At war

When DLI soldiers were on active service overseas during five long years of war, the routines of daily life had to continue in spite of the heat and dust of the North African desert, the winter snows of Italy and the humid, insect-laden jungles of Burma. Soldiers had to cook and eat; boil water and make tea; wash and sleep; write letters and receive news from home; and, when they could, relax or take a few, precious days' leave in Cairo, Paris or Rome.

But these men were never far from war and from the dangers and horrors of the battlefield. During basic training at Brancepeth and at battle school, these soldiers had been prepared for battle but no training could prepare them for the sights and sounds of a real battlefield and especially for the wounds and death that awaited many there.

The heat was unbearable
My mother's parcel
Four days leave
All-in stew
Put two tablets in
Digging like mad
You picked your best men
There was blood everywhere

Related information

From civilian to soldier
Into battle
Prisoners of war