October 1 Monday.

It was a bit misty when I woke up but it cleared away and I rolled the lawn after breakfast. Uncle & I went down and had a look at where a bomb dropped on Saturday night and it did create a smash. All the contents of the cellar were blown up to the next floor and the two top stories escaped damage. It showed the power of a aerial torpedo. After coming backed we all had a couple of games of croquet and then we had dinner early as I was going to the theatre. The tubes were crowded but I managed to get into town in them. I found the Comedy Theatre and went in the dress circle and just about 8-00 the guns started. I could hear a machine at one time and nearby the guns were very terrific. Some shrapnel dropped in the road but I couldn't get any. I heard two to three bombs drop. "Bubbly" the show was very good and all through the guns were firing. I had to push & shove my way to get into a tube but I arrived home about 12-00. The All clear it was given at about 11-30.

2 Tuesday.

It was a very fine morning and after breakfast Uncle & I went down to the pavement to do some messages and whilst down here we heard that another air raid was on. The guns fired for about five or ten minutes & then stopped so I suppose the raiders did not get through. After lunch I went into King's Cross by tube & then went to Gt Portland Street station and found my way to the Philharmonic Hall where the picture "Where are my Children" was showing and it was very good. We all expected an air raid but owing to the threatening weather they didn't come over. I turned in about 10 & I am reading "Daddy Longlegs" at a very good book and I enjoy it very much. I received a letter from mother No. 21 re-addressed from the ship. Letter 22 hasn't arrived yet. My only wish is that I had someone to knock around with as it is rather lonely on ones own but I am not one to introduce myself to anybody. I must be introduced.

3 Wednesday.

A bit of a breeze blew all day and fairly high up so it kept off at the Huns. Uncle & I had a few games of bowls before lunch. His brother came for lunch and after, the doctor came. After he left we had a game of croquet and I played Uncle & his brother and beat them. I went to "Round the Map" and it was fairly good only the echoes are very bad in the Alhambra. I didn't get home till 12-00 allowing to my taking the wrong train. I wrote a letter to Mother but I forgot to post it. A piece of shrapnel the top of a fuse was found in the lawn and it would have made a nasty cut if it had struck anybody. It would be alright knocking around London if I had someone to go around with. Gieves haven't sent my boots yet & I haven't received my parcel from Madame Venns yet. I hope they send them before I leave. Our leave is drawing to a close and I'm very sorry about it. I don't like the idea of going back.

4 Thursday.

Today was rather uneventful as it was raining all day so I stayed in. We had a fire in the dining room and it was a bit chilly outside. The people like it to be bad weather so as the Huns will keep away. In the forenoon I wrote a letter to Eric, sent a couple of postcards to Mollie and posted the letters along with one to Mother. I received a letter from Gladys this morning so I have had a good mail since I have been here. I hope they get the ones that I have sent from here. In the afternoon I had a smoke & a chat but didn't go out & also I stayed at home in the evening as it started to rain again. I turned in about 10-30 as I wanted a good rest. London is just the same as any other city in many respects. I tried to make some coconut ice but I used to much milk and I don't know whether it will set or not. It was a pity to waste so good materials.

5 Friday.

It was a better day to day but I didn't do anything in the forenoon. I reboiled my coconut ice but I don't think it will set. I put in it too much milk. In the afternoon I went into Holborn & tried to get some brooches with the ships crest on but I didn't succeed. I bought a safety razor "Valet" for �1/1 at a shop in the Strand and then I returned home & met a sister of Miss Living & her husband. I went into a show after dinner. I went to Theodore & Co and it was best at that I have seen & I really enjoyed it. I saw Usborne there. I got home about � to 12. We all expected and air raid but none came. The HMS Drake was torpedoed and sank in shallow water in harbour. 16 were killed all engineering branch. There has been a big battle in France in which the Anzacs had a very prominent part and a victory for us was obtained. Only one more day. It seems to have gone fairly slowly on the whole.

6 Saturday.

I got up rather later than usual and had my bath. Then in the morning Uncle & I went down the town whilst I did some shopping & I bought a shaving brush & some soap and also some small cigars. We walked back through Finsbury Pk. It was rather chilly all day. In the afternoon we went down again about some of my laundry and then I packed my bag before dinner. I had a good smoke & chat and then I said goodbye about 9-15. I was very sorry to go as I had enjoyed myself during the holiday & had been very comfortable. Both Miss Living and Uncle were the last words in kindness. I caught the train alright in plenty of time although it was very crowded and I mightn't had got a corner seat had I come later. Larkins was in my carriage & three other army officers. I bought the loan of a pillow & rug but it was fairly cold all the way up. We shoved off at 10-30. All the rest of us were aboard the train. I was sorry to say goodbye to dear old London.

7 Sunday.

Well I had a bit of a sleep and we arrived in Edinburgh about 9-00 a.m. an hour late. I didn't have time to have any breakfast as we had to catch a special to the dockyard a little later. It drizzled all the time. We got back aboard about a 11-00 & I was sorry. I felt very sick up of the Navy. I had a meazley lunch, hardly anything at all. I got a very good mail, two from home, one from Gladys, Eric, Willie & Edie as well as some papers. We started taking ammunition and I was working most of the time in the drifter or at the whips. We were going from about 11-00 a.m. till 2-00 a.m. next morning. We left the dock and went out to B9 berth late in the evening. I had one watch from 8 till 10-00 taking in ammunition all the while. There are six more snotties joined up as & it's a devil of a crush & food is scarce. I never detested coming back as much as this time. Everything was cold & dirty. I never even fully realised the blessings of being on leave when I was there. The Grand Fleet is coming down on Wednesday. So we are staying here.

8 Monday.

I had to get up at 20 past 12 and supervise of the whip. We finished about 20 to 2 and I turned in. I got up at 7-15. It was our fortnight at engineering and I'm very glad of it. I had to work with Mr Trim which consisted of going into the dockyard and waiting for our cinema which didn't come. In the afternoon Larkins and I went down to the port wing engine room and had a yarn all afternoon. After tea Circus came over from the Glorious and we were yarning all afternoon. They forgot to send a boat for him so we sent him back in one of ours. It seems the(that) D W Grant has been made captain & Seaton a Commander & Morgan is going to be the Naval Representative over here which will be pretty rotten. After dinner I wrote up some engineering notes & read some of my letters & I turned in about � to ten. One had to go to the Onslaught for a month and Arbuthnot was chosen. How I wish I was back on leave. When I think back on it it seems a paradise.

9 Tuesday.

I had a good night's sleep and got up at 7-5 different to when I was on leave. In the morning I was with Mr Quass and I had forced lubrication explained to me. I wrote up notes after lunch and for the rest of the afternoon I was with Mr Hall at the refrigerator. After tea we had an engineering dog watch lecture in the Captains fore after cabin till � past 6 & then we had a signal exercise in the gunroom. Celebrating Usborne�s birthday we passed port and all were allowed to smoke. I read a yarn for a while and then I turned in about 10-00. Of course, we have a fairly easy time aboard here but it gets fairly monotonous and there is no excitement in it. I really enjoyed last leave. It seems as if we are staying here until the fleet arrives I think but I wish we would stay for good although it might be colder. I would rather do engineering than any other work as one is free from the upper deck.

10 Wednesday.

We did the usual engineering routine. I was down on the evaporator all morning. My boots arrived from Gieves today. We started to raise steam during the afternoon and we got underway about four and left Rosyth. We didn't have any watches to keep as we worked under the engineering branch. As soon as we got outside we started to roll & pitch but I didn't feel the motion at all. We had the usual band night and as I had to keep the morning watch in the engineroom I turned in about 8-30. I had to shift my hammock to the study as the vibration and noise was too much in the WOs flat. There wasn't much of a sea on but we rolled & pitched a lot and nearly all of the gunroom was sick. I wrote a letter to Finsbury Pk but I haven't posted it yet. I also started my letter home to Mother. My mess bill for the month came to �2/7/7 so it was much lower than I thought. The destroyers left us during the night & we are due to pick up a couple from Scapa about five a.m.

11 Thursday.

I had to get up at a � to 4-00 and we were much steadier. I went down to the engineroom and paid visits to the evaporator & boiler rooms. I didn't feel too well at times and at 8-00 I tried to be sick but didn't succeed. I was alright after that. We had decreased speed during the night but during the morning watch we went on again at 19 knots. We picked up our two destroyers at 6-00 a.m. I slept a bit during the forenoon and we arrived back in Scapa about noon & went to our usual anchorage. I played some bridge during the afternoon and had my first shave which was rather successful. I went on engineering rounds and visited the hydraulics rooms & turbos & CO² machine. After that I wrote a letter to Mother and then I turned in. A wireless message was received about 6-00 a.m. saying that a mutiny has occurred in the German Navy & certain ships companies have mutinied. It might bring the German fleet out but I don't suppose it will.

12 Friday.

The usual routine in engineering except that we never get up and go down before 8-00 a.m. I wandered around all of the forenoon but I couldn't find Mr Noakes so I didn't do any work. In the afternoon I was in a No. 3 boiler room and fooled around a bit. I had a game of deck hockey after tea and at 6-45 we had a usual signalling exercise but I did rotten. I couldn't distinguish the signs at all. I received a letter from Highfield & Miss Living said that she had gone in about the boots & had them sent on. It seems that they won't let me run a bill there as I am not at 21. I wrote letters to Eric, Gladys & Madame Venns and posted mine to Mother & Miss Living this morning. It gets very dark quickly now but it gets far worse later on. We had our spotting top and another hut put on the mainmast & those on the funnel altered whilst we were in dock. There is a rumour that we are going down south again very shortly. We are having rather fine weather up here at present. I don't think I'll go ashore much here.

13 Saturday.

I was with Mr Squirrel for engineering during the forenoon and he went all over the place. In the afternoon I wrote a letter to Edie and read mostly all the while. I posted the letters I wrote yesterday, this morning. I had a hot bath during the dog watches. The Commander N has gone to a hospital with a broken ankle so I have heard. After dinner I played bridge & turned in about 10-00 p.m. There is not much war news. The English and Anzac troops had another victory and discontent shows itself amongst the other nations against us. Life up here is the same. The Ramillies is a over at the north shore and is painted very gaudy colours. Otherwise the fleet is the same. I think the Canada has shifted to the 5^th BS but I'm not sure. Nothing more has been heard about our going down south. I heard a report about a midshipman stabbing a sublieutenant with a bayonet a few weeks ago so I suppose he had a bit of go in him and gave back what he had received. I'll soon be having to order another diary.

14 Sunday.

We had Sunday divisions as usual but had to go to the battery during them as it started to rain. I posted my letter and wrote one to Willie and one to Auntie Jo during the afternoon. We had Church and after that I played some bridge. During the afternoon besides writing I finished the book "The Master of Ballantrae". The mail came but there was none for me so I had a hand at bridge & turned in about � to 10. The reports about mutinies etc in the German Navy all occurred about six or seven weeks ago. I think the war will now go right through the winter without anything important occurring. We have all the records of the latest shows & the gramophone is now in working order. There is really very little at all to put in my diary as the life is just the same each day. Although leave is given each afternoon I don't think I will go ashore here any more. All I wish is that we kept on doing engineering as I think it the best course we have. Arbuthnot left for the destroyer.

15 Monday.

I had a bath and after breakfast we went down to the centre engineroom and I was told to go to the boiler rooms and I took copious notes and learnt a bit of engineering for once in my life. We got underway after lunch and I was in the CER at the main wheel and I had to open up steam & keep her at the proper revolutions. It was rather interesting. They did sub calibre firing and packed up about four o'clock. I played bridge up till about � past seven but my luck seems to be a out this month. After dinner I read my book called "Trilby" and turned in about 9-30. This morning was very fine but later in the afternoon a bit of a breeze got up. I think that the idea of going down south shortly is being abandoned. Lt Croysdale has left to be chief navigator of an armed merchant cruiser. I posted my letters. There doesn't seem to be any important war news of late. The Ramillies passed close by and she is painted with very gaudy colours.

16 Tuesday.

The usual engineering routine. The weather is tip top up here now and we are getting very fine weather indeed. You would think we were approaching summer instead of winter. In the afternoon I was on top of the boiler watching some valves & glands being overhauled. I nearly fell asleep. We had a gunnery dog watch lecture at 5-00 & the lights went out at 6-00 so we packed up. We had it in the torpedo lecture room. We had dinner at 7-00 and the ships company gave a concert in the Gourko which was alongside. It was a very good show & I enjoyed it. It lasted till about 10-30. I got out of doing the engineering rounds by going to it. We have got two or three new officers in place of those who left. There are plenty of little fish around the ships side & a couple of the snotties have fished for them and caught some, but they are hardly worth eating. The war news is still very quiet. We are the most successful in operations so far.

17 Wednesday.

As in the war news nothing special to report. I was down in the Diesel Oil Engineroom and I had a good chat with Mr Noakes about his adventures in a submarine. He has seen a lot of service in them. The German destroyers operating at the island of Oesel in the Gulf of Riga had encounters with Russian destroyers with a loss of four to the Germans i.e according to Russian reports. The German troops are very successful with their land operations. I played hockey after tea & had a good game. We heard that the Mary Rose & Strongbow were sunk in action with a light cruiser, a pretty rotten performance I think if there were two together to one. I had a hot bath after the game & we had the band as it was Wednesday. I played 21 after dinner and there was some very high bidding. I was very lucky and won 8/- as well as a side bet of 2/-. Usborne and I, the two winners, supplied drinks all round. I turned in about 10. My ankles are very sore where I stopped a few blocks while playing hockey.

18 Thursday.

I didn't go to engineering this morning but went to starboard 6" control drill. We had a couple of ammunition supply runs and Guns & the Captain went through. The rest of the snotties did the evolution "out stream anchor". We are getting everything in readiness for the annual inspection of the admiral commanding. Next week he is inspecting us. In the afternoon we all had to "out kedge anchor". I had to go in the second cutter and it was pretty choppy and I got slightly wet. When they lowered the anchor down, and the cutter rising to the waves, had the fluke of the anchor bashed into her and water poured in. We secured everything alright and then packed up. We didn't do anything for the rest of the afternoon and after tea I played bridge till about 6-00 p.m. We had a signal exercise about 7-00 p.m. and after dinner I played vingt-et-un winning about 4/-. I have had very good luck lately at 21 but not at bridge. No word yet from Venns.

19 Friday.

We had General quarters at 9-15 after divisions preparatory to the expected visit of the admiral, of the ship. We didn't do any engineering in the morning and as most of the engineering heads went ashore in the afternoon we only wrote up some notes and packed up for the evening. I played poker with Larkins for 1� a pip and I won 30/- in the afternoon but as he already owes me 10/- I let a �1 altogether do. I had very good luck. We went up to 64 for cards at times. I shaved myself again but I shaved too high and in consequence I don't look too pleasant. All of our chests were painted so as the admiral will think well of them and they are a bit of a nuisance. We had a signal exercise at � to 7 and I did a bit better than usual. After dinner I played 21 and came out winning 4�. I turned in about 10-00. I have quite settled down to waiting nine months.

20 Saturday.

I fooled around the engineroom during the forenoon and packed up about 11-20. We finish engineering today and I am very sorry as I think it the best of our subjects. In the afternoon I wrote up my gunnery notes on calibration and after tea I read a bit and then I played poker introducing it to some of the others so I suppose it will become the fashion I suppose for a while. After dinner I played again and turned in about 10-15. We have an Australian officer on board but so far I haven't spoken to him. I made out a list of the division who haven't given in details as to whether they can swim etc as the admiral is fairly particular about clothes, books etc. He doesn't like the ship. Said we were painted the wrong colour. I'll have to be sending my Christmas mail home soon. There is very little news. The Germans are occupying the islands in the Gulf of Riga & the Russians can't stop them.

21 Sunday.

We had divisions in the battery and then marched on to the QD where the skipper presented a long service medal & spoke a few words about Trafalgar & the necessity for watchfulness. We had church after it. I played poker in the forenoon & then wrote my letter to Mother wishing them all a merry Christmas. After tea the Australian lieutenant came in to the gunroom and we had a bit of a chip with him. He knew a good few from the military college. The 5^th BS & QE went down to Rosyth I think. They left about 7-00. Shadwell ran aground with the skipper in the picket boat and when he got off & came back late at night, he knocked up the gangway. I came first out of the gunroom in the last signalling exercise with 85%. After dinner I played poker again till about 10-00 & I lost about 1/-. The gunnery programme is a bit stiff for next week. We do turret drill. The loss of Strongbow & Mary Rose was announced. Seven of the convoy were also sunk all neutral ships. Half of Strongbows crew were picked up.

22 Monday.

A very rotten day. My pen broke down, the nib being badly crossed and consequently my writing is very bad. In the morning we did 6" gun drill and in the forenoon we were in Y turret and watched them do a couple of runs. We are under the charge of PO Bedford as Sgt Sterling has charge of the new lots. It was raining all day. In the afternoon we did 6" stripping and some loader drill. We had a navigation dog watch lecture under the Lt N which lasted for over two hours. We had it on the compass & errors. I had my hair cut after it. After dinner I wrote letters to Eric, Gladys & to the Bank informing it to send �5 to Mother as a Christmas present. I posted my letter to Mother this morning. I turned in about 10. I have been shifted to the Port Battery. We have all been supplied with flash masks, gloves & respirators preparatory to the admirals visit.

23 Tuesday.

Another pretty rotten day. It was rather cold. In the morning we did 3 pounder stripping and we had lunch at 11-15. We got underway at 12-00 approx and we closed up at the battery soon after. We did some 3 pounder shooting and came to anchor again about four. I saw snow on the hills for the first time this season. We got underway again about seven and we fired star shells to light up the target which was to be followed up by firing 3 pounder. I saw the star shells but half failed to explode and although they lit up the sea under them a bit, the target had to be found by searchlights and then we opened fire. The port side was much better than the starboard. We packed up about 10-10 p.m. Snow fell during the night so we are once more in winter. I posted all my letters. I gave 4/- towards the orphans of seamen on the anniversary of Trafalgar. I hope my Christmas mail arrives home safely. Four Zepps were destroyed & four disabled over France.

24 Wednesday.

A fairly rotten day. It snowed during the forenoon and rain also. We did the usual gun drill before breakfast and after divisions we were going to do high angle gun drill and after we had stripped the breach block we retired as it came on to rain. We then did 6" gun drill, taking it in turns to drill the class. I sent my fountain pen down to the makers to get mended as they guarantee to mend it free of charge. As I was next of kin to MOD I had to go up to censoring and finished fairly early. In the afternoon we went in to the turret and we did some turret drill. We had to use the electric pump as all of the other power was shut off. After tea I played poker and lost rather heavily somewhere near 150^d but after dinner playing again I won 102 so I made up for it slightly. It was guest night and we had some good music. I turned in after eleven. Weeden following the example of many others had too much to drink and consequently paid the price for it out side the Commanders cabin.

25 Thursday.

It was blowing a real gale when I got up & we had dropped our second anchor & had steam up. We couldn't get a mail till late in the afternoon & in it I received a letter from Miss Living and my parcel from Venns. I was rather disappointed but I will send them. I wrote a letter to Miss Living during the afternoon. She has had internal trouble but I hope she has recovered. The wind dropped during the afternoon. I made out a correct list of the number in the divisions & gave it to Mr Wells. At gunnery in the morning we did 6" stripping. I think I could strip down a breach block now. In the afternoon for some unaccountable reason we were given a make & mend. I had a bath & tidied up for dinner during the dog watches and after dinner I played poker winning 5/- or so. I am now about 15/- up so I have done fairly well this month. Poker is fast becoming the rage but I suppose it will soon lose its popularity. I turned in about 10. We were supposed to have gone over to the north shore today.

26 Friday.

Another cold wet windy day. We had general quarters after divisions and we went over to the north shore near where we had our sports. I after GQs we went down into X turret and we did turret drill which wasn't bad as we had plenty of power. After lunch we did more drill in the working chamber only we had to use the electric pump which I think is very inadequate. After tea I played poker and then I had a hot bath. After dinner I played some more poker and turned in about 10. We haven't had any mail yet so when we do get it there will be two or three together. I hope there are some from Australia. I have taken to wearing my cardigan jacket as it gets rather cold at times. We are doing a 6" full calibre shoot tomorrow afternoon. Four guns only firing from each battery. I suppose that the supply will still be very poor. However it will be something to relieve the monotony. There is no news at all from here.

27 Saturday.

It was blowing a gale of wind and pretty cold. We had a gunnery lecture during the forenoon on spotting and we packed up about 11-00. We got underway during the afternoon. Larkins, Thompson & Watkins went out in the drifter as a rake party. We fired S₁& P₁ guns 2/3 charge for GL firing but we didn't fire from the battery as I suppose they thought that the conditions were too bad. We received a mail in the forenoon but there were no letters for me. We anchored again about four. The drifter had hard work in getting alongside again. They were all sick who went out in it & didn't do much spotting. About seven it got very calm suddenly. I played poker after tea and also after dinner and I won about 6/-. I turned in about 10. They say it wasn't as cold as this this time last year. I hope it isn't going to be a severe winter. A great fuss is being made over the Mary Rose & Strongbow and I don't think it is all deserved. The Italians are now being pushed back.

28 Sunday.

It is now pretty cold but it was fine enough to have divisions on the FX as usual. However we were told to always fall in abaft S₁ gun after this facing outboard. We had church and after lunch I played cards & read. We haven't had any mail yet for some time. I spent most of my time reading during the afternoon and had a bath before supper. After that I played poker and won a bit and turned in about 10-00 & read before going to sleep. I cannot imagine what it will be like during the winter up here. Mr Squirrel has been made and acting lieutenant. I think he deserves it. The routine of the ship has been put back � hour so the men have more in their hammocks. The Germans are pushing the Italians back. Some Italian regiments mutinied and didn't offer any resistance to the enemy. We are over here for the week so it seems.

29 Monday.

Another rotten day. Instead of doing our scheduled gunnery we had to keep records on certain methods of loading in the turrets. I was in the handling room and whilst there I smashed my stop watch completely. I took the records alright. We were underway during the forenoon firing torpedos. We were doing 19 knots most of the time. Divers had to descend & get them secured. I reported the watch to Guns & he said I would have to see the Captain. We did squad drill on the QD all the afternoon and it was very cold. After tea we had a gunnery dog watch lecture after which I had a bath. There was a bit of a rumpus over the amount who attended quarters but they were all accounted for. They were still diving for the torpedo which was near the ship in 30 faths. After dinner I played poker and won slightly after having got fours near the last. I find that where I sling is very good in the winter as it gets very cold of nights.

30 Tuesday.

Still the same weather. In the forenoon I had to go down to B turret and keep records again and everything went off alright. In the afternoon we did the same in Y turret and there was hardly a run which went off correctly. We had a torpedo dog watch lecture by Lieut. Dove but I don't think he know much about it. After it I tidied for dinner and before & after dinner I wrote letters to Mother & Edie and sent a postcard to Mollie. There hasn't been any mail yet for us and I'm looking forward to the next. I turned in fairly early as we are getting underway tomorrow morning early to fire torpedos. I have to go up on the bridge. We have been on better rations for the last few days. The Italians are still being pushed back thro their own country. I sent my Christmas present to Gladys in an ordinary envelope so I hope it arrives safely. The last month I won about 15/- at cards mostly all at poker and vingt-et-un.

31 Wednesday.

A bit better day than usual although sometimes it blew & rained pretty fiercely. I got up at � to six and went up on the bridge. We got underway about 6-25 and went up the torpedo track and we fired three torpedos at a target in Smoogro Bay. We came to anchor again about 8-25. Only one torpedo was located and searching began. I did turret drill in the morning and had to go away in the first picket boat towing cutters to the bay. It got a bit rougher in the afternoon & the sleet was very biting. Divers were down all day but only the one located in the morning was found. We returned to the ship about 4-15 as it was getting dark. I read mostly all the rest of the afternoon. It was a our band night. Lt. Wellman was in from the wardroom and in a game of poker betted rather ridiculously & succeeded in losing about 17/- of which I won about 13/6.

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© Michael Calder February 2003