AWM52 1/11/18/5 - Headquarters London Victory March Contingent, 1946, part 4, Summary of events and correspondence - Part 9

Thursday 18 Apr 46 MELBOURNE AT SEA

Weather

Fine day in morning but became threatening about
1200hrs. Except for a few sprinkles the rain held off
and the weather for the march was on the whole good.

Breaking
Camp &
Moving to
Assembly
Position

0830hrs. Troops paraded to receive embarkation
numbers, and [[?]]F 47. Then formed up and practised
wheeling in sixes, which had not hitherto been done.
1000hrs Broken off to complete final administration
arrangements in clearing up camp and getting ready to oc
1130hrs. Left WATSONIA by M.T Convoy. The co-operation
of the C.O and Staff of RR & GDD WATSONIA during the sta
there was all that could be desired. It helped
immesurably to get the Contingent organised and equiped
in the short time available. 1210hrs. Arrived assembly
are in Albert St., between Gibsorne St., and Nicholson S
R.A.N and R.A.A.F. Contingents already there. Men stage
a protest objecting to Sgt. CURTAIN'S dismissal from the
Contingent at the last moment, and refused to march unles
he was re-instated. Major WILLIAMS talked to them and
they decided to march and defer action until the march
was over. Meanwhile Lt. Gen. H.C.H. ROBERTSON who had
arrived unofficially talked with Brig. MOTEN and it was
decided that CURTAIN would be re-instated if he could
be got on the ship in time. The troops were informed
of this fact before leaving the assembly area.

Order of
March

At 1240hrs the Contingent was fallen in in sixes in
the following order:-
Mounted Police
Band
R.A.N.
A.M.F.
R.A.A.F.
Mounted Police
Female personnel of each service marched in rear of
their respective services at normal distances.

1258hrs. Maj. Gen. K.W. EATHER arrived and took over
the parade.

Parade
Moves Off

1300hrs.  Contingent moved off on the following route
with 15 paces between services:

Route

Albert St., - Nicholson St., - Burke St., - Swanston St.,
Princes Bridge - Alexandra Avenue ( Embussing point.)
Saluting base situated at the Town Hall, where His
Excellency the Govenor of VICTORIA Maj. Gen. Sir Winston
DUGAN KCMG, CB, DSO took the salute.

Page 2.
Impressions
of March

1330hrs. Arrived embussing point Alexandra Avenue.
Reasonably sized crowds lined the whole route, and their
vocal enthusiasm though sporadic was good. Much
confetti and many streamers were thrown. The crowd was
well controlled, except from Princes Bridge onwards,
were the gap left was inadequate to enable the march
to continue without bunching. Noticed particularly
were the number of ex servicemen who lined the route with
their regimental flags, their units being represented in
the Contingent.

Reception at
Town Hall
After passing the saluting base. Gen EATHER fell out,
and accompanied by Brig. MOTEN proceeded to the Town Hall
to attend a Reception given by Councillor Sir Thomas
NETTLEFOLD acting Lord Mayor of MELBOURNE, in the Town
Hall. Among guests present were H.E. the Govenor of
VICTORIA, Rt. Hon A.S. DRAKEFORD Minister for Air, the
C.G.S. Lt. Gen. V.H. STURDEE, GO.C. Southern Comd
Lt. Gen. H.C.H. ROBERTSON, Sir Louis HAMILTON First
Naval member, and members of the City Council.
Reception
At Town Hall
The acting Lord Mayor in his address complimented the
Contingent on their marching and wished them God Speed.
He also put forward a suggestion that Great Britain be
invited to send a Contingent for the Australian Victory
March in June. He announced his intention of putting
the suggestion to Parliament. Maj. Gen. EATHER in
reply, thanked the Acting Lord Mayor and the City of
MELBOURNE for their enthusiastic reception. 1345hrs.

Arrived
Port MELBOURNE
Embarkation
Delayed
Ship sails

The contingent embussed and proceeded to Princes Pier
Port MELBOURNE. Embarkation in H.M.A.S. SHROPSHIRE
was held up for 20 minutes as the troops refused to
embark before the arrival of Sgt. CURTAIN. When he
arrived the embarkation took place quickly and smoothly.
A large crowd saw the departure of the ship, and streamers
flowed from ship side to wharf. Lt. Gen. ROBERTSON and
Maj. Gen. CLOWES came aboard to pay their respects to Capt
H.A. SHOWERS CBE RAN Captain of the ship. 1600hrs The
ship sailed with the ships company and members of the
Contingent lining the side.

Accommodation
& messing

Officers are accommodated on the Ward Room Flat and
in the Bridge structure. O.R.s are accommodated on the
two Mess Decks, bedding in the form of stretchers etc.,
being provided by the ship. W.O.s and R.A.A.F. Flt/Sgts
are messing in equivalent messes aboard ship. Sgts and
below messing in Cafeteria. O.R. Female members of all
ranks mess with W.Os. Officers are divided between Capt
Mess, Ward Room and Gun room.

Remainder of day was spent in settling in and
learning Ships routine.

Command in
Ship

Senior Officers of H.M.A.S. SHROPSHIRE are as follow.-
Capt. Capt. E.A. SHOWERS CBE RAN
Commander Commander J.C. MORROW DSO DSC RAN
Commander (E) Commander H.G.D. OLIVER RAN
Commander (N) Commander JS MESLYE DSC RAN
Commander (S) Commander B F RATHERFIELD DSC RAN
Surgeon Commander C H DOBSWARD DSC RAN
Surgeon Commander (D) D.O. SOUTHBY RAN
1st Lieutenant Lt. Commander J.L. BATH RAN

PAGE 3
A brief history of HMAS SHROPSHIRE is as follows:-
Laid down 24 Feb 27 launched 5 Jul 28 at Dockyard of
Messrs William BEARDMORE and Coy Ltd., DALMUIR SCOTLAND.
Named after county of SHROPSHIRE whose people have always
taken a lively interest in her
Service with RN:
Aug 31 Carried Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of
Wales, and Prince George from CANNES to MALTA.
31 Aug 31- 25 May 39 Served three tours in MEDITERRANEAN
In 1936 took part in evacuation of refugees from
BARCELONA during Spanish Civil War. Wore flag of Rear
Admiral JDH CUNNINGHAM CB MVO between 19 Sep 38 - 25 May 39.
3 Sep 39. Patrol work in ATLANTIC Ocean 1940 Patrol and
escort work in INDIAN Ocean.
Mar 42 Returned ATLANTIC Ocean. It was then decided to
hand SHROPSHIRE over to RAN, to replace HMAS CANBERRA.
At this stage she had steamed 364,000 miles of which nearly 2
220,000 had been travelled since the outbreak of war.
Service with RAN
25 Jun 43. Officially handed over to RAN. Capt
J.A. COLLINS CB RAN assumed command.
12 A ug 43. H.M. the King inspected the ship, and signalled
God Speed when she left for AUSTRALIA. on 12 Aug 46.
24 Sep 43. Arrived FREMANTLS
29 Oct 43. Joined Task Froce 74
Dec 43 Supported landing of ARAWE and Cape GLOUCESTER
2 Mar 44 Bombarded ADMIRALTY ISLANDS
22 Apr 44Bombarded HOLLANDIA
6 May 44 Capt HA SHOWERS RAN assuned command.
265 May 44. Bombarded BIAK
25 Sep 44 Capt CAG NICHOLS MVO assumed command
20 Oct 44 Assisted in landing at LEYTE GULF
3 Jun 45. Bombarded LINGAYEN GULF
16 Feb 45. Bombarded CORREGIDOR ISLAND
30 Nov 45 Arrived Sydney for 2nd time in which she had
steamed 50,124 miles in 17 months and fired 4500 rounds of
8 inch and 3,981 of 4 inch ammunition.
Details of Ship
London Class
Armament 8 x 8" Guns, 8 x 4" H.A Guns 2 x 8 barrelled
2 pounder Pom Poms and 11 40 mm Bofors guns.
Engines Develop 80,000 H.P and maximum speed of 32,646Knots
Dimensions
Length 632' 9½"
Breadth 66' 0½"
Mean draught 21'
Displacement 13,220 tons.
Once carried one aircraft on a caterpault amid ships.
Friday 19 Apr 46       At Sea

Weather

Cloudy with good visibility. Smooth sea with long
low swell. Routine for voyage was published to commence
as from 20 Apr 46.

Routine 

0725 Breakfast Sgts & O.Rs.
0800 Breakfast W.Os
0900-1130 Parade
1200 Dinner Sgts & O.Rs
1230 Dinner W.Os
1400-1500 Parade
1600 Tea all Ranks
1800 Supper W.Os
1830 Supper Sgts & O.Rs

Church
Parade

1030hrs. Muster parade. 1045hrs Church parade all ranks.
R.Cs paraded separately. At conclusion of Church Parade
the Commander ^Moten spoke to all members of the Contingent.
He pointed out that we would be living together for months-
that he wished the Contingent to enjoy themselves as much
as possible - and that it was vitally necessary for

Page 4
Commander
addresses
Contingent

co-operation between all services. He urged every bodys
co-operation in enforcing the rules and customs of the
ship. He then mentioned several of the more important
points to observe in this respect.

Officer
Casualties

Capt WIER evacuated sick bay with Malaria. Lt STARMER
assumed duties of Adjt in his absence. Lt PECK
evacuated to sick bay with sore throat.

Position

1200hrs Speed 15.2 knots Course 271degrees Distance
since leaving MELBOURNE. 310 miles. Latitude 38 degrees
50 minutes S. Longitude 139 Degrees 26 minutes E.

1310hrs. Exchanged identities with ATH ONE CASTLE.

Dress

1400hrs Administration parade to hang good S.D Uniforms
in room provided. These will NOT be worn on voyage.
"Off the peg" SD to be used after 1700hrs nightly.

Sea sickness

Incidence of Sea Sickness. Slight as yet - much
higher amonst women than men.

1615hrs On approximatley the same latitude as ADELAIDE

Administration

Remainder of day passed in typing up minor administration.
This is not an easy task owing to the extent which
Troops are spread out within ship. Good use is made of
the ships P.A system.

Co-operation
of RAN

It has become apparent early that all ranks of HMAS
SHROPSHIRE are doing their utmost to help iron out the
multitudinous, difficulties which have been encountered.

1830hrs. Retarded clocks 1hour, giving in effect 25hrs
sailing time during the day.

Saturday 20 Apr 46      At Sea

Weather

Fine cloudy day, strong wind and quiet sea.

Parade
Paludrine

0900hrs. Commenced first training aboard ship. Platoons
paraded in diamond formation platoons on torpedo decks
amid ships. Although it may be possible to attain voice
control on windless day, all information had to be passed
to each platoon. 0905hrs Inspection. 0925hrs Paludrine
Administered by platoons. It is the intention to issue
it each Saturday and Monday during the trip for all
personnel who have seen tropical service.

Lining Ship
0940hrs Practised lining ship. It was found that the
whole AMF contingent could fit for'd on starboard side
B deck, leaving port side free for RAAF. Unfortunately
impracticable to leave every man uncovered. 1020hrs
Rifle
Exercises

Rifle exercises - practically impossible to get any benefit
out of these owing to difficulty of voice control and
inability in most men to keep a firm footing on the deck.
1045hrs. Captains inspection accompanied by Gen EATHER.
All ranks remained in approx dressing ship position on B
deck throughout inspection. 1117hrs Cleaned rifles,
returned to armourey, and broke off. Instructions issued

Webbing
that all webbing will be blancoed by Monday in readiness
for march through PERTH. This will take place PM 22 Apr 46
It will be followed by leave until 23 0800hrs. No other
details yet availble.

Position

1200hrs. Speed 15.2 knots ( 16 Knots by revs) Course
278degrees (G) Distance since 19 1200hrs 380 miles.
Latitude 38 degrees 12.5minutes Longitude 131degrees
17 minutes E
Barometer dropping.

Training

1400 - 1500hrs PT and recreational training under Platoon
P.T. instructors. 1600hrs P.T. all Officers under 
Lt STARMER on quarterdeck.- this to be a regular parade.

Library

Both contingent library, run by Chap JAMES, and ships
library now working.

RAAF Tng

RAAF have not as yet been able to fit in completely
with AMF parades. Approximately half contingent
assisting opposite technical numbers in ship. Training
was therefore restricted to one P.T.parade.
2030hrs. Impromptu concert held in mess deck. Well

Concert
Weather

attended and a great success. The intention is to
arrange bigger and better ones to relieve boredom during
voyage. 2100hrs Weather commenced to deteriorate.
2330hrs Very rough - gear adrift.everywhere. Starboard
sea boat broke partly loose.

Sunday 21 Apr     At Sea

Weather

Sea sickness
Church Parades

Security
Measures

Uncomfotrable night for all ranks. Quite a bit of
water came in on mess doecks and some bedding became very
wet. Heavy rain squalls of short duration. 0700hrs
Remarkably good attendance at breakfast. It was interesting
to note that our fellows were holding their own with
ships company as far as sea sickness was concerned.
Reason being that a great many of them have never been
to sea before. Owing to rough weather church parade
scheduled for 1000hrs was cancelled. Voluntary C of E
and R.C. services were held during day. 0800hrs. Reduced
speed to 8 knots and steered into sea and attempted to
secure sea boat. Attempt not successful. SRE rigged
on main deck and in passageways as security measure.

Position

1200hrs. Speed 16 knots. Course 265 degrees (G)
Distance travelled since 20 1200hrs 360 miles Latitude
37 degrees 12½ minutes Longitude 124 degrees oo minutes E
Wind N-S between 16-40 Miles per hour. Rest day for all
ranks plus blancoing of webbing.

Weather

1600hrs. Weather improving. Wind worked around to port
quarter and not causing as much discomfort. Swell still
average length, sea moderate height but rough.

Officer
Casualty

Lt. PECK returned to duty. 1830hrs Retarded clocks 1 hour.

Monday 22 Apr      At Sea

Weather
Blancoed
Webbing
P.T. and
Effects
Position
Fine clear day, slight sea with a moderated to average
swell. Majority of day spent in preparation for march
in PERTH on 23 Apr. 0900hrs parade without rifles, but
with webbing incuding rifles slings. Webbing inspected
to ensure blancoeing carried out satisfactorily.
Owing to varied methods of application there were many
different shades and inconsistenes in texture. It was
decided to adopt a standard method viz. dissolving in
water first, and reblanco all webbing before reaching
CAPETOWN. 0945-1100hrs P.T. and organised games. A
high percentage of the contingent are stiff from
previous days P.T. and organised games, so the latter
mainly with medicine balls, occupied most of the time.
A proximately half the medicine balls brought on board
have inadvertently gone over the side. 1100hrs Broke
off. 1200hrs Speed 14 knots Course 286 degrees (G)
Wind approximately 12 knots. Visibility 12 Miles Roll
5 degrees - 10 degrees. Distance since 21 1200hrs
392 miles. Latitude 35 degrees 19 minutes Longitude
116 degrees 32 minutes E. 1400hrs Good SD Uniforms
distributed. 1500hrs-1600hrs. PT and organised games
Conference on
Leave

1900hrs Rifles issued from armoury. 1600hrs 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
havin relatives and friends in PERTH was decided. This
to be until 24 0800hrs, remainder until 24 0100hrs.
This arrangement was subsequently slightly altered by Gen
EATHER.

Female
Training

Female members of contingent did approx 1½hrs P.T. during
day under S/Sgt KNIGHT. He reports their all round
sprightliness to be improving already.
Naval contingent are operating tra^ining quite separately

Page 6
RAN
Training

from AMF and RAAF. Approcximately 1 hours mixed P.T.
and foot drill is done a day. For this they have the
use of the quarter deck. All members are employed
during day on normal ship's duties.
1440hrs Rounded Cape LEEWIN.

Tuesday 23 Apr        At Sea - FREMANTLE

Weather
A fine clear day. 0750hrs All ranks assumed dressing
ship positions preparatory to enetering harbour.
Dressed Ship
Paraded with rifles and sidearms and dressed as for the
march. Slight lack of room at last movement when orders
given to dress ship on port side. Contingent stood
at attention as the ship steamed into No 5 Dock
Berthed
Fremantle
FREMANTLE, and berthed at 0820hrs. There was a crowd of
approximately 100 and Western Comd Band on the wharf.
Training on
Wharf
0830 hrs Paraded on the wharf preparatory to small arms
drill and marching. This was done not only to practice
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 march.

SHROPSHIRE
Armed Party

Gen EATHER
Address
Leave

1000hrs Contingent and SHROPSHIRE party formed mass at
the rear of the wharf where Gen. EATHER addressed them
about the standard of dressing ship, and stated that it
must show a distinct improvement in the future. He
also promulgated that leave would be granted until
 24 0900hrs for those staying overnight and until 24 010hrs
for the remainder.

Entraining
Assembly Area
PERTH

1020hrs Troops broken off for a cup of tea and final
polish up. 1100hrs. Fell in on wharf and marched to
train. 1207hrs. Arrived PERTH railway station.
Detrained and fell in, in front of station with the
head of the column at the EAST end. 1225hrs Maj. Gen.
EATHER arrived and took command of the parade. 1230 hrs
Contingent moved off in the following order.-
Order of
March
Western Comd. Band
Naval Contingent
SHROPSHIRE party
AMF
RAAF
Again female members of each service marched behind their
respective contingent.

Route
Saluting Base
Official
Party

Route - WELLINGTON St - BARRACK St., - HAY St., - WILLIAM
St., - ST GEORGES Tce - to Anzac House. The Contingent
passed the saluting base situated in St GEORGES Tce
apposite TRINITY Church at 1242hrs. The salute was
taken by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir
JAMES MITCHELL KCMG. When the head of the column
reached the saluting Maj. Gen EATHER fell out and joined
Official party which included the Naval officer in
charge Fremantle ( Commodore C.J. POPE), the GOC
Western Comd ( Maj. Gen JS WHITELAW) Group Capt RH MORAN
representing Group Capt CT HANNAM, Air Officer commandin
Western Area, the Lord Mayor of PERTH F.T. TOTTERDELL Esq.
The Minister for Health & Social Services, Senator J.M.
FRASER) representing the Commonwealth Government, and
the Minister for Education ( Hon J.T TONKIN) representin
the State Government.
A reasonable numer of spectators lined the route,
but it was felt no more than the average lunch time
crowd. The reception of the marching troops was
disappointing. A feeling of polite interest pervaded the
scene, but no more. There was practically no cheering,
clapping or applause. In addition there was a complete

Page 7
Comments on
Reception of
March

absecnence of flags, bunting, or patriotic paraphenalia of

any sort. Capt WIER who observed the march as a

spectator picked many faults in the calibre of the

marching, buth they were mainly concerned with individuals

and not of the Contingent as a whole. To a lay man, as

proved by survey of public opinion, these inadequacies

were not apparent and the contingent presented a smart

and impressive aspect.

Standard of
Marching

Nevertheless it was seen that the standard of marching
owing to the effects of the sea voyage and lack of
training since leaving MELBOURNE had deteriorated sharply.
Very intensive training will have to be completed before
arrival in LONDON if the contingent is to stand up in
the eyes of the far more critical LONDON crowd, and
compare with the British and EMPIRE troops marching on
the same day

Official
Luncheon at
Anzac House
Hon. TONKINS
Address

The contingent was broken off at ANZAC Gouse, where
rifles and sidearms were collected and transported back
to the ship. The entire contingent was entertained at
lunch by the Citizens Reception Council. The troops
were provided with an extremely good stand up lunch in
the body of the ahll, whilst the Official party comprising
most of the persons previously mentioned as attending at
the saluting base, and the Officers of the Contingent
were given an equally good one on the stage. Hon.
TONKIN in welcoming the contingent on behalf of the
Rt. Hon the Premier of WA and the State Government, said
that it's members had been selected because they were
worthy representatives of AUSTRALIA. Everyone had
distinguished himself or herself in some way. They had
a great responsibility in representing AUSTRALIA in
LONDON and would carry with them the best wishes and
full appreciation of the AUSTRALIAN people.

Gen  EATHERS
Reply
Maj. Gen EATHER in a brief reply said that he had
pleasant memories of PERTH, which he visited in 1940
while on his way with a contingent to the MIDDLE EAST
and again on his return. Members of the Victory Parade
contingent were fully aware of their responsibility in
representing AUSTRALIA. All were anxious to go among
the BRITISH people and discuss war experiences.
After lunch all ranks with the exception of a small
security picket on the ship were given leave.
Reception
Government House
1345hrs. Gen EATHER together with all service heads of
the contingent including Col. SAGE Chief Officer
CLEMENTS Sec. Officer CARTER and Maj. DEASEY made an
official call on Sir JAMES and Lady MICHELL at
Government House. Col BARRET represented the GOC
Western Command.

Staff Corps Mess
1700hrs Staff Corps Mess. VICTORIA 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.
110 AGH
2100hrs. Officers were invited to be guests of the C.O
and Matron of 110 Aust Gen Hospital.

Distance travelled from 22 1200hrs to 23 0800hrs.
280 miles.

4 Western Australian members of Naval contingent joined
at PERTH

Page 8
Wednesday 24 Apr   Fremnatle - At Sea

Weather

Fine clear day with only a very slight breeze.

Check Parade

Lined Ship
Late Arrivals
Departed                
Fremantle

0900hrs check parade held to ascertain wiether all
personnel returned from leave. RAN and RAAF were all
present approx 10 AMF missing. 0950hrs Orders given
to assume dressing ship position. A crowd of approx
250 were present on the wharf, and the Western Comd Band
played the ship out, assisted by the ships Marine Band p
playing on the quarter deck. 0955hrs Missing AMF
personnel arrived in a body after gangways hhd been
drawn up and made a most undignified last minute entry
into the ship through the lower port holes. 1000hrs. The
ship drew out of the dock with the contingent lining
ships side.

The ship sailing at 1000hrs instead of 1100hrs, the
advertised sailing time caused numbers of friends and
relatives to miss their last minute farewells. The
reason for change of sailing time was due to the berth
being required for another vessel.

Officer
Casualties

1020hrs Stood down. Good uniforms returninged during
morning. Mail distributed. Capt WIER resumed his duties
as Adjt Lt. STARMER resumed comd of his Platoon.

Position

1200hrs Course 278 degrees. Speed 15 Knots Distance xxxx
1,000hrs 17.3 miles. Latitude 31 Degrees 56 minutes S
Longtitude 115 Degrees 26 minutes E. 1201hrs Main
Engines Break
Down

Muster

Gen EATHERS
Address
engines xxxxx [[?]] and ship becalmed. 1258hrs Engines
repaired. 1500hrs AMF component of contingent mustered
on main deck amid ships, and xx EATHER addressed
troops. He reiterated his remarks made before leaving
MELBOURNE with reference to his intention to grant as
much leave as possible. He warned all ranks that this
only applied as long as they played the game. Any
future incidents like this morning would result in
a very drastic curtailment of leave, both in CAPE TOWN
LONDON. 1515 - 1600HRS. PT and organised games. 

Thursday 25 Apr    At Sea

Weather 0510hrs. Heavy rain squall with wind rising to gale

velocity. Unpleasant, cloudy and windy day. 0830hrs

Officers conference in orderly room. Following training

programme promulgated:-

Training
Programme
0900 - 0915hrs .Fall in, administration and Inspection

0915-1015hrs P.T. and Recreational Training.
Arms Drill every second day
1015-1030hrs Lecturette
1030-1045hrs Break

1045-1130hrs PT or Drill

1115-1130hrs Rifle cleaning every second day

1130-1500hrs Dinner Break

1500-1600hrs PT and Games

Lecturette
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 vica versa. It is

also intended to use this period, to further by question

and answer, the contingent's knowlege of AUSTRALIA.
Knowledge of
Australia
Literature provided by the Department of Information
will be issued in the near future. It is considered

that all members of the contingent, should have as many

details about AUSTRALIA both statistical and general, as

possible at their finger tips, so they may provide

ready answers to queries whilst in ENGLAND. From

CAPETOWN to PORTSMOUTH It is intended to increase the

scope to include a knowledge of ENGLAND. 0900hrs Parade

and administration of palsudine. 0915-1015hrs PT and
recreational training done as well as possible/with

Page 9
Entertainment
Anzac Day

with considerable movement in ths ship, and ships company

scrubbing down the upper deck. Lecturette time used 

to ascertain mens views on entertainment. Lt. Comd

PURVIS has been designated ships entertainment Officer, 

and is anxious to co-ordinate details of concerts, quizes, 

card parties, plays, deck games, and cinemas as soon as 

possible. Many men made sensible and useful suggestions

and quite a bit of prospective talent was discovered. 

1100hrs. Projected church parade to commemorate ANZAC 

Day on quarter deck had to be cancelled owing to 

unsuitable weather. Broke off. Church was held in

Cafeteria Mess deck in lieu. 

Allocation to 
Ships Duties 

After discussion with the 1st Lieut it was decided to 

allocate all men to ships duties. These to be carried out 

when weather did not permit full training programme to be 

completed. It was decided to allocate duties as closely

as possible to firstly, men's civilian vocation 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. 

Tour of Engine
Room

The Captain kindly consented to allow two parties daily 

of six to be taken on a conducted tour of engine rooms 

at 0930hrs and 1040hrs respectively. 

Position

1200hrs Course 278 degrees G speed 15 Knots Wind 1155

Knots Distance travelled since 241200hrs - 360 miles. 

Latitude 31 Degrees 10 minutes S Longitude 108 degrees 

29 minutes E

1315hrs Parade. All ranks stood down. 1830hrs Clocks 

retarded 1 hour.

Friday 26 Apr        At Sea

Weather

Dissemination
of Information
on Australia

Fine clear day with very slight sea. By far the most 

pleasant day yet encountered on the voyage. 0845hrs

Conference of all Officers in the Orderly room. System

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 numbers to go round. 0900hrs All ranks 

paraded and allotted to ships duties for the morning.
All Personnel
on Ships Duties 

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. The men pitched in with a will 

and presented a most unusual sight for a War Ship. All 

other training was cancelled for the morning. 0930hrs Brig

MOTEN outlined to Maj WILLIAMS suggested ideas for coping

with the expected flood of invitations in ENGLAND. 

Invitations in
England
It is proposed that a pro forma aoutlining 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. 

Photographic
Prints

Brig MOTEN also directed Lt. FORBES to give thought 

to a method of obtaining prints of newspaper photographs

for the War Diary andwhosoever 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 as in LONDON. 

Sterling
Currency 

All AUSTRALIAN money was exchanged for Sterling during 

the day, on the basis of  £1 sterling to 25/- Australian

Page 10
This is causing some dofficulty in the ship's canteen 

who are still dealing iin both AUSTRALIAN and Sterling

As a consequence change in Australian is likely to be 

received for sterling proferred, causing a loss. This has 

been taken up with the ships authorities and is now in the 

course of adjustment. All ranks have now had their pay

books altered to include the exchange allowance due on 

leaving AUSTRALIA.

Position

1200hrs Course 278 degrees Speed 15 Knots Distance travelled
since 25 1200 - 360 miles. Latitude 30 Degrees

10 minutes S Longitude 102 degrees 13 minutes E Wind Force

2. Now travelled 2459 miles since leaving MELBOURNE.

Deck Hockey

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 main deck

Played with cane sticks and a rope "puck" it is a strenuous

and suitable game. The court is overlooked on three sides 

from "B" deck which provides & natural amphitheatre for the 

many enthusiastic spectators. 1600hrs RAAF Officers

played RAAF O.R's resulting in a win for the O.R's.

1615hrs Ward room played AMF Officers with an easy win o

for the Ward Room 1630hrs Gun room played Stokers, with 

a 5-1 win for the stokers. At present the contingent is 

at a slight disadvantage over the ships company who have

played the game before. However iti is felt by all ranks

that it will not be long before this state of affairs is 

conclusively and emphatically remedied. 

Music

1800hrs A programme of recorded music was played over the 

ships SRE system with a commentarybby Lt.  Comdr FAULKNER

the ships schoolmaster.

Brig. MOTEN

Brig MOTEN was ordered to bed for 3 days.

1841hrs. Now steaming dead along 30th paralled of latitude. 

Ships will steam along it, until it arrives at Approx

40 Degrees E. Longitude.

Saturday 27 Apr    At Sea

Weather

Fine clear day, becoming quite cloudy and threatening 

towards mid day. Practically no swell.

Conference
Parade

Rifle Rolls

Bedding

0845hrs Officers conference in orderly room. Notified

inoculaions for RTAB and revac would be done during

afternoon. 0900hrs. Parade. Palaudine 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. Previously no man could be certain of getting his 

own rifle for use on morning parades. 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 

Kit Deficiencies

Midday Meal

Interview
An attempt is being made to re issue from maintenance

stocks during voyage.  1030 - 1100hrs P.T. Midday meal for 

O.R personnel now at 1130hrs instead of 1200hrs. This

will involve breaking off at 1100hrs instead of 1130hrs as
hithertoo. 1045hrs Maj. Gen EATHER interviewed each man
who arrived after 0900hrs at FREMANTLE. He pointed out
to each man individually the seriousness and implications
of his offence. No other disciplinary action has been
taken.

Position

1200hrs Course 268 degrees Speed 15 Knots Wind S W Force
(4-6 Knots) Distance since 26 1200hrs - 360 miles. Lat
Latitude 29 degrees 57 minutes S Longitude 95 degrees
22 minutes E.

Inoculation

1400hrs. All ranks with the exception of RAAF who recei
them before embarkation paraded for inoculation.

Deck Hockey

1500hrs Todays deck hockey games resulted in RAAF defeating
Army 3-1 Army Officers defeating RAAF Officers 3-0