12th and 13th February, 1948 - Ron hits a losing streak at Table Tennis and has to polish up his gun...

Thursday, 12^th February, 1948

After yesterday’s lesson I did not lie back in bed after my alarm clock had wakened me at 7.45am.  In company with the other members of my room we repaired to the dining room and the guards “ate a hearty breakfast.”

This morning I played six games of table tennis and am still unable to account for my losing each and every one of them.

In the afternoon I indulged in a favourite occupation of mine, letter writing.  I wrote one letter a ten paged one to my mother, father & sister.  I hope my correspondents enjoy reading my letters as much as I enjoy writing them.  Todays letter what (sic - was) built around the themes of how I exercise my brain and how I remain sane on a six hour static guard point.

 

Friday, 13^th February, 1948

“Friday the 13^th,” the chaps shout, “I’m keeping my head down today.”

It was on a Friday 13^th that I signed my last document, my attestation, on arriving in Jenin.

The day was one of the quietest since we have been here.  It was spoiled by a rifle inspection held in the afternoon.  After all the recent rain I had several very bad rust spots

on my rifle and in preparation for the inspection I had to spend a great part of the morning & afternoon removing these.  About 60 of us were on the Parade.  I was in the rear rank.  The officer inspecting thoroughly examined the rifles of those in the front rank then the rain began to pour down so that he only glanced at the rifles in the rear rank.

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.

1st - 4th November, 1947 - Working hard in preparation for the inspection and a quick trip to court...

Saturday, 1^st November, 1947

Working hard all day again.  The S.P. inspected the Charge Register this afternoon

Sunday, 2^nd November, 1947

I was busy getting my hut ready this morning & evening.  With some office work in the afternoon.

Monday, 3^rd November, 1947

By getting myself put down for court escort I missed the drill & inspection this morning.

In court were the Khutheh brothers charged with manslaughter in 1939.  They were arrested earlier this year.

Two English & a Palestinian Judge form the bench in this Assize Court.

The Defence council is very clear & it looks to me as though they will get off with it.

Our witnesses are rather hazy on the events that took place eight years ago.

Palestine Police on Parade
source Palestine Police Old Comrades Association
www.ppoca.org 

Tuesday, 4^th November, 1947

We were up at 5am this morning to put on our kit ready for A.I.G. Mr Shaw’s inspection this morning.  The parade was at 8.15am.  He inspected all personnel British foot & mounted & Palestinian Foot, Mounted and T.A.C.’s.
All those with rifles were ordered to parade again at twelve.  He next inspected our kit laid out on our beds.  Enquiring about my insect bites he made me strip my bed looking for bugs.  I knew there were none there as I had gone over my bed with a blow lamp only a few days ago.  He agreed with me that my mattress & bedstead were very poor and ordered them changed. 

29th - 31st October, 1947 - Back to Nablus and straight back to work

Wednesday, 29^th October, 1947

Up at 6am this morning complete the last part of the journey.  Half I did by truck, the rest by bus.

I arrived at the station to find [it] in a complete flap.  The “I.G.” is going to inspect the station & records on Monday and everyone is in a flat spin as all the work has to be checked for the year.

I had my first Anti Cholera injection then got weaving on the work.

Stopping only a short time for lunch I rushed back and with the Inspector, Conway, Sgt Woods & a couple of Palestinians we got through about a quarter of the work by 8pm.

Thursday, 30^th October, 1947

I was at work by 7.30am this morning in order to get a lot more done.

We all worked solidly again snatching only a short period for lunch.  Conway & I worked

until 10pm, getting some food sent in from the club.

Friday, 31^st October, 1947

Bags more work today, forgery doesn’t come into some of the things we have done to get straight.  Signatures & sales

Incomplete Palestine Police emblem embroidery
included in Dad's photo album

I managed to get the evening off & went to the cinema.