Diary Entries
I have a terrible feeling of dejection again. Thinking always thinking of Kidderminster. I wonder what is going on there. Have you had any snow, coal, fires, have you got any? There is always something running through my mind. There is a photograph hanging up here, it belongs to my mate otherwise I would take it down. Every time I look at it ,it reminds me of someone. Whenever I feel like this my brain becomes a running commentary of my past twelve months. Maybe today all our nerves are on edge owing to the fact that at 2 a.m.
read moreNo sign of our friends the Jerries today but as soon as it was light enough, there were warplanes to greet us. Those chaps fly so low as to wave to us. Last trip (I may have mentioned it in my other diary) there was a seagull with only one leg. I am sure it is the same one we have seen today in approximately the same place. Others are just as convinced as I am.
The pump man has given me a nice piece of calico to make myself an apron with.
read moreWell I had a good night last night. I had two sandwiches and tea, fiddled about,
made myself a new white hat and here we are. Already the chaps are going around semi nude. No work Sundays except for the galley. The gunners have got their guns to pieces. Others are doing their dobying. Myself, I have snatched a few minutes to write this bit. It is just 10 o clock here. That means 3.30 in England. We are just cooking our dinner. You have had yours but not the same as us, I bet, Roast Duck eh!
Here is this morning's news-
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Today's news:
Morning:
"The mate took so many bearings the other night that one of them was a seagull. There is a slight argument as to whether the cook is a dinner or tea cook. A WAG suggested a galley survey to find out the truth. They say the Chief Steward is jealous of the attention the cook is getting and is talking about cutting down the stores.
Tonight's news:
Owing to finance getting low, it is suggested for funds to buy more chalk. More news to come.
read moreThere is not much news today. Bacon, sausage and bread-- Turkey for dinner, cold, cold lunch. For Tea- Pork and ham, Fish cakes, Jelly, apples, cheesetrifle chips. How's that.
No one seems to know who our Editor is but here is today's news :
The Captain who is an Authority on " Hot Spots"
Was heard to remark,
that he was having all members of the crew
as guests at a well known club in Galveston.
read moreAh! Well! there tomorrow afternoon. Thank goodness and another wire home. I am definitely going to the British Hospital here and see if I can get some satisfaction about myself. Have seen no planes today. Perhaps they think we are safe now. I hope so anyway, one never knows.
The storm did not hit us but was all around. We've had heavy rain and mist all day with a choppy sea but nothing serious. It is much colder and darker.
Here is today's news-
The Cook was heard to say to the galley boy that
read moreWell, no news today. Up this morning, you know, then work, plenty of it.
What do you think they had for tea today? Kippers, steak and kidney pie, mashed spuds, cakes, grapefruit, (fresh) lettuce, beetroot, tomato and the Officers had pineapples as well. The brave Silent Service, dodges of the army I call them.
read moreThe morning went along as usual and at 3 o'clock we moved into the wharf. There are ships all round us, for repair. Ours is the second in our wharf. There are all nations ships here. A lot of chaps went ashore as soon as they could. I suppose they will all get drunk and into trouble. I was going shore but afterwards decided not to. There is plenty of time for that. Instead I am in bed at 8 o'clock. The best place I think, do not you? I will go ashore Saturday night. Goodnight all. God bless.
read moreWell it is nearly a week since I wrote anything in here. I do not know why but I have right-off writing, although I sent a telegram Monday night, to let you know I sent it to Co Cup' this time. But no reply has come yet, I enquired today. When I was ashore seeing the Doctor it was not until yesterday that I could pay him my first visit. Then I waited 2 1/2 hours in the waiting room for him. It was not his day but had arranged to see me. He did not arrive but those two hours were very pleasantly spent with his secretary, a most charming person, who's husband is in the services.
read moreWell I have got the decision. It is an ulcer, or more. My word he did give me pain. I swore to him and a dozen times he said he was sorry and told me to go back to the ship now and use my bowels which I did but oh boy I hurt and still does ache very much, but I feel very much easier in my mind. I've got medicine. I won 10 dollars and was so pleased about it. In a pub actually, it was, a kind of lottery or draw. I won it on my second go I could not believe myself.
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