Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 6

12 April 1942
SUNDAY
Our dress has changed
to shirts and
shorts, weather being
very favorable for
such dress.
Church Parade as
per usual
13 April 1942
MONDAY
Oh boy hows this one,
going 3 days leave
to Beirut, leaving
at 0900.
Arrived Beirut 1030,
immediately changed
from F.S. into shorts.
Staying at Nana
Louise which is right
on the sea front -
[[?]] the sights then
No Aussie Canteen
[[?]] a good [[?]]
too. 

14 April 1942
TUESDAY
Out at 0700 could
not sleep in the sheets
don't know if the
[[??]] had anything
to do with it.
[[???]]
[[??]] tonight
[[???]]
and it [[?]] [[?]]
[[?]]
Having a marvellous
time so far
15 April 1942
WEDNESDAY
My last day, forgot
to mention my pals
Blue [[?]] & Vern Edwards
both slashers, &
ably assisting me in
my merriment.
[[???]]
[[?]] for Beryl, [[??]]
[[?]] our photos
[[?]] and left
[[?]] at 1130
Arrived at Barracks
[[?]]
[[??]]
[[?]]
 

16 April 1942
THURSDAY
Post parcel home
and preparing to
[[join?]] the section.
Eventually reached
them about 14 miles
south of Tripoli in
the midst of hills
and olives.
[[?]] busy erecting
[[?]] boy's quarters
[[??]] wait
[[???]]
in the evening.
17 April 1942
FRIDAY
up at 0615 and a
beautiful morning.
Continuing with
[[???]]
liking it only our
Section out here.
Went to [[?]]
in the evening .-
Section each doing
[[???]]
[[???]]
 

18 April 1942
SATURDAY
[[New?]] tent erecting
etc. - feeling fairly
tired and I will
turn in early. Mossies starting to
get about more and
weather becoming
very hot 7 sticky -
[[???]] is [[?]]
M.O.s with a [[?]]
[[?]] is [[?]]
- write home in
evening
19 April 1942
SUNDAY
The sabbath but
still work must go
on, a little
digging to do today.
Our C.O. came out
today and is evidently
[[???]] 
work, which is quite
[[??]]
[[?]]
Lieut Beery has been
awarded the M.C. Brig
[[?]] the D.S.O.
[[??]]
 

22 April 1942
A little [[?]]
drill and can
take plenty of it.
Guess our rest
will cease when the
Coy gets out here.-
this will probably be
tomorrow.
23 April 1942
THURSDAY
A two day stunt
commencing at 0830.
- Travelled per foot
across some very rugged
country .-
Had a section in a
creek of snow water
at dinner time.-
Stopped at 0415 to
bivouac for night.
This is the toughest
march we have
ever done, only about
[[?]] of the Coy on it.
8th joined us at 2000
[[?]] out on trucks
 

24 April 1942
FRIDAY
Off to an early start
0730, over a high
escarpement, [[?]] on
the road .- arrived
at BARTROUN on the
coast 1140 and a
long rest.
Left for home at 1400
arrived there 1730
and ready for bed.
25 April 1942
SATURDAY, the BRIG
is having a sports day
- Commenced to [[?]]
the odds after the first
event and done fairly
well. The 24^th Bn
being best of the Brig
xxx
 

26 April 1942
SUNDAY
Once more the sabbath
the Bn going to the
local [[?]] for
church service
I buy mounting
guard tonight, once
again I [[?]]
27 April 1942
MONDAY
Continuing my guard duty and
it is a nice easy
one. Don Moyle came
in to see the Aires
boys, he is doing
all right for himself
carrying 3 stripes.
 

28 April 1942
TUESDAY
To the [[?]] for a
bird shoot by sections
- All went off in
good style and my
section scored highest
points for the day,
which is very pleasing.
29 April 1942
WEDNESDAY
Going out for a spot
of weapon training
A pretty easy
day with not much
doing.
 

30 April 1942
THURSDAY
Going on a two day stunt. - left at
0830 and a fairly
solid march in a very
hot sun. - Had a
swim in the MED.
then off again and
bivouaced near [[?]]
tunnel.- Had a few
[[?]] beers and
turned in at 2200
 

1 May 1942
FRIDAY
Turned out at 0300
to do a dawn attack
- Coy in position in good time - Col out
to see us - finished
at 0600 with a pleasing
result, especially
our section who were
commended by O.C.
- had brekka an hours
swim then a very
stiff march home [[?]]
a 1500 [[?]] feature - At
camp 1600 and all
just about in