1 Sunday

Went to church in the morning. Can’t seem to settle down after our trip it was like a holiday

2 Monday

Wrote No 6

Worked hard to-day, fixed up Quad, 4 new springs, new front diffe and break booster . Got a bit browner because the sun was very hot. Wrote letter no 6 to Frances. Will be on Sarg mess to-morrow all day

3 Tuesday

Put the chock on the ice because it was very soft, it soon got hard again though. The Quad is fixed again reddy to go . Had in the Sagt mess this morning sugar, melon, poached eggs and toast and fried tomato. Dinner, pasty, cucumber and beetroot. Tea, mutton, r. potato, marrow, onion, mint sauce

4 Wednesday

Played cricket to-day won again. Made 20 .Have an avg of 44. Went and seen Norm again

5 Thursday

Went on guard at 1700hrs. There won’t be any news until Saturday

6 Friday

On guard . Been in 2nd N.Z.E.F. 5 months

7 Saturday

We are going on manovers tomorrow at about 0730hrs . Are going out past Meana which is about 25 miles. Tom is not going with me so I will be in charge for the three weeks we are going to be out. I have a chap called Cameron with me, he is a driver too. He has been up the blue . Sleep in the quad for first time.

8 Sunday

Reville at 0430hrs. Breakfast 0500. Started to move at 0615. Miles 30. Stopped the other side of Mari(?) Today has been the hottest day I have felt since I have been over here. I am by myself to-day as the chap is gone to the R.A.P. he hurt his hand , doesn’t matter though we are not going out until to-morrow early in the morning.

9 Monday

Up at 0545hrs. Started to move at 0730hrs. Took our first possition up at 0905hrs. This was my drive in the sand and I thought I done very good, home at 1515hrs finished for the day.

10 Tuesday

Went to the YMCA for a cup of tea because it was free . Was out again but this time the ground was a bit harder and the heat was not so bad. There was a wind blowing we had beetroot for dinner also carrot onions tomatoes and grapes , tea , bread

11 Wednesday

Two months at M.E.

Went to 2nd N.Z.E.F. sports at Forouk stadiam, it was just like going to the races without betting. It was very hot and stuffy. We got a free bottle of beer and pies also a programme

12 Thursday

We won again at cricket so now we are amongst the first three teams . Norms tea is still in. I would like to win the comp as we would be the first 6th field team to do any good at cricket. I made 5. Def AU 108 us 118 – 3 wks. I also sprained my ankle and it is very bad to. I have had it strapped up.

13 Friday

On E.D. This is the first time I have been on sick parade since I have been in the army. We went out to day and my ankle is much better to-night so I will be alright by Mon so I m glad

14 Saturday

Had a day of rest

15 Sunday

Went and seen N.Z play S.Af at cricket. S.Af won by 9 wkts one of their chaps made 100 out of their total of 160 we got 152 . The day was very got and it cost me 70 Ahkers to get around. Never went out on manovers today or yesterday. Eclipse of the moon over here 2130hrs

16 Monday

Still on E.D. so I am not doing any driving yet.. Had a rest back at our base camp. Have a bad cough as well as a sprained ankle so I am not doing so well this week. They went out on night occupation to-night, shall be back tomorrow.

17 Tuesday

Wrote No 7

Stayed back to-day and done some washing and sewed some buttons on as well. The boys came back at 3.30pm. C.Carew came out of the hospital and is back in the troup but has been put on E.2 this time. E.2 is his old gun. Went to see the doc and he told me to come back Thursday. Wrote to Frances 8 pages

18 Wednesday

Went out with the boys to-day but did not drive much. Tenth Rifle arrived here 6000 we heard but will soon find out. Resistance ends in Sicily

19 Thursday

Wrote to Frances No.8

20 Friday

Received two letters Frances, Gran three letters. Wrote to Frances No.9

21 Saturday

Played cricket against Norms team 23rd Rifle Ball lost we made 97 they got 106 for 4 wkts. I went out first ball. L.B.W.. Norm made 3. They surplied tea, lemonade and cakes.

22 Sunday

Received 5 letters Frances. Wrote to Frances No 10.. Got ready for our week but very hot today. We had a church parade at 0800hrs finished at 0945.

23 Monday

Had a day of rest but got all fixed up for our big week in the desert. Will be leaving at 1930hrs and will drive all night. I have not drove at night before so I don’t know how I will get on. Here I am, I was going along got into sand 18” deep, had to change down to my lowest gear and just as I was getting onto hard ground my fan belt broke. There I was at 2115hrs in the middle of the desert fixing it, got going again but got lost, hot in possition at 2300hrs and then dug a gun pit, went back to wagon lines put up our long net and got to bed at 0130hrs this morning . Sand bad food covered, worked all day fixing starter.

24 Tuesday

Received 2 letters from F.

25 Wednesday

Up at 0515hrs. Breakfast 0600hrs. Wrote to Dad and Gran. Traveled 3 mls

26 Thursday

Still out in desert

27 Friday

Out in desert still

28 Saturday

Came back to Marde Camp

29 Sunday

Church parade

Sorted out the Reg cricket gear

30 Monday

Will be doing maintenance all the week

31 Tuesday

Doing maintenance