South Australians in Europe, the Middle East and Mediterranean

Hamilton Cummings served as a radiographer with the Free French forces in France and North Africa. His diary describes the conditions under which he worked. His entry for 12 June 1943, reads,

Sunny with a strong breeze. Left at 9.30 am & travelled 112 miles arriving 5 pm. Dust storms all the way & everything covered with sand. Went thro' Ben Ghardine (took 2 snap shots from the car) & then across from (?). Road pretty ghastly & sand, sand, sand. Then passed Pisida in Libra & Zuara & camped between there & Sabratha. I think we are not far from the sea, site not too charming flattish & strong wind. Worden & I in tent next to (?) & just outside Vigne's tent. But dont know how long we shall be here. Not sorry to leave Tunisia & as far as I can see neither are the F.F.C.. I am glad we are staying with the 8th Army but wonder where we shall go. Lots of rumours - Turkey & Balkans/or England.

In fact Cummings went to France where he faced quite different conditions. His entry for 7 January 1944, reads,

Very cold minus 12° I hear . Lots of wounded & yarns of German attacks all over the place - north of Strasbourg (25 kms away) & I hear a village 15 kms from here has been taken. Hope we shant all be prisoners soon. Rigged up a super dark room.