8/3/42
Colombo
H.M S. Lanka
c/o G.P.O.
London
My dear Alma,
At last I am writing to you, but when you will receive it remains in the lap of the gods. I wonder if there is a letter speeding its way over the seas to me.
We are now nearing the end of the journey for by Wednesday we’ll be in Colombo. It has been a grand trip although on occasions the organisation has been rather poor and we grumbled quite a bit. But to start at the beginning. The first week we just hung about on board waiting for a convoy. It was most annoying not to be able to go ashore. Anyhow we finally go started and as was to be expected I was horribly seasick.
Do you know I lost 7 lbs. in weight. Anyhow the sea gradually calmed down and fun and games began. Life was really grand fun. I played deck tennis and swam and danced every day. The time simply flew. Classes were arranged for those who wanted to learn to swim and dance. I got so far as to try my hand at diving. Gee the bruises I got. I was black and blue from head to foot.
We had rather a nice crowd on board. Each of us had our own party and the number of drink invitations one had were most amusing. Matron instructed us at the beginning of the voyage that we must pay for our own drinks. This proved an awful nuisance and there were many squabbles. The men if they invited us to drink were upset when we produced our purses. In the end Rita Black and I refused to drink at meals. I then had a set invitation for cocktails every evening before dinner. This happened several times and I use to accept if I was allowed to pay. I then included a few of my girl pals into the party and we took it in turns to order the drinks. It was a most satisfactory arrangement. We have been allowed ashore at two ports and had a vary good time. At the first place everyone just made one frantic dive for the shops and spent money right and left regardless of the prices. We had been on board several weeks so it was really grand to be on terra firma again. At the next port we did not go quite so mad with shopping but looked at the native life more. I had had a ride in a rickshaw and a garry. Have you read a Night in Bombay in which the Taj Mahal is mentioned? We had drinks, dinner and lunch in the hotel. It is grand visiting places, which before had only been names to us. Oh by the way, we had to spend a night with some refugees from Singapore. All the hotels were full and the ship was in dry dock. We had a bit of fun over the toilet arrangements, which I’ll relate presently. To come back to our day with the refugees, they had only arrived two days previously and had been boarded out in a former Japanese house, and were using cutlery made in Germany. Poor things. I wish I could write you their descriptions of the fall of Singapore. I fear the censor wouldn’t like it, so I won’t waste either his time or my own. Anyhow we had to sleep in a dormitory. Matron did not like the place and we were recalled to the ship. Then came the trouble of toilets. Remember this ship was in dry dock. The lavatories on board could only be used for one thing & if it were necessary to do anything else it meant a trip down the gangway to the shore to visit a wooden structure labelled “Europeans”. First of all everywhere had to be scrubbed by some of the deck hands with Lysol and then a Naval Rating was put on guard to protect us. We went in threes and the Rating opened the door for us and ushered us in. There were no locks on the doors and no toilet paper. Really it was to funny for words.
In order to complete the journey we have had to re-embark in another vessel. It is smaller but most comfortable. We have travelled first class all the way. Meals are absolutely wonderful and there is plenty of everything. I won’t be cruel and tell you what we have to eat. I should think that by now I have managed to put back all that I lost in weight. The weather has once again become very hot and humid. One’s body is never dry. No sooner has one got out of the bath but it is necessary to start washing again. Fortunately most of the voyage has been very pleasant as regards to weather. There have been a few sticky patches but this is the worst one
There is a smallpox epidemic in Colombo. Consequently yesterday we were all vaccinated. A nice job to look forward to isn’t it.
How is everyone? Do write and tell me all the news. Now no more. I'll be writing again shortly. Much love, Edna.
Colombo
H.M S. Lanka
c/o G.P.O.
London
My dear Alma,
At last I am writing to you, but when you will receive it remains in the lap of the gods. I wonder if there is a letter speeding its way over the seas to me.
We are now nearing the end of the journey for by Wednesday we’ll be in Colombo. It has been a grand trip although on occasions the organisation has been rather poor and we grumbled quite a bit. But to start at the beginning. The first week we just hung about on board waiting for a convoy. It was most annoying not to be able to go ashore. Anyhow we finally go started and as was to be expected I was horribly seasick.
Do you know I lost 7 lbs. in weight. Anyhow the sea gradually calmed down and fun and games began. Life was really grand fun. I played deck tennis and swam and danced every day. The time simply flew. Classes were arranged for those who wanted to learn to swim and dance. I got so far as to try my hand at diving. Gee the bruises I got. I was black and blue from head to foot.
We had rather a nice crowd on board. Each of us had our own party and the number of drink invitations one had were most amusing. Matron instructed us at the beginning of the voyage that we must pay for our own drinks. This proved an awful nuisance and there were many squabbles. The men if they invited us to drink were upset when we produced our purses. In the end Rita Black and I refused to drink at meals. I then had a set invitation for cocktails every evening before dinner. This happened several times and I use to accept if I was allowed to pay. I then included a few of my girl pals into the party and we took it in turns to order the drinks. It was a most satisfactory arrangement. We have been allowed ashore at two ports and had a vary good time. At the first place everyone just made one frantic dive for the shops and spent money right and left regardless of the prices. We had been on board several weeks so it was really grand to be on terra firma again. At the next port we did not go quite so mad with shopping but looked at the native life more. I had had a ride in a rickshaw and a garry. Have you read a Night in Bombay in which the Taj Mahal is mentioned? We had drinks, dinner and lunch in the hotel. It is grand visiting places, which before had only been names to us. Oh by the way, we had to spend a night with some refugees from Singapore. All the hotels were full and the ship was in dry dock. We had a bit of fun over the toilet arrangements, which I’ll relate presently. To come back to our day with the refugees, they had only arrived two days previously and had been boarded out in a former Japanese house, and were using cutlery made in Germany. Poor things. I wish I could write you their descriptions of the fall of Singapore. I fear the censor wouldn’t like it, so I won’t waste either his time or my own. Anyhow we had to sleep in a dormitory. Matron did not like the place and we were recalled to the ship. Then came the trouble of toilets. Remember this ship was in dry dock. The lavatories on board could only be used for one thing & if it were necessary to do anything else it meant a trip down the gangway to the shore to visit a wooden structure labelled “Europeans”. First of all everywhere had to be scrubbed by some of the deck hands with Lysol and then a Naval Rating was put on guard to protect us. We went in threes and the Rating opened the door for us and ushered us in. There were no locks on the doors and no toilet paper. Really it was to funny for words.
In order to complete the journey we have had to re-embark in another vessel. It is smaller but most comfortable. We have travelled first class all the way. Meals are absolutely wonderful and there is plenty of everything. I won’t be cruel and tell you what we have to eat. I should think that by now I have managed to put back all that I lost in weight. The weather has once again become very hot and humid. One’s body is never dry. No sooner has one got out of the bath but it is necessary to start washing again. Fortunately most of the voyage has been very pleasant as regards to weather. There have been a few sticky patches but this is the worst one
There is a smallpox epidemic in Colombo. Consequently yesterday we were all vaccinated. A nice job to look forward to isn’t it.
How is everyone? Do write and tell me all the news. Now no more. I'll be writing again shortly. Much love, Edna.
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