Diaries of Thomas Currie Derrick, 1942-1945 - Part 2

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
AWM2022.6.145
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

lock too good to me, surop may be getting close. rows- Santilorii and Sanpadura Ilards here ser endend all pont our way at pmsent TC15 Bparby for clive anphitures Adening Movel o 1820 f i EAAAH DCAA frod Hamaint on an fight day offecise see 2/ 16 Seftwp area at 101 p ew f i at 1210 are now yo milfr 1a Fing 17 of quiet day withh lettle to do we to luc and veen the lening cruft had a gaon with sme tenb ups are in thge ofthe larges Naght to to te dy Wall Stewer Kiny Targuhas and myself eht finto Chimaleamedp ith a pak I hed a gable s most I slayed it a slel for the hight of copuint Wally no Euv Atalan wntplen Sa FNE 1 tae te earl a
to 100 was not and all is 2/33 start yam SS2 (S7se 20 OAucille 0030 and out to commence in pasion Craining Spoft morning embarking and delatking and find ler is lettle to it and sould not lake many atti gempts to lein really effic scent f compined wnlyt dak and long same proglice in dak pres donred in camp 0130/1 Mor Sene ofn Leving mondry to te in until 1200 ho Aunler 6 day quiet Wet Sene 2 Ron to las to ptoutans srfe i comning innex distansions o easdult craft Movsd out at 1800 trs in Iall night showal pree Bue2 Fentet ly mand fron lare at down everen taly usu isasd purs prome of muchy shws being succssfull abenen by a t
1Ha2 24/ Tore My Widding annuueny four year to day, hepp been aug from Bert for chee of then soug to be today of tough eith E of To chther quiet say, wont into Currs at middy) but was ho good in thy so relurned at 430 p0 your sholling doing, payel sat nebly all day D H Tat day of res but th the last f hare been like thit a in fel ut a t MoNPRY 22SE wought to do again, will be pleased to get back to my aw met TCSPRY 29 Toe same King retting dant Vous yeur on all furts, in inxiusly awaiting a mit in Carfe Wconaray 20t Fer le agrine and am tired of sineto ing. Wayl had a yaint ld Loughy in 2/20 Bn. TAsDy Lt Same thing mist to do - playet ludge in morning and te wasting an aftern noon
onor to maing; th uter 2 I little to de aloits seem uter to be a mystery, us wore supposed to today popariny for a pl ad nor bngn cmpiring in toughts are ris Your has it us an not go 52 S out all night or will itts tur t Mr Brighds os phe e sps will and it is at lest at 5730 and den a litle eeling whne more is tak tie iny place wantly lif is a SIDea T44 Nal glats acet actin, and to to ygain wl ie are all cnfident alout te nol ch fo send 591 July 211t Coulilf 1 Cal mounted quars Hlare not me last night and it is ch usual linging around anonly fr the weeks tiresone . The Bn is and on bit time itble of preparing for our moe interest hs koppe i will be comoon of sut siry wrs us pake Combay
1620 to do our first amplit J Slay Fy axenis Landed at 0040 Hhe camp a mch sne of petuely, all tents 1a9s 2924 down arch clened and otered to store partul will be mor camp and had rmander ing in the morning at of Lay, ff-ews from Kily ofoh to a placei h by Peartenny Marwolin NonORy Fely 26 hiring resigned. ap only and Fen M2l ready to now, hr done Blis ever so at os. Amnel Vastin ans are finished as that ation 1330) same spot I came) us will be going on a rea to Builh 2/6.00 royege sorth cey Tul 27 So Ay 31 E The Ballation the dy sown to gateh a dimo pr of uarting, spent te mm or ly the Tanto Practiced ing at ith leash surmnry emblishing and diven barking and the are din e Moed out it
3SN1 O4e If ham to bent at sos hir Clurch parnde in Commened entading at mich forenoory, as nought to and il alon 4 1 do in gvo, dill acling at an Smn in for our move which I fary tme n000 cors, de Menry & will be to ew guines onter non 2 o6 fre24 a Tents were down Thit sill it and ad late last might and lo anding to selillot 00 we hen all ready to id dnt anland in cant morie fearing sunf o non or mre of aumull Hetor uss tohen to ch fimpt and general store leach as bouding farty, b Teting waters i i at morrpy antilgmemning ned bnd Ht T. Hercepin Worked ightil 2120 loding tly gou and penly t n 6t ta plas 5 ane ship being her miles, of thre wisee ai and Fas 29s6 atet at mnton tt at Commenced bondingunt inte onco fer again at 0700 On moved o alm and making good time.
Searsty 6 a Land oughted gust efore sunch and is the ane east of drpe ampr in Bla B17 N 1600 and linded by 202s at 170p. a rectoally good crif and no somille na enland sont eight miles to anyupprepared camp eg pr t th mas a dy doi ren Jume genterdey ofternon, and ot fohs ae plop ths is the y 1 it mre is pit 50p Rosg 7 A4 slept on vry nct goed and was sff ises to fe I had o vey comfortable and dry sleep Teen my first glimpe of the dayyy Hagrys wte appear my pimily - th rimpis ptlea ec plantation my first ffort to sot a pilm ineet 2fe lat thb I an master it the ming te n le alout 45 feet fb ci sy unlowting stores. Lest night hew th lest yo anten ndly earted full o Carand in SdyOnel in Asseed & Maos or Now ben e ixIIe SoLoyon are
Ave 300 It0 HeAvess IMe igrey& Down Fo, STAINEERS ony toCaaite geges Lori rsese s No LIRe CoE THI4 TRAININE DC ORC Most KFECCAt ore psay 0 1 a a opor of Kex Cunco Lerry (195 Occo ore et Corta Joss p osa Co 15 MioM Colft Coe pro so Jesise forono, torfeoerty 11 Peaseer Hypiae 1159 Moss (of THe Gog Wase eaceno 3ARHe Ocgs Heu pe caon me er onde 2c 2 o sole taon Otse f76 o2s r0 0c THE sert ox Meovr of Breats A paess No Coullsito yeC desa0 40001 macree Cereriers Ardoves 1 oce r 1 re Bay sson LUCSDR N 18 Da o a ssill trne can 1320 as croches to Rcln to nose ay 1400 e A0 newire sick Rcoa May coyesres &acsa nto o 200a Ova ven oaeg 1 world of 1 asrey a flo ano e Hare A Conss Va oEa ovr by Aal 15 sPe on A HICH Fat Plase Car oe sees DyL OPSAATIAl FRon THI SaIR, Gosthy Kexty Hanks a HeDsano
A 1 220 Doy 1008 seerr eacisse aa sew cone S111) essoy st Hc couray Mis sor MosisEs Fa Do F To Treive. Tadesy E Mode aneis MAAIMN, Wis FnC ERONLS.B Mr/15 pefe sosil 16 Moverd to Or Aes SAIoN sa T4e (Moer Lrely peens 18 88 SMAMOA or 496 tser New Bar 212 CDeB 2 2 spt A 307 9 nowt 004 at or 1 Insai, oro 29 Hf Peaslac, AnD WTH AId ABSeNT WE SH n foor hose SonC CiaIH e i Boreshian Pra. 900 rooy 1HE pas Decer n rae over sole to t vases we res ar Corrnee Droay No 15 Cak Parse 1 Moanerl RCNDDER St Day fal will paossoy nore govt hem A Nill Cnten 1wC Helles nort sore of He Oaowsigl reseey BorThe Chirce WEAT RiELe RorE, OU lox DiFioss Scey UHSATISFacFoaY Foe RarC PROcTiE. TcR Ae 12 OSS9L Daily Rosrise SHicH OHOUNES To Kilhest FRE PRIOR To AN
seron So E9R Meal 15 Ln MDICATION 85 To THE Proan Rgedof preack y fecieso ses ot 4 LTH HHE MOaKSON Rioa 8s ERSf OOTCCFYE NED AS6 16 A MORNINE of ACCFSaCITES 1ART0. Issele Mgach Faooke Eah 150 Mis Nen Clnore PSlloHoDG NIII Macfiegily No Cnllaints Oxo HLL AACt CoEca To HAE a a0 ar r4c 7TAP. Weay Fen A 41920 a AccaeATion 15 NopeHTALC ARE IN THE HICACIr Saits THUR AUE Mode KLLINE Hie Fook sone of Aove RgTOON TO THE RONCE. Fo Mairie OseH EIA, Massico To MHIesE 500 ROUNOS FRID AYL 20 RerellCLOSSO Cose CA 3Day BDXisiona creacseHro Norneney 15 MSrAIRESEABST 70 MlS Enoannce or 0900 on ar Lat LRRHINCO IAL 1519 in FCuset NorcaAy oon Vart MORNINC CTE of 3AT 2v6 2 INLOADEOPOlRY Moveo DAENOEANOLOCCSRE A PonLeN AATRIDe A HCH AgZOR BACk FoUND LTTLC DiFFicutry IN LCALINE A FIRE.

look too good to me,
scrap may be getting close.
NEWS - - - Pantaleria and
Lampadusa Islands have surrendered,
all fronts are
our way at present.
TUES 15 JUNE
preparing for my
move to 2/43 BN to observe
their amphibious training.
Moved at 1830 hrs SGT STEINER
LT FARQUHAR & CAPT [[?]]
remainder of Bn moved out
on an eight day exercise
WED JUN 16
Left camp area
at 0930 in MT arrived at
new camp at 1210 hrs, are
now one mile from beach
THURS JUNE 17
A quiet day with
little to do, went to beach
and seen the landing craft
had a yarn with some Yanks
who are in charge of the
barges.
FRID JUNE 19
Nought to do today
Wally Steiner Murray
Farquhar and myself went
into Cairns, teamed up
with a Yank and had a
most enjoyable day.
I stayed it a hotel for the
night, Murray and Wally met
two W.A.A.FS and went place
SAT JUNE 19th
Had a good night
[[??]]

 

to camp at 1000 hrs, was not
missed and all is [[?]]
2/43 to start training tomorrow
SUN JUNE 20th
Reveille 0430
and out to commence invasion
training.
Spent morning embarking
and debarking and find
there is little to it and
should not take many attempts
to become really efficient.
Remained until dark and
done same practice in darkness.
- Arrived in camp
0130 hrs.
MON JUNE 21st
Am having the
morning off, did not arise
until 1000 hrs. Remainder
of day quiet
TUES JUNE 22nd
Down to [[?]]
to find out more info concerning
inner dimensions
of assault craft.
Moved out at 1900 hrs an
all night show.
WED JUNE 23rd
Landed by invason
barge at dawn, exercise
nicely caried out and
gives promise of such shows
being successful
Remainder of day on the [[?]]
 

 

THURS 24rd JUNE
My Wedding
anniversary, four years today,
have been away from
Beryl for three of them.
Nought to do today or tonight
either.
FRIDAY 25 JUNE
Another quiet
day, went into Cairns at
midday, but was no good
in there so returned at 12.30
26 JUNE
Again nothing
doing, played cards nearly
all day
SUNDAY 27 JUNE
A day of rest,
but then the last four
have been like that, and
im fed up with it
MONDAY 28th JUNE
Nought to
do again, will be pleased
to get back to my own Unit
TUESDAY 29th JUNE
Same thing
nothing do.
News great on all fronts, are
anxiously awaiting a move
in Europe.
WEDNESDAY 30th JUNE
Idle again
and am tired of spine bashing.
Went had a yarn to
Col Loughery in 2/28 Bn.
THURSDAY JULY 1th
Same thing
nought to do - played
bridge in morning and
night, washing an after
noon
 

 

FRIDAY July 2nd
A little to do

today preparing for a job of
umpiring on tonights exercise

SAT July 3rd
Out all night on
24th brigade show, finished
at 0930 and then a little
spino.
SUNDAY July 4th
Nothing to do
again, and will be moving
back tomorrow and pleased
about it
FRIDAY July 23rd
Have not made
an entry for three weeks,
and in that time little of
interest has happened.
But today sees us packing
prior to moving, the whereabouts
seem xxxx to be a
mystery, we are supposed to
do invasion training, rumour
has it we are not going
on with it however two or
three days from now will
reveal it, and it is at lead
[[?]] when a move is taking
place. My tip is a
quick move to action, and
we are all confident about
the result.
SATURDAY July 24th
Mounted guard
last night and it is the
usual hanging around
tiresome job. The Bn is
preparing for our move
which will be tomorrow or
Monday
 

 

SUNDAY July 25th
The camp a
scene of activity, all tents
down, area cleaned most
stores packed. - will be moving
in the morning at
0800 hrs to a place unknown
MONDAY July 26th
Up early and
ready to move, - we done
so at 0915. Arrived destination
1330, same spot I came
to with 2/43rd.
TUESDAY July 27th
The Battalion
down to watch a demo put
on by the Yanks. Practiced
embarking and disembarking
WEDNESDAY July 28th
Moved out at
1630 to do our first amphib
exercise. Landed at 0540
on the
THURS  29TH July
Returned to
camp and had remainder
of day off. - News from Italy
very heartening Mussolini
having resigned.
FRIDAY  30th July
Believe exercises
are finished and think
we will be going on a sea
voyage shortly.
SATURDAY  31th July
Another day
of waiting, spent the morning
at the beach swimming

and the arvo doing nought
 

 

SUN. 1 AUG
Church parade in
forenoon and nought to
do in arvo, still waiting
for our move which I fancy
will be to New Guinea.
MON 2 AUG.
Tents were downed
late last night and by
0800 we were all ready to
move. -  Nearing sunset my
Platoon was taken to the
beach as boarding party, [[?]]
not moving until morning.
Worked until 2130 landing
stores onto 2 6 VPs, the troop
ship being two miles off shore
TUES 3 AUG.
Commenced landing
again at 0700. - Bn moved
down to beach at 0530 hrs
Commenced embarking at 1200 hrs
and all aboard by 1330.
Ship an American cargoe of
some 12000 tons, the HENRY T.
ALLEN.
WED 4 AUG
Ship still at anchor
Waiting to sail. - About
1900 troops on board, 80 [[?]]
a score or more of assault
craft and general stores.
Sleeping quarters very crammed
and hot. Food exceptionally
good and plenty of it
THURS 5 AUG
WEIGHED ANCHOR and
sailed at 0230 hrs, did not
awaken until 0600. - Sea
very calm and making
good time.
 

 

FRIDAY 6 AUG
Land sighted just
before lunch and is the south
east coast of N G, - dropped
anchor in MILNE BAY at 1600 hrs
and landed by LGVI's at
1710 hrs. A reasonably good
trip and no trouble.
Moved inland about eight
miles to an unprepared camp.
Learnt from troops that this
was as a dry day, no rain
since yesterday afternoon, and
it looks as though this is the
only day it hasnt, it sure
is wet.
SATURDAY 7 AUG
Slept on some
very wet ground and was
surprised to find I had a
very comfortable and dry sleep.
seen my first glimpse of the
Fuzzy Wuzzys who appear
very friendly. - The camp is
situated midst of a huge coconut
plantation, my first effort to
climb a palm ended at 30 feet
but think I can master it,
the average height seems to
be about 45 feet.
All of 8 and 7 Pl in at the
Brig unloading stores.
Last night's news the best
yet with successes on three
widely separated fronts - the
fall of CATANIA IN SICILY, - ORELY
IN RUSSIA, & MUNDA ON NEW GEORGIA
IN THE SOLOMONS.
 

 

SUNDAY AUG 8th
INTO HARNESS IMMEDIATELY,
& DOWN TO STRINGERS
BAY TO PRACTICE BEACH LANDING.
ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD LITTLE
OF THIS TRAINING WE ARE
MOST EFFICIENT.
HAVE HARDLY HAD TIME TO FORM
AN OPINION OF NEW GUINEA,
TODAY HAS BEEN ONE OF CONTINUOUS
RAIN, OUR CAMP IS MIDST
A COCANUT GROVE AND IN LOW
LYING GROUND, CONSEQUENTLY IT
IS A PERFECT QUAGMIRE.
MOST OF THE BOYS HAVE ERECTED
SAPLING BEDS WELL UP FROM THE
GROUND.
MONDAY AUG 9th
A BOLT FROM
THE BLUE, THE DAY TO BE

SPENT ON IMPROVING OF TENTS
& PL AREAS.
NO COMPLAINTS YET HEARD ABOUT
WEATHER CONDITIONS ALTHOUGH I
BELIEVE THIS IS THE DRY SEASON
TUESDAY AUG 10th
GOING JUNGLE
ON A LITTLE FURTHER TRAINING.
- AT 1330 HRS ORDERED TO PREPARE
TO MOVE BY 1400 HRS. – I AM REMAINING
WITH REAR PARTY.
ALL COY STORES & GEAR MOVED BY
2100 HRS. – OUR NEW AREA IS JUST
NORTH OF THE GURNEY AIR FIELD
AND WE HAVE A COMMANDING VIEW
OF IT FROM OUR COY AREA WHICH
IS SITUATED ON A HIGH FEATURE
PLANES CAN BE SEEN DAILY
OPERATING FROM THIS STRIP,
MOSTLY KITTY HAWKS & HUDSONS
 

 

WED AUG 11TH
DAY TO BE SPENT
ERECTING OUR NEW CAMP.
STILL ENJOYING THE COUNTRY,
THIS SPOT PROMISES TO BE JUST
THE THING.
THURSDAY AUG 12TH
MORE AMPHIB
TRAINING, THIS TIME FROM L.S.Ts.
IT IS APPARENT WE SHALL BE
MOVING TO AN ACTIVE STATION SOON
THE MOST LIKELY SEEMS TO BE
SALAMUA OR LAE, THEN NEW BRITAIN.
FRIDAY AUG 13TH
JUST A DAY OF
MOVING ABOUT, PL OUT ON A
MARCH, AND DO WE PERSPIRE,
AND WITH ALE ABSENT WE SHALL
ALL LOSE SOME GIRTH
SATURDAY AUG 14TH
BATTALION PARADE
TODAY THE FIRST DECENT
ONE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOLD
UNDER OUR NEW BN COMMANDER.
SUNDAY AUG 15TH
CHURCH PARADE IN
MORNING, REMAINDER OF DAY FREE

- WILL PROBABLY MOVE ABOUT TUESDAY.
A NICE CANTEEN ISSUE HELPED
MOVE SOME OF THE BROWNING.
MONDAY AUG 16TH
LITTLE CHANGE,
WENT RIFLE RANGE, BUT CONDITIONS

VERY UNSATISFACTORY
FOR RANGE PRACTICE.
TUESDAY AUG 17TH
USUAL DAILY
ROUTINE WHICH AMOUNTS TO

KILLING TIME PRIOR TO ANY
 

 


ACTION. - SO FAR THERE IS LITTLE
INDICATION AS TO THE PROBABLE
PLACE OF ATTACK.
MY SELECTION IS WEST OF LAE
WITH THE MARKHAM RIVER AS
FIRST OBJECTIVE
WED. AUG 18TH
A MORNING OF
LECTURETTES, ARVO - JUNGLE
MARCH.
ALL TROOPS TAKING TO THIS

NEW CLIMATE "SPLENDIDLY" WITH

PRACTICALLY NO COMPLAINTS.
AND ALL ARE EAGER TO HAVE
A GO AT THE JAP.
VERY FEW ARE ILL, AND ALTHOUGH
RECREATION IS NOUGHT, ALL ARE
IN THE HIGHEST SPIRITS

THURS AUG 19TH
MORE KILLING
TIME. TOOK SOME OF THE
PLATOON TO THE RANGE TO
PRACTICE OWEN GUN, MANAGED
TO THIEVE 300 ROUNDS

FRID AUG 20TH
REVEILLE 0530
GOING ON A 3 DAY DIVISIONAL
EXERCISE TO NORMANBY IS,
DISTANCE ABOUT 70 MILES.
EMBARKED AT 0900 ON AN
L.S.T. - ARRIVED AT ISLAND
IN THE TWELTH WAVE AT
0822 NEXT MORNING DATE OF
SAT AUG 21ST
UNLOADED OKAY,
MOVED INLAND AND OCCUPIED
A POSITION ASTRIDE A HIGH
RAZOR BACK.
FOUND LITTLE DIFFICULTY
IN LIGHTING A FIRE.
 

 

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