R. E. Jones Wartime diary: View pages
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Went onshore 9am & contacted G 10.20 Womens Services Hosp. Sat on front for while & then to Galle Face Hotel. Did some shopping Cagills Green shoes & came on board again 3pm. Sent note onshore by R.C.
((Jones likely went shopping at the Cargills Department store, still standing in Colombo today:
"Millers" by Mystìc at the English language Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.
))
Underway 7.30am. “Khedive” arrived. Boat drill.
Clock retarded 1 hr. This makes 2 ½ since Manilla.
Lovely day, smooth sea. Movies, “Forever & day”. Clock back ½ hr. (2 ½ since Col) Run.357.
Drizzly & overcast until 11pm then fine.
Measured for clothing to be issued at P. Said. 17 – 40 – 34.
New moon. Clock ½ hr back
Lovely all day, cooler evening. Shirts being worn once more.
Socotra abeam 6pm. Beautiful sunset, sea like a mirror.
Rec. £3.
Fine day. Breeze died until evening.
Reduced speed. Days run 319.
Clock ½ hr back (3 ½ )
Hot & dry.
Arrived Aden 11am. Took on F.W. New buildings & a breakwater since 1939. 4 s/m there “Sea Scout”, “Supreme”, “Thracian” & “Tireless”. Left at 5pm.
Perim light showing 10.30pm.
Hot.
Course NW by W. 0900.
Cig ration cards issued.
Porpoises.
Lovely day.
30 cigs 1 box vestas & shaving cream issued.
Much cooler pm.
Entered Gulf of Suez 8.30pm. R & W light 7 secs. int.
Posted letter to Marj.
Fine, dry.
Passengers finished clothing routine by 6pm. We are now ready to proceed.
Fine.
Weighed & proceed into Canal 9.15am. Wreck 144th.Kilm. of bombed ship. 97 kil. N. end Bitter Lakes. Kantars 5.15pm. Port Said 8.30pm & fueled.
1 qt. beer per head 1/2d. Drank mine to G.
Underway at 9.30am for home.
Fine.
Boat drill 4.30pm.
Clocks back 1hr.
Quiet day.
Women & children med. insp. re interrogation forms.
Calm, warm.
Med. insp. of male civilians carried out.
Run 18th-19th 390. Rain squall 5pm. Malta abeam 9pm.
Calm, warm.
Cap Bon & Blanco. Bizerts abeam 10am. Phillipville abeam 7pm. Much shipping all day.
Full moon.
Lovely day. Sea haze shut down visibility somewhat.
3/- cig issue. 4d per pkt 10s.
Clocks back 1hr. We are now on GMT.