Diary transcript of Reginald Harriman Heywood, 1917 - Part 2

- 10 -
Lieut J.K. Borrowman - one of the best has
plenty to do as Adjutant. Remember him fighting in a
final in the big school with poor old Judas Barrett. [*Keith*]
Middle weights I think. Barrett died of wounds and Jim
left an arm on Gallipoli.
The convoy has just gone through some kind of
manoeuvre including a change of course - perhaps we have
rounded the Leeuwin but we must be a long way out.
A difficulty has now arisen over our inoculation
and vaccination, which has not yet taken place and with
which we are now threatened. Ernie flatly and firmly
tho' politely refuses to have his hide scratched by any
one of those superannuated hayseeds from N.S.W. He is
even prepared to go to clink in preference.
Quite a sensation was caused by the reappearance
at afternoon tea of the dyspeptic Hebrew - the lip adornment
appears to have emerged triumphant from a savage
and determined assault by a particularly voracious species
of moths.
Must plead guilty to watching the Padré at
dinner today - he's some class among the grouse etc.
If he left a much better run to take on this job the Revd.
party doesn't seem aware of his misfortune. The dyspeptic
one with the ingrowing moustache was missing again.
More whist and turned in.
 

- 11 -
May 20th, 1917.
Turned out for 7.30 Holy Communion. Another
fairly large cruiser picked us up during the night evidently
and is now steaming along on our port side. Said to
be a Japanese.
Full dress church parade at 10 a.m. on the
troop deck. The old Padré is a presbyterian right off
the tip of the sirloin and referred feelingly to absent
friends and the remote possibilities of ever seeing
Australia again: reminded me of Jerome K. Jerome. He's
an ernest old chap though and his address was good as
was the A.I.F. service.
Knowall was there in his reach-me-downs and
looked about as appropriate as a diamond stud in a dirty
shirt.

They are not all tin horns on board tho' - there
is a Sergt. Lush who was wounded three times and personally
thanked by the King. Another Sergt. (Lennox) is a
crusty old bird of 54 with a full chest of medals and
who enlisted as 45 - a good sort like the above.
The convoy has just gone round at right angles
and is now headed N.N.E. round the Leeuwin this time -
the fourth time I think (12 a.m.). The Japanese cruiser
turns out to be H.M.S. "Doris".
The pleasantest day we've had - tho' still
dull - hardly a movement in the old tub.
 

- 12 -
Had a most musical evening - much to the disgust
of the poker school.
Due in Fremantle tomorrow. The Padré is going
ashore and purposes taking Robbie with him - we are wondering
what he will bring back with him. He mentioned a
deck chair, boxing gloves, singlesticks, a bottle of the
best and bootlaces, fruit and etceteras, and Jack says
he'll be buying himself a boomerang next.
Still like a millpond - whatever that is.
Off to shut eye.
May 21st, 1917.
3.40 a.m. Awoke amidst a buzz of excitement
 in sight of Rott Nest light. Was fully aware of the fact
for ½ an hour before Knowall rushed into the cabin in a
perfect frenzy of knowledge and informed us of it. We
responded suitably - I coldly and Jack eloquently.
No hot water this morn - so indulged in a cold
bath - much better for one but harder to take.
Excitement still at short price - just missed
a collision with the "Port Sydney" by inches. Appeared
to be our fault as the "P.S." was waiting to come into
line and had no way on. We were following the "Shropshire"
which cleared the "P.S." by ½ a mile but we seemed
to turn too soon and amidst much excitement and hooting of
sirens just squeezed under her stern - won by a nose.
Too adjacent to be pleasant - especially as they had their
 

- 13 -
life be^lts on on the "P.S." we only got through by 6 feet
and out in the ocean too. Good job there wasn't any
sea on. After that we formed in line ahead and headed
for Fremantle off which we dropped anchor - no shore

leave. Pulled in about 9 a.m.
I learn that it was not our fault that the
collission so nearly occurred. The "Port Sydney" instead
of keeping full ahead attempted to go astern and as
our old man was endeavouring to go astern of her this
some' complicated matters. Only for our twin screws,
the port one going full ahead and the starboard full
astern we would have cut her in two.
Must scratch my entry as a nautical expert, but
still think the stewards should rub out the P.S. for
12 months.
The weather has cleared a bit and we can get
a fair view of Fremantle. Hope we will get some papers -
would like to know who won the fight on Saturday 12th.
Can see plenty big gum trees in the back ground - wish I
could smell them. Wonder if we'll all have the luck to
see them again.
The old Pulpit Pounder gave Knowall a great
jolt at breakfast - it ought to shorten his action a bit
but I'm not betting - he's too dam friendly with himself -
think's he's a couple of people.
Ernie has a cold - looks like the traveller for
a boiling down works that's swallowed his samples. I
 

- 14 -
might mention that Robbie earned the above name by appearing
on deck in a balaclava and bearing no slight resemblance
to Sir Ernie Shackleton.
After lunch - excitement still in the running -
visited by businesslike launches and boarded by most
important looking persons - one of whom brought me wires
from home - most acceptable. It's something to know
the dog misses you isn't it.
Not far away is a large "Shire" boat - the
"Suffolk" which is to join the convoy and in the offing
a big grim looking Jap cruiser. What price in the offing?
After dinner still something doing. Launches,
lighters, etc, to beat the band. Also 12 nurses, 2 M.O.'s
and 100 or so howling munitioners. I do hope they will
promote a riot among themselves. A lovely evening and
the harbour lights look almost St Kilda-ish - wish we
were in Portsmouth.
May 22nd, 1917.
Pulled into the Swan River about breakfast and
went alongside. Might get ashore. Held a long range
conversation from the bows with Captn. Wardle on the stern
of the "Boorara". Encountered Ned in the bathroom -
he's a chatty party. Silent as the tomb? the tombs as
talkative as a phonograph to Ned.
Ernie has resumed the perpendicular again -
quite himself. With the aid of a clever subterfuge and a
 

- 15 -
box of cigars he has disassociated himself from his former
table mates and now occupies a proud position with Tuck,
Snowy and self. The gentleman on Robbie's left heretofore
is of somewhat slender build and has a remarkably well
developed larynx which has a disconcerting habit of rushing
up and down his throat carrying a mouthful of food 

per time. Extremes of temperature such as ices and curry
or mustard cause it to rush up and down frantically and
the whole apparatus bears a decided resemblance to a more
or less incoordinated lift, so much so that its got on
Ernies nerves. In addition the gentleman on his former
right - dug his ribs into poor old Ern till he said he
couldn't sleep at night he's that sore. Altogether
he's much relieved. Got ashore at 12.30 and caught a
train for Perth at 12.35 - not a bad little borough either.
Got back at 3.30 some of us. Plenty of drinks. About
5 p.m. pulled out one by one like big shadows - another
rousing farewell - must owe a lot in Fremantle.
So long Sunny old Southland - we are leaving
our hearts in your good keeping. We look a big fleet
now as we have been joined by the "Suffolk" and the Jap
cruiser.
Soon under weigh but pulled up somewhere waiting
for a tug with a round up on board. Soon pushed on
again - the tug didn't happen along but there are some of
our blighters on the other boats.
 

- 16 -

Much maudlin enthusiasm downstairs with drunken
chorus going strong.
Ernie right off his bat to-night. Teetotaller
too! Pity Phil isn't here too - then they's never need
to sleep - which we might get a chance of doing.
May 23rd, 1917.
Australia somewhere down the course now.

A most perfect day - might be in our old bay if there
wasn't so much of it.
The "Boorara", "Port Sydney" and Japanese
cruiser have disappeared - for Mesopotamia and Egypt I
expect.
The two meds from Fremantle are regular man-about-town
style. You know Wuf.Wuf. or Mirboo. One is
a funer^eal faced duck who heightens that impression when
he talks which unfortunately happens frequently. Wears
very valuable pincz-nez - they must be valuable becos' he
has them attached to a young hawser.
The nurses - I think we'll have to try over the
sticks - they haven't quite enough foot for the flat.
The other M.O. doesn't give much of a line on
his form - has spent his time gazing fondly at where he
imagines W.A. lies. He's up in the weights and hasn't
any in-curves except where his girth pinches a bit. Sure
to improve.
 

- 17 -
Another addition from W.A. is the Y.M.C.A. person
who amongst others has a way of finding his way round to
our cabin. Not at all a bad sort, very like Carl Chambers
- well worth persevering with, tho' rather bibulous.

Nothing doing so jawed to Y.M. and Sparks (the
wireless man) and turned in.
May 24th, 1917.
Still lovely weather - got up early and boxed
with Snowy and Tuck before breakfast - feeling pretty fit.
The water is a most lovely blue - but there's a
 terrible lot of it.

Hove to for about an hour at lunch time and
lowered a boat. The "Marathon" and others did likewise
and indulged in a grand reshuffle of the men who were
left at Fremantle. Still some missing.
Developed our films with an infernal machine
Tom and I procured at Perth. Some of them aren't bad,
including those taken at the Port.
The Navvy isn't a bad little chap, so must apologise
for anything heretofore. I don't suppose we're
oil paintings ourselves to everyone.
The W. Australian with the 6 x 2 clipper bow
face has a voice to match the rest of him - most irritating,
also bowed tendons and bunions.
Ernie by an unfortunate oversight was allowed
 

- 18 -
a sleep during the day and was consequently most irritating
about bedtime. Favoured us several times with his
famous imitation of an infuriated Maori warrior with
variations and otherwise made night hideous - in the words
of the poet he has a pretty wit. To add to the general
unpleasantness the munitioners held a concert.
Finally did get to sleep.
May 25th, 1917.
Woke early with a most alarming sensation somewhere
in my anatomy - thought at first I'd fallen in
love but found it only the soldiers stampeding round the
deck and the result of Ernie's cake at supper. Most
disappointing - and a skip and cold bath completely cured
me.
I wish something would happen!
Encountered Knowall and discussed photography - he did.
I responded coldly. Wish he'd tip toe off into the elsewhere.
Still charming weather - this trip isn't hard
to take at £9 per.
A pretty consistent frequenter of this cabin is
Sparks the wireless operator - somewhat pessimistic but
a very decent sort indeed - who gives us all the latest
stable information. He was in France and was buried by a
Jack Johnson. By way of recuperating he is in this ship
dodging submarines.
 

- 19 -
Ernie very unsettled again and about 11 o'clock
started a crusade for some b -- air.
May 26th, 1917.
The N.M. has furnished us with a medicine ball,
boxing gloves and skipping ropes - said he was worth a
pat on the back, didn't I?
Forgot to mention that last even we saw some
stoush down on the troopdeck. Two 12-stoners had a
difference in Fremantle - and decided to settle it in the 
ring when the booze had oozed off. That took till last
night. The Padré and most of the officers were present
at the difference which went through 5 spasms but was
most agricultural.
Still charming weather but there are plenty of
times when there is nothing happening.
A fortnight out from little old Melb to-day -
Struth!
Talk about as black as the inside of a cow -
now we've got shades over the lights inside even.
Read this chronicle to the company and Sparks
says when we are torpedoed be sure to put it in my pocket -
I sure will.
May 27th, 1917.
Must run the pencil through all I said about
the nurses from W.A. There's one that's got Frank Craigs
"Sister of Mercy" looking like a faded Lone Hand Cover.