18th & 19th April, 1948 - Closer and closer... The Bay of Biscay and Finisterre while the nights are getting colder.

Sunday, 18^th April, 1948

Now out in the Atlantic the sea though not rough is making the ship pitch and roll.  This has caused many people, especially those who embarked at Gib., to develop mal de mer.  Fortunately so far I have escaped this fate but my tummy warns me not to be too optimistic about crossing Biscay tomorrow.

The voyage is beginning to bore me now, everything which was new in the first few days has fallen into place to make a routine.  The mornings I find pass much more quickly than do the afternoons.

Reading is my main occupation interspersed with aimless gazing out over the wastes of water.  We are out of sight of land now and after Cape Finisterre at 5a.m. tomorrow morning I doubt if we shall see more main land before that of the U.K.

Monday, 19^th April, 1948

My friend and I are still sleeping in hammocks on deck but we notice that the nights are becoming cooler as we approach England.

Every evening now we have a cinema show on deck but these have had to be begun later than they were when we left Palestine for it is still light at 8.30pm.

To get a reasonable seat at one of these shows one has to rush up to a preselected position as soon as dinner is over.

Several evenings the show has had to be put over in doubt for we sit expecting rain now we near England.

16th & 17th April, 1948 - Ron's just watching the scenery go by...

Friday, 16^th April, 1948

We are still following the coast; last evening we saw Algiers and other smaller Algerian towns on the coast.

During the night we must have altered course some degrees North for at 11a.m. we sighted the mountains of South Spain.  This coast line reminds me of Palestine, the coastal plain sweeping inland to the mountains.

The loudspeakers draw our attention to places of interest but most of them have names I find difficult to remember.

The cinema show last evening was completed without rain the first occasion I have known.

The sea although choppy this morning is again like a mill pond, the ripples are not breaking into the rougher white foam.  Porpoises have been leaping around us in shoals and we have seen a few fishing smacks whose occupants have waved to us.

My Pals & I stopped up this evening until we dropped anchor in Gibraltar Bay.  This was at 11.30pm so we viewed a brilliantly lighted scene topped by the darkened gloomy peak of the rock.

SS Samaria at Malta
source: http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/cunard7.html

Saturday, 17^th April, 1948

We were still in the bay of Gibraltar when I woke at 6a.m. this morning.  Looking out from my hammock across the deck & the bay I watched the sun rising slowly up the northern side of the rock.  This fortress is by no means picturesque viewed as we saw it.  Too many large buildings crowd the lower slopes and these were built for practical use not for decoration of the rock.

Memories of Port Said

At 11a.m. we set sail again on the last lap of the voyage.  With the troops taken on at Malta and now these at Gib the ship is becoming a little more crowded.  I cannot imagine what conditions were like on board the “Samaria” during the War when she carried as many as 5,600 troops.

The ‘bumboats’ which came out to us at Gib. are like all other ports who permit this pestering, even to the silks etc. that they not unsuccessfully sell.

14th & 15th April, 1948 - Ron is enjoying the cruise but no luck on the Tote.

Wednesday, 14^th April, 1948

We sailed from Malta at about 10pm after setting off and taking on hundreds of troops.  I should imagine the discipline is very strict on land for the naval launches & other crafts were all spick & span.

I think I must have slung my hammock on the wrong side of the ship last night for I woke during the night feeling a cold wind blowing.  This morning we pressed close by the North coast of Pantelleria Island.  I got out my binoculars and this showed me the details of this face of the island.  Extinct volcanoes domineered the picture, the sides sloping steeply down to the cliff faces.  These slopes are deeply terraced between the old volcanics lava courses.  Houses are scattered thickly on the lower slope but not by the sea.  A lighthouse on the cliffs and a castle on the summit of a hill stand out from the other simple houses.

We shall see quite a deal of land as we pursue our course just off the north coast of Africa.  Cape Bon was sighted at midday.  All the coastline seems to have been volcanic at some time and as a result is very barren looking.

This evening we assembled on deck for an open air cinema show.

The weather has been beautiful with no sign of rain but as soon as the show started so did the rain.

Thursday, 15^th April, 1948

There was no land in view this morning but at midday it could be faintly seen through the misty low lying clouds.

There is a totalisation held on deck every morning to see who can judge the mileage covered in the last 24 hours.  I bought a shilling ticket this morning but was unlucky.  Judging from the map of our route and our average speed I should think we should arrive at Gibraltar tomorrow night.

This afternoon I spent reading with the usual break for tea and a bun at 3.30pm.  Yesterday we each received a bulk ration for 11/-.  This consisted of 300 cigarettes, a bar of chocolate, two rolls of sweets & six chocolate biscuits.  This was very cheap but I did not need so many cigarettes but had to have them to get the other articles.

12th & 13th April, 1948 - Settling to life on board - swinging hammocks on deck.

Monday, 12^th April, 1948

We are now getting settled down to our temporary home.  The messing is good and the sleeping which we do in hammocks on deck, is passable.  These are the main things, for the others we manage.  Toilets if hurried are completed every morning early.

For recreation we can walk the decks or lie on them with a book or just lie talking.  Over the inter-com system we get musical programmes and the news and in the late evening some of the ships crew get out their instruments for a sing song.

The Police are wandering around trying to use all 2^nd class facilities but so far I think the only ones who have escaped the Red Caps detection are those in civilian garb who use the 2^nd class lounge.

The sea has been like a mill pond all day and this morning we saw an island off the coast of Crete.

Tuesday, 13^th April, 1948

Every night now the population of deck sleepers increases.  The chaps are beginning to realise the advantages of sleeping up in the clean open air.

Recreation facilities are becoming routine.  For myself I read and talk with my immediate friends.  Over the loudspeakers we get a half hour of “swing” music in the morning followed by a “Quiz” and a half hour of light classical music in the evening.  Otherwise the loudspeaker shouts for certain people to report to other certain people.

In all, up to now the voyage has been a continuously pleasant relaxation.

Valletta Harbour, Malta, 1948

This evening while I was in the ships cinema the ship pulled in to Valetta Harbour.  After the cinema I walked the decks looking out upon the Harbour lights.  I wish I could have seen it by day for in the half light it was attractive to see.

29th and 30th March, 1948 - Cold "statics" continue but anticipating the "list" and sketching helps to keep the spirits up

Monday, 29^th March, 1948

The weather is still changing from day to day; yesterday it was warm sunshine while today the sun has broken through the clouds on only two or three occasions here.  In the Admin. General’s building it is inclined to be cold and when on duty there it is often necessary to put one’s book down and walk about to get warm.

We were told today by a sergeant that the list of names of those persons on the next boat would be published tomorrow.  He also said that the date for these people to leave the camp had been brought forward to the 5^th from the 6^th.

We still go to the local cinema twice a week as this breaks the monotony of the Barracks.

Tuesday, 30^th March, 1948

source: http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/
m/mmlOmTR9j9ccxG0oqBP7VTQ.jpg

This morning although it was drizzling with rain my duty friend and I decided to walk to work.  We decided this as the truck was without a cover and we would therefore get wet if we went by truck, also the Administrator General’s office does not open until 8am so that we should have to stand out in the rain and wind for an hour.  By walking we used a half hour of this time and in the rest of the time we went to the Central Police Station for a cup of tea.  The offices are very cold; no form of heating being supplied by the Government.  We have another way of passing the evenings now.  We do sketches copied from Disney’s Cartoons.  These are not first rate of course but they do pass the time away and open up new channels of thought and therefore conversation.

19th and 20th March, 1948 - Spring in the air, thoughts of home

Friday, 19^th March, 1948

The cold weather is gradually leaving us now and this morning saw brilliant sunshine.

Bob Matthews my old school friend is still here and occasionally we wander about the colony together.  He spends a lot of his time up with me and I find him good company.  There is quite a deal of competition as to who will reach home first.  The standing joke is that the first one of us to reach home will spread marvellous tales about the life out here and he will have to pay enormous sums of “Hush” money to the other on his return in order to perpetuate the story.

We are all wondering whether or not the decision on America’s part to abandon partition will have an adverse effect on our going home.

Saturday, 20^th March, 1948

I see on the detail for next week’s duty that once more I am assigned to the Public Works Department Work Shops.  This will be about the fifth time I have had this guard.  It will be different in as much as the partnership of Barclay & myself will be broken, the first time since our arrival in Jerusalem.

This evening I went to the local “Regent Cinema” to see “Dr Jeckyll & Mr ydeHydeHHyde.”  I had never read the story or seen the film before and found it exceptionally well played and the photography well done.

13th and 14th March, 1948 - Ron gets his "all clear", enjoys the company of some Dragoons and the irony of the cinema show.

Saturday, 13^th March, 1948

The hospital here is in varying degrees of closing.  Everyday equipment is being packed up ready for the final moves.  Some patients are being told where they are going, some to Egypt and others to England direct.  I hear the Police are being evacuated on every troopship going and I am looking forward to my leaving.

Every evening here we get a cup of beer each as a ration.  Apparently this is a standing order for Hospitals.  I have become very friendly with a Coldstream Guards Sgt [Sergeant] and a Pte [Private] in the 3/7^th Dragoon Guards[1] and as these are relatively old time[r]s in the army and its ways it is not altogether surprising that we get a little more than a cup of beer each evening.

All of us going out on Monday went to collect our kit this evening but we were told by a fast removing private (removing to the mess) that we could not have it until tomorrow.

[1] I have found reference to the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards being deployed in Palestine from 1946 - 1948 but nothing about 3/7th... anyone?  Anyone?

Sunday, 14^th March, 1948

I[t] was raining this morning when I went up for my kit and I was fairly wet by the time I returned to the hut.

After arranging my bags ready for tomorrow I joined in a game of cribbage with the other chaps.

The fellows here have been very good fun, their wit was quite different to ours back in the barracks and came as a pleasant change and a source of inspiration with which to continue our usually unending stream of “cracks”.

There was a cinema show in the camp this evening the subject was a series of murders in a hospital.  We found this very amusing and many very amusing comments were heard during the performance. [Green For Danger?]

11th & 12th March, 1948 - Ron gets up, tries a bit of embroidery and goes to the cinema..

Thursday, 11^th March, 1948

Every morning between 9a.m. and 12 mid-day we are not allowed to smoke.  It is during this period that the inspections by the officials & M.O.s take place.  Yesterday the Colonel I/C the camp came around and as a result I was told this afternoon that I could get up for a while.

I felt a little dizzy after being in bed without food but this passed off and I sat out on the veranda in the Sun.

Not quite finished...

The walking around made me quite tired and in the evening I sat by a chum’s bed and continued the embroidery of my badge, given to me by the Sister in charge of handicrafts for the patients.  There are various things which can be done in this way to break the monotony of days in bed.  All come under the impressive title of “Occupational Therapy.”

 

Friday, 12^th March, 1948

This morning as an “Up” patient I had to wash in the wash room.  There are also showers and baths in the ablutions.

When a patient is up he is required to help with the duties in the ward.  These comprise such tasks as dusting and washing lockers, supplying bed patients with “bottles,” washing water, meals, drinks etc.

This all helps to occupy the time and for the other spare time we read, talk and listen to the Radio.  I think I shall go out on Monday.  I heard the doctor tell the sister this morning that I was ready to go out.

This evening I went to the hospital cinema, it is very much of a barn but quite large and well seated.  On the walls are small murals of scenes in the Arab lands.

The film was a Cowboy type and passed an evening away if of no other value.

28th and 29th February, 1948 - Ron has a few problems getting out of bed...

Saturday, 28^th February, 1948

My friend Barclay and myself were both called at five minutes to five this morning by the Billet Orderly whose duty it is to see that all persons on early duties are awake an hour beforehand.

Barclay & I have found that three-quarters of an hour is ample time in which to perform the early morning pre-departure necessities.  Therefore we have enjoyed an extra quarter of an hour lay in bed every day this week.  However this morning we must have both have dropped off to sleep again for when I next awoke it was ten minutes to six and the duty sergeant was wondering where we were.  By omitting all the necessities of pre-departure we arrived on parade only a few minutes late.  Fortunately the sergeant on duty with us took pity on our late rising and allowed us to use the N.A.A.F.I. canteen in the R.A.F. Billet nearby our guard post.

Sunday, 29^th February, 1948

I do not start duty until twelve midnight tonight so this morning I lay on in bed until 8 a.m.

Being awakened by the entrance of the B/C who had been on night duty I nearly decided to stay in bed after eight for he told me that it had been snowing spasmodically during the night.  It was not enough for it to lay thank goodness.

The arrangements for gratuities and compensations for our pending breaking of contracts was announced yesterday.  I have not yet heard full details but I think that we or at least myself will receive between £P80 & £P100.

Today a notice was published stating that in future we are not confined to camp only to the zone.  This is a better arrangement for we can now go to the cinema ‘legally.’

4th & 5th February, 1948 - The etiquette of the frisk is under scrutiny.

Wednesday, 4^th February, 1948

The duty passed reasonably quickly today and without any outstanding events.

One minor incident occurred when one of the B/Cs on duty with me felt a little over energetic and instead of running his hands carefully up in under a man’s arms when he was searching him, brought them up with some considerable force.  The other B/C and myself saw the funnyside of this but the astonished fellow being searched was too preoccupied determining whether or not his ribs had been broken.  When he discovered he was whole he forgave the B/C in a generous way and offered us cigarettes all round.  Probably this last move was to safeguard himself on being searched another time.

Thursday, 5^th February, 1948

It poured with rain all this morning starting at approximately 3am and finishing just before lunch time.

Typical of the lack of interest taken by N.C.O.s in the Welfare of the Force we were taken to our posts on the back of an open 3 tonner.  If at a future date I attend a reunion dinner of the Palestine Police I shall be very surprised if I do not snigger in the middle of one of the inevitable speeches made praising the life we led and the conditions we worked under.

This evening my recreation took the form of a visit to the Zone Cinema.  I do not think I have ever been more impressed than I was by the film “The Four Feathers.”  It was truly an excellent film excellently produced, filmed and acted.  The propaganda value in this country at this time is also not to be neglected.

13th & 14th December, 1948 - Nablus Urban & Rural come to Jerusalem but the conditions are pretty Spartan...

Tuesday, 13^th January, 1948

All in my room were up at 6.30am this morning to finish the packing started last evening.  We have been expecting this move for a long time but no date had been fixed.

At 8am we moved all our kit down to the veranda, where it was to stay until the lorries arrived.  For myself I had two suitcases a kit box and a bundle of blankets.  Both the Urban and the Rural Foot Police are moving out and their places being taken by Palestinians.  We were supposed to start out at 8am but as is usual in this force, unforeseen delays were encountered so that the convoy did not move off until 10.30am.  the Rural Station Officer was i/c the convoy and was in the lead in a G.M.C. Truck.  Behind this came four three ton lorries with all our kit on them and three 15cwt trucks with the 35 or so B/Cs in them.  The rear was brought up by two Motor Cyclist

A random picture of a convoy heading
 towards Jerusalem in 1948.
 Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/File:Jerusalem_convoy.jpg

Police.  We first went to Mount Scopus who knew nothing about us then we went on into the heart of Jerusalem to the Police H.Q. and about 100yds away a pistol shot was fired from the roof of a building down onto the main road.  This was all that happened and Police on Patrol cocked their rifles and were ready for more.  Our convoy carried on its journey entering the so-called safe zone of the “German Colony.”

Wednesday, 14^th January, 1948

Last evening a party of us decided a visit to the nearby cinema would be very pleasant after our lack of entertainment of this type in Nablus.  It was a very good programme in a quite pleasant cinema.

All today we have been establishing ourselves.  When we look around and see how the army left this small camp we are very thankful that we are not numbered among their ranks.  A £P1,000 is the estimated cost of repairing the sanitary facilities alone.  I doubt not that more money than this will not be spent on or other badly needed necessities.  We have literally nothing in the room other than what we brought with us.  We have been forced to drive nails into the walls on which to hang our uniforms.  We all fear to hang up our civilian clothes as the fence around the camp is so weak that any thief could enter or escape via it in comfort.  Our mess has not yet been established so we are using the mess of those Police in the camp proper.  Late last night Police from Hebron arrived in the camp but I have not come into contact with them yet.  We still have received no information as to what form our duties will take.

5th - 7th December, 1947 - A final demonstration and things start to get back to normal - Policing practices are a little questionable though.

Friday, 5^th December, 1947

Today the Arabs had their last big demonstrations (for the time being) thousands came into the town and attended meetings addressed by the mayor & other notables.  We warned all the Palestinian Police to pass on the word that tomorrow all roads leading to Nablus would be checked by Police.

 

I went to the club Cinema to see “The Spiral Staircase.”

Saturday, 6^th December, 1947

Last evening some Tulkarm Police were passing through & they met Arabs on the road firing rifles into the air.  They arrested two & brought them into the station.  We told them this was not the policy the Police were adopting (unofficially) and we quietly pushed the Arabs & their arms outside the door.

The road block was also just as farcical.  At 100yds before the block a Palestinian was posted with instructions to tell any lorries loaded as they have …

Sunday, 7^th December, 1947

… been of late to turn and go back.  The populace had been well lectured by their leaders on Friday & not one lorry load tried to come into town.  If only Arabs had a leader with brains they could drive every Jew out of the country when we leave.

Today Sunday was as peaceful as ever.

25th - 28th November, 1947 - The calm before the storm .. too busy at work to write much, Ron still manages to get to the cinema...

Tuesday, 25^th November, 1947

Lots of small jobs to do today.  Sending off letters requesting this or informing of that.

I have translated several Armed Robbery cases of late but now find that latest orders are that only those where an actual seizure of firearms is made need be translated.

Wednesday, 26^th November, 1947

Thursday, 27^th November, 1947

No entry

Friday, 28^th November, 1947

This evening I went to the club Cinema to see “Up Goes Masie”

21st - 24th November, 1947 - Ron's first days in his new job and a quick trip to see "Gaslight"

Friday, 21^st November, 1947

My first day alone in my newly attained position.  Johnny left me very clear instructions about outstanding things so could not go far wrong today.

I even had time to go to the cinema this evening to see Bogart[1] & Bergman in “Gaslight” it was quite a good story but too long drawn out I thought.

[1]Ever the critic, Ron has actually made a mistake here in that Gaslight starred Charles Boyer not Humphrey Bogart

Saturday, 22^nd November, 1947

Work is falling heavier today but so far I have kept my head above water.  Sgt Woods was decent, he did three special reports for me after I gave him the details that saved typing time for oddments.

Sunday, 23^rd November, 1947

Unfortunately I could not enjoy this day as a rest day as many jobs were left over from yesterday.

Monday, 24^th November, 1947

I find the mornings the busiest time.  First thing is to get the prisoners release from the lock –up typed & signed by A.S.P.  Then any new crimes reported to division for passing to the Duty Officer & onto H.Q. Jerusalem.  Then the 101 other little jobs.  All the bigger things I leave until the afternoon when everything is quiet.  The village Arab coming to the station always comes in the early morning.