18th - 20th August, 1947 - A couple of quiet days then a trip out to Ghore...

Monday, 18^th August, 1947

The Palestinians are still bedecked in best civvies today.

Tuesday, 19^th August, 1947

Nothing of importance happened today.

                                                                                                                                          

Wednesday, 20^th August, 1947

An excellent day today.

Went to Ghore via “No Road” past MALEH hot springs with its green valley.  In the Ghore the P/I commandeered 3 horses & we rode down to the Jordan.  I expect to be stiff tomorrow.

Many cups of coffee from the Bedouins.

Excellent lunch from Tubas Muchtar living in a tent in the Ghore.  A big “preserving pan” held the meal enough for 36 men.  The guests eat from it first and then in order of importance down to the boys and then into the next room for the women.

The meal consisted of bread (Arabic) on the bottom then stacks of rice then a roast lamb on top.

On the way back Paddy shot a Gazelle.  What revelry there will be.  First shot at 400yrds up in the mountain.  Everyone was very happy about this.

11th - 13th April 1947 - Ron showing his continuing lack of prowess with a gun... and somehow Patrol turns into coffee time...

Friday, 11th April, 1947

It was very hot again today.

I was up at 5am this morning & went to the rifle range on the Jiftlich track.  I did not do very well on the firing.

It became terrifically hot there at 9 o’clock when ot came time for us to go.  We had to walk the two miles back & I cannot remember any two miles that so taxed our energy.

At twelve, midday, we had an arms inspection which was rather foolish I thought as the barrels had by no means fully contracted to their normal size.

This evening a cinema show “They were expendable” about the American Motor Torpedo Boats was put on in the club.  If it pays it is to be a regular thing.

Saturday, 12th April, 1947

I was on Prowler Guard today from midnight to 6am.  Nothing untoward happened.

Graham & Reilly left this morning to attend a wireless operators course in Jerusalem.

I packed parcel (2 films) to Aunt Daisy.

This evening I went on Road Patrol again principally to give me something to do.  Bicknell & I had another pleasant evening & chat at the Balata Café.  We received an invitation to attend a wedding in the village tomorrow.

Sunday, 13th April, 1947
On his inspection of the station a few days ago the I.G. was displeased with the state of the garden so all availables were asked this morning to join in weeding the plots.  We all did a share & revealed gravel paths which I did not know existed.

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

3rd & 4th March, 1947 - Ron Passes Out! and the newly commissioned police constables receive their orders...

Monday, 3rd March, 1947

Today started dull & rather cool compared with the previous week.  We were thankful for this on this our day of Passing Out as no-one wished to drop his rifle or his body to the ground as a result of the heat.

We were inspected by the District Super. & we marched past him in very fine style.  I was never before so moved as I was by opening bars of the march.

Jenin Taggart (police station) is in the middle distance
source:http://www.palestineremembered.com/
Tulkarm/al-Jalama/Picture6098.html

We received our postings in the evening.  I am for Samaria.  This may mean Jenin Taggart but too near Depot for comfort.

In the late evening free beer & eats were provided & everyone from the O.C. to Sergs were canned.  Eggs and beer flew like wild fire.  We returned a little the worse for wear but nevertheless happy and content after midnight.

Tuesday, 4^th March, 1947

At 4.30am this morning we were called for breakfast on the day of our journeying to our posts.

Paddy Graham

After last minute packing & jumping upon case & box to close the lids on the crammed contents had been concluded and the kit piled on the scene of yesterday’s March Past, we were set to await the transport to our new homes.

At 8.30 we set forth along the roads inland.  We came to Jenin where the party of 20 was split into 3.   Some going to Tulquarm and others remaining at Jenin while Graham, Reilly, Barclay, Mountford & McGill and myself continued our journey to Nablus.  Here we lunched and all settled into one barrack room.

We had a rough survey given us by the Sergeant who then left us to ourselves.  We went for a stroll around the town and found it very interesting in its two sections, modern & old.