AWM52 1/11/18/5 - Headquarters London Victory March Contingent, 1946, part 4, Summary of events and correspondence - Part 10

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1020021
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Pictures Femole Washing Health Resther Divisiong r Parade Pezitien Nusie Deek Nocksr Consert Page 11 No 2 platoon (AlF) defeating No 3 Platoon (AMr) 5-1 Stokers defeating Naval Contingent 1-0. These games were a good pipe oponer to the more serious business of defeating or otherwise, the ship's company in a few days time. Most of the cortingent teams are now developing a system, the effectiviness of which, remains to be seen. 203Ohre. George Ferrhy in "Gunner George" and newsreels, shown on both torpedo space and quarter deck. The Women's Services are not without thoir troubles with respect to washing lines. Lines were erected on D X Deck for the purposc. The health of the contingent has been extrememly good this far. An everage of 5 men attend the 103Ohrs sick parade daily, and the most commen ailment is a species of cold 3 Malaria relapses have occured. Sunday 28 Arr At Ses Fine day but slightly overcast. Hardly a ripple on the sea. Ideally suited for contingents first formal church parade on board. O2õhrs. Fell in by platoons in torpedo ssace. Dressed in "Off the peg" SD, gaiters, boots and S.D. berets. Navy and Aifroce in blues. Marched from torpedo space to quarter deck where the lectern was erceted for chuch parade. The Naval parade known as "divisions" then took place. Division or detachment commanders reported their sub Units, spaced at intervals around the chole of the upper deck, ready for insrection to the lst Lieut, who handed over to the Commander in the absence of the Captain. The Commander then proceeded to inspect each division in turn. At the conclusion of the inspection the bugle call "close" was sounded and all division marched too and formed upon the quarterdeck. The naval armed guerd was already in position on the starboard sice aft. The ships Band forred up in the shadow of the 8" guns fecing aft. On the order of the lst Lient, all ranks with the exception of the Woren's Services removed caps, and the service cormenced conducted by Hev. J.0. bRE Chaplain RAN. Commander MORROW read the lesson and Chep. JAes gave the address. At the concluslon of the service all ranks were dismissed. For the AlF and RAAF members of the contingent the service sas something they will always remember. All were impressed by the quite simple dignity of the cerecony held as it ass in the shadow of the guas, and embovins the very tradition of the navy itself. Those who cere present will always be gratefel to the Wavy for permitting them to share this experience. t the conclusion of the church parade, all ranks stoo¬ do for the day. Holy corsunion sas celehrated in the w rocg. 120Chrs. Ccurse 270 Degrees Speed 15 Knots Distane travelled since 27 120Ohrs - 375 miles Lstitnde 28 degree 59 minutes S Longitude 88 degrees 2ó minutes 2 Sind Sw Force 1-3 Visibility good Smooth sea. le3Ohrs Pregramme of recorded musie was cresented over the ship's SRE syst by Lt. Cond FAULXNSR l60Ohrs Afternoon deck beckey game: resulted in Arry l defeating Arry 11 2-0 Army I11 defea' Nondescrips 1-0. 1945hrs Concert held in torpedo space. The deck was suitably decorated with falgs for the occa
Parel and the shipe donce land installed in front of the wicrophone The dance band is only the ships band converted, but put on a vory good show. Ssilors, soldiers and wirxen cracmed into every bit of evailable spaco. The concert consisted mainly of senticental poores, songs, coorunity singis, and skotches given by the ships copay. Iters by combers of the contingent cere conspicuonsly absent. Nevertheless it as a great soccess Roplos oo trr AI SEA Fasther Fine clos: 'ay with loz average svoll end slight sea. Cöeõhrs. Off!cers conference is erderly room. Instructios given for marking of beidinz durias dey. Kit chortages to te in to QM by 1é5Chrs. Brig SOTEAS instructions that sar liorr er Die i e aation to the narrative leizg eritten by It. FCRSES, promulceted. errative to éste, to be despatched from CAPE TOZN and ogein frem LOWDCS en arrival. pD AAAS cetailed to do the tyning. Oyochra. Parade end scainistration ists of zersonsel entitled todecorations and cho have Insssjåiur et cet been iavested, compiled. Thiz is in anticipation the investiture ta ing rlacc in LOADON on arrival Bille Ell Jhre. Hifle drill sy plscens. Again this eas terrated by weshing of Weeks. Even with the proctically completley cal se, tho rovcsent of the ship is sufficien the trainiag beiag of aby nee froe the point preron of ti-i-s. It is mainly ceeful in cetocting and righting faaltz in indizióualz, of Shich there ere rary. CölThrs ikstørstese Lectorettez by selcoted ren on aTTTHALla. Some shos a aartec relactesce ret only to give Lectorottes bot also to rake ay eavour to aste theselves es fait eith ACSTRALIA at sll. 1032 - 1100hrs P... and Recreational 1106-1112hr. LSIe slaaring and dismiss. trairing. Warkine Sk fo cffsct the lozs of beiding un blemletz previously Beidinz seaticne all becding ras rerked dich its ommerz embarkstior scriel nomber. All racks agein ispressed with the necessity of obtervicc right of way in passagezays. The shipz company also had tbc cace fact improssed on :ben. 127Thrs. Coerse 268 degrees Speod 15 Knots. Lind -Forcez Pomitioa Sky t to 3/4 cloniy. Distenre since 28 lrC0hrz - 360 siles Letitude 30 degrces 10 cinutes S Longitade 21 degrees 25 sicutes E. T. and organized Ceses. OThrs No 15? Jhrz - 1600rrE. Daeh deca bocke bat deck cricket commeneed fer firat tine. It is rlayed is the deck hockcy arcn with cver all nets, foday vas only an informal "hit", bu: and solid stumgs. quite a na-ber of centizgent personnel shoved thesselves to be keen on the cae. I i to etit- ien sill be orgazizet in the near fature. A "quia" competition is being organisod ca the shir. Quuz are required froe all scetiezs of the ship. ferzz arc ic have 3 cenbers, ap' cuestloos eill be asked er the ip Si yte, Io cate, estries frox O.R. er of the contingest tave beca cisappointing. recuent oppeala hove been mede tiin verr lit le resolt as snit re. Tarked the first sppeoronce of "Dirithz Dox" on the shig's SHE aystez. qeestions cere anszered is Dorothy Dix Style, and the shor ro to àe rest epiriche Dox” cill be on entertsining ant seasing. the ir evers ondav Bo a Stariay, aa all renks are izvittd to let herzort out their trombles. 1630hrz. Clocks retardes 1 hour. Beourex 153Ohr: "Love on Che Dole" ard zeuercels cerc rresentod on the Cafetoris Deck.
Weather Paludine P.T. gemale Inspection of Zan forrets Pesition Deck Hoskex War Artist. Snotograprer Gharterdech Pare 13 Tuesdar 30 Apr 4T søå Fine clear day with good visibility but very little swell. O845hrs Officers conference in orderly room. Nothing of any consequence was discussed. OOOhrs Paradc and administration of paludine. This is now iven to all ranks whether they have served in alsricus areas or not. O915-1015hrs. P.T. and organised games. This was slightly varied by the introduction of inter platoon tug of war contesti The sport whon practised on smooth dechs in sandshecs involves the application of new principles, and hadevery ene thinking. In addition some boxing gloves were prod¬ uced and used to good effect. The usuel training syllabus was carried through without incident. During the morning the female members of the Contingeat vere taken on a tour of the engine rooms and 8" gun turrets. To judge from their oily appearance on reappearance, they made the inspection veyr thoroughly 120Jhrs. Course 270 degrees Speed 15 Knots Wind Nu Force 2 Weather b7 Distance since 291200hrs - 375 miles. Longitude 30 degrees Ol minutes S Latitude 74 degrees il minutes E. The afternoons deck hockey games rosultod in Army defeating Stokers 3-1, Stokers 2 draving with Maval Contingent 2-2, 2 platoon drawing with Army Officers 2-2. at is int nicé to play deck hockcy and deck cricket on alternate days. The "Shropshire News" consisting of the latest wireless news is nox distributed caily by the ship. Lt MAINNARING War Artist has been given the use of a room in the Captains Quarters for his work. His intention is to paint portraits on the voyage, s the reather allows. To date portraits of Cen EATEER, Capt SHOWERS and L.t BARR AAWEt are in the course of production. In addition be zill do at lasstone full size painting in olls 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 gives an effective pictorial record of the voyage. Lt. cofgEY War Pnotographer, hes also been very busy taking both still and moving pictures of every aspeet of the contingents daily life on board ship. This includes flash light photographs taken at night at concerts etc., He will despatch those taken to date on srrival et CAPE TOEN for early release to the AUSIRALIA" public. Brig MOTEN continues to be confined to his bed with Bronchitis. The quarterdeck at ló0Ohrs presents a daily increas- ing scene of ectivity. Given over to Officers and Female members for sport; deck tennis, deck quoits, medicine ball sports, skipping, fencing, and just plain exercises are indulged in energetically. In fect the will to beoxe healthy has become a fetish with some Officers. They are taking more excrcise then has been their custom for years. Perhars it is cue to the sca sir or just to a desire to be as fit as possible for the forthcoming ordeal in LONDON.
Zoach seather Shirs Sufica Peaition Toxz gaix fontsst Rsuch Fasther hire Ductxer Rostion lesk Nockex sesicknrs - ssdnssdarlVar Afsta Overcast carly mith cecasional rain squalls, soderate ses and overago swell. Weatber clesred up during the day O245hrs. Daily Officer's confcrence. As a consequence of the indifferent westher it cas decided to pot all shi:z duties for the day. As on previous versonnelen rerasicns,-5 t ap ca various tiks through the ship. Nost of them uere working elow the main deck on brass polishinc, scrobbing docks, and carting stores. 12o0hrs Course 270Cegrees Speed le knots Vizibility tind "s Force 4 Distance travelled since 30 1200hrs 39 miles Latitude 30 legrees O3minntes S Long'tude 87 degrecs 45 minutes E. ecn ebers corencod the maafecture of felt animals. Ühen these "prôtypos" are finished they will serve as sodels for their sacufocture on a lerge scale by sole zembers of the contingost ord possibly the ship's correny. It is intended to distribute them smonst children': organization on arrivol in ENOLAND. 1700hr: First rcund of the çuiz contest held- osing to bed wcather it ccald not be hol in Torpedo scecc as crisinally intended and cos held in cafeteria sess deck. Ihe tzo eppocirg toass were zested epposite cach other and cach ccmber anrcored too questions isto the sicrophone the programme being broadcast over the shis SaS et the aaze tine. Lt FAUILMR conducted the session. Beby Buntings defested To Tcares 9-5 and Sce Dee Effs are the only tess that will remain is the cospetition. The caly contincent tone to be reprezccted sere the ttripers shich conwisted of 2 cair's and 1 AuAS. They ent on a very good she. 183Ohre Clocks retarded 1 hour. unydes 2 Nur AISEA Pine clear day, mith heavy cea and pocorful sind. Practically impossible to stand up on deck onc SyR crectod as e security moasure. Although the sos vas hoavy the stip was not rolling unduly oeing to the siz4 teizg bend on. It cas expecled to cerk round to the port quartor doring the day shen the roll could hove beon acentnatod, bot it remainsd sbout 60 degrees to cur course all day. Oeing to the rough weather all racks again pot to cork on ship's duties in lieu of the normal training programze. Dhis is the second day in anccession that theyheavy seas have sade this necezzery. cerse 2 egress Spd le rects Shnd Ss --r izibility b7 Distezce sínce Ol 12004rz -336 Porce 6 -ilez Latitode 29 cogrees 5t miantes £ Loacitude Cl degroes 35 minstes E Very rough sea, short moderste --ell. Deck hockey gares arrezeged for the sfternoon hed to be cancelled oring to rough senther. 1700hrz. 4 vore teazs compotod in the seconé scazion of tbe first round ef toe caiz contest. Xcne of thee contsined contingent perronzel. Yecióecee orees sichnezs is nos practically. It would appear that all porzonsel have oce found sea legz. This rether ccnfcundod the calculstions of the shir's cotering staff wbe always coont on
Weather Ships Dutics kstion Stations Position ouiz Dirithy Dox Health PAGE 15 smaller attendance at meals in bad weather. da the contiry contingent personnel appear to get hungrier as the weabher gets rougher. Fridar 3Max AT SEA OOe5hrs. Altered course to 250 degrees to avoid beam swell and excessive roll. Fine clear day, with heavy swell O845hrs Daily Officers conference held in Orderly room. All ranks handed over to the ship for duties for the third succesive day. More and more perconnel are being allocated as offsiders to members of ships company and not just casual work as hithertoo. opbOhrs. Ship practised action stations. This consisted¬ closing all doors and hatches commensurate with Damage. Control State 1. Testing all communications Checking receivers between directors and guns, and all hands closing up et their alloted sction stations shile loading drills etc., are carried out. AMF and RAAF personnel kept out of the way on the upper deck, and watched with interes a proceedure of which they had often head. l0iOhrs. Action stations concluded and all contingent personnel resumed ship's duites. 1200hrs. Course 270 degrees (changed from 250 degrees at 1000hrs.) Speed 15 Knots, Wind South Visibility be? Barometer resing. Slight sea. Short avcrage swell Distance since C2120Ohrs - 360 miles. Longitude 30 degree: 22 minutes S Latitude 53 degrees 40 minutes E. léoohrs Deck cricket played as usual. 170Ohrs. Third session of first round of quiz contest was decided. The only contingent team competing was the KORDIES tho defeated the OIKS and TOIXS 9-2. This team consisting of Ma;s WILLIAMS & CLUTH and LT BARR, created history by asking for a replay on the grounds that their qbestionshad been much easier than those given to the OIKS and TOIKS. The request as granted, and these tears will mcet again later in the contest. 1745hrs. Dirithy Dox came on the air with the third of her ever popular sessions. Response to her request to let ber help people with thirtroubles, have resulted in her being inundated with letters. There is much speculation on the identity of Miss Dox. To date the general health of the contingent has been excellent. The following was the incidence of disease for period 19 Apr - 4 May. U.R.T. 24 (infected cuts, 2 rashes, 2 post Skin innoculation arss) Accidents 11 (Minor cuts, strains à sprains - none serious) Diarrhcea Sea Sicknes: Wer mild) proven (BT 20/4/46) 1 clinical Malaria Malaria (had not had paluline) Pediculozis Aggregate total attendances at RAP Daily Average
- Avny oom sted. SRGFE1 Kustralian Victory STRENGTH RETURN on Embarkstion and Dhembarkaton o deee promeryl Compkete Car, porlen Portomouth o (Senial No." oarour )on moving from Waterloonn 1 Jul ee eakrinkeskom ti k dene Sensctet: zesher ane oned to te Hed Force thh e Srrngh seualy AEMARKS number (as lihd dowa m Mobüne ospore Porpore urarthe obem (neluding dol parsontaerz ee gavorgg erteiter don Tabber shoud be given. embark¬ embak- daomaes) iver mer kerke oe 24 Wroom Oors 20 -- 101 SSzu. SoE £ LSgEE. rerenne Covptr Rankand Fe -122 ominan ----- ven" ParM) T Ohe Ranks 208 Ten ANReste 229 Womens persrr - - Derricss -139 ta sor sktm i -------- Ener weshe of o Pauedstoren, cquiomentetc tons AECIROWmEN- -- h ehoped ded bre 1--1 Por RquReansoro STRUONS EOR THE PREPARATON Parrentarstobeenteredbythe EmbarkatosSon Ottosos:- ANO OISPOSAL OF THIS soEM ENAAAKEO AT- Cope i Sexospheate shoud be prepred a ou and handedto the EmbarkanonSe vr spered ant foos WoN, EXTREME tonee 5£ THRU IME cOMPTATON ANE AMENDMENT OF THE RETURN, wH thowo be - rendered by omoers Commmanding Unkes tor complete ones pordons daunkk. or doale, o a sreugch of tve or over.to embarkaton (or pirdes oflesthantveAF. VSO60-EmBake OSEMEARKEO AT- ton Cardshould be ured). Aseparnetorme shoud be rentered teral portes: NReconnsisanos or Adwance Parry, Ihs shoud be rered. DUPOSAL OF ROS. (d) Wtenr Port of Emberkoden teis Unked Kogdon Thra ope to be redned oy Embarkaton Sav Otkorr a porr of Thd ombaskadon two ot wohoch se to beowded oe bejor. oee (Olid)ssooosschaztedor Cams Comnenn tvitory C Trne ooplen skafftrnsnurd to behandedbæte Otee Commandion unk og Condwon Ofkoer (aore o thosesvope) or delwr Feis ger eumednd vopere) Vorontody on boch oner The Ottowhohe chen dche dochmens dorieg the copere o be roponsbe s ad handhrg then-dulp arncocod se regartsouraten or e W hr Embyhstos Sun Otorr s the pogt of owenbasksdon who WHReOlo one copyandtorwadooe ote en opay ------ ---- weld vreanennnt
-WAR OUTFIT OF UNIT. e eemaethe Fonkern . F Cum - aa 1 oninintintientieinien - oamnonnnennstinrt (r sestiser - - e -- -- - -- - M - soe INETEOCONS SOR THE SREPARATON ANO ONSPOSAL OF THWS FORF (COALNed tom pe sbrteent Sin ( madd oe Usted krordon"(o 2k wet Uttuer h a 4 ngage rending oe soro or wst b od o e d rrr erd se, be iheer s Otkrr Prroncbmpod o tyoonstn gehrk Fo ytr Woroc geer peong hr keren . -NOMINAL ROLL TOinchude il rinks). oche uak gven. Nnoaud vveter ? eshoude beon W desched, enc. shoule be che he ee Ik Swrsme mhe wandlavf orerem
UL--NOMINAL ROLL--(Contd) Other ranks (Alphabetealy by Squndron, Company cte) knee ber ke dimr.2 a Sm Sh Ers kenen 1 . nee nxx
B 7375 File No PERS EROM: H AIF LEIBO TO: AsLam ML 1245 (?) O5114EE Junc UCLASSIID. REf D' 918 of 3l1630 and L 1067 of 13 May, Concur in courses proposed It Forbes ToC(for action) s
a .. Noj Tahe dle a Hanesbei, Tang. Pande, odlse. Fte kefennnee June mene 22 ad ede kawoned is ske nemnededt ade jo wud aee foo ke Wet e ajea ess zmudat. Rlere ane nddpet. he Lehed up te baso sap s ane te bef bbe ldmereidanatand be hha i da a e -----------------------

Page 11

  No 2 platoon (AMF) defeating No 3 Platoon (AMF) 5-1
Stokers defeating Naval Contingent 1-0. These games
were a good pipe opener to the more serious business of
defeating or otherwise, the ship's company in a few days
time. Most of the contingent teams are now developing
a system, the effectiviness of which, remains to be seen.
Pictures 2030hrs. George Formby in "Gunner George" and newsreels,
shown on both torpedo space and quarter deck.
Female
Washing		 The Women's Services are not without their troubles
with respect to washing lines. Lines were erected on
D X Deck for the purpose.
Health The health of the contingent has been extrememly good
this far. An average of 5 men attend the 1030hrs sick
parade daily, and the most common ailment is a species of
cold 3 Malaria relapses have occured.
  Sunday 28 Apr                   At Sea
Weather Fine day but slightly overcast. Hardly a ripple
on the sea. Ideally suited for contingents first formal
church parade on board.
1025hrs. Fell in by platoons in torpedo space. Dressed
in "Off the peg" SD, gaiters, boots and S.D. berets.
Navy and Aifroce in blues. Marched from torpedo space
to quarter deck where the lectern was erected for chuch
parade. The Naval parade known as "divisions" then took
place. Division or detachment commanders reported their
sub Units, spaced at intervals around the whole of the
upper deck, ready for inspection to the 1st Lieut, who
handed over to the Commander in the absence of the
Captain. The Commander then proceeded to inspect each
division in turn.

Divisions

& Church
Parade

 At the conclusion of the inspection the bugle call
"close" was sounded and all division marched too and
formed upon the quarterdeck. The naval armed guard was
already in position on the starboard side aft. The ships
Band formed up in the shadow of the 8" guns facing aft.
On the order of the 1st Lieut, all ranks with the exception
of the Women's Services removed caps, and the service
commenced conducted by Rev. J.O. WERE Chaplain RAN.
Commander MORROW read the lesson and Chap. JAMES gave the
address. At the conclusion of the service all ranks were
dismissed.
For the AMF and RAAF members of the contingent the
service was something they will always remember. All were
impressed by the quite simple dignity of the ceremony held
as it was in the shadow of the guns, and embodying the very
tradition of the navy itself.
Those who were present will always be grateful to the Navy
for permitting them to share this experience.
At the conclusion of the church parade, all ranks stood
down for the day. Holy communion was celebrated in the ward
room. 1200hrs. Course 270 Degrees Speed 15 Knots Distance
Position travelled since 27 1200hrs - 375 miles Latitude 28 degrees
59 minutes S Longitude 88 degrees 26 minutes E Wind SW -
Force 1-3 Visibility good Smooth sea. 1430hrs Programme
Music of recorded music was presented over the ship's SRE system
by Lt. Comd FAULKNER 1600hrs Afternoon deck hockey games
Deck Hockey resulted in Army 1 defeating Army 11 2-0 Army 111 defeated
Nondescrips 1-0. 1945hrs Concert held in torpedo space.
Concert The deck was suitably decorated with falgs for the occasion.
 

Page 12

  and the ships dance band installed in front of the microphone
The dance band is only the ships band converted, but put
on a very good show. Sailors, soldiers and airmen
crammed into every bit of available space. The concert
consisted mainly of sentimental poems, songs, community
singing, and sketches given by the ships company. Items
by members of the contingent were conspicuously absent.
Nevertheless it was great success.
  Monday 29 Apr                  AT SEA
Weather Fine clear day with low average swell and slight sea.
0845hrs. Officers conference in orderly room. Instruction
given for marking of bedding during day. Kit shortages to
be in to QM by 1800hrs. Brig MOTENS instructions that
War Diary a War Diary is to be kept by the [[?Adjutatin?]]in addition to
the narrative being written by Lt. FORBES, promulgated.
Narrative to date, to be despatched from CAPE TOWN and
again from LONDON on arrival. Capt HIRD AWAS detailed
to do the typing. 0900hrs. Parade and administration
Investiture Details Lists of personnel entitled todecorations and who have
not yet been invested,compiled. This is in anticipation
of the investiture taking place in LONDON on arrival
Rifle Drill 0915hrs. Rifle drill by platoons. Again this was
interrupted by washing of decks. Even with the practically
completley calm sea, the movement of the ship is sufficien
to prevent the training being of any use from the point
of timing. It is mainly useful in detecting and righting
faults in individuals, of which there are many. 0815hrs
Lecturettes Lecturettes by selected men on AUSTRALIA. Some show a
marked reluctance not only to give Lecturettes but also
to make any endeavour to make themselves au fait with
AUSTRALIA at all. 1030 - 1100hrs P.T. and Recreational
training. 1100-1115hrs. Rifle cleaning and dismiss.

Marking

of Bedding

 To offset the loss of bedding and blankets previously
mentioned all bedding was marked with its owners embarkation
serial number. All ranks again impressed with the necessity
of observing right of way in passageways. The ships
company also had the same fact impressed on them.
Position 1200hrs. Course 268 degrees Speed 15 Knots. Wind -Force3
Sky ¼ to 3/4 cloudy. Distance since 28 1200hrs - 360 miles
Latitude 30 degrees 00 minutes S Longitude 81 degrees
28 minutes E.
Deck
Cricket		 1500hrs - 1600hrs. P.T. and organised Games. 1600hrs No
deck hockey but deck cricket commenced for first time.
It is played in the deck hockey area with over all nets,
and solid stumps. Today was only an informal "hit", but
quite a number of contingent personnel showed themselves
to be keen on the game. It is understood that a competition
will be organised in the near future.
Quiz A "quiz" competition is being organised on the ship.
64 teams are required from all sections of the ship.
Teams are to have 3 members, and questions will be asked
over the ships SRE system. To date, entries from O.R.
members of the contingent have been disappointing.
Frequent appeals have been made with very little result as
yet.
Dirithy
Dox		 1830hrs. 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 hersort out their troubles.
1830hrs. Clocks retarded 1 hour.
Pictures 1930hrs "Love on the Dole" and newsreels were presented
on the Cafeteria Mess Deck.
 

Page 13

  Tuesday 30 Apr                     At Sea
Weather Fine clear day with good visibility but very little
swell. 0845hrs Officers conference in orderly room.
Nothing of any consequence was discussed. 0900hrs
Paludine Parade and administration of paludine. This is now
given to all ranks whether they have served in
malarious areas or not. 0915-1015hrs. P.T. and
P.T. organised games. This was slightly varied by the
introduction of inter platoon tug of war contests. The
sport when practised on smooth decks in sandshoes
involves the application of new principles, and hadevery
one thinking. In addition some boxing gloves were produced
and used to good effect. The usual training
syllabus was carried through without incident.
Female
Inspection of
Gun Turrets		 During the morning the female members of the
Contingent were taken on a tour of the engine rooms and
8" gun turrets. To judge from their oily appearance
on reappearance, they made the inspection very thoroughly
Position 1200hrs. Course 270 degrees Speed 15 Knots Wind NW
Force 2 Weather b7 Distance since 291200hrs - 375 miles.
Longitude 30 degrees 01 minutes S Latitude 74 degrees
11 minutes E.

 

Deck Hockey

 The afternoons deck hockey games resulted in
Army defeating Stokers 3-1, Stokers 2 drawing with Naval
Contingent 2-2, 2 platoon drawing with Army Officers
2-2. It is intended to play deck hockey and deck cricket
on alternate days.
News The "Shropshire News" consisting of the latest wireless
news is now distributed daily by the ship.
War Artist Lt MAINWARING War Artist has been given the use of
a room in the Captains Quarters for his work. His
intention is to paint portraits on the voyage, as the
weather allows. To date portraits of Gen EATHER, Capt
SHOWERS and L.t BARR AWAS are in the course of
production. In addition he will do at leastone full
size painting in oils of an aspect of shipboard life
which will enable him to include as much of the ship
as possible. These, combined with many water colour
sketches, should give an effective pictorial record of
the voyage.
War
Photographer		 Lt. COFFLEY War Photographer, has also been very
busy taking both still and moving pictures of every
aspect of the contingents daily life on board ship.
This includes 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.
Quarterdeck The quarterdeck at 1600hrs presents a daily increasing
scene of activity. Given over to Officers and
Female members for sport; deck tennis, deck quoits,
medicine ball sports, skipping, fencing, and just
plain exercises are indulged in energetically. In
fact the will to become healthy has become a fetish
with some Officers. They are taking more exercise than
has been their custom for years. Perhaps it is due to
the sea air or just to a desire to be as fit as
possible for the forthcoming ordeal in LONDON.
 
  Wednesday 1 May                     AT SEA
Rough Weather Overcast early with occasional rain squalls, moderate
sea and average swell. Weather cleared up during the day
0845hrs. Daily Officer's conference. As a consequence
of the indifferent weather it was decided to put all
personnel on ships duties for the day. As on previous
occasions ^[[?]] split up on various tasks through the ship
Most of them were working below the main deck on brass
polishing, scrubbing decks, and carting stores.
Ships Duties

Position		 1200hrs Course 270degrees Speed 14 knots Visibility
bc 7 wind NE Force 4 Distance travelled since 30 1200hrs
339 miles Latitude 30 degrees 03minutes & Longitude
67 degrees 45 minutes E.
Toys Women members commenced the manufacture of felt
animals. When these "protypes" 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 amonst
children's organization on arrival in ENGLAND.
Quiz Contest









 		 1700hrs First round of the quiz contest held- owing to
bad weather it could not be held in Torpedo space as
originally intended and was held in cafeteria mess deck.
The two opposing teams were seated opposite each other
and each member answered two questions into the microphone
the programme being broadcast over the ships SRE at the
same time. Lt. Comd FAULKNER conducted the session.
Baby Buntings defeated [[?o Tearem?]] 9-5 and See Dee Effs are
the only team that will remain in the competition. The
only contingent team to be represented were the Stripeys
which consisted of 2 WAAF's and 1 AWAS. They put on a
very good show.
1930hrs Clocks retarded 1 hour.
  Thursday 2 May             AT SEA
Rough Weather 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 being head on. It was expected to work round to
the port quarter during the day when the roll would
have been acentuated, but it remains about 60 degrees
to our course all day.
Ships Duties Owing to the rough weather all ranks again put to
work on ship's duties in lieu of the normal training
programme. This is the second day in succession that
theyheavy seas have made this necessary.
Position 1200hrs Course 270 degrees Speed 14 Knots wind SW
Force 6 Visibility b7 Distance since 01 1200hrs -336
miles Latitude 29 degrees 54 minutes S Longitude
61 degrees 35 minutes E Very rough sea, short moderate
swell.
Deck Hockey Deck hockey games arranged for the afternoon had to
be cancelled owing to rough weather. 1700hrs. 4 more
teams competed in the second session of the first round
of the quiz contest. None of them contained contingent
personnel.
Sea Sickness Incidence of sea sickness is now practically [[ ]]
It would appear that all personnel have not found [[their]]
sea legs. This rather confounded the calculations
of the ship's catering staff who always count on a
 

PAGE 15

  smaller attendance at meals in bad weather. On the
contrary contingent personnel appear to get hungrier
as the weather gets rougher.
  Friday 3 May                         AT SEA
Weather 0045hrs. Altered course to 250 degrees to avoid beam
swell and excessive roll. Fine clear day, with heavy swell
Ships Duties 0845hrs 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 ships company and not
just casual work as hithertoo.
Action
Stations		 0900hrs. Ship practised action stations. This consisted of
closing all doors and hatches commensurate with Damage.
Control State 1. Testing all communications Checking
receivers between directors and guns, and all hands
closing up at their alloted action stations while loading
drills etc., are carried out. AMF and RAAF personnel kept
out of the way on the upper deck, and watched with interes
a proceedure of which they had often heard.
1010hrs. Action stations concluded and all contingent
personnel resumed ship's duites.
Position 1200hrs. Course 270 degrees (changed from 250 degrees
at 1000hrs.) Speed 15 Knots wind South Visibility
bc7 Barometer rising. Slight sea. Short average swell
Distance since 021200hrs - 360 miles. Longitude 30 degrees
22 minutes S Latitude 55 degrees 40 minutes E.
1600hrs Deck cricket played as usual.
Quiz 1700hrs. Third session of first round of quiz contest was
decided. The only contingent team competing was the
KORDIES who defeated the OIKS and TOIKS 9-2. This
team consisting of Majs WILLIAMS & GLUTH and LT BARR,
created history by asking for a replay on the grounds that
their questions had been much easier than those given to
the OIKS and TOIKS. The request was granted, and these
teams will meet again later in the contest.
Dirithy Dox 1745hrs. 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, have resulted
in her being inundated with letters. There is much
speculation on the identity of Miss Dox.
Health To date the general health of the contingent has been
excellent. The following was the incidence of disease
for period 19 Apr - 4 May.
U.R.T.I. 19
Skin 24 (infected cuts, 2 rashes, 2 post
innoculation arms)
Accidents 11 (Minor cuts, strains & sprains – none
serious)
Diarrhoea 1 (only)
Sea Sickness 2 ( Very mild)
Malaria 1 proven ( BT 20/4/46) 1 clinical Malaria
(had not had paludine)
Pediculosis 2
Aggregate total attendances at RAP - 83
Daily Average - 5
 

[Form, see original scan]
SECRET
I.—STRENGTH RETURN On Embarkation and Disembarkation of Australian Victory
Contingent
(Serial No.*    ) on moving from Waterloo)n 1 July 1946 to
Portsmouth
Harbour
Station
Officers 21
Warrant Officers 20
S/Sgts., Sgts. & L/Sgts. 101
Rank and File 97
Total Other Ranks 208
Total All Ranks 229
Womens Services 18
[[JM. Foul?]] Major.
Camp Commandant, [[?]], Victory Camp

 

[Form, see original scan]
II.—WAR OUTFIT OF UNIT. 

[Form, see original scan]

III.—NOMINAL ROLL (To include all ranks)

 

[Form, see original scan]
III.-NOMINAL ROLL - (contd.) Other ranks (Alphabetically by Squadron, Company, etc.)

 

COPY
B7375
File No PERS
INWARD CLEAR MESSAGE
FROM: HQ AIF MELBOURNE
TO : AAS LONDON
ML 1245 (?) 051140K June
UNCLASSIFIED. Ref IM 918 of 311630 and ML 1067 of 13 May, Concur
in courses proposed Lt Forbes
To G (for action)

 

[*21B*]
NX138171
[[Lt?]] A.J. Forbes,
School of AA arty,
Manorbier
Tenby,
Pembs,
SWales
10Jul46
Dear Maj Fenton,
Reference your memos
7725 of 5Jul46 and 7831 of 8Jul46.
Enclosed is the requested
sworn statement.
You will see from this
that I was "alone" at the
time of the incident. There
was no steward present. He
locked up the bar & left the
mess some ten minutes
before Pte Silversides entered.
It will be noted that
my statement only covers the

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