Rhydymwyn Valley History Society

After leaving Freetown we sailed on ever south until we reached Capetown. Here we watched enviously at anchor while the troop ships endlessly discharged hundreds of troops for shore leave. We on the Curacao had docked briefly to refuel and take on water. The four of us had a few hours leave ashore. The most notable event was that we were taken by car up Table Mountain. We vowed we would do better the next day but when we awoke at anchor in the bay, while the troops streamed ashore for the third day, we were confined on board as our cargo made us a risk in dock. We sailed off to unknown destinations through the tropics again. We had already passed through the equator and were traditionally shaved and shampooed. At Capetown we had taken aboard a motley crowd of personnel, some out of hospital, some from detention, and others from police court. Two women army doctors, one could be described as comely, in other words attractive. Our decks had been cleared of the the tug and the yank boat and crew had gone leaving the foredeck clear though it was still out of bounds. The six Hurricanes on the aft deck had gone leaving a clear field of fire for the Bofors guns. I was given charge of a complete watch and I still have a list of the personnel somewhere. I can remember off hand a private first class of the American army, a gunner of the Australian Artillery just out of hospital, two Royal Navy waiters, one RAF AC1, various privates, engineers, and a couple of the maritime Artillery gunners.