11th & 12th January, 1948 - A Bad Lad and Reform School Palestine-style, and some news of very imminent transfer.

Built on the site of a Crusaders' fortress
 the citadel was converted to government
offices and a prison during the British Mandate
source: http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/AcreCitadel.html

Sunday, 11^th January, 1948

This morning I went to Acre on an escort duty.  We had first to take a boy to the remand home there.  The boy had been convicted some time ago and had been granted ten days leave over the recent Moslem feast period.  He had failed to return to the school and in the meantime committed a further offence.  He has now been sentenced to two periods of two years to run concurrently.  At the school the principle told me he is a bad lad and fears that two years will not improve him a great deal even under the training he will receive there.  At the school they are only punished in as much as they are under supervision and away from home.  For a boy who has committed only a minor offence the school is good institution as there he will receive much better food and treatment than in the majority of cases he would receive at home.  Also he is taught a trade, a thing he could not hope for under the normal course of affairs.  His schooling is more intensified and the discipline though it probably seems hard to him now will be of untold value to him when he goes out into the world to earn his living.  Short periods in such a school are of little avail as it is only with constant care and attention over a long period can he benefit.

Monday, 12^th January, 1948

Yesterday morning, while I was on escort to Acre, a case of Armed Robbery was reported to the Station from Tubas Police Station.  Four men in a lorry had been stopped by two armed men and property of total value £P47 was stolen from them.  Only one accuse actually came near to the complainants but the other shouted to a witness.  On the evidence of the witness two men have been arrested.  On searching the houses of the accused persons a packet of tea was recovered, adding to the evidence arraigned against them.

Today a case of Attempted Murder occurred in a nearby village.  The complainant

apparently owes the accused a considerable sum of money & refuses to pay his debt.  The accused had an argument with the complainant and fired a rifle at him wounding him seriously in the shoulder, at the base of his neck.

At five this evening I was in the throws (sic) of reports to be submitted on these cases when the Sergeant came rushing into the office.  He informed me that the whole of the single foot men in Nablus had to be packed ready to transfer to Jerusalem at 8am tomorrow.  Inspector Josef Amer came in and I handed over my section of the “I” Branch in a quarter of an hour so the chaos which will follow, I dare not think about.

22nd & 23rd December, 1947 - There is a shortage of men and Ron has to shift himself to get things done.

Monday, 22^nd December, 1947

This morning there were no escorts to take my prisoners to court.  This meant I had to dash around at the last moment trying to get an escort.  First I phoned the M.T. section up and they said they would supply a truck right away.  I then made haste to the Billet to wake men who had been on duty up to midnight.  Such men are excused duty up to about 8.30am.  Those on duty after midnight are excused the whole of the following morning.  I managed to get two out of bed who should have been up & dressed.  The court starts at nine we arrived about 9.30.  We then found that another prisoner was wanted so I took one of the chaps, borrowed Salphit’s car and dashed back to the station to make out another release from prison order for this additional prisoner.  I was rushing around all morning on escort duty myself as we could not get enough men to form an escort.

The S.P. payed the station a visit this afternoon, pulled everything to pieces but put a very kind entry in the inspection book.  After he had left B/I Pattle decided to give us another lecture but failed hopelessly when B/I Coles came in and told him he should not go down the Sukh.

Tuesday, 23^rd December, 1947

After the S.P.’s little chat yesterday I decided to start putting my house in order as he promised another visit within a few days when he expects to find everything in the station, and especially my charge register, up to date.  I went through the whole of the charge register from the Beginning of the year and filled in all the points that were missing.  These are not important points – only such things as “date investigations were completed”  “date referred to Magistrate.”

The Charge Room

This afternoon a letter came from Division telling me to make a summary of all the statements recorded in a Road Accident case in which proceedings had been instituted.  This is quite a big job and to top it in bold letters was written “TREAT AS VERY URGENT”  I immediately set to work on it and by 5.15pm had half completed it.  Then it suddenly flashed into my mind that I was on gate guard at 6pm.  Owing to the shortage of men all employed staff have to do at least one night duty a week.  I have been granted the privilege of the 6pm – 12pm as this does not interfere with my work.

29th & 30th May, 1947 - Ron gets some welcome news...

Thursday, 29^th May, 1947

I went as I.C. the Convoy today.  Even though sitting beside the driver in comparative comfort the heat was terrific.

After the duty we all went swimming & when we came back I joined a road check.

I want to get in a few contraventions so that I can go to court & get the court procedure off better.

Friday, 30^th May, 1947

I was on convoy again today.

I heard on returning to the station that I have been posted as B/C. “I” at Tubas Police Post.  4 mounted and2 foot police are also going with me with Sergeant Blanks and Station Sergeant.

This came as a very pleasant surprise & I hope I shall be able to carry out the new duties I shall encounter.

I went to the cinema this evening to see “The Great Mr Ziegfield.”   It was very good.

24th - 26th May, 1947 - Chatting with the locals, a crash, a court case and Haifa...

Saturday, 24^th May, 1947

This is my last day on Gate Guards.  I have talked a great deal with the various T.A.C.s [1] on with me & have both increased my knowledge of the language & the country.

Sunday, 25^th May, 1947

I was called on this afternoon to escort Mr Proud to Tulkarm and beyond to the scene of a road accident of the day before involving a police truck & an army truck.  The wreck of the 15cwt was at Lajjun.  The engine and rear axle were all right the rest was not.  The driver was scratch less, the sergeant beside him had two ribs and an arm broken & of the four in the back 1 broken arm & a cut eye.

[1]TACs were Temporary Additional Constables drawn largely, but not exclusively from the Jewish community.

Monday, 26^th May, 1947

I was up at 4 o’clock this morning with B.C. Ryan to go as escort to the military camp at Haifa.  We left Nablus at 5am.  We took two mounted police, the witnesses in the case, to the court and then went to Acre to collect the two brothers.  We took them to court where they both pleaded guilty.

Of course the judge was not interested in what they had done with the weapons so after hearing the “learned council” he sent them each to prison for 9 months.  They were both very happy about it.

The examining Magistrate’s court for their civil charges will be set up on Thursday.

After the court we spent 3 hours walking around Haifa.

13th - 16th May, 1947 - More escorts, some rough cricket and a trip to the flicks...

Wednesday, 14^th May, 1947

Today the S.P. & I went to Tulkarm & Jenin & back to Nablus by lunch time.  After lunch I watched the cricket match “on the ménage before the Police Station.”

Eric Carter played but the pitch was in so bad a condition the play was very poor.

Thursday, 15^th May, 1947

I was not called upon for duty until 7pm to escort the SP to a house in the Ballad.  I returned to collect him at 9.15pm & got a puncture in the tyre so we had to change the wheel.

Friday, 16^th May, 1947

Tulkarm & Camp 22 again occupied out time this morning but I was free of duty from 2pm.

In the evening I went to a cinema show in the club.  The film starred Fred Astaire in “Yolanda & the Thief”

The story was very peculiar but we all enjoyed it.

5th - 9th May 1947 - Lots of Convoy duty for Ron, another dental appointment and a little local produce...

Monday, 5^th May, 1947

I was “I.C.” convoy today and after the trouble of yesterday as a result of the rain it went throughout the day very smoothly.

  

Tuesday, 6^th May, 1947

B/C Bicknell took the command of the convoy today which may have accounted for the smooth trip we had.

  

Wednesday, 7^th May, 1947

I am “I.C.” again today.

Jerusalem convoy was an hour late at Kilo. 41. we made up half an hour by the time we reached Jenin and the other half on the return journey.

  

Thursday, 8^th May, 1947

Convoy.  B/C Bicknell I.C.

After Convoy today we went to the dentist and had the finishing touches put to our teeth which included scaling and polishing.

  

Friday, 9^th May, 1947

Convoy.  Very hot but uneventful.  I was I.C.

I had my first fresh apricots today.  They are not quite ripe but in a week or so should see them so.

We obtained them from Walads standing in the side of the road as our convoy passed through one village.

Starting with a price of 50mils a dish we finally after several startings of the engine obtained them for 30mils.

B/C Bicknell & I decided to give up smoking today.  I wonder if we have will power enough.

29th April - 4th May, 1947 - A bit of escort duty but generally a quiet time for Ron who turns to books and George Bernard Shaw!

Tuesday, 29th April 1947

Jerusalem, and the Police head quarters there, was the destination of a party including myself as escort, sent to collect the half yearly District Stores.

How a driver can find his way through the veritable maze of barbed wired roads I cannot imagine.

There were police checks everywhere with pill-boxes at every corner & stationary armoured cars at principal cross roads.

I did not see as many soldiers as I did last time only one or two at some check positions.

Wednesday, 30th April 1947

I was free from duties today but had to stand by as an available in case something unexpected turned up.

Thursday, 1^st May 1947

This morning at 6 o’clock I took part in a road check outside the station.  One or two contraventions were taken otherwise the check was uneventful.

Friday, 2^nd May 1947

Off duty today.

This means I had nothing to do but lie on my bed and read.

This makes the time drag, as the assortment of books I at the moment have does not improve matters.

Saturday, 3rd May 1947

The close thundery heat is upon us again making conditions rather irritable.  The flies seem to revel in it & swarm everywhere.  I am not on duty again today.  Personally I would rather be on duty as the time drags when one stays in the billet with very little to occupy the mind other than reading.  I have just bought Shaw’s “Man & Superman” and “Major Barbara.”

Sunday, 4^th May 1947

Today starts a week of convoy duty for Bicknell & me.

Exposed to the Sun’s heat in the back of the truck am expecting to be very sunburnt by the week’s end.

There was a very heavy storm this afternoon with hail & thunder.  The hailstones ¼ of inch.

14th - 16th March, 1947 - Escort duties continue then to local Cinema and sight seeing...

Friday, 14^th March, 1947

This morning commencing dull & oppressive developed into heavy rain from 8am to 12 midday.

During this time I was on escort to a Ford 2 car carrying a B/C on the first part of his journey home on compassionate leave.  This took us to Ramle just south of Lydda[1]

On the Main road I saw my first signs of Martial Law.  At every second telegraph pole a ‘Bren’ position has been set up along the road, which is buzzing with army trucks & cars, four of the former we saw over turned in the side of the road.  Every truck that passed us sent up a shower of mud after it which gave the windscreen wipers great pleasure in smearing evenly over the window.  The driver had to get out and de-mud the screen at one time.

[1]Now know as Ramla and Lod

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Palestinian_exodus_from_Lydda_and_Ramle

Saturday, 15^th March, 1947

A fine day on which I was not called upon for duty.  I spent the time reading and answering letters.

In the evening I decided to sample the Wog* Cinema.  It was only the width of the screen but quite a respectable length.  We “honoured” the cinema by sitting in the best seats, wooden benches which were otherwise unoccupied.  The cheaper seats were quite full.  The two films shown were “South of Cata Fey[Santa Fe]” & “South Carolina” both Cow Boy.

Jacob's Well
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob's_Well

Sunday, 16^th March, 1947

A lovely day today.

I was called out just before lunch to join five others to a truck which went to Kilo 41, the District Boundary, to pick up the Chief Secretary who went to lunch with the District Commissioner. 

After lunch, Graham & I went for a walk to see Jacob’s Well on the outskirts of Nablus.




*Usual apologies for racial language! http://dadspalestinediaries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/ron-baldwin-brief-profile.html

12th & 13th March, 1947 - Two rather contrasting escort experiences and a close call for the Super.

Wednesday, 12^th March, 1947

Today though chilly at first cleared up and became very warm by mid-day.

This morning I accompanied as escort, the convoy.  The journey of 120 Kilos was a rather hair raising experience as the driver, apparently unconsciously, drove at such a speed that the canvas hood, put up to shield us from the wind held on very insecurely by odd pieces of cord & wire, persisted in breaking loose in odd places so that between keeping ourselves on, the canvas on and keeping clear of flying cords, we had a full time job on.  At one stage we gave it up as hopeless & resolved ourselves to the uncomfortable but safe position on the floor.  The wireless operator’s batteries then broke loose as also did his description of the driver.

Thursday, 13^th March, 1947

I don't know if this is the type but ...
source: http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/NA/Chevrolet/1947_
Chevrolet/1947-Chevrolet-Brochure/1947-Chevrolet-02-03

This morning I was called out on my first personal escort duty.  The Superintendent drove the “Chevrolet” with myself seated comfortably beside him.  After travelling the Jenin road on the back of a 15cwt truck the same journey in this car seemed a joyride.  Instead of dropping into every pothole we seemed to glide over the top of them.

The police post we visited in which I found Eric Carter, is reputed to be the best in the country.  Whether it is unusual to receive visitors at the post or not I do not know but I was told by Eric that on the approach of the Super the alarm was given & Carter found himself on top of the tower ready to man the Bren gun.

We had an Arabic lecture this afternoon from an Arab who not only speaks English but has a system of presentation.

10th & 11th March, 1947 - Prowler and explosive escort duty

Monday, 10^th March, 1947

Today was spent quietly in the billet.  In the evening my duty was that of prowler guard from 6pm – 12 midnight.  This duty entails a strict watch be kept on each of the six T.A.C.[1] guards, by patrolling anywhere within the perimeter wire.  Also patrolling from one tower across the roof to the other tower.

Nablus Old Police Station
source: http://www.palestineremembered.com
/GeoPoints/Nablus_1447/Picture_10624.html

These are the only station guard duties we are called upon to perform so for myself I find them much lighter than those at Shafa Amr.

Tuesday, 11^th March, 1947

This morning I was up at six in order to be ready for my duties at 7.30am.

My duties this morning was to accompany another B/C [2] on a P.W.D. truck carrying glycerine.  We went with the empty truck to Tulquarm where after a delay we collected two boxes of the explosive.

We took these to a distant village, Sulphit(?) where they were to be used for making a cistern by the school for the schools use & for irrigation.  I had a long talk with the head-master.  I found him very well spoken & versed in present day affairs.  He also held very strong views on teaching many of which I had to agree with him upon.  He does not like anyone to have a text book other than the teacher.  This policy has been argued upon & I find there is much to be said for it & against it.

[1] Temporary Additional Constable
[2] British Constable

7th - 9th March, 1947 - Ron's on escort duty.

Friday, 7th March, 1947

This morning after a fine breakfast, Graham, Mountford & myself reported at the M.T. yard to act as escorts for the convoy truck which does the following trip every morning.

We first went to K.41 where we met a similar truck from Jerusalem carrying mail for us & convoying two civilian V.I.P’s cars.  We turned about and taking the cars into convoy took them back to Nablus & onto Jenin where we handed them over with mail to the Haifa convoy.

Nablus in 1947-8ish

Spending an hour in Jenin then we returned once more to K.41 and then to Nablus where it was now 2.30pm & where an excellent lunch awaited immediate attention.

Cards passed the evening away with a letter home to fill up time.

Saturday, 8^th March, 1947

This morning we did a repeat journey of yesterday’s escorting finishing at 3 in the afternoon.

We had just finished lunch when a sergeant asks us to go out on a truck with him to find a motorcycle which had broken through a road check in Jenin carrying a Jew and a Jewess.

We found them about 20 kilos from Nablus at Kilo.85 parked by the side of the road with a flat tyre.  The sergeant, satisfied they were not terrorists and after discussion, piled them onto the truck & back to Nablus Garage for repairs.

Sunday, 9^th March, 1947

Beautiful sunshine all day.

We were not called upon for duty today so spent it idling the time away in the barrack room, reading & playing “Nap”.