment arrives. Tiffin (Lunch) is at 11.30 hrs, by this time it is very hot in Bengal and time to rest. Later some of us went a walk round the camp to familiarise ourselves with the layout. We found a building and went inside, it looks like a small swimming pool inside, there is no lights, we'll make inquires and see if we can go for a swim in there. It will be Ideal in this hot climate. In the evening we went along to the canteen, they serve free lemonade and free tea, just the job!! Walking back to our tent, in the warm night air there were thousands of Bats flying about.

Friday 22nd May 1942

Bugle call 05.00 hrs. Then gun-fire, the char-wallah with a mug of tea. 06.00 hrs, half- hour P.T. Breakfast 00.70 hrs, Tiffin at 11.30 hrs, Dinner at 16.30 hrs, This is to be our daily routine until we get our transport etc. There is no where to go outside the camp at Barrackpore, so we go to the canteen and drink lemonade during the day, tea at night. This afternoon we got permission, to use the swimming pool. Bill Lloyd went round and got the lads together who wanted to go down to the pool, they included George Jordan, Harry Stout, Smudger, Lumb, Finch and a few others that had been swimming with us on the ship. The time was about 13.00 hrs, a very hot part of the day, however when we opened the double doors and went in it was cool, not cold. The building is made of brick, there are no windows, on either side of the building bricks have been left out in the form of a pattern. I suppose this is to let air in, but not much sun, in order to keep the place cool. we left the door open to let some light in, even so it was still dark and eerie. The water looked black!! Everyone was standing around, like as if they were waiting for someone else to go in first!! Bill noticed it and said, what is the matter is no one going in. Dickie Finch said , no Bill we are all waiting for you to go in first, there is an eeriness about this place, it's cool, the water is black and very still. Bill said, alright, I'll be the brave one and he dived in swimming a length. One after another they all dived in and we stayed there nearly all afternoon. The length of the pool is only about 25 yards, but it is alright for a swim in this hot climate. In the evening we went to the camp cinema, it is only small and hot inside, but it helped to pass the time away and made a change from sitting in the canteen drinking lemonade.

Saturday 23rd May 1942

There is nothing much to write about today, some of us are on twenty four hour guard duty. It is not very interesting and certainly rather unpleasant during the hot period of the day.

Sunday 24th May 1942

Came off guard duty at 08.00 hrs, this morning. We did not have anything to do after so we went for a swim, it was quite refreshing in there this morning. Not knowing how long the water as been in the pool, we go for a shower after. Then we went along to the canteen for a free lemonade.

Monday 25th May 1942

Barrackpore Reinforcement Camp, with nothing much to do is getting a bit boring and I am not at all keen being wakened up by a bugle-call, it's too much like regular army bull-shine!! I certainly do appreciate gun-fire, (the early morning mug of tea.) Last night it was so hot in the tent, we all carried our charpoys outside and slept in the open, with our mosquito nets over us. This morning we did arms-drill and marching for an hour, it did not go down well with the lads. Everyone is fed-up waiting for our equipment and transport to arrive we all want to get on with our jobs and they start us doing arms-drill and marching, the most boring thing in the army, there was a lot of grumbling and discontentment.

In the sun today the heat was terrific, the C.S.M, said it will soon be the monsoon season and it always gets very hot before the rains. The best place was in the swimming pool. Bill Lloyd is a very good swimmer and he wants to get a team together to challenge the R.A's. He said he will be the coach and this afternoon he was teaching us how to do a racing dive, poor Harry Stout did a rare old belly flop!!

Tuesday 26th May 1942

This morning the O.C, had to go into Calcutta, he borrowed a vehicle from the vehicle pool, they have at Barrackpore H.Q. he sent for me to drive him. Leaving the camp through the gate, I turned right, just over a hundred yards is the main road into Calcutta, which is another right turn. A few yards along this road, just off the road on left hand side, were a crowd of the largest Monkeys, I have ever seen. As I drove to go past them, some of them ran after the truck and tried to jump on, I had to put my foot down to get away from them.

During the evening it went very cloudy, hot and muggy, we managed to get our beds into the tents before it started to rain. The air cooled quickly, then the storm broke, the wind was terrific, we thought the tent was going to take off, large hail pounded the top of the tent. Thunder and lightening seemed to be right overhead.

When it eased and we were able to look out, the nice neat camp was a shambles, branches of trees and all kinds of debris scattered around. The ground was like a lake, even in the tent water was about two inches deep. In the morning there is going to be a big cleaning up job.

Wednesday 27th May1942

After breakfast the big clean up began, it was even worse than we thought. Our first job was to dig a trench round the tent, to drain the water away. The branches of damaged trees were welcomed by the cookhouse staff, they would soon dry and could be used for the fires. Seemingly the army pay the Indians for firewood.

Today I wrote home, I sent Airgraph's, rather than a letter. They go much quicker than letters and there is only one page, they are OK when you have not got a lot to say. At the moment I have very little to tell them, we have not had any mail for weeks, therefore I have nothing to answer, and we are not allowed to tell them a great deal, the mail has to be passed by the censor.

 

 Thursday 28th May 1942

During the morning all the men who can drive were called together and told, we are going to Bombay tonight. The ships with our vehicles and workshop equipment are due to dock there any day now. Everyone said thank goodness!! Twenty Four of us are going by train, we were told that we will be driving back to Calcutta, all the way across India by Road. We do not know who will be in charge yet, either Lt Cooke or Lt Seal. Some of the men who are going include, Bill Lloyd, Harry Stout, Smudger Smith, Titch Wheeler, Russell Youngman, Tom Martin motor mechanic, George Jordan, Les Cocker, John Knott, Dickie Ball and Eric Taylor electricians, Murrell, Jock Neil, Dring, Herbert, C.S.M. Elwell, Sergeant Jim Galloway who is a motor mechanic, Staff Sergeant John Boak who is a fitter, Cpl Faulkner and a Cook. Carvel and Patterson will be dispatch riders and of course myself. While some of us were in the canteen waiting for the others to arrive, L/Cpl Dennis Quinn and Arthur Woodcock came in, to say good luck and have a pleasant journey. Russell said what do you mean, good luck? Dennis in his usual manner, pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose, said, just that, good luck. You are going to have a very rough journey, there is some desert and very wild country in India, which is very, very hot, you will appreciate that after our train journey. By road you will cover about, one thousand five hundred miles. You might even drive on part of India's, Grand Trunk Road. The train for Bombay left from Howarth Station, Calcutta at 17.30 hrs, it is a much more comfortable train than the one we arrived in from Bombay

Friday 29th May 1942

It is evening now, we have been speeding along all day with occasional stops at Stations to have our meals, in the refreshment rooms. Although it is still terrifically hot, the compartments we are in are first class, making this journey much more enjoyable than the trip to Calcutta. All the chaps are laughing and joking, I have not heard any grumbles. What a difference, the journey does not seem half as long, we are well on the way to Bombay and should arrive there in the morning.

Saturday 30th May 1942

The train pulled into Bombay Station at 11.30 hrs. Army Vehicles soon arrived to take us to the Alexandra Dock's of course we were all hot and sweaty, so first we went for a nice cool shower. Feeling refreshed it was time for tiffin and two mugs of tea. After the meal we were taken to a warehouse to sort vehicles out, they were not all ours, some belong to the R.A's and some to other units. We were told there is still one more ship to dock, with more trucks on board, belonging to our unit. The army Sergeant, who was obviously in charge of the warehouse, said he was short of staff at the dock and some of the vehicles were going by goods train, would we load them? That was no bother, we soon run them up the ramps onto the wagons. There were none of our vehicles, they probably belonged to H.Q, or the R.A's they were all staff cars and small vehicles, bound for Calcutta. Later on Bill, Russell, Smudger, Harry and I, went a walk outside the dock area. There is many large substantial buildings, probably office blocks. There are also some tall buildings that look like flats, some had washing hung out on the veranda. Just like Calcutta, there are the squalid parts, we did not go very far, but the shops we saw, the prices were much dearer than Calcutta.

Tonight we do not have any accommodation to go to, we have to sleep in a open shed on the dock side. Harry and Russell managed to get some narrow forms, I have put two of them together and made my bed on them, that is I laid my blankets on them using my pack as a pillow and laid down fully dressed. From where we lay, looking out across the water we could see the ships at anchor in the bay, raising as if from the water behind them, was a large moon, it made a fine picture. Russell said isn't that a beautiful sight ? everyone agreed.

Sunday 31st May 1942

Goodness knows what time it was when we woke up this morning I think it was Harry falling off the forms he was sleeping on that woke us. First thing we did was to go and get a mug of tea, when we first arrived the dock Sergeant said we can have char, whenever we want a drink, and by gum, we've supped some tea. Later our Sergeant, Jim Galloway said come on lads, let us go and service the vehicles, if we have about one thousand five hundred miles to go, we don't want them to let us down. Russell said, don't you mean repair them? Some of the vehicles are damaged we were told they had broken loose on one of the ships, during rough weather. It is a good thing we have motor mechanic's and electricians with us, there is a lot of work for them to do, the drivers are helping and doing the servicing. The Sgt/Major, who we have not seen a lot of, (someone said he only came with us, to visit his old friends in Bombay) told the drivers to stay in tonight and wait for the S.S, City of Marseilles to dock, with three more of our vehicles, which have to be unloaded tonight.

War News:- The heaviest air raid of the war took place on the 30th May, a thousand bomber raid on Cologne in Germany. I well remember the Manchester Blitz, on the 22nd December 1940, the back of a house I was in was hit with by a bomb and we were trapped for a while. That raid lasted all night, I wonder what the German people think, now they are being hit back hard? I am sorry for the innocent people the bombs should be dropped on Hitler and his thugs.

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