Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 24

March 3rd - The day started off much as usual, but took a dramatic turn early in the
morning. A report came in that one of our men had been shot and killed on Kdo.3,
and, unfortunately, it turned out to be true. It appears that the guard, mentioned
yesterday as having been 'tough', ordered a lad named Spencer to leave his job and join the other half of the
Kdo. and pushed him in that direction; Spencer apparently pushed him off and was about to go on with
his work when the guard shot him through the lower left chest or upper abds and refused to allow anyone to
approach him. He died in under a half hour and was sent off with 2 of our lads in the ambulance to the
mortuary, where they had to manhandle him in without help - saw about a dozen RAF bodies there. Feeling pretty high
against us at present. Poor Spencer, he was a decent chap, and it appears to have been pretty cold-blooded. Letter from
A.I.F. Paymaster, London, Mr Troy & two from Ives, dated 1 Dec 42, 11 Jan 43, 21 Aug & 1^st Sept 42, respectively.
March 4th - Two of the eye-witnesses, or lads, and the Gefreiter concerned, went to Stalag for the enquiry and
came back later. Eric was informed that he had to go to 520 to-day and left at 1600 hrs. [[Sing?]]
he's gone, jolly pleasant while the four of us were here together. Yesterday the [[Stabs??]] pinched
cupboard which I had originally 'borrowed' from the Casino and had put in the M.I. Room, and of course, apart from
kidding him a bit, I couldn't kick at all, then to-day, when Eric left, and we went to replace one double bed
 with my old single one I'd left in the passage, I found that the old blighter had 'won' that, too. It doesn't matter,
though, as when two of us are left, a double bed will give us more room in here. Most uncomfortable evening - got together
with Sgn. Jones & Stamway, Capt [[Am??]] & S.F. Woodfine, told the story of Stamway, reporting to me the story that Jones
was dishonest, and asked him to help trace the source of the report. He chose to think he was being 'got at', more or less rejected
Jones' olive-branch, and even hinted that I distrusted him because I was getting control of medical affairs & stores. Some
mentality and too damned suspicious of everyone's motives. More vindictive than pleasant. Poor impression on S.M. & Captain.
March 5^th - Trouble threatened this morning when Kdo. 3 refused to go to work under the guard who did
the shooting two days ago. Feldwibel phoned Kompanie Hauptman who ordered him to give
men 5 mins, then turn out whole guard with M.G.s. No option, so they went & Stamway with
them - no trouble eventuated. Feldwibel in hell of a temper & things might have gone badly. Hauptman came
down later, looked around, and talked to guard for two hours. Has not a good reputation. Six more orderlies
received recognition yesterday as protected personnel - have B & Sgt. Jones now, enough to staff place decently
and supply an orderly to some of large Kdos. 'Stabline' told us that there was no truth in report of deaths at
428 on night of 1st.
March 6^th - Nothing much of notes.
March 7^th - Morning seemed pretty well filled, but, looking back on it now, three days later, I
can't remember anything of note. Sick parade was at 1 o'clock to give the lads a
chance to get on with football and Rugby in the afternoon. At 2 o'clock we made
a few enquiries about the unfortunate happening of last Wednesday and Fr. Scarborough came at a little
before three but what with one thing and another, the hall was not as ready as it might have been.
Had Confession, Mass, & Communion, and came back to our room in time for a cup of tea with Bill Hurst
who had returned from his unit to 428 Zemsdorf and 119. In the evening I wrote a letter to [[Gad?]],
and cards to the A.I.F. Paymaster, U.K., and Mr Troy, and sent a full report of the Pay Masters
information to the Editor of "Camp" for publication.
March 8^th - Away early with Annan to Stalag, and saw, both coming & going, considerable evidence

[*2+1P*]of the damage done by the RAF raid of 1st March. Met Chang at Stalag and the three

of us had a talk with [[Bralsary?]] [[wick??]] and settled most of the details of

organisation to control of our own medical matters & supplies. Josy is to be S.M.O. (Priviso) of [[drawing?]] D,

and Annan will probably go to 128. Came back to check over what medical supplies Annan had 

brought from 404 and received a parcel from British Red +  5 books an old [[Saver??]] Italian Grammar,

a Warship Italian Dictionary, a Health's Friend Grammar & key, and a practical Gunman [[??]] by Back

& Thompson which Bill H says is good. Letters too from Zia Romina (all well) of 25 Nov 4h and pom Ron of 

3^th Jan 43 - He sent off about [[Sticus??]] early after enquiring whether he was allowed to do so, and had him returned 

a week later as contraband! Hell!! Just get him to send them to Auntie Millie for dispatch through to the Red +. 

March 9^th- The General didn't come! and that was after a feverish first of activity

made the camp like a new pin in the morning in expectation of his visit.

The last couple of days has seen a lot of activity around the place with much 

sigging up of spare plots in preparation for the planting of vegetable seeds sent by the Red Cross.

March 10^th -