Brewster 'A Glimpse of War through a Private's Eyes', a retrospective account of experiences in World War I, 1915-1917 / John James Brewster - Page 67
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[Page 67]
reason why at least 3 times the present supply could not be issued.
Why do you make such a statement! says the Captain. Why! I happen to be on the Water Guard here & private [dash] of my own Section is on the Water Guard at the base just a few miles away. & as he accompanies the Camel train with the "phantassies" containing our water each day, he informed me the Head Quarters Staff & the Company in reserve has so much water that they were able, by making holes in the sand near the tank & placing a tarpaulin thereon, to have a luxurious bath & to wash all their Clothes in plenty of water & yet even then some was running to waste.
It was half an hour after this conversation that the O/C mounted his mule & rode to Headquarters & demanded the increase which was at once granted. The private was allowed to go to his Lines still a private but two of his section were picked out to become Lance Corporals whether they liked it or not.
The day after the extra supply of water was obtained the O/C had the whole Company marched down to the water tanks at the base (in two separate parties) to have a bath & also to wash clothes. And such advantage was taken by the men that they washed every article even what they were then wearing & as the O/C had allowed them to return to Camp in their own time they presented quite a unique sight for most of the men were only wearing a hat, a pair of boots & a shirt carrying in their hands all their wet Clothes.
At a distance the looked "alright". Like a Company of highlanders in a summer "dress" but of course the men were returning in parties at their leisure & not in any formation
Nothing more came of this conversation till the Company had reached Moasker on its way to Alexandria to embark for France when the O/C summoned all