Family Memories War

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Fri 4 Jan

To St. Andrews for medical inspection in readiness for embarkation to U.K.

Sat 5 Jan

All Maltese on one day strike. Preparations made in case of trouble but fortunately not necessary. All troops confined to barracks. Stayed at office until 9.30 pm when we were told all clear.

Sun 6 Jan

Started packing kit. Command Hall pm.

Mon 7 Jan

To St. Andrews stores to draw winter underwear.

Tues 8 Jan

The Way Back

Moved into demob camp. Another beautiful day – in more ways than one. Changed money into francs. F.F.I. inspection.

Wed 9 Jan

Up at 6am. No one overslept! To harbour for 9.15 to board Italian ship ss Grandidea at 10.15. Fairly big ship, very clean and beautifully fitted out. Off coast of Sicily at 2.00 pm. Through Straits of Messma on way to Naples. Boat had come from Port Said and already nearly full up Air force, Navy and Army all going home.

Thurs 10 Jan

At Naples for 1 pm. View of Capri and Italian coast. Very mountainous right to sea coast. Vesuvious, two cones one higher than the other. Trouble when an Italian sea man was caught stealing tins of jam, milk etc. He was raving so had to be put in the cells. Naples harbour, much damage and wrecks. Anchor raised for sailing at 9pm, destination Toulon 1839 personnel on board.

Fri 11 Jan

Sea rough. Passed through Straights between Sardinia and Corsica. Very rugged. Snow on mountains.

Sat 12 Jan

Entered Toulon harbour. Many sunken ships. Sea plane base. Disembarked and  to transit camp in tents.

Sun 18 Jan

Walk to Segne a suburb of Toulon am and Toulon pm. Air full of scent from cosmetic manufacture. Sunshine.  Bomb and shell damage all way along walk back to Transit camp.

Mon 14 Jan

Poor conditions at Transit camp. Very rough, windy and cold at night. On train at 8pm. Crossed Rhone and on through Central France, ice and frost. Through Limoges, Orleans. Each station besieged by inhabitants hoping to barter for possible luxuries, soap particularly.

Tues 15 Jan

All day in train. Stops for meals. Wight in carriage Heated in evening.

Wed 16 Jan

Many bridges wrecked and repaired with temporary framework. Train crossed them at walking pace. At Dieppe at 6.45 am. Transit camp near town, very good conditions with everything laid on. Very cold weather.

Thurs 17 Jan

Crossed Channel and so to Aldershot. Civilian clothes issued, railway voucher and that was that after 5 years 2 months 11 days.