My Life in the RAF - chapter 4

My Life in the RAF - chapter 4

Starts after arrival at Durban in South Africa. Describes time in Clairwood "rest camp", visiting Durban and Christmas and New Year celebrations. Long description of activities in Durban. Discusses South Africa and describes train journey to South Africa Air Force ITW camp near Lyttleton (Centurion). Describes time in camp. Gives long description of next train journey to Bulawayo.

Notebook with twenty-four handwritten pages

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MONITOR

EXERCISE BOOK
SKRYFBOEK

Name DUNN F.T.
Naam

Class R.A.F.
Klas

School
Skool

Registered No. 513/31. "B"

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CHPT IV

We soon boarded the train in Durban Docks, and were transported to Clairwood where a so-called "Rest" Camp was in existence, and also a racecourse nearby. After being sorted out we were pushed into tents, with a very sandy base. Indeed it did not take long for our clothes and utensils to be full of it. The next procedure was the issue of bedding. Lorries of hay were dumped together with canvas bags. These were filled individually with hay which was rather damp. However after generally falling over [inserted] one [/inserted] another and pushing hay down one anothers backs we retired to our tents with 2 blankets each and a dirty pillow-case.

The next morning we were up at 6.30 am and by 7 am we were enjoying a breakfast of porridge, boiled egg, bread & jam and tea. It is a welcome change after the food on the "matora".

There was very little action during the next few days as far as the camp was concerned. We took full advantage of the

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fresh water showers and became quite clean again. Of course we visited Durban regularly. It was just a matter of a 6d. return ticket by train, or hitch-hiking by road. We visited the swimming baths which however were very salty. The Y.M.C.A. canteen provided what meals we required at a price which made little or no profit. For example if we felt rather hungry then a tea of 2 eggs & chips, bread & butter, fruit salad and ice cream and coffee would cost 8d only. Indeed it was absolutely thrown at us.

The scene on Durban station on our first night was one which I'll never forget. The army lads were there too, and they had decided to go celebrating after leaving the "Altmark". Hence the result was that quite a few of them were blind drunk, and absolutely paralytic. Their pals managed to drag them (and themselves) on to the platform where they were dumped in a horizontal position on the concrete surface to await the train. They were kicked, stepped on,

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but it had no effect on them – they were out to the wide. At last the train came in and they were either pitched head-first or thrown into the compartment. I must mention here that the R.A.F. were behaving themselves as R.A.F. should. At Clairwood Station the same thing happened. The drunks were pitched on to the platform and dragged along by the heels to the camp. Apparently these lads did not know that whisky is at its full strength in Durban, and consequently they "had it".

It so happened that we arrived in Durban exactly a week before Christmas. There had been years of spending Christmas on the boat, but we were glad to be off it.

As usual the last-minute Christmas shopping was being done, but this time it had no worries for us. Some of the lads were already being invited to private homes, & taken for drives in their (very up to date) American cars. Such 1942 models as the Chevrolet, the Terraplane, the Studebaker and the Ford were always to be seen on the road passing the camp. They were very

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useful for obtaining lifts into Durban.

Christmas Day was rapidly approaching. The Y.M.C.A. canteen was gaily decorated and also the "All Ranks" Club. The weather was very hot and quite a contrast to our usual Christmas. There was good promise of an excellent dinner on Christmas Day in camp.

On Christmas morning, after a short "lay-in", we were all marched down to the camp gates where many cars awaited us to take to take us to private homes for the day. Well, this was true hospitality all night, and quite a change from the usual mode of life where every man looks out for himself no matter what happens to the others. Anyway it is straying from the point.

My pal and I were taken by car to a place 15 miles the other side of Durban. It happened to be a sugar plantation. As the owner and his wife did not see the service men very often they made us more than welcome. First we had tea and cakes, then a walk around the place accompanied by the daughter who

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unfortunately was too old for our tastes. Lunch came next, when we were joined by friends & relatives of the family. Apparently this was an open house similar to one I know in Gloucester. After lunch we played darts and rounders, and then went for a drive in the car along the coast north of Durban. On return we hastily washed, and then sat down to a perfect Christmas Dinner. As usual the host carved the turkey. By the time the first course had finished even I was full up, and I am reputed to have a large stomach capacity. The first course consisted of turkey, sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, beans, peas and other vegetables peculiar to South Africa only. The next course was Christmas pudding, then fruit salad, ice cream and coffee. After all this we literally could not move. It was just a matter of flopping back in an easy chair and staying there. At 11 pm after having more Christmas cake and coffee we were finally transported back by car to camp. We had had a grand day; it had taken off the homesickness, and I can only express my thanks to these people

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for having such a grand time.

Some of the lads were in rather a merry mood on Christmas night – which was only to be expected. However the next day we were told that we had to be in by 22.30 instead of 23.59. This was due to the noise made on Christmas night, and under the circumstances I thought it quite unfair. Still this only lasted for a few days.

To go back a little – On the Tuesday before Xmas one hundred of the lads were invited to a dinner and dance at the King Edward VIII hospital in Durban I was fortunate to be one of the hundred. The dinner was perfect, plenty of liquid refreshment, and the Xmas pudding. A professional dance band had been engaged, also some females invited which counterbalanced the number of males. It was a perfect dance too, and we were sorry to leave at midnight.

On Boxing Day my pal & I were again invited out, but the place was not a patch on the one of the previous day. In fact it was rather second class and was just a case of a woman

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trying to swank to her neighbour how many R.A.F. she could entertain in one day. We didn't like it, despite the fact that she had rather a charming daughter. We were really glad for once, that we had to be in by 10.30 pm, and hence had to leave Durban quite early.

I had now experienced quite a series of late nights. It was usually 12.30 am before I packed myself into bed, [deleted] and on [/deleted] [inserted] I know [/inserted] my mother would say "Too many late nights are not good for any man", but on the contrary I felt fine (taking the climate into consideration as well.

I was having a hectic time, going to dances to the cinema etc. Then came New Year's Eve. My pal and I were in the Durban Town Hall gardens listening to the Municipal Orchestra when a gentleman asked us to come to his house for New Years Eve. We were then whisked away by car to his home after calling in to have a beer shandy etc. He happened to run a dairy farm on the outskirts of Durban. We walked around, had a look at the cows, and noticed they were still

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being milked totally by hand. Those pals of mine who consider me as a typical Gloucesteshire country bumpkin will realise that I was now more at home with cows and calves. This gentleman had rather a charming wife and two children. His house overlooked Durban bay – a wonderful view, and quite my idea of a home. He employed about 50 natives for milking and delivery purposes who entertained us with their own songs and dances during the evening. The guests arrived at 7.30 pm and included some of the Durban Society – a doctor – a member of the Durban Municipal Council and their wives and daughters – and also a Naval Officer. The dinner was of the cold type and much more suitable to the climate – Salad, fruit salad, and other special dishes were very much in evidence. There was also champagne and lemonade to help down the food. After dinner and smokes, and also stories the party splits up into two. One section played Bridge, while those wouldn't or couldn't play the game resorted to Rummie. Time passed by, and it was about midnight.

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The wireless was turned on and we sang "Auld Lang Syne" around the table. In fact every member of the party had become quite merry. Of course "we two" were rather shy especially with the rather high class company but we kept up our end very well.

The party broke up soon after midnight, and we were taken back again to camp after being offered the opportunity to come again whenever we wished. Unfortunately we did not or could not take advantage of the offer.

On another evening I took the opportunity of going to a dance at the Y.M.C.A. The hall was a large one, and the floor perfect. There were plenty of partners and I quite enjoyed myself. In fact one of the best dances I have attended. It seems that we were having all play and no work. However the trench digging scare began. 2 lines of tents were detailed each day to dig trenches in various parts of the camp. The ground was all sand, and needed little effort, but the effect of the sun was very tiring.

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When the trenches had been dug the sandbags were filled and built up around the sides of the trench. There was much swearing and such irrevelent [sic] threats as "I should like to bury some b- b-s." Others were detailed for the usual cookhouse work, as the native staff was either inefficient or insufficient. Then there came the fire craze – about 12 men were detailed and confined to camp daily as Fire Pickets. Guards were also detailed for the docks in Durban and also the camp. In fact it seemed that they were trying to keep us in camp all the time. Meanwhile the army had left only leaving the R.A.F. in camp. Actually the majority left after only 2 or 3 days stay and consequently spent Christmas elsewhere. We were beginning to wonder where we should move, and the rumours began to circulate as to the anticipated date of our departure. Although the majority of the lads were confined to camp one day in 8 they still managed to enjoy themselves when they did go out. On New Years Day about 100 of us were

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invited to Pinetown (a matter of 15 miles from Durban. They paid our railway fare, gave us tea, sandwiches, and cakes when we arrived, and took us to their local cinema because the wet weather had curbed the outside activities. After pictures – the dinner – an excellent one with beer and lemonade. Then a dance, and a few of the usual games. Females were rather scarce in the place, but we had a very good time. At 11 pm they took us back to the station, and hence back to Clairwood.

It happened by chance that became acquainted with two sisters one of whom was busily courting a South African soldier. I met them at another dance held at the Navy League Club. They were a sporting trio and consequently I was invited to their abode for dinner on quite a few occasions. The elder sister whom I assumed was unattached was rather amusing. She had rather a habit of critiscising [sic] people, and passing remarks of course this is a general fault among females

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I believe, but she was a little above the average. Of course it was quite harmless, but amusing. Anyway they were all very kind to me. The South African soldier, (Gerald by name} had been through the Abyssinian campaign, and he related some of his experiences. After this I thought "Freddy, your misfortunes are negligible after his," Indeed he stated that it was even unsafe to go out at night for fear of being "bumped off" by either Italian or Abyssinian, No toilet requisites could be bought, and consequently they were issued by the authorities. He stuck 18 months of this life until the campaign was over, and he came home for a well earned months leave.

I had a very good time in their company. We went bathing in the warm but salty water of the Indian Ocean, we went to a few dances and also to some of their favourite rendezvous, plus many visits to their home.

Back in camp we were now being inspected

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each morning, and taken for a route march. This usually consisted of a march out of camp until out of sight, then a smoke and much orange sucking brought about by the businesslike Indian kids selling their wares. These Indians seem to have a fairly strong influence in Durban. They own about 1/6 of it, are multiplying exceedingly in numbers and now equal the white population there. In fact the white people are becoming rather alarmed and no wonder. The Indians are trying hard to abolish the colour distinction whereby only [deleted] black [/deleted] [inserted] European [/inserted] people are allowed to use the greater part of a bus and is banned to other nationalities. I suppose that in years to come this will be another headache for the government similar to the Jewish & Arab problem (so prominent before this war)

Our day at Durban was drawing to a close. Besides the R.A.F. had the monopoly for 3 weeks, and the arrival of another convoy put us in the background. Of course

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most of the lads had now definite connections with some of the Durban people. They had their female acquaintances, and some went a little further than this. In fact, one lad became
engaged – trying to keep up the tradition that the R.A.F. are fast workers. Things began to take shape after some delay.

The S. ldr (in charge of us) admitted that he had no idea when or where we were going. Anyway on Jan 14th, 200 volunteers were called for to start the journey up north somewhere. We weren't even detailed, and those who wished to stay in Durban for a further 2 days could do so. Anyway I personally thought that if there may be a possibility of "getting on with the job" thereafter bidding farewell to my friends in Durban and collecting up kit, I boarded the train bound for the North. We were sorry to leave, – we had been treated like lords – and it will stand out vividly in our service careers. Still we were hoping that this hospitality would continue wherever

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we went, but we were mistaken.

Anyway Dunbar was left behind, and the train began to climb into the mountains from 0 to almost 5,000 ft. The scenery was grand at this stage of the journey. Naturally the train was a long one as it included a restaurant car. The actual compartments were very roomy and each could produce 6 bunks (3 on each side) The seat formed one bunk, the seat back pulled out and produced a second bunk, whilst the third was pulled out from the top of the compartment. Blankets and sheets were provided and we spent a very comfortable night.

The train gradually moved into more even ground. the wide open spaces containing nothing but dry grass and a few thorn bushes. It passed over a small bridge which had previously been blown up and was now in process of repair. This act of sabotage was presumed to have been carried out by the O.B’s. This particular section of the South African community was more Nazi than British.

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There is no love lost between them and General [indecipherable word], and they are in favour of a split between the South African people and the English. Still, as long as the good old General is still prime-minister I don't think they'll have much influence in these matters.

I actually read an account of a debate in the South African Parliament (in the local newspaper) in which a definite split between South Africa and Britain was being suggested by the minority. Well I don't know why this should happen. After all South Africa has the privilege of Dominion Status and is thus quite independent in many ways I suppose it will be a another post-war problem as with the Indians.

It was early morning when one arrived at Lyttelton railway station between Johannesburg and Pretoria. The slag heaps from the gold mines rose up like mountains in the vicinity of Jo'burg and were white in colour. It actually gave the impression of snow, but that's hardly possible in that district. Anyway we

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were met by members of the South African Air Force, and we began to wonder immediately Anyway after a 2 mile march with full pack we finally arrived at a South African I.T.W. Camp. This place was perfectly organised, and consequently there was more than the extra red tape with it. There is another word for "red tape", but it is a bit too crude to put in black and white. Anyway the corporal in charge started to shout "left right," "stop talking in ranks", threats of charges etc. Well we couldn't digest this at all but there was more to come.

The accommodation was good, brick huts with the usual corrugated iron roofs. I can't understand why so much of the latter material is used in South Africa I can remember my father stating that this is the worst material to conduct the heat and his statements are not usually far wrong. Anyway there were single beds with mattresses which of course were very comfortable. We were even issued

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with washing soap. We gave the South Africans the impression that we were "scruffy" especially where Khaki kit was concerned if we had stayed any length of time, we should have had more kit and at the S.A.A.F. expense

After drinking plenty of tea, having lunch etc. we were inspected by the C.O. of the camp. One poor bloke had his name taken for having his cigarette packet showing from his hip pocket. This aroused great indignation among the lads, but no action was taken from the incident.

They paid us all £2 each which was the main consideration. Since being in Durban we had been paid at the transit rate of 10/- per week. and consequently the majority of us were financially weak.

Nothing of importance happened that day except for the fact that a dance was held during the evening in two of the lecture rooms. The females were chiefly imported from Pretoria, and a very poor lot too.

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Still this even aroused competition between the South Africans and the R.AF in fact the former went to great trouble in order that they should have preference where the women were concerned. Well they were very welcome to them, and the majority of the RAF went back to bed.

The next morning we were up before 5.30 am and on the parade ground for roll call at 5.45 am, and then we were reprimanded for being late. Well this was discipline in the flesh, and there was more to come.

After hastily washing, shaving, breakfasting and cleaning we were on parade again by 7.30 am for an hour on the square. The South African "square bashing" was quite different from ours, and consequently there was a bit of a mess. The corporal in charge became impatient – so did we – and there was a general murmuring amongst all present. Finally we were dismissed, and sent back to the quarters. The squadron leader on the camp and the only English

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officer there then started to work. He soon found out that we should not have been sent to this camp but to Rhodesia hence he collected us altogether and informed us that we should be on the move that evening. There were long and loud cheers, and naturally the South Africans didn't take it too kindly. The S/L slightly encouraged us, which I think was not the correct method for an officer.

Anyway we again collected up our kit and prepared to leave. At 6 pm that day we left Lyttleton [sic] Camp leaving some rather bewildered [inserted] South African [/inserted] N.C.O's who wondered what kind of discipline we experienced in the R.A.F. They were accustomed to it all the way, and not to the fluctuating standard of that of the R.A.F. In fact I don't think we made a very good impression at Lyttleton. The train mixed with civilians and R.A.F. in full pack was very much overcrowded. However it conveyed us to a small station in Johannesburg, where we alighted, and

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were formed into some kind of order. After marching for quite a distance we eventually arrived at another S.A.A.F. camp pitched on the site where in pre-war days the miniature [indecipherable word] Fair was held. Actually it was now used to train apprentices, and consequently it contained lads between 14 and 18 years of age. Let me emphasise first that the officers on this camp were some of the best. They gave us a good supper – more than we could manage – and then forked out some beer from their canteen for those who required it. Then a short sing-song followed, and a South African W.O. was M.C. We retired to bed quite happy, and again we were in tents. I can distinctly remember that we had a violent thunderstorm that night, but this did not deter us from our slumber.

The next morning we had a good breakfast, packed our kit again, and moved down to the station where the train awaited us.

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On it was the second draft from Durban, and hence we were now all in one piece again. Of course there were many remarks passed. We felt rather crestfallen because they had had an extra 2 days in Durban whilst we had been pushed around South Africa. Anyway we soon made ourselves at home on the train ready for another complete day's journey. The small canteen on the train was well patronised but as usual (on trains) the prices were increased by almost 50%. There was a shortage of staff too, and hence some of the lads acted as stewards and provided us with our meals.

Meanwhile the countryside was becoming fairly barren, with plenty of dry grass. The weather was fine and at each place where the engine stopped to refuel, we alighted, had a talk with the few people there, and took photographs. Cameras were becoming very popular, due to the abundance of films which could

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be bought in South Africa.

At one place the local ladies came out to greet us with grapes, oranges and cigarettes. The next stop was Mafeking at about 5 pm. There the local inhabitants had found out by some means that we were passing through. Hence they had tea waiting for us, with plenty of eats, fags and fruit. In fact they welcomed us in the proper style, and its a pity that this attitude cannot be more universally adopted. I don't think that wars would be fashionable if this happened.

After a bit of a sing-song, [deleted] and [/deleted] saying goodbye, and giving three cheers, we continued our journey northwards. We had another comfortable nights’ sleep on the train. The journey was becoming monotonous for some of the lads, and hence they decided to take a ride on the roofs of the carriages. This was quite safe as there was no possibility of low overhanging bridges over the railway track. By

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3.30 pm that day we had arrived at Bulawayo Railway Station. After much arrangement of kit, getting on packs, and leaving articles such as ties, toilet requisites and forage caps on the train we merged on to the platform where we were met by various N.C.Os from the I.T.W camp at Hillside. What was this? going back to I.T.W. we thought we should at least go to EFTS for a start. Anyway we had been to I.T.W for 3 weeks in England. Still, personally, I am glad we did have a chance to start I.T.W. again – to rake up the stuff we had forgotten and also to get a good idea of the more elementary principles of Navigation which seems to be the most important subject.

Anyway we landed at the I.T.W. Camp, Hillside Bulawayo, and we hoped we should now start in earnest after all our wanderings.

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