Nissen News - 15.12.1941, Blaðsíða 15

NISSEN NEWS
13
Behind the Bar
By I. G. Owen.
I know what you’re thinking. — “Why
only one bar?” Well, one never knows.
One can he too ambitious. However, I’m
not going to discuss my shortcomings be-
cause I’ve been called upon to submit
an article for the first edition of our
rag — an appropriate article for this
coming Christmas. Now such a festive
occasion demands the full quota of wine,
women and song, etc., and whilst doing
a spot of day-dreaming in my leisure
moments, I have been wondering how
these things can be brought about under
existing circumstances.
To enjoy a Christmas recess, we must
have plenty of money — and still more
money — and I can foresee difficulties.
Why, I have known boys to work on
Sunday for just the bare minimum and
‘civvies’ get double time. Still, as I was
telling M.B. över the counter one night,
it’s all for the flag. But M.B. was not
very patriotic that night, and he remind-
ed me of the agitating soap-box orators
who decorate the Marble Arch end of
Hyde Park,
To turn to the subject of women, who
go a long way towards making our Christ-
mas what it ought to be. ‘Jackson’ was
telling me over a bottle of beer that he
had heard they were sending a boatload
of A.T.S. across. Oh, yes, it was quite
correct — he had heard it straight from
Brigade H.Q. Well, I pick up a lot of
news behind here, and this time I knew
his tale was only a figment of the im-
agination. Poor Jackson — his face took
on the old lethargic expression, and he
left me, muttering, as he went, of the
injustice of the thing.
The general idea of a good Christmas,
and one which I thoroughly endorse,
seems to be excessive beer-swilling, some
darned good sing-songs (with W.B. in the
lead) and some ladies by way of re-
creation, and finally, of course, total ab-
stention from work for a week, no ‘Re-
veille’, and overtime for the sleeping bag.
But I d o draw the line at a ‘free
night’ in the canteen. Hang it all, a fel-
low’s got to live, Christmas or no Christ-
mas.
It is Rumoured That —
A certain member of the cookhouse
staff has a new billet.
One of our Corporals is so fond of
schemes that he has developed a “scheme
face”. (Very funny. — Ed.).
Alvidra provides more rest for its staff
than for its patients.
Silk stockings can be purchased quite
cheaply — in our midst.
The “Loot” is going to give away new
greatcoats — without signature.
An R.A.S.C. driver actually b o u g h t
a pair of silk stockings the other day.
(His pals are slowly learning to forgive
him.)
Helga now entertains a 11 troops —
however rank.
Alf admits that there might be mail
soon.
A certain Private asked the Mess Ord-
erly for a second helping of dinner —
and got it.
A vessel carrying sugar to Iceland was
sunk off the Iceandic coast. Judging by
today’s ‘afters’ t h i s rumour seems con-
firmed.
L.