Rover Bulletin No. 44

NUMBER FORTY FOUR. 27th April 1945

Dear Lads,

News this month is completely dwarfed by the War News about which you’ll know more than we do.

Alasdair (McKellar) has now been appointed to a ship (a sloop) and he is looking forward very much to his new experiences, giving anti-seasick tablets to the Captain etc. He looks really swell with his gold braid and red. (Surgeon Lieut).

Eck (Wilson) reported at the end of his leave and, lucky devil, he’s been posted to East Fortune. Betty, (his wife), sends George (Simpson) her good wishes and remembers the times they had in S.A. together.

Listen to this! Bill Mac’s niece, Archie’s daughter, has joined the 4th assisting with the Cubs. Bill, the family connections widen, grand!

Ian (Furnival) is now home on leave. Since returning he’s been very busy and this leave is very welcome.

Eddie (Gamley) says “Junior” (his new baby), “weighed 11lbs 2ozs (information for you married blokes), so he looks like registering in the heavyweight class”.

Murray (Frier) “I had no luck in the leave to Blighty racket but another six months should see me home for good, I intend visiting Jerusalem next month for a fortnight’s leave and so I should succeed in contacting Joey Stewart, my wee cub pal of a few years ago!”

Chorty (Turnbull) says “I’ve only travelled about 1500 miles through nether India in or on the Indian Railways of which the least said the better! Over the chippit tatties I can now relate ‘When I was in Poona – What!” British and Indian officers and Indian Troops are in his unit. One must speak the lingo or ? One evening I asked my batman for my other shoes and he rushed back with a piece of string, maybe it was my Scotch accent! I spent a most enjoyable evening after the service at the Church of Scotland drinking chai (tea to you Egbert) and gossiping with the local highlanders. I’ve been asked to dinner with an extremely nice lady from Penicuik (feet under the table, more later). As an Hon. Member to the New Year (Indian) Race Meeting I conversed with an extremely nice Indian who said “Excuse me” and placed a bet of some 1000 Rupees (some £75) and rejoined the conversation as if he had never been away – collapse of Turnbull!

The two main occupations of the lower thousands are standing yelling “Baksheesh Sahib”, and scratching themselves. Imagine Sabu with a moustache and you’ve got an idea of my bearer. For the modest sum of 15/- a month he acts as my shadow and does it well.”

Bill (McKelvie) now well into Germany gets little sleep as they are constantly on the move. They turn the occupants of German houses out and make themselves comfortable. “The German civilians are well fed and well dressed because of what they have taken from occupied countries, and have large stocks of food. It’s high time the Boche realised exactly what war means. They don’t seem to like it much. The freed foreigners trudge in large numbers along the roads towards our rear each with a pathetic little bundle, and invariably in rags and very dirty. They seem prepared to walk all the way back to their own homes if necessary, and ask nothing more from us. See you all soon at the Victory Chip Supper at Love’s Abode.”

Bruce (Bailie) will not go overseas meantime and they seem to be making up all sorts of jobs for him.

Will (Taylor) is still troubled with skin disease, but it doesn’t stop him from enjoying his leaves. He asks for George Liston. Joey do you know anything?

Ian (Moffat) in India, enjoys bathing in a lake – not bad for there. Amid the many schemes, native customs still attract attention, “It is very difficult to get in touch with anyone of the others. We are not allowed to divulge where we are”.

David (Gosman) tells of the dust of the roads now turned to feet of mud. On train journeys he experiences the usual babbling masses, who cling like swarms of bees on anything that travels – a motley lot – with bundles of all sizes too. The heat, dust and barren desert are almost unbearable with twelve days in one coach – well! “To understand the Indian problem one must see and get to really know the Indian people, their makeup, their mentality, and above all their environment. This isn’t a country whose destiny can be decided by those who get their knowledge of it from books. If any one of you has had the patience to read this far I offer my apologies. To all the lads everywhere I wish the best of luck”.

Jim (Frier) says “I received a copy of the Dispatch with the photo of Norah and Jack in their wedding array and I must say while Norah looked like Ann Sheridan. The beam on Jack’s countenance was worth going miles to see. I can’t remember seeing him look so happy before.

There’s no doubt about it, there must be something in this Luv business, and still I prefer to be miserable. I am glad to hear that wee Eckie is home for good so it will be like the start of getting the gang together again. Bill seems to be having a very hard time of it but I don’t think he will have to put up with the discomforts for long now. He has this advantage being an officer, he will have fairly comfortable billets to go to when he is on his rest period, while the rookie sodger will just have to do his best to make himself comfortable. When I see some things I think we are fighting a different war. I must say Richard hasn’t lost his sense of humour. His account of his examination was worth a guinea a line, and I’m sure if C.B. Cochran read his account he would sign him up at once as his script writer. Joking aside I hope his condition is not serious and tell him I wish him a speedy recovery. I am getting along A.1. here and have managed to get established with a family nearby. They were delighted with the ‘Scotch Bhoys’ and treated us as if we had liberated the place ourselves. congrats to Eddie on his hat trick, he should get the cup to keep now. Good luck to you all”