State Library of NSW
[Page 164]
The Maringa is also in & will carry troops so you see our small world is in a ferment of excitement – It's a man's world & a man's life – Shouting – sweating – swearing men shifting camp & all in the cheeriest of moods – Still there is a cloud – that raising the price of drinking in Sydney – that's one below the belt both Tommy & the Bluejacket are agreed upon – We shall have a tremendous lot of hard work before we get away but Rabaul "aint the blanky Garden of Eden" as one hand remarked =
Thursday – Feb 4-15 Out at sea – Patrol duty – Went out at 4.30 am – Back in 24 hours – It's 2.30 pm & I've been at work since 8.30 – clearing up patients, getting things in order – We have shifted some 40 men to the Una & every damned ullage the Una had is aboard us – One blanky ruffian said he'd come to be 'tuk' to Sydney medically – He's doing full duty in the stoke hole & will stop till he drops – They've struck the wrong ship if they fancy they're fooling round in a motor car – Sitting back & enjoying the scenery – If I say they're fit for work they've got to or go to prison – Splendid – when half the blighters are Sydneys loafers & larrikins – Mr Bumpus says 'As a variety show it beats the 'White City' easy'.
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