Major Henry Charles David Marshall - Wallet 1 - Booklet 1 - Part 1

MAJOR H.C.D. MARSHALL

A.I.F.

3317

I

SHOULD THESE VOLUMES ∧1-15 BE FOUND PLEASE

RETURN TO FLAT 16 "WILUNA" FLATS

29 GEORGE STREET

EAST MELBOURNE

OR

C/- GOODYEAR TYRE AND RUBBER CO

MELBOURNE 

This book is private and for the

perusal of my wife only. It is

not to be shown to anyone

without my permission.

H.C.Marshall

ERRATA.

Check in War Diary

1/ Incorrect dates at DOMAKOS-BRAILLOS

2/     "                 "       "     SUDA BAY 

My darling Wife,

In a few days I shall have had my first birthday

as a Gefangener and now seems as good a time as any to

commence this little journal for you only. I am about to try

my hand at describing my experiences and feelings over the

last two years before my memory plays me tricks and before 

time makes me magnify incidents out of true proportion.

Over the last year as a prisoner my mind has naturally

dwelt mainly in the past and our life together has been

I am afraid more often before me than the future - although 

that has had a share and all sorts of plans have passed

through my head. All these plans however are only embryo

as I can make little or no arrangements to implement

my plans whilst a prisoner. This life is a peculiar one - 

when I joined the A.I.F. I had in my subconscious mind

the knowledge that I would either be wounded or

killed, unwounded or at the worst maimed but

never did I or in fact anyone else ever harbour the

thought of being a P.O.W. There are a number of doctors

here and without their views it is painfully evident

to me that being a Prisoner of War has an evil effect

on both physical and mental grounds. Mentally you have

to make a conscious effort to maintain a grip of yourself;

it is so easy to let the life gain a hold over you . All

around me is the evidence of this deterioration! - Officers

who in the past I should say have taken a pride in

their appearance - slacking and definitely drifting. I

take no pride in the fact that I have gone to another

extreme and pass part of my time in trying to

keep fit, clean and neat. As far as I am concerned

it is only part of my defence against this deadly

legarthy and apathy into which it is so easy to

slip. I am trying to write in this journal my 

innermost thoughts darling so that at some [[future?]]

2

date you may read this and understand in part at

least some of my experiences and the thoughts I had

at various times. Whether I can remember all I want

to say and cover completely the gap of two years I

cannot say now but I am making the endeavours for

two reasons - for your interest and my own. It is

something to do. I am sick of reading - sick of learning

German and there are no other courses of study in this

camp which interest me. It is this feeling of "don't care"

and drifting which frightens me so. And the fact that

my memory of people and places is becoming defective.

Not so bad as some but definitely at the moment my

memory is bad and the will to do things requires flogging.

The medicos however raise the point that this is only a

passing phase and we will recover and be as good as

ever whenever we again get onto a balanced diet and

a full one and are removed from the caged feeling of

being behind wire. I seem to have started this in the

present and I am giving you a stomach full of my

worries and troubles at present. However sweet I shall

soon get away from this line and endeavour to make

the rest as near to a long letter as I can. How long 

it will be I don't know but I propose to make my

starting point Pucka and go through step by step my

movements since then. As I said before most of my thoughts

are of you and of our life together. And there is plenty

of time for thinking. Perhaps if I now tell you our

routine and then leave the subject of prison camps

until they crop up in the narrative you will understand

better. The German rations are equal we believe to those

issued to their depot troops. Bread varies with the

seasons and the part of the country in which the camp

is. At Lubeck and Dissel that is XC and IVB we

were issued with 1/5 of a loaf of brown bread - here

with 1/8 of a larger loaf. The bread is composed of as

far as I can gather a mixture of rye flour with a

large proportion of potatoes. General opinion 

3

varies the contents over a wide range of commodities some 

of them unprintable. Added to this is a small - very small

quantity of margarine - jam once a week, a dried fish called 

"Klipfrech" or sardines and rice or semolina. I nearly forgot 

the staple diet which is potatoes. Nothing much else seems to

be eaten in this country and there are times when I feel

that you may be saddled in the future with a husband

who will refuse to have potatoes in the house. Still they are

not the same quality or cooked in anyway approaching

the way you cook them so after this war when I can have

them if I want them I shall probably like them again.

Now we either have them boiled or mashed - mashed

for two days and boiled in their jackets the third day.

As a very special treat they may be fried at odd intervals.

Issue meat is so small that the camps weekly supply is

kept for Sundays and makes what to you would be the

helping for a young child. Since October when I first saw a

Red Cross parcel I have received fairly regular weekly

supplies - sometimes due to low arrival this has been

spread over longer periods but they are definitely life

savers and with the German ration keep us alive.

By this I mean that I have no doubt we should exist

on less but only at the expense of our health - even

how we are only able to make the mildest of exercise.

All this description of food is to give you some idea of

the routine. Reveille is at 7.30 am and Breakfast at

8.30. On that I keep two thin - very thin slices of bread

and a mug of tea. Before that I am usually shaved and

showered. Around about 9-9.30 mail arrives and the

round of the mail man brings joy to some and disappointment

to others. Immediately he has passed, you either read

your luck or transfer your hopes to the next day. It

is an ever present thought that if you are not lucky

today you may be tomorrow - and so on until you

click. Then of course human nature being what

it is you get a wonderful kick and then the

pendulum swings back and leaves you more

unsettled than waiting for the letter. Still that

is got over in my case by rereading your

letters and then hopes start rising for the next

4

delivery until the crescendo is reached. Its a bit

unsettling for the nerves but as long as the period of

waiting between letters is not to long I have schooled

myself reasonable well to waiting. I find darling one

that in writing this my thoughts stray from one thing

to another as I write and I fear that there will not be

a final result in a collected essay but rather a

collection of jumbled thoughts. So far I have already

departed from my original line of thought on the first

page but I shall get back to it in time. Most of

this is so far the preamble and has no great

bearing on the ultimate result I picture. Here again

I am departing from describing the routine so I 

shall get back to it. "Appel" which in German

means Roll Call is now at 10am and takes varying

times. At 10.30 hot water is provided and for some

days following a Red Cross issue my mess of 9 is

able to have Cocoa or Ovaltine or a mixture of both.

Lunch at 12. Afternoon tea at 3.30 and afternoon

Appel at 4. Nothing then until 6pm Supper and

then Lights Out at 11. You will notice that I have

used the English naming of meals and both Theo

and I and also most of the other Australians can

never reconcile ourselves to this division of meals.

Particularly the afternoon tea habit. I know that

neither of us drank tea until Crete so we are

probably not in a position to criticise but still thats

what we feel about it. My thoughts of you drift

daily through the past and pictures of the future

are colored by my memories of the first time I kissed

you properly. - of our first trip down the Yarra in the ferry

boat. I know that episode has caused you amusement since.

- of the parties at St Kilda although I was not so keen on

them - only about you and I can admit now that the

only time I was ever jealous about you was there - on

the New Years Day trip down the Bay. I very nearly washed

[[back?]] then but ever since I have thanked God I did not for 

5

I would have missed all my happiness. It has been perfect

and that makes the future all the more wonderful to think

of and alluring. I hope that it is just around the corner.

Memories of Bon Beach - of the flat at Royal Park - of all the

things we did together. As you said in one of your letters

Friday nights - a few beers then dinner a dance and a show

walks over Royal Park with a golf ball and stick - our

famous hike at Heathmont - Mayfair -   - Parties

but they are sort of general except the one at Canterbury. Then

our marriage and thank God none of the details of our honeymoon

have been dimmed. The train to Ballarat - our troubles with

the hotel and I can tell you now darling that the even way

you accepted the difficulty made me love you more as it seemed

to me an augury of our life together. Then our perfect Easter at

the Red Lion and our setting up house together. The perfect days

at Canterbury and my deep quiet happiness which I was

unable to express. When the war started I never told you how near

I was in not offering - I knew that if I did not I should always

feel that when I saw myself in a mirror that I should hate 

and despise myself if I did not. Even when my application was

in I had a hope that I would not be selected but when I was

it was your attitude that made everything so much easier

and smoothed my way. I wonder dearest if you can understand 
me when I say that in the light of events since then I

have not, even although a prisoner, regretted the decision to

go. Someone had to be first, we had a job and did it and

I feel that our efforts then although we could not see the 

future or the way affairs would go - had a lasting and good

effect on the future of the British Empire. Had we not left

Australia and not been in the place our peculiar talents

rendered us the best for, perhaps the war might have ended

suddenly against us. Against that all my training has been

for the situation Australia is now in but I hardly think 

that our staying at home would have made the slightest

difference and on the other hand as I said before our going

probably had a great effect. History will give the answer to

this problem. It all sounds so involved but I feel you know

that my great love for you and the prospect of being with you

very nearly made me not do what I did and I dont want

you to feel at all hurt that I now feel I was right. Some

people will I know say when we return that we should

have stayed but I am trying in my dumb way to say

that I feel it was right for the A.I.F. to leave Australia when

6

it did. My thoughts go back to the training period in Pucka

and how proud I was of you on your visits - of how you

endeared yourself to everyone by your sweetness and

Cheerfulness. I was so very proud of you. Memories of our

stolen moments away from the crowd - one in particular

in Wackers car. You were a darling that day and I felt

again your deep understanding. I must tell you now that

when we were at Warburton I knew that this weekend was

my last with you and that I tried whether successfully or

not to conceal my knowledge. I have always had a 

sneaking suspicion that you were as aware as I was but

I could not bring myself to ask you outright. That weekend

was bitter sweet to me. I knew too much and was so much

in love. When I left you on the steps of Warburton House I 

had the most confused thoughts - mostly wondering when

or whether I should see you again - with an unspoken

prayer as to wheth  that I should. The drive to town was

not so pleasant and I welcomed the change meeting at 

Lilydale with two of my troops to whom I gave a lift.

I had to be present at the parting with one of them with his

70  year old father and promised to look after his son. He

is now a prisoner with me - that is in a Stalag. The

situation during the last few days wasn't pleasant - Henry 

and I consoled one another as well as we could and it

was fortunate that we had so much to do. That Fate

or Providence allowed you to come up to the Sports Day

on the Thursday helped some and I knew you knew then

that this was to be the last time we would be together

for some time. For some months I had been picturing

and fearing this moment and I don't know whether you

will agree or not but I now feel that our au revoirs were

better said with others around than alone. I know that

I would have broken down like a kid if we had

been alone. You were so brave and reasonably

Cheerful that from you I was able to gain the nerve

to say Cheerio in a way I hope was not to noticeable to

the others. I loved you very much then dear for your

help. At times when I write this I feel that I am not 

giving the right expression to my feelings - you know the

difficulty I have of speaking them - let alone writing

them and I have made a resolve not to read this

book over or I might be tempted to tear the whole thing 

7

up as a prime example of sentimentality and being maudling.

All these thoughts are for you only my darling and I hope are

going to be sufficiently clear to you for you to understand my

very mixed and jumbled thoughts and motives. Anyway the

night you left I wakened in the middle of the night and given

an entraining job which kept me busy until our own turn came

and whilst I got a little sleep for some days I welcomed the job.

We entrained alright and again my thoughts on the journey

became a bit too emotional. It's hard to describe them - a

mixture of longing for you - thinking of how you were reacting

absolute uncertainty for myself - I can't quite say fear of the

unknown ahead - that may be right but like everything

else such as the first time I was really afraid in the Police

Strike it wore off. Possibly I can best describe it as

excitement of the unusual and just as soon as I became

familiar with the fact the feeling dissappeared and I became

Calm. Right throughout my trip and the battles we have taken

part in I have had a feeling of thankfulness to the Police 

Strike and the fact that I was a Special. To that I believe

I more or less woke up and although I have been frightened

many times since having that experience of fear at an

early age has helped to ease the other things. I hope that

I don't seem silly and make you think I am heroic - I'm

not in the least. Later I shall have to confess to many 

moments of fear but I do feel that the first feeling I had

during the strike made the rest easier and quicker to

get rid of. I am convinced that no man can truthfully

say he has not been - frightened. I have been a

few times believe me. Anyway the trip down was without

incident except that I was in the wrong carriage to get my

share of the last bottle of whiskey we had. Considering that

I  had planted it for the trip down and my job having

taken me away I had to depute someone else - I forget

who to bring it along. Anyway their carriage had the

benefit and not mine. When we were at Flinders Street

Harry and I chose the wrong side of the train for our

attentions although we both tried to watch both sides

You can picture us jumping from side to side and

it was just our bad luck to miss you. I was not until

we were on the boat that I heard you were on the

platform. I think it was Lunn who saw you. So that 

up until then I had gone on in sublime ignorance

although up to then both of us had hoped for a last glimpse

8

As you no doubt remember it was a dull grey day at the time

we embarked and it rather typified my mood. I had a feeling

then of having burnt my boats behind me. Anyway we got

on board and for some time there were endless jobs to do

supervising the dispersal of men and gear into cabins. My

company was very lucky in getting cabins in the centre of the 

ship as against two of the other companies who had to bunk

in much less luxurious quarters in the converted holds - 

most of the men sleeping in hammocks for the first time. Miller

was my cabin mate whilst Henry was with [[Unk?]]. We of course

tried hard to alter this as neither of us had much community

of interest with our cabin mates - I still have little with mine

and who I consider is not so good. Still as our cabins were 

across the alley it did not matter very much except that we

were apart. All these essential jobs kept both us and the troops

off the top decks until we commenced to pull out when we were

able to get up. Your large tablecloth on the beach was a great

idea and our old red one I hope showed up to you. Both

Harry and I both waved until the sheet was just a white dot

in the distance and I know (and he confessed afterwards)

that his thoughts and heart as we were mine were too full

for words. We both looked at one another and just went

for a walk away from the others. About half an hour

later your note was handed to me and darling it did

more for me then than anything else in the world could

have. It was so sweet and steadied me right away. How

You arranged it I don't know but it was dear of you

and was a sheet anchor. We passed down the bay

without incident until we got ^to the Rip where of course we

picked up the Pilot. Boat Drill had been explained and 

a practice one was held at the same time. There was

quite a steady swell coming up and before we had got

rid of the Pilot outside the Rip a few were feeling the

effects of the roll and were developing slight seasickness.

Dinner was held in the lounge of the Ship this having

been converted to the purpose - food coming up in lifts from

the galley. Sometimes it was slightly cold in consequence

but could not be helped as the original First Class 

Dining Room two decks down had been put into

use for troops - without some of the fittings of course.

Right throughout the voyage the food was excellent and

both the troops and ourselves did full justice to it. 

9

In fact many of the troops letters home were illuminating on

this subject for they fared little worse than we did. By the

time dinner was served the ship was feeling the effects of a

swell and I must admit that although I felt "not seasick"

I still was not too clear about it. It may have been the

effects of the blackout making the room with so many diners

so close - I can't say but when at dinner I felt squeamish

so quite irrationally I decided to make a really good job

of it and had everything including fish - quite expecting 

to be ill. As soon as I could I escaped to the cabin and

feeling so bloody tired with little sleep I got into my

bunk. I went to sleep after conquering two mild
attacks of nausea and woke in the morning completely

clear and that was my last feeling of seasickness and

strangely enough I lost my allergy to fish. Every night

after that I ate fish and suffered no ill effects. I have

completely lost my dislike of herrings and sardines as

they are quite a part of our meals now and I only go

to prove the saying that if you have too you will eat

anything. Since then I have or rather since capture. The 

few days to berth were interesting and illuminating in 

many ways. It was our first experience of ship ways - I

mean the battalion as a whole and the standard of

cleanliness demanded by the ships officers whilst necessary

was very hard indeed. It may have been harder than usual

as they had already carried one lot of troops and had

had endless trouble. This in consequence was received

very coldly by the ship when going on board first and it

was some days before they realised they had a different

type to deal with and then thawed out and made the trip as

enjoyable as possible. Crossing to Perth was an event in the troops

levels. The shops log was entered "Weather moderate" but to most of

those on board it seemed like a howling gale of the worst kind.

Most of the troops were very sick and I expect you cannot

imagine the conditions of the lower decks. Anyway on ships

inspections the Captain was not very sympathetic and insisted on

absolute cleanliness - so that the troops soon recovered and

got their sea legs when they found they had to clean up the

mess immediately. I'll admit that the stench was over

powering and equally as bad as being seasick but the

lesson was salutary and effective. The old captain was an

artist at inspections and the tiniest speck of dust did not

miss his eye. On mirror ledges and behind doors -

 anything. It's surprising really how very little dust is on a

well run ship and the place or rather articles  which prove

10

it so conclusively are boots and shoes. They hardly need cleaning

once a week. The trip over to Perth was utilised in settling down

into a routine - training the troops in ship life and daily in

boat drill or alarm stations. Our transport was as far as I know

splendidly equipped with bulk heads and automatic closing safety

doors thus divided the ship into a number of watertight compartments.

There were sliding doors worked by machinery and everyone had

an immense respect for them. If once started you were caught 

nothing nXXXX would stop them and you could be crushed to
pulp and still not stop the door. On each practice alarm the

captain or his next in command inspected all boat stations and

criticism of the wearing of lifebelts was pungent until they were

satisfied. Everyone had a lifebelt. Life of course was divided

up mostly on sizing up the ship and passengers. As you know

we had horses as well as a Hospital and staff and some odds

and ends of details on board as well as the Heads and every

one seemed to be wary - waiting for a lead. Our battalion

life was made up of training in the morning in the limited

space available - administration of which there was a lot

and part of the troops shaking down into necessary work

helping in the protection and working of the ship. Beside

providing the anti aircraft defence we supplied Signallers

for inter convoy communications and in the life of the ship

Cooks assistants, Laundry assistants and Barbers. All of

which were found necessary at once. This was of course OC

ship and Unk looks over the battalion. He was inclined to

be nervous and intense a failure which became worse as

time went on. Afternoons and evenings were more or less

free and a general routine of games etc was gradually

being attempted. That is after the seasickness had worn

off. I could not say that anyone was friendly and I

mean Officers and Nurses - or rather Officers Nurses

and Doctors - a nice distraction which you will not

understand without explanation. By the way John

Culquhuon who had married Margaret? Brookes just

before embarking was one of them. He had had last

war experience in a Battalion and was consequently

about the best from a military point of view for

although the others were fine chaps personally they were

definitely "civilians" in uniform and were useless

as far as discipline was concerned. Its not their fault 

11

they knew nothing about it. Experience has probably taught

them a lot. We were of course uncertain if we would call at

Perth whilst we were travelling along and it was not until

early morning of the day that we became certain. I shall

now darling divide my journal into sections and describe

each part as fully as I can remember beginning with Perth.

Perth A lot of my memory is not clear either as to events 

or times but it was very early in the morning that we arrived

alongside the Pier. As soon as we knew definitely of our calling at

Perth speculation was rife as to whether we would be able to land.

Talk of the convoy before had filtered through - of their behaviour

in Perth and if you remember some small items of news

had appeared in Melbourne about the alleged larrikinisms.

This combined with the news of the ships officers who had

now thawed and had told their thoughts increased the

doubt. Everyone had lots to say and as the boat still

remained at the Pier without any signs of a Leave Party

everyone was convinced we would not see Perth. Actually

it was due to some bungling of the Disembarkation Staff

but as soon as the news got around everyone's sprits rose.

There was still some hours of needless waiting but finally

we got off the boat. Fremantle is like any other Australian

or foreign port for that matter. Piers and warehouses etc

and advertisements all around. the only difference is

the shape which of course is governed by the Bay and

River. Henry and I were detailed to take the Bn up by train

although by this time it seemed as if thousands of cars

had arrived and we were told that people would take

anyone up by road who wished. Let me tell you before I

forget that never has a town taken anyone to their hearts

and homes as Perth took us. They themselves gave the lie

to any rumours of bad feeling and nothing was too much

trouble and nothing too much for them to do. Actually

Harry and I did not mind going by train as we had

resolved to go and meet some rowing pals of his. Perhaps

I have told you a lot of this in my letters before but bear

with me darling - it keeps my memory going and there

may be lots missed out of my letters. Some of the places

I shall describe are not nice - particularly dirty but

I feel sure that you will want to know the lot. Anyway

to get back to the train. They have a narrow gauge

line from Fremantle to Perth and their small

carriaged steam train seemed very funny to us as

12

we came from behind the wharf sheds. We got the Bn on and

left no room for ourselves so with a lot of others we travelled

with the Guard in his compartment or whatever he called it.

Nowhere before or since have I travelled on such a bumpy

railroad - at times the train travelled I suppose 15 mph

and felt as if it would leave the rails or at least bump

off. The journey up was the same as any other suburban

journey except that as we approached Perth Station we

passed the brothel area of Perth - Rowe St is its famous name

close to the Goods Yard we passed through. Most of the

inhabitants were at their doors in silken night dresses -

some very thin - and they all looked positively revolting

to me in the bright midday sun. It was now close to 12

and we actually arrived at 2 minutes past at Perth

Central. Getting back to Rowe St. I have only seen two

streets like this - Little Lonsdale and the Berka in Cairo.

And possibly because they looked white in Rowe St I 

reckon it was the worst at first sight. It just made me sick.

That's the lot on that subject. As soon as we detrained the

Bn melted away and we were free until midnight. By

asking questions we walked to the Rowing Sheds on the

Swan and commenced our lunch. After missing any

information at two sheds we tried the last and found

that most of Henrys old rowing and interstate oarsmen

friends had either given up or had gone home. So we were 

stranded. Henry had told me that there would always be

a beer in any Rowing Shed but apparently this was

the only off day. Anyway at the last shed after some

talk of rowing a couple of them invited us to their

Club - the Civil Servers if I remember and to use the

phone there as well as drink. Well from that moment

Perth did to us what they were doing to everyone else.

We got to the club and had a drink. I phoned Don

and arranged to meet him at Barnden's who were

giving a party to a lot of us and had gone to the 

boat. Of course coming by train they missed us. After

I left the phone I found some of the committee had

arrived and only by insisting was I allowed to buy

a drink. The only money I was allowed to spend the whole 

13

day. I was wrong Don called for us to take us to Barnden's

and we had by this time a reasonable foundation. Mrs

Barnden was charming and when she found we had not

had lunch turned on a very quick one just before the

party arrived from the Boat. We had arranged for a

number of friends to call and after a  few more beers we

were piled into cars and taken sightseeing. Henry and I

went with the son of the owner of the local brewery - our

luck?  he turned out to be an old oarsman so he and

the big boy swapped yarns. Apparently in Perth you either

row or play hockey on Sunday. Anyway we saw Kings Park

and the rowing course on the Swan. The Park is a lovely

natural one on the River and was covered with flowers.

We were taken to the Yacht Club and the Golf Club all on

the River and in each place everyone flocked to

entertain us. It was almost overwhelming. Then back

to our host's home at Peppermint Grove - the Toorak of 

Perth to meet his wife and afternoon tea. More of his

own beer. He lived next to his father whose house was

nearly 100 years old and one of the landmarks. About

5 oclock we we dropped in the City as we had a call to

make on one of Henrys rowing friends - an old one from

Melbourne now a leading doctor. So far I had not met

any of his famous pals and the maid told us this one

was out with three troops showing us the sights. He was

expected back in an hour so we walked instead of waiting.

In the course of our walk we decided on a drink and

found a hotel. We walked in and ordered and had five

drinks and were just going when the manageress came

in. She nearly fainted and explained that besides

being Sunday as a result of the visit of the last convoy

all hotels were under £100 bond or fine without the

option if they served drink to troops. I suppose that

as we already had the drinks under our belts we

were not very sympathetic. Anyway she recovered and we

had one on the house and trotted off back to Dr

Parnell's. He had not returned but his wife had and

she entertained us until he returned after depositing

his guests at the ship. After a great deal of reminiscing

it was decided that everyone should dine at the

Esplanade Hotel - the Windsor of Perth as their guests.

14

So there we went and Dr Parnell turned on a marvellous

farewell dinner including Champagne. I had as usual

stuck to beer all through the day and the last was

rather wasted on me. During the day I had been watching

the shops for a bootshop with a dwelling attached as I needed

a pair of shoes badly. I had no luck and mentioned this

during dinner. Immediately Parnell phoned a friend who

owned the biggest shop in town and arranged for him

to come in some miles and meet us at 9pm. A little

before this we started off and on the way downstairs I met

a friend of one of the other boats with a nurse. I mentioned

where I was going and she said she wanted a pair

too. She joined the party and we went to the shop. There

were two Jews waiting - the joint owners and they just

about turned the place inside out making us

satisfied. They absolutely refused money from the

Sister who got her two pairs for nothing and after

a compromise I got mine and a pair for Miller

sandals worth 12/6 for 25/- the lot. The hospitality in

Perth was absolutely overpowering and embarrassing

at times. We returned the nurse to her lad, finished

coffee and liquers about 10 and returned to Parnells

home. Until 11.30 we talked of all sorts of things and

had a few more and then drove Henry and I

to the ship arriving a minute before midnight very

tired, happy and just ready for bed after a glorious

day. Perth darling is a place I want to take you too.

Possibly on a second visit it may not be so free and

friendly although the occasion was so special I feel

that it might be. Everyone on the boat had the

same views and Perth may benefit in the future.

The troops were remarkably well behaved and although

many did not arrive until well after midnight it was

due to losing their way or getting stranded somewhere

or other. We pulled out without a deserter. Next morning

we were still at the wharf and our stay there was

enlivened by one of our lads - a very small man

getting off the boat somehow - we think via a porthole

and obtaining some whisky. He was unfortunate in

being caught returning and had the plunder 

15

confiscated and a few days cells. He had given proof before

that drink was his downfall and he finally was returning

from Palestine as S.N.L.R. "Services No Longer Required" as

not likely to make an efficient soldier. We pulled out from

the wharf and stayed some hours in the Bay awaiting our

piquets and their roundup. We only had a couple for the

ship - not our unit if my memory is correct. Whilst

waiting the ships staff seized the opportunity for alarm

Drill and did the complete job of launching and 

filling some boats. It was highly interesting particularly

for the nurses - some of whom were allowed to go. Those

left behind mourned for days the loss of the opportunity.

Everything was finally settled apparently and the convoy and

escorting ships left Australian waters in brilliant sunshine.

And the ship returned to normal. By that I mean that

you rose - fought more or less for a turn at the fresh water

shower and then breakfast. After that ships inspection

and training interspersed with alarm drill and

orderly rooms for breaches of discipline. A few times

we dressed ship in honor of some special occasion

such as Anzac Day or to some of the escorts. Dressing

ship means everyone lines the rail in orderly

ranks and gives three cheers at the appropriate moment.

Neither I nor the troops enjoyed it in fact to the 

participant it seemed senseless and useless but no

doubt it looked and sounded well to the onlooker

or recipient . After lunch we were free and most

people rested until the heat of the tropics lessened.

We were by now approaching them and great care

was necessary not to go bareheaded or bareskinned.

About four oclock was a good time to start deck

sports although I was able to play at all times

under awnings. I preferred the more active Deck

Tennis to Deck Quoits. The bar opened at 5 and

after a few quick ones a shower and dressing

for dinner. By this time of course the competition for

the nurses society was getting grim to some and

amusing to others. Most were amused including

the nurses. There were about 120 to 42 nurses and

16

we somehow got the feeling that the doctors of the hospital

looked on the nurses as their special priviledge. It annoyed

the Bn as well as the nurses and it was not long before

they were nearly cut out. There were of course more other

units on the boat than just ourselves and the Hospital

I of course cannot say now. Again by this time

couples had paired off and it was fun to watch the

manoeuvres. Henry and I flitted about but were

careful - very careful to be friendly to everyone

and so were quite happy. We knew every one and

drank with everyone and except for a Jew Padre and

one Dr had no words with any one. Of all the nurses

I liked Mary Colebatch best and for some reason she

used to tell me all the news. She was I think the most

popular lass on the ship and possibly because I was

not in the competition she liked me and talked more.

As a matter of fact it was the same with Henry and I

We were friends with them all and did not have to

compete. Anyway I knew more than most on the boat

in every way. I suspect Mary of making her boyfriend

jealous a couple of times but she told me they were

engaged about a week before the boat reached our

final port. It was all very secret as they are not

allowed to marry or affiance themselves in the 

service. Otherwise they must go home if they marry.

Two or three have since I have heard . It was bad

luck for her as I told you in a letter that he did

not get out of Greece but was killed. I don't know

for certain but I think he was killed on the "Hellas"

When she was blown up at Athens with a lot of 

wounded and others on board. I find darling

that in writing this I do not keep to any sequence

but I am quite likely to break from one period

to another without completing one logically. As

I am writing this from memory and for your 

exclusive perusal it is not a novel or diary

but more a collection of my thoughts and feelings

and as I write I think of something or one

incident leads to another and the whole is

probably a little jumpy. Anyway to complete

the routine Henry and I had all the beer we wanted 

17

but we soon found out that beer is not a good tropical

drink and spirits took its place during the day. Whisky

and beer were relatively dear compared to gin which

cost I think 3/2 Australian a bottle. I dont like gin

but its surprising the amount drunk in Middle East.

Because its cheap. Iced Gin and Grape Fruit is rather

good but i could never really gat to like gin and 

water which was the ships staff tipple. Still beer and

whisky at twice the price was too expensive particularly

as anything you drink in the tropics soon pours

out of your pores. The meals an the ship were consistently

good and the troops were very surprised at the variety.

I may of course had never seen or been on ships before.

During this time censorship started as everyone

wrote reams of letters. Probably because they had

nothing else to do and it became almost a full time

job for all the officers to keep pace with the output

of the troops. Blackout now became a living force.

Dinner was a trial as the heat was not so intense

but very humid and sticky because all windows

and doors were closed. Even if you came in to the

saloon fresh and cool from a bath and hurried

as much as possible by the time you rose to leave

you stuck to the chair and the whole of your back

shirt and tunic was wet through. The deck was the

only solution and as it was completely black - no

cigarettes - you could only sit on deck chairs

and talk. The couples of course found odd

corners but I feel their rest was very disturbed

by promenaders. You either sat or walked. Henry

and I quite often sat with the shy or how shall 

I describe them - the unused nurses - who kept

to themselves or had not been chosen. I might

add that the majority were wonderfully nice women

but there were two cats and they could be experts

as far as I could see or hear. It was a few days 

after leaving Perth that I decided to do something

about a troublesome tooth. You now my fear

of bleeding after extractions so it took some nerve.

The tooth had ached for so long that I had

reached the stage of not caring so I saw the