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2/20th Battalion

A.I.F.

LEAVE SYDNEY

Arrived in Sydney early on 29/7/41, and proceeded to Darling Harbour, where we were loaded onto ferries which went down the harbour, under the Harbour Bridge to Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo.

Here we embarked on the Dutch troopship "Johan van Olden Barnveldt", 18,000 tons, on which also was the 2/30 Battallion, commanded by Black Jack Galleghan. He was the Commander of a convoy consisting of "Johan's" sister-ship, with 2/26 Battallion, from Queensland and " SS Katoomba" on which were the 2/15 Field Regiment - which included Tony Startin, from Dyer's Crossing, Jack Morris from Bulahdelah and Herb McMillan from Tuncurry.

We sailed later in the day not realising some of us were never to return and, as a survivor, not to return myself until four years later on 4/10/1945. 

SAIL SOUTH

Good trip down coast and through Bass Strait then headed far south, going down to escape possible waiting German Submarines. As it was the end of July it was freezing cold and wet, and we encountered mountainous seas much of the time. The old "Katoomba" was out of sight in the wave troughs. We were allotted guard duties every night at various points all over the ship, commencing Army habit of two hours duty and four hours off. Not the best for sleep.

Some magnificent accommodation on the ship allotted to officers, N.C.O.s and 2/30 personnel. Our quarters were on "E" deck below the waterline, large area consisting of dozens of tables bolted to the deck where we messed (ate) and on deck above tables were steel hooks to which we attached hammocks in which we slept - except beastly hot despite huge blowers forcing fresh air into the area all night. Eight men to a table, each of which in charge of an N.C.O. My table in charge of Sid Creek (our best man).

I became closely attached to Geoff Beavan of Wyong and George Strode of Mulgoa.

George died of pneumonia in Burma with "A" Force. Geoff died at South Tonchan, Thailand, following having Cholera.

SHIP FOOD

Ship food was shocking. It consisted mostly of rabbit in various guises. It was alleged the ship had acquired stores in Canada years before (and that's what they tasted like!). We survived by pooling our pay and buying tinned fish etc. from the canteen. The only decent food supply was hot cocoa and biscuits before lights out around 9 pm.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Eventually arrived Fremantle (the Port to the Western Australian Capital City of Perth) and docked.

On the following day, fortunately we were in the units granted leave to go into Perth. (Thousands of men were too many to unleash onto the city in the one day!). Proceeded to Perth by train. (Narrow-gauged rail amused us after NSW 4 feet 8 inch gauge.)

Looked over the city fairly rapidly then went to Anzac Club where tea, coffee and food available free. Here we, maybe Sid and I, met a Mr Crowe, War I Veteran and Repatriation Commissioner in W.A., who invited five of us to be taken by car, shown sights and finally to his home where we met his family and enjoyed a meal. Mrs Crowe snr. took all our addresses and then wrote to all families informing them of our welfare so far and she and my mother corresponded for the duration of the war.

(When I returned via Brisbane in 1945, my sister Alison was there working on General Douglas MacArthur's staff and took me to visit the Crowe family again who had, in the intervening years, transferred to Brisbane from Western Australia. They again gave me a tour, this time of Brisbane sights which I'd previously visited with my cousins, Bill and Harry Miles, in 1939.)

ANGER AT CANCELLED LEAVE

We later returned to the ship, after an enjoyable day. Just as well, because next day all leave was cancelled, almost creating mutiny among those who had not been lucky like us. (Afraid some of our blokes had mixed it pretty well with Kiwis, at pubs etc, and consequently leave cancelled.)

I remember, at one stage someone threw a beer bottle from the deck of the "Johan" when Black Jack was giving a talk to assembled troops regarding cancelled leave. It missed Black Jack but not by much.

LEAVE FREMANTLE

Left Fremantle and proceeded north towards the tropics, speedily becoming warmer and for that portion of trip, we left our hammocks and slept on the sports deck. Much cooler just lying on the bare deck with a blanket. Saw plenty of flying fish, some landing on the decks. Uneventful trip from then on.

SUNDRA STRAITS

Passed through the Sundra Straits between Sumatra and Java, where both "HMAS Perth", commanded by Captain Waller (Dora Brocks' brother) and the U.S. Cruiser "Houston" were sunk after encountering a Japanese convoy.

The Japanese convoy was always thought to be proceeding to invade Australia, but suffered the loss of so many ships at the hands of  the "Perth" and "Houston", that it had to return to Saigon to refit.

"Perth" could have escaped but remained to give "Houston" cover as the "Houston's" rear armament was out of action.

Also passed Krakatoa volcano that erupted last century and created havoc. 

Copyright © 2002, Elliott McMaster, "Glen Ora", Nabiac, New South Wales, Australia, 2428.  Original content in these Web pages is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be produced by any process or any other exclusive right exercised without written permission from the copyright holder.