We seem to have strayed somewhat off the topic of 42RTR but this has turned into quite an interesting thread.
18 Division embarked on 27 October in Avonmouth and sailed for the Clyde. This was to become WS12X. Here they embarked battalions from various other regiments and sailed on 30 October for Halifax. They were intended for the far east but shortage of shipping caused Winston to personally intercede with Roosevelt for the use of US shipping which he was happy to grant at their meeting in September. A powerful USN escort was picked up 480 miles west of Donegal. The US was therefore already de facto in the war! In Halifax the troops transferred to US transports and did not much like living under US Navy regulations. No alcohol on board for a start! they berthed in Capetown on 9 December. The troop ships were retained for the rest of the voyage and sailed on 13 December. According to the US history destination was Basra but was widely believed to be Suez. By 16 December the situation in Malaya was so serious that the decision was taken that WS12X should be diverted to Bombay while a final decision was made. they reached Bombay on 27 December with stores and equipment following a week later in WS12Z. Meanwhile one of the ships, Mount Vernon, with 53 brigade was diverted alone to Mombasa to refuel and proceed directly to Singapore albeit without their weapons and stores. On arrival in Bombay the troops were disembarked and sent by train 200 miles inland for two weeks training. Two transports, West Point and Wakefield, awaited their return to Bombay and, with the arrival of WS12Z, the whole of 18 division set off together for Singapore as WS 12Z where they arrived on 29 January
CP
