Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 5

24 March 1942

TUESDAY

At it again, saluting

marching and rifle 

drill.  

No further news about

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

Lt. Buckley from Dn 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 

tub day, stunt.

Went ack willy 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

[[sargent?]]

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 

29 March 1942

SUNDAY

Yet no bad night

and everything going

to OK [[?]] water

came off guard at

1800 after a pretty

[[good?]]  day.

Wrote to Beryl

 afterwards then

out to the pictures

 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 

bivouacked for night

- Commenced attack

on enemy at 18.00

but withdrew to

former position.

31 March 1942

TUESDAY

All awake & ready

to move at 0630.

Started advance at

0700 enemy about

4000 yards along, went

out to left flank

made final assault at

10.45 a very stiff task

may have been success

but - All just about

done - rested in arvo

turned in at 2000 in 

vicinity of TEL TERMOS

MEMORANDA

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 on PM 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

[[perfectly?]], quiet successful

but excepting for 2

planes which were

strafing from 50 ft.

Returned to barracks

for  M R at 5.15

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.

into [[?]] [[?]] 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 [[?]]

and enjoying it

more each day.

9 April 1942

THURSDAY

out at 0730 again

this 10 o'clock 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 
jitse.

Learnt all the

nerve centres and

how to apply holds

to them.

On 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