PLANE, Leslie Garfield - Memoirs - Part 3

while there to have seen all we would have like to have seen. However everything comes to an end, and I was quite satisfied with my visits. I also visited Dinant, where the Germans shot down in cold blood 650 inhabitants, and also went through the fort, of which leading up to, is 408 steps, and is quite a climb and I was very glad when we reached the top. We were taken all through by a guide, who explained things to us and I had two good pictures of the town and fort but unfortunately they were damaged and had to be thrown away.
On the 22nd May we left Charleroi for Havre and arrived there the following day at 3 p.m. The following day we were put through what was called the de-louser, which consiste of a big bath shed, and you go in, strip off, file round before the Dr. who inspects you, then under the shower, and when you come out a new change of underclothing is awaiting you and your uniform, has been disinfected, and you come out supposed to be a free man once more regarding insects & vermin. We also handed in our rifles and all equipment, and I did not hear any sighs heaved, as the last of these heavy things passed from view. On Wed. 28th May we were taken to the wharf at Havre by Motor Lorries and embarked on one of the Channel boats. We had to spend the night on board, and at 7 oclock next morning we disembarked at Southampton, and were put into trains and taken to Codford where we detrained and marched to Heytesbury Camp, which used to be an Artillery Camp.
The following day we went through another medical inspection and were also inocculated, and then went to the Q.M. Store where we were supposed to get a change of clothing, of course we didn't get. The following day we were paid for our fourteen days leave, and on Tuesday went on leave. I went to London first, but in the afternoon caught the train for Oxford, and went straight to the College where my brother was at and gave him a pleasant surprise. After a lot of trouble I managed to get a room and during the next week or so, had a delighful time, playing tennis, cricket, etc. on the College grounds which were simply beautiful. On Sundays we went on the river and indulged the skillful art of punting, which requires a good deal of practice, to become expert. My 14 days went all too quickly, but while there I enjoyed myself to the full and had a good time. To anyone interested in old architecture, Oxford would be heaven, as it is full of old Colleges most of them being very old buildings.
On Tuesday I returned to Codford. On Thursday we marched from Heytesbury to Longbridge Deverill and settled down in the No. 14 Camp. This used to be the last Camp you were in in England, before rejoining your Battalion in France, but it has changed and for our Quota happened to be the last camp we were in, before getting on the boat for our return home to 'Aussie'. On the 8th of July we had our final medical inspection, and on Wednesday our Quota Cricket Team of which I was a player journeyed to Bristol, to play the local clubs there cricket. Our first match was with the Y.M.C.A. Team, and we defeated them by about 40 runs, I managing to make 42 not out. The following day we played the Gloucester Regiment, and won by an innings. We had a very pleasant and enjoyable trip, and came back crowned with success. The following Monday we received out Boat Pay, and on Friday left Longbridge Deverill, for Devonport where we were to embark reaching there, at noon. Our boat the 'Takada' was lying alongside the wharf, and we were soon on board.
On Saturday morning we left Devonport, Peace Celebration Day in England, and just as we left, a salute was fired by the men-o-war, anchored in the harbour. It was a very miserable day wet and dull. On Wed. I played in our Coy Quoit Tournament, and managed to win it. The weather was very fine, and there was plenty of amusement on board. On Wed. 30th we arrived at Port Said and while entering the harbour saw some of the results of the submarines during the war, in the shape of a ships mast sticking up in the water. Took on water at Port Said, and left about midnight on our way to Colombo. Woke in the morning to find the boat in the Suez Canal, and at the time noted the difference between it and the Panama. It is simply a canal 90 miles in length and we were sometime in passing through owing to the fact, that we had to tie up several times to allow incoming boats to pass. We arived at Port Suez at 1/2 past 8, the 1st August, but did not anchor and the following morning found us in the Red Sea. My word, it was hot. We were simply bathed in perspiration, and for three or four days were like fish out of water, gasping for a breath. When at last we came to the end of it and passed into the Gulf of Aden, it was a very fervent 'Thank God', that was uttered by nearly every man on board. Some of the men who happened to be working in the Cook house and Bakehouse fainted and could not carry on, and one dreaded the thought of going down for meals, which were gulped down, in any old way, so as to get up on deck again.
Tuesday the 5th of August I found to be Elvie's birthday, and my thoughts were with my dear sister, to whom I was returning as fast as this boat seemed able to go, which to me, seemed very slow. August the 10th ushered in my Birthday, which is my 25th and which I spent very quietly, celebrating it with a bottle of lemonade from the canteen, which is deadly 'tak' at the best of times. However I felt something out of the ordinary should mark this day, so I made a martyr of myself. The Championship of the Quota at Ping Pong was something I was interested in, and I played through into the finals, and after winning at first game pretty comfortably 21-8 was then defeated 17-21 and 19-21. It is now Tuesday the 12th and we are due in Colombo tomorrow at noon at which place I hope to be able to furnish a little more news for you, old dairy. We arrived at Colombo at 2 p.m., on Wed. 13th inst. We were all ready dressed, thinking we would be able to land that afternoon, but we came to a thud, being infomed that we were in quarantine till six the next morning but as we found out later, it appeared that there was a Hindu festival on, and they were afraid we would interfere and break up the procession. However we did not mind and the diggers soon forgot all about it, as there were several nigger kids on board, and they were soon boxing away, much to the amusement of the crowd. We had very little sleep owing to the fact that the coaling of the ship was going on by Singalese, and the row they kick up is enough to waken the dead, yabbering away to each other, and you can easily tell when they are near you by their smell. The following morning we were taken ashore, in barges, and on arrival at the landing stage were immediately besieged with, niggers selling Aust papers, rickshaw runners and, it was some trouble to get rid of them. I made for the Y.M.C.A. and every shop one passed, you were eagerly requested to go in and have a look round. We arrive at the Y.M.C.A., where we found, motor car trips arranged, and five of us decided on a two hours trip, costing 29/-. We went through the native quarters first, and saw many amusing sights and from there we went to a Budhist Temple. To go inside the Temple you had to take off your boots, but as I had puttees on I decided not to go to the trouble, of entering. We then went on to Mount Livinia, about eight miles run, and which is right on the coast. There is a very nice hotel here, also huts with girls making lace. We then returned to the Victoria gardens which are very beautiful, being well laid out, and with flowers and shrubs of every description and colour. We then returned to the Y.M.C.A., and after lunch had a stroll round, priced some silk shirts etc. but did not buy owing to the price. As it was very hot, I returned to the ship about 6 oclock. The following morning I went ashore to bring back the Souvenir Copy of the Ships paper, and after buying a few silk handerchielfs etc., returned and got the papers and returned to the ship. It is rather amusing when you enter a shop and start bargaining, you are asked about 4 times the value of the article, and you start beating them down to what you consider a fair price, and they say no. You decide you will not have it and start to go out, but as soon as you start off, they are running after you having in most cases, come down to the price you have fixed. It was very hot while there and I think everyone on board was glad when we felt the boat moving, and at eight oclock on Friday night, the 15th Inst. we left Colombo on our last lap home.
After a very smooth run with the exception of a day or two we reached Fremantle on the 29th inst. about eleven oclock, and after the boat had been pronounced clean by the Medical Authorities, the W.A. men were landed and after they had got off, we were allowed to go ashore. I made my way to the Post Office and sent a telegram to my friend in Cottesloe, telling her that I had just arrived, and that we sailed or were supposed to sail at 5 oclock. About 1/2 an hour afterwards I went back to the boat as there was very little to see in Fremantle and about 3.30, I had the pleasant suprise to see my friend come on the wharf. I went down and we had quite a long time together talking over old times. At five we parted, and after waiting awhile for any strays we left Fremantle at 6 oclock. The 'Indarra' was in at the wharf, with a lot of 'Diggers' with their wives, she being a family boat. It was rather amusing to see them all, but I must say they looked very happy and contented. We picked up 30 or 40 men who had missed the last boat, and have also lost a few of our men who missed the boat, by overstaying their leave. After a very smooth trip across the Bight, we arrived at Adelaide at 8 oclock, Thursday morning, the 4th of Sept. Were kept out in the bay for some time, waiting for the 'Indarra' to pull out from the wharf, and make room for us. Received a telegram from Sydney, welcoming me back to 'Aussie' once again. We are all to disembark at Melbourne, excepting the Tasmanians, who continue to Hobart by the same boat from Melbourne. We go on by rail to Sydney and from there to Brisbane. We received our disembarkation pay on the afternoon of the 4th Inst. As it turned out, we were delayed at Adelaide, and at the last minute we were all granted leave, and caught the train into Adelaide at 3.45. br>I made my way to the Post Office and got on to my friends in Melbourne by phone and had quite a good yarn, and learnt that Marion had gone on to Brisbane. Went round the town and was very much taken by the way Adelaide is laid out. Had tea about 6.30, and then made our way to the Cheer Up Buildings where my pal and I wrote a few letters and posted them. Caught the train about half past seven and got out at Glanville and walked out to the boat by road, being about 6 miles, and thoroughly enjoyed it, it being a lovely moonlight night. Arrived at home about 1/2 past nine and turned in. The following morning we left Adelaide at 7.30, on our way to Melbourne which place we hope to reach on Sunday. Arrived Melbourne at 12 noon, and the Q'land men disembarked and entrained straight away, followed by the N.S.W. men, and went straight away. I was detained, having to hand over stores to D.A.Q.M.G. Melbourne. The girls from 'Pax' were waiting to meet me, and after seeing our stores landed, I went ashore and took a car to Flinders Street Station and went out to Hawthorn. The girls had not returned so I waited for them, and welcomed them home when they returned. Had a good time with the girls, and spent the evening with them. The following day I reported to the Barracks. Handed over stores, and were given warrants for our return to Queensland and caught the train at 5 oclock. We arrived at Sydney at 12 noon, when Kitty met me and after leaving my goods in the cloak room, went out with Kitty to Newington College, where I had lunch and a chat. Mrs Prescott & the girls thought I was looking very fit on it, and at 2.45, I had to leave to catch the mail train which left at 3.30. Rang Ed up on the Phone and had a yarn before leaving. We left Sydney at 3.30 sharp and at 9.30 the following morning arrived at Wollangarra where we changed trains, and after a very tiring and monotonous train ride, reached Brisbane about 7.30, where I was met by the whole D- family, which welcome made up for the long trip. Was taken home by car, and wherever I looked flags were to be seen, and everything was O.K. and made up for all the bad times I had gone through during the past two years. The following morning I reported to Kangaroo Point Hospital where I was medically boarded, and then reported to Victoria Barracks where after putting in the afternoon running round, eventually got my leave pass, railway warrant etc. and civvy suit and went home. I am now on a monthly leave and then will receive my discharge. In the meantime, old dairy mine, I will endeavour to change from a soldier to a civilian once again and will close you by saying, as many others have said, 'Never Again'