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Chapter 2 Rank brings Responsibility

Part 6 Food

by
373649 Arthur H Paddison, 2nd Field Regiment NZA

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Tucker! Out in the field it was dry rations; doorsteps of usually fresh bread, margarine, jam, a hunk of cheese and a piece of fruit of some kind. Tea was made by lighting a fire and boiling water in a dixie. Everyone had folding ration tins and an enamel mug.

Breakfast was always cooked. Porridge (Burgoo), eggs of some sort, bacon, sausages, mince, hash, toast, marg, marmalade and jam (came in 7lb tins) with a variety of plum, peach, blackberry and apple, apricot, strawberry etc there always seemed to be too little of some and too much quince and apple. There were plenty of arguments over whether the officers and sergeants messes got first pick and we got the rest.

Dinner. Soup, meats of varying sorts, roasted, stewed, boiled, plenty of veges and roast spuds and gravy, cold with salads and boiled spuds.

Pud! Well the sergeant cook was pretty good and spotted dick, jam roly-poly, bread and butter custard, creamed rice, stewed fruit etc. I tell you that some of the skinny jokers had never been so well fed in all their lives. What with the exercise and hard physical work, fresh air and outdoor life they put on weight and all of us filled out. Fit! I tell you, the Foxton mothers had something to worry about whether they knew it or not.

The October/November weather was warm, delays created opportunities for sunbathing, skylarking and yarning. Most of us were under 20 and life was pretty good; better than working for a boss.

Pay! Yes we did get paid too; 7 shillings a day for 7 days a week 24 hrs a day. Two pounds, nine shillings for a private soldier, plus board and lodgings (in a tent), clothes and good companionship. At this time my apprentice's weekly wages were two pounds, two shillings and sixpence for forty hours.

Showing their hobnails

One pound five shillings went for board and lodging (also in a tent), leaving seventeen shillings and sixpence to find my own clothes, amusements, expenses etc.

So I was far better off in the Army where I had limited spending opportunities.

Continued...

AH Paddison, 2007

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