Friday 28 March 1941

 Today we spent three warm periods on the Plain at FC (fieldcraft). My room-mate has gone into hospital with dysentery, half the Company are ill. Bearer feels a bit disconsolate; he gets no pay if anyone is in hospital[1]. Tests today at Morse and MR. Bought some ‘Flit’ [brand name of an insecticide]. Tonight my Bearer (he seems to confide in me) came and said that he had had INR1 pinched from his coat; he seemed rather glum and went on to tell me how, after his father, mother and brothers had died, he was very poor, he also said his child was in hospital. Well, I felt sorry for him and gave him INR2; he may be swindling me, but I hope not.


[1] British justice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thursday 27 March 1941

  Awakened dead tired. Day of work as usual. Played hockey this evening; enjoyed game, but not as good as soccer or rugby. Rather enjoyed conversation at dinner today, showed that some were inclined to Socialism and could not consider the natives as dirt. Most Englishmen out here treat the natives very badly. Not much to say, every day is alike, all work. Watch papers carefully for news, air-raids, etc. Wonder how things are going, we seem very cut off. Bearer gets INR22 a month. Two of us to a room. Shared Bearer (= servant).
Read more

Monday 31 March 1941

Another week begins. I am now Platoon Havaldar [Sergeant] so fell in the Platoon at 8:40 a.m., called roll, etc. Various lectures followed. O&A, Military Law, Morse, etc. In the evening I went to voluntary PT to try to brush up staff for test, rope climbing, etc. Afterwards, voluntary Urdu with fellows from 8 Company. Munshi seems very interested in whether we can drive a car, fly a plane; have we seen a U-boat, submarine, etc. He asks the questions and expects a reply in Urdu. We have to lecture to the class ourselves on MR. As usual, retired thankfully.
Read more