大象传媒

Chapter 11

In my humble opinion a POW has many things to be thankful for and of these things the two most important, firstly getting away with his life and secondly the British Red Cross Society, he has got away with his life but without the great assistance of the Red Cross the life he has been so lucky in 'getting' away with would not be worth living. He is at times solely dependant upon that wonderful organisation for his existence, even down to food. True the detaining power is responsible for feeding a prisoner but in actual fact the food is only just sufficient to keep one alive, were it not for the supply of food parcels I am certain that there would have been more cases of malnutrition. It is in the standing camps of course that most assistance can be given, in actual fact they come into operation much before that eight or nine days after I was captured I completed forms as to my identity so that the Red Cross could be informed, a few days later I was able to write a letter and postcard for despatch by the Red Cross. On arrival at a transit camp in Italy, through the auspices of the Red Cross I was able to send a wireless message to Kit telling her of my whereabouts. I believe that this was the first notification that Kit had that I was a prisoner, (hen of course came the issue of the first Red Cross food parcel together with the cigarettes, although it was only one parcel between three it was a godsend and never can I show enough thanks for it.

The state of a POW on first capture is horrible, he probably possesses just what he stands up in, if wounded probably less, I was lucky being in battledress which of course was in a terrible state, I had my greatcoat and a small haversack containing my towel and shaving gear. At the transit camp I was able to draw pyjamas, a change of underclothing, soap, handkerchiefs and toothbrush sufficient to say the least to make one feel clean. I was under the impression that I should have to wait for those from Kit, which would be goodness knows when. At Campo 35 it was not a very long wait before they got into their stride good and proper, first to arrive was the food parcels then the clothing following that came books and recreational stores, regarding the clothing I assisted at the issue and there was sufficient to complete each officer with what he wanted and also to create a reserve for future use. It consisted of battledress, greatcoat, boots, socks, shirts, vests, pants, pullovers, handkerchiefs, laces, braces, pyjamas and blankets. The woollen underwear was most acceptable as the majority had light underwear as used in North Africa and was of little use in the terrible cold and wet spell we went through soon after arrival.

Quite an adequate supply of books of all descriptions arrived and a good-sized library was formed, this eventually became enormous as private book parcels came through. Sports kit and games very quickly arrived so that we had not to wait until the arrival of 'next of kin' parcels. Above all the food parcels played the greater part and were always welcome. In Italy we were issued with three kinds English, Canadian and New Zealand and one period we received what was called bulk issue, that is instead of being done up in small parcels the food came through in bulk, it was the same as was contained in the English parcels. Some officers preferred Canadian whilst others other types but I was only too pleased to accept what came my way, I was only too thankful to receive it. With each food parcel was issued 50 cigarettes that greatly assisted with the 30 that we could buy weekly from the Italians, which in no way could be compared with English cigarettes. Parcels were issued on the scale of one a week for each officer and it wasn't until the last few months in Italy that we were able to do this. At first there was a divergence of opinion as to how the parcels should be issued, whether the meat go into the mess or to the individual, for my part I was quite willing for it to go into the mess and so improve the messing but the majority were for retaining the whole of the parcel and only at odd periods contributing towards messing. This consisted of putting one meat roll and a packet of tea into the mess once a fortnight, as I worked in the kitchen I was aware of the assistance it gave.

Individual cooking was therefore the order of the day; many happy hours were wiled away at this, everyone formed up into syndicates and made stoves of all descriptions and shapes. At first no fuel could be obtained, it was not until the Italians noticed the monastery began to disappear that they woke up to the fact doors etc., were being chopped up for fuel, after that we were able to purchase fuel wood at the usual exorbitant price, but it used to see us through and their monastery was saved from vandalism. My syndicate consisted of Mick, Ernie and Fred Harris soon constructed a first class 'stufa' as they were called, it was made out of tins but for cooking there was nothing quicker. Our cooking pots we also made, in addition I had my English dixie, Mick had his Italian dixie and we also rose to the heights of a 'pukka' flying pan, so we were all set. Although I was in a syndicate Mick and I used to share our food the other two did likewise and it worked out a very good arrangement. One being on duty each day, every morning one got up and made the early morning tea, in the summer I used to do this regularly at 6 o'clock which was the best part of the day sitting out on the balcony in my pyjamas and drinking it after having delivered it to the others in bed. I used to invite my other early rising pals around for an early morning brew, when we would sit and watch the PT enthusiasts going through their exercises and the hardier ones strolling off for an early morning cold shower. With the morning coffee we cooked breakfast, Mick and I sharing a tin of whatever we decided upon, by this means we had breakfast each morning of the week. At 10.30 am we would make another cup of tea and another immediately after lunch. With our afternoon tea at 4 o'clock we would eat some of our bread ration with cheese or jam or I would make pancakes or custard. Just before retiring another brew and cheese and biscuits. This on paper sounds a terrific amount in actual fact it was fairly small, it had to be little and often.

Mick and I were very frugal, thinking of (he winter ahead when owing to the state of things parcels would not arrive and so as to cover this we gradually made a stock which we left in stores and how pleased we were that we decided upon this policy because when others had to forego breakfast we were still able to carry on. On the whole and especially during the black market days stewed fruit and custard etc., but afterwards it wasn鈥檛 so good but we still had some tasty meals especially when egg flakes were introduced into the parcels. Even this wonderful parcel was abused though which to my mind was disgusting, I didn't mind the bartering that went on such as exchanging cigarettes for chocolates or jam and marmalade or such like. It was really funny to see the trail of people walking round with tins that they wanted to exchange it looked just like a market. But what I objected to was the selling of parcels for cash or throwing dice for them. This practice was very prevalent during the days of the black market mostly by those people who had greater access to it. I am glad to say that these people got the cold shoulder and the practice ceased immediately it came to the notice of the SBO who came down on it with a heavy hand. I have no hesitation in saying that once the black market stopped that Red Cross food parcels were the only things that kept me going. Some people of course got food parcels from the Middle East and home regularly they were well off, but I didn't, nevertheless I managed quite well and shall be forever thankful.

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