S.O Book 136 ½

Jan 45

18 Jan

Not a very pleasant day – wet and windy.  Got practically no sleep at all last night due to uncomfortable bed etc.  Took morning very quietly.  After lunch went over to 18 Armd Car Regt to fix details for tomorrow’s recce.  On duty from 5 – 10 pm.  Good show this morning when mail came in.  Shan’t be late to bed tonight.  Russians still cracking ahead.

To L                                        From A, L, G, B.

19 Jan

Bloody awful day – weather shocking.  Left here with Cdr Masterman & 4 others at 9.30 am & did our tour of front in bitter wind and at times driving hail and snow.  Finished just after 6 ocl at BERGEN where we had dinner with the Navy + several drinks.  Left  for home in a young blizzard at 9.15 pm and spent some time trying to find rd out from Bergen – broke down 4 miles from BREDA and had to walk to nearest phone – Corps sent a vehicle out to pick us up and I hit the hay just before 2 am!

To Nil                                      From A, G.

20 Jan Sat

Laid in until 9.30 and then had to prepare report on yesterday’s recce.  On after lunch – hardly anything happening.  John Scott going to SEAC, GSO 1 Combined Ops – poor old Tim (v lucky really).  Early to bed.

To A, A (LC), G, L (LC)       From   A}

L} delayed.

21 Jan Sun

On in morning and after tea – very little happening – On duty tonight.

To Nil                                      From Nil

22 Jan Mon

Tim returned.  Took morning very quietly – not a bad night but couldn’t get to sleep – Up at 6.30 am.

On after lunch – off at 5.15 and then frigged around until 7.30 when I relieved Tim for ¼ hour.  Super dinner (Mess dinner night)

Gin & orange

Sherry

Had both                    {Oysters or                            }

{Spratts on toast                   } Champagne

Salmon pâté                          }

Lamb, mint sauce, peas,    }

roast spuds

Angels on horseback

Fruit Salad

Dessert

Coffee

Brandy

Bed at 1030 with bucket beside just in case!  (Not needed)

To Nil                                     From A.

23 Jan Tuesday

Overslept – missed b’fast but was on duty at 9 ocl.  Very little cooking – after lunch walked down to BREDA Gen HQ and after tea over to TILBURG Gun.  Now getting v excited at thought of Saturday.

24 Jan Wed

No entry.

25 Jan Thurs

Off today.  Until return a summary of the day’s activity only will be given.

26 Jan Friday

Left Calais at 1400 hrs.

Arr Harwich at 830 pm.  SUPER SHOW arr no 5 after taxi ride with John Stephens at 11.10 pm.  eggs and bacon long natter and so to bed.

27 Jan Saturday – Home

Up late – Gerald home – snowy and cold – out after tea to see Bill and Dorothy then back for drink before dinner – long natter afterwards.

28 Jan Sunday

Still snowy and cold.  Didn’t go out until lunch – excellent lunch and tea with Bill and Dorothy.  Back at 5.45 pm for ‘local’ sherry party attended by Nyna & Stanley, Beat, Busby and Ruth – left at 7.20.  natter after dinner.

29 Jan Monday

Coffee this morning with Nora and Dot.  Drink at Cups with A.  Lunch N & R after which rushed to no 5, packed and caught 2.44 to London – Taxi to the Cumberland – tea then out to Simpsons – drink, dinner, Menseynem news reel – back to C then tea before going up to bed.

30 Jan Tues

Missed breakfast but had a bite at 10 v good – very slushy and much warmer – shop walking and then to the Acropolis for an excellent lunch.  Walked again & to R.P. M***** til tea time – tea at ? – then back to C, changed and then to an excellent show ‘Sweets and Lover’ – Hermoine Gingold & William Kendall.  Dinner at 9.30 at the Majorca.  Tea at C before going up to bed.

31Jan Wed

Up earlier this am – good b’fast after which more shop-walking bought some stamps and A changed her blouse.  Went to White Tower for a super lunch – nice Yahought – v good.  After lunch walked up Strand then taxi back to C, picked up bag and to Great Eastern for tea.  Caught 5.6 to Colchester arr Ox Rd at 7 pm.  all ***ved gone today.