1943

2nd to 5th January. Plenty of work. Very windy and cold. The 3rd was a terrible day with thunder and lightning, rain, gales and a sandstorm. Had to pack up work. Conditions impossible. Two tents blown down but lab tent okay. Received Xmas parcels from home. Weather much better. Rumours of moving again. Getting really fed up with things.

6th January. A much better day. Sun quite warm. Hear we are to move up again 100 odd miles to Serti. Still plenty of work to do. Had a bad headache all day. Still no mail. Hear that the parcels I sent in October may have been lost.

7th January. Each day is very much the same, just bed and work. Each night and morning the massed bands of pipes and drums of the Highland Division can be heard. Very cold indeed at night.

8th & 9th January. Heard that we were to move on our own. That will be much better than going in convoy by desert track. No mail again. What a heartache it is when the other boys get theirs and I don't. Sent air mail letter card home. Received a letter from Gwen, replied straight away. Still no news from home. It is intensely cold morning and night. Colder than I have ever known it at home.

10th January. Received two Rotherham Advertisers. Still no other mail. The ADS has moved out leaving us on our own again. Had a grand dinner, cooked by the driver. Still very cold. Do not expect any mail for a long time now.

11th January. Clearing up the work. We are having really good food on our own. Had a bottle of beer at night and a real good old sing song. The harmony was really good. Stayed up until nearly midnight. It was the best evening I have had on this unit. At night the roar of the sea can be heard quite plainly.

12th &13th January. Did not get up until 8.00am. Finished my work by lunchtime and read in the afternoon. It is no good writing letters, it will be a week before I see a post office. Must send a cable when I get to the new site. Started to pack on the 13th ready to move. Very rough in the afternoon.

14th January. Struck camp and moved off at 9.45am. Passed under Marble Arch at 11.30am. Roads very bad. Pulled in for the night just past Nufilia, 100 miles up. Had a very good nights sleep but very cold in the early morning.

15th January. Up early and off before 8.00am. Covered 100 miles in less than four hours. Passed Sirte. Received Xmas cable. A pretty bloody journey across desert. As usual, chasing around, no where to go. Finished up with NZ CCS 20 miles back. Jerry came over at night.

16th January. Pitched tents in the morning. Had a good wash down after lunch. Wrote an airgraph home. The food is very good. A quiet night. Very cold again. Have now got three Clerk Orderlies again. The blundering D Corps. George got his First Class through. Wish mine would hurry up.

17th January. Sunday. Did a bit of washing. Started on a new upper denture for myself. Only one job in so far. Picture show in the evening but could not get in. Started a long letter home. Pretty quiet, but during the night heard a bit of machine gunning. Found out First Class pay was 1/6d a day extra.

18th January. Heard that we had entered Tripoli today. Finished and posted my letter home. Finished off my teeth. Had a kick about at football in the afternoon. Another quit night.

19th January. Heard we were to move again. Rushed through some jobs. Started to pack up ready for the off. Going to the LRDG. Not sure about my knee. A quiet night. Still no mail. It may be weeks now before I get any.

20th January. Off again back to Nufilia, over 100 miles, then south into 30 miles of desert track. Had a bloody puncture. Left two Clerks at 14th CGS. Joined the LRDG convoy. All of them with long beards. Had dinner in transit camp. Rained a little at night. Journey to take four days over 400 miles of desert.

21st January. Pulled out back to main road, then back to Marble Arch. Not a bad trip. Distance 100 miles. Pulled into desert for the night. Watches set to the sun. Told no shaving or washing. A good dinner with rum and coffee. Later passed under Marble Arch at 5.00pm.

22nd January. Set off early across a trackless desert plotting course with a compass. Truck got stuck several times. Another puncture. Passed over desert that had not been gone over before, making new tracks. Remarkable how the trucks got through. Dinner then rum and tea. A good night.

23rd January. TRIPOLI ENTERED. Off to an early start, 7.00am sun time. At 8.30am found the track. Passed through a most wonderful waddie. Reached Fort Tagrif at lunchtime. Truck got stuck several times. Had to dig out. Finished the day 200 miles inland. A really amazing day with wonderful sights.

24th January. Off again towards Zela. steep hills and soft sand held things up at the start. Two trucks on tow. At 10.45am, struck Zela to Hons track. Another puncture in afternoon so a day of wheel changing and digging. Three trucks pulled in at the Oasis Waddin. Other trucks went on. Very cold during the night.

25th January. Intensely cold early morning. Only 20 miles to go. Arrived at Hons at 9.30am. A wonderful modern town. Got fixed up in the hospital. Running water and electricity. One would never imagine such a place 200 miles in the desert. A game of darts at night. Wrote home. A good nights sleep.

26th & 27th January. Started work this morning. Two chaps got in yesterday having walked 250 miles! Good lunch. A game of darts after. A good wireless set. What a grand place this is. A wonderful dinner. Rained in the evening. Went to recreation room and played darts. On the 27th did not feel too good. Had a dose of Epsom Salts. Feel much better now. Had a real good dinner of goats meat. Rained in the evening. Had a game of darts and felt much better at night.

28th & 29th January. Started denture work for one of the men who did the 250 miles walk. Work coming in nice and steady. A wonderful dinner at night. The food is really excellent. Keep hearing some marvellous stories from the chaps. Next day just ordinary work. The food gets better. Had a grand feed of meat and potato pie. Just curled up and slept all night.

30th & 31st January. Had a walk on the Saturday around the native quarter. Very interesting. Met Spud Murphy who use to be with 14th UK Field Ambulance. Had a real bath. First in two years! Some beer provided by Spud. On Sunday worked all day. Tried doing a gold inlay for Spud but not very successful. Wrote air mail letter home. Still no mail. Goodness knows when I shall get any. A quiet night.

1st February. Just a steady day. It is getting nice and warm. Food is excellent. A game of solo at night with a rum and lime. Won 2/6d at solo. This place grows on one more and more. Too many land mines about to wander far.

2nd February. The LRDG led the 8th Army into Tripoli. This is the 'pukka gen'. That is of course when it fell a week or two ago. Played solo at night and won 10/-. Food still very good. Eyes not so good today.

3rd February. Today a native boy was brought in with an arm that had been broken twenty eight days. It was amputated owing to gangrene. George watched it being done. Played solo again at night. Game not finished. 8th Army still not in Tunisia as they are waiting for the LRDG to find a way in.

4th February. Nice steady days work. Had a good dinner of the old favourite meat and potato pie. Finish off game of solo from previous night and won 1/6d after starting 3/- down. Had a nice hot bath. Another rare treat.

5th February. Ordinary day. Steady work. An Indian got two fingers blown off. The place is lousy with mines. Started long letter. Posted air mail card. Played solo again and won 5/-. Food still really good.

6th & 7th February. On Saturday went to native village for some cigs. Finished and posted long letter. Heard some beautiful singing on the wireless. Made me feel very home sick. How I wish I was back home by the fireside again. Spent a pleasant evening with the Heavy Section playing darts with a spot of rum thrown in. Spot of work on Sunday morning. Went to village for cigs. Had a read and sleep during afternoon. Very windy and dusty. Evening was pretty appalling. Went to bed early.

8th February. Just ordinary. Had a walk into village. Just one job to do. Tummy a bit upset last few days. In bed early again. Will not be long before we are finished here.

9th February. Approx. credit œ13. Had some pay today. Drew œ2. Still no mail. Don't expect any here. A colossal dinner of egg and bacon pie, spuds, peas, cabbage, rice and tea. Fixed up a dart board. Had a game of darts and read a decent book.

10th February. Had a full set to do. Got cigs, chocolate and sweets issued this lunchtime. Today the ex-driver of the Mobile, now in the LRDG left here for Tripoli to fly home. A good dinner but a nasty sick headache prevented me from enjoying it.

11th February. Felt pretty rough this morning. Stayed in bed until 10.00am. Eyes and head had cleared off a bit later on. Went to Heavy Section at night and played darts. No rum this time. Head cleared off during night.

12th February. Very rough and dusty today. Not too warm. Very heartbreaking today. The rest of the boys got mail but I was unlucky. Can't understand it, it is very upsetting. Made ready for a darts match but other team did not turn up.

13th & 14th February. Just a steady day. One or two jobs. Still no mail. Got one or two buckshee jobs to do. Went to Ordnance to play darts and got hopelessly beaten. Got a packet of cigs as losers. A quite night. Worked Sunday morning. Refereed a football match. Could have played but did not care too owing to knee. Had a good dinner with Yorkshire pudding. Windy again.

15th February. A steady mornings work. Referee in a football match again in the afternoon. Played RADC at darts at night in the hospital. Managed to win this time. Still very rough and not too warm.

16th February. Today has been very nice, quite mild and warm. Had a walk into village. Got a souvenir cig case. Smashing dinner. Patrols left for Casablanca. Wrote long letter home. Still no mail.

17th February. Another steady day. Saw a pair of wonderful hand made slippers in village which I may buy. Plane came in today but no mail for us. A quiet evening. Finished a book and turned in early. Tummy a bit upset.

18th February. Went to village to buy slippers, he wanted 30/-. Will have to try again. Turned quite rough and cool. Had another quiet night. Heard the Yanks had had a cracking.

19th to 21st February. No work today. Just laid around and read. Heard a convoy was on the way, may be some mail. Played a darts match with the REME in the evening. On Saturday did a little work in the morning. Went to village in afternoon but all the shops were closed. Had a look around. It is astounding. On Sunday had two jobs. Wrote home. Letter should go Monday. Played darts and read in evening. Went to try and buy slippers but shop closed again.

22nd February. Went in morning for slippers but had left it too late, they had gone. Rather a pity. Spent a quiet evening. Keep bringing in men blown up with mines. Today two Indians, one dead, the other badly hurt.

23rd February. Finished off two jobs this morning. Heard we were to stay another week. Referee another football game in afternoon. Another Arab blown up. Fingers and one eye gone. Knee felt a bit groggy. Started letter.

24th February. Finished long letter and posted it. Had to strap up knee. Yesterdays fall upset it. Rested most of day. No work to do. Watched football in afternoon. Read all evening.

25th February. Went to Socna in morning for a swim. Lost my little scissors. Watched a football match this afternoon. Still no mail on the convoy that has just come in. Another quiet evening.

26th February. Saw the doc about my knee. To keep it strapped up for a few days. Went to village to try to see a dance, but they had finished. Read all that evening. I fear that money and parcels I sent are lost. A list of mail has been on orders.

27th & 28th February. Quiet morning no work. Read and played darts. Refereed a football match in afternoon. Played Ordnance at darts in evening. Quite a pleasant time. Beat them this time. On Sunday heard we are to move on Wednesday. Refereed football match in afternoon. More LRDG men got in today after a few hundred miles walk. Played darts in the recreation room at night.

1st March. Got a job today, a steady days work. Had a bottle of beer from Tripoli. What horrible stuff it was. Read and turned in early at night. Moving on Thursday.

2nd March. Finished off job then more work came in. Drew rations for the trip on Thursday. Boys had to put off football to work. Wrote home, pretty strong letter. A wonder it got past censor. Had a nice hot bath. Played darts in evening.

3rd March. Did a spot of washing this morning. No knowing when we shall get another chance. Started to pack up and get the truck loaded. Went to recreation room at night & heard a good forces programme from England. Off to Tripoli tomorrow.

Tripoli, March 1943.

4th March. Set off by 8.15am to the coast and did 100 miles by lunchtime. Very rough going. Pulled up for night 8 miles from coast. Saw a number of trucks that had hit mines. Spot of rum and then to bed early.

5th March. Off at 7.45am, reached coast at 8.00am. Arrived at Misurata 10.45am. Left Misurata after lunch. Sent a cable. Passed through very nice country. Pulled up for night at a wayside house occupied by Italian peasants. Not a very good nights sleep.

6th March. Left early, arrived 2 miles from Tripoli at 10.00am. Received some mail dated 20th January and 14th February. The others must have gone astray. Pulled in at 131st Field Ambulance and put up in a garage. Distance 410 miles. Poured with rain all night.

7th March. Still raining heavens hard. Wrote and posted a letter home. Went into Tripoli, not at all impressed by it. May get some scent tomorrow, one bottle 52/-. An air raid at dusk. The most terrific barrage I have ever seen and heard.

8th March. Went into town and bought some presents. Received more mail. Went to NAFFI, saw picture show. An air raid again at night but not very heavy. Not too thrilled with Tripoli.

9th March. Wrote home and sent a parcel. Went into town morning and afternoon. No mail for me today. Started long letter. Went to a show in the hospital, Hello Happiness, saw this two years ago.

10th March. Finished and posted long letter. Filled in forms to send home œ10. Went to town and met all the boys from No7 Lab who have just arrived to start a lab. A quiet night.

11th March. Went to 48th General Hospital to help Mechanic Bert Warner. Got a shock when I got back, the unit had opened up for work so our rest is over. Airgraph from Jean. Air raid at night.

12th March. Started work today in the garage. Did not go down too well. Airgraph from home. Had some of the boys from No7 Lab across. Wine and a good sing song.

13th & 14th March. Plenty of work on the Saturday. Received two airmails both dated early March. Wrote home. Had a walk in the evening, a quiet night. Sunday work as usual. Saw Col McGeorge about my trade pay. He is seeing to it right away. Went to a local unit concert party. Pretty terrible. Started a long letter home.

15th March. Finished off my work and long letter home. A quiet day. Two raids at night, a terrific barrage. A big piece of shrapnel came through the roof. Fortunately it missed us all.

16th March. Wrote to ma & pa. Went into town to a show. Projector broke down so did not see finish. Had to come back to pack up ready for off. Terrific air raid at night. Saw three planes fetched down. Very unhealthy while it lasted.

17th March. All ready for off, money changed to francs. Set off about 10.00am. The road was bad in places, saw an Indian lorry turn over. Pulled in for the night after 110 miles. Thunder, lightning and rain all night. Miserable.

18th March. On the road early, crossed the Tunisian border early morning. As usual ran all over the place. After about 190 miles, arrived 10 miles past Medenine at the 14th CCS and within a few miles of the Mareth Line. Rained when we put up the tents. Rain and gales all night.

19th March. The food is lousy. Wrote home to Nelly. More rain in the morning. Went to see mechanics on 3rd CCS. One of our boys to help Dental 14th CCS. The driver cooked us a good meal. Bed early. Gunfire heard all night.

20th March. Wrote long letter home. Heard that we were to move again to 174th Field Ambulance HD. Had a raid at night and the unpleasant experience of being machine gunned. Could see the barrage going up on the front line.

21st March. The push was to start this morning. Set off at 9.30am to the 174th HD. Some 19 miles. Opened up in the afternoon. The push did start and our boys broke through. The food up to now is good. Spent the night in and out of a trench. Another big barrage on the front line.

22nd March. A whole heap of work. At tea-time, told we were to move again 6 miles up and within 10 miles of the front line. What a bastard, Jerry over all night. Slept in a slit trench.

23rd March. MARETH LINE PENETRATED. Started packing up early. Heavy gunfire heard. Moved up 9 miles to only 5 miles from the front. Jerry shells fell nearly all day. Saw tanks and guns moving in. Big barrage at night. A few bombs dropped. Slept underground.

24th March. Plenty of work. Jerry dropped shells over most of the day. Can see his ack-ack fire on our planes. Div Photographer took snaps of me and the boys at work. Wrote home. Good barrage again at night and could hear machine guns in the line.

25th March. Changed into shorts today. A pretty quiet day. A few shells over now and again. Rough and a sandstorm. Quiet night, just a few guns going off. Things going very steady. A decent nights sleep.

26th March. Twenty two years in dentistry completed today. Again, not much artillery action. Very rough again. Not too bad during night, a little activity but did not interfere with sleep. Heard Jerry had retreated.

27th March. Plenty of work. Artillery going on most of day. Heard again that Jerry had gone. No mail through as yet. Pretty quiet night. Heavy artillery heard early evening.

28th March. This morning, heard that Jerry had gone from the Mareth Line. Still no mail. Very dusty again. It appears to be true, Jerry has gone. Fifty of our fighter bombers went over. Picture show at night.

29th March. We are to move again today. Packed up, moved up 7 miles and opened up again, still with the 174th. Gabes fallen, fifteen thousand prisoners taken. Slept in tent at night. Rained very hard. Quiet night.

30th March. Seven days pay stopped. Packed up again to move to Teboulbou. After messing about as usual, pulled up after doing 33 miles. A few miles from Gabes. Ack-ack early evening, otherwise quiet.

31st March. Opened up with 174th HD Field Ambulance, for how long? Went into Gabes in the afternoon. No shops open. Knocked about badly. Still civvies in. A quiet night. Wrote airgraph home.

1st April. Plenty of work. No mail for me, all the other boys got it. Heard we are to move tomorrow. 174th Field Ambulance moved today. Everything is moving up. Started a long letter home. A quiet night.

2nd April. Received mail. Packed up and on the road by 9.00am. Moved up 13 miles to Aquinet and ready to start by 11.00am. Jerry still only 10 miles away. Can see his ack-ack. A few shells keep dropping near by. Jerry over twice. One shot down. Saw pilot bale out.

3rd April. A nasty cold day. Jerry over in the morning. Air mail letter card from home. Shells coming over at tea-time. A bit nearer than usual. Posted long letter home. Jerry came over at dusk and dropped anti-personnel mines in the hospital area and on the road. An ammunition truck went up.

4th April. 8 miles from front line. Jerry over early morning, not too pleasant. Came over again twice in a few hours. Received a bundle of old mail and papers. What a hellish night. Jerry dropping shells over very close. One fell in hospital area only 100 yards away.

5th April. Jerry over during last night and dawn this morning. Wrote to Gerty. There is this air of tenseness that precedes a big battle. Early tomorrow morning the show starts. Jerry over during the night.

6th April. The show has started this morning just before dawn. A terrific barrage. Can see our boys in action. Two planes down. Barrage on from 4.00am to noon. Plenty of prisoners through. Jerry over just after tea. Too close to be happy. A hell of a raid during the night. Received airgraph dated 14th March.

7th April. The ADS received a hit. Jerry started again about 7.00am. One of them nearly lifting me out of my hole. Jerry is on the run again. Hundreds of our 'planes passed over during the day. Usual dusk raid by Jerry. Over again during the night.

8th April. Col McGeorge visited us at 6.30am. Jerry came over at dawn. Wrote letter home. Letter came about trade pay, eight months wrong with dates. A quiet day and night. No Jerry's over. Everything going well. Heard the two armies had joined up.

9th April. No dawn raid today. Hear we are to move on Monday. Letters from home, latest dated 29th March. Hear that Sfax has fallen. Another quiet night. Wrote air mail letter card home as Jean is ill.

10th April. No mail today, a quiet day. Wrote home and sent 300 francs. Hope it gets through all right. Sfax fell at 8.15am. More work coming in and to stay until it is done. Another quiet night. Expect we shall move to Sfax.

11th April. Still plenty of work. Went for a swim in afternoon. Jerry driven past Sousa. Work just finished off. Ready for moving on Tuesday. Another quiet night. A treat to get a good nights sleep.

12th April. Finished off work. Packed up in afternoon ready to move. No mail again today. Wonder how long it will be before I get any. Quiet night. Very little to do in the evenings.

13th April. Finished packing and on the road by 8.30am. Pretty slow journey but good. Covered 74 miles finishing with 174th HD Fld Amb some 4 miles from Sfax. Wrote home. A quiet night. A very nice green site.

14th April. Went sick with a septic hand, not too bad. A lousy day, raining and not too warm. Still no mail. Plenty of work. A nice site in a field of barley with marigolds, poppies and night scented stock. More rain during night.

15th April. Went sick again, hand going quite nicely. Still no mail. 'F' Mobile pulled up on the way up and stayed the night. A Jerry came over. Heard he was shot down by a night fighter. Otherwise quiet.

16th April. Still plenty of work but no mail. Looks like being a few days before it comes through. Hand about right now. (I hope). Had a film unit round today. A quiet night.

17th April. Plenty of work. Mail came through. Airgraph and two air mail cards dated 4th and 8th April. One from Nelly. Wrote long air mail letter and card home. A picture show now running in Sfax. A quiet night.

18th April. Up very early and had a bath. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. No mail today. Still plenty of work. Very quiet around here. Three more Mobiles in front of us. Another quiet night. Apart from writing, there is nothing to do at night.

19th April. Nice and warm today. Received birthday cable and airgraph. Cable came in six days. Ack-ack over Sfax during afternoon. Wrote to Una and ma & pa. The place is lousy with mosquitoes, non malaria type, so the powers that be say!

20th April. Will the last big push go in with the moon? Heard later that push started yesterday. Thyner is the name of the place here. No mail. Another quiet night but rained most of the time.

21st April. Received cable from ma & pa today, taken twenty days to get here. Wrote airgraph back. Got new khaki drill but it did not fit. Heard we were to move again. A quiet night.

22nd April. Had a run to Sfax. Chased after kit this morning. Airgraph from Una. Saw a train pass by, this is an event. Getting khaki drill altered by an Indian tailor. Poured with rain, thunder, etc. Quiet night.

23rd April. Good Friday but just another day. What a treat to see scores of Yankee bombers going over. No mail. APO moved up, Fld Ambl moving tomorrow. Useless writing home, will not get away. We are to move in two or three days. Quiet night.

24th April. Hear that all is going well, only expected to last four more days? Got a new truck today. Wrote airmail letter card to Una. The usual rush to finish work. Don't look like seeing Sfax, what a devil. Can't get time off. Quiet night.

25th April. Many Happy Returns of your Birthday Dear. (This must have been written in the diary by my mother when it was purchased. My father then wrote in for that day as usual). To which I say THANK YOU DARLING. GOD BLESS.

26th April. Packed up and on the road by 8.30am. Joined 174th HD Fld Amb again after travelling 102 miles. Exact place not known but is near Enfidaville, 30 miles from front line. Another nice green site. A pretty quiet night. Could hear guns in front line.

27th April. Started working today. Barrage on most of the day. Hear a push is to start again tonight. Wrote long letter to Una. Don't think the push did start, too quiet a night. Rained a little during night.

28th April. Work still pouring in. Received newspapers and Tit-Bits today but no letters. What a treat to see our 'planes going over. Hundreds of them. Rained again. A barrage started during the night otherwise quiet.

29th April. Planes started at dawn, hundreds passed over during the day. Jerry must be getting a real hammering. Still no mail. Wrote airgraph home. Got posted to 132nd Mobile Dental Unit. What a shock!

30th April. Set off by truck at 9.00am to Mobile Hospital at Sousse. Had dinner there and left by ambulance along with wounded to Sfax. Arrived about 6.00pm. Had another dinner. Unit to move on Sunday. Had a good nights sleep.

1st May. Had a walk into Sfax in the morning. Learned I was to return to Tripoli when finished on this Unit. Packed up in the afternoon. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. This is not much of a place. Shall be glad when we get to El D'Jem.

2nd May. Up early ready to start. Left at 9.00am and arrived at El D'Jem before lunch after 40 miles. Unpacked and set up with an ack-ack unit on an aerodrome. Wrote, or started a long letter to Una. Had a nice nights sleep. Very heavy dew.

3rd May. Work poured in as usual. Dug a little slit trench after tea - just in case. Finished long letter. No mail through yet, expect it will be weeks before I get any. Turn in pretty early.

4th May. Big squadrons of bombers left the aerodrome this morning. Hear the raid was successful. One 'plane was lost. Col McGeorge came today. Hear I shall be going back to Cairo soon. Another quiet night.

5th May. Still more work coming in. The crowd we were with moved off after lunch leaving us on our own. Heaven knows when I shall receive any mail. Another quiet night.

6th May. Hear I am to go back to Sfax on Saturday. Received airgraph dated 16th April and long letter dated 20th October, 1942! It is nice to get news again. Wrote air mail card to Una. Hear I am to move on Sunday. Heard that Tunis should fall tomorrow.

7th May. Finished off what work I had. Managed to get my mail away. Hear things are going very well at the front. Should be over anytime now. Rained during the night.

8th May. Heard Tunis fell yesterday 12.30pm also Birzerta and Ferryville today. Finish off work early. Did a spot of washing. No mail. How long will it be before it is really all over?

9th May. Scores of bombers left the aerodrome early this morning. Packed up for off. Got to transit camp at Sfax and got away within a few minutes on a truck for Tripoli. Pulled up at Telboulbou for the night, after a 160 mile drive. Had a good nights sleep.

10th May. Hear that fifty thousand prisoners have been taken. Should reach Tripoli sometime on Tuesday. Roads very bad, a rough journey of 142 miles, then pulled up at Pisida on the sea shore. Still another 94 miles to go. Another quiet night.

11th May. Cooked breakfast this morning. Stopped at Zuara for a wash and shave. Arrived in Tripoli at No7 Lab about 2.00pm. Total journey was some 430 miles. Got settled in all right. Lab very near to the sea. Had a good nights sleep. Quiet in the night.

12th May. Started work today doing some vulcanising. Put in for œ15, hoping to send œ10 home. Went for a swim in afternoon. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Work is7.30am to 12.30pm and then 5.30pm to 7.30pm. A quiet night.

13th May. At last the fighting is finished. This is really good news. Went for another swim and a spot of sun bathing. Jerry came over during the afternoon. No mail. Quiet night.

14th May. Plenty of work to do. Did not go swimming today. Went on pay parade and drew œ15. Must send œ10 home tomorrow. Wrote long letter to Una. Ack-ack for a short while, otherwise quiet.

15th May. Went to the bank and sent home œ10. Went into Tripoli in the afternoon. Got measured up for a pair of hand made shoes. Pictures in town, then a show in the camp.

16th May. Work in the morning. Went into town to have khaki drill slacks altered. Came back for dinner. Very hot today. Just hung about all evening. Expected a show in the camp. No mail. A quiet night.

17th May. Work today as usual. No swimming as I am on duty. Started on the bench this afternoon. One chap gone sick. Ack-ack at night. Played cards. Quiet night.

18th May. Started on the bench in earnest this morning. Work did not go down too bad. Too cold to go for a swim. Wrote to Una. Still no mail. Rained very hard during the night.

19th May. Plenty of work. Getting settled down all right. Still no mail. Saw a show in the camp at night. It is a grand sight to see the moonlight on the sea.

20th May. Just another day with plenty of work. Felt a bit rough so turned in early. Like all places, there is not much to do after work. It is too late to go to a show. No mail.

21st May. Work as usual. Feel much better today but still not quite right. Lots of troops and ships passing through. Turned in early. Another quiet night.

22nd May. Work in the morning. A really lovely day. Went into Tripoli to see a show. Still no mail again. Saw a show in the camp at night. A quiet night.

23rd May. A Sunday, but worked an hour or two in the morning. Went for a swim then into town again to a show. Received newspapers. Started long letter to Una. Quiet night.

24th May. Work as usual. Went into town for shoes. A lot of ack-ack in the morning. Finished long letter to Una. A quiet night.

25th May. Heard I was to go to 3rd CCS so I went sick with my eyes and have to go into hospital. Admitted to No2 General Hospital in the evening. Had a good nights sleep.

26th May. Saw specialist and ophthalmic doctor this morning. Eyes no change. Had to bed down, sleep treatment. Slept for most of the day. Keep having a sleeping draught. Wrote air mail letter card home.

27th May. Started sleep treatment. Doped three times a day. Only managed to sleep an hour or two. Smoked three cigs during night.

28th May. Have a terrific headache today. Had some more 'Stuka' juice this morning. The food is not so good. Just slept most of the day. No mail.

29th May. Still more sleep. Today I have a headache worse than ever. Slept all afternoon. Had a pretty fair night. Still no mail.

30th May. More sleep today. Had two of the boys to see me. Still no mail. Started long letter to Una. A real decent nights sleep.

31st May. Another day of sleeping. Finished off long letter to Una this morning. More dope and more sleep. 1st June. Another day of sleep. This is my last day. I wonder what treatment will follow this? Today, I had the best dinner since I came here. More dope at night.

2nd June. Finished with dope today. Saw a Major Palmer, what a lot of poppycock he talked. Just lazed away the afternoon. Played cards at night and had a good nights sleep.

3rd June. Collected my kit ready to go out. Going into convalescent camp tomorrow. Head just about cleared off now. Still no mail. Wrote to Una. Had a good nights sleep.

4th June. Up early, getting ready to leave hospital. Set off to the convalescent camp in an ambulance. Arrived during afternoon. Slept in garages on stretchers. Had a good nights sleep.

5th June. Went to see Dental Officer and MD Got fixed up to go to Dental Lab to knock around. This will be better than fatigues. Went to a concert at night and quite a good show. A good nights sleep.

6th June. Went down to the lab this morning. Slept most of the afternoon. Wrote to Una. Played tombola but no luck. Another good sleep.

7th June. Down to lab again, morning and afternoon. Did a spot of work. Went to a concert at night, a really excellent show. A good night out.

8th June. Lab again. Went swimming in afternoon. A picture show in evening. No mail.

9th June. Lab again morning and afternoon. Still no mail. Finished long letter to Una. Played tombola but did not win.

10th June. Lab again. Still no mail. Feeling much better. Had a good nights sleep.

11th June. After lab in morning, paraded to see Major Palmer. Wrote airgraphs to Una and Nelly. No mail. A quiet night.

12th June. Did a spot of work in the morning. Received air mail letter card dated 27th May. Swimming in afternoon. A concert at night. Very quiet.

13th June. More work in the morning. Swimming and sunbathing in afternoon. Received air mail letter card dated 24th May. Pleased to hear that all the cash arrived home safely. A quiet night, wrote home.

14th June. In the lab again in the morning and afternoon. No mail. Went to a concert at night, a good show. Feeling much better.

15th June. Lab in morning. Major Palmer's inspection in the afternoon. No mail today. Played tombola at night and managed to win.

16th June. Went into lab in morning. A big 'do' in Tripoli on Saturday a lot of 'Cons' to line the streets. Do not feel inclined to go on this. Swimming in afternoon. Played tombola but no luck.

17th June. Down in the lab again in the morning and afternoon. Big show on Saturday is off. No mail. Wrote airgraph to Una. Went to a concert at night.

18th June. Major Palmer's parade and interview. Got another week here. Wrote to Una. Played tombola at night but no luck. Quiet night.

19th June. Lab in morning, swimming in afternoon. No mail. Concert at night. The King is in Tripoli. Shall give a turn next week lining the streets.

20th June. Went down to Tripoli for the day. Looked around shops. Went to pictures. Was pleased to get back. Nothing to eat in town. No mail.

21st June. Went down to Tripoli to line the streets for the King. Went by ambulance. Had to stand for hours. Saw him twice. No mail. Played tombola but no luck again.

22nd June. Went to lab in morning. Interview with Major Palmer. Have finished at last. Wrote long letter home. Air mail letter card from Una.

23rd June. Lab morning and afternoon. Wrote to Una. Refereed a football match at night. Two letters from Una. Quiet night.

24th June. Busy morning, FFI Colonels interview. Big shot around inspecting the camp. Wrote airgraph to Una. Went to see a football match.

25th June. Went to lab in morning, move out in afternoon. Left at 3.00pm and went to 2nd General Hospital. Hear that I may go to base in Cairo again. Slept in Dental Centre. A good nights sleep.

26th June. Went to No7 Lab in morning and saw the Major about getting back there. Watched a cricket match in the afternoon. Two new Mobiles pulled in for the night. No Mail. A quiet night.

27th June. Did a spot of work. Not heard anything yet about a move. Slept all afternoon. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Started and finished long letter. Went to an open air cinema show given by the Yanks.

28th June. Went to Dental Centre and finished off a job. It looks like I will be going to Cairo. Went to No7 Lab and collected four letters. Wrote to Una. A quiet night.

29th June. Did a spot of work at the Dental Centre. Not heard about moving yet. A little work in the afternoon. Read all evening. Another quiet night. No mail today.

30th June. Lab again in morning. No news of move. Only five in pool now. Order to move came just before dinner. Left about 1.00pm for docks to board HS Talamba an Indian boat. Pulled out at 5.00pm and slept on deck.

1st July. Spent all morning playing solo. Food very good, a real nice, clean boat. Still playing solo all afternoon and night. Lost 10/- all day. Had two bottles of beer at night.

2nd July. Spent all day playing solo. Not too lucky. Arrive Alex' tomorrow. Two hot meals a day.

3rd July. Up early, packed and ready for off. Arrived in Alex' at 9.30am. Disembarked at 3.00pm. Played solo all morning. No luck. Went to Mustapha transit camp for the night and then into town. Saw a good picture.

4th July. Left at 9.00am on train to Cairo. Hell of a crowd as usual. Arrived 12.30pm, at base depot at 2.30pm. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Went to the lab, did not know anyone. No cigs. Good nights sleep.

5th July. A day messing about, here there and everywhere. Got fixed up in No1Lab while I am here. Went to Cairo and saw a show.

6th July. Went down to lab all day. Got trade pay fixed up. Played cricket after tea, managed 2 for 32 off 6 overs. After tea there was a wonderful sight. A star almost touching the moon. Found out later this was a close conjunction of Venus and the moon.

7th July. Started twenty four hour fire picket at 8.00am. Found out later it was telephone duty. Went to lab in morning. Received letter dated 8th November 1942! Wrote long letter home. Went on duty at 10.00pm. Went to camp cinema. Pretty terrible show. Had a decent sleep.

8th July. Did not get relieved until nearly 8.00am. Down to lab in morning. Moved into a tent at dinner time. In lab again in afternoon. Went into Cairo at night and saw a show, bottle of beer and a feed. A good nights sleep.

9th July. Down to lab, had a couple of jobs to do. Pay parade at dinner time. Trade pay was in. Went to Helopilis. Had a few drinks and a show.

10th July. TODAY SICILY WAS INVADED. Worked in the morning. Afternoon went to the zoo and had a grand time. Pictures in evening and a bottle of beer. Good nights sleep.

11th July. Finished off two jobs in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Nelly. Wrote to Una. Played cricket for Base Depot in afternoon. Went to camp cinema. A good nights sleep.

12th July. Lab in morning as usual. Arranged to have œ30 sent home. Received air mail letter card from Una. Finished off a job in afternoon. Went into Cairo at night to order snaps. Saw a show.

13th July. Not much work to do in lab today. Wrote to Una. No mail. Went into Cairo for a film. Saw a good show, a really cheap evening.

14th July. Hear some chaps have gone home including Dental Corps. A Corps man who was beaten up a week ago has died. No mail today. Sleep in afternoon. Went into Cairo again at night. Another show. A very cheap night.

15th July. It is too late to send Una a birthday card, will have to send a cable. Down to the lab again. Received two air mail cards and one airgraph from Una. I am still puzzled and worried about this compulsory allotment? Got to get it settled up. Wrote air mail card to Una and airgraph to Nelly.

16th July. Went again to the lab. Slept all afternoon. Did not feel too good. Went into town again. Saw a good show. A nice cheap evening. Nobby, an old 1939 pal, came to see me. Now a Sergeant.

17th July. Went to the lab in the morning. In the afternoon went of Gizera. A grand time. Loads of ice- cream and cold drinks. Went to a good picture show at night. A really good day but expensive.

18th July. To the lab in the morning. On messenger duty in afternoon. Wrote long letter to Una, surface mail. Went on duty at 5.00pm to 6.30am Monday. Wrote airgraph to Una. Good nights sleep.

19th July. Went down to lab again in the morning. Air mail letter card from Una. Taken eight days. Read all afternoon. Dashed to Cairo to collect snaps and straight back to see a show, the famous Will Fyffe in person. A good show.

20th July. Lab again in morning. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Went into Cairo at night to an open air show. A decent evening. Good nights sleep.

21st July. Down to lab in morning. Hear that some of the boys are going home. Wish it was me. Read all afternoon. Went to a South African concert in camp. The best show I have seen out here. No mail today.

22nd July. Down to lab in morning. Posted to No17 Dental Centre near Alex'. Arrived Alex' 9.00pm. Transport to Amriya at 10.45pm. Stayed the night at Dekheila.

23rd July. Left Dekheila for Noah Lab, Alex'. Posting to No17 Dental Centre was cancelled. May be posted to 64th General Hospital. Went into Alex' at night to an ENSA show. Not so hot. A good nights sleep.

24th July. Hear they are busy at the 64th General. Looks like I will be going? Went to Nusa Garden in the afternoon. Dinner at the NZ YMCA and a show. Back to the lab. A game of darts and then bed.

25th July. Posted to 64th General Hospital. Went back to Mustapha to play cricket. A few drinks at night back at the hospital. A decent billet on the roof overlooking the sea.

26th July. Started work this morning. Right now I am on the beach but just cannot enjoy it. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Feeling very restless today. Wrote a long letter to Una. Just hung around the NAFFI at night.

27th July. Did a spot of work this morning. Watched a cricket match in afternoon. Collected some mail, three letters, two airgraphs and an air mail letter card. Wrote to Una. Turned in early and read. A good nights sleep.

28th July. A bit of work in the morning. Read and slept in the afternoon. Airgraph from Una. Walked along the front at night. Had a bit of supper out. FFI early morning.

29th July. Kit inspection early morning. Got a dose of 'gippy' tummy today. Feel half dead. Went down to the pictures in the evening after running and resting all day. Feel much better.

30th July. Pay this morning. Cricket in the afternoon against the Officers. Lost the game. Went down to Noah Lab but no mail. Just hung around the rest of the evening. Turned in early.

31st July. Spot of work in the morning. Should have played cricket this afternoon but got caught out for stretcher party. Went into Alex' and bought some foreign stamps for Jean. Collected some very old mail.

1st August. Work in the morning. Went down to Noah Lab. Walked along the prom, very nice. Got a letter from ma & pa. Went to pictures at night. Still got a gippy tummy.

2nd August. Work in the morning. On stretcher party again in the afternoon. First anti-typhus jab after tea. Went down to lab. Walk along the prom. A glass of beer, spot of supper and then back to the hospital. Air mail letters to Una and Jean.

3rd August. A spot of work in the morning. Received airgraph from Una. Went to pictures in afternoon. On police patrol at night. My shift is 2.00am until 6.30am. Had a marvellous supper and got a couple of hours sleep.

4th August. Did a full upper this morning. Had a sleep after dinner. Went down to Mustapha for tea. A good show at night. Had a good nights sleep.

5th August. Worked all day. Went to pictures at night. No mail today. Settling down to things all right but wish to God I was at home.

6th August. Work in the morning. Lazed about all afternoon. Went for a long walk at night on the front, a drink and a spot of supper. Quite an enjoyable evening. No mail.

7th August. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote straight back. Went to the races, the first time in my life. Only lost 4/-. Started long letter to Una.

8th August. Worked all morning. Finished and posted long letter to Una. Received airgraph from Una and air mail letter card from Nelly. Went to Mustapha and walked on the front. A spot of supper, a couple of whisky's and back to hospital.

9th August. Finished off two jobs. Went to Alex' in afternoon and sold some gold and got 32/- for it. Wrote airgraphs to Una, Nelly and ma & pa. Had another anti-typhus jab. Had a walk and turned in early.

10th August. Work in the morning. Cleaned up in afternoon ready for a big shot from England tomorrow. Received long letter dated 4th July and an air mail letter card dated 14th July. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Went to Alex' to the pictures.

11th August. Cleaned up this morning ready for the General. Waited all afternoon but had not arrived at 6.00pm. Waited until 7.30pm but did not turn up. Went to a concert in the hospital. Very good.

12th August. The big shot did not turn up. Did a spot of work in the morning. Read most of the afternoon. Went to the pictures at night and saw Bitter Sweet, a very beautiful show.

13th August. Did a spot of work this morning and got paid. Attended mess meeting early evening. Went to a concert in the hospital. Very poor indeed. Turned in early. No mail.

14th August. Work in the morning. Went to the races again in the afternoon and won 76pt. No mail. Went to Mustapha in the evening to an open air dance and had a few drinks. A good evening. Only had one dance.

15th August. Work in the morning. Went to races in afternoon but no luck. No mail. Had a run into Alex' at night. Turned in early.

16th August. Made myself a new denture today. Received three air mail letter cards from Una. Wrote air mail letter card, airgraph and long letter back. Had another anti-typhus jab. Turned in early.

17th August. SCIILY IN ALLIED HANDS. Posted long letter and sent cable.Went to meeting of concert party. May get into it. Turned in early. Nobody allowed out today.

18th August. Must send cable for Una's birthday. Received some newspapers. Spot of work in the morning. Went to Mustapha in the afternoon. Down to Alex' at night to the pictures. A real good show. No mail.

19th August. Worked in the morning. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. No mail today. Went to hospital cinema at night. A rotten show and a deadly evening all round.

20th August. A spot of work during the day. Received airgraph and air mail letter card from Una. Down to Alex' at night and saw a good picture. A pretty deadly place if one does not go to a show.

21st August. Work in the morning. Went to races in afternoon. Wrote airgraph to Una. Down to Mustapha at night and walked on the prom. Down to town for cakes, etc.

22nd August. Work in the morning. Received two airgraphs from Una dated 3rd and 9th August. Went down to Mustapha for tea. Down to Alex' at night to a show. Back quite reasonable. Just another day.

23rd August. Worked all day today. Wrote long letter to Una. Just hung around the hospital all evening. A pretty deadly pastime. Turned in early.

24th August. Work in the morning. Hear that a new draft of Dental Corps have come out. Just lazed around in the afternoon. Went to Alex' at night to a show. Had to wait over half an hour for a tram.

25th August. My darlings birthday. I hope she is very happy and next year we are together again. Applied for a pass for the Fleet Club. Went into Alex' to a show in the afternoon. Lecture at night on Christian Marriage. Very good. Sent cable for our wedding anniversary.

26th August. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha for tea. Back to the hospital at night to a concert. Nearly all women, plenty of leg! No mail.

27th August. Dental Officer back at work today. Hear one of us has to go to 8th General Hospital to work. No mail. Went to Alex' in the afternoon. A show at night. An accident held up the trams. Took an hour coming back.

28th August. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha in afternoon. Walk on the front. Down to town early evening to try to get a prayer book for Jean. Back to hospital to see a really good show by an RAF party. Received airgraph from Una.

29th August. Work in the morning. Talk of men going home with four years service. Went to races in afternoon and finished up straight. Walked on the front at night. Wrote airgraph to Una. Turned in early.

30th August. Work in the morning. FFI at 6.30am. Down to Mustapha at night and walked on the front. Received cable from Una. No other mail. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.

31st August. One of the boys posted to 8th General Hospital. Wrote long air mail letter. No mail today. Just hung around the hospital all night. On duty so could not go out.

1st September. Our wedding anniversary. Newspapers and air mail letter card from Nelly. Worked most of the day. Went into town to celebrate. Had a good feed. Saw a real good show and finished the evening with two double whisky's, the best in town.

2nd September. Work all day. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote one home. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. Had a walk at night. Finished up at the pictures.

3rd September. ITALY INVADED TODAY. Worked all day and finished a Kalodent upper and lower. Went down to Mustapha and a walk on the front. No mail today.

4th September. Work in the morning. Down to the races in the afternoon and won 9/-. A band concert in the hospital. Received air mail letter card. Taken only six days. Also airgraph from Una.

5th September. Work in the morning. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Races in the afternoon. Last meeting. Lost 4/-. Called in Royal Arms at night. Had one dance. Pretty poor. No mail.

6th September. Worked all day, busy making a gold tooth. Went to Sidi Bish to play tombola but no luck. No mail.

7th September. Work all day. Went to town at night to the pictures. Just an ordinary day. No mail today. Noel Coward is coming on Friday.

8th September. ITALY PACKED IT IN TODAY. Company dance off on Friday owing to visit of Noel Coward. Wrote long letter to Una. Stayed in all evening on duty.

9th September. Worked in the morning. Finished off a little buckshee job of a gold tooth for 35/-. Went to town to the pictures. Pretty poor show. No mail.

10th September. Worked all day. Company dance at night, a really good do. Danced nearly every dance with Sisters. Had a hell of a lot to drink. No mail.

11th September. A filthy hangover today. Feel half dead. No mail. Felt much better after tea. Went with Doug down to the pictures. Had a good nights sleep.

12th September. Worked in the morning. Received airgraph. Waited an hour to hear Josephine Baker the singer but she did not turn up. Went to Fleet Club at night to tombola. No luck.

13th September. Wrote airgraph to Una. Work all day. Down to Mustapha at night. A walk on the front. Back early. Capt Manton the Dental Officer is to leave.

14th September. Work all day. Down to the pictures at night. New Dental Officer has arrived, a Capt Armitage. No mail today. Just a so-so day.

16th September. Work all day. New Officer on the job today. Received two air mail letter cards. Wrote one to Una and started long letter. Play tombola at night. No luck.

17th September. Wrote airgraph to ma & pa. Received airgraph from Una. Wrote airgraph back. Worked all day. Down Mustapha at night and walked for miles on the front. Returned dead tired.

18th September. Work in the morning. Received newspaper. Heard and saw Noel Coward at the hospital. Very good. Down to town at night. Went to a show.

19th September. Work in the morning. No mail. Went to Methodist Chapel at night for the first time in this country. Social afterwards with free tea and cakes and sing song.

20th September. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote straight back. Went on night patrol. A quiet night, did not patrol at all. A good supper.

21st September. Work in the morning. Rested in the afternoon. Received newspapers. Down to town at night and saw a good show. Back early for a good nights sleep.

22nd September. Worked all day. Saw a show in the hospital at night. An ENSA party. Just passable. ATS fresh from England in the NAFFI.

23rd September. Four years service. Worked all day. Down to a show at night. Started a long letter. Received air mail letter card.

24th September. Working all day. Down to a picture show at night. Received newspapers. Wrote air mail letter card and finished long letter. On parade, OCS in the morning.

25th September. Worked in the morning. Slept most of the afternoon. Received airgraph from Una. Wrote airgraph straight back. Went to dancing class in hospital. Started buckshee job for œ2.

26th September. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card and wrote one straight back. Went down town in afternoon, bought dressing gown for Una, œ4. Dancing at Royal Arms at night.

27th September. Worked all day. Two more buckshee's in hand. Air mail letter card from Nelly. Went to town to a show. Saw Romeo and Juliet. Back early. Finished of a job.

28th September. Work all day. Buckshee job started and finished, 35/-. Received newspaper. Wrote airgraph to Nelly. Stayed in all night. Fitted jobs. Got œ2. Turned in early.

29th September. Work all day. Quite a few jobs in. One of the mechanics posted to Cairo. My luck is still holding. Stayed in again. A bottle of beer and a tinkle on the piano.

30th September. Work all day. Received eight bundles of Everybody's. Wrote long letter to Una. Another night in on stretcher party. Turned in early. 1st October. One mechanic posted to Cairo. Worked all day. Down to town at night. Saw an ENSA show. Very good. Broke my glasses. Received air mail letter card from Una.

2nd October. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Went to town, had dinner then on to a show. Rained very heavy. Worked all day.

3rd October. Work in the morning. Don't feel too well today. Nasty pain in side again. Went for a walk at night. Back into bed by 8.00pm. Terribly hot this past few days.

4th October. Still continues hot. Can hardly breathe. Sent parcel to Una. Still feeling pretty rough. Received airgraph from Una. TAB jab at night. Felt pretty shaky.

5th October. Feel pretty rotten today. Work in the morning. Wrote airgraph to Una. Laid down all afternoon and evening. Turned in early to bed.

6th October. Feel much better today. Work all day. Put in for weekend leave to Cairo. Went to town. Saw a show. No mail.

7th October. Worked all day. Received newspaper. Went to a town to see a show. Feel so much better today. Put in for a travel warrant for weekend.

8th October. Work all day. Drew œ5. Got pass through all right. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. No mail. On stretcher party at night. Two hours in the theatre carrying patients.

9th October. Called out early morning to move a body. Off to Cairo, arrived 1.00pm. Went to Helopolis to army graveyard. Back to Gizira for tea. Saw a film at night. Not a very good nights sleep.

10th October. Went to the Citadel into the Mosque. Very wonderful. To Gizira for lunch. Back to station for 3.15pm train. Did not arrive in Alex' until 10.30pm. Stopped at every station. Almost spoilt the weekend.

11th October. Work all day. Buckshee repair, 10/-. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote one back also long letter. Stayed in all night. Another job on the way.

12th October. Work all day. Down to town at night to a show. Back early. No mail. Just a so-so day.

13th October. Work all day. Wrote air mail letter card. Back down to town to the pictures. Back fairly early. A good nights sleep.

14th October. Work all day. Down to town at night to a show, just so-so.

15th October. Parade this morning. Work in morning. Down to town for Xmas presents. Unit dance at night. Danced most of the evening with the Assistant Matron. A good do, did not get drunk.

16th October. Work in the morning. Rested in afternoon. Down to Mustapha at night. Got some snaps. Dental Officer posted.

17th October. Work in the morning. Down for a swim in afternoon. Pictures at night. A lousy show. Back early.

18th October. Work in the morning. Officer left today. Refereed a football match in evening. Received air mail letter card and airgraph. One from Nelly. Wrote long letter and air mail letter card. Stretcher party duty.

19th October. Work in the morning. New DO started, Capt Boothroyd. Just hung around in afternoon. Going to start football again. Pictures at night. Back early.

20th October. Worked all day. Went to town at night, had a few beers and a good feed. Back pretty early. No mail today. A lot of four year men going home.

21st October. Work all day. Received air mail letter with photos. Wrote straight back. Went to town to a show. Thunderstorm at night.

22nd October. Posted Jean's parcel. Worked all day. Down to Mustapha at night. Back early. Clerk got posted today. Four in the area posted.

23rd October. Four year men left unit for home. Work in the morning. Watched football match. Heard Solomon the pianist. Went to town to a show and good feed. Received air mail letter card from Una.

24th October. Work in the morning. Watched a football match in town. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Back early. Nasty night, raining. Spent evening in NAFFI.

25th October. Received papers. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon, drew 2-2. Down to town at night to a picture show. Feel very stiff. Knee held out.

26th October. Posted parcel to ma. Work all day. Down to town. Wrote long letter. Concert in hospital at night. Just a so-so day.

27th October. Work in morning. Went to watch a hockey game in afternoon. Down to town at night. A good show and a good dinner. Back pretty early. Have to move into barrack room.

28th October. Work in morning. Played football in afternoon, drew 3-3. Knee went in first few minutes. Pictures at night and a decent feed. Received airgraph.

29th October. Received Jean's photo's. Worked in the morning. Received two air mail letter cards, wrote straight back. Just a few jobs to do. Wetton posted back. Concert at night in hospital, pretty lousy. Turned in early.

30th October. Work in the morning. Wrote airgraph to Una. Received airgraph and papers in eleven days. Refereed college game, got 3/-. Down to pictures at night. Won sweep, 32/-.

31st October. Work in the morning. Watched two football matches in afternoon. Down to town at night to a club for dinner. Back early. Could not get any beer. Clocks altered. Extra hour in bed.

1st November. Wrote airgraph to Una. Sent Xmas cards and Jean's birthday card. Wrote long letter to Una. Played football, won 4-2 against the hospital 2nd team. Moved into barrack room. Stayed in all evening.

2nd November. Worked in the morning. Watched a hockey match in afternoon. Down to town at night. Saw a good play. Back fairly early. Thunderstorm and heavy rain during night.

3rd November. Work all day. Put in for nine days leave and was granted it. No mail today. Stayed in at night and played solo, lost a few shillings. Buckshee job, 30/-.

4th November. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon, won 1-0. Back to hospital at night. Fixed up for extra pay. Went to picture show in hospital. No mail again today.

5th November. On OC's parade today. Spot of work in the morning. Card playing in afternoon. Down to town at night to a show. Received air mail letter card from Una, took eight days. Wrote straight back.

6th November. Started leave. Down to town to play football in afternoon, won 3-2. To a picture show at night. Sleeping at the lab, Mustapha. A good nights sleep. Air mail letter card from Nelly.

7th November. Up to the hospital and back to town in the morning. Lunch in town. Hospital in afternoon to finish a job. Stayed in at night. Too tired to move. Wrote to Nelly.

8th November. Down to town. Played snooker in Bath Club, Sidi Bishr. Hospital in afternoon. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back. Pictures at night, Reap The Wild Wind, a good Show.

9th November. Town in the morning. Up to hospital before lunch. No mail. Wrote long letter to Una. Watched a hockey and football match in afternoon. Hospital at night to hear a Palestinian orchestra. Very good.

10th November. Up to hospital in the morning. Walk back part of the way on the front. Watched football in afternoon. Dancing at night at Montgomery House. A very nice evening. Airgraph from Una.

11th November. Jock McClure posted. Up to hospital early to see Mac, back to town for lunch. No football, cancelled. Wrote airgraph to Una. Pictures at night. Poor show.

12th November. Went walking in the morning. Up to hospital at dinner time to finish off a buckshee job. Back to town at night to a show. Received air mail letter cards from Una and ma. Wrote back.

13th November. Wrote airgraph to ma & pa. Went to hospital and watched two football matches. Back to town to a Girl Guide social and dance. Pretty lousy, had four dances all night.

14th November. Hear that I am to work at No6 Lab. Up to the hospital, stayed and watched two football matches. Down to town at night to a show. Back to hospital, leave finished.

15th November. Work in the morning. Down to town in the afternoon. A spot of work after tea. Wrote long letter to Una. Stretcher party duty. Just hung around all night. Photo to Una.

16th November. Worked all day. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Hospital concert party at night. A pretty deadly show. Some turns good, others awful.

17th November. Work in the morning. Football in the afternoon, we won 10-0. Dance at night at Montgomery House, very nice, stayed two hours. No mail.

18th November. Work in the morning. Watched football in the afternoon. Anti-typhus jab. No mail. Got silk for Una, 5/-. Stayed in hospital all evening. A beer and picture show.

19th November. Working all day. No mail again. Down to Mustapha at night. Back very early. Played piano in NAFFI but a poor evening.

20th November. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una and wrote back. Played football against College and won 8-2. Down to pictures at night.

21st November. Work in the morning. Football in afternoon. Unlucky again, got kicked on the jaw and knocked out. Took no further part in the game. Jaw x-rayed. Stayed in at night, felt very rough. Stretcher party duty.

22nd November. Worked all day but felt very shaky. Watched a football match before tea. Down to Mustapha and then to a show. Received newspapers and Everybody's.

23rd November. Work in the morning. Wrote long letter to Una. Down to town with the boys in the afternoon. Back to hospital after tea. Turned in early. Feel much better today.

24th November. Work all day. Down to Montgomery House dancing, almost a dead loss. Glass of beer on the way back. Back fairly early. Wrote airgraph to Una.

25th November. Work in the morning. Played cards in the afternoon and lost 6d. Sent parcel of silk to Una. Played cards at night, won a few coppers. PAD night.

26th November. Work in the morning. A spot of card playing in afternoon then down to pictures at night. Still no mail from home.

27th November. Work in the morning. Cards after dinner, won 7/-. Watched a football match. Down to pictures at night. Air mail letter card from Nelly. Still no mail from Una.

28th November. Work in the morning. Stayed in on duty all day and evening. Still no mail from Una. Wrote long letter to her. Watched football match. Saw a play at night in hospital.

29th November. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon. Air mail letter card from Una, wrote back. Stretcher party at night.

30th November. Work in the morning as usual. Down to Alex' and back by truck. A good RAF show at night in the hospital. Wrote to Una.

1st December. On parade at 6.30am. Work in the morning. Geraldo and his band in the afternoon. Part of the show broadcast home. Wrote airgraphs to Una and Nelly. Stayed in all night.

2nd December. Work in the morning. Down to town, dinner in Fleet Club and a grand picture show. Back pretty early. No mail.

3rd December. Stretcher party evacuation, up at 4.15am. Work rest of morning. Rested in afternoon. Tombola at night in NAFFI, no luck. No mail. PAD night. A good sing song in the NAFFI.

4th December. Work in the morning. Down town to a dance, dinner and then the Fleet Club dancing at night. Received air mail letter card and airgraph from Una.

5th December. Work in the morning. Watched football in the afternoon. Stayed in at night, PAD duty. Started long letter to Una. Wrote air mail letter card to Una.

6th December. Work in the morning as usual. Watched football match in afternoon. Down to Mustapha at night. Back early. Turned in early, a decent nights sleep.

7th December. Work in the morning. Sleep in afternoon. Received air mail letter card from Gerty. Wrote airgraphs to Una and Gerty. Stayed in all night. Band in NAFFI. Best sleep for months.

8th December. Arab Xmas, Bahram. Work in the morning. Received long letter and Xmas cards. Football in afternoon, won 3-1. Fleet Club at night dancing. Not too good. A few drinks.

9th December. Work in the morning. Received some very old papers. Wrote air mail letter card to Una. Stayed in all night. PAD duty. Air raid warning during night, but nothing happened.

10th December. Work all day. Down to Mustapha for tea then to town at night to a picture show. Back pretty early. A good nights sleep. Very cold during night. No mail.

11th December. Work in the morning. Down to town in the afternoon to Montgomery House for tea and a dance or two. Back to the hospital early evening. No mail.

12th December. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon. Did not turn out at night. Fell asleep. Sleeping much better now thank goodness. No mail again today. Very hard to find something to do at night.

13th December. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon. Received air mail letter card from Una, wrote long one back and also a long letter. Picture show at night in hospital. On night stretcher party duty.

14th December. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon against 8th General Hospital, lost 4-1. Stayed in all night. Played tombola, no luck. Another good sleep.

15th December. Una has received parcel of silk. Work all morning. Broke my glasses again. Fleet Club at night dancing. Pretty good evening. No mail today. Had a few brandy's to drink. A real good nights sleep.

16th December. Work in the morning. Rained heavy and very cold. Pictures in town in afternoon. Still no mail. Stayed in at night. Should have been a concert. Still rainy and very cold.

17th December. Work in the morning. Football in the afternoon, won 1-0. Tombola at night in hospital, won 40pt. Air mail letter card from Una. Still cold and wet.

18th December. Work as usual in morning. Down to town with the boys. Pictures followed by dinner at the New Zealand YMCA. A few beers at Delices. Back early. Dead tired. Air mail letter card from Una.

19th December. Work in the morning. Watched football match in afternoon. Received Xmas parcel, air mail letter card and newspapers from Una. Wrote back, also wrote airgraph to Jean. Started long letter. Turned in early.

20th December. Work in the morning. Played football in afternoon for hospital third team, won 8-0. Finished long letter to Una. At night, received an old newspaper. Turned in early and slept well.

21st December. Work in the morning. Just hung about all day and read. Tombola in the NAFFI, no luck. Turned in early. Poured with rain all night.

22nd December. A lovely day? Poured with rain! Work a little in morning. Down to pictures in afternoon. Dinner in NZ YMCA at night. Back to hospital to see a concert party, no too good. Rained all night.

23rd December. Rain stopped today, a treat to see the sun again. Work in the morning. Down to Mustapha for tea. Back to the hospital at night for concert party, quite good. Received four Xmas airgraphs.

24th December. Work in the morning. Down to No6 Lab at night to a party. A wonderful do. Everything really grand. Played the piano all night. Just about drunk! A good sleep.

25th December. Started the day with a few drinks of brandy provided by the Dental Officers. Played football in afternoon, won 3-2. In the evening I played the piano in the wards for the patients.

26th December. Today was our Xmas Day. Went down to Mustapha early and had a drink. A really excellent dinner. Watched football in afternoon. A smashing tea. Then down to Alex' to the pictures. A grand day.

27th December. Wrote air mail letter card to Una and airgraphs to ma & pa, Nelly and to Blackpool. Received cigs and air mail letter card from Una. Wrote airgraph and long letter to Una. On stretcher party duty, three patients to move, otherwise a quiet night.

28th December. Work in the morning. Received air mail letter card from Una and letter from Church. Down to Mustapha, then to town. Pictures at night. A quiet evening.

29th December. Work in the morning. Watched football in afternoon. Played tombola at night, no luck. On night patrol, walked around for one and a half hours. Very cold, was dead tired.

30th December. My darling daughters birthday, nine years old. God Bless her and make her very happy. I hope she has a nice party and likes the present I sent for her.

31st December. So we come to the end of another year. It was finished with a dance, not as good as the other ones, as my thoughts strayed home. The New Year came in with the hope that soon I should be home.