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.

ANZAC Spirit in World War II - George V.Smith Award Essay

The following essay was written by Wesley College student, Scarlett Cunningham, and won her the inaugural George V. Smith Award presented by the Friends of the Odd Bods Association.

ANZAC Spirit in World War II

Scarlett Cunningham

Year 10

Wesley College, Glen Waverley Campus

The Anzac spirit encapsulated the characteristics which helped the Australian troops combat extreme adversity and achieve glory throughout World War II.

The Anzac spirit was born in the face of adversity and overwhelming odds during World War I. This spirit was forged through mateship, endurance, courage and a peculiar ability to find humour in the darkest of hours. It was an innate something that was not contrived or forced, through this spirit the Australian troops found the strength to thwart the Japanese onslaught, specifically during the Kokoda campaign, as it encapsulated the characteristics needed to achieve glory without necessarily seeking it.

The Kokoda Campaign, starting in July 1942, tested the Australian troops to their limits -but due to their courage to overcome the enemy, they were able to go above and beyond their duty to their country. The Australian troops that were first gathered to fight at the start of the Kokoda campaign were inexperienced and ill prepared for combat with the battle-hardened Japanese. The experienced Australian troops were continuing to fight in the far off European and African war zones, meaning a new Australian force had to be mobilised. The conditions in the Kokoda trail were harsh, the troops had to travel through dense jungle, unknown to any Australians, in order to drive the Japanese back to shore.

As Private Laurie Howson from the 39^th Battalion explained within his diary entry from Kokoda, “You are trying to survive, shirt torn, arse out of your pants, whiskers a mile long, hungry, and a continuous line of stretchers … some days you carry your boots because there’s no skin left on your feet”.  Despite the hardships that Kokoda presented, the Australian troops were able to conjure the courage to fight, often formed through brotherhood and sardonic humour. Adding onto this, many images taken throughout Kokoda depict the Australian soldiers smiling and laughing despite the enormity of the peril they faced, which is something that truly captures the ANZAC spirit.

The mateship formed between the Australian troops through their humour, passion for their country and sharing of the same experience, allowed the creation of strong bonds and subsequently a self-sacrificing demeanour carried throughout the troops. Private Bruce Kingsbury was a great example of this specific but vital element of the ANZAC spirit. Kingsbury was a part of the 2/14^th Australian Infantry Battalion and was determined to make a stand against the Japanese. In an act of self -sacrifice for his country, Kingsbury charged the Japanese troops at the Battle of Isurava on 29 August 1942, rushing forward while shooting his Bren gun at his hip, managing to create many casualties and push the enemy back. It was apparent from the start of Kingsbury’s actions that he would most likely die, which he did after being shot down, but he continued anyway due to his love for his country and value of comradeship. This patent example of self-sacrifice shows how through the ANZAC spirit many of the Australian troops rallied together in order to serve their country.

Through the qualities of mateship, courage and humour condensed within the ANZAC spirit, the Australian troops were then able to have the ability to find hope within the darkest of times and persist in their fight. At the beginning of the Kokoda Campaign, it was apparent that the Australian troops were losing ground, which was enforced on 27 August when the Australians were pushed out of Kokoda Village and back to Isurava by the Japanese. The Australian troops were outnumbered, had primitive artillery and were low on supplies. Over the next several months however, the Australians were able to fight back at the Japanese through battles in places such as Cora Creek or Missions Ridge. Despite still being low on supplies towards the end of the campaign, on 2 November 1942 the Australians retook Kokoda Village. The Battle for the Kokoda track then finally ended, after the Australians in an immense effort, managed to tire the Japanese and thus reach the Kumasi River on 18 November 1942. The likelihood of the Australian troops winning this battle seemed impossible at times due to their inexperience or lack of provisions, but through resilience and persistence, they managed to overcome the odds under duress in an incredible feat – which was achieved through the characteristics condensed in the ANZAC Spirit.

The ANZAC spirit was an Australian tradition born in World War I in the trenches of Gallipoli and then carried into World War II. It was a conscious ideology in which the Australians relied on to achieve success in World War II. After specifically focussing on the Kokoda Campaign, we see that through the traits of bravery, patriotism, mateship, humour and humble determinations, the Australian troops were able to combat extreme adversity and attain victory in World War II.

Bibliography

Adb.anu.edu.au (2017) Biography – Bruce Steel Kingsbury – Australian Dictionary of Biography. [online] Available at: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kingsbury-bruce-steel-10745 [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Army.gov.au (2017). Kokoda recaptured|Australian Army. [online] Available at: http://www.army.gov.au/our-history/history-in-focus/kokoda-recaptured [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Awm.gov.au (2017). Home | Australian War Memorial. [online] Available athttp://www.awm.gov.au [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Kokodachallenge.com (2017) Cite a Website – Cite This For Me [Online] Available at: http://kokodachallenge.com/images/editorimages/kokoda_australians.jpg [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Kokodatrail.com.au (2017) The History of Kokoda Track | Kokoda Trekking on the Kokoda Trail [online] Available at: http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/history.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Pacificwar.org.au (2017) The Pacific War 1941-1943 [Online] Available at: http//wwwpacificwar.org.au [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Ww2australia.gov.au (2017) Kokoda: Overview. [Online} Available at: http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/asfaras/kokoda.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

Wesley Anzac Service And G.V.Smith Award

The Wesley Anzac Commemoration Ceremony was conducted in bright sunshine at the Glen Waverley Campus today with a comprehensive program including participation from Friends of the Odd Bods Association and the inaugural presentation of the George V.Smith  Award.

A quadrangle filled with students, staff, veterans, and dignitaries was treated to a moving service enhanced by music, speeches, and ceremony including wreath laying and the haunting refrains of the Last Post and Reveille.

Today was the inaugural presentation of the George V.Smith Award. The award was developed in collaboration between Wesley and Friends of the Odd Bods Association to recognise the best essay by a Year 10 student about the Anzac Spirit.

George Smith had championed the concept of the Odd Bods with Wesley College, Glen Waverley, stimulating student’s interest in and understanding of the significance of Australia’s contribution to the military and the Anzac Spirit, and supported the concept of the annual Anzac Commemoration service at the school.

The 2017 award was presented to student Scarlett Cunningham. Scarlett received a certificate and a prize to assist with her scholarly pursuits. Her winning essay has been posted in a separate article.

Student Scarlett Cunningham seen with Friends of the Odd Bods Weston Bate, Terry Maher, Doug Parry, and Ralph White.

Following the service in the senior school, many of the participants moved out to the Lone Pine Memorial where Weston Bate regaled the crowd with a poem he had recently composed.

Weston Bate presents his poem.

A wonderful day – a moving ceremony – and a fine tribute to an Odd Bods founder.

Homeward Bound By Maurice Smith

Homeward Bound
by    Maurice Smith ~ Oddbod (UK) 430064

Extract from Airletter to Family 18/9/1945
I’m coming home!
After V.J. Day we were given indefinite leave to take civilian jobs wherever we could find them.  I went to London to a clerical job with the Ministry of Works. My mail was being directed to the Boomerang Club, but I didn’t go in there until Tuesday when I found the following telegram had arrived on the previous Saturday.  “YOU ARE WARNED FOR DRAFT. RETURN TO YOUR UNIT IMMEDIATELY." 
By the time I packed and got paid off at the Ministry of Works, I didn’t get back to camp until the Wednesday, only to find I had missed the draft. So it was that I went back to London to farewell friends for a second time as there was no further Draft to leave until the next Monday.  I stayed at the Salvation Army Hostel near King’s Cross. I went to bed early on the Sunday night and put in an early call for 3am. Some hours after I retired, I woke, looked at my watch – 3.45am. I threw my clothes on, raced downstairs, swore at the orderly for not waking me and reached the railway station at precisely 4am. A final burst took me to the right platform and fifty yards ahead of me the train to Worksop pulled out. I’d had it! The next train to Worksop was at 6am and a slow train at that. Thus, it was that I missed Draft No 2. This time I was paraded before the Adjutant who was decent enough not to inflict any punishment, except to forbid me to leave the Station while I waited for the next available Draft.

Extract from Airletter written aboard Troopship “Orion” 14/11/1945
I seethe with anger as I sit down to write. Yes, I had embarked for home alright. Last Sunday 9th November was the exact date, after taking one look at the conditions on board, something like 500 blokes walked off the ship, we stayed. As the ship slowly pulled away, we listened to a tearful rendition of Auld Lang Syne by an R.A.F. Band on the wharf. We were homeward bound at last. We sailed on. Everything was okay for 24 hours until, all of a sudden, we stopped dead. For four hours, we were motionless in the Bay of Biscay, then the blow fell. “The Ship has developed engine trouble and we are returning to Southampton.” For two days now we have been limping back to our starting point at a steady eight knots. We expect to dock this evening and special trains will take us back to various holding camps. With my luck, I’ll bet I get sent to the most furtherly point in the country and spend all night getting there.

Extract from Airletter to family 3/12/1945
This time I really am coming. After travelling all night from Millom in Cumberland, we embarked again at Southampton last Friday night 30th November. This time we are on the Athlone Castle. She is a motor vessel of 25,000 tonnes, 720 feet long with a single squat orange and black funnel, but they till us she only cruises at 18 knots, slow but sure? Conditions are not crowded this time and the food, so far, has been good.

"Athlone Castle"

Extract from Diary kept on board Athlone Castle
This is the 2nd day at sea and we are driving through the Bay of Biscay into a gale of some considerable force. The ship is riding remarkably steady. Harry, Cliff, Lloyd and I have located the Roulette Wheel and are giving it an occasional work out as a change from our daily “500” card games. At 1.15pm on the third day at sea, we had an announcement of the Ship’s position, that at noon we were 66 miles west of Oporto. We will be entering the Straights at 5pm tomorrow morning and should pass Gibraltar around 7am. Meantime, I won two quid at Roulette. At 10pm, we passed the lights of Lisbon. I couldn’t help thinking what a mass of espionage and counter espionage must have gone on underneath those lights – the lights of the last neutral port in Europe during the war years. 
On the 4th day at sea we were up at 6am but no sign of Gibraltar or any other land for that matter. Someone must have miscalculated over the announcement. 11am and land was sighted on the starboard quarter – possibly Spanish Morocco. At noon, we were approaching Tangier and expect to be passing Gibraltar in two hours. Daily run 437 miles – best so far. 2.30pm, we’ve been up on the sundeck for a couple of hours. The African coast looks very rugged! Passing Gibraltar now but poor visibility spoilt our nearest view of it. 
5th Day – Algiers, one time pirates’ stronghold and a reputation of being one of the world’s beautiful, at the same time wickedest, cities is drifting by to Starboard. 7pm Harry and I have cooked up a brilliant scheme to break the Roulette Bank. One of us to keep backing the Red and doubling it till Red turns up. The other one to do likewise on the Black. A win at every turn of the wheel! What Novices! A run of eight Black and the Red bettor was looking for 128 chips which he didn’t have. Put it down to experience.
6th Day – At 7am we were passing Bizerta and will be leaving the coast soon. Much lighter in cash today after the disaster at the Roulette Wheel. Sticking to “500” Card game now. At 10am the rocky headland of Cape Bon, where the African Corps made its last stand and was liquidated in 1943, has come into view. At 1pm there was an announcement “we are now passing the Island of Pantelleria, highest point 2,287 feet.” It looks pretty rugged – more like a big rock. 7.30 pm – the lights of Malta, the little island the axis couldn’t break, are coming up to Starboard. 10pm – we were just finishing a round of “500” when we saw a red light out to sea. So, the four of us made our way to the Roulette Wheel confident this was the lucky omen “back the red”. Needless to say, another run of Blacks came up and a few more bob went up the spout.
7th Day – There is a rolling swell today. We were 170 miles north of Benghazi at noon. The Blue Mediterranean is at its bluest today.

Port Said 1940's - ANZAC Memorial In Foreground

8th Day – A quiet day. Played “500” but no Roulette! At noon, we were 100 miles north of Alexandria and are reducing speed to reach Port Said in daylight tomorrow morning.
9th Day – Arrived at Port Said this morning at 8am. It looks to be a fair mixture of luxury and squalor. The ship was immediately surrounded by a swarm of little boats crowded with hawkers and their wares. At 6pm our sister ship The Stirling Castle was pulled in and berthed right next to us. She is bringing troops back from the East. Did a spot of sunbaking and more cards.
10th Day – Moved off at 7am but stopped again in a wider part of the Canal for northbound shipping to pass. Only a couple of Dhows so far though. 11.15am a French Liner “The Pasteur” has just passed with troops aboard. 12 noon – an American Liberty Ship “P131” and Hospital Ship Atlantis, have just passed. Believe there are four more Ships to come, but I must have lunch. 
1.30pm – Three cargo boats and The Queen of Bermuda have passed and we are ready to move, but we can’t. We’ve grounded. 
3pm – We’ve lost too much time getting a start and as we can’t make Ismalia before the next lot of shipping is due, we have been stopped again.
8.30pm – Underway at last and should clear the Canal by morning.
11th Day – We’re stopped in Suez Harbour first thing this morning, but are now under way again.  We were paid Ten pounds each this morning – in the money again!
2.30pm – Passing Mt Sinai of biblical renown and will be leaving the Gulf of Suez about 5pm and entering the Red Sea. (to be continued)