The Blog that might have been – 70 years on

Dear Dad…Have a look at my will

Posted on March 25, 1941 by felicityh54

Dear Dad 250341

Dad 250341 p2

Dad 250341 p3

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 England – nearly all the letters since August have been sent here. Since we came here a fortnight ago I’ve had forty four letters, a lot of cables and newspapers and one parcel (two pair of socks sent by May inAugust). Some of my letters date right back to June so they must have intended sending us here [then].

Ivy sent me some snaps in a letter that arrived the same time as yours. There’s one of the house – it looks a good sort of place and Camberwell is a good suburb. I suppose land values there would be pretty high – the only thing I don’t like about it is the tiled roof. It’ll be a great thing for them to have a home of their own. The other snaps taken at the Brewery and in the Park are also very interesting.

As you say in your letter I am lucky to have been in England for seven months. It was a wonderful experience and my ideas of the English people have changed a lot. The way the civilian population have stood up to the drubbing is wonderful with people being killed all around them the nation as a whole remains very calm and determined. I suppose you thought I was hitting the high spots when I got the bank to transfer some money but the position was that I was the only man in the platoon drawing only two shillings a day.

Shortly after we went over to the seventy-second – now the 33rd – there was a job going for a draughtsman. It carried a corporal’s pay and I would have taken it but the CO of the Company said he’d rather I didn’t because the OC of the platoon had a field promotion for me – A corporal in the carrier platoon is a wonderful job so I let the draughtsman job slide – then a few weeks before the promotions were made the CO was transferred to another company and the Lieutenant in charge of the platoon became Adjutant…As you know I’m not very diplomatic and cut no ice with the new platoon commander and when the appointments were made I was not mentioned so with things at high prices – tobacco 1/11 an oz, matches 3d a box and so on, it was impossible to go out at all and as I thought I might never get another opportunity of seeing England wrote to the bank and they arranged the transfer.

As I have told you in other letters I had two trips to Scotland. I would have liked to call on Mrs Morley’s sister but didn’t get the address till I came here. I saw a lot of Scotland and met some fine people. I still write to several of them.

On the way to England we called at Cape Town and coming East we called at Durban. From seeing these two cities and speaking with the people and reading their papers I’m quite convinced that South Africa will be the best country in the world for a white man after the war.

I’m sorry to hear of Old Jim going – he was a jolly fine fellow. Was he still at the Zinc Works or had he retired? I haven’t had a chance to go to any of the other camps but I believe there are a lot of other Zinc Workers in them – a fellow named McQuiltan was up here to see Nuggett Geeves and McDonnell the other day. He asked how you were getting on. He’s in an ammunition supply unit and is as fat as a seal.

I had a letter from Mick Mason the other day. He said he’s been out to see you and made a very heavy recovery next day. Both your letter and his say that building is booming in Hobart and that the paper works are very busy. I think I’ll be looking for something other than building when I get back – by the way when I told Schultz and Co that you’re not making any wine this year they were very disappointed as they were all looking forward to a cellar reunion when they get back.

If you’re in town Dad call at the Barracks and get them to show you the will I made. If there is anything I have not covered let me know as soon as you can will you because I don’t know how long we’ll be here – they’re driving us pretty hard now and it might mean we’re going into a show and that’s one thing I do want to be in order.

Take good care of yourself dad and look after Mother. Best regards to the boys.

Your loving son

Max

PS Sergeant Schultz & Corporals Jenkins and Geeves send their best regards

The paper works are very busy

This comment would have referred to the production of newsprint, as the ANM factory at Boyer had opened in February 1941 – like the Zinc Works, attracted by cheap power, plentiful water and easy access for shipping (barges):

Australian Newsprint Mills, Boyer (Tasmaniana Library, SLT)

The Australian Newsprint Mills evolved from the need for an Australian paper industry. In 1920 the Melbourne-based Mussen Group funded research at Kermandie to make newspaper from Tasmanian hardwoods. A breakaway newspaper syndicate led by Keith Murdoch (Herald & Weekly Times) and Warwick Fairfax (Age) formed the Derwent Valley Paper & Pulp Company (1932) and negotiated extensive forest concessions in the Florentine Valley with the government. The two groups came together as Australian Newsprint Mills and began building the Boyer Mill in 1939. A residential suburb for workers’ families was constructed at New Norfolk. The mill opened in 1941, and ten Australian daily newspapers used Boyer newsprint, averting serious war-time newspaper rationing. http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/A/Australian%20Newsprint%20Mills.htm

Posted in organisation, pay and conditions, Tasmania, Uncategorized | Tagged army pay, diplomacy, Jim McDonnell, mail, Mick Mason, South Africa | Leave a comment

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 been kept pretty busy since we came into camp. They’re toughening us up again after our long sea trip – space on a troopship does not allow much room for training purposes and of course we all got very soft but at the pace they’ve set we’ll soon be back to our old fitness so time and facilities for writing do not allow too much time.

We have had a number of route marches and various manoeuvres and have been able to gather a fair idea of the country and life and conditions in there parts. We see very few of the genuine Arabs although there is a Bedouin camp a few miles away most of the wogs we see are mongrel Arabs – a dirty thieving crowd who believe that only dirty people wash and so they never wash and they stink to high heaven- BO is the only scent they know. They gather at the roadsides as we go by and from the youngest to the oldest the universal greeting is Sieda George Buckshees – Sieda being good-day and George is apparently the only English name they know. Buckshees of course is something for nothing.

On different stunts we have passed through a good sized township and an Arab village. The former was inhabited by both Arabs and Jews and a number of Australians are garrisoned there. There was a whole street of shops – without any shop fronts. The architecture ranges from mud huts to the western concrete buildings that house the police forces and other Government servants. The Arab village is built on the lines on which the medieval peoples of Europe clustered their houses and surrounded then with a high wall, their lands spreading out in all directions from the administrative centre. The huts are all of mud with dome shaped rooves and without any windows.

There are a lot of Australian camps about but so far we have had no opportunity of contacting them. Nugget Scanlon came along the other night and told me that there are hundreds of Tasmanians about. He’s with a signal unit. I was a bit surprised to see him – never thought he’d join up – he said ‘Tell Laurie to join up and come over’. There was a chap from the zinc works came along to see Nugget Geeves and McDonnell – McQuiltan I think they said his name was. McDonnell called him the Pom. He mentioned a couple of other Zincie jokers too that are in camps here. Ron McKercher was along to see his cousin the other day. He’s with an artillery battery – mostly from Tasmania – quite a lot of the old 106th are in it and I believe Ac Hallam’s brother is about here somewhere too so I guess if we’re here long there’ll be a few reunions.

Ac Hallam and I went along to the 31st Battalion camp the other night as the guests of Sergeant Schultz and Ken Jenkins. Dick has just been made a sergeant at the RAP and turned on a celebration. Dick is possessed of an abundance of the greatest asset a man can have in the army – it’s one of the two things essential to advancement – diplomacy – and of course in addition to his natural gifts in that direction had the advantage of a long raining under a master diplomat We have a lot in our show but I don’t think any of them could teach Dick anything. We had quite a good night. They bought two dozen bottles of the local beer – Golden Star – and put on a good supper too – they’re both master scroungers – and we had a good night reminiscing on Aussie and England. They’re still planning a reunion in the cellar but of course that’s looking a long time ahead.

Whilest I was down there I ran into Trevor Rafferty – he’s a Lieut and just as smug and self assured as ever – the most regimental man in his battalion I believe but that didn’t mean anything to me.

The parcel of socks sent by May last July came to hand yesterday so I’m still hoping that one of my other parcels may turn up. The socks came at a very opportune time because I’d got to the stage when I’d have had to find time to do some darning but of course can carry on again now.

I got a Christmas card the other day from Max, Audrey and Barbara Phillips. It was addressed to the antitank regiment so I suppose Max didn’t get any of my letters. Anyhow I’ll write him a long one today.

We were out on a stunt the other night – on night stunts we’re not allowed to smoke or make any noise – we were moving along over some pretty rough country when Ac Hallam struck his shin on a short stump and cursed very strongly under his breath. I was watching him and having a quiet laugh when I tripped over a spare and speared about ten feet into a cactus bush – An electric shock has nothing on a cactus bush and when we got back to camp I spent over an hour picking out the thorns to the amusement of the other chaps in the tent. Jokes at each others expense is one of our chief sources of entertainment.

I’ll close now Mother as I have to go on duty in five minutes. My love to you and the pater and best regards to the boys.

Max.

“A good sized township and an Arab village’

From the diary entries below, it seems the township was Gaza, but the village is not named.

From The Footsoldiers :

Sergeant ‘Doc’ Trenow outside the Gaza police station

Village houses were presumably similar to those in the Frank Hurley photo : www.ww2australia.gov.au/damascus/images/hurley/011444_500.jpg

‘The old 106th’

Prior to enlisting, Dad had been a member of the ‘Militia’ – specifically, the 106th Field Battery

Diary March 11 – 20

Tuesday 11th

Ac Ac duty – wonderful bludge – what a time the Ac Ac platoon must have had in England – wrote letters to youngster & May. Went to bed early.

Wednesday 12th

Bayonet drill. Learning to salute again after more than twelve months in the army. Lost a plug of tobacco at bayonet training. Route march in the afternoon. After tea Nuggett Scanlon came along from 9th Divvy sigs camped a bit further along road. Didn’t know him at first – mentioned a hell of a lot of Tassies in camps near here – Went to pictures – “Man to Remember” – good show – gazette on Tobruk and return of Sydney – to Sydney – Naval organisation a thousand times better than Army. Walking back met Tiny Schultz and Ken Jenkins done up to the nines – Tiny grown a moustache – looks ten years younger – has just been made a sergeant of RAP at 31st Battalion – master Diplomat.

Thursday 13th

Muster parade – collected washing and took to laundry – dearer than in England – marching and rifle drill practice in order for NCO’s.

2.30 pay parade collected 1500mils – almost a millionaire – won bet off Len Earea. Laid ten to one I’d strike guard duty today. won 5mils (1 penny). Early tea – mount guard at 5.30

Friday 14th

Guard duty all day – wrote letters – sent cables

Saturday

Route march to beach through Gaza – a good day out. Gaza a native centre – very dirty – queer architecture – a good beach – cold wind. Bully beef for dinner. Saturday night – celebration at 70th (31st) RAP. Dick Schultz gets 3 stripes – 2 dozen bottles of beer – reminiscences – bloody good night

Sunday

Church Parade – Rained all day – camp nearly under water – stayed in tent played two-up and did the roll – then wrote letters – went to bed early.

Monday

PT Rifle drill. Bayonet training – receive some anti tank mail written last May – one from May one from Youngster and Christmas card from Max Phillips. Jack Reinke paraded to OC Hqr Coy and handed in stripes – wouldn’t be mucked about by mugs. Everybody admired his action. Stunt in evening – finding a spot by compass – exercise mainly for officers – rough going across heavy country – no lights and no noise. Ac Hallam hit shin on stump – laughing at him I tripped over stump and speared into cactus bush – like an electric shock. back to camp about 10.30. Quite an enjoyable evening. supper then to bed.

Tuesday

PT & Rifle drill. went to pictures in evening – Wuthering Heights – had already seen it twice but it was worth seeing again.

Wednesday

PT and stunt in morning – marched past arab village – all mud huts with dome shaped rooves surrounded by mud wall. Received parcel of socks sent by May last July – looks hopeful for other parcels. Mounted three day guard duty at Hospital – Ac Ac wonderful bludge – 2 hrs on and ten off – there must be a catch in it somewhere. Went to pictures in the evening – Strange Cargo.

Thursday

3-5 shift in morning – pinched some wood from contractors yards and lit a fire in pit – wrote letters – Ceremonial parade in afternoon. Jim Hocking & I struck lucky – were on duty. Pictures in evening – “Men without souls”

* * * * * * *

Mail

Again, correspondents and parcels that had been given up on, turn up…the socks after 10 months! It would be hard to keep writing to people (like the Phillips family) when you had received nothing from them for so long, because they had the wrong unit name….must have been such a relief to finally receive a letter.

Diplomacy

Dad always envied people who had the ‘gift of the gab’/ability to ‘gild the lily’, as his own tendency was towards plainly speaking his mind.

I’m intrigued at the comment about Jack Reinke – Jack Reinke paraded to OC Hqr Coy and handed in stripes – wouldn’t be mucked about by mugs. Everybody admired his action. Dick Lewis said he doesn’t remember this story – and Dad doesn’t mention it in any surviving letters, but I’m sure it must have featured somewhere!

The Zinc Works

(‘Zincie jokers’ would have been men who worked there)

As children we were told that our grandfather had been involved in building the Zinc Works, and had worked there. As he took no part in World War I after being ‘invalided home’ from Gallipoli, this could well be true. The Electrolytic Zinc company was one of a number that were attracted to Tasmania due to its cheap hydro electric power and deep water ports. See Alison Alexander’s article –

http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/E/Electrolytic%20zinc%20works.htm

The photo from the article is from the later 1960’s (the Tasman Bridge in the background was opened in 1965) – according to the author, the Risdon plant was by then the second largest manufacturer of Zinc in the world.

Posted in Camps and Barracks, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, Middle East, parcels, training, Uncategorized | Tagged Ac Hallam, DIck Schultz, Gaza, Ken Jenkins, mail, manoeuvres, Zinc works | 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 – of the trip here and the camp I will tell you more later. At present I want to say how glad I was to receive your letters and cable which along with a big bundle of others from Mother, Youngster, Mrs Toomey, Mae Menzie and Mick Mason I received the day after our arrival here – that is or was yesterday.

After nearly five months without news from home the mail was like manna from the gods – letters dating right back to September were in the bundle and the news was refreshing and interesting. Your particularly interesting and newsy epistle of the 31st December was like a tonic describing so thoroughly Christmas and the accompanying festivities. I can well imagine Anne’s joy at her fourth birthday party – there’s no doubt about the kid she’s a born actress. I’m glad the Scotty rig arrived in time and that she liked it and the card.

I’m sorry to hear that you yourself have not been too well – that rheumatism’s hell I know though I’ve never had it in the hand and I hope you’ve got over it now. The mater told me that the pater had also been sick from dizzy spells – the effect of that knock I suppose – well I certainly hope he’s alright again. Youngster told me he’s helped her to buy a home and that they have settled in – she said Mum and Dad are going over soon for a holiday – that should do them both a lot of good. You should try and go over for a while too – not at the same time but when the college is on holiday. Youngster would be glad to have you and it would do you and Anne a power of good. You certainly need a holiday May – you can’t make the pace all the time you know.

Youngster’s letters also cover a wide range of happenings. Two of the letters had been posted in England via USA and some lousy cow pinched the five shilling stamp off them. Anyway I got the letters which was most important. The Youngster seems to have been on the up and up – First Bill’s commission in the Navy – then the shorter working week at the office and to top it up buying a home. I hope the trot lasts.

From her letters Mother seems somewhat depressed that she hasn’t heard from me but I’ve written regularly and as Mrs Schultz has had all Dick’s letters and Ac Hallam’s wife all his, mine must have incurred the displeasure of the censoring officers though no-one ever mentioned that they had been knocked back and for the life of me I can’t see why they should be.

Mrs Toomey whom I though had written me off her lists as I hadn’t heard from her since early August wrote two very nice letters and Mae Menzie’s letters were also very interesting – I was a bit disappointed not getting one from Jack Chandler.

And now May just as my interests are in the happenings at home I suppose yours are in our doings here. Well our trip from England was in most respects delightful – glorious sunshine, not too hot and calm seas – too calm – all the way. My platoon did the Anti-Aircraft work on the boat and only struck guard duty when in port – incidentally I posted a letter some cards and a serviette ring with a coat of arms on for Anne. I hope they arrived alright. Anyway to get back to the story. The gun I was attached to was at the stern of the ship near the Isolation Hospital. There was a decent deck which was out of bounds to all except the patients, the hospital orderlies from an English AMC unit and ourselves, and when not on duty at the guns we played cards – crib and five hundred and bridge – sun baked, read or argued according to the mood of the moment.

There were four orderlies at the hospital – a Scotch man named Jack Roach, a young Tommy – they were our opposition at Bridge. The third chap was a permanent force man who had been in the army twenty years – we didn’t see much of him – he stood somewhat aloof. The fourth chap, a fellow named Rathbone was an absolute ratbag with the most crude outlook on like of anybody I ever met. He had spent some time in China and was a confirmed Buddhist. He explained at length the rituals of that crude religion and expressed the intention to become a priest after the war. In the evenings when not on duty there were picture shows, concerts both organised and impromptu – some of which were very good.

One night – a pay night – the transport platoon whose sleeping quarters were near ours got stuck into the hops (the beer was just beer but it was drinkable – you strained the hops out through your teeth but it had a kick like a mule) – and put on a concert on the landing immediately above where we slept. There was a lot of half drunken baloney but there were some good items too. Arthur Midson – you might remember him, the family had a very rough trot some years back – sang some good songs.

Eventually after what seemed an eternity we cast anchor – we landed from the ship by lighters drawn by a steam launch – we left the ship shortly after ten o’clock on Saturday night. As the ropes were drawn in the chaps – about a hundred and fifty of us – sang Gundagai and the Maori Farewell. Almost on the stroke of twelve we were landed at a wharf and after a dixie of tea (anyway they said it was tea) and a bun left over from when the pater came through in ’15 we entrained and were soon on our way.

At seven o’clock in the morning we stopped for refreshments – a dixie of tea and some very nice biscuits – shortbreads and orange creams eaten to a chorus of Backshees, Backshees from the Gypos. We didn’t stay long there and presently were on our way across sandy wastes extending as far as the eye could see. Wherever there was the slightest growth, goat herds were to be seen. Later we came into more fertile country and orange groves, barley and rice crops abounded and cattle, horses and sheep replaced the goats and camels of the sandy stretches.

This camp is not unlike Brighton in some respects and one may hear again that time honoured Brighton expression – “come out on the sand”. A rise at the back of the camp commands a wonderful panorama of the locality – a couple of towns can be seen in the distance and other camps can also be seen and around and amongst it all the Arabs tilling in the soil with their crude single furrow wooden ploughs drawn by camels, the trains of pack camels and the Arabs with their mules. In the middle distance a Bedouin camp breaks the contour – these are a wild nomadic tribe of primitive Arabs of whom Laurence had a lot to say in his books. How the hell any white man could live among those wogs beats me.

Within the camp itself there is a wet canteen which sells Australian bottled beer – “Carlton special” – I’ll be trying it out on payday. There is also a dry canteen with good stocks of soaps, shaving gear and a varied selection of Australian tobaccos. There is a picture theatre about four hundred yards away run by the Jews and prices of admission range from thirty to eighty Mils – a Mil is about the same value as a farthing – a thousand to the English pound, 800 to ours – and most importantly of all there is a regular air mail service to Australia.

And now May I’ll say cheerio – my love to you and Anne and best regards to Laurie.

Max

PS remember me to young Trevor

PPS If it is possible I’d like a photo of Anne in kilt (just a snap) to send to the girl who bought the costume for me.

For Anne xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Locating the events..

Source : Active Service published by the AWM 1941

Camps and leave centres, Palestine Source : The Footsoldiers

(W. Crooks 1971)

A garrison cinema

Not at Kilo 89, but another camp in Palestine …

Painting by Harold B Herbert

Source: Active Service– published by the AWM 1941

Links

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/004215/

1940-11-25. ALONG NILE NEAR CAIRO – NATIVES LIVING BESIDE THE RIVER ARE MOSTLY SMALL FARMERS AND EVERY SEASON SEEMS TO BRING ITS OWN PARTICULAR ROUTINE OF WORK THAT WILL ALLOW THE LAND TO GIVE ITS UTMOST LIMIT OF PRODUCTION, A VERY VITAL MATTER TO THEM. NATIVES AT DAWN ATTENDING TO THEIR LAND. (NEGATIVE BY F. HURLEY).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqxD8tkwN0U

A clip from a 1941 ‘educational’ film about the flight of the Israelites from Egypt. Shows footage of the Nile, the Sinai desert and a Bedouin tribe.

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 Anne Fisher, Kilo 89, Mae Menzie, Mick Mason, Mrs Toomey, Palestine, Youngster | 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 evening. Gary as full as a boot. Drunken singsong on stairs. Played 1d blind with JR, JF, FD and Len Earea – did the roll. Stubbed toe on steel plate – broke toenail halfway down.

Saturday 1st March

Glorious sunrise – beautiful sunny day – sunbaked all day – engines broke down – convoy moved ahead – we caught them up again about dusk. Finals of boxing in the afternoon – played Five Hundred in the evening.

Sunday

Early shift (6 – 8) arguments etc on Theology, War, Colonies etc – a grey almost bleak day with the best sea we’ve seen since we turned the cape – not at all what was expected of the cauldron of Hell – the Red Sea. Most of the chaps wore shirts and tunics – coming down to tea stopped to listen to the Sunday afternoon hymn singing. It was very good – some of the nurses have lovely voices. It seems unreal that they should have any part in this business. In the evening we played cards.

Monday 3rd March

Another cold day. – played crib for beer – GW & self beat VA & JJD – won two beers each but haven’t collected – land on both sides – sand and rock – The promised land doesn’t look too promising – hundreds of ships in gulf of Suez – came to anchor in the evening. Port Suez lying away to starboard – ships galore – more than there were in Clyde or at Freetown – cards in the evening – got a caning – 1st issue iron rations – thousands of seagulls.

undated – ships list –

Left Clyde 12th Jan 41

Ships in convoy from Glasgow to Suez

Empress of Australia – Mombassa

“ “ Japan “

Nea Hellas

Athlone Castle (Flagship)

Durban “

Windsor “

Cape Town “

Winchester “

Arundel “

Brittanic

Pennland

Monarch of Bermuda

Samaria

Franconia

Duchess of Bedford

“ “ York

Ormonde (Mombassa)

Highland Chieftain (left convoy)

Highland Princess (Durban)

Orbita & Nieu Holland joined convoy at Durban

Tuesday 4th March

1st anniversary of day we went into Brighton Camp. 1st shift on gun interesting couple of hours watching various types of craft in the water. Played two up on isolation deck – spun nine heads spinning for 3d a time – got 2/-. R Ross at big school spun 8 heads and won a fiver – news through English officer that canal is mined – Fish heads undecided whether to risk sending us to Haifa by sea or land – mine sweepers at work in canal – watched Tommies being unloaded from other ships into flat bottomed lighters – cards in the evening.

Wednesday 5th March

Bright sunny day – sun playing on cliffs and sand made pretty sight – every type of craft imaginable on the water – steam – motor outboard and numerous sailing craft (estimated 150 liners at anchor) more delicacies brought aboard for officers (crossed out) told the bananas was like Hobart in an off season – reply —————— Played Bridge in the evening with Tom Mead and Jock Roach (Tommy orderlies in isolation ward) and Dick Lewis.

Thursday 6th

Early shift – made tea, cleaned guns, played crib, lazed in sun and watched arabs bartering . Lecture in the evening by Mr Logan on Palestine – showed good form as an after dinner speaker but if his information is right the place is up to ———. Played Bridge again. Information about mail is good – got an officer to get some whisky (doubles 6d) – its a paradise for officers.

Friday 7th

Glorious day – sunbaked, read and played cards on deck. Listened to oration from Tommy orderly named Rathbow on Buddhism – confirmed Buddhist – crude ideas – going to be B priest after war.

A lot of activity among ships several small freighters go up Canal – some light cruisers and big aircraft carrier also go – another convoy of troops arrive – Bomber with tremendous magnetised steel ring encircling the undercarriage and wings for exploding mines in canal flies over. Boatload of green vegetables and tomatoes brought aboard for officers. They live like Princes whilst the men live like pigs. Asked Burnett to get 2/6 whisky – said there wasn’t any in mess – like Hell. Played Bridge again – just going to bed when roused out to gun pits – air raid expected – officers like women in panic – alarm subsided – night relief took over – slept in isolation ward – got a cold. Ship got stuck on mud nearly rammed by another ship.

Saturday 8th

early shift – series of parades for rifles etc – uncertainty as to time of disembarkation. At eleven o’clock announced that disem was off for today then at 2 o’clock called immediate parade – our guns dismantled – railway unit took over Ac Ac with Lewis guns. Waiting on deck with full equipment till 10 o’clock. (insert – Community singing. B Burnett sang Murray Moon) – unloaded into lighters to accompaniment of sheep baas and sheep dog barking – sang Gundagai and Maori farewell as we left ship. Nurses and English Medical Officers waved us off – unloaded onto wharf at 12MN – dixie of tea and bun – hard as hobs (?) of hell.

Sunday 9th

left wharf by train at 1am – packed like sardines – very cramped but managed to sleep for couple of hours sitting up – 5.30 passed through Ismalia – train runs alongside canal – 6.30 at El Qantara West. 7.00 detrained crossed Suez Canal on punt. tea & biscuits – entrained again at 8.30 (Jewish money changers on station – Egyptians run round asking for Bakshees – miles and miles of sand – crossed the frontier from Egypt to Palestine about midday – getting into cultivated country. Arrived Gaza about 3.30 – about 1/2 mile march to camp – “Kilo 89” – worst 1/2 mile ever I marched in my life – pack & kit & equipment about 140lbs and awkward as hell. Camp brought memories of Brighton. Distribution of mail – one letter and one cable for me – had a drink of Carlton ale – lovely.

Monday 10th

1st parade 7.00 – muster parade 9am. 10 o’clock more mail – got twenty letters and 6 cables (red letter day) many parcels mentioned but none arrived – story that they were all sunk sounds fantastic. Arabs very primitive people – plough with camels & single furrow wooden ploughs – mules & camels only means of transport – muster parade – talk by Major Cummings. Wrote airmail letter to mother. Slept on cage like arrangement made of bamboo – like sleeping on post and rail fence with a lot too many posts – very cold during night.

Comments

28 Feb – 1d blind is presumably ‘penny blind poker’

5 March – Reference to Hobart in an off season is to the fact the Hobart’s harbour (the Derwent estuary) can certainly accommodate a great fleet of ships. Presumably there were many jibes on various topics, from Queenslanders to Tasmanians, and Dad would have enjoyed the opportunity have a dig at them – ‘the bananas’ refers to men from Queensland (‘banana benders’)

7 March – for photos and descriptions of these mine-clearing bombers, see https://medium.com/war-is-boring/how-britain-beat-germanys-wwii-magnetic-sea-mines-bfec5558704c

7 March – food for the officers – Dick Lewis confirmed that it was indeed the case that they were fed like princes, compared to the men – who, according to The Footsoldiers always spoke scathingly in later years of their rations on board – ‘endless meals of salted kippers and potatoes’ (p21)

8th – 10th – Mostly covered in letters. I found a photo of the ‘bamboo beds’ in the book A Special Kind of Service – The Story of the 2/9 Australian General Hospital 1940 – 46 by Joan Crouch (1986)

Posted in guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, pay and conditions, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged bamboo beds, Ismalia, Kilo 89, Palestine, Suez | Leave a comment

After nearly five months, a bundle of letters

Posted on March 10, 1941 by felicityh54

10 March 41 p2

10 March 41 p3

10 March 41 p4

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 little more than twelve months since we went into Brighton camp and in some respects this camp is not unlike Brighton and one can expect to hear again the expression so synonymous with Brighton – come out on the sand. According to some of the chaps who have received late February airmail letters it has already been broadcast in Australia that we had left England and also of our destination so of course Mother you know almost as much as we do.

The most pleasant feature of our arrival at this camp was the mail – with the exception of one unfortunate chap everybody got a bundle of letters and in a couple of isolated cases parcels too. After nearly five months without any letters from home you can well imagine the joy the sight o many letters gave us and within a few minutes of the distribution everybody was devouring their respective letters with the enthusiasm of starving men eating their first meal. In my lot there were three from you, three from May, six or seven from youngster, two from Mrs Toomey whom I had long since given up as lost, two from Mae Menzie and one from Mick Mason (the first I’ve had from him)

From a port on the way here I posted several letters and views and some small parcels which I hope arrived alright. A girl I met whilst buying a couple of souvenirs said she would write you too. In most respects the trip here was good – calm seas and glorious sunshine all the way – and as our platoon did the Ac Ac work on the ship we struck few guards except when in port and we certainly got our share then. But on board ship we spent the whole day in the gun pits or when off duty playing cards – crib and five hundred and in the latter stages Bridge – with the orderlies in the Isolation Hospital where our guns were mounted. One day a week there was a boxing tournament which we were able to see and some good fights were staged and in the evening when not on duty there were picture shows, impromptu concerts and of course card games of all descriptions and around payday we had a few pots at the canteen. The water in the ship was not too good and though the beer was just beer it was drinkable.

I’ve just been talking to a chap whose been here a couple of months and according to him I’m allowed to tell you that we’re in Palestine and presumably I can tell you of our trip without mentioning towns or places. We were landed from the ship by lighters We left the ship shortly after ten o’clock on Saturday night to the accompaniment of Gundagai and the Maori Farewell and at midnight reached a wharf and after a cup of tea and a bun left over from when the pater came over we entrained. At seven o’clock on Sunday morning we stopped for refreshments – a dixie of tea and two small packets of very nice shortbread biscuits – eaten to a chorus of Backshees, Backshees from the gypos then on again through sandy wastes extending as far as the eye could see. Wherever there was stye slightest growth, goat herds varying in size according to the feed could be seen. Later we emerged into more cultivated areas where agriculture was extensively practised – orange groves, barley and rice – and horses and cattle and small flocks of sheep replaced the goat herds of the earlier part of the journey.

As I have only been in camp twenty four hours there isn’t much I can tell you about it beyond the facts that there’s a regular picture show run by Jews – admission is ninepence – that the wet canteen sells a percentage of Australian beer – Carlton special – which certainly sounds interesting – the dry canteen carries a very varied range of shaving and tooth pastes and Australian tobacco and cigarettes and most importantly of all there’s a regular airmail service to Australia.

And now mother to get back to some of the news contained in that wonderful delivery of mail so full of real news though some of it is not too good. I’m sorry to hear that the pater has been having dizzy turns and that May has been sick with measles and sciatica, though for all she must have been suffering at the time she wrote me a most interesting letter – there’s no doubt she’s a brick. I sincerely hope they’re both fit and well now and the youngster too seems to be having a bad run but luck in other directions has been with her. It’s good to know that Dad has started them off towards owning a home and that Bill has such a satisfactory position. He probably wouldn’t like going ashore but as Lieut at Depot he’ll be handy to home. The youngster sounded quite thrilled with their house and East Camberwell isn’t so far from the city and quite a nice spot. May told me that Anne’s tartan arrived alright. It’s good to know that some parcels do find their way home. Youngster said her Christmas present arrived also. I hope yours came to hand too Mother and May’s and Anne’s too – I couldn’t send one to the pater because there was absolutely nothing I could think of to send. Mae Menzie and Mrs Toomey wrote some nice letters and both mentioned Christmas parcels but unfortunately no parcels arrived for me. The only parcels I’ve had were the Gundagai chocolates and cake that Youngster sent early – a parcel of excellent socks and the tin of candy that I got in November and how my mouth waters for those cakes and things that we are led to believe were lost through enemy action.

You told me in one letter that Mahoney looked like being beaten in the election last September but I’ve never heard whether he was or not. I didn’t get a letter from Jack – how did the wedding go off? Everything in order I hope and though I didn’t really expect it I thought there might be a letter from Max Phillips but I guess I’m off his visiting lists – I wrote him several times but haven’t had any from him.

Just a few minutes back I got a cable – I got six this morning (Christmas cables) – but this one from you was addressed here for Christmas – did you think I’d come with the Twelfth Battalion crowd Mother? Well as I understand the airmail closes today I’ll close this letter now and race over to the orderly room. My best regards to the boys. Lots of love to you and the pater.

Max

A bun left over from when the pater came over …

Dad’s father was in Egypt in 1915. He was invalided home from Gallipoli. Sounds like the buns were a little bit dry!

Gundagai

A popular song among Australian troops –

There’s a track winding back to an old-fashioned shack, along the road to Gundagai…Where the blue gums are swaying, the Murrumbidgee’s playing, beneath the sunny sky…Where my daddy and mother are waiting for me, and the pals of my childhood once more I will see…Never more shall I roam now I’m heading back for home along the road to Gundagai.

Backshees

The cry of beggars, hoping for some small change.

Politics

As per blog of 23 November 2014, Gerald Mahoney did indeed lose the seat of Denison in the federal election of 1940.

Disembarking in Egypt – a photo and a video clip

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/008782/

1941-06. SYRIA. A SCENE FAMILIAR TO ALL MEN OF BOTH OLD AND NEW A.I.F. AN EGYPTIAN LABOUR CORPS GETTING IN THE WAY DURING THE UNLOADING OF MILITARY STORES AND EQUIPMENT FROM LIGHTERS ALONG THE CANAL NEAR ISMALIA. (NEGATIVE BY F. HURLEY).

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/troops-in-egypt-1940-aka-australians-in-egypt-1940/query/troopships

No lighters involved in the disembarkation, but this video clip shows how the troops carried all their gear.

Photos on board ship and en route to Palestine

http://www.austcorppetrolpark.thejohnnos.id.au/ACPP_Files/PetrolPark.pdf

Although this account and the accompanying photos are not of the 2/33rd, they depict events similar to those Dad describes, at much the same time – a convoy of ships, men sleeping on deck, cramped conditions below deck, a boxing match on board, the Suez canal, the Sinai Desert and camp in Palestine.

Posted in Australian, Camps and Barracks, Middle East, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged airmail, baksheesh, Brighton, canteen, disembarking, Palestine, Suez | Leave a comment

Verses by the Durban signaller

Posted on March 2, 1941 by felicityh54

This is the ‘pamphlet’ mentioned in a couple of Dad’s letters. A link to more information about the woman who was known as the Durban signaller was included in my last post. The copy shared here was sent home to Dad’s sister Ivy – on the front page there’s a note from him saying ‘if possible youngster, keep this till I get home’. He posted it to her from Port Suez in march 1941.

The back page is covered with autographs of members of the Carrier Platoon:

QX 4472 AL Earea Highgate Hill Brisbane Q

TX 1003 A Hallam Hobart Tasmania

QX 6550 FE Dredge Thursday Island Queensland

QX 1418 JL Steiger Texas Queensland

QX 5045 GA Watts Gympie Qld

QX 6555 C Mene Thursday Island North Queensland

QX 398 JJ Doran Brisbane Queensland

QX 3570 A Henderson Cairns Nth Queensland

[QX 1338] Pte L Woodlock Goondiwindi Queensland

TX 797 VJ Abel Deloraine Tasmania

TX 599 RE Lewis Wynyard Tasmania

TX 286 RJ Cole Launceston Tasmania

QX 275 J Black West St Rockhampton Qld

SX 763 JH Woods Renmark SA

[QX 2853] P McCowan ??? Qld

QX 4808 Pte CD Henders Woombye N.O.L. Queensland

TX 1158 C St L Lewis Wynyard Tasmania

QX 4048 A Trenow Cairns N. Qld

TX 351 EG Fleming Deloraine Tasmania

QX 1585 JR Reinke Longreach Queensland

QX 1800 J Hocking Roma Queensland

TX 280 JM Fletcher Launceston Tasmania

TX 1004 Max Hickman Hobart Tas

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Durban signaller, pamphlet, platoon members' autographs | Leave a comment

War Diary: Durban to the Red Sea Feb 1941

Posted on February 28, 1941 by felicityh54

Nea Hellas – once again a passenger liner – 1949

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. Len Woodlock when shaving back where it was a bit thick observed ought to be extra – not in contract – when shaving top said this is where a man makes the money.

Monday 17th

6.30 parade – usual 9.00 parade close order drill – guard at 4.30 again – wrote Flora Hirst

Tuesday 18th

Guard all day – pictures at night – “I am a Criminal”, “O’Reilly to McNab” – good show

Wednesday 19th

Usual parades – Bren and Mortar lecture by Mr Mills – interesting change – Mr Mills observing bald head observed I must feel as weak as a kitten – who was the Delilah in the story – slept on deck.

Thursday 20th

Woke at 10 to 7 – beautiful morning. Washing parade in afternoon – cards in evening – Ray Ross and self caned Gary and Claude Geeves (Pl ….Cpls) Pte Weir. Sleep on deck.

Friday 21st

Miss early parade – vague threats from Miss Trenow. More Bren instruction in morning – Boxing in the afternoon. Four ships – E of J, E of A, Ormonde & Windsor Castle – leave convoy – believe going to Mombassa – cards again in the evening. We win again – sleep on deck (concert on stairs)

Saturday 22nd

Back to Ac Ac duty – guns got out of armoury & cleaned and mounted – Day shift with GW – Hot as hell after nearly fortnight below decks – right on Equator. Colic sweeps the ship. Stomach in grip of electric shovel – agony for twenty four hours – PT up and down stairs between cabin and latrines.

Sunday 23rd

Early shift on guns – clean guns. Boxing in the afternoon – couple of good fights – Treen (?) shows promise – nice left. Write letters to Home.

Monday 24th

Second shift on gun – warned of danger area – subs, mines, aircraft – play cards in evening – with C Hill, Jim McDonnell & G Watts – have a pot – just beer.

Tuesday 25th

Early shift on gun – clean guns – sunbaked – tried to write letters – couldn’t concentrate. In the evening sighted Arab Dhow – went to pictures – not a boar show – played rubber of crib.

Wed 26th

Woke 7.30 – Breakfast – shaved head again – bloody dry – all water on boat (for men) salt pinched(?)- two bottles of Castle Lager on its way to the Officers Mess – very nice – low cut fast looking destroyer sighted on port bow – couple of tramps also seen – lovely drop of sun. Boxing – couple good fights. Nurse asleep on deck chair, hat over one eye – 6 empty beer bottles beside her – played crib in evening

Thursday 27th

New roster – GW & Self second shift 8 – 10. R R relived me at 9am – went down and joined in with working party – got a case of ale – followed the other chaps as far as main staircase – came back along other passage and down to cabin – boys emptied case – took empty case back to deck – lovely beer – pay parade about 1pm. Blenheim Bomber flew over – 2pm sighted the islands known as 12 apostles. Four large ships & cruiser loom on horizon – later join convoy – several patrol boats snooping around. Officers and nurses have fancy dress ball etc. Played 500 with Frank Dredge, Ac Hallam, Nuggett Geeves – cake walk. Through Hells Gates during night – sleep on deck.

Friday 28th Feb

‘Got a case of ale’ (Feb 27)

Clearly more fun and games, commandeering (stealing!) what should have been purchased – or perhaps what was meant for the officers?

Islands known as the 12 Apostles

I assume these are the Zubair group, formed by the Hanish volcano which lies beneath the Red Sea between Yemen and Eritrea. Recent volcanic activity saw a new island formed in the chain in December 2011. In June 1940, a Walrus aircraft from HMAS Hobart carried out a bombing attack on the Italian wireless station on Centre Peak Island in this group.

Officers and Nurses

Friday 21st – I assume Miss Trenow was an officer (As a nursing sister she would most likely have been have been a Lieutenant).

Photos from shipboard life are hard to come by – but there are some in the AWM collection – such as http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/050245A/ nurses playing deck tennis on Nieu Amsterdam…not in 1941 but could have been!

Nea Hellas

This vessel, like many others was commandeered for war service then returned to ‘civilian life’ after the war:

http://home.comcast.net/~idreos/PHOTOHIS.htm

A Photohistory of the Passenger Ship That Had Three Incarnations

During her service to the Allies the Nea Hellas was designated HR-190 and became affectionately called the “Nellie Wallace” by the soldiers she transported. She carried over 60,000 troops during her wartime service! Despite the fact she was targeted by torpedo twice by an Italian submarine, and attacked three times by Nazi aircraft in the Mediterranean, she completed her wartime service without the loss of a single life!

Posted in at sea, gambling and drinking, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, training, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged card games, diary, nurses, Red Sea, shipboard life | 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 first impressions of the capital of Natal – we had two half days’ leave and were able to have a good look round and to have some really good food and good beer. The people are very nice – though reserved and because of a very conservative social system terribly superior – the colour ban is very pronounced here the blacks and Indians of whom there are a hell of a number are kept in a very inferior position. It’s quite easy to understand this feature of African politics because the white population is outnumbered five to one.

The city is very well laid out – not unlike Melbourne though for the most part it is even more modern and some of the scenic resorts are very nice – the view of the city from Athlone Gardens is wonderful. There is an abundance of cars – mostly American – they’re very cheap – a deluxe model Dodge costing less than the Austin eight costs at home – wages for white people are very high and living costs generally speaking low. All the hard manual labour is done by the blacks (Kaffirs) whilst the waiters are nearly all Indians – but the barmen who prepare the drinks for the Indians are white. To get a job as a barman a man must be a student of genealogy and know the ancestry of everybody in Durban – coloured people are not allowed to drink. Every white family keeps a record of their ancestry and before a girl and boy get married the records are submitted for examination. The Marine Parade which is about four miles long is the St Kilda of Durban – along the beach are swimming baths and amusement parks – between the Beach and the Parade is a stone wall about five feet high and lawns and gardens make a break between the sand and the street – across the street a chain of very fine residential hotels runs the full length of the parade.

I went to a big jewellers to get some souvenirs but only got two – a little compact for you and a serviette ring with the Durban coat of arms on for Anne – I hope you received them alright and like them. The girl who served me is engaged to a chap in the South African Army and naturally she had somewhat more than a passing interest in the war – she said she would write you and next day when I called she showed me the letter – like all civilians she knew a lot more of our doings than we know ourselves.

I met Dick Schultz and Ken Jenkins whilst I was at the Post Office posting the things. They were well cashed up – got a roll out of two up – they were sending watches and Gawd knows what home – they had been AWL ever since they got here but were quite confident that the MO who is their boss would square things for them. Dick was AWL fifteen times in England and was never on a charge sheet – Old Ted certainly trained him well – at the time I saw them they were going to the Valley of a thousand hills – twenty five miles from Durban. They looked well and both wished to be remembered to you and the pater.

I’m sending a little pamphlet given us by the padre. I don’t know whether the censor will let it through or not. The signaller whom I understand is responsible for writing most of it is a woman and as we cleared the harbour she was standing at the signal station flashing messages of Goodwill.

We were told there was no airmail from Durban to Australia and it was not till the second time I was on leave that I found they’d thrown sand in our eyes. I wrote a letter and gave it to one of the pickets who went ashore to collect those who hadn’t got back to schedule on the Saturday morning but as he didn’t go near the post office was unable to post it for me. We’re back to the old routine mother but it took some time to recover from Durban. It was so like the towns and cities at home that it made everybody homesick.

A couple of nights back there was an impromptu sing song on the stairs leading down to our sleeping quarters. There were some good songs. Arthur Midson – you may remember the Midson family – they lived for awhile on top of Pottery Road – had a hell of a run of bad luck – sang a couple of songs he’s no harm (?) either.

I had my hair cut and my head shaved the other day trying to encourage a little more to grow – I never realised what it meant to be bald till I joined the army but since then five hundred men have let me know what a terrible crime it is to be bald. One of the chaps out of the platoon shaved it and when he was shaving round the sides where it was a bit thick he observed – this’ll be extra it wasn’t in the contract price – but when he got up to the top where there was only a stray curl he remarked “this is where a man makes the money”. That same night I went to the pictures – “I am a Criminal” – and did the boys shiack me. The next morning one of the officers remarked that he supposed I felt as weak as a kitten and asked who was the delilah in the story. To top things up one of the Tommy orderlies in the isolation hospital where our Ac Ac guns are mounted said he thought I was rather foolish to have it cut because in his opinion (and he was quite serious too) when a man got towards forty baldness gave him a certain dignity. I won’t tell you what I said but you can make a fair guess.

And now Mother duty calls and I must go. Cheerio – my love to you and the pater and best regards to the boys.

Max

PS I’m sending a little SA flag for Anne.

The Durban Signaller

The pamphlet mentioned is a collection of verses written by a woman who lost the love of her life in World War I. I will share the whole pamphlet in my next post. The signaller’s name was Miss Ethel Campbell – See photo below of the greeting she received when she visited Australia in 1923. ABC local radio in Albany WA did a story on her last year :

http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2014/05/08/4000851.htm

Posted in Africa, at sea, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged apartheid, Arthur Midson, AWL, baldness, DIck Schultz, Durban, haircut, homesickness, Ken Jenkins, the Durban Signaller | 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- you’ve no idea mother what a wonderful sight the lights of a modern city make after nearly eight months of Blackout. The city looks very interesting and I’m keen to get ashore and have a look round. From the quay it makes a fine sight – ranged along the waters edge are residential hotels and blocks of flats and beyond these towering above them the eighteen and twenty storey business blocks and on the flanks the modern dwellings complete a picture in striking contrast to the old world architecture and unplanned cities of England.

Most of the Battalion had leave yesterday and are telling some good stories this morning of good food and good beer – that is the extent of most of their interests. I was on guard duty on the ship yesterday and have just been dismissed (eleven o’clock) and we’ve been promised leave from one o’clock.

15.2.1941

To continue the story Mother I’ve had two half days leave and have had a good look round. The city as such is all it promised it’s well laid out and boasts some very fine buildings. There’s a beautiful waterfront about six miles long on the other side of the road facing the sea are hundreds of hotels. Feeling against the coloured people is very strong. The Indians live in one section of the town the blacks in another section and the whites separate again.

I went to a jewellers to buy you a souvenir – they had some beautiful things there but of course funds were limited. I hope you like the little compact. I also bought Anne a serviette ring with the city’s coat of arms. The girl who served me is engaged to a chap whose [sic] away with the South African Army – she was very interested in the war and asked me if I’d like her to write you – and when I went back yesterday she had the letter written – quite a nice letter too.

I met Dick Schultz and Ken Jenkins – it was the first time I’d seen either to speak to for some time. They both looked fit as fiddles and wished to be remembered to you and the pater. They were well cashed up – got a roll out of two up. They had been AWL ever since the ship tied up.

We’ve had a great trip so far – the weather was very hot but it was a welcome change from the cold of England and Scotland. My platoon have done the Anti Ac work on the ship and have spent nearly all our time on the decks – when not on duty we played cards – crib and five hundred. Of an evening when off duty there were picture shows, concerts and community singing – nearly every night after tea the chaps gathered on the boat deck for an hour sing song.

Wherever we’re going mother I hope there’ll be some mail – Its months and months since I had any letters from you – however mail should be more regular now. I’m going to try and get this letter ashore and posted so will say goodbye for the present.

Love to all

Max

W Crooks on Durban

It is interesting that the official Battalion history speaks of a ‘carefree populace’ and makes no reference to racial tension (p22):

During the five day stay in Durban, prolonged due to necessary boiler repairs on some of the older ships, the battalion had leave nearly every day, half the battalion getting leave at a time. This very hospitable and delightful city, which had no blackout, was a memorable interlude. With delightful spring weather, a friendly and at that time carefree populace, (the city’s) large parks, gardens, open air hotels and cafes together with no blackout or rationing, combined to provide a unique experience the battalion had not experienced since leaving Australia the previous May.

The South African Army

The jewellery shop assistant’s fiancé would have been a member of the 2nd infantry division of the South African Army. According to Wikipedia:

The South African 2nd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the armyof the Union of South Africa during World War II. The Division was formed on 23 October 1940 and served in the Western Desert Campaign and was captured (save for one brigade) by German and Italian forces at Tobruk on 21 June 1942. The remaining brigade was re-allocated to the South African 1st Infantry Division.

In The Footsoldiers, W Crooks describes the embarkation onto the Nieuw Amsterdam (a ship in their convoy) of a Transvaal Scottish battalion of the South Africa Second Division :

Marching in threes, from the city and down the street to the wharf, at the slope, with their pipes and drums at the head, this battalion halted as one on the command from their CO at the stairway of the gangplank…They then ordered arms and, at the ‘short trail, quick march’, filed up the gangplank in single file by platoons, to the accompanying music of their pipes and drums, completing their embarkation in twenty five minutes. Such efficiency was not lost on the watching Tommies and Aussies who applauded the effort.

The little compact

I inherited the little compact. It is 5cm (2″) square and still has its powder puff and mirror:

Posted in Africa, leave, Uncategorized | Tagged AWL, beer, blackout, community singing, concerts, DIck Schultz, Durban, guard duty, Ken Jenkins, mail, presents, shore leave | 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

Durban postcard

Tues 11th

Planes from Durban fly over convoy – sun shines hot and early – sea more blue than ever – land sighted – binoculars focus on Durban. Steam slowly into Harbour. Wonderful sight. Business blocks and hotels and residential areas in striking contrast to old world architecture and city engineering of England.

1.30pm. Tie up at Maydon Wharf – Congenni (?) – Cars come down as far as wharf barrier – S African guards at barrier. Chaps throw pennies to niggers – mad scramble – Tommies and nurses from other ships go on leave – sentry does some saluting with rifle as big as daisy air gun. Word passed around at mess that there would be leave from 6pm – thought only wishful thinking – confirmed by Mr Mills – pay parade – issue of leave passes – ashore at 8pm – got a taxi to city – Graham Watts, Jim Hocking, Aggie Lloyd & self – First drink in Durban at River Hotel – went out to native quarters – came back had some more beer – went to Indian quarters – feed at roadside cafe.

12th Feb

Watch airmail plane Cooee take off – muster parade. Talk by Hamburger Bill. Mount guard at 12 o’clock.

13th Feb (Thurs)

Get leave at 1.30 to to town with Jack Reinke & Johnny Black, Chas Lewis, Pete McCowan. Post office post letters to home & Scotland. Few beers at pub – lovely. Leave mob and go to jewellers – buy mother compact, Anne serviette ring Pick up with Frank Dredge, Mene & Doran. Tea at Anzac Cafe few beers in town. caught tram to Marine Parade – Empress Hotel. Indian waiters line up behind Mene – told them he was Australian. had a couple of drinks and decided to go for a swim at Baths (opposite hotel) not allowed in because CM – same at amusement park – went back to Empress Hotel – some more beer off the ice – CM cynosure of all eyes – CM & Frank Dredge went outside – called the lounge to order and explained his position – Jim McDonnell and Viv Abel came in from bar – got well sozzled – met Claude Geeves – came back to boat in taxi.

14th

Called at Randalls the Jewellers for compact and serviette ring. Flora Hirst one of the shop assistants wrote to mother – Registered articles and posted. Went with Claude Geeves to Empress – few beers – tea (?). Went to Anthlone Gardens – very nice but very quiet – went for drive round city. Marine Parade – a fine plan – miles of tourist & residential hotels, swimming baths, amusement centres – came back to Empress – left Empress 11.30 – walked along Parade with McDonnell & Dredge – went to sleep on beach – woke up at 2.30 – woke others – wouldn’t come back. Tried to get taxi – eventually picked up by private car. Driver said going to docks – puncture – mended by niggers. Went to sleep in back of car – finished up at Franconia – set out to walk to ship. Walked about 1 1/2 miles

15th Feb

finished the journey. Ricksha – arrived back at Nea Hellas at 6.30 just in time for muster parade. Ship sailing. Pickets went ashore to pick up AWL’s – Jim McDonnell & Frank Dredge picked up where I left them – held temporarily in gaol on land – brought aboard about midday and put in detention room. I suffered a bad day recovering from beer and home sickness. At two thirty tugs took us into the stream – watched the city fade behind – as we passed signal station a woman signaller flashed messages of goodwill.

Few observations on SA. Colour line very strict but within their own communities Blacks and Indians every bit as well off as people in slums of England and Australia. Before anyone can get a job in Hotel must know the history of everyone in the city – no coloureds allowed to drink. Wonderful place for whites – SA the brightest future of any of Dominions.

The Diary pages

I’m not scanning every page, due to technical issues, but thought use of glasses for scale might emphasise the fact that it was a memo book. Later, the writing gets minuscule – I’ll certainly share some of that.

Rifle as big as daisy air gun

I’ve searched in vain to find details about a large gun called a daisy air gun – those I can find seem to be a pretty standard size, and of American manufacture which is another reason I seem to be on the wrong track – I can’t imagine Dad would have had anything to do with Amercian weapons at this point in the War. Any ideas, readers?

Airmail plane Cooee

For an interesting article about the flying boats’ war service, consult this article by David Levell: http://travelinsider.qantas.com.au/features/interesting-things/75th-anniversary-of-the-empire-s23-c-class-planes It must have been quite a sight – many of the servicemen would presumably not have seen a flying boat before.

This is an extract from the article :

Unfortunately, with war looming, the flying boats’ triumph was destined to be brief. With WWII declared just 14 months into the service, Corio and Coorong were requisitioned, and the airmail reduced to twice-weekly. In June 1940, Italy’s entry to the war cut off the UK-Egypt sector.
Releasing Coolangatta and Coogee to the RAAF, Qantas put Carpentaria and Cooee on an arduous alternative route – Sydney to Durban via Singapore and Cairo. Flown to South Africa, the mail could then proceed by sea to the UK. The aircrew switch was modified, with Qantas now piloting all the way to Karachi. Called the “horseshoe route” (from its shape on a map), this solution lasted until Singapore fell to Japan in February 1942, severing the UK air link altogether.

Athlone Gardens

Dining card, complete with several signatures..

J J Doran QX 398

CS Geeves TX 1134

C Mene QX 6555

F Dredge QX 6550

C Henders QX 4808

Some of those who signed the card were not listed in the group – maybe they were all there, maybe not!

At the Jewellers

The letter written by the shop assistant and the compact Dad bought for his mother will be shared in my next blog entry.

No Coloureds allowed to drink

Charlie Mene, a Torres Strait Islander, was a member of Dad’s platoon. He is referred to in these entries as Mene or CM. The incidents referred to in these diary entries are described more colourfully in later letters, but according to Dick Lewis, Dad didn’t just ‘call the lounge to order’- he stood on a table and left the patrons and staff in no doubt as to the possible consequences of not treating Charlie in the same way as the rest of the Australian soldiers. ( Dick was not present at the time, so the story he heard could certainly have been embellished.) Later that year, in Gaza, Charlie asked Dad to have a photo taken with him. This is that photo:

Posted in Africa, leave, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged airmail plane, apartheid, Charlie Mene, Durban, home-sickness, leave | 2 Comments

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