My grandfather George Townesend's journal

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May 17th Thursday. 251 + 2993 = 3244

For some reason best known to the Capt of the Marmoral he slowed down this afternoon considerably so I do not suppose we shall reach SL till Saturday morning. I am starting a course of PT under a chap named JR Jones KAR. Passed enormous numbers of flying fish their flight is like that of a swallow. Cholera inoculation seems to have passed off without giving me any pain.


May 18th Friday. 3244 + 252 = 3496

"Finished with engines" was signalled at 6:45pm so my ticket 6:50 -6:59 got third prize in the auction sweep. This gives me 2 pounds for an outlay of 13/- which is very nice as I am short of funds

The harbour of Freetown SL is very pretty surrounded by mountains hills covered with vegetation chiefly palms and tree ferns etc. It is quite nice to see rows of lights alongside the sea shore again. We are taking in water the water boat is just below my cabin porthole & as it is terribly close I expect I shall not get much sleep tonight. NB I did not get to sleep till 2 chiefly because the President of the Timtits was tight & trying to persuade Jobjens & Zeil to join Tomtits.


May 19th Saturday. 

I have been ashore here at Freetown Sierra Leone. The heat in the town is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer. The place is very quaint & of course is unlike anything I have seen before. 


May 19th Saturday. 3496 + 65 = 356. 165 miles this day on the miles travelled after 12 noon on 18th

I have been ashore here at Freetown SL. The heat in the town (or village) is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer! The place is very quaint & of course, quite unlike anything I have seen before. The natives vary from almost jet black to bronze chiefly the former they have a funny smell which is somewhat sickening. There are very few Whites here chiefly govt officials and missionaries. There is a very interesting cathedral. I bought some stamps for Sonny (son, George Patrick Townesend) stuck on the previous page. The drains at present are still open but are in course of being placed in pipes. I have seen cocoa nuts & bananas growing in their native soil. Some of the wee babies here are ripping little kids one especially a plump bronze beggar reminded me strongly of Sonny he looked so healthy! The niggers are very keen on the bright colours and throw them on anyhow. The favourite costume for men seems to be a striped night shirt down to the knees. Some of the girls young ones have lovely skins but smell. Many trees are bearing the most beautiful flowers at present.


May 20th Sunday.

Stayed on board all day. Officers who went ashore yesterday not allowed ashore! We are but little children. Have found out that Jervis who put Wilding's grave to rights is a nephew of Jervis the vicar. He had many little bits of comments on Enid says she is a pretty girl who is always willing to go to a theatre or dinner or supper does not think the engagement to Lecasar will lead to marriage says she gets sentimental towards the evening especially after "bubbly water." He has apparently taken her out several times and had quite a good time.


May 21st Monday. 

Sailed out of Freetown Harbour about 3:30pm under the escort of HMS Kent in place of the Marmorah. We have two or 3 more transports with us. I very glad to be off as it is terribly hot in Port no air in the cabins.


May 22nd Tuesday. 225 + 3561 = 3786

Very heavy squall blowing with much rain when I woke this morning to bad for the first try to do PJ. We have this day started to get the PJ into good running order. The instructors who have been trained by TR Jones KAR took over the squads and are, I think, going to make a great job of it. It rebounds greatly to his credit that he has got them to the state of proficiency he has in so short a time. A little excitement this afternoon we sighted a steamer miles away & the whole convoy slowed down whilst the Kent went off to investigate apparently all was well as we went ahead again in about an hour.


May 23rd Wednesday. 260 + 3786 = 4046

Physical Jerks going strong today there has been a fairly big swell on the ship has pitched rolled about a good deal but the day uneventful. There was a Board of enquirey held today on "a Matter to be brought before the Board." Casualty returns asked for 237 DUS free of crime and sickness.

Transcription saved

May 17th Thursday. 251 + 2993 = 3244

For some reason best known to the Capt of the Marmoral he slowed down this afternoon considerably so I do not suppose we shall reach SL till Saturday morning. I am starting a course of PT under a chap named JR Jones KAR. Passed enormous numbers of flying fish their flight is like that of a swallow. Cholera inoculation seems to have passed off without giving me any pain.


May 18th Friday. 3244 + 252 = 3496

"Finished with engines" was signalled at 6:45pm so my ticket 6:50 -6:59 got third prize in the auction sweep. This gives me 2 pounds for an outlay of 13/- which is very nice as I am short of funds

The harbour of Freetown SL is very pretty surrounded by mountains hills covered with vegetation chiefly palms and tree ferns etc. It is quite nice to see rows of lights alongside the sea shore again. We are taking in water the water boat is just below my cabin porthole & as it is terribly close I expect I shall not get much sleep tonight. NB I did not get to sleep till 2 chiefly because the President of the Timtits was tight & trying to persuade Jobjens & Zeil to join Tomtits.


May 19th Saturday. 

I have been ashore here at Freetown Sierra Leone. The heat in the town is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer. The place is very quaint & of course is unlike anything I have seen before. 


May 19th Saturday. 3496 + 65 = 356. 165 miles this day on the miles travelled after 12 noon on 18th

I have been ashore here at Freetown SL. The heat in the town (or village) is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer! The place is very quaint & of course, quite unlike anything I have seen before. The natives vary from almost jet black to bronze chiefly the former they have a funny smell which is somewhat sickening. There are very few Whites here chiefly govt officials and missionaries. There is a very interesting cathedral. I bought some stamps for Sonny (son, George Patrick Townesend) stuck on the previous page. The drains at present are still open but are in course of being placed in pipes. I have seen cocoa nuts & bananas growing in their native soil. Some of the wee babies here are ripping little kids one especially a plump bronze beggar reminded me strongly of Sonny he looked so healthy! The niggers are very keen on the bright colours and throw them on anyhow. The favourite costume for men seems to be a striped night shirt down to the knees. Some of the girls young ones have lovely skins but smell. Many trees are bearing the most beautiful flowers at present.


May 20th Sunday.

Stayed on board all day. Officers who went ashore yesterday not allowed ashore! We are but little children. Have found out that Jervis who put Wilding's grave to rights is a nephew of Jervis the vicar. He had many little bits of comments on Enid says she is a pretty girl who is always willing to go to a theatre or dinner or supper does not think the engagement to Lecasar will lead to marriage says she gets sentimental towards the evening especially after "bubbly water." He has apparently taken her out several times and had quite a good time.


May 21st Monday. 

Sailed out of Freetown Harbour about 3:30pm under the escort of HMS Kent in place of the Marmorah. We have two or 3 more transports with us. I very glad to be off as it is terribly hot in Port no air in the cabins.


May 22nd Tuesday. 225 + 3561 = 3786

Very heavy squall blowing with much rain when I woke this morning to bad for the first try to do PJ. We have this day started to get the PJ into good running order. The instructors who have been trained by TR Jones KAR took over the squads and are, I think, going to make a great job of it. It rebounds greatly to his credit that he has got them to the state of proficiency he has in so short a time. A little excitement this afternoon we sighted a steamer miles away & the whole convoy slowed down whilst the Kent went off to investigate apparently all was well as we went ahead again in about an hour.


May 23rd Wednesday. 260 + 3786 = 4046

Physical Jerks going strong today there has been a fairly big swell on the ship has pitched rolled about a good deal but the day uneventful. There was a Board of enquirey held today on "a Matter to be brought before the Board." Casualty returns asked for 237 DUS free of crime and sickness.


Transcription history
  • April 13, 2018 18:05:09 Thomas A. Lingner

    May 17th Thursday. 251 + 2993 = 3244

    For some reason best known to the Capt of the Marmoral he slowed down this afternoon considerably so I do not suppose we shall reach SL till Saturday morning. I am starting a course of PT under a chap named JR Jones KAR. Passed enormous numbers of flying fish their flight is like that of a swallow. Cholera inoculation seems to have passed off without giving me any pain.


    May 18th Friday. 3244 + 252 = 3496

    "Finished with engines" was signalled at 6:45pm so my ticket 6:50 -6:59 got third prize in the auction sweep. This gives me 2 pounds for an outlay of 13/- which is very nice as I am short of funds

    The harbour of Freetown SL is very pretty surrounded by mountains hills covered with vegetation chiefly palms and tree ferns etc. It is quite nice to see rows of lights alongside the sea shore again. We are taking in water the water boat is just below my cabin porthole & as it is terribly close I expect I shall not get much sleep tonight. NB I did not get to sleep till 2 chiefly because the President of the Timtits was tight & trying to persuade Jobjens & Zeil to join Tomtits.


    May 19th Saturday. 

    I have been ashore here at Freetown Sierra Leone. The heat in the town is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer. The place is very quaint & of course is unlike anything I have seen before. 


    May 19th Saturday. 3496 + 65 = 356. 165 miles this day on the miles travelled after 12 noon on 18th

    I have been ashore here at Freetown SL. The heat in the town (or village) is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer! The place is very quaint & of course, quite unlike anything I have seen before. The natives vary from almost jet black to bronze chiefly the former they have a funny smell which is somewhat sickening. There are very few Whites here chiefly govt officials and missionaries. There is a very interesting cathedral. I bought some stamps for Sonny (son, George Patrick Townesend) stuck on the previous page. The drains at present are still open but are in course of being placed in pipes. I have seen cocoa nuts & bananas growing in their native soil. Some of the wee babies here are ripping little kids one especially a plump bronze beggar reminded me strongly of Sonny he looked so healthy! The niggers are very keen on the bright colours and throw them on anyhow. The favourite costume for men seems to be a striped night shirt down to the knees. Some of the girls young ones have lovely skins but smell. Many trees are bearing the most beautiful flowers at present.


    May 20th Sunday.

    Stayed on board all day. Officers who went ashore yesterday not allowed ashore! We are but little children. Have found out that Jervis who put Wilding's grave to rights is a nephew of Jervis the vicar. He had many little bits of comments on Enid says she is a pretty girl who is always willing to go to a theatre or dinner or supper does not think the engagement to Lecasar will lead to marriage says she gets sentimental towards the evening especially after "bubbly water." He has apparently taken her out several times and had quite a good time.


    May 21st Monday. 

    Sailed out of Freetown Harbour about 3:30pm under the escort of HMS Kent in place of the Marmorah. We have two or 3 more transports with us. I very glad to be off as it is terribly hot in Port no air in the cabins.


    May 22nd Tuesday. 225 + 3561 = 3786

    Very heavy squall blowing with much rain when I woke this morning to bad for the first try to do PJ. We have this day started to get the PJ into good running order. The instructors who have been trained by TR Jones KAR took over the squads and are, I think, going to make a great job of it. It rebounds greatly to his credit that he has got them to the state of proficiency he has in so short a time. A little excitement this afternoon we sighted a steamer miles away & the whole convoy slowed down whilst the Kent went off to investigate apparently all was well as we went ahead again in about an hour.


    May 23rd Wednesday. 260 + 3786 = 4046

    Physical Jerks going strong today there has been a fairly big swell on the ship has pitched rolled about a good deal but the day uneventful. There was a Board of enquirey held today on "a Matter to be brought before the Board." Casualty returns asked for 237 DUS free of crime and sickness.

  • April 13, 2018 17:50:27 Thomas A. Lingner

    May 17th Thursday. 251 + 2993 = 3244

    For some reason best known to the Capt of the Marmoral he slowed down this afternoon considerably so I do not suppose we shall reach SL till Saturday morning. I am starting a course of PT under a chap named JR Jones KAR. Passed enormous numbers of flying fish their flight is like that of a swallow. Cholera inoculation seems to have passed off without giving me any pain.


    May 18th Friday. 3244 + 252 = 3496

    "Finished with engines" was signalled at 6:45pm so my ticket 6:50 -6:59 got third prize in the auction sweep. This gives me 2 pounds for an outlay of 13/- which is very nice as I am short of funds

    The harbour of Freetown SL is very pretty surrounded by mountains hills covered with vegetation chiefly palms and tree ferns etc. It is quite nice to see rows of lights alongside the sea shore again. We are taking in water the water boat is just below my cabin porthole & as it is terribly close I expect I shall not get much sleep tonight. NB I did not get to sleep till 2 chiefly because the President of the Timtits was tight & trying to persuade Jobjens & Zeil to join Tomtits.


    May 19th Saturday. 

    I have been ashore here at Freetown Sierra Leone. The heat in the town is very trying although it still wants about 2 months to their summer. The place is very quaint & of course is unlike anything I have seen before. 


    May 19th Saturday. 3496 + 65 = 356. 165 miles this day on the 


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    18145 / 206518
    Source
    http://europeana1914-1918.eu/...
    Contributor
    Hazel Townesend
    License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
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