Category Archives: unit and personal diaries

Could St John predict war’s end? Or maybe Einstein or Pythagoras?

Posted on May 5, 1941 by felicityh54

      TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 5th May 1941 Dear Mother Though still in the same area as when I last wrote you, we – that is the party to which I am for … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, The course of the war, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

War Diary  Feb 28 – March 10 1941

Posted on March 10, 1941 by felicityh54

  Friday 28th Feb Early shift 6 – 8.  Clean guns shave head and massage with olive oil – good days sunshine – not nearly as severe as expected in Red Sea.  Boys got stuck into the hops in the … Continue reading →

Posted in guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, pay and conditions, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | 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

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

Glasgow to Durban aboard the Nea Hellas

Posted on February 10, 1941 by felicityh54

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 →

Posted in at sea, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, gambling and drinking, organisation, pay and conditions, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Adventures in Glasgow January 1941

Posted on January 11, 1941 by felicityh54

TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad Dear Mother Once again we are on the move whither only God and the powers that be know – but anyhow we’re moving. The last month has been one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, leave, The course of the war, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment