AWM52 1/11/18/4 - Headquarters London Victory March Contingent, 1946, part 3, Naval log - Part 4

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG1020020
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

60 hate all aott innenlation & overmnation. camed out before imbarkation t. --- t - beam me out of the eagunen - 61 raens t implication of his aerp been taken. io course slt Epeed 15K Wind htari 2 C9-6. Kustame renve 61200 L - 2bt will Latitu le 29573 iglude g0225 4050 at vanke basaded for iointation & 1000 Todays seck mey game memted im to 44 depenting Anny diny Seheating RRHt 7h 3 0 No2 Cast) debeatin Nc3s1 t517 Ce fecting vnal cantengent 1C. There mer were a sead hibe arined & are erous kunenens of depenting wtps campany in a few days Mont of the cantingent teans are now denetaping a ighten, the itier of which emam to be 00 Gea. gc Famby in Gunnes bat to pide guarter deck e e eu corve are not tout tei tranther with icapect ahing lines were escttd an secks for the hurpane and make Tembers abeard agerty awaited the fa chas sight. t fo tinately they have been disappainted for twe ane twith acpresentation t sships anthorite equested ea to bg doy contain an teiben an hie seited in aabens tenian w wranted despite the contravention
✓62 Fr 1 - - - - -- -- 63 all sanal tysenl Resutation, valued. Cecandly the practine if nat langing the remaude an deck untol after unt and aving it before runsure. Tre anest tatI hody bemal taues eet mounti seet ito amad enfa enae taete t she heatth af the contingent been extremely good tis fa dueoige of I mew isd 10L0 he sick pascde dity a a have acured -
8 64 0925 do - _ tendid Cn chcpnsade - - 65 unday 2c Apo ATSEA day but olightly avereot aodly an pplie and the rea Ederty eed for contingents first forma hurch pasade an boad. 1025. Fe i by pls in tapids apae bersed App the peg SD garters, beats, & 5D its. Davy a an parie in blues. bed fram tacheds spare to quare whsh peade The wave pasade sain as devinions tem wak place atnander asted their sub ancth, haied at wetssoc te whae if the a inapet to the lieut, who handed ave to the i under in te absence of the ands none incpect each dwvenion in tern. At the conclusion of the incpection hughe cat clore was rounded att ecena ta sch toe and formed the gua dick. The naval ad guard was aready en panetion thebde att. The ships sene faving aptr tin the de te idicut adaka with the Bomens ception of oued and t wewere menced canducted be he IC CRE Chaptain HAN. Cammander ode a in ins ae gave the addest cancleman of thvenace
66 -- - t 100 Cause 270 Speed io knot fo sutarce trancked nince 271.ss- 375 mite Latilude 29 59S hastud 8826 C Gish SW- WUW Fare inibility yood month ea f - -- ---: 6B ton the AMT LRAAE acumber of te cantingent the revise was maching My and aways remember. ow at were unfremne i te quiet simple dignity of the eanyng led as it was in the res of the uns and umbadying the very traditia of the navy seef have whe were present wed atways grateful to the vavy for pemiting to shave this exherience ilt the cametureo of chusch ade, at ranks sd down lo day. Haly Cammunian was C. Frogamme of rcrasded music presenteed one te ship PH ay sem by Lt cand FAULKNER os Afternsan lack torbey gines in a biv t defeating andth depeatig p15 10 ancest held ain heds ahace. Te diak was tbly dt aceanon, and the ships damre nd imitated in prant of the ao the sance hand in ty the wheps bond conveteit but but an a very pood show ta die a lnen coamied to every bet of ansible apace. he cannt cannted commity of atmental rl, dangs camt inging and heti given by ships company Dems by
- - -- - - - - + 69 - of the contingut ee smber pmaly absent Neves hesen - - ---- 1 ---- -
70 15 - 7I Munday 29 Ap AT SEF tin ead day wit avage wet ahgh a fean ferenne i aely om It given po masteng of beadling dinting day hit whartages to be in to 61 by 1600. Koig MCTENS instouatian that asy to be epta the adetant n additic to the aate being wter by DFOREE3 palgated. Nnative to date to be despatched fram CATE TOWN ai from araa pt o swds detacled tr de the typing agoo Parade and admincstalien hent of perannet intititled to decaution ho have hat yot ec cipation of the invertture a anna cpted t er with the d aplettley Cat ea the mavement i sufficent event the tainig being of any teng St cpr he pant mannly uneful in hghtny fauth i individuals of 1515 y reected Hea. Samehaw a mahad t PAC 11 2t EN 1520 -1100 117 prsenti
72 - --------- - 73 1100-1115 Kiphe ceaming and inin to offect its the ti of bedding a btabets amannly mentioned ot bedding was manked with its amnes embachation era number. eit wit th secennity of abcivig right of way in panagcuags. the whips am bang and hnd the ame fast improssed an them. 1200. Caune 26c Epeed 15 Knats Wind - farie I raty 4t Ty claudy sistance uce sthos - sho wile hltide 2c ocS Longitude 2125 t o t cd ame 10o. Nc sick lacey but sick cisbet cammenced fas pant lime. it is payed in the seck Lockey inc with hat we ave at mets dldtrps Fadaya ly an informal hit, but quite i muher of contingent persone lawed temselver to be very been in the same It is understead that i competition wit he a aneoed -the near luture. a gig campetitian is being a ganined an the ship. 64 fear e required fai at rections of the ship Teams are to have I members and question wit be asked over the ships iht systen. To date entires fam ik nembers of the cantingent lave been disappointing. Frequent appens have been made with ery like
1 - - - 2500 - - - - - - 75 desutis fet. 1820 maked the pernt sppearance of sivety sar anthe ships Slt rystem. Queatian were annwered in Baraty lise iyhe and the shaw paved to be most entertaining a amincing. divity lase wit be an the air g every Munday Wednerday caturday and at a ave invited to let her tothei traubles 1820 Clocks retaded 1h 1950 have and the late and Newsneek were prenented an te Capeteria Mess Seck. ---:-- --
<194 T6 Weake pnder f a 5 - Fenting 77 Ar55B Suenday 20 Ap dayt visihility but vrry litte suet. 5545. comprince in adely om Nothing of any canequence wa discussed. gac. Pacade and adminination af paludemen thes in now given tat vanks whether they have secved malarians aveas a nowt 6915-101 e a gincred ganes. This wam wlightly waried by the introduction of wto it tug of war catent. The edanant dicks i in adchoe invlves the applcation new principtes, and had tergone tenking wn aablete am han lover were admast and tog effect. the wua! thaining sytabe was d te thutinecent gtheing the fenae en bers oy the cantugent were thea tto Juda pe e appea cl, theyade te wapect me has an gdly 200. Cousre 72t apeed 15 tate hind NW oce eate7 nice 291200- 75 wilesle 200 hatitude 20 11 t The uaons det hackey guner Statess 301 States peating do with iaal Cantingent 2-2 2P1 d with lnng affecers to play hich Luckey and
78 79 t daye. 3 The Shrapatere News canninting t lotent wertens new is naw distributed dacle b the akep To HAINWARINL Was Astent he that btster for his wask. his intention to rait t fait an the age as weather ows. o sat be trait o Gen tAT Ht R, Capt SHaWCRS and he wet lo at herate a put can painting ac af a anfict ofbond b eas ckahea as possible.at be ont p eycge cacce) bas datyaphes la. Ico been wery buny taking bath stil and maving perture of every a beet of the contingents daily life on hand onhit. This instudes park light platugaple taken at night at caneeto etc. He will despatch soof toe taken t date an anneal at cast rowd for early neene to the ts HUCTRALHL public Lng Mat& cantie- tale ca fined to be bed wit Banchites se guarterdeck at 1200 d presents a darly macaning wen soer to siene of astivity

60 61
seriousness & implications of his
offense. No other disciplinary action
has been taken.

Position
1200. Course 268 ° Speed 15 K Wind
SW Force 2 (4 - 6 K). Distance since
261200 hrs - 360 miles Latitude 29 ° 57 ' S
Longitude 95 ° 22[[?]] ' E.

Inoculation

[[1345?]] 1400. All ranks paraded for
inoculation [*Note all RAAF innoculations & vaccinations
carried out before embarkation RKS.*]
Deck Hockey

1500. Today's deck
hockey games resulted in a muc
RAAF defeating Army 3 - 1; Army
Officers defeating RAAF Offrs 3 - 0; No 2
Pl (AMF) defeating No 3 Pl (AMF) 5 - 1; Stokers
defeating Naval Contingent 1 - 0. These
games were a good pipe opener to
the more serious business of defeating
^or otherwise the ship's company ( in a few days
time. Most of the contingent teams
are now developing a system, the
effectiveness of which, remains to be
seen.

^1830 Clocks retarded 1 hr

Pictures.
2000. George Formby in "Gunner
George" and newsreels, shown of on
both torpedo deck space & quarter deck

Female
Washing
The Women's Services are not
without their troubles with respect
to washing. Lines were erected on
[[?]] deck for the purpose, and male
members aboard eagerly awaited the
unfamiliar sight. Unfortunately they
have been disappointed, for two
reasons. Firstly, representation to
the ship's authorites requested permission
to hang dry certain articles on [[lines?]]
erected in cabins. Permission was
granted despite the contravention

[*Leave me out of the [[esqunen?]]!*]

 

62 63
of all Naval Hygiene Regulations,
involved. Secondly, the practise
of not hanging the remainder on
[[the?]] deck until after sunset, and
removing it before sunrise. It
presumed that shadowy female figures
creep around the deck in the small
hours of the morning. However, no
concrete information is available to
substantiate this statement.
Health

The health af the contingent
has been extremely good this far.
An average of 5 men daily attend
the 1030 hrs sick parade daily,
and the most common ailment
is a species of cold. 3 Malaria
relapses have occured.

 

64 65
Sunday 28 Apr ATSEA
Weather

Fine day but slightly overcast.
Hardly a ripple on the sea. Ideally
suited for contingent's first formal
church parade on board. 1025 [*^0925*]. Fell
in by pls in torpedo space. Dressed
in "Off the peg" SD, gaiters, boots & SD
berets. ANavy & airforce in blues.
Divisions

& Church
Parade

Marched from torpedo space to quarter
deck where the lectern was erected
for chuch parade. The Naval parade
known as "divisions" then took place.
Division or detachment commanders
reported their sub units, spaced at
intervals around the whole of the
upper deck, ready for inspection to the
1st Lieut, who handed over to the
Commander in the absence of the
Captain. The Commander then proceeded
to inspect each division in turn.
At the conclusion of the inspection
the bugle call "close" was sounded
and all divisions marched too and formed
on, the quarterdeck. The naval
armed guard was already in position
on the starboard side aft. The AShips
Band formed up in the shadow of
the 8" guns facing aft. On the order
of the 1st Lieut, all ranks with the
exception of the Women's Services
removed [[?]] caps, and the service
commenced conducted by Rev JO
WERE Chaplain RAN. Commander
MORROW read the lesson & Chap
JAMES [[?]] gave the address. At
the conclusion of the service all
ranks were dismissed.

[*RC's attended own church parade.*]

 

66 67

[[Tradition?]]

For the AMF & RAAF members of
the contingent the service was something
they will always remember. Even
[[the? tradition/production?]] All were impressed
by the quiet simple dignity of the
ceremony, held as it was in the
shadow of the guns; and embodying
the very tradition of the navy itself.
Those who were present will always
be grateful to the Navy for permitting
them to share this experience.
At the conclusion of church
parade, all ranks stood down for
the day. Holy communion was
celebrated in the ward room. [*X*]

^1200hrs. Course 270 ° Speed 15 Knots
Distance travelled since 271200 -
375 miles. Latitude 328 ° 59 ' S. Longitude
88 ° 256 ' E. Wind SW - WNW Force 1 - 3
Visibility good. Smooth sea.

Music
1430hrs Programme of recorded music
was presented over the ship's
[[?]] PA system by Lt Comd FAULKNER.

Deck Hockey

1600hrs Afternoon deck hockey games
resulted in a Army I defeating
Army II 2 - 0 and Army III defeating
Non-descrips 1 - 0.

Concert

1945. Afternoon Concert held on in
torpedo space. The deck was
suitably decorated with flags for
the occasion, and the ships dance
band installed in front of the
microphone. The dance band is
only the ship's band converted,
but put on a very good show. [*4*]
Sailors, soldiers & airmen crammed
into every bit of available space.
The concert consisted mainly of
sentimental poems, songs, community
singing, and sketches given by
the ships company. Items by

 

69

members of the contingent were
conspicuously absent. Nevertheless
it was a great success.

 

70 71
Monday 29 Apr. AT SEA
Weather

Fine clear day with low
average swell and slight sea.

Conference
0845. Officers and conference in Ward
orderly room. Instrs given for
marking of bedding during day.
Kit shortages to be in to QM by
1800. 
War Diary
Brig MOTENS instructions that
a War Diary is to be kept by
the adjutant in addition to the
narrative being written by LtFORBES,
promulgated. Narrative written to date,
to be despatched from CAPE TOWN
and again from LONDON on arrival.
Investiture
Details

Cpl HIRN AWAS detailed to do the
typing. 0900hrs. Parade and administration.

Lists of personnel entitlled to decorations,
and who have not yet been
invested, compiled. This is in
anticipation of the investiture taking
place in LONDON on arrival.
Rifle Drill
0915hrs. Rifle drill by pls. Again
this was interrupted by washing
of decks. Even with the practically
completley calm sea, the movement
of the ship to detect is sufficient to
prevent the training being of any
use from the point of timing. It
is mainly useful in righting detecting and
detecting righting faults in individuals
of which there are many. 1015.
Lecturettes
Lecturettes by selected men on
AUSTRALIA. Some show a marked
reluctance not only to give Lecturettes
but also to make any endeavour
to make themselves au fait with
AUSTRALIA at all. 1030 - 1100 hrs PT & Recreational

 

72 73

training. 1100 - 1115 Rifle cleaning and
dismiss.
Marking

of Bedding
To offset who the loss of
bedding & blankets previously mentioned
all bedding was marked with it's
owners embarkation serial number.
All ranks against impressed with
the necessity of observing right of
way in passageways. The ships
company also had the same
fact impressed on them.

Position
1200. Course 268 ° Speed 15 Knots.
Wind - Force 3 sky ¼ to ¾ cloudy.
Distance since 281200 - 360 miles
Latitude 30 ° 00 ' S Longitude 81 ° 28 ' E
Deck
Cricket
1500 - 1600. PT & Organised Games.
1600hrs No deck hockey but deck
cricket commenced for first time.
It is played in the deck hockey
area with knots net over all nets,
and solid stumps. Today was
only an informal "hit", but quite
a number of contingent personnel
showed themselves to be very keen
on the game. It is understood that
a competition will be organised
in the near future.
Quiz
A "quiz" competition is being
organised on the ship. 64 teams
are required from all sections of
the ship. Teams are to have
3 members, and questions will
be asked over the ships SRE
system. To date, entries from
OR members of the contingent have
been disappointing. Frequent appeals
have been made with very little

 

74 75
result as yet.

"Dirithy
Dox"
1830 marked the first
appearance of "Dirithy Dox" on the
ship's SRE system. Questions were
answered in Dorothy Dix style,
and the show proved to be
most entertaining & amusing.
"Dirithy Dox" will be on the air
regularly every Monday Wednesday
& Saturday, and all ranks are
invited to let her soothe ^sort out their
troubles.
1830. Clocks retarded 1 hr.
Pictures

1930. "Love on the Dole" and
newsreels were presented on the
Cafeteria Mess Deck. 

 

76 77
Tuesday 30 Apr. AT SEA

Weather.

Fine clear day with good
visibility but very little swell. 0845.
Officers conference in orderly room.
Nothing of any consequence was
discussed.

Paludine

0900. Parade and administration
of paludine. This is now given
to all ranks whether they have served
in malarious areas or not. 0915-1015hrs.
PT

PT & organised games. This was
slightly varied by the introduction
of inter pl tug of war contests. The
sport when pla practised on smooth
decks in sandshoes involves the
application of new principles, and had
everyone thinking. In addition some
boxing gloves were produced and
used to good effect. The usual
training syllabus was carried through
without incident.
Female
Inspection
of Gun Turrets

During the morning the female
members of the contingent were
taken on a tour of the engine rooms
and 8" gun turrets. They To judge
from their oily appearance on
reappearance, they [[inspec?]] made the
inspection very thoroughly.

Position

1200. Course 270 ° Speed 15 Knots
Wind NW Force 2 Weather b7 Distance
since 291200 - 375 miles. Longitude
30 ° 01 ' S Latitude 74 ° 11 ' E.
Deck Hockey

The afternoon's deck hockey games
resulted in a win Army defeating
Stokers 3 - 1, Stokers 2 defeating drawing
with Naval Contingent 2 - 2, 2 Pl drawing
with Army Officers 2 - 2. It is intended
to play Deck Hockey and Deck Cricket on

 

78 79

alternate days.  

News

The "Shropshire News" consisting
of the latest wireless news is
now distributed daily by the ship.
War
Artist
Lt MAINWARING War Artist has
been given the use of a room
in the Captains Quarters for his
work. His intention is to paint
[[Comd? OFF?]] portraits on the voyage,
as ^the weather allows. To date portraits
of Gen EATHER, Capt SHOWERS and
Lt BARR AAWAS are in the course
of production. In addition he will
do at least one full size painting
in oils of an aspect of shipboard
life which will enable him to
include as much of the ship
as possible. These, combined with
many water colour sketches, should
give an effective pictorial record of
the voyage.
War
Photographer
Lt COFFEY War Photographer has
also been very busy taking both
still and moving pictures of every
aspect of the contingents daily life on
board ship. This includes flashlight
photographs taken at night at
concerts etc. He will despatch
some of those taken at the ^to date on
arrival at CAPE TOWN for early
release to the BR AUSTRALIAN public.
Brig MOTEN continues to be
confined to his bed with Bronchitis.
The quarterdeck at 1600
dail presents a daily increasing
scene of activity. Given over to

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