Tuesday January 5th 1943

It is now 10 o'clock. I have finished in the galley till 3 o clock. Good morning but now it has turned out very rough and windy. The seas are so high we cannot see any of the other ships. We gave a Destroyer (Yankee) some gas this morning but the pipe line broke. Now our ship is covered in oil as the seas tossed the broken pipe all over the show. The Cook was satin the galley eating some fruit and custard when suddenly a sea hit us. Quite unwillingly up he jumped, plate in hand and he run to the other end of the galley.  The sudden toss had caught him off balance, it either means fall or run.

Now I'm going to turn in for an hour. Have not been to the lav so no pain yet but I keep on getting rumblings and I am dreading the thought of going. It is awkward doing that on a rough sea, for one has to literally hang on and as often as not the water is blown up the pan and hits you just where it is most uncomfortable, often covering you with your own.

Now it is 10:30. Just got into my bunk. Grand news. I have been in fear all day, tonight I bucked up courage and WENT. It was fairly easy and except from a slight ache I am fine. The storm abated a bit therefore less rolling. I have washed and shaved, made my bed, finished my dobeying. What more could a fellow want , unless it be land under him and HOME. I had bacon and eggs for supper the first today, now I am going to sleep, so goodnight all and God bless you. I fell very satisfied with life tonight, more so than for a long time. I do wish the Engine room bell would stop ringing. I have started to put by my stores to bring home. 6 tins of Finnon Haddie, it's good.