Another cause of some concern and disaffection in
the early days at Frensham was the catering arrangements. The official Divisional
History passes only brief comment, noting that, in the absence of sufficient Army
cooks, “the messing arrangements were almost entirely carried out by the well-
known firm of Messrs J. Lyons & Co, so that the majority of the men were
always available for training”.
The Battalion History was rather less sanguine,
noting that, “At this time there were no battalion cooks so arrangements were
made with Lyons & Co to cater for the troops. I have read that this
arrangement was very satisfactory. It might have been to the gilded staff. Ask
the lads!”
Priestley was
even more forthright in a letter to his family; “There is only one canteen for
all the camp and consequently the place is packed and everything is sold. They
do not take money in the canteen, we have to pay with tickets. Up to the
present there has been no pay given out, but if things do not alter here, there
will be serious trouble. It is very beautiful country around here, wooded and
hilly. When I arrived here I was surprised to find the weather very hot, and no
trace of autumn in the landscape. I understand, however, that it is frightfully
cold at night”.
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