PRISONER DESCRIBES LIFE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 62, 6 April 1943, Page 3

PRISONER DESCRIBES LIFE

NETHERLANDS INDIES CAMP

Captain J l . D. C. Hammon, of the Australian Imperial Forces, a er Auckland and Australian Rugby representative, is a prisoner of war in the Netherlands; East. Indies. Writing to his father just before Christmas, Captain Hammon said the living conditions were as good as could be expected. The grounds were fairly large, but not roomy enough for such sports, as they were normally accustomed to —nevertheless ample enough to> keep them fit and not too bored. Nine, months of prison life had had but little effect upon the morale or health of the Australians. '"Food was, and is now, the major factor' of our daily life," .said the writer. "Our diet is not one which is productive of supermen, and, although Ave have been on it for slo long, it is still alien to our tastes. Our daily diet consists, mainly of rice and vegetables, a little meal, salt and sugar. Flour is also provided and a bakery has been set 11 p by our camp engineers so that Ave are able to issue small loaves of bread to our men daily. From our canteen we are able to buy such articled as fruit, eggs, salt, sugar, cocoa and cigarettes. They are Avithin the reach of every man, but not as often as desired. "Prison life is not too bad, the groAving tendency of our captors to adhere in part to the provisions of the Geneva Convention giving us good promise should our stay here as prisoners of Avar be .long.** Captain Hammon is a son of Mr L. D. Hammon, formerly of Auckland . He Avas educated at Auckland Grammar School, Avhere he Avas pro* minent in Rugby and athletics. After leaving school he played for Grammar Old Boys and represented Auck' [and in 1934. He left shortly afterwards to liA'e in Melbourne and re presented. Victoria at Rugb}'. He was a member of the Australian team Avhich toured Ncav Zealand in 193 G.