Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 5

24 March 1942
TUESDAY
At it again, saluting
marching and rifle 
drill.  
No further news of
leaving here, but I
still think a move
is on soon.
25 March 1942

WEDNESDAY

Only two days to go

and I wont be sorry

am fortunate on having

a good instructor

Sgt. Buckley from Dm Coy. 

26 March 1942

THURSDAY
The last day and
am I pleased, have
never had such a 
boring time in all 

my life.
Coy gone out on a 
two day, stunt.
Went actually to
Tripoli in the evening
had a fairly good
night and a good skin
full of beer and
things.

27 March 1942

FRIDAY

Arrived home in the

early hours of this

morning. -

No hang over after

waking which is most

remarkable.

Put in a very quiet

[[?]]

and arrived back at

0430

28 March 1942

SATURDAY

Out to our diggings

- put in the AM digging.
- Done an 

assault course in 

arvo using live

Bangalor torpedoes

to make gap in

wire. - These proved
very effective & are

remarkably good.  

Returned to camp 

and mounted guard 
at 1100

29 March 1942

SUNDAY

Not so bad night

and everything going

OK. [[?]] water

came off guard at

1800 after a pretty

good day.

Wrote to Beryl

afterwards then

out to the pictures

in Nelson Eddy in 

Rosalie, wasn't so

good

30 March 1942

MONDAY

Left Barracks at 1330

going on a 4 day

stunt, - moved per

M.T. along coast N.E.

for approx 20 miles 

bivouaced for night

- - Commenced attack

on enemy at 19.00

but withdrew to

former position.

31 March 1942

TUESDAY
All awake & ready
to move at 0630.
Started advance at
0700 enemy about
4000 yds along, went
out to left flank
made final assault at
10.45 a very stiff task
may have been successful.
- All just about
done, - rested in arvo
turned in at 2000 in 
vicinity of TEL TERMOS

MEMORANDA

A very ea

1 April 1942
WEDNESDAY

A very easy day, did

not turn out until

0730, went for recce

of our present area

and sited positions

for tomorrows defensive

stunt.

Went out for pistol
instruction in P.M fired
about 20 rounds from
my luger and am not
too bad.
Turned in at 2030

2 April 1942

THURSDAY

up early and in positions
by 0730, first
sighted enemy at 0850
attack started at 1040
on our right flank,
counter attacked before 
going in
properly, quite successful
excepting for 2
planes which were
strafing from 50 ft.
- Returned to barracks
per M.T at 515.
have been to pictures
3 April 1942
FRIDAY
Church parade this
morning - went on
tour to CRAC-DE-CHEVALIERS,
very interesting
and quite ancient
built in 1099.
Wrote to Beryl in
evening, turned in
at 2100.

4 April 1942

SATURDAY

Out to diggings

again, done very

little - am

expecting a move

next week, have

no idea where

we shall go. 

5 April 1942

SUNDAY

The day of rest,

have no place to

go so will Lounge

around a little

6 April 1942

MONDAY

Going to a Ju Jitsi

school this morning

will be for one

week.

What a school, 4 hrs

per day and very

good and interesting

work.

The instructor, Pte

Eric Brown 2/24 Bn

who knows all about

it, and is a good

fellow

7 April 1942

TUESDAY

Reporting at 1000 hrs

learnt some disarming
tricks and

sentry stalking.

Coy is away, so

took the opportunity 

and went into

Tripoli, had a real 

good time

8 April 1942

WEDNESDAY

Turned out at 0730

for breakfast, still

a little anyhow 

had some of the dog

that bit me, and I

felt O.K.

Learnt some good

tip overs and throws

and enjoying it

more each day.

9 April 1942

THURSDAY

out at 0730 again

this 10 oclock starting
is extra.

More throws and

neck breaks which

are quite easy and

most effective.

Had a T.A.B. innoculation
at 1800.

10 April 1942

FRIDAY

Arm is a little

sore but will not

prevent me going

on with my Ju 
Jitsi.

Learnt all the

nerve centres and

how to apply holds

to them.

Off to Tripoli with

John Slater, got into

a beer or so and

a very happy time

11 April 1942

SATURDAY

The Ju Jitsi school

is to give a display

in front of the BN

I am M.C. of demonstration. 
all members

of school will do at

least 2 tricks.

finished at 1130 and

believe it went off

extra well. - no

more work for the

day.

Lectures in the night