大象传媒

For seven weeks in May and June 1944, the 7th Worcestershire Regiment helped to defeat the Japanese at Kohima and later along Arandura Spur.

In pouring monsoon rain, we had been involved in ferocious fighting against an enemy determined to resist any of our progress.

In all this time there had been no opportunity to wash or shave. We were plagued by mosquitoes, the battledress we were wearing was mud soaked, we were unshaven and suffering from ticks and leeches.

We were therefore more than delighted to hear that a Bath Unit had been ordered to visit us in the jungle. We wrapped our razors, combs and bits of soap in our ragged towels, and were marched to the Dimapur to Imphal road where the unit was waiting for us. It was parked on the road and had some means of heating water. Here we were told to 'strip off' and in our nakedness, were each directed to a sawn-off half drum of warm water.

It was in these cramped oil drums that we cleaned off several weeks of dirt from our skin. Enjoying the experience, we quickly dried and following a short check by our Medical Officer, Capt O'Riley, we had a quick shave without a mirror. A brief hair-cut by one of our 'C' company lads and we then enjoyed the luxury of being issued with clean battledress and underwear, our old kit being removed.

By this simple operation we were refreshed and now able to continue to maintain the pursuit of the retreat of the Japanese.

But as we marched back down the road, we met 'D' Company. They were covered with dirt and filth and we held our noses as we passed them. Our men called out jokingly...

"Hey lads, try and get the blonde!"

"Eh?" came the reply.

"There's some ATS girls running the Bath Unit. Try and get the blonde girl to scrub your back!"

We marched on before 'D' Company realised they had been fooled!

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