大象传媒

I would like to show the terrible conditions we were fighting in, but also the humour that can be drawn from some of the situations.

I was in the 7th Indian Division- the only division to take part in all 3 major battles in Burma (The Box, Imphal and Kohima). The war was not only against the Japanese, but also against disease. Our chief medical officer had told us that by the time we were 50 we would all have rheumatism as a result of the wet conditions. I now have rheumatism in the lower part of my spine because of living and fighting at the height of the monsoon.

I also discovered that my legs were swelling up so much that I could push my finger in an inch or more! When I consulted the Medical Officer, he said that I had Jungle Sores, and there was nothing he could do for me. I immediatley wrote a letter to my mother asking for help. A few weeks later a big parcel arrived, which was surprising enough, but when I opened it I discovered jar after jar of Pregnavite! Within 2 months I was completely cured of my swollen legs. At first I was teased about the pills, people asking if I was turning queer, but I soon became popular when I started distributing the Pregnavite among the others!

This story was submitted to the People's War Site by Jessie Atkinson of the 大象传媒 radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Colonel John Kenyon OBE, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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