大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a London CSV volunteer on behalf of Horace Hartley and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Whilst in the RAF, stationed at Gatwick in 1942, I served with 239 Squadron, an army co-operational unit. Our meals had to be taken in a small village school which was taken over for our use. The main hall was the eating area, but to reach it meant queuing through a classroom. On one occasion, we had waited a long time for our dinner and patience was getting a bit thin. One airmen opened a cupboard door to find the cupboard being used as a pantry. A tin of salmon found there duly vanished.

A second look found a large tray, about two foot square by three inches deep, full of pre-cooked sausages, with about a quarter of an inch of set dripping surrounding the sausages.

Each sausage was forked, then passed along the queue until eaten, until none were left. This left the tray looking like a miniature graveyard with the holes dug ready for the coffins.

Suddenly the Orderly Officer arrived, and asked us why we were waiting. On hearing our explanation, he set off to find the chief cook. They both returned shortly afterwards, when the cook said: 鈥淲ell sir I鈥檝e got some sausages already cooked, they won鈥檛 take long to heat up鈥�.
鈥淕et on with it, then,鈥� said the officer, 鈥渢hese chaps are due on parade in 15 minutes.鈥�

The cook opened the cupboard, looked at the tray, and stood speechless. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 up now?鈥� said the officer.
鈥淭hese perishers have already helped themselves,鈥� said cook, pointing to the tray.
鈥淩ight,鈥� said the officer, 鈥測ou lot have had your dinner, now get outside on parade.鈥�

Sadly, I was not one of the lucky ones to get a sausage, and I had to wait until tea time for my next meal, although I did see the funny side of it.

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