"Gross began an eight-week voyage on board 'Highland Monarch' in late November 1941. The ship sailed from Avonmoth to Suez via Sierra Leone, the Cape, the Indian Ocean and Aden. He finally made his base at Cairo in early 1942. On board the ship, Gross completed his 'Convoy Series', depicting mess decks, parades, scenes of instruction and entertainment on board ship." image: A deck of a ship and two rows of officers are resting down either side of the walkway. Most are sat barechested, some are standing leaning against the side and others are asleep.