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 Mena
house which is right      
on the sea front. -
done the sights then
to Aussie Canteen
and a good Lager
too. 

14 April 1942
TUESDAY
Out at 0700 couldnt
sleep in the sheets
don't know if the
air had anything
to do with it.
[[?]] [[?]] [[?]] the
[[?]] war be [[?]]
[[[?]] course and out
and Armenian Units
nearby
Having a marvellous
time so far

15 April 1942
WEDNESDAY
My last day, forgot
to mention my pals,
Blue Slatey & Vern Edwards
both slashers, &
ably assisting me in
my merriment.
[[Bought?]] a nice little
gift for Beryl, a few
lagers, our photos
taken and left
unit at 1130.
Arrived at Barracks
1200 to find all
my section had
moved.
 

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.
All busy erecting
the Coy's quarters
Went for walk
was near by village
in the evening.

17 April 1942
FRIDAY
up at 0615 and a
beautiful morning.
Continuing with
A Coy area and
liking it only our
Section out here.
Went to flicks
in the evening. -
The section is  phiquet
Section each doing
¼ hr everyone is
[[?]] the morning

18 April 1942
SATURDAY
More tent erecting
etc. - feeling fairly
tired and will
turn in early. 
Mossies starting to
get about more and
weather becoming
very hot & sticky -
Bob [[?]] is in
M.O.s with a disease
similar to Malaria
- wrote 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
pleased with our
work, which is quite
interesting [[?]]
[[?]] find.
Lieut Beery has been
awarded the M.C. Brig
[[Mayer?]] the D.S.O.
[[?]] finally came.

22 April 1942
A little spine
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 swim 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
40 of the Coy on it.
8th joined us at 2000
coming out on trucks 

24 April 1942
FRIDAY
Off to an early start
0730, over a high
escarpement, but on
the road. - Arrived
at BARTROUN on the
coast 1140, all enjoyed

a swim and a
long rest.
Left for home at 1400
arrived there 1730
and ready for bed.

25 April 1942
SATURDAY

ANZAC day, the BRIG
is having a sports day
- Commenced to call
the odds after the first
event and done fairly
well. The 24^th Bn
being best of the Brigade 

26 April 1942
SUNDAY
Once more the sabbath
the Bn going to the
local Cinema for
church service.
A Coy mounting
guard tonight, once
again I fall

27 April 1942
MONDAY
Continuing my
guard duty and
it is a nice easy
one. 
Don Moyle came
in to see the [[Airmen?]]
Coys, he is doing
all right for himself
carrying 3 stripes. 

28 April 1942
TUESDAY
To the range 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 CHEKKA
tunnel.- Had a few
Aussie 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 over
a 1500 ft feature. - At
camp 1600 and all
just about in