September 29th 1919
September 30th. [Presumably the 29th – see below] H.M.S. Cyclops came in today and various other craft from Archangel completing the evacuation. Early this morning there was a magnificent display of Northern lights. It was beautiful in the extreme. After taking 32 officers aboard we sailed at 5.45 for England. In consequence of this unexpected arrival of officers and the shortage of staff I offered my services as a wardroom steward, which were very welcome.

September 30th 1919
September 31st. [Obviously the 30th!] Weather very stormy. Strong head wind. Ship only making nine knots. Sleeping on the poop deck I feel every throb of the screw especially so when the vessel pitches and the stern rises high out of the water. The screw then revolves at a fearful rate shaking the ship from stem to stern.

October 1st 1919
October 1st. Another stormy day. Many of us feel very seasick. Fortunately I've been able to keep going but lots of the officers who came aboard at Murmansk had to keep to their bunks. North Cape was sighted at 6.30 and here we got the roughest sea and heavy snowstorms. We could see that North Cape and surrounding hills and mountains were covered thick with snow.

October 2nd 1919
October 2nd. Weather better today. At noon we could make out the Norwegian coast, snow covered and wintry. We shall follow this coast all the way down and then cross over to Lerwick in the Shetlands. Another fine display of Northern lights this evening. Not so cold tonight.