Item 01: R. T. Vowles diary, 22 August 1915-23 February 1916 - Page 129
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[Page 129]
disappear in about half an minute . The orders for transports are read out by a sergeant amid peals of laughter & jests because of the direct breaking of them. Dogs not allowed on transports, letters not to be posted outside the censor, criticism & complaints not to be made & no letters to be sent to the press etc. No wonder a good appearance is kept up to encourage recruiting, but it can honestly be said that the food is the best procurable, but in the cooking it is foully murdered & is beyond the limit absolutely. The smells are abominable on deck & in the wash houses .Without wishing to grumble, it must be said that the issue of stores is most unsatisfactory . For the last four days the bread has been bitterly sour & turns one inside out & rations are being cut down so as to enable someone to "Make" out of it. If one gets up at 6am one can get a good cup of hot coffee for 3d but what is left is filled up with hot water & used for breakfast. When the tea runs short it is filled with hot water to make up.