My recollection is that few aboard slept that first night. Before daylight came, the decks were crowded and remained so even after the call to breakfast was heard over the ship's loudspeakers. Later in the day the southern coast of Sardinia could be seen off the starboard bow, as our ship made its way steadily westwards towards the broader waters of the Mediterranean.

Some hours later came an announcement from OC Troops, "The German forces in Italy have unconditionally surrendered. The agreement to do so, signed in Caserta on Saturday last, has been honoured." Even before the cheers had died down, the loudspeakers crackled alive again, it was the ship's Orderly Officer calling for the attention of all mess orderlies. Our expectations of hearing something special, to celebrate the end of hostilities in Italy, fell with a dull thud when the order came to "Dump your rubbish, dump it now!" Although we were sailing unescorted, it was a blunt reminder that the war was not over and that U-Boats may still be lurking below the surface.

For the voyage through the Mediterranean we kept close to the Algerian coastline which we could see on our port side. Before reaching the Rock of Gibraltar, we were joined by another ship and, after traversing the Strait, by a friendly destroyer which accompanied us all the way home.

Everyone quickly settled down to enjoy what turned out to be a peaceful voyage. After the obligatory daily stand-to, it was on deck to enjoy the wonderful weather that accompanied us all the way home. My favourite spot was atop a hatch cover at the aft end of the ship where, additional to reading books from the ship's library, many hours were spent playing cribbage, cribbage and more cribbage.

Although not victualed as well as the Duchess of York the meals on board were consistently good. Obviously the infamous "M & V" was not part of the seamen's diet and deservedly so! Surprisingly, a few grumbled about the lack of canteen facilities - I suppose some will never be satisfied!

To stay clear of trouble, after leaving Gibraltar, we steamed to the west for a day before turning to the north, thereafter, although the days stayed warm, each one became a little cooler than its predecessor. The position of the sun gave us a fair idea of the direction of the voyage and, as we steadily sailed northwards, there was much conjecture as to where we would be disembarking. I heard that two entrepeneurs, from another mess deck, had set up a small book, Liverpool as the favourite with Glasgow close behind. On endeavouring to place a modest one shilling bet on the former, I was told the book was open to only those of the mess deck.

Towards the end of the voyage our ship suddenly changed direction towards the west, shortly thereafter word came over the loudspeakers that the coast of Northern Ireland could be seen off the starboard bow. Turning to the north once again there was much rejoicing on the part of those who had bet on Glasgow. However, when the ship eventually tied up at a Greenock pier, after a voyage of some ten days, it became obvious that the book-makers had made a killing!