Liverpool To Greece

The Cunard Steamship The Scythia left Liverpool on the 1st November 1940 and took my father to Durban in South Africa on his way to Greece. My father only knew he was going two days before he left.

The Dunera took my father as far as Durban in South Africa and then the Dunera Steamship completed the journey to Port Said. He arrived in Port Said on New Years Eve 1940.

My father had a shilling in his pocket when he left England and he learnt very quickly how to play pontoon and crib to keep himself in cigarettes and chocolate. My father says that he wouldn't recommend the card playing as a career.

This ship was famous for transporting internees at the beginning of the war out of Britain and to Australia. At some time during the war my father was lead to believe it had a score on its side that was caused by a torpedo.