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[Page 21]
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on the thwants a miserable bedraggled lot. "Never mind, men", I said to my Company. "Only another five months or so & we'll be home again". They grinned good-naturedly & pulled away together.
3.30. I did get a letter; I tore open the envelope. Ye gods! a bill for 15/- from a Balmain pork-butcher. Hence! Peruvian Bank! Lieuts Monro & Butler have disgraced themselves. Unable to bear the rapid growth of the tropics they seized their razors & SHAVED. Champagne for us tonight at their expense; they have broken their vows.
9.30 We had the champagne – thrice round. Several of the officers from the "Aorangi" came on board and helped in the dispatch thereof.
There was quite a merry party also from the warships. "Togo" (the barman) was kept busy. "Togo" stands about 4 ft nothing, with a small black moustache, and a swagger fit for a millionaire. Looking upon the gathering Lt. M___ was heard to remark, "Bleeding for their b___ country, eh?" Lt M___ is inclined to ridicule our Reserve; "Panto Navy" he calls it, & small wonder. He was proceeding along the fo'rsle one night & was challenged by the sentry who brought 18" of steel close up to his breastbone with a gruff "Halt! who goes there?" "Halt be d---d", was the reply, "I'm just going to overhaul that chain". "Pass chain, all's well", said the sentry with a salute.
I hear from the "Aorangi" people that the "Grantala" (hospital ship) and "Star of England" are expected within the next day or two, after which the whole fleet sails for Port Moresby.
Tuesday Sept 1st : When we went to breakfast this morning we found another apostate, SubLt. Beresford. His chin, yesterday of a rich brown hue, was this morning smooth as the proverbial billiard ball. I am quite proud of my Forest of Arden & refuse to extirpate it.