Author: 2nd Lieut CDC Dunford Wood
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January 22nd 1941 – at sea
Spent a day in Bushire in a gale and fog, waiting for the dhows to come off. Eventually cleared and they came out. The Americans gave a party last night and we all go into a cabin – 12 of us. Allan plays his accordion and we all sing, though only with difficulty do we…
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January 19th 1941 – at sea
Bahrain Isles – we all four go ashore here and after purchasing a few things, call on Pringle’s friend Dunn, manager of the bank here. We have a beer and then get into a taxi and say “Club”. He takes us a 20 mile drive across the island, through date palms, eventually petering out into…
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January 18th 1941 – at sea
Lingah – an old Persian town and apparently mostly uninhabited. After a long delay boats come off to the shop and the confusion and noise of mooring and unloading is phenomenal, worse than anything encountered in India, everyone shouting at the top of his voice, and doing his bit work irrespective of it dovetailing with…
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January 17th 1941 – at sea
Reached Kuhawei this morning, a small island off Oman Peninsula leased as a naval depot. We land provisions for R.I.N. sloop present in the bay. Saw some nasty looking garfish. The Chief Engineer won’t tell me a thing as he says it’s all top secret, but had it all from the first mate this afternoon.…
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January 16th 1941 – at sea
Yesterday called at Charbar in Persia. Matti (?) buildings and forts. Last night big seas gets up and I am twice soaked in my bunk before closing the port. A regular “repent sinners for the Lord is at hand” night. Muscat today, a small bay surrounded in Waziristan-like crags with piquets and sangars on them,…
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January 14th 1941 – S.S. “Barpeta”, at sea
S.S. “Barpeta” at sea – a party on 12th with Pete, Allan, self, Simon, Joan and Mary. A bit low. We go to the boat club and have supper and play the fool. Pete hurdles the chairs and tables and holds Mary upside down so that her knickers become exposed. Low talk by Simonson’s concerning…
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January 10th 1941
Now news is in that we embark on 13th, having been struck off duty on 17th December. An ”Iti” submarine reported off the Indian coast along Persia way, so I hope I don’t lose all my baggage. Letter from Bill in Cyprus – none from Ma since October. On Tuesday I dined with Nigel Gribbon…
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January 5th 1941
I had arranged to leave on 29th and was just returning to tea on 28th after a last dekko at the monkeys (I get into the jungle and slay a couple up trees) when a wire comes from Aircraft Depot: “Return immediately.” I come back normal time, after Peter Allan for supper on 28th, and…
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December 27th 1940 – Assam
On Christmas Eve had a few drinks with Kenwoods down the road. Christmas they came here for supper. Uncle Stan opens a bottle of wine and there is laughter and much ado about nothing. I spend my time shooting vultures, or so it seems, and they always seem to roost in the same trees so…
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December 24th 1940 – Assam
Assam – Had a pleasant trip up and breakfast on the Bramaputra again. Panbarry (Panbari) much the same, only so hot and much damper. Absence of “Who are you?” birds (JDW: see entry of his previous visit to Assam). The Winchester is going damn well, as by chance I arrived at a position in the…
A Story of War 