SOLDIERS AT SEA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 121, 9 February 1940, Page 2

SOLDIERS AT SEA

LETTERS RECEIVED

MEN WELL TREATED

The first mail has been received from members of the first echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The letters were censorcd, and there was no hint as to their origin. Apparently the men are enjoying their sea voyage. Some suffered from sea-sickness, especially when rough weather .was experienced some days out, but all agree that the conditions are good and far better than in transports during the last war. The following extracts from letters received should be of interest:' — "There are 21 bunks in our cabin, which sounds rather crowded, but I there is really plenty of room, nl~ I though with the portholes closed at nights it gets quite stuffy. "We arc very avcll fed and treated as if we were civilian passengers when we are at meals. menu consisted of: Breakfast: Porridge, scrambled eggs, bacon, cocoa, bread and butter and jam. Lunch: Soup, Mutton, green peas, potatoes, stewed prunes with blancmange and tea. Tea: Rissoles, potatoes, apple tart, biscuits, bread, jam l and tea. "All our dirty clothes are washed and dried for us. How Spare Time Is Spent. "For the first few days of the trip i the sea was very calm but towards the end of the week it became much rougher and the temperatures cooler, "Our beds have to be laid out with blankets and sheets, folded, packs laid out in the centre of the befy tunic and trousers folded and placed on the end, with buttons well polished and a shining boot r i \ '■"j-ich side of the tunic. Every morning we have to scrub the tloor nf our cabin and dust all ledges. "Our ship boasts two swimming pools, both filled with sea water, but to 1113' niind they are much too cold for swimming-—I appreciate the hot and cold showers in the dress ing room far better.

"Most of our spare time is spent in writing or.leaning over the ship's rail. Lifeboat drill and physical training, etc., is, of course, compulsory. No Tax or Duty. "As everything is free of tax and import 'duty on board, things are much cheaper at the ship's canteen. Tobacco which is 2s 3d per 2oz tin in N.Z. is 9d per 2oz tin; biscuit's which are lOd are 5d here, and matches are %d per box. "Among the instruments on our boat we have an accordion, a trombone. a steel guitar,, a banjo-mando-lin, a piano and drum. "Some of the boys have their hair shorn off, but this is not compulsory. There are loud-speakers al! over the ship'which are connected to the music room so that iat various times of the day we can listen to quite good recordings.'"