MARCH 1919 - REPATRIATION

1.3.19

The months are gradually passing & we find that we are passing into a colder climate. My word it was cold on deck this morning. Time disregarded my Drill.

Since passing the Equator it has been getting gradually colder. One can tell we are in a different Zone. Gone are the Blue Skies & the Blue Sea, & the clear atmosphere. In place of which grey seas & cloudy skies meet our view & the Horizon is very hazy.

At 4 PM we had a sudden life Belt Parade. Had the usual warning. Did a little more washing. Got my serge out ready for wearing. We get told what we must wear as if we are little children.

2.3.19

The highways are getting quite busy now. Since last night we have passed 4 Ships. Of course everybody knows who & what they are & all have their arguments to prove the same. But when all is said & done they are as wise as I am.

Still a cold wind blowing so we appreciate our serge now. No Inspection this morning. Spent a comfortable hour in the Music Saloon. After dinner basked in the sun. It was lovely out of the wind.

Our mileage per day is dropping now. 288 to day making a grand total of 3,968. We are beginning to count the days now. Closed the day with another hour in the Music Room. The singing was very good.

3.3.19

Sweating on the last week now. Can hardly realize that we have passed two weeks on this ship. They seem to have passed fairly quickly. So hope this our last week will pass as quickly or if possible quicker.

We are getting cold weather now, but other wise lovely days. Bathing is optional now, & so the showers do not do as much trade.

I had my Flash & Badge stolen out of my cap during the afternoon. Such a paltry theft defies discription.

Since tea we have had company so don’t feel so lonely. We first saw it on the horizon now it looks nearer & the lights show up plain. So far we are keeping level. We would all like to know it’s name.

4.3.19

When I went on deck this morning found land visible on the Port Side. It rose out of the water very prominent, but it was somewhat hazy. I believe it was Teneriffe. Our boat had passed over to the Port Side and was not more than 5 miles away.

Later. That boat is showing us its heels now. It is leaving us in the lurch. Now it is getting a speck on the horizon.

Filled in the Employment Form. Did a little more washing after dinner. Have had my little scrubbing brush stolen now.

We are properly getting the Atlantic Swells now. So the old boat is rolling. We did 301 miles to day.

5.3.19

It is none to warm o’nights now, even though we are crowded. Ongoing above we found we had lost our company. They must be in a hurry. The wind keeps strong, but the sea is not very rough although there is a heavy swell. So we still continue to roll. It tried to rain about dinner-time or was it sleet.

The Raffle for the Piano came off this afternoon. I had a ticket but as usual the good fortune did not favour me. The Crown & Anchor gang won it. Evidently they intend to carry everything off the boat, money included.

Passed a tramp this evening very close. Everybody nearly was on deck. It was a little change.

6.3.19

Clouds chasing one another in the Sky greeted our appearance this morning. The wind does not abate a jot & now it is blowing the spray all over the ship. So the deck presents a deserted appearance.

Instead of the Ships Inspection we had a sudden life boat Parade. As usual a rush for life belts.

The sea is much rougher it keeps giving the ship some terrible bangs. Some say we are now in the Bay of Biscay, but I wonder. We only made 277 miles to day & every prospect of less tomorrow. But hope we get in by Sunday & favoured by better weather. We wear overcoats now.

7.3.19

What a transformation scene. Found the sea as calm as a pond, as if to say Rough I could not be. The wind had dropped too so it was quite pleasant on deck in the Sun.

About 10 AM sighted land. The Southern extremity of the Bay they say. So according to that we were opposite the Bay about mid-day. So far the famous Bay is keeping very quiet. Hope it is continuous.

4 PM Came over very misty & started raining slightly. The wind has gone to the rear now.

Later. Mist all cleared away & v fine. We did 255 miles to day. Surprised me with the storm we came through.

8.3.19

Still rolling home, & in truth when I woke up I found we were rolling very strongly. Rather too much for my liking. Instead of Ships Inspection we had a Medical one below deck. A sure sign we are nearing home.

The highway was quite busy after dinner. We passed 4 ships. We did 291 miles to day. Very good indeed. Now we are on what I hope is our last 24 hrs. Can hardly possess ourselves in patience until it rolls by.

6 PM Everybody seems in a jovial mood to night. The wind has dropped & the sea is not as rough although we are still rolling pretty bad. Farewell Biscay.

9.3.19

On awakening the first thought was, “Our last Day”. The sea is quite calm for it too although it is raining slightly & misty. Cleared up after breakfast & then everyone planted themselves in places of advantage in order to get first sight of Blighty. Paraded at 9.30 & got our ration cards.

10.30 AM Saw our first sight of land but not very clear. Do not know whether it is the mainland.

11 AM Went to the Service in the Music Room, after which it was time for dinner. The Bell has been going all morning warning us that the highway is very busy. Nothing but ships now.

2 PM The majority of the chaps are not indulging in their usual after dinner nap. Too anxious to see the sights & land I suppose.

Have just seen the fairest sight for months. We were able to feast our eyes on the Isle of Wight & it looked lovely. The Sun took pity on us & just peeped out so it showed up the country fine. It was a treat to gaze upon it.

Handed in life belts. Unfortunately a fag as overshadowed everything. So th country is blotted out of view.

We dropped anchor opposite Netley about 5 PM & thankful to be safe home again. It is quite a treat to see all the lights again. It is bitter cold. Finished up the day in the Service in the Music Room. What a crowd there was too. Not very often you find them waiting to go to Church.

10.3.19

Did not need the bugle to wake us this morning. The troops were awake before 5 AM. And then existed a time of confusion packing up etc. However we all managed it eventually.

We got safely tied up in the dock about 8 AM. We placed our valises in the railway shed & indulged in coffee & cake & sent a telegram off. Now we are awaiting while they unload the rest of the kit. It is raining , & a very miserable day.

At 2.30 PM they fell us in & marched us off to dinner at the A & N Canteen. It seems we are waiting here for the representative of the Crown Agents. When we had given him up he turned up, & then to business. They gave us £2 & a railway warrant & told us they would send the rest on.

We left Southampton at 6.45 PM & arrived Waterloo at 10. Got a taxi & got all my kit over to Kings X & caught the 11 PM train for New Southgate. Had to leave my kit there for the night. Arrived home at mid-night & had to knock them up.

11.3.19

Could not sleep last night. Not used o feather beds. Was off to the station at 9 AM to get my kit. Could find no one to bring it home for me so had to be my own porter & wheel it home myself. What a job it was.

Spent the rest of the morning unpacking etc. Arranged to meet Critcher at 5.30 but he did not turn up. So after waiting an hour I went on to Harringay to look up JJ Bishop. Luckily I found him & spent the rest of the evening gassing etc.

12.3.19

Another wretched day. I think the Sun must have got lost. Have not seen it since I landed.