7th - 11th June, 1947 - First case since the move and Ron continues his Arabic studies...

Saturday, 7^th June, 1947

This afternoon Ryan McShannon & I walked to Tubas a matter of 5 miles along the very bad road which runs past the station to Jenin.

The village is quite large with some quite well built houses but the roads are very poor.

Sunday, 8^th June, 1947

I spent the day learning Arabic.  I started to study how to write it today but I fear it will be a long time before I achieve very much in that direction.

Monday, 9^th June, 1947

The first case reported to the office since I have been here came in this morning from the A.D.C. who reported a farmer only notifying the tax recorder of his ownership of 5 out of 8 cows.  Not a very  important case but something.

Tuesday, 10^th June, 1947

Nothing to do in the office today but learn Arabic and straighten my messing accounts.

The mess is showing a profit up to now which is quite good for a small establishment.

Wednesday, 11^th June, 1947

I learnt more Arabic today otherwise there was very little work.

4th - 6th June, 1947 - Very little crime at Tubas... but Ron hopes that will all change soon!

Wednesday, 4^th June, 1947

This Post is apparently in control of a very crime free area there being seven cases reported last month.

We rather suspect the Moktars are not reporting crime & in the contraband section which is common knowledge, bribery & corruption has set in.

We are hoping to get quite an amount when the Patrols start out.

Mr Middleton came down today to look around the station, he found it to his liking.

Thursday, 5^th June, 1947

Mr Proud D.S.P. has gone to Jerusalem so Nablus breathes more freely now I suspect.

Mr Tatum in the grand procession of inspections we are expecting the station to receive, came down this morning.

As is typical of him when he is pleased he passed little comment.

Friday, 6^th June, 1947

We have been getting up early every morning this week.

I have been going to the office but there have been no cases so there has been very little to do.

I helped the corporal to make up his weekly returns then I balanced my mess accounts.

31st May - 3rd June, 1947 - Ron and comrades move to Tubas and Ron is put i/c the catering...

Saturday, 31^st May, 1947

Convoy again today. 

The weather is very hot still.

Sunday, 1^st June, 1947

At eight this morning Ryan & myself collected two prisoners from the lock-up & took all the kit down into the M.T. yard ready for our departure to Tubas.  We left Nablus in the afternoon perched on top of a lorry laden with everything from Beds to Basins.  Inspector Coles & Sgt Gregory & a DDT B/C came with us.  We wetted(?) the station & put our kit straight before going to bed.

Monday, 2^nd June, 1947

The cook brought around tea for us at 5 o’clock this morning.

The station is spotless so we had to make the British Section, which has been shut up for two years, just as clean.

It meant a great deal of water carrying & scrubbing but by the evening most of it was done.

Tubas Police Station

This evening I was appointed mess Caterer.

I think when we get settled down the station could be made ideal.

Tuesday, 3^rd June, 1947

Up at 5 o’clock this morning again.  The mornings and evenings are quite cool & in the daytime our billet is very cool but outside the station it is very hot.

Sgt Blanks introduced me to the investigation Branch this morning.  It will be a while before I master the work but in time I hope to.

As a corollary I hope to improve my Arabic.

The Spinney’s manager arrived today with a few supplies so we wetted ourselves this evening.

Modern Tubas - well, 2006
source http://www.palestineremembered.com/index.html

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.

27th & 28th May, 1947 - Ron's on a charge...!

Tuesday, 27^th May, 1947

Sergeant "Blanks"

Sergeant Blanks came over this morning to tell us Inspector Pattle wanted to see the 5 people on a charge.

We trooped over & hung about in the station for about half an hour, then we were called upon.  I was the first.

As is the fashion I believe the accused is marched in without headdress or arms.  I came to a smart halt before the station Officer’s desk.  He said “ you are charge with leaving your rifle unattended in your locker”  “Yes, sir.”  “Do you wish to be tried by me?”  “Yes, sir.”  “Have you any excuse?”  I offered as reason my going to the wash room to fulfil its construction.  He said this was reason but no excuse.  Then followed a brief lecture through which I swear he was smiling, then he told me he did not want to spoil my record on such a petty charge.  The same happened to the others.

Wednesday, 28^th May, 1947

This morning I relieved Barclay on the Gate Guard from 9am to 12am as he had to go to court.

Swimming occupied the afternoon.  I read in the very hot barrack room this evening.  My book is “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Wilde.

Inspector Pattel wanted me to take over the job of Sports Groundsman for the pending Sports meeting.    I however declined the offer as another chap I know wanted it more than I did.

This fellow was on Convoy duties so I took his place.

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.

20th - 23rd, May 1947 - Only one comfort for Ron in this hot weather...

Tuesday, 20^th May, 1947

You too can have a body like this... if you're not careful

This afternoon I went to our tank for a dip.  It was very refreshing.

In this hot climate swimming is the only occupation I like.  The days are terrificially hot and the nights very cold.

Wednesday, 21^st May, 1947

Night Gates & Swimming.

Thursday, 22^nd May, 1947

Swimming after sleeping off the effects of night shift.

Friday, 23^rd May, 1947

Gate Guard and swimming again filled my day.