EXTRACT FROM A DIARY.

Dozerdust, Volume 2, Issue 18, 20 May 1944, Page 12

EXTRACT FROM A DIARY.

” WELL, it’s actually happened • last night we had al ./he rumours and . fears ‘ confirmed by, the Official fact that we were off at last. * Everyone w a e tearing around at the. last minute sending wires' and last minute letters their- people. I managed o •-get' my. photo taken - my - geaj? sent homo and also a telegram away to, that living little family of mine »

“ABOUT 8.30 ?.M. wc sfct of for the si ding, loaded down like pack horses. What a load I . - Rifles, web equipment, great/ coat, tin helmet- everything but the kitchen sink 1*

' « OUR trip north was very cold and sleepless; xthe monot-ony be in® broken by occasional cups t of ’ tpa r and breakfast at Papakura . which was' brought down to the; station inhot boxes. There was stew, tea,bread and butter « ,

KL FRO,, then on we were all -in a much bettor f-rar of mind and a ■ lot warmer;, the train hit Auckland -who a number of , trucks were waiting to take us to th r ship. •

” ''ONboard at -last J pk is a pretty good looking ■ ship: one of those 10 da; models- America has special ised in: making. This being ny first experience of a US ship I could not help but noticing that she was all-welded. The the thing * that impressed mew . that, she was under naval control. M , u

M . « ACCOMODATION was. very congested. Bunks were fc ■'high, about three feetap ■ and the atmosphere was te.. Able in contrast to WaibuWhen we left the registered close on IO / ' below. In : the sleeping quarters on this ship it { must be well above ©0 •

• « NEXT ’ MJ . limned* f lately after breakfast which was at s*4j*i the/ ( ace col. X ) ( Tuyn back to pmrnXQl