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

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

Page 1 / 10

201 tuday 22 May St SEA time and stead. The lotert e affice canfevence in adenly t at wlbiing had been wad as premion by addered asa orter a ltes has been aeceived by Captain setting out detaik quatering and decamadntan LeNsoN and at detaile of march He levat dstuck well hampted in te wea iture e inontration f21 + anded ae akes he vaval contingent std de PI an the quarterseck every ng suning te arve9— two large hout of dophim righted 0 ande B30. contingunt pt er sick. There we be ane eore pay forst behave reaching LcasCN 1420 Wat abeis (oost72 defeated te first oaud Gunnsom 22 Cupet en compettion. oft Deck
7 203 that (ship can so depeated 1AF 1-10 The guarter dick during the - aieof__ tuety with preparwtion for the t The wtage, which hetterti sl- beew bare wa draped with ainings t plongs Ags wee tated acai 770 oeings aa atncted utit it liea 1 of the 9. rapd and 11 hlfyig systen intraducad. t ae g - n wet -- _ the pr 1 + 1:- 141Na 1:- opeved by F begemag to end wetout i litch. Them sont we Trapete a the chamee of men hers of te ament ceneces with ane anguig were decervedly papute. I the -
- 205 p ty appead ty continue of a pet shd blue material and enarted nomal sharms vantive. eecadppa the tnt the pptatl_ ought the hame davn at it ben. She wire dressed in t peatie white eg which ted themdy they did oais han pike intute. the of e whem udderly Capt EACWCns & lng MCTEN as lid the same wantine with the sid in the baskgaund. This tireit was infaged at the mare fo expectedn he p appaintan the ath ner tp e te pic f eardice t n t had he seen the Cantiget whos a RasHs SARONGHIRE. Me kan paeit tindicated histe LACLE by 1t 1:-:- a pcture by pacal inpreman. It was chevely bery ia, and and ansning were insluding Caldie te tnnt
207 frpecial menhar were the an shene ebe f Cay who ang dind aned to ard - r a te contingents paint f wien it was on yand how Tanke are due to Lt d PURV1s wlore lad wokk cbnd the sienes made it ale Deen Beb 23/
p 18 27 the 41 E hadting Reath tat -- Kay 5 : 209 Thurday 23 Hay AF SEA h a day with a strang endly cald wind. We have lept the aper be hind chs offerers comference. She fadawing imporiation was pamulgated ditails received prom Lowsan gave this enformation. cae all abe personne in he marching catunn, heas the trilnh Heoclant Navy set will be accauadite in tented camps in Kennngton for dea Landon Thee camp well aean 15 fa 46 apte a fict ernec sbe c tll Womens Serviin, Ser WPHC with be wee anodated i a hutted 60p Kaldey m Wy Mate OR wid cary te nary I wane abetches, but at athes steeping requisenints wet be pauidest at the campsf The live wepete stane by hements yausens i anaible far seemining. I waaps - unt prsle thei aw continue equental Patice are being povided to patral wit lime. No privately aamed mates can an mateer lyches wed be atawed in caups. There wit be a spare avoible aone to each wand where privately acconed car & make ytes may be pasted at the acenevs nink. 2. Ditack of Tastary Mach received she sabte wit be taken by by try the king accompanied by the
210 Ca Cr oet 5 - p - 217 Guren in twe Princeme. Te layst Party with a captaine t seart of lounehold cavnlry witl drive in t careage frm Ruckinghan Pertare to Mable h and them to the entnting lan in tAt NALL. te the paale wid camplinean thre delachment of eart of th Eighting hevice, livet sepeme bewie & Inductoral Cantengents prain the Attie Danei Fridna inthe Cortnic the paader and be divinted outs two calums a a matergest calu A ma shong cuti there wid be a ply pait of lot at the canchince of the mark. d houte ins TRUED AdTE, unddeE HRet, CxEORDST, CAAAINC CROSS RD ST MARTINS PLACE, FRATAeCAREGURE (eatcule) BOATAUMBERLANE WE. JICTORIA EHLANRMENT, ERIBCE ST Caherp night hin, PARLIAMENT 5t WAITEHALC, ABMIRACTY HAcH, THEMALL CCNSTITUTIEN UILL, QUEENSRD, RYDE PARK ECRNER, APSLEY CATE into HYDE PARK. i) tam of tle high Tanking officer whe lave cammo andeel danie, casps in teir ignwatent, during the Wa, will_ precide te matadizect catumn in suitable whites with a motes cyck ecast f watual lags af ather, an calance Etandards an teuday of Cavalon lings aeximemt tatu of Rde of Guade anfantyeyithe due, with be caned. Mahustat lautingt eilca +te
212 Tentiy acc - 5 213 13 Bathe snew wer be mor b to sands are being weed fo the genenal hubbi but them wit he and afferest inonice atthe Saltiry Rue in THe Mnce 3. ad peroundd in the canbugent are required to deituns any ditrable gaade in their samri. The dotapply applie whethea ras to gasale lane been warn nct touns 55aglay wit be liber in under and tlight amangenents. Hamens service will be repaat. The faloriing sancerion apply to the Camtangemt ntos aigainete 5 th of tobans may be taken antare duty free. (6) A take guantity of 25 ths of faod chippe may be taken a nhan duty free paviding that no are fodf whter t not erceede hs road parict addressed t endividunts in the Ik may be e ashor duty firce paviding that they cant no mn ha I has weight, with no are iem mare thana ths wet an distation af conents wthe a the parit ano dutable Joods whateever agao Pade inpecta amentat of Patuadni Fanne 55bglay were campleted by t as
215 pound that to majority of - declarable goods conctea oy fewelery tcher g hactared in cost ow. g20. 2PI given to stif for the day. remainder ag anevd same kno- -- 1700. Gnate tmak of th iamg cantent were lett in the taped spare. AME depeatest sandinefte (kada 10-7. late (catingent were depeated by hanate Co (Edif iffie) g. This Leaves aast the anly complete catet team There is left in te compettion afferies pro i maried tean a pad se caled NAAFIs imbeater, of which te anoy & ainforie acpeventatie ae contiigout 2000 secon night oftrapic Vights deck. Atthough penpared o the 9.0 very windy & te importable an the stage the cast wlawed remarkable prerece of mind & putan an even bettr thow than lunt night. Several menar varatios were intraduced with good effect.
217 Mday 24 May Ar CEA. aywithaatg pheeze boyse offeris conference. The pottaneng nformationas as the Chip ha shanged baik fom toperal vanture Pwret be recumed te ftern offecer with wa wiiter dress pamessthnight. it is intended to ine a mac stckealeawt in Langhend redi_ buk for the mane whe it came so few His will include such sew as tncs a blades bont patint etc agoe Parde inpetion 5915 Piple exerise by p1S. Buring the pasde bng Marco chanmech- te pts at watk. He decided that pe eiines had not reached a ligh enough stanead, pustirutary as regards timing which he considered varied - amongst pts. t the RSA he tenpore in stancted ta should take each pt an the quaster seek for t an h each Maining he alo inatuted the Pelft to prepsse a sydatios fo the contengent an armst in England to theimee tate place for each Mouing ave from te to be delegated Enwards. Ivaing
219 to campanents with the exceptics afthe last three days when ing- will be consied auton a contugent have. She blft with the assertance of the Rsat, prepared a do aft tabes for the Hre companent. 200 The manaparture of fett ammak as finntect At sank were requested to fiert their heart as soon as passite in hand it in they are maw being packed -iB &crated ready to hand ove to an a phainage an weaching kinglanst It was anouned that the Canary Iakend would be passed tomawow. Fo the contingents benefitt we are yaig t change chare se tat we can yet cose enanghim have a tak at them TEHERIFEE is the ment interesting. The spanish Gndernor live there, and it ras a maunitan 12000 fo in heigh 1700 pinnt of quis content. NAAFI's drew with SNHEU 20.2c. lifte I mar at cantest was ended the sives wee exue ire he reeles of the acntert they cantinued vntil ane tear was prewt head of He se guentio for quention tans were so equal that thes could nat be actieved, so it with

201
Sunday 22 May. AT SEA.

Fine and clear. The hottest
day of the voyage. 
0845. Officer's conference in orderly
room. Officers were instructed to 
ensure that all webbing had been 
blancoed as previously ordered. 

It was also promulgated that

a letter has been received by

the Captain setting out details

of quartering and accommodation

in LONDON, and also details of

the march Relevant details will

be promulgated in the near

future.

0900. Parade, inspection, and

administration of palaundine. No 3 Pl

were handed over to the ship;

the remainder rifle exercises.

The Naval Contingent still do PT

at on the quarterdeck every

morning.

During the morning

two large shoals of dolphins

were sighted.

1200  -

-

-

-

-

1330. Contingent paid in

Cafeteria Mess Deck. There will

be one more pay first before

reaching LONDON

1430. Wallabies (AMF) 72 defeated

Gunroom 22 in the first round

of the Deck Hockey ^Cricket Competition.

 

203

Hotshots (Ships Coy) 30 defeated 

RAAF 1 - 10.

The quarterdeck during the

afternoon was a hive of 

activity with preparations for the

concert. The stage, which hithertoo

had been bare, was draped with

awnings & flags; lights were

installed; a curtain was rigged;

and wings constructed, until it

looked like a normal professional

stage. Awnings were erected down

each side of the complete

length of the quarter deck. Professional

looking band stands were put in

place, and in short an excellent

amplifying system introduced.

The Contingent were amazed at

the depth of the Ship's to resources

to resource. The seating was

[[well/so?]] organised that everyone attending

could get a good view &

hear well.

2000 The concert commenced

before a most appreciative

audience. As usual, they were

spread from the top of the

quarterdeck, over XY turret, onto

the upper decks. The concert

compered by Flt/Lt DAVIDSON, a ^ran

from beginning to end without

a hitch. The [[so??t???s]] were

excellent, in The "Tropettes.", a

chorus of 6 members of the

Women's Services with one singing,

were deservedly popular. In their

 

205

first performance, they appeared

in scanty costumes of a filmy

light blue, material and enacted

a normal chorus routine.

Their second appearance, the last

on the programme, practically

brought the house down at it's

conclusion. The men dressed in

sailor's peace time white rig, which

suited them admirably. They did

a sailor's hornpipe routine. The

highlight of the show came when

suddenly Capt SHOWERS & Brig MOTEN

appeared attired as sailors &

did the same routine with the girls

in the background. This twist

was enjoyed all the more for

its unexpectedness.

The "Tropettes" opposition the

"Troppos", a male chorus attired

as females, was also very good.

Their first appearance ^was in an

extremely scanty two piece

costume of a yellow material.

The second in AWAS drill uniform.

The Ward room officers presented

a sketch interpreting Nelson's reaction

had he seen the Contingent aboard

HMAS SHROPSHIRE. Nelson played

by Lt BASSET indicated his reaction

from a picture frame by facial

expressions. It was cleverly interpreted,

very topical, and most amusing.

There were several vocalists

including Flt/Sjt Caldwell & Cpl Hird

Women's Contingent. Another act deserving

 

207

of special mention were the

"Moon Shiners" - five members of

the Ships Coy, who sang, danced,

& played the accordian in old

travelling players style.

From the Contingent's point

of view it was a grand 

show. Thanks are due to Lt

Comd PURVIS whose hard work

behind the scenes, made it

possible.

[*Seen. RPeck 23/5*]

 

208 209

Thursday 23 May. AT SEA.

Fine, clear day with a strong

fairly cold wind. We have left the

tropics behind.

08145 Officer's Conference. The

following information was promulgated:

(1) Details received from LONDON gave

this information:

Accm

(a) (i) All male personnel in the

marching column, less the British

Merchant Navy Det, will be accommodated

in tented camps in Kensington

Gardens, London. The camp will

close on 15 Jun 46, after which,

alternative accm will be arranged

Bedding.

(b)(ii) All Womens Services, Less WRNS, will

be accommodated in a hutted camp

in Bushey Park London.

Bedding.

Baths

(b) Male ORs will carry the navy

issue stretchers, but all other

sleeping requirements will be provided

at the camps. [*//*]

Bathing.

(c) The River Serpentine close by

Kensington Gardens is available for

swimming. Troops must provide

their own costumes.

Provost

(d) Regimental Police are being

provided to patrol unit lines.

Private

Motor Veh

(e) No privately owned motor car

or motor cycles will be allowed in

camps. There will be a space

available close to each camp where

privately owned cars & motor cycles

may be parked at the owner's risk.

2. Details of Victory March received:

(a) The salute will be taken by

by HM, the King accompanied by the

 

210 211

Salute

Queen & two Princesses. The Royal

Party, with a Captain's Escort of

Household Cavalry, will drive in

a carriage from Buckingham Palace

to Marble Arch and then to the Saluting

Base in THE MALL.

Composition

of Parade

(b) The parade will comprise a

detachment of each of the three

Fighting Services, Civil Defence Service &

Industrial Contingents from the Allies,

Dominions, India and the Colonies.

The Parade.

(c) The parade will be divided into

two columns:

(i) A motorized column.

(ii) A marching column.

There will be a fly past of

RAF at the conclusion of the march.

Route of

Marching

Column

(d) Route is TYBURN GATE, MARBLE

ARCH, OXFORD ST, CHARING CROSS RD,

ST MARTINS PLACE, TRAFALGAR SQUARE (eastside),

NORTHUMBERLAND AVE, VICTORIA EMBANKMENT, BRIDGE
ST (sharp right turn), PARLIAMENT ST,

WHITEHALL, ADMIRALTY ARCH, THE MALL,

CONSTITUTION HILL, QUEEN'S RD, HYDE PARK

CORNER, ASPLEY GATE into HYDE PARK.

Distinguished
Commanders

(e) Ten of twelve high ranking officers

who have commanded Armies, Corps,

or their equivalent, during the War, will

precede the motorized column in

suitable vehicles, with a motor cycle

escort.

Colours

(f) National Flags of Allies, Dominions &

Colonies, Standards & [[Giurdons/Guardians?]] of Cavalry,

King's Regimental Colours, of Bde of Guards

& Infantry of the Line, will be carried.

The Australian Contingent will carry

the Australian Flag.

 

212 213

Dress.

(g) Battle Dress will be worn.

Seating Accm.

(h) No stands are being erected

for the general public, but there

will be an official enclosure at the

Saluting Base in THE MALL.

3. All personnel in the Contingent are

required to declare any dutiable

goods in their possession.  This

does not apply applies whether or

not the goods have been worn

or used.

Form S 569(a) will be filled in

under Pl and Flight arrangements.

Women's Services will be separate.

The following concessions apply to the

Contingent:

(a) Quantities up to 200 cigarettes

& ½ lb of tobacco may be taken

ashore duty free.

(b) A total quantity of 25 lbs of

food stuffs may be taken ashore

duty free providing that no one

foodstuff (whether rationed or

not) exceeds 5 lbs.

(c) Food parcels addressed to

individuals in the UK may be

taken ashore duty free providing

that they contain no more than

11 lbs weight, with no one item

more than 2 lbs, with a

declaration of contents written

on the parcel, & no dutiable

goods whatsoever therein.

0900. Parade, inspections, administration

of Paluadrine, Forms S 569(a) were

completed by platoons. It was

 

215

found that the majority of

declarable goods consisted of

jewellery, watches, & clothing

purchased in CAPE TOWN.

0930. 2PL given to Ship for the

day.  Remainder PT & organised

games.

1200 -

         -

         -

         -

         -

1700. Quarter Finals of the Quiz

Contest were held in the torpedo

space. AMF defeated Nondescripts

(Radar) 10 - 7. Laters (cContingent)

were defeated by Socrates & Co (Ship's

Officers) 5 - 9. This leaves AMF

the only complete contingent team

left in the competition. There is

a [[second?]] team of ^officers from) all services called

NAAFI'S unbeaten, of which the

Army, & Airforce representatives

are Contingent.

2000. Secon night of Tropic Nights

performed on the quarterdeck. Although

very windy & uncomfortable on

the stage the cast showed

remarkable presence of mind &

put on an even better show

than last night. Several

minor variations were introduced

with good effect.

 

217

Friday 24 May AT SEA.

Fine, clear day with a retiring

breeze.

0845. Officer's Conference. The following

information was promulgated:

(1) As the Ship hs changed back

from tropical routine PT will

be resumed in the afternoon.

Officers will even winter dress

for mess as from tonight.

(2) It is intended to issue

replace as much of the Q maint

stocks as possible on arrival

in England so as to reduce

bulk for the [[m?]] when it comes

on 15 Jun. This will include

such items as blanco, razor blades,

boot polish etc.

0900. Parade & inspection

0915. Rifle exercises by pls. During

this parade Brig MOTEN observed

the pls at work. He decided that

rifle exercises had not reached

a high enough standard, particularly 

as regards timing which he

considered varied amongst pls.

He therefore instructed that the RSM

should take each pl on the

quarterdeck for ½ an hr each

morning.

He also instructed the

Adjt to take prepare a syllabus for

the Contingent on arrival in England

up to the time of the march. Training

to take place for 3½ hrs each

morning - leave from then

onwards. Training to be delegated

 

219

to components with the exception

of the last three days when trg

will be carried out on a Contingent

basis. The Adjt with the assistance

of the RSM, prepared a draft

syllabus for the AMF Component.

1200. -

          -

          -

          -

          -

The manufacture of felt animals

has finished. All ranks were

requested to finish their beast

as soon as possible & hand it in.

They are now being packed up

& crated ready to hand over to

an orphanage on reaching England.

It was announced that the

Canary Island would be passed

tomorrow. For the Contingent's benefits

we are going to change course

so that we can get close enough

to have a look at them. TENERIFFE

is the most interesting. The Spanish

Governor lives there and it has

a mountain 12000 ft in height.

1700. Quarter^Semi finals of quiz contest.

NAAFI's drew with SNAFU 20 - 20. After

the normal contest was ended the

scores were equal, so under the

rules of the contest they continued until

one team was a point ahead of

the others question for question. The

teams were so equal that this

could not be achieved, so it will

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