Diary/notebook of Herbert Stanley Geldard - Part 1

NOTEBOOK
To be returned 
to [[N?]] G Bennett

February 
17
Gave two dopes this morning, chlo induction, ether
follow-up and they were, respectively the second-worst
and worst I've ever given. To make it really ripe, the
second was a difficult appendicectomy, who persisted
in going into spasm in the early stages, and so
remained dreadfully congested and tight almost
throughout, which left Fox in almost as bad a sweat
as I was. Then to make the chase more binding
the Obararzt stalked in, failed to see my "welcoming"
nod, then kicked over the traces because I had not
curtseyed.
Checked through my Russkies again after lunch
one of them having a very dull left chest, from
which I aspirated about 250 ccs of fluid – what
signs & symptoms appear to indicate Tb rather
than a pneumonia. Had a few games of ping-pong
on the Frenchman's Table with Vandenbecq and
Weston, lost every one, but enjoyed  them very much.
French lesson his evening - good, and altogether,
don't feel as blue as I did last night. Allan, Owen,
& Stoker walked this p.m. but I didn't join in,
didn't feel up to it, and had work to do.

January
24
Up late again, in time to finish off to-day's
half of louse inspection. No roll-neck sweaters
in at present, may get one later. S/Sgt. Ogden's 
session to-day was quite interesting. Heard
comments of Libyan campaign and reason for
predominately Italian losses - quite illuminating
More & more letters coming in still none for me. But
the worst droughts must break sooner or later.
Heard that it may be possible to buy a
camera, interested in Leica or Contax, also in
Heinkel razor (Rolls type) and set of Spaltiholz.
Would love to get photos of Glad and kids.

March
10
Two dopes, otherwise S.F.A. Began reading
"The Good Exile" but the Lotus episode, or its
beginning, promised to be so tragic, and made
my depression so much more marked, that I
gave it up.
Dad's birthday
March
11
All quiet. Couple of dopes.

January
22
Spent this moming again in 35-38
looking the lads over, checked over a lad's
ear after lunch and had a look at those of 
"Fever" Hay who complains of deafness - no
wax must find out if anyone at Reviere does
E.N.T.  Looked in on Staff and Fred and
others and took them my notes on Contract
then across to Reviere and had afternoon-tea
and a long chat with the M.Os. They told me
that latest from authorities is that soon after
lifting of Typhus-ban all officers except 8
M.Os. and 2 dentists at Reviere and a
staff at Lazarette will move to an Offlag.
Good news so far as prospects of our own
comfort are concerned, but it means parting
from the men. All of B. Co. except 2-3 are
here, and others numbering in all almost a
100 and I hate leaving them. We've been
together since first camp and have been
through a lot together & had hoped for it to
be permanent.  Max got his first letter
& photo of the nipper today - very bucked
None for me - blast! Another small win
at poker - back not so good
Red X Parcels today - Canadian.
[*Allan King has received letters & parcel from friends in New York.*]

[*8*] 

January
23
The old back not so good so spent the morning
in bed but improved the shining hour by writing
two letters to Glad, one to family, cards to in-laws, Dick
Ron Worthy, Aunty Lucy, and Giacomo. Up later in
day and went across late to Red X Store and
collected sweater, shirts, socks, scarf. Will try to
exchange sweater, a good one, for another with a
roll-neck. More letters to-night, but still none
for me.
Russ. Godby did my sick.parade & check-up on
coffee-cooks.
Mick Philan had letter from his Dad telling of
a visit from his C.O. which lends colour to the
rumour that remnants of 6^th. Div. went home on leave.
Wonder whether it is true.

February
13
Nothing to report except that I used ether for the
first time and felt much happier for it.
Nine new Russian medical patients in today - some
job fixing them up.
New Stabsarzt going about the place to day, previous
one gone to another Hospital.
February
14
Ether again, shall certainly stick to it while it lasts
Shall stick to chlo induction, however, until a drop-dip is
available, since my one attempt to induce with ethyl-chlo
to-day without the special spring-top to the tube was not
a happy one.
Nine Russians still cluttering up the passage as no
beds are available in the rooms.
Very interesting French lesson from Vanderbecq this evening
after which I went to Confession with the French padre.
Am trying to work out some means of fitting up a
cranio-care apparatus for semi-closed ether-anaesthesia

February
27
Anaesthetics again this morning still chlo.
& still no trouble. Thank heavens!
The lads walked this afternoon, but I stayed
home, and collected one letter, from John in
Swindon. He expects to go into the army by now
and his only regret is that the business will
probably go bust. Francis sent his best wishes,

and I'm terrifically glad to know that
Aunty Lucy is still alive.

February
28
Two dopes his morning, both a bit shaky on the
breathing, but came through O.K. Had our
first shots of antityphus vaccine, and the immediate
effect was very marked pain - Allan B. was
nearly sick but got away with it, but everyone
who took a shot felt the pain and said so.
Some local reaction, a little general reaction, but
not much. First shot of 1 cc. followed by two more
at weekly intervals.
Saw the padre later and asked him to get me
a few things, including a Heinkel automatic razor.

47

the car & ordered some of his men to
cover the looters with Tommy guns.
They were then made to return the foods
taken ∧from to the store over which a sentry
was placed. At all strategic points
along the route barricades were placed
& sentries placed put on guard, until the
whole area including the Rway Stn
& Docks was properly under control.
The Colonel decided to make his HQ at
Tanjong Pagar Police Stn on the front steps
of which he sat with the interpreter on
one hand & me on the other. Here he
stayed most of the day interviewing
people, receiving verbal orders from
Nippon HQ (I never saw a written order
during the whole of my time with him)
& issuing instructions. Several times
he gave me orders to be conveyed to
camps in the vicinity; while once
we made a tour of the sector.
At 4 o'c all Chinese in the living
within a certain radius from the
Police Stn were assembled in a street
near the Stn & addressed by the C.O.
in lots. Probably 5000 were there inc.
men & women. All men of working
age were told to reassemble at 8 o'c
the next day for work.

January
30
Up at a little after six, across to office by 7.30, almost
forgetting my waterbottle and Red X parcel — one parcel & tin
of cigarettes to every man leaving hospital camp. Said
goodbye to Jock Webster, thoughtful blighter made me
up tin of needles, buttons & thread & wool yesterday. Will
try to get him up to me if possible.
Walked to station with our [[Dolmecher?]], has been in U.S.A.
and Unterfeltwebel, while a group of lads towed our
gear to the station on a sled - goodbye to Stalag VIIIB
Damsdorf, a good Rexona town!
9.10a.m. Hopped in the Train, changed to another at [[Effeln?]], when
we parted from John Warren, and shortly afterwards
I noticed that I was minus my tin box with my
chocs, cigs, extra rations, cap prayer-book, pyjamas,
dressing gown etc.- concluded it must have been left
at camp but at Breslau I think, Dolmecher, sent off
a note for it. Changed again at Breslau and
found we were out of luck and would have to wait
until late evening for connection for Berlin- humping
our gear about is an annoying business.
Slow rest of afternoon & early evening in a very 

comfortable hut with tables, chairs, stove, and had very

welcome bowl of soup at Red X buffet full of German

troops, Hut apparently came for A.R.P medical
people. Fulmer spoke during evening.  Finally got
train at about 19.20 and spent rest of night
trying to sleep in a 3rd class compartment without
much luck.
January
31
Woke up at about 6 a.m. and found that the night
had done my back no good at all bloody uncomfortable
for the rest of the day.  Arrived at one of Berlin's stations
soon afterwards and dumped most of our gear in cloakroom
and eventually, after u.ground trip headed city office of Stalag
where we picked up a guide who took us by another u.ground
to hospital well inside city. Chefarzt apparently not expecting
us but was very decent to us and went into huddle with
Stabsarzt and U. Stabsarzt xx. We met Capt. Stoker, taken
in Norway, were given food and taken to Stoker's rooms
after taking farewell of and thanking our escort who
had treated us well.  Met Farbrooke and heard that
Bull had gone on to another hospital,
Later we were given W.Os' room during few days that
our own is being prepared, and heard that Weston
Allan and I am to go to Station 1 medical, and Owen
to Station 2, surgical. Mixed bag here of about 60
French, British & Russian patients from various Stalags,
8 French M.Os and now 6 British. Met a couple of
French & will meet others later. Very warm & comfortable
here, quite different to VIII B, had beautiful hot bath,
first since Hotel Windsor, Alex, last March and am
able to do without most of my clothes. Saw silent
film is evening on '36 Olympic Games in Berlin,
most interesting and afterwards spoke to French
priest, corporal in French & Italian. Very nice little
chap - hope he'll teach me French again. Mass in
morning at 6am.

Back has played up all day

January
26
Mass at 9a.m. in theatre and Gosh, was it cold.
going across! Went back to "Rectory" after lunch and
played bridge for about an hour with Padres Griffiths
Hurst and Robinson, then dashed across with Robbie, calling
it at tailors to have alterations made to shirt. Was
messed about theere by the German N.C.O. who insisted
I go into the office first to get permission, and proceeded
to leave me there unable to speak to the man in charge
and without a dolmecher. Had to get myself one in the
end and almost kept Robbie late for his 2.30 appointment
with guard to take him to Lazareffe. He took me through
first gate to German Office where I made enquiries re
camera, Spalteholz and Heinkel razor, and for my pains
was referred back to W.O. Sherriff (camp trustee) and German
who supply canteen.
No letters to-night. Played pontoon and won a
couple of marks.
Received marks at rate of 1 to 60 drachmae for
money taken from us when we left Salonika and
on our arrival here - 3750 △ in all.
Geneva rep. wanted to know why Russians had no M.Os. Germans replied
they had refused British ones – Balls!! apparently this was a hurried
effort at covering up, countermanded later on day ∧grounds that no accommodation
available. Latest order was that Ron Stewart & Lou Longmore are to
be ready to go out to working-parties. Major Weston who had
a row with under Stabsarzt at the Lazarette, joined us to-day. He's
even taller than "Nobby" Clarke, about 6'6".
[*4*]

January
27
Damned cold this morning, nothing to do so stayed in
bed, eventually getting up at about 3p.m. Received four 
letters then one from Mum & Dad from Ives, from Boxshalls 
(Teddy has 5 kids now) and from Tom Meagher. That from
Mum and Dad gave me information re Zie Celestina and
Clementina should I have a chance to visit them, and
told me that it was Pop Webster who gave Glad the wireless
news that I was P.O.W. having picked it up one 2 a.m. I
hear that he and Hislop are standing for Parliament.
Good luck to him. Mum and Glad and Ma-in-law are
sending me woollens for winter in case I should be
cold! Ines tells me that there is a new super at the
Sani with go ahead ideas and surgical solutions.
Della Torre is assistant. Ron Worthy has joined the
R.A.F. so hope my letter reaches him. Tom Meagher's
note contained some meat and a lot of bilge about
"your magnificent part in Nation's war effort", "your dear
wife", "worthy to be a hero's wife", etc.. Decent of him to write
but he might have been a bit more down-to-earth. This
flag-flapping gives one a pain.
Ives sent me a photo of the kids on the back lawn
with Michael Malloch and young Davidson from next
door. Jolly good of David, laughing like hell, but is
light-fogged unfortunately.
Big flap this morning, orders for Max, Hetherington Ballantyne, 
Longmore, Stewart, and Allen to go immediately to Russian
Stalag - countermanded soon afterwards. Appears that