Bill's Diary (Part Three) - August 1940
August 1st
The sun is out again, promise of a fine day. We never went to work yesterday. I think there is a shortage, rumour of some of us going on farms in the near future, we never got paid yesterday, should be today. Hope the canteen gets some bread in, we got nothing yesterday. I often wonder how you are.
August 2nd
The usual routine, bread and cakes and cigs from the canteen. A visitor from the American Embassy in Berlin was here and heard our complaints. Perhaps I will soon be able to write to you. Weather fine.
August 3rd
Great surprise for all of us an issue of soap. usual work today, finished 6 pm, new potatoes for dinner with sour kraut, not bad. I wonder what you had for dinner, I hope to be having one with you soon. First piece of soap they have given us since we have been prisoners, first new potatoes, also we have not had a hot bath yet or our clothes fumigated. I have been a prisoner for sixty eight days, when is this going to finish? Will it finish this month as many people think it will. I hope so.
August 4th
Another day of rest, a general clean up of billet and area - it is a lovely day. I wish I was home for the holiday. I hope you have a nice time at home. I don't think we will have a holiday here, nothing from the canteen today.
August 5th
Great news we have a hot bath and our clothes are fumigated. Still without cigarettes perhaps we will get some today. My first bank holiday as a prisoner and I hope it is the last. Several rumours about but you can't believe anything here. The weather is warmer.
August 6th
I go to bed sick this morning with my old complaint. I have had it very bad and am still not fit for work, but the doctor said he could do nothing for me for I still have to go out. I think it's a bad show on their part, they have nothing in the sick room for patients. Had a wash today and got everything dry too. Weather very warm. Got paid today.
August 7th
Usual routine. We got a nasty job this morning. We had to work all the while, the Pole in charge was a bit of a tartar. Weather nice and warm. Sent a card to the Red Cross today, so I hope you will soon know that I am safe.
August 8th
Nothing much to say today, get the same job as yesterday. We get soaking wet as the old Pole makes us work in the rain. My back and my right leg are very bad I can hardly move in the mornings. I hope it soon gets better.
August 9th
We went down to the station to unload wood and the fellow in charge was pure Nazi. He made us work like hell. We never had a moment to ourselves, did the boys call him some names? My back is getting worse I can hardly move in the morning. I think I will go sick tomorrow. Weather dull and a cold wind.
August 10th
Reported sick today. The doctor said I had a cold and gave me some cough tablets. I don't think he knows much. I wish I was at home. I would be able to ease the pain it is very bad at night. I get very little sleep. The sergeants in charge of the section have got the cheek to have a sgts' mess, as prisoners there should be no rank now. They have the impatience to put up PRIVATE PLEASE KNOCK AND WAIT. Wait till we get home.
August 11th
My leg and back is getting worse. I had to go to bed yesterday as I couldn't walk. It is worse than ever today I am in bed all day. The doctor doesn't come. I can get no sleep with it, I wish I had a bottle of Sloans with me, weather is fine but chilly in the wind.
August 12th
The same as yesterday. My back is getting worse. No doctor today, perhaps he will come tomorrow. I get up after dinner but can hardly walk. The German in charge of our camp tells me to go to bed, weather the same.
August 13th
My leg is easier but my back is as bad as ever. I went sick but no doctor came so I have to wait until tomorrow. I wonder if he will send me to hospital. There has been a lot of airplanes about here today, there is a rumour that British planes were over a town called Posen, about eleven miles from here, also that our troops are fighting in France again. The weather is very dull and quite cold for August.
August 14th
I am worse today and can hardly move about and the doctor didn't come and see me. I don't know when I am going to get any treatment, they don't seem to bother much about us. I wonder when I am going to hear from you mother. The weather is rotten, it rained all night and is still raining. I hope I am a little better tomorrow. I wonder if Charlie is still in England. I hope this war soon finishes, so that I can come home to you again.
August 15th
I went sick today and the doctor put me in the camp hospital. It was a waste of time as I got nothing done for me in there. I got no sleep and my back was terrible. I almost cry with the pain at times. The weather is terrible, rain all day and night. The lads all come in soaking wet with nowhere to dry.
August 16th
I get sent out of hospital. It shows that the doctor doesn't know much. I suppose they thought anybody would do for the prisoners. He certainly was no doctor in civilian life. The weather is dull, probably more rain and the lads are working inside today laying stones in the mud.
August 17th
I am a little better today, my leg is easier but my back is still bad. I wonder if you know if I am a prisoner. You should do by now. I don't know when I will be able to write to you. There is a rumour that Hitler is putting all he has in one big attack on England. It is said he is using 16,000 planes. I hope he fails, in fact I know he will. The weather is dull and cold. I hope you are getting better. Is harvest finished yet? I have been a prisoner for eighty nine days. This is the worst week I have had as a prisoner. I have been bad and the weather has been bad too. Several rumours have come round but none of them have proved truthful yet. They haven't let me write home yet. We have sent one to the Red Cross only.
August 18th
Nothing much to say. They have changed the times of work, now it is coffee at 5 am, roll call at 6 am, parade at 6.30 am, start work at 7 am. All the lads don't go out though, some go out one week and the rest the next week. While you are in you get no pay. I am trying to give up smoking. My back is still very bad. I cannot bend down. I get no sleep at night. It's no good going sick, the doctor is useless. Weather wet and cold.
August 19th
I am no better, the weather makes it worse - rain and cold doesn't improve me. Still I have to stick it. I will be glad when it's all over and I am home again. I wonder how long we will have to wait for that. Several rumours are going about but one can't believe them. I will be glad when I'm able to write to you.
August 20th
The same as yesterday, rain and wind. More rumours, can't believe nothing. I wonder how you are feeling. I hope Rhoda is still at home and is a good girl. I wonder if Fred has been called up. I suppose young Dimes is gone. I met his brother over here, he is well. We got paid today. I was one day short through going into the camp hospital. No pay next week.
August 21st
Cigarettes are short again, some should be in today. We are able to buy bread every day now and it is a big help. No cakes brought in ow tough, why? I don't know. The weather is dull and cold. My back doesn't seem to improve. My leg is a little better - it's no good going sick here.
August 22nd
The weather has improved a little. We saw the sun for a little while today. The cigarettes came in, twenty four per man for a week and a box of matches. They must be getting short of everything now. No new rumours today yet I am still unable to go out to work, so I won't get any pay, all through the fault of an ignorant fellow who calls himself a doctor. Perhaps they might send a better one when this one goes on his holidays.
August 23rd
Bought some toothpaste and brush. Cleaned my teeth for the first time for three months. The weather here is terrible, rain and wind day and night and very cold and we all want warmer clothes and another blanket. My back is just the same and now my chest is bad. I don't know what to do at times to ease the pain, still I have to stick it. Rumour that Italy and England have signed a pact.
August 24th
I stayed in bed until 11.00 hours. My mate went and got my soup as I was unable to move. I got up a little while and went back to bed in the afternoon. The weather is terrible, rain and wind. We haven't had hardly a fine day this month. I hope you are keeping well. I hope to be able to write to you soon. I have been a prisoner for eighty nine days. I have never felt worse in my life than I do now - and I can't get no treatment which makes one wild because there is a hospital only a few miles away.
August 25th
We all paraded this morning and got our metal discs which we wear round our necks. They have our prison number on them. The weather is still the same and it is very cold. I have got severe pains in my chest now and I am reporting sick tomorrow. I suppose it will be another waste of time.
August 26th
Had a surprise today. We all got a letter card to write home and it should reach you in about ten days time. I wonder how long yours will be reaching here. The weather is dull and cold. I am still the same I never went sick today.
August 27th
My card should be on its way to you. I hope it gets there quickly. I had a very bad night, no sleep and the pain in my chest and back is increasing. I want treatment for it, but cannot get it here and this doctor won't send me into hospital. So I just stick it.
August 28th
I had a terrible night. I actually cried with the pain and this morning I couldn't move. I managed to get up by ten and went and saw the doctor. He is a new fellow and a nice little fellow too. He is going to get me some stuff. He gave me some tablets and they cured the pain straightaway. Weather is finer today.
August 29th
I am a little better today. I had some more tablets and he has got me some stuff to rub in. I haven't used it yet. The morning was fine and the rest of the fellows did PT but in the afternoon it turned to rain and it rained all night.back.
August 30th
The weather has made me bad again. I can hardly bend my back. My mate has had to draw my soup for me. They are a good crowd of lads in our section. I never draw any pay this week, so my mate said share mine. It will be the same next week as he is working this week. There are many who would do that.
August 31st
I went sick again today and the doctor gave me a good examination and sounded me. He is better than the last one we had. I had some more tablets, the weather is warmer today, but I think there is some rain about. My leg is aching. A new lot of guards have taken over this camp and they are certainly shaking things up. Still it's for our benefit I suppose. I hope you get my card safely. I wish I was fit again. I am going to ask the doctor to send me to hospital
The sun is out again, promise of a fine day. We never went to work yesterday. I think there is a shortage, rumour of some of us going on farms in the near future, we never got paid yesterday, should be today. Hope the canteen gets some bread in, we got nothing yesterday. I often wonder how you are.
August 2nd
The usual routine, bread and cakes and cigs from the canteen. A visitor from the American Embassy in Berlin was here and heard our complaints. Perhaps I will soon be able to write to you. Weather fine.
August 3rd
Great surprise for all of us an issue of soap. usual work today, finished 6 pm, new potatoes for dinner with sour kraut, not bad. I wonder what you had for dinner, I hope to be having one with you soon. First piece of soap they have given us since we have been prisoners, first new potatoes, also we have not had a hot bath yet or our clothes fumigated. I have been a prisoner for sixty eight days, when is this going to finish? Will it finish this month as many people think it will. I hope so.
August 4th
Another day of rest, a general clean up of billet and area - it is a lovely day. I wish I was home for the holiday. I hope you have a nice time at home. I don't think we will have a holiday here, nothing from the canteen today.
August 5th
Great news we have a hot bath and our clothes are fumigated. Still without cigarettes perhaps we will get some today. My first bank holiday as a prisoner and I hope it is the last. Several rumours about but you can't believe anything here. The weather is warmer.
August 6th
I go to bed sick this morning with my old complaint. I have had it very bad and am still not fit for work, but the doctor said he could do nothing for me for I still have to go out. I think it's a bad show on their part, they have nothing in the sick room for patients. Had a wash today and got everything dry too. Weather very warm. Got paid today.
August 7th
Usual routine. We got a nasty job this morning. We had to work all the while, the Pole in charge was a bit of a tartar. Weather nice and warm. Sent a card to the Red Cross today, so I hope you will soon know that I am safe.
August 8th
Nothing much to say today, get the same job as yesterday. We get soaking wet as the old Pole makes us work in the rain. My back and my right leg are very bad I can hardly move in the mornings. I hope it soon gets better.
August 9th
We went down to the station to unload wood and the fellow in charge was pure Nazi. He made us work like hell. We never had a moment to ourselves, did the boys call him some names? My back is getting worse I can hardly move in the morning. I think I will go sick tomorrow. Weather dull and a cold wind.
August 10th
Reported sick today. The doctor said I had a cold and gave me some cough tablets. I don't think he knows much. I wish I was at home. I would be able to ease the pain it is very bad at night. I get very little sleep. The sergeants in charge of the section have got the cheek to have a sgts' mess, as prisoners there should be no rank now. They have the impatience to put up PRIVATE PLEASE KNOCK AND WAIT. Wait till we get home.
August 11th
My leg and back is getting worse. I had to go to bed yesterday as I couldn't walk. It is worse than ever today I am in bed all day. The doctor doesn't come. I can get no sleep with it, I wish I had a bottle of Sloans with me, weather is fine but chilly in the wind.
August 12th
The same as yesterday. My back is getting worse. No doctor today, perhaps he will come tomorrow. I get up after dinner but can hardly walk. The German in charge of our camp tells me to go to bed, weather the same.
August 13th
My leg is easier but my back is as bad as ever. I went sick but no doctor came so I have to wait until tomorrow. I wonder if he will send me to hospital. There has been a lot of airplanes about here today, there is a rumour that British planes were over a town called Posen, about eleven miles from here, also that our troops are fighting in France again. The weather is very dull and quite cold for August.
August 14th
I am worse today and can hardly move about and the doctor didn't come and see me. I don't know when I am going to get any treatment, they don't seem to bother much about us. I wonder when I am going to hear from you mother. The weather is rotten, it rained all night and is still raining. I hope I am a little better tomorrow. I wonder if Charlie is still in England. I hope this war soon finishes, so that I can come home to you again.
August 15th
I went sick today and the doctor put me in the camp hospital. It was a waste of time as I got nothing done for me in there. I got no sleep and my back was terrible. I almost cry with the pain at times. The weather is terrible, rain all day and night. The lads all come in soaking wet with nowhere to dry.
August 16th
I get sent out of hospital. It shows that the doctor doesn't know much. I suppose they thought anybody would do for the prisoners. He certainly was no doctor in civilian life. The weather is dull, probably more rain and the lads are working inside today laying stones in the mud.
August 17th
I am a little better today, my leg is easier but my back is still bad. I wonder if you know if I am a prisoner. You should do by now. I don't know when I will be able to write to you. There is a rumour that Hitler is putting all he has in one big attack on England. It is said he is using 16,000 planes. I hope he fails, in fact I know he will. The weather is dull and cold. I hope you are getting better. Is harvest finished yet? I have been a prisoner for eighty nine days. This is the worst week I have had as a prisoner. I have been bad and the weather has been bad too. Several rumours have come round but none of them have proved truthful yet. They haven't let me write home yet. We have sent one to the Red Cross only.
August 18th
Nothing much to say. They have changed the times of work, now it is coffee at 5 am, roll call at 6 am, parade at 6.30 am, start work at 7 am. All the lads don't go out though, some go out one week and the rest the next week. While you are in you get no pay. I am trying to give up smoking. My back is still very bad. I cannot bend down. I get no sleep at night. It's no good going sick, the doctor is useless. Weather wet and cold.
August 19th
I am no better, the weather makes it worse - rain and cold doesn't improve me. Still I have to stick it. I will be glad when it's all over and I am home again. I wonder how long we will have to wait for that. Several rumours are going about but one can't believe them. I will be glad when I'm able to write to you.
August 20th
The same as yesterday, rain and wind. More rumours, can't believe nothing. I wonder how you are feeling. I hope Rhoda is still at home and is a good girl. I wonder if Fred has been called up. I suppose young Dimes is gone. I met his brother over here, he is well. We got paid today. I was one day short through going into the camp hospital. No pay next week.
August 21st
Cigarettes are short again, some should be in today. We are able to buy bread every day now and it is a big help. No cakes brought in ow tough, why? I don't know. The weather is dull and cold. My back doesn't seem to improve. My leg is a little better - it's no good going sick here.
August 22nd
The weather has improved a little. We saw the sun for a little while today. The cigarettes came in, twenty four per man for a week and a box of matches. They must be getting short of everything now. No new rumours today yet I am still unable to go out to work, so I won't get any pay, all through the fault of an ignorant fellow who calls himself a doctor. Perhaps they might send a better one when this one goes on his holidays.
August 23rd
Bought some toothpaste and brush. Cleaned my teeth for the first time for three months. The weather here is terrible, rain and wind day and night and very cold and we all want warmer clothes and another blanket. My back is just the same and now my chest is bad. I don't know what to do at times to ease the pain, still I have to stick it. Rumour that Italy and England have signed a pact.
August 24th
I stayed in bed until 11.00 hours. My mate went and got my soup as I was unable to move. I got up a little while and went back to bed in the afternoon. The weather is terrible, rain and wind. We haven't had hardly a fine day this month. I hope you are keeping well. I hope to be able to write to you soon. I have been a prisoner for eighty nine days. I have never felt worse in my life than I do now - and I can't get no treatment which makes one wild because there is a hospital only a few miles away.
August 25th
We all paraded this morning and got our metal discs which we wear round our necks. They have our prison number on them. The weather is still the same and it is very cold. I have got severe pains in my chest now and I am reporting sick tomorrow. I suppose it will be another waste of time.
August 26th
Had a surprise today. We all got a letter card to write home and it should reach you in about ten days time. I wonder how long yours will be reaching here. The weather is dull and cold. I am still the same I never went sick today.
August 27th
My card should be on its way to you. I hope it gets there quickly. I had a very bad night, no sleep and the pain in my chest and back is increasing. I want treatment for it, but cannot get it here and this doctor won't send me into hospital. So I just stick it.
August 28th
I had a terrible night. I actually cried with the pain and this morning I couldn't move. I managed to get up by ten and went and saw the doctor. He is a new fellow and a nice little fellow too. He is going to get me some stuff. He gave me some tablets and they cured the pain straightaway. Weather is finer today.
August 29th
I am a little better today. I had some more tablets and he has got me some stuff to rub in. I haven't used it yet. The morning was fine and the rest of the fellows did PT but in the afternoon it turned to rain and it rained all night.back.
August 30th
The weather has made me bad again. I can hardly bend my back. My mate has had to draw my soup for me. They are a good crowd of lads in our section. I never draw any pay this week, so my mate said share mine. It will be the same next week as he is working this week. There are many who would do that.
August 31st
I went sick again today and the doctor gave me a good examination and sounded me. He is better than the last one we had. I had some more tablets, the weather is warmer today, but I think there is some rain about. My leg is aching. A new lot of guards have taken over this camp and they are certainly shaking things up. Still it's for our benefit I suppose. I hope you get my card safely. I wish I was fit again. I am going to ask the doctor to send me to hospital