Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 4

4 March 1942

WEDNESDAY

Young Mrs Pothole was

backed for a place

but she'd often been in

the deepest disgrace

once dropping a fart that one

drowned the church organ

and gassed the poor vercer

-old Mr Morgan

 

The Vicar arrived and

ascended the stand

and then he addressed

this remarkable band

the contest is on & as

shown the bills

 

5 March  1942

THURSDAY

We've forbidden the use of

injections and pills.

 

The ladies lined up at

the signal to start

and winning the toss Mrs

Jones took first fast

the people stood round in

silence and wonder

and the A.B.C. announced

warnings of thunder.

 

Then young Mrs Pothole

was called to the front

6  March  1942

FRIDAY

and started by doing a

remarkable stunt

with legs wide open &

tightly clenched hands

she blew off the roof

of the dress circle stand.

 

But Mrs McLaid reasoned

nothing of this

shes had some weak tea

twas all wind & piss

 

7 March  1942

SATURDAY

Next came Mrs Bingle who

slyly appeared

and smiled at the crowd

who lustily cheered

although it was thought

her chances were small

she beat the whole band

& out farted em all

 

with hands on her hips

she stood farting alone

and the crowd was amazed

at sweetness & tone

and the judges agreed

without hindrance or pause

8 March  1942

SUNDAY

First prize Mrs Bingle so

pull up your draws

 

She walked to the rostrum

with maidenly gait 

and received from the

vicar a set of gold plates

then she turned to the

group as they started

to sing

and farted the last

verse of God Save the King.

 

The End.

 

9  March    1942

MONDAY

Position in far

east very serious

-more landings at

New Guinea and

more like Australia being Japan's

next objective.

10 March   1942

TUESDAY

More digging today

wish we could get

in our own section

positions.

-Prepare this morning

for [tracking?] [?]

by Japanese troops

[?] [?] roping &

[?] [?]

 

11 March    1942

WEDNESDAY

Bn parade this

morning.

An easy time today

went out bush enjoyed

[?] [?] [?] [?]

[?] [?] at 1530

-night stunt [?]

[?] at 1900.

12  March   1942

THURSDAY

Out for a little

training today.

-A slight lull in

Jap situation.

-Nazis massing

troops & equipment in

Greece.

 

13  March  1942

FRIDAY

More training

today, light rain

falling. Making it

just uncomfortable

-lost 70 pound at.

two up.

sent cable to wife

-Japs starting to receive

some of our

somber attacks now.

14    March   1942

SATURDAY

A day of [[?]] demonstrations,

I am one

of the instigators

1730 - have had an

interesting day and

been gassed a good

bit

with C.A.P.

Returned home in

truck, at 1900, remainder

& boys doing a

night manoeuvre.

Returned at 2100 still

suffering from

gas and its not

good

 

15 March 1942

SUNDAY

Didnt wake to bright

have a bad cold and

still have effects from

gas.

0952 Coastal Defence

call sounded all Bn

turned out smartly

and was messed about

    Officers for about 1 

hour, God knows how

we would have fared

had it been dinkum

for majority of our 

officers arent much 

help

16 March 1942

MONDAY

Down to the Rifle

Range today as

couch - Officer in

charge. no targets

on arrival - a delay

of 2 1/2 hrs.

Finished shoot at

1700.

Turned in early 

am not feeling

so good

 

17 March 1942

TUESDAY

Not feeling so well

broke off from Parade

and admitted to

R.A. Picuard

-1800, just enjoyed 

a good sized tea 

and seem a lot

better.

18 March 1942

WEDNESDAY

Woke feeling a tone

better had breakfast

porridge & 8 eggs 

then a spot of reading.

Japanese attack, on

Aussie, seems only 

about one week off.

 

19 March 1942

THURSDAY

Feeling just about 

okay - M.O. informs

me I am to be turned 

out to the cold

cruel World.

The Coy has gone a 3 

day stunt - nice

work Diver

This mornings  rag-

Japs have 12 divvys

ready to land in

Aussie

20 March 1942

FRIDAY

The day of days my 

Birthday, dont feel a

lot older - Coy returned

last night

going out again

today and going

with them - marched

about 9 miles, a quiet

afternoon, Rick fell

in a swirling river

whilst on a night

stunt, lucky to get

out of it.

turned in at 2130

in an old Castle

 

21 March 1942

SATURDAY

Had an extra good

nights sleep, just

like Tobruk-days.

Rained all day, returned

to barracks

on trucks at 1500.

_Recieved 4 letters

one from Beryl and

extra pleased about 

it

22 March 1942

SUNDAY

The day of rest

and still raining

dodged church and

rested a bad head 

-Another letter

from Beryl, can

take plenty of that 

-Wrote to Beryl

this arvo.

Draft of Ex men

came in at 1830.

 

23 March 1942

MONDAY

More training at N.C.O.

school, not earning

anything new here-

Coy out doing field

training.

Done nothing but march

and drill all day

and pleased to hear

the end of it.

This is a four day

school to my sorrow.