John Shipman's 1943 Diary

John Shipman's 1943 Diary

Intermittent record of John's time at RAF West Kirby then Blackpool for training. He covers the sail from Liverpool to Durban, then India, first Bombay then train to Karachi. Once established at RAF Mauripur he records his daily work and entertainment.

1943

One handwritten diary

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YShipmanJ1694683v2

Charles Letts’s
DIARY
[page break]
AC2. J. SHIPMAN.
1694683.
ROYAL AIR FORCE
A.70
C/O A.P.O. 5200.
[underlined] Capt. Hawker. [/underlined]
SS. “OTRANTO”
Capt. E.R.K. Wollington
HMTS. STRATHMORE
[page break]
S.S. OTRANTO
HMTS. STRATHMORE.
Charles Letts’s
POCKET
DIARY
1943
[drawing of a feather]
[underlined] Charles [/underlined] Letts & Co.
DIARY HOUSE
LONDON
To re-order, quote number stamped on cover.
To obtain refill (for refillable case) quote No. 17 Refill.
COPYRIGHT PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
[page break]
[list of notable dates for 1943]
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Personal Memoranda
Name SHIPMAN. JOHN
Address STATHERN
NR MELTON MOWBRAY.
[deleted] Telephone [/deleted] [inserted] SERVICE [/inserted] No. 1694683
[deleted] National Regis. No [/deleted] [inserted] RANK [/inserted] AC2.
[deleted] Season Ticket [/deleted] [inserted] PAY BOOK [/inserted] No. A62171
[deleted] Motor Car [/deleted] No.
[deleted] Driving Licence [/deleted] [inserted] IDENTITY CARD. [/inserted] No. 1533205
[deleted] Due [/deleted] [inserted] TRADE [/inserted] F/MECH E
Bank Pass Book No.
Holder’s Reg. No.
N.S. Certificate
Life Policy No.
Premium Due
Fire Policy No.
Premium Due
Wireless Licence Due
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Telephone Numbers
Name – Number
R. Moore. – SOUTHPORT 5523
A Staley. – BURTON 2209
J. Campion – BURTON 2977.
D. Sykes. – CIRENCEST 560
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Telephone Numbers
[header] [deleted] NAME [/deleted] [inserted] ZULU [/inserted] – [deleted] Number [/deleted] [inserted] ENGLISH.. [/inserted] [/header]
AM. – [blank]
AMANZI TOTI – SWEET WATERS
IONA ROCK. – BIRD ROCK.
WERZA. – COME HERE.
TOXIN. – GOOD NIGHT
[header] [underlined] HINDOSTAAN. [/underlined] – [underlined] ENGLISH [/underlined] [/header]
UDDER – HERE
HIDDER – THERE
TIDDER – WHERE
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Memoranda from 1942
MRS. L.G. LUPTON.
10 WOODFIELD RD.
BLACKPOOL – S.S.
LANCS.
MRS. ELLIS.
43 CLEVEDON RD.
BLACKPOOL. N.S.
LANCS.
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Memoranda from 1942
1676784:-
Eddie
RAF
CZCZ
C/O APO 5020
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JANUARY 1943
28 Thursday E. CLEAL’S BIRTHDAY
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FEBRUARY, 1943
3 WED
LEFT LOCKING FOR HOME. SLEPT AT RECEPTION CENTRE.
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4 THUR
Arrived home. at 08-00 hrs.
5 FRI
LEAVE
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6 SAT
7 SUN
LEAVE
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8 MON
9 TUES
LEAVE
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10 WED
WENT DOWN TO JOAN RAWLINSONS Party. Met Danny & Eddy
11 Thursday
LEAVE
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12 FRI
13 SAT
LEAVE
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14 SUN
LEAVE
15 MON
RECIEVED [sic] TELEGRAM.
5 DAYS EXTENSION.
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16 Tuesday
R
17 WED
LEAVE
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18 THUR
19 FRI
LEAVE
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20 SAT
LEAVE
21 SUN
LEFT HOME AT 8.30 BUS. CAUGHT 11.30 TRAIN FROM NOTTS WITH TED.
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22 MON
ARRIVED WESTON AT 08.00 hrs. CAUGHT TAXI TO CAMP. PAID £4-0-0.
23 TUES
GOT UP AT 4-30 LEFT LOCKING AT 05-45 hrs, GOT ON TRAIN AT 6-30.
ARRIVED WEST KIRBY. AT. 18.30 hrs.
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24 WED
AT NIGHT WENT TO WEST KIRBY PICTURES WITH ALF, JACK, EDDIE.
25 THUR
DIDNT GO OUT
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26 FRI
WENT DOWN TO W.V.S. AT MORETON WITH, AURTHUR, [sic] ALF, EDDIE.
27 SAT
CAUGHT ELECTRIC TRAIN TO CHESTER VERY DULL OLD PLACE
INNOCULATED
5 per cent TAB.
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28 SUN
CHURCH PARADE.
CAMP PICTURES AT NIGHT.
MARCH
1 MON
STAYED IN.
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2 TUES
MET DAVID IN NAAFI CANTEEN QUEUE AT WEST KIRBY.
3 WED
GOT READY TO MOVE.
PAID £2/-/-.
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4 THUR
LEFT WEST KIRBY FOR BLACKPOOL. FULL MARCHING ORDER. VERY BROWNED OFF. BILLETED AT SOUTH SHORE.
5 FRI
WENT TO PICTURES.
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6 SAT
WENT TO PICTURES AT NIGHT TO SEE SABU IN “JUNGLE BOOK”
7 SUN
KITTED WITH TROPICAL KIT AT MARKS & SPENCERS & WOOLWORTHS BLACKPOOL
WENT TO TOWER AT NIGHT TO LISTEN TO ORGAN.
GOOD SHOW.
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9 TUES
Had to work until 9-30 at night stamping kit bags
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10 WED
SAID. CHEERIO TO EDDY CLEAL. REDRAFTED TO 7280
11 THUR
ARRIVED AT LIVERPOOL DOCK. 3.30 pm, GOT ON THE BOAT. MESS DECK E.4 MESS TABLE 30.
BOAT S-S “OSTRANTO” ON BOARD WERE, SISTERS, RAF ARMY, COMMANDO’S, NFYY, PALESTINE POLICE.
LEFT BLACKPOOL 12-00 hrs
MADE SENIOR MAN OF TABLE.
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15 MON
[deleted] LEFT BLACKPOOL. 12.00 hrs [/deleted]
SET SAIL FROM LIVERPOOL 3-30 am. LAST LOOK AT ENGLAND. SCOTLAND IN SIGHT. ANCHORED FOR THE NIGHT. DAVID WENT IN HOSPITAL FOR THE DAY
Saw the Ark Royal in Liverpool undergoing repairs
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16 TUES
SAILED ROUND THE [deleted] WELSH [/deleted] [inserted] IRISH [/inserted] COAST.
MET LAC JOE HINKS VERY NICE CHAP, MEDICAL ORDERLY
17 WED
FEELING VERY SICK. SEASICK ALL DAY. ALF VERY SICK TOO. NOTHING TO EAT ALL DAY. NO LAND IN SIGHT
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18 THUR
NOT FEELING SO BAD. STILL NO LAND IN SIGHT. SEA VERY SWELLING. BOAT ROCKING TERRIBLE
19 FRI
STILL NO LAND IN SIGHT.
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20 SAT
WEATHER GETTING WARMER. LAID UP ON DECK AND WROTE TO MAM AND MARY.
2 ACTION STATION WARNINGS, FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT
21 SUN
WEATHER STILL WARM. GOT UP AT 6-45.
[deleted] CANARY ISLANDS IN SIGHT. [/deleted]
WENT UP ON BOAT STATIONS LISTENED TO MR CHURCHILL’S SPEECH.
WATCHED THE MOON ON THE SEA, ON DECK, WITH ALF & BOB UNTIL 21-30 hrs
WROTE BILL & Ted
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22 MON
GOT UP 6-45.
WEATHER GLORIOUS WENT UP ON BOAT STATIONS PASSED CANARY ISLANDS FIRST SIGHT OF LAND FOR DAYS. SEA QUITE SMOOTH. RECIEVED [sic] 16 BARS CHOCOLATE. MADE HAMMOCK. WENT ON DECK TO COOL OFF TURNED IN AT 22-00 hrs. PASSED SOME BOATS LIT UP THOUGHT THEY WERE FISHING BOATS
23 TUES
GOT UP AT 06-00 hrs. HAD HOT SHOWER BATH AND WENT UP ON DECK BEFORE BREAKFAST. NO LAND IN SIGHT THIS MORNING. WENT UP ON BOAT STATIONS, SUN VERY HOT, SEA CALM. HAD DINNER THEN SAT ON DECK WITH DAVID, ALF, BOB & JOE. STITCHED FLASH ON TOPPEE’S HAD TEA (HERRINGS)
WENT UP ON DECK UNTIL 8-30.
WATCHES RETARDED 1 HR TONIGHT.
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24 WED
PUT ON TROPICAL KIT FOR FIRST TIME.
GOT UP AT 6-10 HAD WASH THEN WENT UP ON DECK UNTIL 7-10 BREAKFAST, AIR QUITE WARM. WENT UP ON BOAT STATIONS. SUN TERRIFICLY [sic] HOT.
HAD DINNER THEN WENT AND SAT ON DECK WITH, JOE, BOB ALF & DAVID. WROTE TO MAM & MARY.
WENT TO BED AT [deleted] 9 [/deleted] 21-00 hrs.
25 THUR
GOT UP AT 6-10. WENT UP ON DECK BEFORE BREAKFAST. ACTION STATION WARNING WHILE ON BOAT STATIONS. ONLY ALLOWED 1 MINUTE IN SUN.
PAID 10/- ON F DECK AFT
NEARING FREE TOWN.
SAT UP ON DECK. PLAYED CARDS.
BED AT 9-30.
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26 FRI
GOT UP AT 06-00 hrs, washed went up on deck.
Had breakfast then went on boat stations.
Sat in sun for 1/2 hr.
Had dinner.
Sat up on deck and wrote to Josie & Mr Bromhead
Had tea.
Sat up on deck.
Went to bed at 9-30.
27 SAT
Saw the Mauritania
Got up at 6-0.
Went up on deck. Saw first few birds for days. Plenty of fish about. Land not far away now. Arrived at Freetown 13-00 hrs Scenery of coastline very beautiful. Sun extremely hot. No blackout.
Bed at 22-00 hrs.
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28 SUN
West Africa.
Got up at 06-00 hrs raining hard, went up on deck.
After dinner sat on deck again and wrote to Les and Peg and Mary & Mam. Feeling very warm. Church service on F well deck aft in morning.
Bed at 22.00.
29 MON
GOT UP at 06-00 hrs
Went on boat station
Had dinner then went and waited 4 hrs for haircut
Bought money belt 6/6
Concert on deck at night, very good.
Bed at 21-30 hrs
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30 TUES
GOT UP 06-00 hrs, washed and went up on deck. Left Freetown at 12-00 hrs. Nothing but water in sight again. Saw first banana for 3 years.
Went to bed at 21-00 hrs
Very hot.
31 WED
Got up at 6-10 hrs.
Raining hard.
Went up on deck till 9-30 Came down for mess inspection. Should have Passed over equator at 14-30 hrs. Sky cloudy.
Qued [sic] for lemonade at night
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APRIL, 1943
1 THUR
Got up 6.30.
Sun hot, very warm night
Received 10 bars Chocolate
Queued for minerals
Watches advanced 1 hr tonight,
2 FRI
Got up early washed cleaned up mess deck. Went to 3 Deck square to listen to TROOP DECK FOLLIES
Action station warning at 16-30 hrs all clear at 17-00 hrs.
Read up on deck
Passed equator at 11.00 hrs in morning
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3 SAT
319 miles
Got up early. navy been playing cards all night. O.C Troops Inspection in morning
Wrote Pamela, & Bill Hound.
Sat on deck with David very browned off
Had some iced fruit from canteen
Slept on floor with Alf under table.
Turned in at 22-00 hrs
4 SUN
322 Miles
Got up at 06-00 hrs. Washed made hammock then went on deck Lovely breezy morning sea a lovely blue. Took sick reports.
Wrote Mam, Mary, Peg & Sis on deck with Joe, [indecipherable word] of lime juice at 5/- oclock [sic]
Clocks advanced one hour tonight
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5 MON
339.7 miles
Got up at 6-10
Lovely breeze blowing
6 TUES
341 miles
Wrote to John Williams & Mr Hourd.
Sat up on deck at night with Alf
Turned in at 10-00 hrs
15 Pkts Biscuits
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7 WED
Got up at 0600 hrs Wether [sic] getting cooler
Took sick reports to O.R
Wrote to Mam & Ted’s mam.
Sat on deck with Alf.
Turned in at 2200 hrs
8 THUR
Got up at 0600 hrs.
Walked round decks.
Layed [sic] in sun in afternoon finish boxing final
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9 FRI
Got up at 0600 hrs
Walked round decks before breakfast
20 Bars Choc today
Changed back into blues
10 SAT
Got up early, walked round deck sea lovely & calm. Eighth Army entered Sfax
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11 SUN
Land in sight right along Pat bow. Rounding the cape weather good saw the famous table mountain. Capetown [sic] in sight, convoy broke up. Church parade on Fisell deck. Sat on deck with Joe and wrote to Mary.
12 MON
No land in sight all day.
Sea very swelly.
Went to [indecipherable word] deck in the afternoon. Ships Magazine (All Aboard) out today
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13 TUES
Got up early and walked round the deck still no land in sight. Concert on deck in the afternoon
[underlined] SOUTH AFRICA [/underlined]
14 WED
Land in sight. Durban now in sight convoy going very slow, very cloudy. Anchored at Durban at 10-30 hrs. Packed all kit for leaving boat in morning, going in camp. Durban a lovely place.
Changed money to S.A.
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15 THUR
Getting off SS OTRANTO at 08-20 hrs full kit went from train to Durban and on to Clairwood camp by railway. Very good camp food excellent! Bought French grapes, 15 bananas, [indecipherable word] for a 2/- paid. Durban a lovely place. Going to YMCA with Alf. Had photo taken buying grapes off black girl.
16 FRI
BILLS BIRTHDAY.
Got up at 0600 washed and got ready for look at station.
Met Eddy Clark again.
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17 SAT
Went into Durban with Alf Eddy & Bob saw “STAND BY FOR ACTION” at the METRO
18 SUN
Walked along the beach. Went to Jewish Club for tea. Church at night at St Pauls, welsh choir sang Sat on Marine parade at night
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19 MON
Reported sick with boil. Put in quarantine for German measles.
Out of quarantine at 15-00 went to Durban. Bought watch Went to see the “Gay sisters” at the Playhouse. Good show.
Bought watch 25/-
20 TUES
Got up early. Went sick at 08-30
Went into Durban in afternoon. Saw “FREE BLONDE & 21” at the Theatre Royal.
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21 WED
Confined to camp
22 THUR
Confined to camp
Draft split up
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23 FRI
7279 Draft went out.
Confined to camp
David gone with them.
24 SAT
Passes given out.
On picket at Durban Station
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25 SUN
Went in Indian Temple Picked up in car by Mrs Anderson, taken swimming to Amanzimtoti beach. Had tea then went to Isipingo, had a smashing time. Went to St Pauls at night
26 MON
Durban races.
Went to Durban races in afternoon. Met Mrs Anderson outside course. Went to see “Spring time in the rockies.” at night
[page break]
27 TUES
Duty Camp.
Went to the KINGS AT night to see “A YANK AT ETON”
28 WED
Went to Mrs Andersons for dinner at night. Met Peter. Had a smashing time.
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29 THUR
Went to Durban Tea at V.L.C.
Pictures at night at the PLAYHOUSE, “THE FLEETS IN”, Good show.
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MAY, 1943
2 SUN
Went to VALLEY OF A THOUSAND HILLS With Mrs Anderson Dinner at night at her house
Had a smashing time. Had quite a drop of brandy at night
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3 MON
Reported sick with carbuncle.
Went to see How Green was my Valley” with Bob. Eddie left for Southern Rhodesia
4 TUES
Taken into Springfield M. Hospital with carbuncle. Had it cut in the afternoon very painful
[page break]
5 WED
HOSPITAL.
6 THUR
HOSPITAL
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7 FRI
Pass out to Durban
Back at 7-0 met Bob & Alf in Vic. League Club.
8 SAT
Wrote to Mam, Mary & Hourds. Still in hospital. Tunis & Bizerta fell.
[page break]
9 SUN
HOSPITAL
10 MON
Went into Durban, met Bob Alf in Victoria League Club.
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11 TUES
HOSPITAL.
12 WED
Free cinema show at 20th Century, very good.
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13 THUR
Car ride out in afternoon, to North Durban, went to big house for tea, played snooker had a good time.
Terrible storm at night
14 FRI
Got up at 6 oclock [sic] took coffee round. Sat in sun all day Bed at 9 oclock. [sic]
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15 SAT
HOSPITAL.
16 SUN
HOSPITAL
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17 MON
HOSPITAL.
18 TUES
Discharged from Springfield Military Hospital.
Nurse Henderson promoted to sister.
A very pretty girl
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19 WED
Went into Durban with Bob. saw “Wuthering heights” at ROXY.
20 THUR
Confined to camp. Packed kit ready for off.
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21 FRI
Got up at 4-oclock. Breakfast 5-15. Went on train to docks. Got on H.M.T. “Strathmore”.
Mess E 2/2
22 SAT
Got a pass out into Durban off the boat. Went up to Springfield Hospital to say cheerios to the boys. Saw WAAFS and ATS had come to town. Tea at Vic League Club. Went to pictures at night with Alf and Barney. “I MARRIED AN ANGEL”. Got back to boat at 23-00 hrs Absolutely broke.
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23 SUN
Got up at 06-00 hrs, washed walked round decks before breakfast, had breakfast “eggs”. Played cards with Alf Bob Barney, Slim on B deck. Had dinner, went on deck in afternoon, wrote to Mam. Played Solo at night on mess deck.
24 MON
No passes today
Final inspection of boat before sailing. Boat station in morning on A deck. Section 1. emergency station No 3.
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25 TUES
Pulled out Durban docks 06-30 hrs. Anchored. Set sail 12-00 hrs. Boat stations in morning Pay parade on E3 mess deck at 11.30 hrs. Played rummy on mess deck. Feeling a bit sick.
[circled 26] WED
Got up at 06-00hrs, a few blokes sick. Kippers for breakfast Alf sick out port hole. Boat stations A Deck.
Clocks advanced 1/2 hr in afternoon and 1/2 hr at night
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27 THUR
Emergency stations at 22-00 hrs, everyone was in bed, all clear at 2300 hrs, felt very tired, quiet [sic] warm on deck
Clocks advanced 1/2 hr.
28 FRI
Action stations sounded while on boat stations. Raining hard in morning Ship doing about 14 knots. Very hot at night. Went up on B deck for a cooler.
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29 SAT
Got names taken for guard for being on mess deck, Blody [sic] awful corporal. Skipped P.T. Did some washing in afternoon. Had tea, (tinned apricots) washed, went up on deck for a cooler with Bob and Alf. No destroyers with us.
30 SUN
Went to church service in 1st Class Lounge on B Deck, shook blankets in hammocks on B. Deck.
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31 MON
Paid £1 on mess E3 to last 2 weeks. Weather getting much warmer. Sea quite smooth. Saw a flock of birds over the Stratheze while on boat stations Got a certificate of crossing the line.
JUNE 1943
1 TUES
Action stations warning while on boat stations, didn’t last long. Sun very hot indeed Queued at canteen. Late for dinner
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2 WED
Slept out on B deck, first time, went Sleep walking, woke up looking over the bows. Someone S [four symbols] over the side.
[symbol] … …. .. –
3 THUR
Should have reported for last nights affair, didnt [sic] go. Slept out on deck again
Soldier fell overboard!
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4 FRI
Had to report to orderly room for not reporting yesterday, sent to the bosun for job, too late for one.
Slept out on deck with Alf, got moved from rail side.
5 SAT
Weather still hot.
Slept on deck.
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6 SUN
No land in sight heat on mess decks terrific. Service on B deck amidships slept on Port side of B deck.
7 MON
Slept out on deck
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8 TUES
No land
Slept on deck.
9 WED
Packed all kit ready to get of [sic] boat. Heat terrific on mess deck tonight.
Slept out on deck.
[page break]
INDIA
10 THUR
Land in sight at 08.00 hrs. Arrived Bombay, tied up at 12-00 hrs. Still waiting to get off. Bombay not a bad place from ship. Getting of [sic] boat in morning
11 FRI
Got off boat 9-15 arrived Worbi camp. Food quite good. Got D.S. Kit bag. Very surprised to see Indian women doing the bricklaying
[page break]
12 SAT
Got up at 6.00 hrs had [deleted] had [/deleted] cold shower. Went on roll call parade. Wrote Mam on free airgraph. Had lecture on Indian Life by the padre and C.O. received 15 ruppeés [sic] pay in dining hall.
13 SUN
On fatigues in cookhouse all day, peeling spuds Had free cigarettes in morning.
Mail started being dished out
[page break]
14 MON
Rained hard all day long. Stayed in hut more mail given out, none for me. Went down to the Chinese restaurant for supper, got wet through. Got in bed at 21-00 hrs.
15 TUES
Got up 07-00 hrs Still raining hard. Feeling ill, long queue for W.C.
Big party going to ALLAHBAD, Calcutta and ASSAM
[page break]
16 WED
Still raining hard. Not feeling so bad today still queuing though. Chaps went out.
17 THUR
Very hot day. Got pass into Bombay, a filthy hole. Went to service canteen for tea and went to METRO at night saw Errol Flynn in Desperate Journey. Changed huts. Rotten night.
[page break]
18 FRI
Alf reported absentee. Paid 20 ruppees in 2. Dining [indecipherable word]
Posted to Karachi. Going away tomorrow 2-0 oclock [sic] No 317 M.U.
19 SAT
absolutely pouring down with rain. Going out at 14-00 hrs. Got on train at Bombay Central terrible conditions. Had supper at 22.00 h Turned in about 23.00 hr All rice field in sight
[page break]
20 SUN
Got up washed 07-00 Fine morning Alf not feeling well. Raining at night Still on train far from civilisation
21 MON
Saw very old ruins. Arrived in New Delhi for 3/4 hr. sun very hot.
[page break]
23 WED
Arrived at Karachi in afternoon Got off the train spent the night at 320 M.U.
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24 THUR
CAME UP TO 317 M.U. BY LORRY NOT A BAD PLACE, IN SIND DESERT. SAND BLOWING LIKE THE DEVIL.
WENT TO YMCA at NIGHT
25 FRI
HANDED STEN GUNS IN. WALKED ACROSS DESERT, SAND STILL BLOWING
[page break]
27 SUN
Work at last.
Put cowlings on Beaufort
Took plug connections out Beaufighter. Worked late shift 18-00 to 20-00
[page break]
28 MON
Started mornings 7-0 till 1-0 got up at 6-50 just caught garry. Inspection on Beaufighter. Went to sleep in afternoon
29 TUES
Cleaned oil tank of Beaufighter and put it back on
Liberator came in
[page break]
30 WED
Started inspection on Yankee D.C. nearly finished it
[page break]
JULY, 1943
2 FRI
Beaufort burnt up on runaway in morning no-one hurt
3 SAT
Went down to Karachi for first time, bought shoes for 4 chips. Went to REGAL saw “Down Argentina Way.” Got back at 12-oclock.
[page break]
4 SUN
Wrote Mam an Air letter card in afternoon. Inspection on Bixby in morning. Received 2 Letters from Josie wrote in May.
5 MON
Received [deleted] 2 Air [/deleted] several letters from home pleased to hear Dad is better. Started new times from 7.30 till 5-30 X 1 hour for tiffin
[page break]
6 TUES
Got more letters at night, did 40 [symbol] on DAKOTA, finished all but plugs. Went to [deleted] mess mee [/deleted] Welfare meeting at night
7 WED
Finished DAKOTA [deleted] at [/deleted] in morning started on Wellington in afternoon. Mess meeting at night. Beaufort crashed into Hurricane while taxying in afternoon
[page break]
8 THUR
Inspection nearly finished on Wellington. Received 2 letters one from Nance Goddard and one from Barbara went to YMCA at night for supper.
9 FRI
Day off today got up at 11 oclock [sic] Went to KARACHI with G. Jacob saw Sonja Henjie [sic] in MARRIAGE ON ICE. Cablegram from Les.
[page break]
10 SAT
Had first flip in DAKOTA undercarriage wouldnt [sic] retract only up 1/4 hr.
Inspection on Beaufort. Airgraph from Mam.
11 SUN
Lecture in C flight hangar on F.S.S. and one by C.O. (a bind). Nearly finished BEAUFORT. 2 Letters from [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] at night. DAKOTA on test again. Rain
[page break]
12 MON
Not much doing. Everything is mud after last nights monsoon. Took inboard tank out of Starboard wing of Beaufort.
13 TUES
Snag on DC 881 feathering repaired it. Ran Bisley 500 up. Put tank back in Beaufort.
Raining all day on and off.
[page break]
14 WED
Working on LIBERATOR under bay. Sent letter to Mam wrote to Mary an airgraph
[page break]
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[page break]
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[page break]
29 THUR
Working on Beaufighter 266.
3 Letters at night
[page break]
30 FRI
Paid 40 chips. Still working on Beaufighter 266. Alf went in hospital
No mail
YMCA at night
[page break]
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[page break]
AUGUST, 1943
4 WED
Went to discussion group SWAMI VASNAMI on The Message of Yoga.
[page break]
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[page break]
8 SUN
Congress starts. Karachi practillaly [sic] out of bounds
Went before [deleted] [indecipherable letters] [/deleted] Fly Officer Shechts for Trade Test Board for my AC1.
[page break]
10 TUES
Day off, in bed till 10 oclock [sic] debugged the same.
[page break]
23 MON
Terrible Row in cookhouse, tiffin horrible, finished up with corned dog. Fetched officers from mess. Finished work on Beaufort 999, leaky oil cooler Hours altered finish at 5.30 now
24 TUES
Day off, in bed until 12 oclock. [sic] Wrote to Bill in afternoon
[page break]
25 WED
Went down to Drigh Rd in morning to fetch aircrew for 813. Beaufort. Started inspection on Wimpy. Received tool box.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
29 SUN
Received promotion to AC1 from Aug 1st Concert tonight in lecture room. Wimpy & Beaufort on air test, O.K., worked on both
[page break]
SEPTEMBER, 1943
25 SAT
Day off. Went down to Karachi in afternoon to see Bob in dock. Pictures at night The Pied Piper Tired out with walking around
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26 SUN
Worked on Liberator No 3 engine. Taking mail to blighty. Trouble with engine, cylinders. Worked late to get it off. Air test at night.
27 MON
Started week on Backers up course. Square bashing in morning. Field Craft & Rifle & Sten Gun rest of day.
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28 TUES
Baynet [sic] charging in morning, very hot work. Pulled Browning Gun to pieces. Lecture on it all day!
Messed around in General at night.
29 WED
Rifle drill & aiming in morning. [indecipherable word] on Browning Gun loading Sten Gun in afternoon.
YMCA at night
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OCTOBER 1943
1 FRI
Threw live Grenades in morning. Fired SMLF 20 rounds in afternoon 29 scored. Firing Browning machine gun.
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2 SAT
Fired Browning machine gun 30 rounds
6 No 1 stoppages.
Half day today & day off tomorrow
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28 THUR
R MOORES BIRTHDAY
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NOVEMBER, 1943
1 MON
Alf went on sick leave to Mount Abu, with Sgt. Lawrence.
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4 THUR
Day off. Lecture by station Commander on the missing goodS from DAKOTA found down lavatory. All confined to camp until culprits are found.
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5 FRI
Started 40 XXX on Hurricane 517, plenty of snags. Still C.C. Rec room, YMCA & Cinema put out of bounds for 317 MU. Everyone still happy. No suspects
6 SAT
Mosquito crashed on runways. Pilot killed, Duty Officer, MO & Observer badly burnt. Still waiting for spaces for Hurricane. No longer confined to camp
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7 SUN
Beaufighter crashed on runways, no one hurt, ran off runways Pilot burIed today. A/C Brench died in B.G.H. Taxied B/Fighter to Jerry Flight
8 MON
Still on Hurricane Taxied Liberator to Jerry Flight. Went down town at night. Saw Nazi Agent at Paradise. Buried Brenchy at Karachi
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9 TUES
Not much work today. Concert in No 1 Camp.
Ralph Reader came down. Very good show. Duty Pilot died from burns
10 WED
DAVID SYKE’S BIRTHDAY
Beaufighter on air test in morning. Stbd engine misfiring, worked on it all day, fixed it ready for morning. Sent Xmas airgraphs Letter from Bob & Mam
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11 THUR
[deleted] [two indecipherable words] [/deleted] [symbol] 40 hrs
Started to work on Wimpy Mack II engines. Working till its finished. Hydralic [sic] pump U.S. changing it over with new one. No mail tonight from anyone. Moore is ill.
12 FRI
Day off, in bed until dinner time. Went down to Karachi, [indecipherable word] at Allies then to the Paradise, “Among the Living.” poor show Saw Bob in dock.
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13 SAT
MAMS BIRTHDAY.
Started 40 hr insp on Beaufighter, Hercules 17 finished all but for plugs. Stayed in & went to bed early at night.
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17 WED
ALF STALEYS BIRTHDAY
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22 MON
Down for Remustering board. Drigh Rd in morning, awaiting board until 2-30 tomorrow. Started on Hurricane 453
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23 TUES
Drigh Rd all day on Trade Test Board. Very easy. W.O examiner.
24 WED
Still working on Hurricane 453. Drained Glycol took pump off for special inspection
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25 THUR
Alf came back off sick leave at night. Still on Hurricane put cowlings on tonight
26 FRI
Ran up Hurri vents not put back in blew out at take off, made an awful mess. Air test in afternoon came back too rough
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27 SAT
Started work on new Liberator.
Hurricane on air test again came back, flap lever stuck and rough on Starboard mag O.K in afternoon Concert at night, very good
28 SUN
Day off today got up at 10 oclock, [sic] debugged bed
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DECEMBER, 1943
[deleted] 11 SAT [/deleted] [inserted] 3 FRID. [/inserted]
[deleted] 12 SUN [/deleted] [inserted] 4 SAT [/inserted]
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[deleted] 13 MON [/deleted] [inserted] 5 SUN [/inserted]
[deleted] 14 TUES [/deleted] [inserted] 6 MON [/inserted]
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[deleted] 15 WED [/deleted] [inserted] 7 TUES [/inserted]
[deleted] 16 THUR [/deleted] [inserted] 8 WED [/inserted]
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[deleted] 17 FRI [/deleted] [inserted] 9 THUR [/inserted]
[deleted] 18 SAT [/deleted] [inserted] 10 FRI [/inserted]
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[deleted] 19 SUN [/deleted] [inserted] 11 SAT [/inserted]
[deleted] 20 MON [/deleted] [inserted] 12 SUN [/inserted]
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[deleted] 21 TUES [/deleted] [inserted] 13 MON [/inserted]
[deleted] 22 WED [/deleted] [inserted] 14 TUES [/inserted]
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[deleted] 23 THUR [/deleted] [inserted] 15 WED [/inserted]
[deleted] 24 FRI [/deleted] [inserted] 16 THURS [/inserted]
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[deleted] 25 SAT Christmas Day [/deleted] [inserted] 17 FRI [/inserted]
[deleted] 26 SUN [/deleted] [inserted] 18 SAT [/inserted]
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[deleted] 27 MON [/deleted] [inserted] 19 SUN [/inserted]
[deleted] 28 TUES [/deleted] [inserted] 20 MON [/inserted]
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[deleted] JANUARY, 1944 [/deleted] [inserted] DECEMBER 1943 [/inserted]
[deleted] 2 SUN [/deleted] [inserted] 30 SAT [/inserted]
[deleted] 3 MON [/deleted] [inserted] 31 SUN [/inserted]
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JANUARY, 1944
[deleted] 4 [/deleted]
[deleted] 5 WED [/deleted] [inserted] 2. [/inserted]
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[deleted] 6 THUR [/deleted] [inserted] 3 [/inserted]
Sundrie 1-0
Photoframe 12
Airgraphs 10
Stamps [underlined] 9 [/underlined]
[underlined] 2 – 15 [/underlined]
[deleted] 7 FRI [/deleted] [inserted] 4 [/inserted]
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FREETOWN. MARCH 27th.
LEFT “ 30th
Capetown [sic] April 11th
DURBAN April 14th
H.M.T.S. “STRATHMORE” MAY 21st
SAILED TUESDAY MAY 24’
BOMBAY. JUNE 11th
KARACHI “ 23rd
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