Diary of Denis Patrick (alias Rupert Bert Patrick), 1941-1945 - Part 4

In the mean time life goes on here with

clock like monotony and only does the sight
of old friends & letters from home cease the

ticking of this clock - I can't bring myself

to like Hampdens and torpedoe dropping is
a dull job. I sigh for the powerful throb

of the Hudsons God bless their pretty engines.
The Squadron is being detatched to 

Wick for two weeks after which they will
be going on leave for another two, only

mug me goes neither to wick nor does he
get any leave - We have to stay here

and drop the bleeding tin fish. 

7/7/42.

How strange, I just discovered it was my 
birthday to-day, no celebrations no parties infact
no orchids for miss Standish. - Still no news

from Colin. I am hoping he is ok it is quite

a long time now since he set course for

Cairo - Our detatchment at Wick were to

sent out to the Norweigen coast in broad

sunlight to attack a German Battleship.

They failed to locate the Battleship but

ran into a couple of M.E.109's - They

stuck closely to their formation and

all returned, two gunners & an observer

were wounded - There were lots of bullet

holes in the aircraft.

This maiden torpedo effort on the part

of the squadron called for considerable

Photo & paper clipping - refer to original document.

THE SCARF OF PEACE

The warm brown shoulders of this

southern life,

One score of years a frail green

scarf of peace

Without a rent had worn.

Then came with Spring the news of

human strife,

And underneath the War Lord's
strong embrace

To shreds the scarf was torn.

O wise men of all time, unite thy

breath

And teach us how to weave a scarf

that hath

Such fibres as will last until our

death

And that of those unborn.

—EUGENIA LOEFFLER.

felt by the Dutch representatives,

Dr. van Mook and Dr, van

Kleffens, was clearly reflected in

their recent speeches in Washington.

The original scheme

sponsored by President Roosevelt
and Mr. Churchill was that a

Council should be established in

London on a Ministerial plane

comprising Britain, Australia,

New Zealand, and the Dutch

Indies, and that the united view

of its members should be transmitted

to the Combined Chiefs-of-Staff
Committee in Washington.

Australia and New Zealand,

however, desired that the Coun-

Photo - see original document.

Back of photo - see original document. 

''alching''

We are still doing our torp practice

and are very browned off - There is a strong

feeling that we will be returning home in 

September, just why knowh nobody seems to

know - 
Had two air mail letters from home. They
were as good as a tonic - One from mum & very
newsy job and only about six weeks old, the
other from Vonne who vows she has been
writing all along with meticulous regularity.

Mum mentions having a piano at home. The 

first I knew of it.-

16/7/42

It seems that seldom do I write up
my book that I do not , without

reporting some new loss - my very

good friend Bob Wells went west
today - I was leading a formation

of six a/craft when Bob broke away

and went towards home, The next
thing I saw his plane blazing on

the coast - His gunner Dawborn

escaped but poor old Bob lost 
his life - . - He has been a great

companion to me here and

infact ever since I first really
knew him a Narrandera  - a great
hearted chap -. for whom I can

add. He was respected by all
who knew him -. for his manly

qualities, his smiling face  

a man who would always make

the most of his position when every

one else complained  - I shall miss

old Bob -  Yet its  I not the way to of 

the RAAF to weep over these ''fallen heads''
so after it happenes were here today

and tomorrow, who knows?

The squadron has returned from

Wick and are duly laden with

news of their daring deed. I am 

convinced that one can't hope to
live long in a torpedo squadron
its just laughing at fate & so often

fate laughs back

24/7/42

On the 21/7/42 we buried poor 

Bob my great friend to rest in 

the local cemetery at Leuchars  —

he lies with other Dutch, Australian
& English Airmen who have given

their lives for their countries  —

The funeral was well attended by

our squadron personnel plus

An officer & rating from the fleet

air drome station where he crashed

I wrote a letter to his mother

poor woman, just to let her know

what a fine man he was in the

eyes of his comrades

Still no news of Colin 

Poem - paper clipping - refer to original document.  

If thou shouldst never see my face again,
Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of.  Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
But now farewell. I am going a long way
With these thou seest - if indeed I go - 
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt)-
To the Island valley of Avilion;
Where falls not hall, or rain, or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies
Deep-meadow’d, happy, fair with orchard lawns

And bowery hollows crown’d with summer sea.

A cry that shiver'd to the tingling stars,

And, as it were one voice, an agony

Of lamentation, like a wind that shrills

All night in a waste land, where no one comes,

Or hath come, since the making of the world.

Then murmur'd Arthur, '' Place me in the barge;''

And to the barge they came. There those three queens

Put forth their hands, and took the King, and wept.

But she, that rose the tallest of them all

And the fairest, laid his head upon her lap,

And loosed the shatter'd casque, and chafed his hands,

And call'd him by his name, complaining loud,
And dropping bitter tears

against his brow

Striped, with dark blood : for

all his face was white

And colourless, and like the 

and I wonder where he is tonight.

I am really having an excellent time 

here - Scotland is a lovely place in

the Summer. - I love the meadowsx 

& a daisies, the wild flowers & the

sleek cattle, but even so, I still sight

for my own dear clean brown land.

We may be going home soon, who
knows? its in the lap of the gods.

Met some charming people whilst

on leave in Edinborough - Our squadron
Doctor, John Bilton introduced me to them

I find the Doc a fine type and because

of his qualities his education etc he

interests me, we often go on leave 
& play golf together. He is a keen student
of psychology & some times I wonder just
how good his analysis. is — So often 
I have reported of the fantastic position

I am in, in the force, but when I

consider the position I might have 

been in. the army, trenches sand & 

dirt, well it pays or does it ?
The Scotch people are particularly
united as a people & extremely loyal
to each other. - I find the accent very
attractive, and their customs which

even they, regard as being a bit
comical — They are surprisingly 

generous & good natured, not a 

bit snobish like English people