On the 24th of June, the Regiment embarked on the H.T. Nevasa to begin its long journey home.
The Commander, British Forces our Brigadier and a whole host of friends came down to see us off. Just after four o’clock, we cast off, and to the music of the band of the Green Howards and Gurkha pipers, we slowly steamed down the harbour, surrounded by a bevvy of tugs and launches, dressed overall and firing hundreds of fire-crackers to wish us well. The Colonel’s Dragon with the Kwok family aboard was the last to drop astern as we headed for the open sea.
After sailing south for three days we called at Singapore, which was in the throes of an election. The Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Francis Fcstiug. came aboard and addressed the whole Regiment, after which shore leave was granted for a few hours. After spending a very stuffy night anchored in the roads we sailed north up the Malacca Straits, reaching Colombo after three days. Here shore leave was granted until nearly dusk and everybody had ample opportunity and time to buy presents and bathe, for though the Nevasa is a brand new ship it has no swimming pool. That night we headed southeast on the nine days run to Durban.
We entered Durban early in the morning, where we were to have shore leave all day. Our South African allied Regiment, the Umvoti Mounted Rifles, who are stationed in Natal, had laid on a magnificent day for all members of the Regiment, and we were all keenly looking forward to the unique opportunity of meeting them and seeing their beautiful country. However, the port health authorities suspected that the ship was carrying Asian flu as we had come from the Far East and they refused to allow anyone ashore.
This was a bitter disappointment to all of us, especially the Umvoti Mounted Rifles, who had made the most lavish arrangements for the Regiment’s enjoyment. However, as there was a gangway from the ship to shore several members of the Regiment were able to meet with our hosts. With great generosity, they presented us with a fine silver salver, and on behalf of the Regiment, the Colonel presented them with a Regimental trumpet and trumpet banner.
During the day quite a party developed on the gangway, much to the rage of the ship and port officials, until they themselves joined in. Late in the afternoon we set sail again heading south for the Cape of Good Hope. We sincerely hope that when any member of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles are in England, they will come and visit us here.
After leaving Durban the ship soon ran into very rough weather, which unfortunately lasted until we had rounded the Cape. At times the rise and fall of the bows were forty feet, though owing to the stabilizers there was very little rolling.
The next time we touched or even saw land was fourteen days later when we entered Gibraltar. We were only ashore for about two hours, but it was an excellent opportunity for the Regiment to tour this great fortress and for the local traders and publicans to boost their profits.
Three days later after being fog-bound in the Channel the Nevasa slowly pulled into Southampton, where we were greeted by General and Mrs Younger, many serving officers and several Old Comrades.
We were due to disembark at first light the next day, but due to the unpredictable behaviour of the dockers it was late the next evening before all were onshore and on their way home; after fourteen thousand miles and three years the 7th Hussars knew they were home.
