1945 Waples Diary

18/2/45 Left Sydney for Townsville with H.M.S. "Guardian" in company towing a target.

27/2/45 Arrived in Townsville with "Guardian" to refuel and store ship. Had one nights leave so went to the pictures.

28/2/45 Recieved general payment, completed storing ship. Slipped about midday with H.M.S. "Guardian" in company still with target and proceeded to sea, destination Admiralty Islands.

6/3/45 Arrived at Admiralty Islands after a very good trip. Proceeded up Seadler Harbour to anchor near "Pirie" and "Launceston". Pictures party proceeded ashore to pictures at Yank airstrip on Pityilu Island.

7/3/45 Weighed and proceeded alongside Fleet Tanker to take on oil.

2/

but swell became too bad and had to leave 20 tons light. British Pacific Fleet arrived. "Howe", "K.G.V." 4 carriers, 12 6" Cruisers, and about 20 U&W class escort destroyers. Looks like a big push coming off soon.

8/3/45 Proceeded alongside R.N. depot ship HMS "Artiface" to take on water and was allowed access to canteen and clothing store but weather became rough and had to slip again so half of us dipped out on slops. Skipper decided to to alongside tanker again and get remainder of oil, after oiling proceeded back to anchorage.

9/3/45 Still at anchor. Recreation party put ashore to R.N. recreation centre and got 2 bottles of beer per man. Yank carrier entered harbour to take on "Corsairs" for Pearl Harbour. Commenced boiler cleaning.

3/

10/3/45 Same routine as usual. Got 11 stokers for boiler cleaning from "Tyne".

11/3/45 Sunday today. Swimming party over the side most of the afternoon. Rec. party went ashore and got caught in tropical downpour got as wet as hell.

12/3/45 Still boiler cleaning until 17th. All getting a bit sick of this place, all anxious to get further up.

13/3/45 Still the same as 12th.

14/3/45 Had run ashore to Rec. Centre scored a couple of bottles of beer

15/3/45 Completed boiler cleaning and went alongside "Nabu Pier" for water.

16/3/45 "Ballarat" challenged us to a game of Aust. rules so accepted and they beat us.

4/

17/3/45 Same routine. Buzz that we are going to escort convoys to "Leyte". Battle fleet sailed P.M.

18/3/45 Proceeded alongside ammunition ship for ammo. Slipped, and proceeded to tanker for oil then "Whyalla" came alongside us for oil also. Slipped and anchored off assault ships for conference. Skipper returned with news that we are to escort convoy to "Leyte" & everybody is about and getting letters away before sailing.

19/3/45 Observed ships preparing for sea everywhere. Slipped and proceeded to sea at 1300 with "Ballarat", "Whyalla", "Pirie", "Lismore", and "Bendigo" in company. Convoy started coming out at about 1400. 5 tankers, 3 assault ships, 5 supply ships, "Tyne", and "Artiface". Other escorts 2 R.N. sloops, 1 destroyer. 1600 Convoy all ready proceeded at 9 knots destination "Leyte". Course Admiralties to Palma and then to Leyte.

5/

20/3/45 Had a very good night last night dawn broke with signs of a very good day. Crossed the equator at 0930 this morning felt a bit of a bump as we did so. 1300-1330. All escorts carried out smoke screen exercises around the convoy with funnel and smoke floats. 1330. Had a visit from "Father Neptune" to christen the sailors and give them permission to sail his seven seas. Had quite a bit of fun on the focsle with paint and batter.

21/3/45 Had a rather good night but has been raining on and off all day. 1430. Received news that section of the convoy was to alter course and proceed in escort of "Whyalla" and "Kalgoorlie" to "Ulichi Island northern most island in Caroline Islands. The three ships are carrying ammo so god help them if they get hit. 1500. Left convoy and proceeded with 3 ships. Remainder continued on to Layte as previously instructed.