January 1 Monday.

I am in Stawell at Mr Waterfield�s house. I rose at 5 by the new time the clocks having been put on one hour in accordance with the Daylight Saving Bill introduced in Australia at 2 a.m. this morning. Left by the 6-00 o'clock train for Ararat with Eric, Ethel Sandy & Stella. Had a sleep when I arrived and then breakfast. Met Uncle Ted Living who was staying with us. Visited Grandpa's office & then said goodbye to Uncle & went to Ararat sports. They were better than usual. After tea we played cards & then I went to bed. My appointment as Midshipman commenced today with 5/- a day. Received a card from Navy Board notifying of the receipt of my letter re-passes for Mother & Gladys on to the wharf. The day was fairly warm.

Midshipman N K Calder

2 Tuesday.

Got up at nine. I take it very easy. Read and loafed all morning. In the afternoon Eric, Grandpa and myself had our photos taken at the photographers in Ararat. Had them taken in two different positions. Then I went & saw Eric off by the 4-00 train for Melbourne after his ten days holiday. Went for a walk with Ethel and played cards after tea. Cards is our chief enjoyment and we have plenty of good games. Received my report from the college. Came 11^th. The report was a good one but I should have done much better. Mathematics my best subject pulled me down. The evening it turned out to be a very cold one. The weather this Christmas has been very peculiar, some days hot and others cold.

3 Wednesday.

Had breakfast in bed which I usually have & turned out fairly late. Did a small amount of work in the garden. The garden is progressing really well and contains a good variety of vegetables including strawberries. In the afternoon I went down the town with Mother and met the Bennets at the hotel, Jack, May and Olver. They all came down for tea and left soon after, Jack leaving for Horsham. After tea played our usual game of 500 and I got to bed about 11-30, my usual time. I am getting my suits attended to by Mother as they were made just right which means that in a few months they will all be too small & no good. Uncle Charlie who was butted by the bull is gradually getting better although far from better.

4 Thursday.

The same old thing, got up late after having breakfast in bed. May & Olver came down for dinner. Knocked around in the afternoon & after tea I rang up Ronnie Macdonald and had a yarn with him. He was a friend I met when I was up staying with May Bennet last May. Played 500 till 11-30 as usual. And all my white tunics pressed and put away. I wrote a letter to Willie thanking him for the watch that the family gave me. Really very little news as I loafed all the while but all the same I am enjoying my final leave.

5 Friday.

I had breakfast in bed again. After getting up I went down the town in the afternoon my usual resort being the library. I received a letter saying that no passes could be given to Mother & Gladys to go on to the wharf to see me off. After tea I went down and had a yarn with Ethel at the hotel. As Auntie Annie was expected I went down to the train to meet her but she did not come. I played cards till 11-00 p.m. and then I turned in to bed. I am sleeping out in the workshop and it is not a bad bed. Did a little bit of painting. Nothing new in Ararat still the same old place.

6 Saturday.

Loafed all day. In the afternoon I went down & met Ronnie Macdonald who was going through by the afternoon train from Horsham. Had a good yarn with him & he gave me a little pocket book as a present which was very good of him. The day was very hot. I went down to the hotel after tea, had a yarn with Ethel, and then went on to the station. I met Auntie & had a yarn coming up. We did not get to bed till about midnight as there was a terrible amount of talk going on between them all. I got to sleep about midnight. Auntie advised us to go to the pantomime as she said it was very good. Started to put all my kit to one side so as it would be easy to packed when the time came.

7 Sunday

I did not get up till 11-00 and read all the morning and afternoon. Absolutely nothing to do but loaf. After tea I went for walk with Ethel and Neil Hogan (Ethel's friend) and then I turned in early. The day was fairly hot.

8 Monday.

A fairly hot day. I left Ararat by the 2-10 train for Maroona. We had a rather heavy shower going out there but it soon passed over. I was met by a farm hand and I arrived there about 4-30 or 5. Met all of them and we had a yarn till teatime. After tea I went out shooting with Jack and we got a few rabbits. I also saw the beehive that he trapped a few days before full. We did not see very many rabbits at all, not like they used to be. I read the paper and then we all sang songs etc and had a yarn till 10-00 when we all turned in. I had plenty of cream and milk and I soon got to sleep. I noticed that the Maroona Railway Station was very up to date. They have just finished the improvements.

9 Tuesday.

I was awakened by the kiddies and I got up at 9-00. It was another hot day. On the tip of the kiddies I took a rod and got some worms and I went down to the old crossing and caught a dozen perch in about 10 minutes. They weren't so very big but they were good fun. I went down to the station with Edie and I left by the 3-00 train for Ararat. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the farm although it was a short one. I took home a pair of rabbits and arrived home about 4-30. I took down my kit bag to get my name printed upon it and got the proofs of the photos. After tea we all played cards till late.

10 Wednesday.

It was a very warm day. I went with Grandpa & Uncle to Mr Smart�s funeral. I visited Grandma's grave. Coming home to we visited the old cemetery & saw Thomas Tuson's grave. I then got my bags from MacArthur's & then I packed my bags. I got everything in alright. After tea I went down to the Hotel and had a yarn with Ethel. She does not like staying in Ararat after being in Melbourne. After I came back we all played cards till 11-30 & then I turned in. It was my last night in Ararat for some time to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed my final leave although it has been a quiet one.

11 Thursday.

It was another warm day. I did some messages. Auntie Harriet gave me 10/- for a present, Auntie Annie �1 & Grandpa �1. I finished all my packing. Mother & myself left by the 4-25 train. I said goodbye to all at home & all friends in Ararat. We had a good trip down. We changed trains at Ballarat for Geelong & arrived in Geelong about 9-30. We were met by Cranmer & we took a cab up to the house. My ticket carried me through alright. We had a cup of tea & Gladys came up. We all had a yarn & we went to bed about 12 p m. I didn't get to sleep to about 1-00 since I was yarning to Cranmer all the time.

12 Friday.

I had a good sleep & I got up for breakfast. I went down the town with Cranmer. After doing a few messages we played billiards at Bragg's. We visited the new Hitchcock memorial library. I thought it very good although small. I saw & met a lot of old friends I knew in Geelong. After tea we went down & met Grandpa who came down by the Maroona - Gheringhap line from Ararat. We all had a yarn & then I took Gladys home. I received a letter from the Town Clerk of Geelong inviting me to a send off from the Mayor of Geelong. I'm enjoying my visit to Geelong & am getting quite hot at billiards. I met Newman in the street in the evening. I had my photos taken by Lockwood today. I received a letter of introduction to Colonel Rideout from a friend of Gladys�.

13 Saturday.

I rose early and at eleven I went down to the Town Hall and we were bad farewell from Mr Taylor, Mayor of Geelong & the leading citizens. We all had to make suitable replies. After the farewell I went with Newman & Reilly to the A. B. C. where we had something to eat. I played billiards with Newman after. He beat me but I am getting better. I went to dinner with a friend of his named Bell to the Prince of Wales. After dinner I took Grandpa to see Mr Collier of the Bank. We had a chat. After that I went & saw some proofs but they weren't any good. I had two more taken. After tea Cranmer & I went to the pictures which were very good. I got to bed about 12-00 & soon got to sleep.

14 Sunday.

I went to our old Church, High Church and after the service I was introduced to Mr Maguire the minister. I met Olive Grant when I came home. I visited Mrs Faggs, Mrs Howling & Mrs Corbetts. After tea we all went down to the beach & when I came home I received a little note from Mr Maguire & a small pocket testament. I went down to Gladys' & said goodbye to all of them down the there. Gladys & Cranmer managed to get me sovereigns for my notes. I took some letters to post for Gladys� friends in England. My last night in Geelong. I found Geelong far more lively and then when I was here a few years ago. I enjoyed my stay with Cranmer very much.

15 Monday

I left by the 8-15 train from Geelong to Melbourne. I said goodbye to Cranmer & went up with Reilly. I arrived at 10 & went up to Williamstown. I met Eric & we had a yarn and then I was paid �8. I got back about midday. I went to the Orient offices & inquired about my berth but could not get any particulars. I met Mollie & Hilda & we all went & met Mother & Grandpa who came up by the boat. I had previously obtained gold for my �8 and fixed up about the Coffee Palace. We all went up to the Coffee Palace & found it very clean & nice. We went & saw Jim Thompson & I took Grandpa to the pictures. We all went out to Hilda's for tea & we were joined by Eric. After tea we all went to the Seranaders but we didn't think they were up to much. We arrived home about 12-00 & after having a cup of tea I went to bed .

16 Tuesday.

I got up about 7 or 8 & had a hot shower. I made an appointment to meet Mavis Smith & I fixed up about my berth at the Orient offices. We all went out to Middle Brighton & we met them all. Grandpa was not looking at all well. I said goodbye & we met Harold at the Coffee Palace & we all had dinner. We met Gladys who came up from Geelong. I had afternoon tea with Mavis Smith & said goodbye. We all had tea and at Parer's. I had met a good few of the cadets from the Omrah. We all met at the Theatre & we all went into the Theatre. I have never seen a better pantomime. It was very good & entitled "The House that Jack Built" I said goodbye to them all & we got to bed about 12. My last night in Victoria. It is hard to realise that we are leaving home tomorrow for a great adventure.

17 Wednesday.

The parting day has arrived. It was a very fine day and I rose at 20 minutes to 7. I made my final pack up and had breakfast. I received the scarf from Ararat which May Bennet had knitted and then Eric arrived at nine. I kissed Mother goodbye and also Grandpa and then Eric and I left for Port Melbourne. It was my intention to return but when I got on to the wharf they would not let me come off so I said goodbye to Eric. Then I went on board & was shifted into a double cabin. After lunch I waited for the family and at 2-30 the public was admitted. Mother, Grandpa, Gladys, Eric & Mollie & Lily Stanlake came down & I received a tin of cigarettes & a parcel from Lily. There were hundreds on the wharf & hundreds of streamers. We were well represented. Said our last words of farewell and the ship sailed out at 4-00 p.m. The last I saw of them was all of them waving and darling Mother drying her eyes. Poor Harold could not wait to see me off as he had to go on duty. May all of us meet again the same as we left. Dear old Grandad is a real old hero. The parting must come and the future is in God's hands. I will try and be a credit to the family and lead a clean life as mother wished me to do before we left whatever maybe the cost. Well we got outside the heads at 6-00 & the sea had a bit of a swell on so I turned in at directly after dinner and was soon asleep.

18 Thursday.

I got up at 8-10 and found that my parcel from Lily was stolen. I am very sorry about it and made all enquiries. I had a hot bath and I found that there was a dense fog on so we reduced our speed. I was not feeling too well so I did not go down for breakfast but lay down in a deck chair all morning. Still not feeling too well I did not have any dinner but went down and had a sleep in my cabin. I felt much better and had a good afternoon tea and played poker. We then were called up to the bridge deck and addressed by the captain who told us what arrangements had been made regarding watch keeping etc. The fog cleared about 11-00 a.m. After being addressed we did 20 minutes drill and then I wrote my letter to Mother. After dinner I finished my letter and turned in at 10 p.m. being soon asleep.

19 Friday.

When I awoke I found that we were tied up alongside the wharf at Adelaide. I got up and we were given permission to go ashore. The day was very hot and I didn't have time to stay for breakfast so I left the ship at 9-00 a.m. After a 30 - 40 min ride in the train I arrived into the town. I posted my letters and photos and visited the gardens, library and museum which I thought were very fair. I thought Adelaide a clean, well laid out city & up to date but the day was too hot. I arrived back at 10 to 1 and found a telegram from Willie & Ruby wishing me bon voyage etc, one from Gladys, a letter from Mother & a letter from Gladys. They really bucked me up and I send postcards in reply. We left Adelaide about 4-00 & the weather became a cool again. I took the party for gym & played poker after tea winning about 4/- & turned in at 10.

20 Saturday.

When I awoke I found that we were crossing the "Bight" & the sea was a bit rough. Consequently I didn't have any breakfast but lay down. I went on watch at 12 and was sick three or four times during the watch. I worked out a couple of navigation problems and cleaned some charts. I felt well enough for afternoon tea at 4 and had a good dinner. I played cards after dinner winning a bob or two. The sea went down a bit and I turned in at 10-15.

21 Sunday.

Got up & had a bath in time for breakfast. About half way across the Bight. The weather got up a bit rougher. At about a � to 10 we had Church Service. Rev. Neville took the service and all the soldiers gathered round. The singing was very good and the service was very good. Read a bit & wrote letters to Mother, Mr Maguire and Lois Vial. I went on watch at 4-00 p.m. and worked out a Mid Lat sailing. Came off at 8 p.m. Not feeling sick at all although the sea is a bit rougher. After dinner had a bit of a sing song & a chat with the 1st and 2nd officers and the nursing sister. Turned in about 10-00. The sea went down a bit during the night & the weather was slightly cold.

22 Monday.

I was too sleepy to get up for breakfast so I slept in till about 11-00. We sighted land about midday. Very pretty sight was passing through King George's sound. We passed quite close to land. The swell got up very much rolling about 10° or 12° . Wrote more letters home etc and read all afternoon. Went on watch at 8 p.m. I was midshipman of the watch. Had coffee at 10 p.m. At 11-30 we sighted the Leeuwin and at 12-00 I was a relieved off watch. We have 662 soldiers on board and about 35 officers as well as ourselves and some flying mechanics. The soldiers are comprised of flying wing, machine gun and artillery. Lieut. Col. Ralph is commanding. Seem to be an orderly lot on the whole. There was a notice put up that a boxing tournament would be held and we all gave 2/6 towards prizes. It is to be between the men and to take place after we leave Fremantle. The weather was fairly cool.

23 Tuesday.

Was again too lazy to have breakfast. So slept in a till 10 & then had a bath. We were out of sight of land but about 11-12 we sighted the island outside Fremantle. We picked up our pilot & we were in the river by 2-00. We were given leave & left the ship at 2-30. Hirst & myself went up to Perth at 4-00 & arrived at 4-40. The gauge is only 3 ft 6" but the trains are comfortable and fast. I was surprised at the abundance of fruit in Perth, grapes apples etc and very good. The streets are very narrow & I think Adelaide a better kept & laid out city than Perth. We posted a letter at the P. O. and then went to the pictures. After the pictures we had some tea & went to some more. Thought the theatres up to date. I noticed plenty of girls in Perth and all were well dressed. Could have caught plenty. Bought some fruit and returned to ship at about 11-30 & turned in. The day was very hot & close but not as hot as Adelaide.

24 Wednesday.

Rose about 10. We were still coaling. Had to go on watch going out of harbour. Left Fremantle at noon. The last of Australia for years. Set our course due West. They manage to get all the soldiers aboard. Yesterday they had to give them general leave, the soldiers having got the coal loaders to go on strike if no leave was given so they got general leave. The sea was calm and had a slight swell on. I was on watch from 4-00 p.m. till 8 p.m. Put back clocks to the correct time. No daylight saving hours kept ever

since we left Melbourne we have been putting the clocks back as we proceed westerly. Had a concert in the drawing-room. The captain sang very well. Others also sang. We were all told off for accident boats. I am a spare hand. Had a chat with Private Best the friend of Mavis Smith. He told me that that the tucker although plain is better than at camp.

25 Thursday.

Got up in time for breakfast. Very little swell on. Practically no motion on the ship at all. Played quoits in the afternoon winning about 4/- on them. The cadets played the army officers deck cricket beating them easily. Watched a small bit of sparing. After dinner went down and heard a concert given by the soldiers. Very good singing was heard. Played some games of chess & cards. Life aboard here is not so bad. Our cabin is not of the best but not bad. I have the top bunk and Hirst has the one under me. Have fan in our cabin and wash place & small wardrobe. Exercised boat stations. Newman, Hirst & myself have to man the port accident boat which although small is not swung inboard. A bit of confusion occurred amongst the soldiers at first but all were righted.

26 Friday.

Got up again for breakfast. Did a bit of reading etc. Saw a whale blowing a few hundred yards away. The first whale I have ever seen. The sea is very calm, hardly any motion on the vessel. Noticed smoke on the horizon. Altered course but later found that it was a tramp. I played deck quoits and ordinary quoits. Am getting quite adept at them. Played cards part of the afternoon. Watched some light boxing between the soldiers. Had a yarn with some of the passengers. The time passes very slowly on one's hands. It seems years since we left home. The food aboard here is very good on the whole. It is well cooked and there is plenty of it. We have morning tea brought to us. I have a slight cold in my head which is descending into my inside. Makes me use a lot of handkerchiefs.

27 Saturday.

Got up about eight and had a hot bath. The ocean is still very calm, hardly a wave on its surface. Had some more practice at accident boats drill. Played a lot of quoits mostly winning. Ships officers beat the officers at deck cricket. Drew a book from the library and read it nearly all afternoon. Played some games of 500. I took a squad of men for semaphore, making messages and making them make some. They were not too bad on the whole and it helped to pass the time away. I turned in early as I had to take the morning watch in the morning and I soon got to sleep. A wireless message received stated a bit of Australian news and also that there has been a naval action at a V (some number) returned to Ymuiden badly knocked about. No other information was available.

28 Sunday.

I was awakened at about 4-00 a.m. Got dressed and went on watch. I was surprised to find that we were steaming due east, back to Fremantle. None of the officers knew anything about it but we presumed that the raider had entered the Indian Ocean. I was relieved at 8-00 a.m. The boats were all left out. At 10-00 we had Church and then we fell in for divisions & were inspected by the Captain. After lunch I played quoits and started my letter back to Mother. We were then told that the raider had got into the Indian Ocean. She has 23 knots & four torpedo tubes. She was crowded with 6" & 4" guns and was crammed with crews for three vessels. Her duty was to arm ships she captured. After dinner we had an evening service which was held in the saloon and which was not too bad. The Moldavia is the supposed raiders a name. They say we will stay in Fremantle for three or four weeks.

29 Monday.

Did the morning watch. We still keep on for Fremantle. We were told that we had received word to go on to South Africa but as we haven't enough coal we are going back to Fremantle to coal. We should arrive there at 6 a.m. on Thursday morning and we will probably stay there for a day or so. I did some washing, washing 4 to 6 pieces and I hung them out to dry. I am reading a very good book called "The Gambler". I brought my letter to home up to date. I watched the opening of the boxing tournament. There were some very good bouts, a few knock-outs but good amusement. I played plenty of cards coming off quits. We are all wondering what happened to the raider but we don't know anything about it. The sea was calm but not as calm as usual. I'm gradually regaining my appetite.

30 Tuesday.

Still going back to Fremantle. Played cards all morning. Went on watch at 12 and took the wheel for about one hour and a half. She is pretty hard to steer. She strays off her course pretty easily. I finished my library book which was very good. Went up to the concert given by the soldiers. It was very good and the ships band consisting of a triangle, three tin whistles & drums took a prominent part. We put the clock on 48 minutes during the night. The weather is getting slightly rougher & the wind getting up a bit. It seems a pity that we have to go right back and then come back again. It will cost the government about �8,000. It costs about �2,000 for coal alone. We will arrive in England about a fortnight later than we should. There is going to be a route march of the soldiers in Fremantle but we are not taking part.

31 Wednesday.

Nothing new happened on board. Someone took my library book from the place where I left it but I hope it will return. Played cards & loafed in my cabin all day. I took the 4 till 8 watch. I went down the engineroom. Had a look over the engines, boilers, refrigerating engines and dynamos. Had a yarn with the officer. The engines are reciprocating and look very efficient. I came up from the engineroom at about six. I listened to a sing song for a few minutes. The boxing tournament was postponed owing to the amount of spray that was coming overboard. I then finished my letter to Mother and wrote one to Eric & Gladys. I turned in about 11-00 p.m. We have heard nothing since about the supposed raider but we will probably hear some more tomorrow in Fremantle. The wind was freshened and the sea wasn't calm as usual.

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© Michael Calder February 2003