We left RAF Station Wilmslow on Monday November 9 1942 and marched with full kit to Wilmslow railway station. Many of the locals gave us a send off plenty of beer was given to us and the RAF played sentimental tunes as we waited for the train.

Eventually we boarded the troop train bound for Liverpool Docks, eight servicemen were allocated to a compartment and locked in.

It was a sad journey for me in the sense that the train travelled via Skelton Junction over the Bridgewater canal at Broadheath and past Salisbury Road playing fields and the house where I was born, 5 Balfour Road and I remembered as we passed how I spent Saturday afternoon with my father and mother. I did not tell them that I was going over seas, but I told my brother Fred and asked him to look after Dad and Mam.

The train pulled alongside our troopship Orion which was to be our home for the next two weeks. We did not sail until Thursday 12 thus giving us plenty of time to take in the panoramic view of this great seaport. Pre-war it was the 'Gateway to the West'.

As we set sail up the Mersey we wondered whether we would see our wonderful country again and our loved ones back home.

We arrived at the Clyde on Friday November 13 and we learnt that sailors do not set sail on the 13th if it can be avoided - thus we set sail down the river on Saturday November 14 and joined dozens of troop ships escorted by numerous Destroyers at the mouth of the river and out to sea.

The RAF had an easy time on board, spending most of the time on the mess deck, but the Army lads appeared to be rifle drill or PT. On the first day out the meals were just about adequate, but as we made progress across the bay of Biscay, less and less lads were present at meal times. Our Mess Deck seated 14 but only three or four of us became regular eaters. It was fascinating at night to stand on a dark deck and in the distance see the lights of Tangiers and Morocco.

We arrived at the port of Algiers on Sunday November 22 1942 at 10am during an air raid and embarked at 3pm. We then marched six miles with full pack to a stretch of beach near Huissen Dey and Maison Blanche. Just as we arrived the Blitz started again and went on right through the night. I was with Ginger Worsley and Harry Parkes - I was terrified, this was my first night of real Active Service.

Monday November 23: Harry, Ginger and myself lay an a bivouac and we were blitzed all night long with twin engined bombers - they flew very low and one of the ship s in the harbour was hit. Many were injured but as far as we knew only one lad was killed.

Tuesday November 24: Quiet because there was a terrific storm - thunder and lightning and we were washed out of our tents onto the beach, so we slept under a wagon - we only had a short Blitz because of the severe weather conditions.

Wednesday November 25: Storm still raging. We moved to a hanger, slept on concrete, but dry.

Thursday November 26: Went into Algiers with Harry, Scott, Ginger and Bush(ell) for food. Could only get bread and fish.

Friday November 27: Algiers again with the mob - tomatoes, onions, bread, oranges and wine, cost 12 Francs each.

Volunteered for Guard Duty.

Saturday November 28: On Guard. Told to stand back to back because the Arabs are noted for crawling up behing you and stabbing you in the back.

Sunday November 29: Went to Mass in Hussen Dey. Later went to the Arab quarters in Algiers with the lads - plenty of wine. Ginger was drunk and sick so we left him outside in the hanger until 2am.

Monday November 30: I was posted to Constantine - good I wanted to get on with my operations - Filter etc. At 3pm posting cancelled.