APRIL 1918 - IN LIVINGSTONE'S FOOTSTEPS

Monday 1st (Easter Monday)

Easter eggs today

Thursday 4th

This afternoon went before a board. I got through very easily. After wards we went down to the K.A.R. Depot to stay until we know the result.

Friday 5th

Pretty slow here. Go to bed after dinner.

Tuesday 9th

Saw Cpt. Allen today.

Wednesday 10th

Ha Ha the result is out & I leave tomorrow for S. Africa.

Thursday 11th

What excitement. Report at the Detail camp at 9AM to go to Limbe but find no cars to take us so have to wit until 2PM. This time we were not disappointed.

Friday 12th

Entrained at Limbe station at 7.30AM. Spire Highlands Rly. Bananne’s cheap. Scenery pretty. Arrived in Port Hearald about 4PM & went straight on to the boat. Made a start but at night anchored.

Saturday 13th

Started again at daylight. Made various stops to load up firewood. It is some trip. No shelter & no where to sleep.

Memo

Our mode of travelling was a steamer with a barge lashed to either side. But what a sight the river was. Country was flooded for miles. Native villages standing on what was once banks made it a scene of desolation. Very pretty at the beginning.

Sunday 14th

Off again at daybreak. Put in at a village soon after breakfast for more wood. After we had started I learnt the name of the place which was Chapatie & that Livingstone’s wife is buried there.

Monday 15th

Landed at Chinde about 8AM. Had breakfast & lunch at the famous Murray Hotel. Stayed here a few hrs & had a look round the town. Portuguese. Boarded the “Hoo” at 5PM.

Tuesday 16th

Arrived at Beira at 1.30PM. Does not look so bad from the sea. Prevented from landing to day owing to a crowd ashore going it too strong.

Wednesday 17th

Landed about 9AM. ½ the batch left by the mid-day train but I have to wait for the next. Staying at the Grand Hotel. A very nice restroom here.

Thursday 18th

Had a stroll round the town. Visited the Indian shops & amused myself by looking at their goods. Spent a good part of the time in the Rest Room.

Friday 19th

Most of the chaps left this morning for up the line so we have plenty of room now. We feel quite lost.

Saturday 20th

Same old round. Rest room & Bridge. It is hot here & my word there is some mosquitoes.










The Bridge at Beira

The message on the back of the card reads:

My dearest “Bob”,
The bridge at Beira. We wended our way across the bridge on our way to the Station & so paid our farewell to Beira. Best of love. Yours as ever. Walter xx

Memo

Beira is practically composed of “Pubs” or cafes I suppose they call them. There are one or two decent shops.

Sunday 21st

Nothing doing today. Even the rest room is closed. Entrained at 2PM. Had our slight snack at Villa Machado where we stopped for an hour.

Monday 22nd

Had a good breakfast at Umtali. 25 miles further on we came to the Odizi River. Had to walk over the bridge & entrain the other side. Meals in the dining saloon now. Left Odizi at 2 PM.

Tuesday 23rd

Arrived in Salisbury about 3 AM. Had a stroll round the town. Quite a good town & decent shops. A fine Restroom where they dispense lovely cakes & tea. Was taken out to lunch & also given a box of fruit. Left at 1 PM.

Wednesday 24th

Arrived Bulawayo 7 AM. Visited the town in the American fashion. Not a bad town. Well laid out. The Ladies as usual treated us splendidly. Left at 9 AM.

Thursday 25th

Arrived Mafeking about 10 AM. Ladies awaiting with tea & cake, fruit & cigs. Left at 10.30 AM. More tea & cakes at Krugendrop. Arrived at Jo’burg at 9 PM. More coffee & cakes. Left at 9.30 arrived at Pretoria about 11 PM.

Friday 26th

Got to the hospital about 12 PM. Thirsty. Had to be vaccinated first. Busy getting Blues etc to day. Quite a dull show.

Saturday 27th

Had to give my kit in to day. They are sending me on a months leave. Some mistake. Arrived at station midday but train does not leave until 7.20 PM so had a look round town.

Memo

Not too bad Pretoria. Some fine buildings etc. Am glad I have had the opportunity of doing this trip. Seen some fine scenes.

Burgher Park, Pretoria

The message on the back of the card reads:

My dear Florrie,
How would you like a stroll around this park. No doubt we should dub it pretty. Hope you are quite well. Fondest love. Yours Walter xx

Sunday 28th

Running through Natal now. Familiar names Glencoe, Ladysmith etc. Arrived in Durban about 8.15 PM. Put up at a boarding house.

Monday 29th

Went to the A & N Institute & made arrangements about going on a farm. Called at 50 Clarence Rd & they prevailed upon me to stay.

Tuesday 30th

Went out to dinner round Avondale Rd. Spent a very nice evening.

JUNE 1918 - HALF A LOAF

West Street, Central, Durban

The message on the back of the card reads: My Dearest Bob, How would like a ride along this fine street in a Ricksha. It would be quite a novel experience for you, & quite comfortable travelling. It is quite a feature of this town. Fondest love. Walter xxx

Saturday 1st

Well it is not too bad in camp. Plenty of liberty & no one worries you. Can stick a few months of this.

Sunday 2nd

Still enjoying lovely weather. Watched a RC procession. It took about ¾ an hour to pass. Spent the evening at Clarence Road.

Monday 3rd

Paid another visit to my Dentist which occupied all morning. I’ve got stung today. I am escort to a Sgt under close arrest. So put a stop to my going out. Went to a concert at YMCA. Very good.

Tuesday 4th

Paid another visit to my Dentist & he kept my teeth so I am toothless today which means that I must stay in camp.

Wednesday 5th

Lovely day not so cold. I shall be glad when I get my teeth. When it got dark I called up Clarence Rd.

Thursday 6th

Hurrah ! got my teeth this morning so I now look more respectable. To celebrate the occasion went to the beach. Nothing doing to night.

Friday 7th

Yet another visit to the Dentist. I now am minus my lower teeth. But ½ a loaf is better than none. Had dinner with McNeil at the Clarendon then went to Thornton Bio.

Saturday 8th

Another visit to the Dentist. I & Sully went up Clarence Rd & had tea & a musical afternoon. Spent the evening at the Empire Bio. Not a bad programme.

Memo

Rang up Mac and arranged to go to dinner with him Friday the 7th.

Sunday 9th

Had a trip to the beach. Crowded. Not very nice too cold & breezy. After dinner found my way to Clarence Rd & spent the rest of the day there.

Monday 10th

Got my lower teeth so now feeling more like myself. Decided to go & see “Daddy Longlegs” & was glad I went. Quite a delightful play.

Tuesday 11th

Paid my last visit to the Dentist. Visited the Empire Bio. For the Freedom of the World was the picture. Somewhat disappointed with it. A tale about a dog I could unfold.

Wednesday 12th

Down to the beach to listen to the band discourse sweet music. In the evening met some friends who took me out to dinner. Enjoyable evening. Back to camp about 11.30 P.M.

Thursday 13th

Visit Clarence Rd early to see what is wrong with Sgt Stocks. He has got it again. The Bio again. Good programme especially Auld Robin Grey.

Friday 14th

Going strong. Dressed & out before 11 A.M. Had a good time on the beach. Had tea at the YMCA. Early night.

Saturday 15th

Off to the Beach again. Called in the Rowena Tea Rooms twice. Spent the evening at Clarence Rd.
Sunday 16th

Off to the Beach quite early. Lunch at the Bungalow. Met a friend at 2.30 PM & then we went & inspected the Fort. Evening spent at Clarence Rd.

Monday 17th

Played Billiards this morning. Afternoon on the Beach. Tea at the YMCA. Menu Fried eggs & toast followed by billiards. A quiet evening at Clarence Rd.

Tuesday 18th

Managed to get some more pay. Off to the beach before lunch. Busy writing letters in the “tute”. After tea went and saw civilization at the town hall. Not up to much.

Wednesday 19th

My day out today. Met a friend at 4 P.M. Then strolled down to the beach. Dinner at the lounge & then on to see Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch

Thursday 20th

Owing to keeping late hrs I have got a touch of the fever. A good sleep after lunch improved me. Visited Clarence Rd in the evening.

Friday 21st

Had a run round before lunch taking snaps. Finished up at the Beach. Hear that we leave for G.E.A. on the 26th. Dined at the Rowence. Dust Storm.

Saturday 22nd

Bitter cold today & many showers. More troops arrived today. Dined at Clarence Rd then proceeded to the Pictures. Quite a good show.

Memo

I think that the end of my stay in Durban has been more enjoyable than the beginning. In truth I am quite loathe to leave the place.

Sunday 23rd

Still cold. Met a friend at 2.30PM then took car to Umbilo & walked into Clairwood & had tea. Quite a nice change. Returned by train had dinner in the Model Dairy while listening to the band. A very enjoyable day.

Monday 24th

Busy packing up so was not able to get out until the evening. Then went to the concert at the Town Hall. It was very good.

Tuesday 25th

Awful rush again. Left camp for the Docks at 9.30AM Embarked on the Salamis at 11AM ‘Am fed up’ Sailed at 4PM On deck in full force to bid good bye to Durban. Turned in at 7PM

Wednesday 26th

The sea is choppy & it is windy & very cold. Am feeling pretty seedy. I am too fed up for words. Roll on Beira. Am not in love with the ship. Am sleeping well.

Thursday 27th

Feeling better. Guess I am getting over my holiday now. The sea is not so rough so have not so many ups & downs. After dinner a concert livened the journey somewhat.

Friday 28th

What a delightful day. Just a gentle swell on the sea. My first appearance on deck in shirt sleeves. We are keeping in sight of land. Arrived outside Beira at 9PM

Saturday 29th

Once more we make a stay in Beira. Landed about 10AM. Quite hot now. We are quartered in the Barracks this time. Visit the restroom. Rained heavily.

Sunday 30th

Orders to pack up. Embarked on the Mafia about 9.30AM Sailed about 11AM A small Coaster & she rolls somewhat so have a funny feeling. Good skoff.