Chronicles

From Don Field, C.M.F. 1st February 1944 -
"... enjoying warm, sunny weather;  very nice until it starts getting too hot and then I rather imagine that the pungent odour of Italian homes and habitations will become slightly overpowering."

From Pte. L. Mitchell, C.M.F., 5th February 1944 -
"... had a slice of luck in the form of 5 days leave, spent in Naples with a pal.  We had plenty to eat and we saw a number of film shows.  The views are quite all they are cracked up to be - Vesuvius especially - it was snow-capped with chimney still smoking.  We lived like gentlemen;  had our boots cleaned by bootblacks each morning - its an event to have them cleaned at all - and each day I was shaved by an 'Iti' barber and they really are masters of the art.  All very grand while it lasted but I'm still ambitious to see the old country once more."

News Letter editor's note, May 1944:-
"Some months ago I gave a list of those to whom copies of this letter are sent who had not then replied or sent along their little contributions.  The reminder had a good effect and we have now heard from all our 19 serving members with the exception of Ken Gale and Joe Haines."

Excerpt from Cpr. R. Sadler, Ceylon Command, February 1944 -
" ...my travels have taken me thro' some of the biggest game reserves in the world including Kenya and Tanganyika and I've been stationed quite near Africa's biggest mountain - Kilimanjaro.  At 19,700 ft. with an extinct volcano, it's a grand sight to see snow when you're so near the equator and almost melting away ..."

A long letter from Clary Loughnane, describing a trek of several weeks up to the border with Tibet, ended as follows:-
"Arrived back in Bombay and have just worked out my mileage;  it was 273 on foot and 63 by car.  It rained almost all day when I did the final 17 miles (10 miles uphill from under 1500 ft to 7,000 ft) and its been raining almost ever since.  I'm enclosing 5 Rupees for the Comforts Fund - I suppose it's still going?"

To which the editor replied:-
"Yes, Clary, still going strong on behalf of the boys.  Thanks very much.  Most of the Indian Banks are dubious about changing Indian money into English (as are all banks dealing with currency other than sterling) because of possible infringements of the importing and exporting of money' regulations.  In the normal way, Bank of England permission has to be sought and forms filled in before conversion but the Imperial Bank did the necessary on the strength of a note from me explaining the source and purpose.  What a war!  I expect there will now be many applications for transfer to the Royal Indian Navy.  Can it be that Clary is now so tough that he can do a trek worthy of final training for a commando while on sick leave?  What a service!  I can only assume that personnel is entitled to so much sick leave per annum and can take it - sick or not!"

Writing from Greece in September 1944, Capt. R. Best wrote -
"... For Eddie Collyer's information, there is a dirtier town than Suez - its Ahwaz in Persia where the prevailing smell is a dark brown colour.  I've hired a decrepit Hercules bike;  it has an enormous patch on the back tyre and 4 spokes short;  I only use it to get around the camp etc., I don't feel quite up to Buckshee Wheelers standard."
Three unprintable limericks followed - to be communicated orally to members on request.

From Wren A/MO Cable, Padstow, Cornwall, 8th October 1944 -
"It is indeed sad to know that we can never enjoy 'Creamy' Hammond's cheerful company again;  it is the untimely death of such club-mates that makes us realise more than ever that the war is not over yet ... but the news from all fronts is most encouraging and that rendezvous at Gammon's Corner gets nearer and nearer - it can't come too soon."

From Lieut. A. R. Wyeth, B.L.A., 12th October 1944 -
"I've had a duty cycle ride on a military bicycle - 9 miles, all on cycle paths varying in width from a narrow muddy strip on the grass verge to a concrete causeway as wide as the average English foot-path - they are better than the cobbles of the roads.  At last I'm away from the vicinity of the Normandy beaches and, after a 3 day trip by road, find myself about 5 miles from a large town in Belgium.  En route here the devastation in some places was terrible - whole villages razed to the ground, overturned, burnt-out remains of tanks, cars and lorries, bearing testimony to the accuracy of our fighter-bombers.  Towards the end of the journey whole villages were turning out to wave and cheer.  As soon as a lorry halted, bottles of beer were forthcoming ... I cannot imagine the extent of the enthusiasm when the first British troops arrived.  The Belgians are a grand crowd and their hospitality is beyond description;  many of them speak English.  During my last few weeks in France I was in charge of German P.O.W. working parties.  The ordinary German soldier in defeat is a very 'umble person, methodical, hard-working and oh, so anxious to please.  We have a word for it - crawling!"

Editor's note:-
"Think of the few remaining members on 25th December assembled at Ripley which has taken the place of The Better 'Ole at Godalming since - there being little to sell - Mr .Messenger decided not to open on Christmas morning."

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Web page by Chris Jeggo.  Last revised:  26 December 2004.