Bill's Diary (Part Four) - September 1940
September 1st
I had a decent sleep last night, but today my side is terrible. I am going to ask for an X Ray tomorrow. The weather has changed again, very cold today, some rain. I wonder whether you have got my card yet. I wish I could hear from you.
September 2nd
I never went sick as my side was easier, the weather has a lot to do with it. Today is warmer but I think there will be some rain later. Another rumour of a peace plan. I wish they would come to peace terms. Got another soap issue today. I hope it's the last one we get, when will this finish?
September 3rd
Not much to say, usual routine, weather cold and showery. No cigarettes since yesterday. Hope we get some tomorrow. My back a little easier today. I have got a very bad cold in the head so have a lot more of the lads. We are nearly all lousy again, we need another fumigation.
September 4th
Got cigarettes today. The lads are happy again only 20 per man though. I will be glad when I get a parcel from you. The weather is much warmer today. My back is easier but my chest is still bad. I have been a prisoner one hundred days now.
September 5th
Nothing much to say, usual routine, weather fine and warmer. I am a lot better today. I have got pains in my neck, the lads got paid today. Rumour of Red Cross parcels being in camp. I got an overcoat issued today. It will make me a little warmer at night.
September 6th
I have got a stiff neck today and it is very painful. I had a massage but it didn't improve it a lot. Weather fine and warmer than of late. The leaves are beginning to fall off the trees, gives me bags of sweeping up to do, more rumours about going home.
September 7th
My neck is much wors. I go sick with it and the doctor cannot find out what is wrong with me. He is going to send me to hospital on Monday, the weather fine and warm. No Red Cross parcels yet. I hope to send you another card soon. I hope you put a bottle of Sloans in the parcel you send me. I often think about you and Rhoda and wonderful if you still live at Scarning.
September 8th
I had a very bad night. The pain was almost unbearable at times. I cannot lie down, the pain is creeping up my neck yo my head. I am in for another night of agony. Can't get nothing to ease the pain.
September 9th
I went to the hospital this morning but I was sent back to the camp again. Nothing was done to me, apparently one had to be nearly dead before he can get proper treatment. I will have to grin and bear it. A very nice town where the hospital is. It is called Posen. My neck is still very painful, I can get no sleep.
September 10th
At last I am getting some treatment. I go over to a German hospital and have electric rays and massage. It was very painful last night and I didn't get much sleep, the weather doesn't improve. It is wet and cold again. I hope to hear from you soon as the mail route has been opened up to normal.
September 11th
The same as yesterday. My neck is a little easier today. I will be glad when it is better again. The weather has turned to rain again and it is cold. We still only have one blanket and have no fires or lights yet, we are supposed to be getting tea and biscuits today.
September 12th
My neck is as stiff as a board. I get more doctors' treatment it makes it easier. We got a shock last night for we had biscuits and very nice they were too. They were hard, we got three packets each for dinner, today we got soup and it was the best we have had here. The weather is cold and changeable.
September 13th
I am much better today. We have another new doctor. He is a proper pig, he stopped my treatment and only saw two men and went off raving like hell. We got the tea last night, it was herbal tea. Hardly anybody drank it. Back to the same old stew today. Weather a bit warmer, but I think it will rain later on.
September 14th
I am about the same. The weather is cold and rain at times. I am going to try and do some work next week. I can only do light work. I got my name put down for an electrician and I might get sent out on parole on a job. I hope you got my card as I haven't heard from you yet. We haven't got our Red Cross parcels yet and it's over five weeks since we sent a card to them. More rumours about Russia being in the war and London and Berlin bombed to pieces. I have been a lot better this week. The electric treatment done me a lot of good. We lose a good doctor and get a proper pig of a man in his place. He gave the impression that nothing was wrong with me so I don't go and see him. The weather has been very changeable the last week. Rumours have been ripe.
September 15th
Another day of rest for the workers. I am much better today. I think I will be myself again soon. We had a nice thick soup for dinner today made from soup powder. The weather has turned to rain. I am out of cigs. We have to wait until next Wednesday or Thursday before we get any rations.
September 16th
I am out to work again and what a day rain and wind. We are digging a trench for telephone communications between some block houses on the range. I was very tired when I came in at night. I sent you another letter card yesterday, more rumours.
September 17th
A better day than yesterday, the sun is out but the wind is keen. I wonder when I am going to hear from you, we are still waiting for our first Red Cross parcel. Rumours of Russia in the war, landing of British troops in Italy. I hope the war soon ends.
September 18th
We got fumigated again today and a hot bath, also issue of another blanket. It will be a little warmer at night. The weather is fine and warm. I often think of you mother. Rumour of America mobilising. I am still not much better. I still have a stiff neck and severe pain in my right side.
September 19th
No work this morning. Went out in afternoon on unloading bricks, not a very hard job, but a full day's pay though. Weather fine and warm, not a very good dinner today, pretty thin we had a blend of milk cheese for tea hardly any taste in it, but it was better than nothing.
September 20th
No work today again my first week out after six weeks is not proving a success. I hope I can get a full week in next week. It is my mate's birthday and all the lads wish him many happy returns. Weather is fine with a cold wind.
September 21st
We got called out last night about 6 o'clock and had to go to unload straw. It started to rain and later it turned into a regular torrent. We all got soaked to the skin, nowhere to dry our clothes we all went straight to bed. All the lads who got soaking wet on Friday night had a lay in on Saturday morning as our clothes weren't dry. I hope to hear from you soon.
September 22nd
We went out again last night again unloading timber at the station, we rode down and back in a lorry. We had a good tea when we got back. Today we are on coal loading, we had another good tea today, biscuit, pudding, dry biscuits and dripping. Weather dull.
September 23rd
Still on coal, a dirty job but not too hard. We are on coal all this week. It is better than staying in camp. The weather is dull and showery. I wonder when I will hear from you. More rumours floating about, one cannot believe them though.
September 24th
We have an extra half hour in bed in the morning. Now roll call at 6.30am, start work at 7am until 12. Go to dinner, start work at 1.30 until 5.30pm. Weather rain this morning, fine later.
September 25th
Not much to say. Usual routine. Still on coal. We couldn't do much today as it was raining nearly all day. It turned very chilly later on. Rumour of a shipload of women and children sunk in the Atlantic.
September 26th
Not much to do today. Weather rain and very cold wind. Weather improved a little this afternoon. A few cartloads of coal came up. We got paid today, a big event for me as it was my third pay day.
September 27th
Still on coal, not much work to do so far. The sun is out and nice and warm. I hope it keeps fine today. My leg is a bit easier today. I wonder when I will see you again mother.
September 28th
Same as yesterday, a better day. It was fine but very cold. Wind was blowing and we were all as black as sweeps with coal dust. My leg has been giving me a lot of trouble and my neck too.
September 29th
Another rest day. The weather is dull, probably rain later. We are going to watch a football match this afternoon between the English and Scotch prisoners. More rumours of Russia in the war.
September 30th
I have a good job this week. I am working at the new cinema - not much to do. We help the bricklayers and such they give us a cigarette or two and a sandwich. During the break we get hot coffee, bread and honey and a cigarette each. Weather dull.
I had a decent sleep last night, but today my side is terrible. I am going to ask for an X Ray tomorrow. The weather has changed again, very cold today, some rain. I wonder whether you have got my card yet. I wish I could hear from you.
September 2nd
I never went sick as my side was easier, the weather has a lot to do with it. Today is warmer but I think there will be some rain later. Another rumour of a peace plan. I wish they would come to peace terms. Got another soap issue today. I hope it's the last one we get, when will this finish?
September 3rd
Not much to say, usual routine, weather cold and showery. No cigarettes since yesterday. Hope we get some tomorrow. My back a little easier today. I have got a very bad cold in the head so have a lot more of the lads. We are nearly all lousy again, we need another fumigation.
September 4th
Got cigarettes today. The lads are happy again only 20 per man though. I will be glad when I get a parcel from you. The weather is much warmer today. My back is easier but my chest is still bad. I have been a prisoner one hundred days now.
September 5th
Nothing much to say, usual routine, weather fine and warmer. I am a lot better today. I have got pains in my neck, the lads got paid today. Rumour of Red Cross parcels being in camp. I got an overcoat issued today. It will make me a little warmer at night.
September 6th
I have got a stiff neck today and it is very painful. I had a massage but it didn't improve it a lot. Weather fine and warmer than of late. The leaves are beginning to fall off the trees, gives me bags of sweeping up to do, more rumours about going home.
September 7th
My neck is much wors. I go sick with it and the doctor cannot find out what is wrong with me. He is going to send me to hospital on Monday, the weather fine and warm. No Red Cross parcels yet. I hope to send you another card soon. I hope you put a bottle of Sloans in the parcel you send me. I often think about you and Rhoda and wonderful if you still live at Scarning.
September 8th
I had a very bad night. The pain was almost unbearable at times. I cannot lie down, the pain is creeping up my neck yo my head. I am in for another night of agony. Can't get nothing to ease the pain.
September 9th
I went to the hospital this morning but I was sent back to the camp again. Nothing was done to me, apparently one had to be nearly dead before he can get proper treatment. I will have to grin and bear it. A very nice town where the hospital is. It is called Posen. My neck is still very painful, I can get no sleep.
September 10th
At last I am getting some treatment. I go over to a German hospital and have electric rays and massage. It was very painful last night and I didn't get much sleep, the weather doesn't improve. It is wet and cold again. I hope to hear from you soon as the mail route has been opened up to normal.
September 11th
The same as yesterday. My neck is a little easier today. I will be glad when it is better again. The weather has turned to rain again and it is cold. We still only have one blanket and have no fires or lights yet, we are supposed to be getting tea and biscuits today.
September 12th
My neck is as stiff as a board. I get more doctors' treatment it makes it easier. We got a shock last night for we had biscuits and very nice they were too. They were hard, we got three packets each for dinner, today we got soup and it was the best we have had here. The weather is cold and changeable.
September 13th
I am much better today. We have another new doctor. He is a proper pig, he stopped my treatment and only saw two men and went off raving like hell. We got the tea last night, it was herbal tea. Hardly anybody drank it. Back to the same old stew today. Weather a bit warmer, but I think it will rain later on.
September 14th
I am about the same. The weather is cold and rain at times. I am going to try and do some work next week. I can only do light work. I got my name put down for an electrician and I might get sent out on parole on a job. I hope you got my card as I haven't heard from you yet. We haven't got our Red Cross parcels yet and it's over five weeks since we sent a card to them. More rumours about Russia being in the war and London and Berlin bombed to pieces. I have been a lot better this week. The electric treatment done me a lot of good. We lose a good doctor and get a proper pig of a man in his place. He gave the impression that nothing was wrong with me so I don't go and see him. The weather has been very changeable the last week. Rumours have been ripe.
September 15th
Another day of rest for the workers. I am much better today. I think I will be myself again soon. We had a nice thick soup for dinner today made from soup powder. The weather has turned to rain. I am out of cigs. We have to wait until next Wednesday or Thursday before we get any rations.
September 16th
I am out to work again and what a day rain and wind. We are digging a trench for telephone communications between some block houses on the range. I was very tired when I came in at night. I sent you another letter card yesterday, more rumours.
September 17th
A better day than yesterday, the sun is out but the wind is keen. I wonder when I am going to hear from you, we are still waiting for our first Red Cross parcel. Rumours of Russia in the war, landing of British troops in Italy. I hope the war soon ends.
September 18th
We got fumigated again today and a hot bath, also issue of another blanket. It will be a little warmer at night. The weather is fine and warm. I often think of you mother. Rumour of America mobilising. I am still not much better. I still have a stiff neck and severe pain in my right side.
September 19th
No work this morning. Went out in afternoon on unloading bricks, not a very hard job, but a full day's pay though. Weather fine and warm, not a very good dinner today, pretty thin we had a blend of milk cheese for tea hardly any taste in it, but it was better than nothing.
September 20th
No work today again my first week out after six weeks is not proving a success. I hope I can get a full week in next week. It is my mate's birthday and all the lads wish him many happy returns. Weather is fine with a cold wind.
September 21st
We got called out last night about 6 o'clock and had to go to unload straw. It started to rain and later it turned into a regular torrent. We all got soaked to the skin, nowhere to dry our clothes we all went straight to bed. All the lads who got soaking wet on Friday night had a lay in on Saturday morning as our clothes weren't dry. I hope to hear from you soon.
September 22nd
We went out again last night again unloading timber at the station, we rode down and back in a lorry. We had a good tea when we got back. Today we are on coal loading, we had another good tea today, biscuit, pudding, dry biscuits and dripping. Weather dull.
September 23rd
Still on coal, a dirty job but not too hard. We are on coal all this week. It is better than staying in camp. The weather is dull and showery. I wonder when I will hear from you. More rumours floating about, one cannot believe them though.
September 24th
We have an extra half hour in bed in the morning. Now roll call at 6.30am, start work at 7am until 12. Go to dinner, start work at 1.30 until 5.30pm. Weather rain this morning, fine later.
September 25th
Not much to say. Usual routine. Still on coal. We couldn't do much today as it was raining nearly all day. It turned very chilly later on. Rumour of a shipload of women and children sunk in the Atlantic.
September 26th
Not much to do today. Weather rain and very cold wind. Weather improved a little this afternoon. A few cartloads of coal came up. We got paid today, a big event for me as it was my third pay day.
September 27th
Still on coal, not much work to do so far. The sun is out and nice and warm. I hope it keeps fine today. My leg is a bit easier today. I wonder when I will see you again mother.
September 28th
Same as yesterday, a better day. It was fine but very cold. Wind was blowing and we were all as black as sweeps with coal dust. My leg has been giving me a lot of trouble and my neck too.
September 29th
Another rest day. The weather is dull, probably rain later. We are going to watch a football match this afternoon between the English and Scotch prisoners. More rumours of Russia in the war.
September 30th
I have a good job this week. I am working at the new cinema - not much to do. We help the bricklayers and such they give us a cigarette or two and a sandwich. During the break we get hot coffee, bread and honey and a cigarette each. Weather dull.