Extracts from diary.
Wednesday 11th March 1942
Left Irvine for London, arrived Glasgow 6.45 pm. Arrived London am on Thursday 12th.
Friday 13th
Billeted at the Hotel Central, Marylebone and drew tropical kit.
Monday 16th
Left London for Liverpool 11.10 pm. Arrived 10.30 am and embarked on HMS New Holland
Friday 20th
Sailed in convoy from Liverpool at 12 noon passing Anglesea. Heading to India from there to China to advise the Chinese troops.
Sunday 22nd
Anchored on the Clyde set sail at 8.30 pm on Monday 23rd. Counted 43 ships in convoy.
Saturday 28th (Fifth day at sea).
All gunners at action stations, ships under threat of submarine attack.
Saturday 4th April
Arrived at Free-town awaiting the Queen Mary to join the convoy. Left port at 1pm Saturday 11th April.
Thursday 23 April
Arrived at Cape Town 2 pm. Left Cape Town at 3pm on Sunday 24th.
Monday 4th May passed Madagascar got news or 5th that Madagascar has been taken by B.T.
Saturday 16th May 1942 arrived at Bombay.
Tuesday 19th.
Arrived Deolali, went on rout march in the morning and a run on 20th.
Saturday 20th went on 3mile route march, was attached to the Green Howard.
Tuesday 23rd June arrived at Pataria at 4.30 am 8 mile march to camp.
Monday 27th July
Had to get out of tent at 5 am as the water was coming in. Three men were drowned.
Friday 31 July
Took command of 142 Group and moved into new lines.
Tuesday 4th August
Orders received to pack up and be ready to move on Wednesday the 5th for Saugar
Thursday 6th August
Moving off in the afternoon, marched 8 miles to Patharia arriving at 11pm.
Friday 7th August
Arrived Saugar at 5.30 pm after 4 mile march.
hi Kevin
Fascinating diary extracts mate. I was interested in seeing he passed Madagascar as it was captured by British troops. My dad was with No5 Commando on the island They were the first to land and attacked the coastal guns there