Letters, diaries and photographs from World War II

World War Two photos

Saturday 28th April 1945

It’s going to be mainly officers on this trip and the accommodation is very cramped, no cabins, just decks filled with folding bunks. The GR’s that are on this ship are staff and seem to like the job. They get the same food and accommodation as us and pay for duties.

Note: GR’s = possibly Gurkha Regiment?

Friday 27th April 1945

We left Deolali at 8am in a pukka troop team and it was not at all bad. Got off the train at 4.30. By looking after others and not myself I was at the back of the queue. I got on board about 7.30 and just got some grub.

The boredom John and others felt at the Deolali British Army transit camp gave rise to the expression “going Doolally”, originally “doolally tap”, meaning to ‘lose one′s mind’. ‘Tap’ possibly comes from the Sanskrit word ‘tapa’ meaning ‘heat’ or ‘fever’.

 

Sunday 22nd April 1945

Nothing happens as normal. This is the last day of arrivals. Perhaps something will start happening.

Getting browned off slightly with seeing so many officers I think and having so little to do.

The boredom John and others felt at the Deolali British Army transit camp gives rise to the expression “Going Doolally”, originally “doolally tap”, meaning to ‘lose one′s mind’. ‘Tap’ possibly comes from the Sanskrit word ‘tapa’ meaning ‘heat’ or ‘fever’.

Friday 20th  April 1945

Arrived Deolali at about eight and seem to be more or less the first arrivals. This joint looks quite good. Grub is not bad. Go to the bazaar with Tony and he shows me around.

Deolali transit camp was a transit camp for British troops in Deolali, India, notorious for its unpleasant environment, boredom and the psychological problems of soldiers that passed through it. Its name is the origin of the phrase “gone doolally” or “doolally tap”, a phrase meaning to ‘lose one’s mind’.

Wednesday 18th April 1945

On the train. We live on K rations and for short periods they are quite pleasant

The K-ration was an individual daily combat food ration which was introduced by the United States Army during World War II. It was originally intended as an individually packaged daily ration for issue to airborne troops, tank crews, motorcycle couriers, and other mobile forces for short durations. The K-ration provided three separately boxed meal units: breakfast, dinner (lunch) and supper (dinner).

 

220px-KRation_Supper

 

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