*Diary provided courtesy of Bob Grice, 1st Special Weapons Battalion. All rights reserved.Page 1 of 6
July 10 Aboard the John Errikson (formerly the Kunsholm).
Stood guard from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sighted land about 8:30. Found out later it was North Island of New Zealand. Wrote a letter to Mum. Getting all ready to dock tomorrow. Laddie's birthday.
July 11
Landed in Wellington, New Zealand. Part of the fellows got liberty (25% of the battery). It was rainy, cold and miserable. Plan to stay on board ship for about.ll days. Miss Sue an awful lot.
July 12
Had liberty from 1 in the p.m. till 1:00 in A.M. Walked around Well. Took in two movies. Saw "How Green Was My Valley" for the 3rd time. It was so black in the blackout that we were bumping into everybody. It rained hard and we (sailor and I) got soaking wet. The New Zealand weather is awful. Thought of Sue.
July 13
Layed around in Aspie's stateroom. Played cards and won about $5.00. At night I peeled spuds with Ray Buskus and 0' Roak . Came back to my stateroom and found that someone had stolen $40.00 of mine. AM I MAD. Thought of Sue as much as ever. Sleeping in S.R. now with Aspie, Ray, and O'Roark.
July 14
Had a working party today, loading ammunition, gasoline, and various kinds of fighting gear . Were supposed to stay here for 6 months, but it looks like trouble abrewing some place. No liberty, but its pretty cold anyway.
August 3
Made another practice landing on the island of Fiji today. Its a pretty barren country. Only ones to leave our ships were parachutists and raiders, Plenty of coconuts on the islands.
August 4
We're out at sea again this time heading for trouble. Everyone seems okay. Don't seem to be worried in the least. We're still standing m.g. watch on the fan tail. No enemy planes or subs sighted, but we're in dangerous waters.
August 5
Have been loading ammunition for our machine guns all day. We're going to attack some islands in a couple of days. Am writing to Mum. Feeling fine and am in good condition. Hoping for the best. Lost $5 in a card game. (Just trying to kill time)