AWM52 1/11/18/5 - Headquarters London Victory March Contingent, 1946, part 4, Summary of events and correspondence - Part 2

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Documents and letters

Status:

Open for review

Accession number:

RCDIG1020021

Difficulty:

-6-

Date

Place

Summary of Events

22 Apr 46

At Sea

Fine clear day, slight sea with a moderate to
average swell. Majority of day spent in
preparation for march in PERTH on 23 Apr.
0900 hrs Parade without rifles, but with
webbing including rifle slings. Webbing inspected
to ensure blancoing carried out
satisfactorily. 0945 hrs - 1100 hrs PT and
organised games. 1400 hrs Good SD uniforms
distributed. 1500 hrs - 1600 hrs PT and
organised games. 1900 hrs Rifles issued from
armoury. 1600 hrs Brig MOTEN held conference
attended by Maj WILLIAMS and Adjt to discuss
leave question whilst at FREMANTLE. A policy
of granting overnight leave only to those
personnel having relatives and friends in
PERTH was decided. This to be until 240800 hrs,
remainder until 240100 hrs. This arrangement was
subsequently slightly altered by Gen EATHER.
Female members of Contingent did approx 1½ hrs
PT during the day under S/Sjt KNIGHT

23 Apr 46

At Sea -
FREMANTLE

A fine clear day. 0750 hrs All ranks assumed
dressing ship positions preparatory to
entering harbour. Paraded with rifles and
sidearms and dressed as for the march.
Contingent stood at attention as the ship
steamed into No 5 Dock FREMANTLE, and berthed
at 0820 hrs. There was a crowd of approximately
100 and Western Comd band on the wharf. 0830
hrs Paraded on the wharf preparatory to arms
drill and marching. This was done not only
to practise all personnel for march through
PERTH, but to give them back their "land legs".
This proved to be very important as quite a
number of personnel had not got "them" completely

back as late as the march itself. Both
foot drill and rifle drill were ragged after
first disembarking, but improved. Also training

were 60 armed personnel of HMAS "SHROPSHIRE"
who were to take part in the march. 1000 hrs
Contingent and "SHROPSHIRE" party formed mass
at the rear of the wharf where Gen EATHER
addressed them about the standard of dressing
ship, and stating that it must show a distinct
improvement in the future. He also promised
tjhat leave would be granted until 240900 hrs
for those staying overnight and until 240100 hrs
for the remainder. 1020 hrs Troops broken off
for a cup of tea and final polish-up. 1100 hrs
Fell in on wharf and marched to train. 1207 hrs
Arrived PERTH railway station. Detrained and
fell in, in front of station with the head of
the column at the EAST end. 1225 hrs Maj-Gen
EATHER arrived and took command of the Parade.
1230 hrs Contingent moved off in the following
order:-
Western Comd Band
Naval Contingent
"SHROPSHIRE" party

AMF
RAAF
Again female members of each Service marched
behind their respective contingents.
Route - WELLINGTON St - BARRACK St - HAY St -
WILLIAM St - ST GEORGE'S Tce - to Anzac House.
The Contingent passed the Saluting Base
situated in St George's Tce opposite TRINITY
Church at 1242 hrs. The Salute was taken by
His Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir
Sir JAMES MITCHELL KCMG. When the head of the
column reached the Saluting Base, Maj-Gen

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
		EATHER fell out and joined the official party. Capt WIER who observed the march as a spectator picked many faults in the calibre of marching, but they were mainly concerned with individual and not of thie Contingent as a whole. The Contingent was broken off at ANZAC House, where rifles and sidearms were collected and transported back to the Ship. The entire Contingent was entertained at lunch by the Citizens' Reception Council. After lunch, all ranks, with the exception of a small security picquet on the Ship, were given leave. 1345 hrs. Gen EATHER together with all service heads f the Contingent including Col SAGE, Chief Officer CLEMENTS, Sec Officer CARTER and Maj DEASEY made an official call on Sir James and Lady MITCHELL at Government House. 1700 hrs Staff Corps Mess, SWAN Barracks, entertained all Officers of the Contingent. The opportunity was taken for Western Comd to pay tribute to Col SAGE for the job she has done as Matron in Chief of the AANS during the war. Maj WILLIAMS, the senior male Contingent officer present, thanked the President and members on behalf of the Contingent. 2100 hrs Officers were invited to be guests of the CO and Matron of 110 Aust Gen Hospital. 4 Western Australian members of Naval Contingent joined at PERTH.
24 Apr 46	FREMANTLE - At Sea	Fine clear day with only a very slight breeze. 0900 hrs check parade held to ascertain whether all personnel returned from leave. RAN and RAAF were all present, approx 10 AMF missing. 0950 hrs Orders given to assume dressing ship position. A crowd of approx 250 was present on the wharf, and the Western Comd Band played the Ship out, assisted by the Ship's Marine Band playing on the Quarterdeck. 0955 hrs Missing AMF personnel arrived in a body after gangways had been drawn up. 1000 hrs The ship drew out of the Dock with the Contingent lining Ship's side. 1020 hrs Stood down. Good uniforms returned during morning. Mail distributed. WIER resumed his duties as Adjutant and Lt STARMER resumed comd of his Platoon 1500 hrs AMF Compbonent of Contingent mustered on maindeck amidships, and Gen EATHER addressed troops. He reiterated his remarks made before leaving MELBOURNE with reference to his internntion to grant as much leave as possible. He warned all ranks that this only applied as long as they "played the game". Any furture incidents like this morning's would result in a very drastic curtailment of leave, both in CAPE TOWN and in LONDON. 1515 - 1600 hrs. PT and organised games.
25 Apr 46	At Sea	0510 hrs. Heavy rain squall with wind rising to gale velocity. Unpleasant, cloudy and windy day. 0830 hrs Officers' conference in Orderly Room. Following training programme promulgated:- 0900 - 0915 hrs: Fall in, Administration and Inspection 0915 - 1015 hrs: PT and recreational training. Arms Drill every second day. 1015 - 1030 hrs: Lecturette 1030 - 1045 hrs: Break 1045 - 1130 hrs: PT or Drill 1115 - 1130 hrs: Rifle cleaning every second day 1130 - 1500 hrs: Dinner Break 1500 - 1600 hrs: PT and Games

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Date

Place

Summary of Events

Programme designed to be as flexible as possible

and permit of ready alteration in event of
bad weather or other unforseen occurences. The
lecturette period to be arranged from day to day,
and lecturers to be provided from RAN & RAAF
to AMF and vice versa. It is also intended to
use this period to further by question and
answer, the Contingent's knowledge of AUSTRALIA.
Literature provided by the Department of
Information will be issued in the near future.
0900 hrs Parade and administration of paludrine.
0915 - 1015 hrs PT and recreational training.
Lecturette time used to ascertain men's views
on entertqainment. Lt-Comd PURVIS has been
designated Ship's Entertainment Officer, and is
anxious to co-ordinate details of concerts,
quizzes, card parties, plays, deck games, and
cinemas as soon as possible. 1100 hrs Projected
church parade to commemorate ANZAC Day on
Quarterdeck, had to be cancelled owing to unsuitable
weather. Broke Off. Church was held
in Cafeteria mess deck in lieu. After discussion
with 1st Lieut, it was decided to allocate all
men to Ship's duties. These to be carried out
when weqather did not permit full training
programme to be completed. It was decided to
allocate duties as closely as possible to
firstly, men's civilian vocations and secondly,
military experience. This includes carpenters,
fitters, storemen, sheet metal workers, mechanics
and gunners. Not only will this greatly
facilitate the working of the ship, but will
help considerably to relieve boredom. In
addition, a duty platoon will be detailed daily
for ship's duties as required. The Captain
kindly consented to allow two parties of six
daily, to be taken on a conducted tour of
engine rooms at 0930 hrs and 1040 hrs respectively.

1315 hrs Parade. All ranks stood down.

26 Apr 46

At Sea

Fine clear day with very slight sea. )0845 hrs
Conference of all officers in the Orderly Room.
Suystem inauguarated for the distribution of
information on AUSTRALIA. Decided to distribute
pamphlets on platoon basis, with platoon sjts
retaining copies that are not in sufficient
~~copies~~ numbers to go round. 0900 hrs All ranks
paraded and allotted to ship's duties for the
morning. About ten personnel given specialist
tasks, remainder used on general unskilled
labour. This included a variety of jobs from
painting, polishing and scrubbing decks to
splicing rope. 0930 hrs Brig MOTEN outlined
to Maj WILLIAMS suggested ideas for coping with
the expected flood of invitations in ENGLAND.
It is proposed that a pro forma outlining action
taken, in detail, be attached to each invitation
etc, as it arrives. A committee of two officers
from each Service is proposed, to deal with
the flood. It is hoped that secretarial
assistance can be procured from AUSTRALIA HOUSE
on arrival. Platoon Comds will have to keep
comprehensive lists of visits to ensure that
each man sees as much of ENGLAND and possibly
SCOTLAND as possible. Brig MOTEN also directed
Lt FORBES to give thought to a method of obtaining
prints of newspaper photographs for the
War Diary and whosoever may desire them. This is
to give each man a chance of obtaining all
published photographs and at the same time be
certain of eventually receiving them. If possible
this will be done in CAPE TOWN as well.

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
		All Australian money was exchanged for Sterling during the day, on the basis of One Pountd Sterling to 25/- Australian. All ranks have now had their paybooks altered to include the exchange allowance due on leaving AUSTRALIA. Deck hockey has now become a popular and regular sport for most members of the /Contingent. It is played on a court constructed in the starboard waist on the upperdeck. Played with cane sticks and a rope "puck", it is a strenuous and suitable game. 1800 hrs A programme of recorded music was played over the ship's SRE system with a commentary by Lt-Cmdr FAULKNER, the ship's schoolmaster. Brig MOTEN was ordered to bed ~~from~~ for three days.
27 Apr 46	At Sea	Fine clear day, becoming quite cloudy and threatening towards midday. Practically no swell. 0845 hrs Officers' conference in Orderly Room. Notified inoculations for TAB and revac would be done during afternoon. 0900 hrs Parade. Paludrine administered and inoculation rolls brought up to date. Majority of men require revac and approx 50% TAB. Rifle rolls and comprehensive system for storing produced for the first time. Rifles cleaned and inspected. All personnel warned to be careful of bedding as blankets are readily saleable articles. Lists of deficiencies in normal kit taken - these are quite numerous. An attempt is being made to re-issue from maintenance stocks during voyage. 1030 - 1100 hrs PT. Midday meal for OR personnel now at 1130 hrs instead of 1200 hrs. This will involve breaking off at 1100 hrs instead of 1130 hrs as hitherto. 1045 hrs Maj-Gen EATHER interviewed each ,man ewho arrived zafter 0900 hrs at FREMANTLE. He pointed out to each man individually the seriousness and implications of his offence. No other disciplinary action has been taken. 1400 hrs All ranks paraded for inoculation with the exception of RAAF who received them before embarkation.
28 Apr 46	At Sea	Fine day but slightly overcast. 1025 hrs Fell in by platoons in torpedoe space. Dressed in "off the hook" SD, gaiters, boots and SD berets. Navy and Air Force in blues. Marched from torpedo space to Quarterdeck where the lecturn was erected for Church parade. At the conclusion of the church parade, all ranks stood down for the day. Holy Communion was celebrated in the ward roojm. 1945 hrs Concert held in torpedo space.
28 Apr 46	At Sea	Fine clear day with low average swell and slight sea. 0845 hrs Officers' conference in Orderly Room. Instructions given for marking of bedding during day. Kit shortages to be in to QM by 1800 hrs. Narrative to date to be despatched from CAPE TOWN and again from LONDON on arrival. 0900 hrs Parade and administration. Lists of personnel entitled to decorations and who have not yet been invested, compiled. 0915 hrs Rifle frill by platoons. 1030 - 1100 hrs PT and Recreational Training. 1100 - 1115 hrs Rifle cleaning and dismiss. To offset the loss of bedding and blankets previously mentioned, all bedding was marked with its owner's embarkation serial number. All ranks again impressed with the necessity of observing right of way in passageways. 1500 - 1600 hrs PT and organised games. 1600 hrs No deck hockey but deck cricket commenced for first time. It is played in the

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
		DECK HOCKEY AREA with over all nets, and solid stumps. A "quiz" competition is being organised on the ship. 64 teams are required from all sections of the ship. Teams are to have three members each, and questions will be asked over the ship's SRE system. 1830 hrs 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 and amusing. "Dirithy Dox" will be on the air every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and all ranks are invited to let her sort out their troubles. 1930 hrs, "Love on the Dole" and newsreels were presented on the Cafeteria Mess Deck.
30 Apr 46	At Sea	Fine clear day with good visibility but very little swell. O845 hrs Officers' conference in Orderly Room. 0900 hrs Parade and administration of paludrine. O915 - 1015 hrs PT and organised games. This was slightly varied by the introduction of inter-platoon tug-of-war contests. The sport when practised on smooth decks in and sho involves the application of new principles, and have everyone thinking. In addition some boxing gloves were produced and used to good effect. The usual training syllabus was carried through without incident. During the morning the female members of the Contingent were taken on a tour of the engine rooms and 6"gun turrets. The 'Shropshire News" consisting of the latest wireless news is now distributed daily by the ship. Lt MAINWARING, War Artist, has been given the use of a room in the Captain's quarters for his work. His intention is to paint portraits on the voyage, as the weather allows. To date, portraits of Gen EATHER, Capt SHOWERS and Lt BARR AAMC 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 Lt CUFFLEY, War Photographer, has also been very taking both still and moving pictures of every aspect of the Contingent's daily life on board ship. This includes flash light photographs taken at night at concerts etc. He will despatch those taken to date on arrival at CAPE TOWN for early release to the AUSTRALIAN public. Brig MOTEN continues to be confined to his bed with bronchitis.
1 May 46	At Sea	Overcast early with occasional rain squalls, moderate sea and aversge swell. O845 hrs. Daily Officers' conference. As a consequence of the indifferent weather it was decided to put all personnel on ship's duties for the day. As on previous occasions they were split up on various tasks throughout the ship. Most of them were working below the maindeck on brass polishing, scrubbing decks and carting stores. Women members commenced the manufacture of felt animals. When these "prototypes" are finished they will serve as models for their manufacture on a large scale by male members of the contingent, and possibly the ship's company. It is intended to distribute them amongst children's organizations on arrival in England.

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
2 May 46	At Sea	Fine clear day, with heavy sea and powerful wind. Practically impossible to stand up on deck and SWR erected as a security measure. Although the sea was heavy the ship was not rolling unduly owing to the wind's being head on. Owing to rough weather all ranks again out to work on ship's duties, in lieu of the normal training programme. Thisis the second day in succession that the heavy seas have made this necessary.
3 May 46	At Sea	Fine clear day, with heavy swell. O845 hrs Daily officers' conference held in Orderly Room. All ranks handed over to the ship for duties for the third successive day. More and more personnel are being allocated as offsiders to members of ship's company and not just casual work as hitherto. 0900 hrs Ship practised action station: is consisted of closing all doors and hatches commensurate with Damage Control 1. Testing all communications, checking receivers between directors and guns, and all hands' closing up at their allocated action stations while loading, drills etc. are carried out. AMF and RAAF personnel kept out of the way on the upperdeck, and watched with interest, a procedure of which they had often heard. 1010 hrs Action stations concluded and all Contingent personnel resumed ship's duties. 1745 hrs Dirithy Dox came on the air with the third of her ever popular sessions. Response to her request to let her help people with their troubles, has resulted in her being inundated with letters.
4 May 46	At Sea	Fine clear day with a very calm sea. 0845 hrs Daily officers' conference held in orderly room. Instructions were given for paybooks to be handed in on Monday and pay on Wednesday, the day before arriving at CAPE TOWN. All webbing to be reblancoed and ready for inspection by Tuesday. O900 hrs Parade, inspection and administration of paludrine. Particular attention was paid to the inspection of rifles. O935-1015 hrs. Rifle exercises 1030-1045 hrs Rifle cleaning and stowing of rifles. 1043 hrs. Captain's Inspection. 1315 hrs. Medical inspection by M.O. for pedicul e pubae. Comprehensive sporting programme arranged for the afternoon, in the form of two quiz sessions, numerous deck hockey games, deck tennis, deck quoits tombola and other individuals sports. Brig MOTEN appeared on deck for the first time since his illness" Icecapades" and shorts shown in torpedo space and on quarterdeck.
5 May 46	At Sea	Sky partly overcast with occasional rain squalls. Smooth calm sea. 0930 hrs. Divisions and church parade. Chaplin JAMES conducted the service, and Rev J.O. WERE Chaplain RAN gave the address. The Official War Photographer took very complete photographs both moving and still, of the service. 1020 hrs. Church parade broken off and all personnel stood down for the day. Nothing definite has been decided or promulgated on the subject of leave, or on the other question of how much training will be done whilst in CAPE TOWN. The usual Sunday night concert was held in the torpedo space.

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
6 May 46	At Sea	Perfect day with practically no sea. Best day for rifle exercises since coming aboard. O845 hrs. officers' conference. Pay on Wednesday. All webbing to be reblancoed before Wednesday in preparation for CAPE TO. The M.O. to deliver a V.D. Lecture at a time to be notified before arrival. 0900 hrs. Parade and thorough inspection of rifles. Rifles exercises. 1015-1030 hrs. Lecturettes. 1045-1115 hrs. Cleaning and stowing of arms. 1500-1600 hrs P.T. and organize games. 1600 hrs. deck hockey competition commenced. The Adventure of the Western Star". A radio play, was presented over the Ships SRE System at 2000 hrs.
7 May 46	At Sea	Fine Clear day with calm sea. O845 hrs. Officers conference. Nothing yet decided on the question of leave or drill in CAPE TOWN. Detailing of final mailing times promulgated. 0900 hrs. Parade and inspection. On the request of the ships authorities all ranks were put on ships duties for the day despite the calm sea and good weather. 1330 hrs. Naval instructional films shown in the war room-contingent officers were invited to be present.
8 May 46	At Sea	Fine clear day and calm smooth sea. Day given up completely to preparation for arrival in CAPE TOWN the following day. 0900 hrs. Parade, inspection and short period of rifle exercises. 0930 hrs. All ranks mustered in the torpedo space for talk by Lt CLARK RAN, who spent 3 years in CAPE TOWN. He warned the troops about entering District 6, talk, the M.O. said a few words about V.D. 1000 hrs. All ranks were paid on the upper deck. 1030 hrs. Cleaned rifles and returned them to armoury. 1100 hrs. Officer's conference in orderly room. Representatives of RAN AND RAAF attended. RO No issued. following pogramme for leave and training in E TONN was promulgated. Thursday :- 0845 hrs Dress Ship 0900 hrs Arrive CAPETOWN 0915-1100 hrs Return rifles 1100 hrs Return rifles 1115 hrs Change currency 1200 hrs Leave parade on wharf At conclusion of leave parade leave until 090830 hr Friday :- 0830 hrs Leave concludes 0900 hrs. Check parade 0915-1100 hrs Drill on wharf 1100 hrs Return rifles 1130 hrs Leave parade and leave until 100830 hrs Dress for drill - off peg SD, boots, gaiters, hats, rifles and side arms. Dress for leave; good SD boots or shoes, web belts. Officers to wear Sun Browne Belts on leave and SD for drill. Out 100 personnel for bus 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 hrs. The Captain spoke to all on board over the warning telephone. He impressed on all ranks the necessity for good behaviour whilst in CAPE TOWN, not only because of past incidents, but because of the peculiar and special nature of this particular mission. He also said that only a limited amount of fresh food was available for the rest of the voyage and only one meal of fresh food a day would be served until after arrival at the first port onleaving ENGLAND.

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
8 May 46	At Sea	1430 hrs. Parade to draw S.D.'s and hats. 1530 hrs Inspection by platoons in good SD. 1600 hrs. Deck games were played as usual.
9 May 46	At Sea CAPE TOWN	Overcast day with quiet sea and tendency towards rain. 0545 hrs. Contingent assumed dressing ship position on starboard side. Ship steamed through breakwater and berthed at J BERTH DUNCAN Dock CAPE TOWN at approximately O900 hrs. CAPE TOWN was shrouded in mist and there was only a handful of people there to welcome the contingent No one of any Official prominence we present. 0915 hrs Port Medical Officer and Naval Representatives came aboard with some press reporters and photographers. 0 45 hrs. Contingent went ashore and commenced drilling by services in the ample space available in the immediate docks area. The drill was of a much higher standard than that after first coming ashore at FREMANTLE. This can be attributed to the cold and raining weather and a smooth trip. There were several light showers during the drill period. 1100 hrs. Broken off to return rifles and have sterling exchanged for SOUTH AFRICAN currency. 1145 hrs Maj-Gen EATHER and Capt SHOWERS left the ship for SIMONSTOWN and lunch at Admiralty House. 1215 hrs Leave parade. Leave granted until 100830 hrs. 6 ORs detailed to accompany Naval Shore Patrol 1400 hrs. Men selected to take part in car drives left. 1500 hrs. Maj-Gen EATHER and Capt SHOWERS left the ship to call on the Deputy Administration of CAPE PROVINCE, J.D. d VILLIERS esq. 2000 hrs Dance given for HMAS SHROPSHIRE"S rating and ORs of Contingent at the Major's Garden Canteen. 2100 hrs. The same organisation entertained the Officer at a dance held at the Bohmia Club. Maj-Gen EATHER Brig MOTEN Capt SHOWERS and Col SAGE were present. During the afternoon the Mayor of CAPE TOWN Mr. A BLOMBERG MP issued the following message of welcome. "The arrival of our visitors enables us to express directly that spirit of co-operation and goodwill and that sense of fraternal unity on which so much depends in the future, and it gives us, moreover, an added opportunity to participate more directly in the Victory celebrations in ENGLAND in which they and our own troops are to take part.
10 May 46	CAPE TOWN	Unpleasant day with intermittent rain storms. TABLE MOUNTAIN still shrouded in mist. 0830 hrs. All personnel returned from leave. O900 hrs. Check parade. Owing to representations made by the CAPE TOWN Argus and others, the Mayor requested that the contingent plus members of the Ship's Company march through CAPE TOWN at mid day. Orders (R0 22/93) were issued for the march. Owing to fairly heavy rain it was impossible to do any rehearsal for the march 0945 hrs. Gen EATHER and Capt SHOWERS left ship to call on His Excellency the Governor General the Hon GE van ZYL. 1100 hrs Brig B F ARMSTRONG Officer commanding CAPE Command came on board and after discussion with Gen EATHER it was decided to cancel the march because of bad weather. 1130 hrs. Troops granted leave until 110830 hrs after first being informed of the Mayor's invitation. to the reception. A shore patrol party of 6 was again detached. 1215 hrs. Mayor of CAPE TOWN'S reception held at the Mayor's Garden Canteen. It was attended by Gen EATHER, Capt SHOWERS who first paid their official call on the Mayor and a great proportion of the members of the Contingent and Ship's Company

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
10 May 46	CAPE TOWN	The Mayor in a speech reiterated his published welcome and said how glad he was that CAPE TOWN had been able to show their appreciation of AUSTRALIA. Captain SHOWERS thanked the City of CAPE TOWN on behalf of HMAS SHROPSHIRE. Maj-Gen EATHER in reply thanked the City of CAPE TOWN for their warm hospitality. 1400 hrs. Another party of 100 were driven around the Peninsula. 1600 hrs. Capt WIER, Sgt PARKS and Cpl WARNE made a recording for presentation n a session known as "The Passing Show". It consisted pf questions about personalities, prospects for the future and impression of CAPE TOWN. This will be broadcast on National Stations. 1730 hrs. A cocktail party was given for Women members of the Contingent at the SAWNS Barracks by the SAWNS members of SAWAS and WAAS were present. 1730 hrs. Offficers of HMAS SHROPSHIRE and the Contingent returned hospitality at a cocktail party given in the Wardrcom. 1915 hrs. Gen EATHER and Capt SHOWERS left the ship for Government House, WESTEROOKE, ROWDE-bosch. 2000 hrs. Another ORs dance given by the SAWAS at Mayor's Garden Canteen. Without a single exception the CAPE TOWN press gave the Contingent and HMAS SHROPSHIRE an enthusiastic welcome.
11 May 46	CAPE TOWN	Bitterly cold day with high wind and occasional showers. 0830 hrs. Leave finished 0900 hrs. Check parade. All personnel returned on time. 0945 hrs. The Deputy Administrator of Cape Province J.D. de VILLIERS Esq., paid his return call. 1015 hrs. Vice Admiral Sir Robert Burnett C in C South Atlantic came aboard to pay his return call on Maj-Gen EATHER and Capt SHOWERS. 1030 hrs. Officer Commanding Cape Command Brig 3 F ARMSTRONG paid his return call. 1045 hrs. Contingent dressed ship. 1100 hrs. Ship. sailed. Immediately on passing the breakwater the ship ran into a heavy swell and all ranks were warned to secure their gear.
12 May 46	AT SEA	Fine clear day with heavy swell. Church parade and divisions cancelled owing to swell. Church services were held during the day. Rest day for all ranks of the contingent. 2000 hrs. Usual Sunday night concert held in the torpedo space.
13 May 46	AT SEA	Fine clear day with extremely hot sun. Swell still heavy. O845 hrs. Officer's conference in orderly room. Naval and RAAF components went into shorts today. More attention to be shown in the future to correcting individual faults during rifle exercises. AII ranks are to be complimented on parade on the standard of marching and drill on the morning of arrival in CAPETOWN. Until a decision is made with reference to shorts, dress in the morning will be as previously promulgated. Dress in the afternoon to be optional. 0900 hrs parade with good SDs and hats. AIF personnel then handed over to the ship for the day. These duties were mainly connected with getting the ship ready for the tropics. Awnings were rigged on each side of the upper deck and a canvas swimming pool appeared on the quarterdeck. In addition for lighting fixtures were overhauled in preparation for light up the ship on Victory Day. 1300 hrs. The second round of the Officers' tennis competion. 1545 hrs. Dirithy Dox came on the air. This time the queries and answers had a a distinct CAPE TOWN flavouring. Maj-Gen EATHER was ordered to bed with an attack of bronchial flu.

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Date	Place	Summary of Events
14 May 46	AT SEA	Fine clear day with occasional patches of cloud. Very hot sun and calm sea. O845 hrs. Officers' conference in orderly room. The following matters were brought up. (i) Descriptive pamphlets about LONDON will be issued this morning so that all ranks may familiarise themselves with their contents before the end of the voyage. (ii) The ship has no space available to stow in safety the food parcels bought by quite a number of people in CAPETOWN and at the ship's canteen (iii) Three autograph books containing the autographs of the whole contingent are being raffles by the canteen, the proceeds to be donated to the Orphans Home on arrival in ENGLAND. 0900 hrs. Parade, inspection and administration of paludrin. O315 hrs. PT. 1100 hrs. All ranks stood down for the day in acco dance with Naval Tropical Routine of no work in the afternoons. 1000 hrs. Deck Hockey competition continued.
15 May 46	AT SEA	Fine clear day with hot sun and smooth calm sea. 0845 hrs. Officers' conference. O500 hrs. Parade and inspection. 1000 hrs. 3 Pl paraded for distribution of felt animals and instruction by women members in the art of their construction. It is intended to put each platoon, RAN & RAAF components through a course of instruction. 1040 hrs. Functioning trials for close range weapons carried out. Information is being obtained from all services and being consolidated for a press statement. This will give all details likely to be required by the press on reaching ENGLAND. It has been officially announced that KING NEPTUNE will come aboard next Saturday morning. The canvas pool on the quarterdeck was filled for the first time. 1700 hrs. The second session of the second round of the quiz session was held in the torpedo space. Two contingent teams are left in the competition. 1745 hrs. Dirithy Dox came on the air. 2045 hrs. Tombola was played in the Ward Room.
16 May 46	AT SEA	Fine clear very tropical day with no sea. O843 hrs. Officers' conference. The following information promulgated:- (i) PT and lecturettes for days training. (ii) AMF Officers' dress for evening wear whilst in the tropics will be KD trousers, KD shirts and ties or Safari jackets. RAF wear the same and RAN white mess undress. RO No issued. 0500 hrs. Parade and inspection. 0915-1015 Hrs P.T. 1015-1100 hrs. Lecturettes and mass production of felt animals. 1315 and 1715 hrs. Tombola abreast the crane. 1700 hrs. Quiz. 2000 hrs "Yokel Boy and Newsreel shown on quarterdeck end in Torpedo space.
17 May 46	AT SEA	Fine clear very hot and muggy day. Moderate sea. 0845 hrs. Officers' conference in orderly room. RO No issued. O900 hrs. Parade with rifles and inspection. O925 hrs. At the request of the ship rifles were returned and all ranks were detailed for ships duties. O930 hrs. Brig MOTEN held a conference attended by senior representatives of all services, in the Captain's Day Cabin. The object was to discuss the question of leave and coping with invitations in from HM KING NEPTUNE "My Herald will welcome you in the approaches of my Domain at 8 o'clock tonight Friday". The following was sent in reply "We are deeply honoured to received your message. Your herald will be received with all the pomp and ceremony customary on this auspicious occasion." 2000 hrs. Practically every one not on duty positioned themselves to observe the appearance of KING NEPTUNE's Herald.

Last edited by:

Alisa Gordon

Last edited on:

23 July 2025, 3:06 pm

Last updated: 23 July 2025