3 Aug 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Saturday August 3, 1918, Graudenz: "Advanced French class"
Saturday, August 3, 1918: “Advanced French class”

Saturday. August 3.     First day of the advanced French class.  Our instructor, or teacher rather, a Second Lieut. named Ardagh, is an M.A. of England and France, and speaks English, French, German and Italian fluently.  He was born in France and invariably thinks in French.  A first class man for the job.  Gave us a dictation today, in which I was top with 4 mistakes, but some others had as many as 27.  I foresee some weeding out.  The rest of the day was chiefly remarkable for an omelette!! made from Cooks Farm Eggs and Golden Syrup.
I think I must have dropped in weight from nearly 13 stone to less than 10, but I’m getter fitter rapidly now.  Similarly, with our increased grub, we become more civilised again.  We have indulged in a small china cruet, more plates.  We put the jam on our plates, and don’t dip out of the pots.  No question about it, hunger drives man down to the level of beasts.  Wait till I tell you about Rastatt.

2 Aug 1918: POW Graudenz

Friday. August 2.     Red letter day.  Got my first letter from Dad, full of news.  Bucked me up no end; a letter sent to Karlsruhe.  Miller got his first parcel from Scottish Rifles Fund.  It will be jolly convenient if he gets all his from them as it will give us such variety, mine being R.A.F.

1 Aug 1918: POW Graudenz

Thursday. August 1st.     Played and lost one of the keenest games of chess I’ve ever had, against one Haddon.  Lasted 2¾ hours.  Adjourned twice.  Thought the position each time was worth recording.  I played black.

RAB diary Thursday August 1, 1918, Graudenz: "Chess positions"
Thursday, August 1, 1918: “Chess positions”

31 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Wednesday July 31, 1918, Graudenz: "opportunities for learning"
Wednesday, July 31, 1918: “opportunities for learning”

Wednesday. July 31st.     Got an R.A.F. parcel yesterday, one today, and hear that I’m getting two tomorrow.  So now it seems as though I’m fairly embarked on calm weather as regards food parcels – and even should mine slacken off somewhat, Miller’s should be arriving very shortly.  Only clothes worry me now.  I’ll make no further mention of the arrival of food parcels, as I keep a special note of them, and of letters, in another book.  The R.A.F. application for our removal to a special R.A.F. camp has been officially rejected; and I must say I’m jolly glad.  In no other camp would I get the fine opportunities for learning Spanish and French, and for chess as well, which I find here.

26 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Friday July 26, 1918, Graudenz: "a most glorious hash"
Friday, July 26, 1918: “a most glorious hash”

Friday. July 26th.     Nothing worth mentioning except a midday meal, a most glorious hash of my composition.  Recipe:- 1 tin bully beef. 1 cooked big onion, 2 whipped up eggs (from Cooks Farm eggs), 2 French biscuits ground up, a little black bread, all minced together and heated in a slow oven for two hours.  Ambrosia!

25 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Thursday July 18, 1918, Graudenz: "a letter from the Kid"
Thursday, July 25, 1918: “a letter from the Kid”

Thursday. July 25th.     Hurrah!  This is quite a red letter day.  Miller and I had for breakfast tea with milk and sugar in it; with bacon and eggs, thanks to Cooks Farm Eggs.  Jolly fine!  And to cap it, I got a letter from the Kid, dated June 22nd, directed to Landshut.  She started at Alton on July 8th at just twice the money I started on.  Good luck, Kid!  There was no other news in it.  All the news I’m waiting for must be wandering round the country.  Still it’s fine to know that everyone is well.

24 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Wednesday July 24, 1918, Graudenz: "This tinopener is famous"
Wednesday, July 24, 1918: “This tinopener is famous”

Wednesday. July 24th. I think I’ve weathered the storm at last.  Another parcel for me today from Berne, containing 70 odd French biscuits.  This came direct from Hannover.  My p.c. seems to have done some good.  Have been afflicted recently with a plague only second to the plagues of Egypt: I am the proud possessor of a first class tinopener, given me by a Polish officer at Hannover.  This tinopener is famous, especially for round tins, and hundreds of people flocked to our room every day, especially after an issue of tins.  We’ve got so tired of saying ‹Yes, it’s on the top shelf of that cupboard, left hand side› that we noised it abroad that it is broken.  It is a lie, but what will you?  At least we have peace now.

23 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Tuesday July 23, 1918, Graudenz: "parcels"
Tuesday, July 23, 1918: “parcels”

Tuesday, July 23rd.     Something has turned up.  Two R.A.F. parcels for me direct from Hannover, probably in answer to my postcard giving my new address; dated June 19th from England.  Jolly quick!  There must be several other parcels between May 31 and June 19 wandering round Karlsruhe and Landshut after me.  Distribution of a Red Cross parcel to every officer not yet in receipt of parcels.  Miller gets one.  You should just see the change in the spirits and in the faces of the fellows.  I’m glad mine are turning up.  It’s just fine to feel that the people at home are doing their best for us.  Swopped an oz. of baccy for a small piece of soap, the first English soap I’ve had for four months.  I have taken to a pipe and find it a great comfort; have written home for a good English pipe and some tobacco.  Can’t quite understand why a parcel, sent off on June 19th, should still be addressed to Hannover if my letters got home all right.

21 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Sunday July 21, 1918, Graudenz: "absolutely satisfied"
Sunday, July 21, 1918: “absolutely satisfied”

Sunday. July 21st.      Saw the finish of my two parcels.  Today’s midday meal left me absolutely satisfied for the first time for a month.  Soup (issue).  Potatoes (issue).  Spiced beef.  Hot stewed pears.
Rumours of no potatoes at all this week.  Unless something turns up, this will be the leanest week I’ve had; especially by contrast.  No letters again.