Category Archives: at sea

Christmas, censors, cards, concerts, camels, canteens

TX  1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 11th March 1941 (I believe the sharks got all our Christmas parcels – of course there are sharks and sharks) Dear May At long last we have arrived somewhere in Palestine – … Continue reading

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War Diary: Durban to the Red Sea Feb 1941

  16th Feb At sea again. Picked up rest of convoy from Cape Town.  Two ships – Highland Chieftain and Highland Princess – stayed at Durban.  Two others joined us (Orbita & Nieu Holland).  Had haircut and got head shave.  … Continue reading

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at sea post Durban: the crime of baldness

TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad (at sea) Dear Mother Once again we’re at sea after four days at Durban.  I told you in a letter posted in that city of our arrival there and of my … Continue reading

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Glasgow to Durban aboard the Nea Hellas

January 12 – February 10 1941 There are no letters from this period, although Dad mentions writing them many times in his diary.  Diary entries for this period are as follows: 12th January Sailed with the tide at dawn.  Land … Continue reading

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You blokes were only soldiers….letter to ‘Bert’

11th Sept 1940 TX1004 Private M Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF Dear Bert Just a line from Blighty to let you know we’re still afloat. We had a great trip over on the Old Mary – she’s a wonderful … Continue reading

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Sending a wire June – August 1940

Four  telegrams 1.  I assume this one was sent from the ship.  It is sent via ‘GLT’ rather than ‘EFT’ which is the method for all others.   The Hobart date stamp shows 15 June 40.  The lodgement advice shows it originated … Continue reading

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Somewhere in England June 1940

  Letterhead: YMCA – including instructions on how to address mail, and the invocation to Write Home First TX 1004 Gunner Hickman 1st Antitank Regt AIF Overseas Somewhere in England Dear Mother At long last we are on terra firma … Continue reading

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