Note – this entry contains a racial slur that may cause offence.
Click here for entry for Wednesday 23rd December – Tuesday 29th December 1942
Wednesday 30th December
Day 634
Days becoming monotonous. No more word of leaving for Base. Attended sing-song in canteen at night.
Thursday 31st December
Day 635
Usual morning spent. Went on leave to Port Said in afternoon – roughly 35 miles from Hosp. Straight along side of canal. Fair sized place but just like an ordinary wog town. Rather a large harbour – many ships in port. Only had three hours there. Spent time walking around looking over the town – much cleaner town that I had expected. Returned to hospital at 9PM. Then to bed – did not see the New Year in.
Friday January 1st 1943
Day 634 – New Year’s Day
Day passed as any other ordinary day. Slept in afternoon then played Housie at night.
Saturday Jan 2
Day 637
Still no word on moving. In afternoon watched Yanks play Hospital – Net Ball – rather fast games but Yanks won. Won Housie.
Sunday Jan 3
Day 638
Waiting for word of moving. Terrific sand storm blew up at night. Ward simply covered with thick layer of sand. Wonder tent didn’t blow in.
Monday Jan 4
Day 639
Still blowing hard. Absolutely no use trying to clean up – sand comes straight in again. At night attended film showed by YMCA – Friday 13.
Tuesday Jan 5
Day 640
Received word returning to Con. Depot tomorrow – could not get to base. Drew gear etc. from store. Strong rumour that reinforcements had arrived at Maadi. Everybody praying it is not right.
Click here for entry for Wednesday 6th January – Tuesday 12th January 1943
14 Weeks Worth of Socks 
A very real and down to earth history book.
The thing that has surprised me is exactly how boring and monotonous war is to those fighting. I confess I only know previously about the “action” from what was in history books and movies but they never tell you how mind numbing the in between bits are. To the point where he seems to be looking forward to going back into action just for something to do.
From WWl came the quote War is “interminable boredom punctuated by moments of terror”
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