大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a volunteer from Lincolnshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Norman Elsdon and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Elsdon fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

It was grey and damp when, one morning we sailed into Durban. In the distance, through the haze, we saw first the tall, many-storied building. Slowly we docked; a contralto (or was it a soprano?) with a powerful voice and megaphone sang songs from the quay. Eventually we landed. The oranges we soon bought tasted good after food we had been having.

Then began the march to camp; four miles clad in battle dress and some equipment. In the heat and rather weak after the voyage, it was hardly a cakewalk. However, we soon recovered; under canvas with fresh water and fresh food we soon saw a change in ourselves. Buses went from outside the front door straight into town, a town that looked very new. The building tried to look modern but had too much ornament. The streets were wide and the shops seemed stocked with goods. Rationing only touched some commodities. One day we visited the snake park.. I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 seen any since I went to the zoo. When the native keeper brought a python, although only a young eight footer, the audience soon scattered when he dropped it at our feet.

My chief impression were of wide streets, new looking American cars, new clean houses and buildings. There was plenty of good food and unlimited sugar. It was good to be once again on land and to be able to eat and wash properly, but as a town, I didn鈥檛 think Durban had any particularly outstanding qualities.

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