AWM52 1/11/18/4 - Headquarters London Victory March Contingent, 1946, part 3, Naval log - Part 6

101
Sunday 5 May.    AT SEA
Sky partly overcast with
occasional rain squalls. Smooth
calm sea.
0930. Division and Church
Parade. The procedure was similar to
that detailed for last SUNDAY. The Captain
appeared, and during the inspection
commented favourably on the drill &
turn out of the Contingent. Chap JAMES
conducted the service, and Rev J O
WERE Chaplain RAN gave the address.
00. Course was altered 45° to starboard
to avoid rain squalls during church
parade. As it was, the concluding
portion of the service was marred
by a slight drizzle. The Official War
Photographer took very complete photographs
both moving & still, of the service. He
was hampered in his initial efforts by
the conglomeration of personnel on the
quarterdeck, but was successful when
he moved his sphere of operations
to X deck, and the top of Y 8" gun
turret. 1020.
1020. Church parade broken off & all
personnel stood down for the day
1025. Altered course back to 265 °
1200. Course 265 ° Speed 14 Knots Wind

NNE Force 2 Visibility b c/7 Sea & Swell
22 Barometer 1020.3 (rising) Temperature

74 8 Latitude 30° 17' S Longitude 41° 49' E
Distance run since 041200 - 345 miles.
It has now been established
that a berth is available in CAPE TOWN,
and we will not have to swing
in the stream as was previously 

102
[*appreciated and there did not appear to
be that slight atmosphere of restraint
that was xxx noticed in the last
concert.*]
 AAA
103
thought possible.
Addresses of members of Contingent
having a place to stay in
CAPE TOWN were collected. Also the
number who would require
overnight leave should it be
granted. This was done with a
view to sending off a signal
requesting accomodation for the night
for the personnel. Practically everyone
in the contingent requested overnight
leave. As yet, nothing definite has
been decided or promulgated on
the subject of leave, or on the
question of how much training will
be done whilst in CAPE TOWN.
Deck 1430 Deck cricket was
played as usual. Today's games resulted
in a  win for Wardroom 71 defeating

No 1 RAAF 34 and Wallabies 39 defeating

No 2 RAAF 12.
Two quiz sessions were held
in at 1430 & 1700. Lt Comd FAULKNER
appealed for more questions, as he
barely had enough to last him for till
the end of the first round.
2000. The usual Sunday night
concert was held in the torpedo
space. Gen EATHER, the Captain, &
Col SAGE attended. The contingent
made up for last Saunday's lapse
by producing quite a number
of talented performers. This included
3 members of the Women's services, two
of whom sang, and one played
the piano. Their efforts were deservedly
popular. Community singing was much

105
Monday 6 May.     AT SEA.
Perfect day with practically
sea. Best day for rifle exercises
since coming aboard.
845. Officer's conference. Maj GLUTH
pay on Wednesday. All webbing
to be reblancoed before Wednesday
preparation for CAPE TOWN.
The MO to deliver a VD lecture
a time to be notified
pre arrival.
00. Parade and thorough inspection
rifles. Rifles appear to be
standing up to the voyage ie
exposure to the sea air, very
. 0915 - 1015. Rifles exercises.
Owing to the universally calm
day this was done with great
success thus far. At the end of
hour all pls were exhibiting
gratifying efficiency. 1015. - 1030.
Lecturettes. 1045 - 1115. Cleaning and
stowing of arms.
1200. Course 251° Speed 14 Knots Wind SW force.
Visibility b c/7 Sea Smooth Swell Short
Barometer 1017.0 Temp 73°
stance run since 051200 - 300 miles
titude 31° 02' S Longitude 41° 49' E
1500 - 1600. PT and organised games.
.00. Deck hockey competition

commenced. All aspirants have
now played enough of the games
put the Contingent on a
more or less equal footing
with the Navy. All portions of
the contingent are represented.
Todays game resulted in a 

106
[*star. It is hoped that more
of these plays will be
forthcoming, because this type
of entertainment not only solves
the lack of space problem, but requires
less preparation than a normal
play of or vaudeville act, where
parts have to be learnt by heart.*]
107
win for the Naval Contingent 2
over the Dynamoes 1; Artisans
defeated No 2 P1 2 - 0; Army Officers

defeated Gun Room 3 - 1.
1830. Clocks retarded 1 hr. Now
on CAPE TOWN time.
The Officers Deck Tennis
Competition has now entered the
second round. Contingent Officers
are more than holding their
own with the Ship's Officers
A very entertaining screed
has been issued by the Ship
for the guidance of Womens xx Services
in under standing naval terms
and customs. It parodies naval
expressions, and sets out to
deliberately make fun of them.
Not only the female, but the
male element of xxx the contingent
are grateful to the Navy for the
trouble they have gone too to
elucidate hithertoo confusing
terms & expressions.
"The Adventure of the Western Star",
a radio play, was presented over
the Ships SRE System at 2000 hrs.
The play is an adaption of the
novel by Agatha Christie, done
by a xxx a xxxx of the Ship's member of ships company
officers. A mixed Ship & Contingent
Cast, including women, presented
the play. All ranks were delighted
by the excellence of the presentation
which in places, reached professional
standards. S/Sjt KNIGHT was the

109
Tuesday 7 May.
Fine cIear day with calm sea.
845. Officers conference. Nothing yet
decided on the question of leave or
rill in CAPE TOWN as yet. Details
of final mailing times promulgated.
rmail letters to Australia cost 3d
per ounce and 3d for each additional
ounce. 3d stamps are available at
5 for 1/-. Airmail posted in Australia
prior to 30 Apr is expected to be
avaible in CAPETOWN. EFM telegrams
can be sent from the ship or from
civil post offices in CAPE TOWN at
a cost of 2/6 for three phrases. Shorts
are only to be worn for sport, or
when ordered.
0900. Parade and inspection. On
the request of the Ships authorities all
ranks were put on ships duties
for the day despite the calm sea &
good weather. Duties were mainly
connected with getting the ship
shipshape for CAPE TOWN.
1200 Course 245° G Speed 12 K Wind
NW Force 2 Visibility G/8 barometer
1020.0 Distance run since 061200 -
339 miles Latitude 33° 14' S Longitude
35° 53' E.
1330. Naval Instructional films shown
in the ward room - Contingent
officers were invited to be
present. The films were highly
instructive entertaining as well as
being instructive. It opened some the
eyes of some of the officers who
had been inclined to judge conditions 

111
in the Navy as shown on this
voyage.
A signal was received

offering the following hospitality whilst in
CAPE TOWN by the South African Women's
Auxiliary Service and Australian and
New Zealand Society.
(a) Officer's dance on 9 May 46
(b) Ratings and OR's dance 9 May & 10 May.
(c) Motor drivers for 100 men each
afternoon
Further details will be communicated
on arrival
1600. In the first round of the
Deck Hockey Cricket Competition Petty Officers 127
defeated Army Officers 94
1700. In the afternoon's quiz session
ORACLES defeated TOG's (Three Old Girls)
8 - 6. The latter team consisted of
three senior ^women members of the Contingent,
and the previous three ratings from

the Ships Coy.
1830. Clocks retarded 1 hr.

113
Wednesday 8 May     AT SEA
Fine clear day x and calm,
smooth, day sea.
Day given up completely to
preparation for arrival in CAPE TOWN
following day.
0900. Parade and, inspection, and
short period of rifle exercises.
30. All ranks mustered in the
torpedo space for talk by Lt CLARK
MO who spent 3 years in CAPE TOWN.
pointed out the extent of the
various racial distinctions, and warned
against accepting everybody as pro
BRITISH, and in particular pro AUSTRALIAN,
somuch was not the case. The
government of SOUTH AFRICA only held
its position by a slender margin,
the element represented by the
opposition were in most cases openly
hostile. He warned the troops about
entering District 6, the native quarter,
as many people in the past after
being outnumbered, by had lost their
lives. In conclusion, he pointed out
the dangers of drinking local spirits,
which he said were very "sudden".
There was unlimited quantities of
good beer, he said.
At the conclusion of Lt CLARK's
talk, the MO said a few words
about VD.
1000. All ranks were paid on
the upper deck.
1030. Cleaned rifles and returned
them to armoury.
1100 Officer's conference in orderly 

115
room. Representatives of RAN & RAAF
attended. The following programme
leave and training in CAPETOWN
was ada promulgated:
Thursday.
0845 Dress Ship

0900. Arrive CAPETOWN.

0915 - 1100. Detrill on Wharf.
1100 Return rifles.

1115. Change currency.
1200 Leave parade on wharf
At conclusion of leave parade
leave until 090830 hrs.
Friday.
0830. Leave concludes
0900. Check parade
0915 - 1100. Drill on wharf
1100 Return rifles
1130 Leave parade, and leave
until 100830 hrs.
Dress for drill - "Off the peg" SD,
boots, gaiters, rifl hats, rifles and
side arms. Dress for leave -
Good SD, hats, boots or shoes, web

belts. Officers to wear Sam Browne
belts on leave & SD for drill.
Out of the 100 personnel for
drives the Contingent has been
alloted 25, and the Ships Company
75. This will be subdivided amongst
the three services over the two days.
1145. All The Captain spoke to all
on board over the warning
telephone. He impressed on all
ranks the necessity for good behaviour
whilst in CAPETOWN, not only because
of past incidents, but because of
the peculiar & special nature of this 

117
ticular mission. He pointed also
said that only a limited amount of
fresh food was avaible for the
rest of the voyage, and only one
meal of fresh food a day would be
issued until after arrival at the
1st port on leaving ENGLAND. This
was necessary because of the no
fresh food was to be taken aboard
ENGLAND. The quantity, he said,
would remain the same. Lt CLARK
xx talked for a few minutes at the
clusion of the Captain's words.
00 hrs. Course 268 ° Speed 13 Knots.
Wind WXN Force 3 Visibility b c/7
Swell & Sea 22 Barometer 1015.5

Distance run since 071200 - 268 miles
Latitude 34 ° 36 ' S Longitude 22 ° 47 ' E.
430 hrs. Parade to draw SD's
and hats.
1530 Inspection by platoons to ens
in good SD, to ensure every thing
is complete and ready for leave in

CAPE TOWN.
1600. Deck games were played
as usual.
Land in sight all day. 

119
ursday 9 May.     AT SEA - CAPE TOWN.
Overcast day, with quiet sea, and
tending towards rain.
45. Contingent commenced dressing
ip positions on starboard side.
p steamed through the breakwater &
thed at J Dock DUNCAN Dock
PETOWN at approximately 0900 hrs.
p's band played "Sarie Marais" as
gesture to SOUTH AFRICA. CAPE TOWN
shrouded in mist, and there
only a handful of people there
welcome the Contingent. No one of
official prominence was present.
15. Port Medical Officer and Naval
representatives came aboard, with
press reporters and photographers.
45. Contingent went ashore and
commenced drilling by services in the
ple space available in the
immediate docks area. The drill
was of a much higher standard
n xxxt that after first coming
shore at FREMANTLE. This can be
attributed to the cold bracing weather.
and a smoother trip. Although the
Contingent did not march as a whole,
all informed observers agreed that
the ^individual standard was high, and
gered well for ENGLAND. There
were several light showers during
the drill period.
1100.  Broken off to return rifles and
have sterling exchanged for South
African Currency.
1145. Maj Gen EATHER and Capt SHOWERS
left the Ship for SIMONSTOWN and lunch