Major Henry Charles David Marshall - Wallet 2 - Booklet 8 - Part 2
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serious fuss. I was very sorry to have accused Savige
wrongly but he would have very easily fitted the bill.
I apologised to him. The rest of my day at the Atlantic
was very quiet and as I said we were able to get about
and enjoy ourselves whilst still keeping a watchful eye
on things. One day I took Frank Burton to lunch at the
Petit Cour and another about seven pm. I joined some
doctors from the 2 Fd Amb at the Cecil and went and
saw my one and only picture show. I forget what we saw
Picture theatres in Alex. and in fact all through Egypt
besides having the usual seating in the hall have a
number of boxes at the back and a bar in the foyer.
At any time you press a button and a waiter will
bring drinks? There are a large quantity of Russiansand or boarding houses in Alex and these are much
more reasonable to stay at than hotels like the Cecil.
There is another grade of hotel - for want of a better
name are rather like Chevron. Private hotels but they
all have a bar. Mann of the 5th who was on duty with
me knew one from a previous leave in Alexandria
called the LeRoy so we went up there a couple of
times. There we met a friend of his called Hurrey
a Commander in the Navy whose job was styled D.I.N.O
Deputy Inspector of Naval Ordnance. He had his private
launch so he took us for a tour of the harbor. We
called on the Australian Destroyer Voyager and had
a very rapid conducted tour as she was moving her
moorings. From there we went around the harbor
past the French ships lying there including the
"Sufferin". which had escorted us over. Then to the
battleship "Warspite" where we were shown the breech
of the 16" guns and the multiple pompom a/a guns
on the deck. I can't remember any other thing of interest
as we could not stay long and in fact had to refuse
a drink. Then back to the Atlantic and duty and to
find nothing had occurred in our absence. One other
thing I remember was that Hurrey was the most
furious and reckless driver I have ever been with.
Still he did not hit anything which surprised me
as outside the city area there is absolutely no traffic
control or traffic sense. The only other thing I can think
of are isolated incidents. The nearest hotel to the Atlantic
was the Windsor and some of our nurses from the boat
came there on leave. I knew them but they had their
own arrangements so l did not offer to take them out. This
hotel had a license and we usually went over there.
They had an American beer called Pabst in tins and
as the Windsor was one of the hotels which had run out of
British Beer we drank this. It was absolute nectar compared
with the Egyptian Beer but I received a shock when one
day I idly converted the price I was paying in Egyptian
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into Australian currency and found that it cost 2/6 per
glass. I did not do this until nearly the end of my stay or
I probably would have conquered my distaste for Stella,
When Halliday and I first went into the Metropole Bar we
met an R.A.F. officer in shorts. He was drinking brandy
for a pick-me-up and I have never seen such a case of a
hangover. He was literally trembling in every limb and
could hardly keep his glass to his mouth. He had just
started on a few days leave after service in Abyssinia and
had flown a new plane back from there. He could not remember
anything of the previous night and wondered what he was
going to do. Feeling sickly he pulled up the leg of his shorts
and found he was wearing a bathing costume and some
memory came back. About three he had come back to
change into this and go for a swim but now at 12 noon
he was still on the way. And never looked like getting
there. for as the brandy gradually steadied him he
began to think of another bender. Another tale is of an officer
who had spent a lot of money on a nightclub girl and fully
expected to see her home and stay the night. She met him at
the door dressed to go wherever they were going and leading
a small dog on the leash. She handed this to him and
asked him to wait a few moments. He stood there for about
5 minutes and then looked down at the dog. It was not
there. It had been trained to slip its collar quietly and
both it and the girl had gone home without having to
pay anything for the money spent on her. All he had was
a cheap lead as a memory. I do not know whether all
or any of the cabaret girls were in this profession. Frankly
I think only a few would as many had their relatives
with them. They came from every country in Europe
and at the Carlton the artistes were Bulgarian, Greek
Spanish American and others. I was able too after a
great search to find the cable office - it is run in Egypt
by the Marconi Company and I sent you a birthday
and Anniversary cable. As I was captured I never received
your answer to this one for no doubt it was one of those
returned to you. On the same ship out in desperation I
went to the best store I had recommended to me - I think
it was called the Rivoli and looked about for a present
for you. I liked the underclothing but the sales girl had
little or no English so in desperation I saw an English
Sister of about your size going down the stairs. I went
after her and begged for a few minutes of her time to help
me. She did not mind and I chose the color and she sort
of guessed the size herself. She apparently from one of
your letters was well out about the scanties. She also
advised me about the quality. She must have been used
to such requests for she did not appear disturbed and
was quite calm and quick about it. I took it downstairs
the parcel I mean and saw some handkerchiefs installed
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and thought you might like them. So I included six and
took the parcel back to the Atlantic where I censored it myself
and sent it off airmail. It cost a lot of money - nearly a £1
but you would just about get in in time. I think it was
next day when we were recalled to camp as our usefulness
had passed - no more leave was being granted and we
expected to embark any day. I think I was back at Amirya
for two or three days before we actually did go. I know that
as I had not obtained a battle dress to fit I occupied part
of these few days in trying to get one. I was unable to - and
had to go to Greece in my old one, I went even to an Ordnance
Depot which someone said was expecting some new clothing
in but was unlucky. I did have the satisfaction of going
to Ikingi and seeing all the improvements that had
been made since we were there - all the roads were
macadamed and showers erected and in one place
on the way I passed the Field Bakery with its long
line of ovens - it had not been there before. Just opposite
to us was a most palatial mansion on which building
had not been completed. Originally it had been intended
as Corps Headquarters for Blamey but our successes and
change of theatre of war had altered all the plans. I
expect the first occupant will be an Egyptian - after
the war. I think it was also during these two days that the
myth of the Brock in the Brigadiers eyes was exploded. It is
all shrouded in mystery but as far as I know Jack Bishop
finally blew up and exploded and aroused the Brigs
suspicions. He sent for Theo and Wrigley of the 6th for
confirmation and Theo said he has never seen the Brig.
in such a towering rage. It was too late to do anything
about removing him as B.M. so he went to Greece under
a cloud. He was to be returned to his unit (2/7 Bn) as
soon as possible and Jack I believe to be BM. We were
sorry Jack was not coming to us as we were short, a
Major. Still as events turned out, we never saw either of
them. As I told you earlier the T'port and Carriers and
the advance Party had gone earlier with the flight ahead of
us. We received the Movement Control orders for embarkation
and to which I have referred earlier and on Thursday 10
April we marched in the early dawn to Amirya Station
not down the road but in a straight line across
country and well dispersed as a precaution against the
air although we did not expect it. We were all carrying packs
and it was the first march for a long time that the Bn
had carried its full pack. It definitely tried us all out
after leave and idleness and was definitely different
for our new reinforcements who suffered greatly. I continually
had to haze them from the rear to prevent them getting
bad habits of dropping out and as my temper in the early
morning is never good both they and the Company Cdr
and officers concerned felt the lash good and hearty.
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When we got to the Station as usual the train was not
there and we had to disperse the Companies and wait.
After a long wait we entrained and in carriages made
the short journey of about 15 miles to the docks. The
train drove almost up to the Shipside and we detrained and
unloaded the small portion of stores mainly cooking we had
brought with us. These were loaded and we waited whilst
the 6th Bn finished embarking. Then we went onboard and
were quickly settled. It was a very quick affair. The 5 Bn were
already on board. We had other units of all sorts mainly
small ones the largest being two British Field Companies of
Engineers. There was also a small contingent of R.A.F. and
all of a sudden just after they had embarked they disembarked
and all their stores had to be located and unloaded. There was
also one sister on our ship and she also went. A lot of nurses
in the other boat of the convoy were also disembarked and
that was the first intimation that all was not well in Greece
and we did not realise the really serious implications
even then. When we got on board we were all assigned to
boat stations. Later we pulled out into the harbour and anchored
near the French warships - the DuQueal the nearest. The
only other name I can remember is I think [[Hinernire?]] and there
were also two submarines moored near another ship. I think
I have mentioned that these were units of the French Navy which
escaped when France capitulated and were interned in
Alexandria Harbor with skeleton crews for maintenance.
Another sight whilst we were waiting was a Sunderland
Flying Boat arrive and it taxied quite close to us.
Our ship was the "Pentland Firth". We lay in the harbour
all afternoon and night and sometime in the early
morning when we were all asleep we pulled out and
really started on our journey which led to this camp.
Then it was only another adventure or job of work.
We had a boat stations practice and the permanent
OC Troops Lt Col Hope came round on his inspection.
This led to a little incident. Theo was given a deck or
decks to command and he sub let one side of a deck
to me which included some of the 7th and also a contingent
of the Electrical and mechanical Coy of RE's. When Hope came
around I paid the usual complement of giving the order "Port
side" "Deck attention". The Major in charge of Engineers
was very upset at this. Immediately gave RE's Stand at Ease
Attention" and himself saluted. After the parade was
dismissed he came over and said he could not permit me
to give commands to his unit and that was why he had
countered mine. I gave him the information that I had
been placed in command by Col Walker and referred
any discussion to him as it did not worry me a
hoot what he did. I was in command. I then waited
a few minutes and went along to Theo's cabin and
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asked him if Pester (RE Commander) had been along only
as he had not forecast his visit in the near future. I
gave him the gist of the matter and just at the end a tall
like voice was heard enquiring for Col Walker. Pester was a
big burley man and used his presence and loud voice in
an endeavour to browbeat Theo. "As a Regular officer of 20
years experience do you expect me to allow a strange officer
to give orders to my command. They do not know him". That
was part of his remarks and he seemed to infer that he should
be in command and not a civilian soldier. He got very
small change and instead received a flea in his ear.
He was told that I was in charge of the deck and would not vary it.
He left in high dudgeon and that was that. I later learned
he was not liked by anyone and that he ∧ was soapy and would
drink all the beer anyone else paid for. he tried to crawl
to me in the Smoking Room but I was not having any. He
was later wounded in Greece and was in hospital with Theo.
I later saw him still in hospital at 2/3 Dőssel and he
had so shrunken and changed that I could not keep
feeling sorry for him. The cream of the joke really is
that I learnt two years later in this camp that he is
not a Regular at all. He was really badly smashed
about the legs by a bomb and had lots of punctures as
well. Wrigley of the 6 Bn. had trouble with him on the
wharf during embarkation and made him in the end
stand to attention whilst he ticked him off. An almost
unbelievable situation. He was well named. The menu
on the boat for the officers was very varied but lived up to
all the traditions of Scotland. There was bloody little of
anything. We had another trouble on board. We had
next to no money. We had been advised - really an
order not to take Egyptian money to Greece and like
good little boys we obeyed. then we found that we could not
buy anything on the boat except with Egyptian money.
So we scouted around. Henry borrowed 30/-. I had
about £1. and we got 10/- from Russ Godby I think. Even t
hen we had little enough as the prices were high for drinks.
Henry also borrowed a set of poker dice from an officer
of the 5th and we spent some time learning a game
called Liars with them. then we hit on a great idea of
playing and with seven or eight of us in the game we
continued until the losers contributed a piastro each
In this way we spent the day of the 11th and the night
11/12 and part of the day of the 12th. There was nothing
else to do. I pinched the set from Henry and still have
them now and will teach you the game. We supplied
as required some of the a/a Sentries and Posts but
we were not attacked from the air or sea although
the convoy before us had a good dusting and some
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casualties. The only source of amusement we had other
that dice was the Scotch Head Steward who was very dry
and cracked innumerable jokes at meals. The Padre
organised a concert for the Troops and invited Hope to
preside. Hope was very religious and I think took life
seriously. He did so and accepted the programme from
the Padre. He fell into a trap that I admit was unexpected
and unusual and only the Padre could have been ass
enough to do it. the item was a piano accordion solo
by exSgt Peck and Hope read this out. The troops laughed
with glee and so did we when we heard for we did not
attend the concert for long. Peck as I told you had been
reduced to the rank of Private by Court Martial and
in the Army could never be known as Ex Sgt Peck. We
gradually saw Greece appear and passed numerous
Islands and steamed into Athens harbour in the late
afternoon - really the evening. Before describing our
landing I must give you a few details of past happenings which
had such an effect on the harbor and our landing. the previous
flight with which our transport and Advance Party had been
bombed fairly heavily on the way over and Miller's ship had
been hit and suffered some casualties. They had landed all
right and at the main docks at Pirreaeus. There was constant
discharging and the Germans attacked the harbour. They
succeeded in doing a lot of damage but not so much due to
their actual hits but they caused a ship[ loaded with ammunition
and explosives to catch on fire. It finally exploded and
absolutely laid waste the harbor causing two or three more
ships so much damage that they had to be beached. We passed
one on our journey up the bay still burning. Apart from the
shipping the explosion had done untold damage to wharves
warehouses and installations and Pirreaeus was absolutely
impossible and could not be used. In consequence our t/port
ship had moved further around the coast to Volos and
was discharging our trucks which were loaded with all
our automatic weapons and gear. The destruction of
the wharves at Pirreaeus also made it impossible to land
us there and arrangements were made to land us at
Phaleuon Bay a few miles from Pirreaeus in small boats.
As soon as our convoy arrived an Embarkation Staff
Officer appeared in a launch and issued orders for
disembarkation and destinations when we got on shore.
He also called for Russ Savige by name and everyone wondered
why. It turned out to be a message from one of the nurses
Russ had farewelled in Alexandria giving her location
so that he could get in touch with her. She must have fallen
for him for he received one and may be two letters from her
whilst I was at Dőssel. She certainly seized her
opportunity of communication. We were last on the boat
at Alexandria and also fractionally last off here. The
small boats used were I should say coastal fishing boats
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equipped with motors, pointed at both ends and all sizes
Some capable of carrying 50 or 60 others only 30. They surrounded
our boat and we could see the same thing going on at the
Pentland Firth. The 5th went off first and most activity was
at the other end of the ship. Disembarkation went on and it
was soon seen that it would be dark before our turn came.
They soon stopped and the 6 and 7 Bns were left on board.
Then the ship up anchored and steamed away. We could not
understand this but the explanation was that they would not
stay in harbor overnight due to the danger of bombing. We
cruised around all night where I do not know and I had
a good sleep. Early dawn found her back at the same
anchorage and a fleet of small boats approaching. The
6 Bn immediately started and we watched. the sea was
choppy and I think only one side of the ship could be used.
The Greek boatmen were very excitable, dressed picturesquely
and very cheery. they hung about in a clump and as two
boats were filled and pulled away two more came alongside.
There were numbers of clashes between boats due to the wind
and sea and rapid Greek exploded. I have no doubt some
very lurid cursing went on. From the look of the boats a
number were pleasure cruisers with cabins etc. So on
Sunday April 13 our turn came and we too disembarked.
We had to leave all our heavy gear - not much - on board
and boat after boat was filled and started for the shore.
There was a line of full boats going one way and empty
ones returning. Theo went off first and Hope the OC Troops
shook him by the hand at parting and said "Well the best
that can happen to you will be to become Prisoners of War".
A very cheery parting and rather prophetic. He seemed to
know. Incidentally Hope was very religious almost to
mania, carrying a bible around with him all day and
holding daily services. He must have been heavensent
to the Padre. This is not a criticism of Hope but he bordered
on religious mania. My own view generally is to leave
everyman to his religion and not be critical. I left the
Cameronia with the last of the Bn and in a small boat
made the journey to the shore and landed at last on
Greece on some stone steps in Phaleron Bay. They were
rather wet and slimy and were a little difficult of negotiation
with steel studded boots. At the top I met Miller and
Wickery or rather Wickery as Miller had taken Theo off
in a car to our camp. I learned that we were to go to a
camp at Daphne and were to start marching and that
needed transport was running on a circuit to Daphne
and back and was picking up the marching troops as they
met them. Our route was via the Racecourse but I
never saw it as we were last we were picked up fairly
quickly. I do not think I marched more than a mile
before we were picked up. There was hardly a soul in
the streets, shops were closed as it was Sunday so that
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we had no welcome from cheering crowds. We arrived at
Daphne and found the camp is amongst a lot of trees
just off the road. There were some tents of all kinds well
hidden and rather difficult to get into in the undergrowth.
The sanitation arrangements were appalling and had to be
thoroughly overhauled before use. As we had no stores this
presented rather a difficulty. Incidentally I told you I
think that we left nearly 180 sick back in Alex. so
that we were reduced from a complete Bn plus First
Reinforcements to just under a Bn at full war strength.
I can only describe the camp as being in a delightful
forest setting and without knowing definitely would say
that it was some sort of natural Park as there were
one or two cafes in amongst the trees - what sort of
trees they were I do not know. When Theo arrived he was
told that the Brig and his Headquarters which had
come over by the last flight had returned to Egypt.
This was also confirmed by Australian Headquarters
in Athens. Jack Bishop had come over with us as he had
remained as Bde Rear Party and with Theo as the senior
Colonel had to establish a temporary Brigade Hqrs. About
11 am on the 13 the 5 Bn less one company received orders to go
to Larissa by train at 5 oclock that day. the same orders
warned both the 6th and ourselves for movement by train
early next day. Theo decided owing to the report about the
Brigadier to go up with the 5 Bn by train to Larissa and
carry on as Brigade Commander. Jack Bishop was to travel
by road with the few trucks and cars made available to
the Brigade. We supplied him with drivers. Following our
orders we sent the R.Q.M.S. to the Camp Commandant for
two days train rations. Theo had left some time before
for Athens to locate and obtain some necessary shortages
particularly as our transport was now at xxxx Volos. We were
also short of signal wire in our stores at Volos and
Wickery who had spied out the land when on the advance
party went off and finally returned with about six
miles. In the meantime the R.Q.M.S. had reported to the
Camp Commandant for Rations (he was an Australian
by name Silverstone and now in this camp) and
received the astonishing reply "That when our Quartermaster
had presented his compliments they would be issued". This
was doubly astonishing as Theo had already called on
him at his office and found him out but saw the
Camp Adjutant. Just as Geary was making his report
Theo got back from Athens to hear it. He was as i said
leaving at 5 pm and wanted his two days rations
himself. He immediately sent a message demanding
the rations forthwith or the matter would be taken at
once to the General. The rations were issued. Wrigley
the C.O of the 6 Bn also had trouble so that we were
all looking for Silverstones blood but never met him
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there. Fortunately probably as we were very incensed
at his refusal. one other thing we did on receipt of our orders
was to call the roll - establish the fact that everyone was
warned for movement by being present in the presence of an
officer and warned that the Bn was to move at ------- next day.
This conformed with the requirements of kings Regulations
and the Army Act and from that time forward everyone
knew that if he did not answer the roll call in the morning
he could and would be charged with desertion. A very serious
offence. Theo left for the train taking Lunn with him as
his staff officer. Chapman our Adjutant had been left in
Alexandria in hospital and Goodwin acted as Adjt
and stayed with me. Henry stayed behind with the Company
of the 5 Bn. I also left Daphne about this time with Henry &
Jack to attend the daily conference at Headquarters which
had been established at the Acropole Hotel. Going in we
saw Athens for the first time. It seemed busy and they
had two types of trams all on a narrower gauge than
we had seen before. Very old ones predominated but down
several important streets some very modern ones - with
self closing doors and streamlined and painted yellow -
travelled. We were in a hurry and did not have much
time for sight seeing. I caught a glimpse of the Acropolis
dominating the City and that was all. Some of the streets were
wide and others narrow. The population probably in their
Sunday best seemed well dressed and happy and proud
- they were giving the Italians Hell at this time. During our
visit we saw two ∧ soldiers of the Crack Greek Regiment the Evzones
in their peculiar frilled tunic - breeches and upturned
shoes with rosettes. They looked magnificent. As we were
driving along a street looking for the Acropole the airraid
siren screamed and everyone in the street scattered for
doorways and basements. We created a little excitement
by continuing driving but finally conformed by sitting
on a doorstep and smoking. It was a raid of short
duration probably only a reconnaissance plane and
certainly was not the first we had heard at the Acropole and
went to Movement Control Office where I found George OBrien
a Staff Corps Major of my acquaintance and who had also
come over on our ship in charge. They read out the
composition of the trains nextday. The 6 Bn were to be
carried in trucks to the first train. They had no further
availability so we would have to march with the bare
possibility of the trucks finishing in time to pick us
up. As we had received our heavy stores from the ship and
had also increased these by theo's visit to the Racecourse
and Wickerys signal wire I struck out for some 30 cwt
trucks to transport these and got them after some
argument. Guinn and the coy of the 5 Bn were on
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our train together with a few Muleteers and an RASC Reserve
M/T Coy. The orders inwriting given to us said that the officer
Commanding the largest unit on the train was to be O.C. Train
and that meant me. Another part of the order was reiterated
twice and underlined "Under no circumstances were we to
interfere with the Greek Railways Authorities or staff". After the
conference Henry suggested staying in town for dinner but
I could not feel that I should. It was alright for him with
only one company but I had the whole Bn and had to
write my orders. So Jack Bishop and I set off home and
on the way mad a reconnaissance of the route to our
entraining point "Rouf Yard" so that I should know
the way in the morning. I went back and in thye
darkness gave out the necessary orders and Goodwin
issued them for the march in the morning. I refused
leave to miller and Russ Savige to visit their nurse friends
but I have and idea they phoned them and they came
out in a taxi and spent some hours near the Camp. I may
be wrong. Fortunately the two cafes were soon out of
wine. I think you might be interested in some information about
the local wines. I never tasted anything in Greece but did in
Crete. the wine of the countyside is just called Crassis which
is the Greek name for wine and is a fairly lively red or white.
Retsina is a white wine flavored with resin and I am assured
is poisonous to drink. Originally the resin was introduced as a
preservative and is now included for taste as apparently it
is an acquired one and you soon like it. Ouzo is an
aniseed flavored alcohol and is very strong. It is like
Pernod and Absinthe and changes color to white hen
water is added. The original kill stone dead is Mastic
which is rather like gin and does not change color.
Mavrodaphne is a red sweet wine like port. Cognac or
brandy is like everywhere else in the world from the
best to the worst. My informant helped me too over the
wine I liked in Alexandria. Most of the Greek islands
produce a wine which is typical of their own island
wine producers. Therefore my remark of the cafe's selling
out quietly was meant to infer that we had no drunken
men. In the morning however there were five men who
did not answer rollcall. they had taken the chance
and had slipped away. With the exception of one man
from HQ Coy with special characteristics they were all
reinforcements - 2 from A Coy and 2 from C. About 5 am
Henry came round and said he had just got home and
was ready to march out. I had timed my march to
commence at 6 am so he started off. The B Bn had
already moved off. We marched down the macadam
road well dispersed with good intervals between
Companies, Platoons and sections and with the men
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on each side of the road. Approaching the outskirts of Athens
where we were to turn off for Rouf Yard we mingled with
the early morning traffic of buses taxis bicycles etc
all off to work. We halted for the last time near a toll
gate. Shortly afterwards we turned right and moved
down a train line past what seemed to be a fruit market.
The troops scored i think with tomatoes etc. and we left the
train line and moved into a short street and into the
Railway Yard. There I found that the B Bn was very late in
their entraining and that our train would not come in until
theirs had left. there was only a small area available for
dispersion and into this I put the Bn as well apart as possible.
the men were allowed in fact ordered to fill their water bottles at
a nearby tap but were not allowed to leave for any other reason.
We had a number of sore feet amongst the newly joined due
to the marching on hard macadam. In fact my own burnt
enough to make me glad the march was no longer than 7 miles.
Harry and I reported to the R.T.O. and then waited for our trains.
Whilst in his office we looked up the length of time for our
journey to Larissa. in normal times it was about eight
hours. The train came in and we entrained. it was
composed of boxcars with a flat antiaircraft truck in
the center and one carriage for the officers. this a/a truck was
our only protection as all our automatic weapons were with
the transport at Volos. I forgot to mention that after we left
Jack Bishop started by road to Larissa. Whilst we were at
the Rouf Yard waiting the military Police delivered one of
our deserters from A Coy to us. Johnstone tells me he met
another at Salonika who had spent the time in a civilian
jail until the Germans collected him. The RASC reserve
MT Coy turned up in lorries but they had left about
50 men behind awaiting transport in their camp about
20 miles away. they were expected soon and I arranged
with the R.T.O to move out when ever they came or at 11 am
whichever was sooner. the matter was taken out of our
hands as the Germans chose to raid Athens and it
was a rule of the Greek Railways that whenever a raid
was on any trains in a station pulled out out and halted.
stopping half a mile away. The missing RASC men
arrived and ran along the track and clambered
aboard just before we finally got away. As I told you
I was OC train although Henry was senior to me - due
to 7 Bn being the strongest unit on the train. We settled
down in our carriage Guinn Goodwin and I and
next to us was the RASC commander a major Lambert
and his officers. We travelled slowly after we had
started through the outskirts of Athens the line being
built right up to [[it?]]. All the women and children
came out - the children running alongside the
slowly moving train and the women waving to us.
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They do not use our method of waving but hold up the
arm with the back of the hand towards us and then
bend the hand towards themselves in a beckoning motion.
It is much easier to show you than describe. It might
be described as a signal to come back to them. I was told
today that all the continental peoples do the same. It
looked rather a pretty way of saying Godspeed or farewell
or what you will. We gradually increased our pace
and passed into the country. I find it difficult to
memorise or recall but I think it was a succession
of olive groves, vineyards and grain fields. As it was
winter there was plenty of water about and the fields had
been ploughed and prepared. About miles or kilos from Athens
we had our first experience of Greek Railways. The train
stopped and the train crew went for a walk. and stopped
around a hill about half a mile away. From the
conductor we got by signs that there was air airraid
on Athens before he too wandered after the driver and
fireman. I saw no reason to detrain or take any action
so we just sat there waiting until they came back. It
might have been anytime between ½ hour and an
hour before we started again. This occurred two or
three times during the day but I could do nothing
about it in face of that imperative order not to interfere
with the Greek Railways. We stopped at every station for
some time and as the country was now getting mountainous
every second station approximately was a watering
point for the engine. All the stations had a dwelling house
attached and some were very pretty. At every station our
arrival brought out the local population mostly women
children and old men and they came up and laughed
and made signs and made much of us despite the
difficulty of neither knowing each others language. I
have one very vivid impression of waving to one
stout matron and receiving as acknowledgement
the most dignified and charming inclination of the
head I have ever seen. At another station Henry and
I got out. He had lost his heart to all the little girls
who really were uniformly pretty and a joy to our eyed
after a surfeit of Arab children. we were near three or
four little girls and one was very beautiful. After they
had overcome their shyness they came close to us and
we succeeded in getting their names which I forget now.
As there was a hiatus I thought of taking out my wallet
and showing them the pictures of Marge and her babies
and comparing them with a little baby near whom I
was allowed to hold for a short while to the high
delight of everyone. This pictures were actually fought
over and I had to give away all my spare copies. Its
probable they may never have seen any before and
I lost my duplicates of the flat as well. We gradually
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made our way further from Athens and after the numerous
stops we canvassed the possibility of arriving next day. It
was still April 14. I can remember on the train that we
had numerous cups of tea made on a primus stove that
Goodwin refused to be parted from. He also had a portable
typewriter and whatever he discarded at any time he
had these two things - one in each hand. We also had
some tinned food besides our rations - brought I
think from Egypt and a bottle of whisky which Henry
had bought in Athens the night before and which I was
so determined to have on the train that I carried it in
my pack the whole way from Daphne. When he woke me at Daphne
he had it and did not know what to do. We also had
some hardboiled eggs which had been given to us or
bought on the way and we invited Lambert in to share.
He produced the luxuries of salt and pepper in little
shakers and altogether we fed well and drank well
whilst it lasted. I am not sure of this but I have a
hazy recollection of two bottles of beer being about as
well. The story goes that it was German beer bottled
in Greece and is quite a possibility as Greece was a
great customer of a lot of German goods. This covers all
the daylight hours of the 14th. During our stops for air raid scares
I was rather on pins and needles as although I did not subscribe to
the train crews attitude and took no action about detraining and
dispersing I could never be sure that we might not get an attack and
I anxiously scanned the air and listened hard with my whistle
handy. We jolted on slowly through the night and between 11 pm and
midnight stopped with the greater portion of the train in a tunnel.
There were numerous and long tunnels all along the line and it
was for the usual reason. Most everybody had gone to sleep but I
was too conscious of my responsibilities and stayed awake. I was
more so as I did hear planes slightly to our left. On the other
hand I was also anxious for the train to proceed and sitting
alone without any information and knowing we were wanted
somewhere for a job was not exactly a happy situation. The
halt continued and lasted all night and in the early dawn
of the 15th the train slowly proceeded. I was terribly angry when
I found that the train only had to do the journey through the
tunnel and pulled into a station where we had the usual
halt. To know then that I was so close to a telephone and
could have reported was aggravating and I cursed the train
crew as hard as I could which helped me a little and did
them no harm as they could not understand. We had our
usual meals during the day and the train labored on through
the mountainous country sometimes with two engines the second
attached to our carriage which was the last. I have just
remembered that my statement about not tasting wine in Greece
was incorrect as at one station watering place almost at the
top of the mountain range we crossed the line to a little
cafe in which we were able to buy some biscuits and also shouted
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two shepherds in their shop to a glass of Crassis. This particular glass
was a very raw local one and did not impress me in the least.
As we got further from Athens the airraid scare stops decreased
and on this second day we had I think only two or three.
These however were full of incident. I had to detrain the
troops and disperse them at one as planes were heard but
not seen and we were in open country. There was a deep
ditch along the line which looked a perfect cover but in
reality was not as it was dead straight and machine
gunning along the whole length and with troops in it would
have made it a death trap. I was much happier with the
troops dispersed over the open. At another stop I had not
ordered the detrainment and was standing beside the line
scanning the heavens when to my horror in the distance about
a mile away I saw another train coming in the other direction
at full speed. It was only a single line railway so I blew
like hell and hoped all the troops would be off in time as
the margin was getting very small. The other train finally
pulled up about 200 yards away at a loop which I could not
see. Anyway I might not have been so wrought up had
I remembered that train accidents are rare and head on
collisions in daylight rarer still but I could not take the
risk. A few moments of panic for me . The two trains were
stationary opposite one another for about half an hour and
then when the alarm was over the other pulled onto the loop and
we proceeded. On one or other day we passed on the left of the
line quite a heartening sight. It was an aerodrome of ours
on which were dispersed at least six heavy bombers and
a few fighters and many were the conjectures and hopes of what
they had done and would do. I must remind you that it was
just the end of winter and cold and wet with some rain.
I forget which day it was we first caught sight of Mt Olympus
the fabled home of the Gods in Greek mythology. It was about 10000
feet and was snow covered. As we approached it we could see
very high up what looked like a monastery. During our
journey we saw two or three much closer and whoever chose the
site seemed to pick the most inaccessable place. One was perched
on the side of a mountain near the top and just looked as if
it hung over a sheer drop of thousands of feet. If they wanted
solitude and seclusion they got it after great efforts. During the
winter I have no doubt there would be no communication with
the outside world. During this day the 15th Wookey became mor
and more ill. That is not a well constructed sentence but I am
not starting again. Right throughout our service he was always
weak and sick and now dysentery completely wrecked him.
He became worse each hour and at Larissa Godby asked an
M.P where the nearest hospital was. Fortunately there was one
about 5 miles out and the M.P's offered to get him there. So we
left him. During the day we passed two of three ambulance
trains and at one station we stopped there was another stationary
on the next line. They looked comfortable and clean and in one
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carriage we saw two very pretty and charming Greek nurses.
Up to this time Russ had three or four more men who
needed evacuation and he spoke to the Greek Doctor on the train
and we transferred them for carriage to Athens. It was a peculiar
situation as three had V.D contracted in Alexandria and had
waited until now to disclose it. they were exceedingly unpopular
over this apart from having the disease and although they were
capable of travelling we did not know how to evacuate them
as we got further away. Late in the afternoon we stopped at
Demali. On a flat near the station we noticed a large amount
of transport dispersed but took no other than a passing interest.
When the train stopped I reported to the R.T.O and asked if he had
any instructions. It was a large station and he seemed harassed.
With three or four others in the office. he told me my orders were to
go on to Larissa and at the last station before I was to pick up
some trucks of Artillery Ammunition which had been left there
and were urgently wanted in Larissa. We continued on and
at the next station a short distance on I saw the 6 Bn detrained
and dispersed. We pulled in and stopped and I contacted Hugh
Wrigley then C.O who told me they had to stop there - march back
to Denali and be taken somewhere by the transport we had
seen. He was very irritable as the trains journey had not
improved his shoulder which was wounded rather badly at
Bardia. Not with me however. I mentioned my language troubles
and he said he had eight English speaking Greeks on board.
who were going up to Corps Headquarters as interpreters. I pressed one out
of him for my use and we continued on. Just about now MacFarlane
became ill and collapsed and worried Godby who had he the
opportunity to evacuate him would have done so. We could not
so he lay on a seat in a carriage looking very ill. What
was the matter I do not know. We still went slowly on and
stopped at the last station before Larissa. Having the interpreter
made things a bit easier but we were faced with another problem.
The stationmaster assured us that the line between here and
Larissa had been bombed and it was impossible to go on.
Henry and I were discussing the situation and were just
going to order the continuation of the journey on foot when a
rail motor driven by a New Zealander arrived from the
direction of Larissa. This put an end to our plans but we
heard that Larissa had been very heavily bombed and
was a mass of ruins. As the information the New Zealander
could give us was very sketchy and as I still had to attach
the ammunition trucks Henry offered to go back with the
rail motor and contact the authorities and have some
information for me when he arrived. So off he went. I tried
to get the ammunition trucks on but after a lot of argument
I was convinced by the Railway Authorities that our one
engine was incapable of pulling our train plus the trucks
up the grade to Larissa. The only solution was to wait for
a second engine which would be some hours as it was
a number of stations back. As we had taken so long on the
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journey I refused and left the ammunition. Incidentally our
train crew needed a little persuasion to complete the journey.
We completed our journey and arrived in darkness about 10pm
after taking 37 hours for a normal 8 hour journey. On the station
platform xxxx was deserted with no officials I found Henry and the
interpreter who had gone ahead with him and was told the
situation. When Guinn arrived he was told the movement
control staff were away at dinner and were not expecting us.
After a lot of trouble he borrowed a car and went and found
Larissa Sub Base Area Headquarters commanded by Brigadier
Parrington who is now in this camp. they also did not expect
us as their information was the same about the line being
cut and we were first train to come in that day. Later
I got the whole story from Brig. Parrington who told me his
side here. He knew the withdrawal from the northern positions
was on and combined with the cut line and also orders that
we were being intercepted on the way up did not expect us. He
arranged with Guinn that we would move out of the town
away from the danger area of bombing and bivouac for the
night. Accordingly we backed the train about a mile out
of the station until we came to what in the darkness looked
like clear flat ground. We detrained and I allotted areas
and the men dossed down. the train drew back to Larissa
and about an hour later passed us going back to Athens crammed
with refugees whom we had seen patiently waiting on another
platform in the station. About 12 midnight when everyone was
more or less comfortably settled in the area which on investigation
we found to be a large ordnance dump we heard planes overhead.
We were treated to the spectacle of Larissa receiving a night
bombing and then a coup[le of planes flew around aimlessly
it seemed to us and machine gunned the ground It was
rather a striking display to see multi colored tracer start in
and air and flash to the ground. At least we know where
the plane was. This machine gunning lasted for half an
hour and the nearest bullets fortunately landed just
on the edge of our area but doing no damage. I wondered
as I crouched against a heap of carrier tracks whether
they would be over us but they went home for the
night. Larissa had suffered very heavily from a
number of things. Two or three months before an earthquake
had destroyed part of the town and now two very heavy
attacks by 50 planes at a time had completed - or almost
so - the destruction. By this time we had passed to April 6
[[at?]] 2.00 am I was awakened by Henry accompanied by
two of Brigadier Parrington's staff of Movement Control
Officers. Dibbs xxxx an Australian and Belgian who is also in
this camp. they carried new orders for us to return to
Domakos Rly Station where our own transport was
awaiting us. Dibbs then said the problem was he had
trains but no drivers or train staff who had all left
the town. He asked if we could supply a driver and
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about 8 brakemen. On most continental trains these men
are distributed over the length of the trains on trucks fitted
with hand brakes and they pass the journey in a little cabin
attached outside the truck and built slightly up like the
end of our Guards Van so that they can see the length of
the train. One whistle meant brakes on and two - brakes off.
It must have been a cold job in the winter and was damn
cold at the end of it now. Another thing Dibbs was short
of was empty trucks but he said he would send a train
of loaded ones and we could unload them. A rapid
message to the companies produced two volunteer train
drivers Cpl Melville and Cpl. "Scotty" Taylor with some firemen
and brakemen were no difficulty as the brakes were hand
operated and only needed screwing down and up. I prevailed
on a Sgt of an a/a detachment to run them down to the
station by signing a chit to his C.O and then proceeded to
collect the Bn in the dark. The R.ASC were not coming back
as they were to be called for and taken elsewhere to their trucks
when the crew got to the station they found all the engines cold
and dirty and they had to set to and clean them and
light a fire and get steam up. I could see the results of their
efforts after dawn broke in the column of smoke at the
station. Long before this I was like a cat on hot bricks because
I wanted to be miles away by dawn owing to our experience
of last night with the planes. I could do nothing about it
from my position and I suffered agonies every moment
until I saw the trains gradually pulling towards us.
When it arrived it was composed of 23 trucks both open
and box and the troops were soon aboard clambering
everywhere. They were disinclined to unload as they preferred
clinging but I could not have them handicapped so the
train was very soon unloaded by tipping everything out.
Cases out of the box cars just rolled out everywhere and
from the flat trucks cement fireplaces and chimneys and
all sorts of army gear. Whether they broke or not did not
concern me and I think between 5 and 10 minutes
sufficed. Henry kept the end car fully for us and when
I had got the train slowly started I jumped on board
and found he had allowed three or four Greek refugees
to get on. I think there was one old man and woman
and we shared our breakfast with them. We left three or
four men behind inadvertently as they crawled under
a tent flap in the dark and were missed when the coys
were being awakened. They awoke later to find the Bn gone
and used their initiative and walked and begged
rides until they found us again in Domokos. By now it
was full daylight and we were gradually getting further
and further away from Larissa but I would not feel
completely safe until we were at least 40 miles away.
Still every mile added to my contentment. My anxiety
after the start looked rather like the tag "Dont worry.
281
It mightn't ever happen". Still I must admit I was very
windy of being caught by air without automatic weapons.
About 10 miles on our way the train stopped and I walked
the length of the train to the engine. There Taylor reported
that there was only ¼" of water in the tank and he could
not put on a greater head of steam in case she blew up. I
spent the remainder of the journey on the engine as we decided
that as their was a steady decline to the next station to
start the train and run down under the weight. We therefore
coasted to the next station a few miles away and to our
horror found there was no water point as we confidently
expected. I had lost my interpreter in the dark on the station
at Larissa but by signs I was directed to a creek about a
hundred yards further on. We found an old biscuit tin
which would hold about 2 gallons but with only a small
hole on the top. This we filled and formed a chain of men
up the bank with the engine and commenced the slow and
laborious task of filling by hand particularly owing to
the lip on the tin spilling alot. Whilst this was going on I
went back and the station master made his appearance.
He was dancing with rage because we had taken a train
without a driver and refused to let us proceed. Just as I was
thinking I would have to use a revolver I mentioned Dibbs
name and this calmed him down and he became almost
molified. he provided a driver but I kept my crew armed on
the engine and after securing enough water we proceeded
on with a skilled man at the engine. I must admit we
noticed the difference in starting and stopping. At every
station we passed were Greek soldiers who had I suppose
deserted and were making their way to Athens. I refused
to stop or clutter up my train and only three got into
our truck by jumping on when it was going and we had
not the heart to kick them off. After getting a full supply of
water we continued on and I began to breathe with relief
at last. We arrived at Denali station and found it an
absolute hive of activity. We could not get through as
trains pointing both ways were blocking the way. A
Sergeant Major of a Guards Regiment was driving one
as all Greek drivers were refusing to drive forward. I
met the Transport Officer of the 6 Bn who was doing some
job and he said "thats your transport over there. It has
been waiting two days for you". It was the transport I had
already described as seeing when we passed through
the day before. It was not however our own unit tport
so I was very undecided as my orders said Domokos
a bit further on. What finally helped was he said they
had used it to go to Domokos the day before. Our only
method of detraining quietly was to drive onto a loop
line but there was another train there. Our driver
did not want to go off the main line either and we
had to threaten him very drastically. We won the
282
argument with the other train by pushing it ahead of us
further along the loop. My worries. When we had cleared
the main lines we stopped and detrained and I dispersed
the Coys all over some flat ground. I had also learnt
that the 6 Bn had been MG'd the day before in the same
piece of ground. I finally located the O.C. of the transport
and found that now he only had enough transport
left to lift half the Bn at a time. He confirmed that
he had been waiting for us for two days and if the RTO
had not lost his head and given me the wrong orders
we would have been saved a lot and I personally
a lot of worry. As well as Theo. who did not know
where we were. And I did not know where he was. So I
drove off with A and B Coys and Halliday and left
Miller in charge of the other half. I have forgotten the
direction we went but we had to travel some miles from
Demali to the main road and when we turned in
found it absolutely chock a block with both British
and Greek transport retreating. We lost all semblance
of convoy and proceeded in fits and starts the
slowness mainly caused by Greek horse transport
and the danger of getting off the road as the rain had
made the sides very soft and boggy. I was relieved
to see Theo at a Cross roads near Domokos village. He
had spent a lot of time searching for us and I will give
you his story in a minute. He received my explanation
and we waited the arrival of the rest of the first half
of the Bn which as they unloaded their trucks turned
around and went back for the rest - a task growing
more difficult as more and more transport jammed
the road and made the task of going against it more
difficult. Theo then told me that Brig. Savige had taken
the 5 less the Coy with us, the 11th and some attached
troops - formed the Savige Force and moved to Trikala
from Larissa. We with the 6th and a Coy of the 4th and
1 Bty of 1 Aust Fd Arty Regt formed Lee Force under
Brigadier Lee (an Englishman) to form an extracating
line at Domokos. With the Coy Cdrs except Miller we
made a reconnaissance and started putting the
Bn into position as they arrived. We finally collected
the balance after dusk - some of the Signal Platoon being
last in. I will now give you Theo's side and his
adventures. He left us on Sunday 13 XXth between 4 and 5 pm.
They just caught the train and had to throw their baggage
into the last brakevan as the train was pulling out owing
to an airraid alarm. This was the same one that held us
up in Athens streets. Jack Bishop and I - I mean. Their
train too was cheered right throughout the journey through
the outskirts and the women also waved to them in the
way I have described. Others also very cheerfully went through
the pantomine of drawing their hands across their throats
283
a gentle hint to kill as many as possible. In their truck was
an old man and woman so they setup the primus and made
tea for everyone. I have just been confirming some points and Theo
amplified his. It was cocoa and they had two children with
them as well who slept on Theo's valise. All the way to Thebes
they had a series of airraid alarms - the train stopping and
the same action taken as I have described. As they passed
through Charsala station some nurses on the opposite platform
waiting for a train to take them back waved to them. He arrived
at Larissa on the morning of the 14th April after a shorter trip than
mine and was met by John Young with the surprising information
that contrary to all the information received and confirmed by
Australian Headquarters in Athens the Brigadier was in Larissa.
he immediately went to 80 Sub Base Area Headquarters and
met the Brig whose first words were "Where is your Battalion".
The Brigadier had orders to collect all available troops in the
area and proceed to Trikala. I have told you the final confirmation
to Theo to take orders from n one but himself. Theo spent
all the 14th there and the next event of importance was the arrival
of 50 German bombers in an attack on the town. They flew over
and dropped the whole of their load of bombs on to the town
in one whack so you may have some idea of the explosion
and destruction, smoke and dust all occurring at the same
moment. 80 Base Sub Area Hqrs by the way were some miles
out of town. By this time no one liked being in a town.
In the late afternoon of 15 April he received orders from 80 Base
Sub Area to take the transport of 6th and of Bn's to DXXXXX
Braillos calling at Domokos on the way for orders. This
placed him in a very unenviable position due to the
Brigs parting order and ∧ whose he was unable to contact. After a
discussion with AC. Grey who was acting as Staff Captain
and the only member of Brigade Staff left in Larissa he
decided to go to Domokos . He left with his convoy about
7 pm (remember that we were not far away at this time)
when the same 50 bombers arrived for another strafe of
the town. They pulled to the side of the road and waited
after the bombers had done their work and left they bolted
through the town bottlenecks and cleared Larissa just as
darkness fell. They made good time to Pharsala where
the first check was encountered. On investigation it proved
to be a Greek General on the way back with a car and two
trucks halted and blocking the road. He refused to move
until Theo took control and was carrying out his threats.
They did not actually move until the wrecking party was
actually handling the trucks. It was no time for kid glove
measures as the road for miles behind was a mass of trucks
everyone in a hurry to get on. From Pharsala the convoy
travelled with sidelights - up to then no lights had
been used. They had to be put out because of an airraid
on the convoy and which was successful in hitting an
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