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UNKNOWN : 1945 - 1946 ORIGINAL WORLD WAR II MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY AN INSIGHTFUL, ERUDITE SCOTTISH SIGNALMAN ON HIS WAY TO AND WHILE SERVING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND JAPAN

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is an excellent journal of a WWII British army signalman. Measuring 8 inches by 5 inches, the journal contains 316 pages and is 70% complete. The covers have separated from the journal but all pages are intact. The entries are in both pencil and pen. They are mostly legible. There has been some water damage and the reader can see where the author has attempted to write over that damage, indicating that the water stains were contemporaneous to the journal entries. The author of this journal is unknown. What we do know is that he is Scottish and an only child. He initially served in the RAF, specifically the RAFVR (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve). At some point though, he was formally inducted into the British armed forces and assigned to the Royal Corps of Signals. The Royal Corps of Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army. The Corps never deploys as a Regiment but Signals units are attached to most combat arms units, providing the battlefield communications and information systems essential to all operations. Our author is a 'Jimmy'. This is the nickname for all signalers and refers to both its cap badge - Mercury, the messenger of the gods and to a Royal Signals boxer, called Jimmy Emblem, who was the British Army Champion in 1924. The journal is entitled "Romance Within", a rather interesting title for a war record. It begins with the following rather charming passage: "On several occasions I have begun to keep a record of my life ..." [July 24, 1945]; Further on he notes: "This is intended as a personal memo and should contain my thoughts & actions for as long - well, who can say. I sincerely hope it will contain nothing for me to be ashamed of." [July 24th, 1945]. He was trained at the Signal Training Centre at Catterick Camp, the largest British Army garrison world-wide. All personnel were taught to ride as the Corps roots lay mounted Cavalry units. Hence, Signals units are referred to as Troops and Squadrons. On August 15th, 1945, he boarded a ship in Huddersfield bound for the Far East. He arrived in Bombay on September 3rd. His service in Asia included stints in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Hong Kong and Japan. His journal is full of colourful descriptions. "After 2 days (42 hours to be exact, of the most unpleasant travelling I have yest experiences, we arrived at this "God Forsaken hole". Several miles from NASIK ROAD. We spent at least 12 hours at KHANDWA in 2 railway carriages. I will not dwell further on that memorable journey or the cockroaches and the ants that accompanied us." [Sept 16, 1945]. On March 3rd, 1946, he arrived in Japan on board the SS Arundel Castle. Subsequent entries include mentions of work details and recreational activities. He was billeted in Kune. Two major incidents occurred that affected him: "It rained at night and for once we were to be thankful for it. About 9:00 PM the fire alarm went ..." [Apr 5, 1946]. Their quarters burnt to the ground. "Something really terrible happened today. Shortly after 1500 hrs a message was received over the RWF link that the i/c W/T det [person in charge, Wireless Telegraph detachment] had been fatally injured." [May 4, 1946]. This was his friend, L/Cpl George Morris. He did make one notable trip: "For some time I had wished to visit Hiroshima. Today my wish was granted. ... We reached Hiroshima about 1430. At first the effect of the atom bomb could not be fully seen ... we turned a corner with rubble lining the road side then we saw the result of Uranium 235. At first I could only gaze rather stupidly , not seeing anything in particular and it was no great wonder as there was little to see ..." [May 5, 1946] This is an excellent, first-hand account of a British soldier's experiences immediately following WWII in Asia. A historian will be attracted to his detailed descriptions of trips and the many towns and villages he visited or passed through. A military historian would find this an excellent corroboration of the movement of other units. His first-hand accounts bring the experiences of so many soldiers to life. As he paints his pictures in words, he conveys at times the anti-British sentiments that will soon bedevil Britain over the next two decades.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Fair

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