"straffing" from Achi Baba or Asia. So
Captain Simson applied himself to the construction of a dining saloon,
at the digging of which the defaulters sweated for several days. The
result was imposing, a large rectangular excavation not unlike an empty
swimming bath, with a massive table of solid clay, and benches of the
same simple design and material round the walls. Though, of course,
roofless, it afforded a measure of safety from shells, but one shudders
to think what would have been the effect had a high explosive landed on
the table while a meal was in progress.

Captain Findlay had made a rapid recovery from his wound and was
awaiting us when we arrived at Rest Camp. A fortnight later--on 31st
July--we received a welcome reinforcement by the return to the Battalion
of Captain V.P.B. Stewart and twenty-six other ranks from the Lowland
Division Cyclist Company.

The climate, the flies, and the experiences of the preceding fortnight
had already begun to tell upon the general health of the Battalion.
Diarrhoea and dysentery were prevalent throughout all the troops on the
Peninsula, and we suffered with the rest. One factor which contributed
to, if indeed it was not--as many of us believed--the primary cause of,
the prevalence of these diseases, was the unsuitability of bully-beef
and hard biscuits as the basis of our diet under the weather and other
conditions in which we were then living. This was quickly recognised by
the medical authorities and important modifications were soon introduced
in the scale of rations. The toothsome Maconochie, rather rich for the
average digestion under a tropical sun, disappeared in the meantime from
the menu. Fresh meat--or, to speak more strictly, frozen meat--of
excellent quality was substituted for bully, which latter was only
issued on the rare occasions when, owing to transport difficulties, no
frozen was available. The hard biscuits gave place to good bread; the
ration of desiccated vegetables was increased; an issue of rice was
instituted; cheese was reduced and preserved milk increased. The only
rations which were never quite sufficient to satisfy the men were those
of tea and sugar--especially sugar. They liked their tea very strong and
_very_ sweet, and quickly tired of rice unless boiled with lots of
sugar, which the limited rations of sugar did not run to. Jam was
plentiful and popular; marmalade only appealed to a limited circle. Some
uncharitably minded fighting men were