War Diaries

September 20th 1941

Bombay 1941

49th DAY AT SEA

We will be in Bombay 10 o'clock this morning. But only to anchor. The Indian Ocean is smooth as glass.

Will not be able to land.

One fellow fell overboard. We have travelled 12,406 miles.

Bombay 1941

Now anchored in Bombay.

September 21st 1941

Bombay 1941

50th DAY AT SEA

We are going to disembark off the ship Tuesday September 23rd.

First of all we are going to a rest camp. I suppose to get used to the climate.

The food is terrible on board, have not eaten a good meal since left Cape Town. The officers have only the best. Chicken, ham, pork, then they ask us have we any complaints?

Bombay 1941

September 22nd 1941

Bombay 1941

51st DAY AT SEA

We go to rest camp tomorrow. Weather very hot, all we can see of Bombay is the mountains.

Be very glad to get off this ship otherwise we will soon be all wrecks.

Three deaths in convoys while coming to India.

Our draft is divided in seven, some going to North West Frontier

I believe to be going to Lahore.

Bombay tower

September 23 1941

52 DAY AT SEA

We suppose to dock at 10.30 this morning but still waiting 12 o'clock. Be a day when the RAF do something right.

Today makes the 59th day on this ship. We missed tide dock 2 o'clock. We now dock at 10 o'clock tomorrow.

We have been waiting all day with no dinner, then they gave us dog biscuits for tea.

All the boys nearly caused a riot.

Will be glad to get off this ship.

SEPTEMBER 24th 1941

Bombay 1941

53rd DAY AT SEA

We came off the ship today.

That ends our sea journey from Scotland to Bombay.

We was on the ship 60 days altogether.

We had 3 miles walk to a rest camp which I am in now

We are under canvas now and the sun is terrific.

We are allowed out from 1.00 pm to 1.30 am in the morning.

Beggar

Saw a funeral in Bombay. Bombay is a place where I would not like to live, very dirty, beggars everywhere.

Went in taxi round Grant Street?

They had women in cages, make us feel sick.

Would not dare walk along there must be full of diseases.

Hindu wedding

Saw a lovely Hindu wedding.

Sent wife home Christmas present.

SEPTEMBER 26th 1941

Bombay 1941

Women in Bombay take children to beg with them.

Bombay 1941

OCTOBER 2nd 1941

Came to Lahore October 2nd 1941.

Left Bombay for Lahore. 2 days on train. 1,500 miles. Slept on bare boards. Arrive at Lahore October 2nd 1941.

Lahore 1941

Very good food.

Five miles from town. The weather very hot. Winter starts next month and will not be sorry.

Received no mail from home yet.

The temperature today is 101F and they say that is cold! Winter starts 8 weeks.

Lahore Swimming pool

Posted to 31 Squadron. Also to fire crew. The food here is very good. Two fellows out of our tent have gone into hospital. Doing plenty of swimming.

The weather is very hot and can not do much work.

OCTOBER 18th 1941

Lahore

Went up in a Douglas plane today which belonged to India, or did.

Have received no mail yet, waiting answer from telegram which is late.

Nearly all the squadron are moving October 22nd.

I am staying at Lahore.

They are going into operations and seven Douglas's are going.

Had trouble with both my ears since being in India.

Seven planes went to Middle East. One crashed and was set on fire.

Lahore Begging 1941

OCTOBER 22nd 1941

Lahore Camp

Lahore camp

WENT IN HOSPITAL

Sent into hospital with mastoid but found I had boil in ear which never sleep for days with pain.

Had chicken every day, while in there an army fellow died two beds from me. Was in hospital nearly two weeks.

Received first letter today November 5th posted August 20th.

NOVEMBER 29th 1941

Lahore camp

A hill beauty

Lahore

The winter has now started which is very cold, we have fires in our tent.

We have Indian men and women working on the camp.

The women do the hardest work, also bring their children.

The women almost work until they have another child! They also get 7 annas* a day.

*1 anna is equilivant to 1/16 rupee

Lahore in tents