Thursday 1st October 1942

I was on duty, but, browned-off, I persuaded someone else to do it for me whilst I left the camp, armed with a bogus pass. Bob had a genuine pass.

It is sad that this course is nearly over. What a respite it has been, from dis-order! Now the grim “bluey” looms ahead, preceded by a short spell at a Base Depot battery – even more deadly. So we savoured the semi-civilised pleasures of Cairo with this thought in our minds – the end is in sight.

(“One after one, like tasting a rich food...”)

In the Brittannia Cafe we saw, seated at a table together:- Jack Tabor, George Hignall (now BSM) Sid Sorrell, Jack Bateman, Herbert Golding and Sgt. Major Counell.
What a clique! “Mass wastes!” I greeted them. How I should have shrunk from meeting them at all, if I had been a permanent Base wallah!

“NON-STOP SHELLING STILL FAILS TO BREAK STALINGRAD'S DEFENDERS”