Category Archives: Geography and Culture

War Diary March 21 – April 14 (Easter Monday) 1941

Posted on April 14, 1941 by felicityh54

Friday 21st Wrote some letters during morning – afternoon ceremonial parade – marched to Brigade – welcome for Brigadier Baxter-Cox – a good show.  Long march back with fixed bayonets at attention – 1 1/2 miles.  When we got back … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, training, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries, weapons, armaments, equipment | Tagged | Leave a comment

AWL from guard duty – but what they don’t know…

Posted on April 1, 1941 by felicityh54

                            TX 1004 Private Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 1st April 1941 Dear Mother We came back to camp last night after a very interesting weekend.  … Continue reading →

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Middle East, The course of the war, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dear Dad…Have a look at my will

Posted on March 25, 1941 by felicityh54

TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad  25th.3.1941 Dear Dad I was very agreeably surprised to get your letter yesterday, written while you were in Melbourne.  It’s easy to understand now why I didn’t get many letters in … Continue reading →

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Route Marches, diplomacy and meeting with Zincie Jokers

Posted on March 20, 1941 by felicityh54

              TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 20th March 1941 Dear Mother Once again I have struck guard duty and so have an opportunity to catch up with my mail.  We’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Camps and Barracks, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, Middle East, parcels, training, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas, censors, cards, concerts, camels, canteens

Posted on March 11, 1941 by felicityh54

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 →

Posted in at sea, Censorship, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, gambling and drinking, Letters to/ from others, Middle East, pay and conditions, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After nearly five months, a bundle of letters

Posted on March 10, 1941 by felicityh54

TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 10th March 1941 Dear Mother At long last we have arrived some place somewhere from which you’ll gather that though much nearer home we’re still very much abroad.  It’s just a … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian, Camps and Barracks, Middle East, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

War Diary: Durban to the Red Sea Feb 1941

Posted on February 28, 1941 by felicityh54

  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 →

Posted in at sea, gambling and drinking, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, training, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

at sea post Durban: the crime of baldness

Posted on February 18, 1941 by felicityh54

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 →

Posted in Africa, at sea, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A good look round Durban

Posted on February 15, 1941 by felicityh54

                            TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 13th Feb 1941 Dear Mother After nearly five weeks at sea we’ve arrived at a modern seaport- … Continue reading →

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Durban Diary: apartheid, mate-ship and a rifle as big as a daisy air gun

Posted on February 15, 1941 by felicityh54

                        Tues 11th Planes from Durban fly over convoy – sun shines hot and early – sea more blue than ever – land sighted – binoculars focus on Durban.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, leave, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments