Taylor, John McGuire
Memoir
Page 25
I would see the end of the war at this camp. We assumed that Italy would be knocked out first. Life as I have said improved at the end of '42. I'll try and put down how we spent our time. The day started at 7 o'clock with a cup of tea which was brewed in the kitchen and brought around by the orderlies. At 8 o'clock we had morning appell after which we got dressed & went down to the mess for breakfast. The mess provided a small meal of rice or Macaroni or Stewed Fruit & tea or coffee. We usually supplemented this meal with Bisquits of the remainder of our bread. After breakfast we usually played Volley Ball or sat out in the sun. We sunbathed all the time and the Italians thought we were mad for they always wear their full uniform & to see the Carabiniere in their dark blue uniform on a hot day was enough to convince us that they were mad. Lunch was at midday, after which a quiet period until 4 o'clock was observed - a relic from the Middle East where the siesta is the rule for the afternoon. This was the best time for working although in the Summer it was very hot. Most people use to sleep or sunbathe. This went on until 4 o'clock when Tea was brought around by the Batmen. Although messing was communal, each person kept the Bisquits, butter or margarine, sugar, jam, milk & chocolate. Out of this we provided the extras for Breakfast & Tea. After Tea, more exercise of Volley Ball, Fencing, we had a few foils & sabers, Boxing or furious walking up and down the ramp. Roll call came at 6.30. Then everyone went down to the lower compound where the bar was open. Everyone was entitled to half a
I would see the end of the war at this camp. We assumed that Italy would be knocked out first. Life as I have said improved at the end of '42. I'll try and put down how we spent our time. The day started at 7 o'clock with a cup of tea which was brewed in the kitchen and brought around by the orderlies. At 8 o'clock we had morning appell after which we got dressed & went down to the mess for breakfast. The mess provided a small meal of rice or Macaroni or Stewed Fruit & tea or coffee. We usually supplemented this meal with Bisquits of the remainder of our bread. After breakfast we usually played Volley Ball or sat out in the sun. We sunbathed all the time and the Italians thought we were mad for they always wear their full uniform & to see the Carabiniere in their dark blue uniform on a hot day was enough to convince us that they were mad. Lunch was at midday, after which a quiet period until 4 o'clock was observed - a relic from the Middle East where the siesta is the rule for the afternoon. This was the best time for working although in the Summer it was very hot. Most people use to sleep or sunbathe. This went on until 4 o'clock when Tea was brought around by the Batmen. Although messing was communal, each person kept the Bisquits, butter or margarine, sugar, jam, milk & chocolate. Out of this we provided the extras for Breakfast & Tea. After Tea, more exercise of Volley Ball, Fencing, we had a few foils & sabers, Boxing or furious walking up and down the ramp. Roll call came at 6.30. Then everyone went down to the lower compound where the bar was open. Everyone was entitled to half a
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Taylor, John McGuire
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