Homeward Bound Part 3 Conclusion By Maurice Smith

Continuing the story of Maurie Smith's journey home after the war on board M.V."Athlone Castle".


Day 29
10.30pm – Knocking back a steak, chips and eggs with a Pot of Beer in the approved manner. We’re a little out of practice but it sure tastes good! 
12.05am – Back on board. What struck us most on our return to Australian soil? 
        A) The abundance of good food and its availability and;
        B) The Australian accent – particularly issuing from the mouths of Australian women. (Remember we have only heard Canadian women, American women, English, Scottish and Irish women for years until now) The Australian accent sounds just like the drawl which outsiders have always been telling us overseas, we speak. We couldn’t notice it when we lived here. We can now.

Perth 1945 viewed from Kings Park.

30th Day – The Ship’s engineers have found a repair job to do and we are staying another 24 hours. Time enough to be off to Perth for the day.
10.15am – Arrived in Perth. Certainly, a nice little place. Someone has described it as a country town with a City Centre. The financial situation with our foursome is a bit light on but with skilful budgetting, we may get by.
1.30pm – Having another steak with the trimmings with a Pot of Ale for lunch.
3pm – Visiting King’s Park and admiring the view overlooking the city. Also, watched some lawn tennis being played, the first we had seen for a long time.
9.15pm – Off to the Trotting at Gloucester Park. Strained finances limited the punting but Harry’s knowledge of horseflesh limited the damage and we came out with as much as we went in with.
11.30pm – Having yet another steak at a Café in Fremantle before returning to the ship. To bed after a busy day.

31st Day
8am – The gangplank is up but we haven’t pushed off yet. A couple of late comers are clambering aboard via a rope ladder.
8.10am – We have cast off but an even later comer is doing a war dance on the dock. Maybe the pilot boat will take pity of him and deliver him safely on board.
12.30pm –Have covered 51 miles by noon and should round the Cape about 8pm tonight. There is a strong southerly wind. The temperature just about 60o. The swell is heavy causing the Athlone to pitch a bit.

8.10pm – A tannoy announcement has ordered Duty Personnel to remove crockery from the tables as we are about to change course and this will mean we will be taking the swell on the beam.
9.15pm – We have been rolling quite a bit. Discretion being the better part of valour have decided to turn in for an early night!

32nd Day – The last day of 1945. We are still running along the swell but it seems less noticeable this morning. The weather is cool and cloudy.
9.30am – Playing “500” again in the lounge. Lloyd is using his last Bank of England note to keep the score then take home as a souvenir of the voyage.
12.30pm – At noon we had about 1200 miles to go to Port Melbourne.
8.30pm – New Year’s Eve. The first I have ever spent on board a ship. Last year Harry and I spent a freezing night in Llandwrog, North Wales huddled round a wooden stove in a Nissen Hut on the Station, eating from a food parcel sent from home. Next year? Who knows? A broadcast from the ABC Radio in Melbourne advises that the New Year will be a quiet one there. There is a shortage of electricity and gas due to a coal strike.

33rd Day – Welcome to the Year 1946. Our noon position was 300 miles south of the Head of the Bight – 770 miles from Port Phillip Heads.
2pm –We have just caught up to a Ship – “The Rangatata” which, the tannoy broadcast tells us, has several hundred War Brides on board. However, it is almost out of sight on the horizon.

34thDay -A run of 418 miles has put us 130 miles south of Kangaroo Island. There is a heavy cross swell and the ship seems to be rolling more than previously. Having a final card game before going to a cinema show.
10.15pm – Have just seen the show – Joan Fontaine in “The Affairs of Susan” a sophisticated comedy. Excellent entertainment.

35th Day – The final day of the voyage of M.V. Athlone Castle from Southampton, England to Melbourne Australia.
8.30am – We have entered the Heads and picked up the Pilot
9.40am – Air-Marshall Jones, Chief of Staff, is following us in a launch. A radio report informs us that he will board the ship and give us a welcome home address.
10.15am – We have stopped while the Port Doctor and Quarantine Officials come on board. The morning is dull, cold and drizzling rain, reminiscent of the North of England! The crowds of people waiting on the docks must be experiencing dampened clothes if not dampened spirits.
12.15pm – We are being pulled alongside now. Despite orders to the contrary everyone is crowding the port rails.

“WELCOME HOME MAURIE” SHOUTS A HOME-MADE SIGN
 HELD ALOFT IN THE CROWD 
BY MY MOTHER, FATHER AND SISTERS.”

Links to previous parts of Maurie's story -
https://friendsofoddbods.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/homeward-bound-by-maurice-smith.html

https://friendsofoddbods.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/homeward-bound-part-2-by-maurie-smith.html

https://friendsofoddbods.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/homeward-bound-part-3-by-maurice-smith.html

Passing of Hilton J Nicholas

Hilton J Nicholas, AM OBE

Hurricane Pilot

RAAF Number 430918

With regret, I write to advise you of the death, on 25 January 2017, of Member Hilton John Nicholas AM OBE of Howlong, NSW 2643 (my husband), and to ask you to make the necessary notation in the Friends of the Odd Bods Association membership files.

Hilton enlisted on 23 April 1943, having just turned 18.  After training in Australia and qualifying as a pilot, he was posted to the UK, where he was based in the south of England, flying Hurricanes.  He was then seconded to the RAF as an instructor of naval aviators.  He was discharged on 31 January 1946 – not yet 21 years of age - upon repatriation to Australia after the War.

In civilian life, Hilton joined Nicholas Aspro, the major Australian and International pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprise established by his father, George (the inventor of Aspro), and George’s brother Alfred.  He remained with the company for whole of his business career, taking on high level responsibility both within Australia and overseas.

For more than 25 years Hilton was a member of the Board of the Corps of Commissionaires, assisting retired Veterans with civilian service opportunities and employment suited to their circumstances.

He was also a noted breeder of thoroughbreds, and served on the Committee of the Victoria Racing Club (Flemington) for 33 years.  He was Chairman of the VRC from 1982 to 1986, and Chairman of the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) for 16 years, succeeding the inaugural Chairman Sir Chester Manifold.

Among his many other involvements in public life, he was a Board Member of the St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne for 30 years, the last five as Chairman.

I hope this short resumé may be of some interest to you as part of the Association’s records.

With kind regards

Marjorie Nicholas OAM

Digital Aviation Art

Digital art is an artistic practice that uses digital technology to create some amazing works. It has been used in many fields but the application to WW2 aviation is particularly relevant to these pages. These stunning examples are just some of those available online with a quick google search.
Thanks to Ken Broomhead for passing them on.

Homeward Bound Part 3 by Maurice Smith

Homeward Bound Episode 3 

24th Day – Hot sunny day but with a nice breeze this morning.
12.45pm – Have made our best day’s run so far – 440 miles in the past 23½hours. Tomorrow will be Christmas Eve.
9.15am – Have just had a sharp scud of rain and it looks like more to follow, so we are moving our “500” game under cover.
11.30pm – Raining steadily. To bed.

25th Day (Christmas Eve) – A nice morning after a wet night. Those who didn’t seek cover in time are still busy drying saturated clothes.
1pm – Weather hot and steamy. A good day’s run again 436 miles. We will be passing the Cocos Islands about midnight tonight.
7.30pm – Some Carol singing has been going on along the Promenade Deck, but that has now finished in favour of recordings. Bing Crosby is singing “Holy Night”. The evening is warm, clear and otherwise quiet. 

The mind wanders. How are others spending Christmas Eve? Our nearest point in the world at present is Java. There the scene must be a sorry one. Little peace and happiness instead news of starvation, looting and murder. The mind leaves this ugly scene and thoughts of Australia enter. Christmas Eve is likely to be at celebrated in a much freer and happier spirit than in the recent past years. No doubt the sun continues to beat down fiercely on Australia’s wide, sandy beaches and its rolling plains. 

The mind turns back to our Training Days in Canada where the snow lies thick on the slopes of the mighty Rocky Mountains. It lies too on the prairie country of Saskatchewan and over the Maple Forests of Ontario. In fact, everywhere from coast to coast Canada will be celebrating a “White Christmas” in peace and harmony, as few countries in the world can celebrate it. 

Let’s go down over the border now to the Colossus of the New World, New York City, where we spent a week’s final leave before embarking for the U.K. On Park Avenue, the mind sees again the Mink Coats and faultlessly groomed women of Café Society taking their silky coated pets for their daily walk. Down at Jack Dempsey’s Bar on Broadway can be heard, over the bar chatter, the filling of beer glasses and the tinkling of ice cubes as the Tom Collins and the Rum and Cokes are prepared. 

The mind now flits across the Atlantic to the first Christmas war shattered Britain and Europe have spent in peace since 1939. A raw, heavy fog is likely to be hanging over the Thames Estuary, indeed over London as a whole. It hangs too, over the Moors of Yorkshire, over the Merseyside and the Cumberland Hills. The first snow has probably fallen on the rugged highlands of Scotland while down in Cornwall the sun breaks through intermittently. Britain will be having its happiest Christmas for years. There’s no doubt about that. But there are still problems in transitioning to normality. However, mercifully the trouble no longer comes from the skies in the shape of Bombs VI’s and VII’s or from the long casualty lists in the daily newspapers. Across to the continent of Europe where the scene can only be described as grim. Destruction, death, starvation and homelessness,stalk the lands. 

The mind turns now to the Middle East – The very birthplace of Christmas. Here, too, the scene is troubled. Suspicion, hostility and unrest stalk the area. What a relief to find oneself

on the deck of the Athlone Castle listening to Cole Porter’s “Night and Day”, followed by the Boston Promenade Orchestra giving us “Meditation”. Des has requested “I’ll Get By” and luckily enough it’s the next recording up, with the “Inkspots” singing it.

26th Day – Christmas Day has arrived and incidentally Harry’s birthday as well. Celebrated with two small bottles of beer each.
12.30pm – Lunch was nothing unusual. The day’s run was only 406 miles. This brings us within 950 miles of the nearest point of Australia – the North-West Cape.
5.45pm –It has been a warm, sunny afternoon and we are ready for Tea.
7pm – The evening meal made up for the ordinary lunch. Turkey, Plum Pudding and fruit was well received by all. The wind is getting up and we look set for a rough night.
10.30pm – It has started to rain heavily and we have moved under cover.

27th Day – A rough morning with weather reminiscent of the North Atlantic – high wind, heavy grey swell and driving rain. It’s the heaviest sea we have experienced for the whole voyage. The boat is rolling quite a lot. 
1pm – The day’s run was 421 miles. We are 600 miles west of the North-West Cape and should reach Fremantle by Saturday morning. Deck sports are scheduled this afternoon. Have entered for Quoits.
4.30pm – Deck sports fell flat owing to non-attendance of most competitors due to the foul weather.

28th Day–A finer morning dawns although still very windy. At noon we were 245 miles west of Dirk Hartog Island and 517 miles short of Fremantle where we are now due to arrive by tomorrow evening. Leave passes have been given out although there is some doubt as to whether any personnel other than West Australians will be getting off.
10pm – Enjoyed a very good concert this evening given by the Ship’s Concert Party.

29th Day – A daily run of 430 miles has put us within 97 miles of Fremantle. We should pick up the coast about 3pm this afternoon.
4.30pm – A fine warm afternoon. We are cruising some miles off shore.
5.40pm – Approaching Rottnest Island at reduced speed. Will have tea early and get up on deck again to watch the pull into Port.
6.45pm – Two miles off Fremantle and the tugs are coming out. The Port looks pretty.

An unknown troop ship berths at Fremantle 1945.

7.10pm –Coming in to dock. Only a few people at the end of the breakwater. Some wit comments “both the locals are here to meet us!” But hang on – there is a real crowd up at our berthing position.
7.25pm – Abreast of our berthing position, one lady in the excited assembly on the wharf has fainted and been rescued by an Ambulance crew. The ship has developed a decided list to Starboard and a request to personnel to balance the ship falls on deaf ears.
8pm – We have finally berthed. A number of officials have come on board. Also, an entrepreneurial newspaper boy is doing a roaring trade. The Western Australians on board are first to disembark and later the rest of us can go ashore for a few hours, but we expect to sail again tomorrow morning.

9.30pm – Ashore in Australia for the first time for four years. Tried to telephone home by long distance telephone. Had no luck. Instead sent telegram reading “arrived Fremantle. Expect to reach home God willing next Wednesday.”

Continued.......

The Battle Over Dunsfold

Many Odd Bods will have wartime memories of Dunsfold airfield in the UK and the location is again in the news for different reasons. There is a proposal to build up to 5000 residences at the airfield and locals are not happy with the possible impact on this historic location.

“Between 1942 and 1945 a variety of aircraft operated from Dunsfold, including B-25 Mitchell Bombers, Typhoons, Mustangs, Mosquitoes and Spitfires.”

In 2002, Dunsfold was sold to the Rutland Group, a property development, management and investment company. It has been used as the site of car testing for the Top Gear TV show and more recently a proposal to build 2,600 eco-friendly homes was knocked by the government who wanted a minimum of 5000 homes to qualify for eco-town status.

A revised proposal by the owners for 1800 homes had many opponents and then an interim measure to expand the use of the runways was also rejected. Dunsfold’s future remains the subject of much discussion and lobbying. the local Waverley Borough Council recently rejected declaring the airfield a conservation area and now a public enquiry will be held on 18th July 2017.

Photo Of  180 Squadron B-25 from Dunsfold Historical Society website.

Link To Dunsfold Airfield Historical Society: https://dunsfoldairfield.org/tag/ww2/

More photos of Dunsfold: http://derelictmisc.org.uk/rafbhq.html

Successful Search For 464 Squadron Logo

Back in May 2016 we published an article on these pages looking for a suitable graphic of a 464 Squadron logo that could be used to engrave into a granite headstone.

Friends of the Odd Bods member, Tess Egan, wanted to have the logo engraved on her father, John Rayner’s, headstone. John passed away on 15th July 2015. Photos of old badges were available but getting a graphic good enough for engraving wasn’t easy, and although the article got good coverage, the search appeared doom to fail.

We are pleased to advise that a friend of Tess’s son managed to graphically enhance the available photos and produce a version suitable for engraving as our photos show. The result is a fine tribute to John Rayner, and to Tess’s persistence in honouring here Father's memory.

VE Day Service at The Shrine 2017

An expanded program for the VE Day service at Melbourne's Shrine was embraced by Friends of the Odd Bods as our photos show.

VE Day Wiki: Victory in Europe Day, generally known as V-E Day, VE Day or simply V Day, was the public holiday celebrated on 8 May 1945 to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. It thus marked the end of World War II in Europe. 

Lt.Col. David Blackwell (Ret) from the RSL
and new RSL State President Dr. Robert
Webster OAM flank Weston Bate.

Odd Bod Don Charlwood

Walter Eacott has written to us as follows - 

"I have just received an email from Doreen Burge, a publisher and daughter of famous Odd Bod Don Charlwood. Her mother Nell died on 22 March, age 97 and three quarters!

 Don was a Navigator on 103 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command, and completed a tour of ops in 1943. He became an author and wrote many books including “No Moon Tonight”, that detailed his training in Canada and subsequent ops on reaching England. Don met Nell, a Canadian lass, and their courtship whilst he was training may have been rather distracting for him! He died on 18 June 2012. I have attached a copy of his history from wikipedia, thinking that you may like to publish all or part of same for the website, especially the Military Section.

Regards,

Walter."

Thanks Walter. Don Charlwood’s story will certainly be of interest. Here is the Wikipedia entry.

"Military service:

In 1940 as war unfolded in Europe and France and the Low Countries fell he signed up for the RAAF and was placed on the reserve. For the rest of 1940, Charlwood worked at The 21 Lessons – a course to ensure candidates were fitted for the theoretical work of initial training. In May 1941, after 11 months on the reserve, Charlwood was called up and posted to No 1. Initial Training School, Somers, Victoria. From Somers, he proceeded to Sydney and then to Vancouver in Canada. Their trip to Canada on the liner SS Monterey was the first across the Pacific by Australian service personnel on a ship registered in neutral America. On reaching Vancouver, Charlwood along with the rest of his group, was sent to Edmonton. In October 1942, they started their training as bomb-aimer/navigators on Course 35 of No. 2 Air Observer Training School, Empire Air Training Scheme. Six months, a number of courses and stations, and around 160 hours of flying time later, initial training was complete.

In May 1943, Charlwood and his course travelled to England, on the Polish liner MS Batory anchoring on the River Clyde on the evening of 12 May. Here the course was split, with Charlwood and half of them posted to No. 3 Advanced Flying Unit, Bobbington, between the Severn Valley and Birmingham. After completing Advanced Flying, aircrew were posted to Operational Training Units, their entry into combat operations. Charlwood was posted to No, 27 OTU, Lichfield – a unit that fed Bomber Command. He had almost 200 hours flying time.

At Tatenhill, a satellite airfield of Lichfield, Charlwood, with Pilot Geoff Maddern, crewed up to form a crew of five – the basis of all his future flying in Bomber Command. On 1 August 1942 they flew together as a crew for the first time, in a Wellington Bomber. On the night of 5 September 1942, they made their last training flight. Charlwood's total flying time was now just under 257 hours. Training completed, they were posted to fly with No. 103 Squadron RAF, Elsham Wolds. Soon after joining the squadron converted from Handley Page Halifaxes to Avro Lancasters. Charlwood completed a full tour of 30 operations and was then "screened" to training duties with 27 OTU. He was subsequently mustered for repatriation to Australia via the US where he was to train for duties in the Pacific theatre on Consolidated Liberator 4 engined bombers.

Following his return to Australia he was invalided out of the RAAF in July 1945, and commenced work with the Department of Civil Aviation, initially as an Air Traffic Controller, and later in training and recruitment. It was while working at the DCA that he wrote No Moon Tonight relying heavily on diaries he kept during training and operational flying.

In 1992 Charlwood was made a Member of the Order of Australian in recognition of service to literature. He died in June 2012."

Odd Bod Features In Herald Sun Article

Gerald McPherson featured in an article in Melbourne's Herald Sun on Monday in the lead up to Anzac Day.
The following reference was made to Gerald -

GERALD McPHERSON, 92
WORLD WAR II, 1944
It was Gerald McPherson's 37th flight in a rattling old bomber in his role as a rear gunner - and almost his last.
Nine months into his tour of duty, his plane was caught in the searchlights high above enemy territory.
the pilots threw the plane around like a fighter plane in a bid to get out of sight, back into the dark skyabove Kiel, a major naval base in Germany's north.
"The pilot put the plane nose down; we dived over the North Sea," Mr. McPherson said. "I looked below and suddenly I saw two gunners in another bomber looking straight back at me.
"That's how close we came to a midair collision.
"to this day I have never forgotten it. We shouldn't have been there in the first place and we almost didn't make it back."

Thanks to Peter Randell for the photos.

Friends of the Odd Bods Association Reunion - Anzac Day 2017

A wonderful luncheon at The Riverwalk Amora Hotel was enjoyed by a good turn out of veterans, friends and family members on Anzac Day 2017. President Bruce Waxman conducted affairs and we enjoyed an address from Patron Peter Scully, a good dose of humour from Walter Eacott, and some lively contributions from Weston Bate and others.
Following are some photos from the luncheon and we include a photo of one of our drivers from 13 CABS who were good enough to provide us with 2 maxi cabs to make sure we all got to the venue after the march.

Friends of the Odd Bods In Anzac Day March 2017

The 2017 Anzac March in Melbourne brought with it a little rain but mercifully not while the Friends of the Odd Bods were marching. As you would expect, the numbers of veterans marching this year was reduced although our turnout was impressive by comparison with other groups. 
Walter Eacott did not march this year although his presence with all the dignitaries at The Shrine was greeted with much enthusiasm as our group arrived on the forecourt.

A fine looking bunch.

Here are some photos from the day. We expect to have a video available on this website in the next day or two although you can see it now on Facebook if you search for Friends of the Odd Bods.

Jan Dimmick rides old style.

Doug Parry rides in comfort.

Our banner passes hallowed ground.

All eyes to the sky for the flypast.

The end of another march deserves a handshake.

Our banner gains attention.

Thanks again to our wonderful helpers from Wesley College.

Homeward Bound Part 2 By Maurice Smith

Episode 2 of Homeward Bound

10.30pm - Sleeping on deck tonight as it’s getting pretty hot and sticky down below.

12^th Day – The real heat is with us now. It was 90^o in the shade at noon. Our position at that time was between Mecca and Sudan but not in sight of either. A rumour is spreading on board that Typhus has broken out in Bombay and that we will not be docking there. Officially though we are stilling calling there.

13^th Day – The sun came up like thunder again today and the upper decks are crowded with its worshipers. Our noon position was 107 miles east of Massawa. We should clear the Red Sea tonight and pass Aden in the morning. Several more hands of “500” have been added to the hundreds which the four of us have played together since leaving Millom.

10.15pm and the 13^th day has ended on a black note, or rather a Red one! I thought I’d have a few bob on the Black before retiring but a run of 14 Reds put paid to this foolish idea. To hell with Roulette!

14^th Day – Aden went by at 10am. We definitely are going in to Bombay.

15^th Day – We have entered the Arabian Sea. It’s still hot and the ocean is a real blue again after the dirty look of the Red Sea. A quiet day.

16^th Day – Up watching a superb sunrise. There is a fair amount of cloud and, as the sun comes up behind it, little red chinks of light appear. They look like the lights of a little hillside town at night. Now, as the sun climbs towards more broken clouds, we discern a rough map of the English Channel area with Southampton and Cherbourg Peninsula clearly defined. The sky is flecked with little orange flecks of cloud. It really is a lovely sight.

1pm - Our noon position was midway between Aden and Bombay. The day’s run was the worst so far – 401 miles. Our clocks have gone forward one hour on each of the past two nights and a further hour tonight, putting us 5½ hours ahead of G.M.T.

9.30pm - Introduced to a new method of losing money called the “Farmyard.” My friend Harry is a farmer and I accompanied him to the Wheel with various animals thereon such as elephant, emu, dog, rabbit etc. Harry is “well built” so his nickname is  ”Jumbo”. He followed his namesake and won on the night. I was more divided in my loyalties and lost as usual.

17^th Day -  1.15pm we have just had an address by the O.C. Troops concerning shore leave in Bombay. To sum up – it’s ok by him but the last word rests with the shore authorities. We were 378 miles from Bombay at noon and should arrive there by 10am tomorrow morning.

9.30pm - Harry has come back from backing “Jumbo” again. Won 15/- (shillings) this time. Who said omens don’t count?

Bombay Harbour

18^th Day – We are up on the forward sun-deck watching Bombay come into view. The harbour is quite picturesque but it doesn’t have the land-locked beauty of Sydney Harbour.

10am  - Four little tugs have us in tow. They seem no bigger than good sized launches and make a noise like a steam train crossing a bridge. The waterfront looks modern with hotels and blocks of flats. Two signs catch the eye. One says “Gateway to India” and the other “Welcome to India but Mum’s the Word.”

11.15am -  Some Red Cross ladies have come on board and are giving us information about Bombay. We are allowed ashore after lunch but leave passes expire by 8pm. Little time for anything but shopping and a drink or two.

1.30pm  - Ashore in heavy blue uniforms. We are melting in 90^o in the shade and this is supposed to be early Winter!

Bombay 1945

5pm -  We are taking a rest after shopping. It’s hard work here, bargains galore if you can get the vendors down to the “right” price. All done amongst a swirling storm of humanity. I don’t think I would feel safe after dark. One hawker claimed to have polished Cliff’s shoes and made out he would pitch a stone at Cliff if he didn’t give him some Annas. He finally settled for two cigarettes. What contrasts there are. Modern emporiums near tumbledown shacks, streamlinedPackards brushing past creaking open carts, well dressed men and women walking past crippled and dishevelled beggars on the streets.

6.15pm - We are having a mixed grill and a few beers at the Wayside Inn. The

Wayside Inn Bombay

meat is a bit spicy for me but Harry and Des seemed to enjoy it. I bought an evening paper to find that General George S Patton – “Old Blood and Guts” has been badly injured in a car accident at Mannerheim. There’s still plenty of action going on in Java and Indo-China and a Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Moscow is taking place. 

8.40pm -  Back on board. Exhausted from haggling with little worthwhile to show for it.

10.15pm -  A few of our Old 66 Wireless Course in Canada have come on board. They’ve been out here for two years now and like us are looking forward to the prospect of sighting Australian shores.

HMS Howe Suez Canal 1944

19^th Day–At 11am this morning tugs took us away from the dock, but we are anchored again, down the Harbour and a watership is alongside.

2pm  - It is a clear, hot afternoon. There is a fair amount of shipping around. King George 5^th’s newest sister ship the “HMS Howe” pulled in this morning. She has covers over her 14” turrets but looks a tough customer, even so.

7.30pm - An ideal tropical night but our ear drums are being assaulted by a musical shamble. Our classical broadcast hour is giving us Beethoven. A concert party is rehearsing for Christmas and singing carols, one gramophone is giving out a Spike Jones number and another gramophone is blaring forth with the hit song “Rum and Coca-Cola”.

20^th Day–The pilot has come aboard and we’re getting ready to push off on the 4,000 miles to Fremantle.

2.15pm -  Up on sundeck with topee and sunglasses purchased in Bombay.

21^st Day – A clear and hot day with a smooth sea. As the sun gains ascendancy, it becomes very fierce indeed. The day’s run has been 438 miles – the best for the voyage so far.

6.30pm - A full moon is coming up. It looks very beautiful.

7.15pm - We read an Aldis (lamp) message from a passing ship. The message reads “British Justice – Columba to Point Sudan.” Evidently the Athlone Castle wished them a Merry Christmas or something of the sort, as “British Justice replied, “Thanks same to you – pleasant voyage – good night.” Nice, courteous ways ship signallers have.

22^nd Day – Staying out of the sun this morning. Wonder of wonders, I won a few quid at Roulette.

4.30pm - Back to the Animal Wheel again. Lost a few Bob, but finished the day well in front. At noon, we were 60 miles past the southern tip of Ceylon and should be crossing the Line tomorrow.

23^rd Day – The ghost of the ancient mariner seems to be pervading the scene. We are due to cross the Line early this afternoon. It is dead calm. It is December 22^nd. The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, Summer Solstice in the South. The sea is like a vast mirror reflecting the rays of the fiercely burning sun. Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink!

10.30am - All India Radio is giving the news that “Blood and Guts” Patton has died from the injuries received in the car crash. The fickle Hand of Fate – at it again!

1.30pm - We have just crossed the Equator at about 83^o East. Our day’s run was only 406 miles.

5.50pm - All up on deck watching a magnificent sunset, the kind usually seen only in paintings. Even the sea has changed to golden brown.

10pm - Have played a few more hands of “500” tonight. Must turn in now.