Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942 - Part 7

2 May 1942           
SATURDAY
Going on a Bn
stunt today up at
0430 and feeling
pretty tired.
Marched 5 mile then
commenced stunt over
a 2 mile area.
Finished at 1130 with a
very favorable result -
rested until 1245 had
dinner, left for camp
at 1400 arrived there
at 1615 and now
ready for a good
sleep
3 May 1942

SUNDAY
Up at 0430 and a
Bn stunt on again
Did not go very
far - took up positions
by sections to
prevent infiltration.
- A quiet night.
Japs captured MANDALAY
on friday 1/5/42 and
making more progress

4 May 1942
MONDAY
on the move at
0345 had breakky
and moved south
some 4 miles.
Enemy sighted further 
sth. in vicinity of
KOSBA & AMIOUN
Bn attacked at 1115
and appears A & D Coy
were wiped out.
Returned camp 1700

and have just about 
had enough.
5 May 1942

TUESDAY
Wouldnt this take
the bun, we are
having a day off
for a little spine
drill, and badly in
need of it. -
1015 just heard British
troops landed in 
Madagascar.  

6 May 1942
WEDNESDAY
Called out at 0030
for a Coastal defence
practice - the whole
Bn taking part - 
Arrived on Coast
south of CHEKKA village
at 0300, took up positions
and held same
until daybreak. - 
had a swim before
brekky and left for
camp and rest at
0900, - arrived camp
at 1115 a pretty hot &
solid march
7 May 1942
THURSDAY
Back to normal
work, a Bn parade
this morning, addressed
by Col who seems
very favorably impressed
with our past
work.
Had pay Parade & I
obtained leave to see
one with the [[K?]]
Remained in Tripoli
until 2230, had some
narrow scrapes with
M.G. but finished o.k.  

8 May 1942
FRIDAY
On a little weapons
training now &
returning to camp
for dinner.
Once again went
broke at two up.
A gigantic sea
[[?]] [[?]] in Palau
near Solomon Islan
with my forces doing
extremely well.
9 May 1942
SATURDAY
More weapons training
which we do
about 1½ miles from
camp.
Now having a fairly
easy time 

10 May 1942
SUNDAY
The day of rest —
Went to the beach
at Chekka in afternoon
11 May 1942
MONDAY
Commencing a school
for instructors and
will last a fortnight
am not over keen
about it. 

21 May 1942
THURSDAY
The Coy moving to posn
in mountains on east
of Mount Toubkal am
still at the school &
will join the bty
tonight 

22 May 1942
FRIDAY
Continuing school
at [[Toubkal?]] - and it
is not so good out
here, but will soon
be finished.
23 May 1942
SATURDAY
A very light day
mostly concerned
with M.Is.
Think I am doing
alright. 

24 May 1942
SUNDAY
Having a day off
and dont mind it
at all, have a
number of notes to
write up.
25 May 1942
MONDAY
The last day of the
school,- will be all
M.Is and T.O.E.Ts.
I am on the BREN MAG
filling, 8 contestants
I won all three heats
the times being 25, 24 4/5
24 2/5 secs the best yet
recorded — — got down
to 22 in one practice
shot 

26 May 1942
TUESDAY
Back with the section
and am happier
about it.
Doing a little [[last?]]
[[?]] work on our section
 position today.
Recieved two letters
from Beryl and one
from home.
27 May 1942
WEDNESDAY
Going on a 3 day
stunt & think it
will be a very easy
time 

28 May 1942
THURSDAY
Is this a little alright
up at 0600 and down
for a swim.
Nothing to do but
lay around and
swim, - having a
sports afternoon with
prize money for the
winners.
Recieved another letter
from Beryl.
29 May 1942
FRIDAY
Learning the OAKs today
after dinner, —
must have another
swim before going.
— One of our trucks
smashed up carrying
Don Coy home, 12
killed & 7 injured.
Tank battle still
on in Libya