back

(Ref: 87/33/1 - Department of Documents)
Had spanking Xmas. All paid 2 francs to make extra treat of it. Xmas day arrived, was on night duty. Went to bed straight from duty until 11am. Got up brushed up a bit extra. Dinner 2.30pm. Special tent erected decorated up for occasion. General tariff as follows. First course. Turkey, brussel sprouts, potatoes, 2nd Xmas pudding. 3rd milk pudding & jellies. Finale fruits etc. muscatels, cigarettes, bananas, apples, etc. etc. After dinner took stroll down town, where all was crowded and gay. In night had small concert. Received present at dinner. Box of chocolates (milk) from the king, packet of cigarettes, pkt tobacco, and Xmas card from Princess Mary in art box. Recd present case of lead pencils from Miss Karr, 2 francs from sister to buy chocolates. One of the sisters taking photo of dinner party after climbing on top of two boxes from top with more haste than dignity but luckily didn't hurt herself, shouts of encore met with no response. Officer supplied gramophone for amusement. Speech made by colonel and few others. Ward all decorated out with holly, mistletoe, colour paper etc. Also Xmas tree loaded with toys like they do for kids. New carpet put down, coloured shades put around electric globes give fairylike scenery. Red blankets put on beds instead of black ones looked very pretty. This Xmas passed with all working hand in hand and complete absence of any bitter feeling that somehow a man might expect to find in such a large hospital run by three distinct societies.

Copyright: E. Morgan.