Monday 1^st May 1944.

Saw Dudley Byrne on his way down to Cairo.  Started to rain today.  The weather has gone to blazes.  All the Hadar out of bounds until 20.30 owing to the date.  Pictures with Lottie.  Joan Crawford in “Reunion in France”.  Back to flat for a meal. 

Tuesday 2^nd May 1944.

Cold & wet today.

Wednesday 3^rd May 1944.

Went to Sarafand.  Saw Degania Bky.  Wants shaking up again.  Saw Col Frankland about various matters.  Lunched at the mess.  Went on to Rehavat to see Halli.  Went to a dance given in 3^rd Corps Mess where he lives.  Grand evening.  Met charming little nurse from 22 3^rd G.H. named Jean McDonald.  We sang & drank ourselves silly.

Thursday 4^th May 1944.

Met Josephs at station at mid-day.  Went with Lottie to C.C.  Had drink with Lottie & Josephs at her flat first.  We tried the Diana but didn’t like it.  Too small & hot.

Friday 5^th May 1944.

The Sgts Mess gave a dinner & dance in my honour.  I received a grand cigarette case from the lads.  Made me feel quite weepy.  The dance was a great success.  Everyone was charming to me.

Saturday 6^th May 1944.

Coffee with Lottie & Josephs at 11.00.  Slept in afternoon.  Had dinner at Lottie’s flat.  Joined Josephs, Page, Harrison at the Diana.  Didn’t like it & went on to the Carmelia Ct.  Met Col’s Hull & Harries.  The evening began to warm up & the wine flowed fast & furious.  We all finished up at Harries flat.  Lottie very happy & a wee bit tiddly.  We all enjoyed it immensely.  Finished up at 2.30 am.  I went back to Lottie’s & we completed a perfect evening.  Poor old Josephs was nearly asleep on his feet.

Sunday 7^th May 1944.

Feel like death this morning.  Had lunch at H.Q. mess and then drove to Jerusalem with Josephs & Davis.  We had very nice room at King David Hotel.  Dined at La Regence.  Excellent dinner completed by perfect French brandy.  Quiet evening but most enjoyable.

Monday 8^th May 1944.

D.D.S.T. Conference.  My last appearance!  Paid Thorne the ten quid.  Had lunch with D.D.S.T. at Off Club.  Back in Haifa 18.30.  Went straight to Lottie’s.  We had a quiet evening.  Feeling very sad at thought of leaving.

Thursday 11^th May 1944.

Went to Sarafand with Josephs.  Visited Degaria on way.  Stayed at Off Club.  Colin came in to Tel Aviv for evening.  Josephs went off to dine with a girl.  Colin, Ellis & I had dinner & went on to Martin’s.  Very quiet evening.  Like the dance at the Off Club.

Friday 12^th May 1944.

Went to El Jiya.  Could not get further owing to puncture.  Ct of Enquiry there over loss of flour.  Arr Haifa at 19.00 & went straight to Lottie’s.  We dined at C.C.  Then went back to Col Hull’s mess.  All very tight.  Lottie & I very happy together.  She gave me her photo today.

Saturday 13^th May 1944.

Very tired.  Met Lottie for coffee at 11.00 hrs.  Donald had news his brother killed in action in Italy.  He was a Lt. Col in the infantry.  Lottie stood me dinner at Prass’s.  we went on to C.C. and met Donald & some French people from Beirut.  Finished up in their room for drinks.  We all got a bit squiffy and Lottie a little annoyed because the French woman flirted with me.  All ended very happily.  Slept the sleep of exhaustion.

Sunday 14^th May 1944.

Handed over the unit to Josephs.  Feeling very sad about it all.  Went to tea with Mr. Patt.  He has been so insistent.  Met Lottie at 20.00 & had dinner in her flat.  We did not go out, much too weary.

Monday 15^th May 1944.

Nothing left to do now except pack.  Feeling very sick about life.  Page & Harrison treated Lottie & I to dinner at C.C. a grand evening.  Josephs nearly spoilt it by being a love.  Finished up drinking wine in Greta’s room.  Lottie & I very happy.

Tuesday 16^th May 1944.

Very sad today.  Said cheerio to lots of people.  Met Lottie at 18.00.  We dined at Astoria.  Both nearly in tears.  A bottle of wine helped us along.  She is so very sweet and seems to love me so much.

Wednesday 17^th May 1944.

A terrible morning.  Feel awful in my guts.  Had last lunch with Lottie at Astoria.  She was very brave bless her.  Said au revoir and caught Cairo train.  Hoppy & Josephs saw me off.  Poor Hoppy in tears.  Travelled with Kelly, D.A.D.H. 15 Area.  Saw Halli at Rhovaft.  Went to my bunk early & tried to forget.

Thursday 18^th May 1944.

Arrived Cairo at 09.30.  no transport available.  Went by taxi to Grand Hotel.  Feel awfully depressed.  Lunched alone at St. James.  Reported to A.D.S.T., Col Price, at 17.00.  He was very nice.  Gave me a W/S and made me feel at home.  Quiet dinner in hotel and to bed.

Friday 19^th May 1944.

My first official day.  Started to go through all the back files.  Feel completely lost at the moment.  All very confusing.  Josephs has a frightful name to live down!!  Had a phone call from Vidler.  Met Tommy’s batman in the evening.  Tommy just arrived.  Spent the eve with Col Brown, ACC, and his girl friend.

Saturday 20^th May 1944.

Trying to find my way around.  Feel very lost after being O.C. a unit for so long.  A major in GHQ is just sweet F.A.  Met Tommy in the evening & we sunk a drop of whisky together.

Sunday 21^st May 1944.

Visited ITE & introduced myself.  Met Major Morrison at St. James for lunch.  Drank ourselves silly.  Slept until 19.00.  Met Morrison again & also Derby!  He was very tight.  Went to see “Fiddlers Row”.  Bloody awful but too pissed to care.  Got home at 2.0 am!

Monday 22^nd May 1944.

Arranged to tour 17 Area on Wed.  Shall be glad to do something.  Feel so useless at present.  Went alone to the pictures & saw Judy Garland in “Lily Mars”.  Seems so strange to be alone these days.  Feel a bit blue.