大象传媒

Chapter Three

We were visiting my grandparents and were all billeted with different members of the family. My brother and I were with my grandfather Nanu and he bedded us down with him in some catacombs. He had rented a room! The catacoombs were small sections cut in the rock well below the surface of the ground. During the night I needed to go to the toilet and I didn't know what to do, so I ran up the steps, all hell had broken loose, bombs, guns, lights and I was terrified. I turned around and came back down the the stairs and wet on the stairs. No one took any notice they were all so busy. I don't know where my big sister or my mum was and all the other grown ups in the shelter appeared to be asleep. I don't think I have ever been so frightened.

One christmas 10 soldiers from the camp in Ghain Tuffiegha came to our home with their dinners and mum shared it out between us all.

That year 1942 I had a book given to me called The Jungle Man and His Animals by Carveth Wells. I didn't know the soldier but his name was Sgt Marshall. I know I had to write and say thank you. I also had a dolls house my dad brought home, that one of the soldiers had made, all the doors and drawers opened.

The camp cobbler made us hob-nailed sandals and mum knitted us rope-soled sandals. We rather liked the hob nailed sandals as they made a lovely loud noise.

During one very big raid on the army camp several of the soldiers were killed. At that time I was coved in scabies and had to go to the camp Doctor, who would soak the bandages off my arms and legs (mum had to boil the bandages), then he would cover the sores with sulphar ointment, made with lard, which we had to supply. None of the rest of the family caught scabies. But when we came back to England the whole family had to go to the cleansing station and have disinfectant baths and then we were all painted with lotion, which smelt of almonds. Very effective but a great indignity for my big sister and mum.

There was also a naval rest camp at Ghain Tuffiegha, the sailors were off the battle ships and I remember were all in a very sad state of shock. They were very kind to us and would come to see mum and tell her all about what had happened to them. They would bring a bar of soap or chocolate when they had any.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.