Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 7

5 April
21
Had a few queer dreams last night, escapes from this
and that and never quite making it and was
awakened at about 6a.m. by the orderly who told
me that Patey, of Room T, had died. He was a
[[miliary?]] Tb who had become much worse in the last
two days, poor devil - Frenchman who should have
been repatriated some time ago.
One anaesthetic this morning and then said
goodbye to a few of my Russians who were going out.
[[Vatrekus?]], the "General" actually cried before he left.
Quite a rush of cases till about four o'clock then.
Game of bowls, and before and after tea and [[Appel?]]
wrote letters to Glad and Father Bill Kelly in U.S.A.,
and cards to John, Mark, and David.
Had another anaesthetic late to-night, acute
abdo.. Started dope just on midnight. [[Elbaz?]] did it.
submit. paramedian, pus+, found & removed
normal appendix then [[Fosy?]] did upper [[t?]] incision
& oversewed perforated duodenal. Bed at about 2 a.M.,
Re reaction of surgeons while operating - [[Fosy?]].
to-night murmured to [[Elbaz?]] something like - "Hang
on to this, like a good chap" and in the nest
break thanked Murray for something with "Merci
beaucoup".
April
22
One job this morning, quick look around then
dossed down till lunch. Ditto afterwards till afternoon 
tea, and so passed the greater part of the day
quite pleasantly.
Spot of bowls afterwards, bridge in evening with
Albie, Robert, and Fernhead, and ended up playing
"Crapette" with Robert until close to 2 a.m.
 

1 ApriI
23
To-day is the anniversary of our pulling out of
the Brallos Pass- Time Marches On!
Two anaesthetics this morning, and Sister is
so terrifically Spring-smitten that I'm afraid that,
is she's careful, she'll suffer a delightfully sticky
fate.
Checked around again, Blonde, French Tb, looks
bad, as does the Tb Russian captain. Aspirated
my pet Ruska in afternoon and drew off 1570ccs!
Must be a record - he's worked up to it so gradually
that he didn’t turn a hair.
Letter to-day from Luigi Palandri, son of
Tia Clementina of Piandelagotti. Rather quick
work, as I wrote to them on March 8th. They're very
well, and he tells me that two of his brothers had
settled in Italian E. Africa, one, Guido, who was
there without family, is now in Bombay, the
other, Amadio, with family, was well according
to his last letter in '41. Our family is certainly
seeing the world under unusual circumstances. 
Bridge this evening with Wiltshire, Ballata, and
Fernhead, from the latter of whom we heard that the
three lads are still at [[Beiresdorf?]], and, it seems, the two
French also.
Cis. Cohen's birthday
Apri1
24
One dope, a look at Blonde, who's sinking, and a
couple of histories filled in the morning, and a give
stiff walk with Fosy of about 5-6 miles fixed up the
afternoon.
Another anaesthetic before dinner, and another
before midnight were rather an unusual occurrence.
Robert gave us news that the five ex-escapees may come
back here - asked for by Stalag & vetted by [[Ch?]]
on the grounds that it would be bad for morale.
News of possible authenticity regarding Jap losses in
various naval battles, and news of temporary
landings at Boulogne and Brest. And the usual
hour or two's discussion on the prospects of the war.
Fitzsimmons left to-day to go to Stalag, possibly till
Wednesday before pushing off. 
To-day is the anniversary of my few hours with the
rear party south of Brallos, the tank drove to join the
rest of the unit and to hear of their adventures, the
abandoning of unit and personal gear, and the 
night-ride to Megara.
Kingsley Beckwith's birthday.
Air raid alarm in early morning, of course I did 
not hear the siren. No bombs or flack, said to be
only one British plane which came & went. First night
of moon, so possible something is, or will be, in the air.
 

April
25
Anzac Day!
One year ago we spent best part of 24 hrs.
lying low in the groves of Megara, keeping xx out
of sight, and finally getting away at night plus
[[?]], ourselves in the [[handy?]] which had given us
such a prophetic & cheery farewell from Alex a little
over a fortnight previously.
An anaesthetic, during which we finished the
last of he chlo. and started lack on ether again.
No more chlo. in Germany? or simply none to spare
for [[?]]
Check-over wards, dozed in sun, volley-ball
in afternoon and bridge at night.
 

Sunday
April
26
Anniversary of our arrival in Crete!
Confession, Mass, Communion. Wards. Lunch,  sleep
in sun and bowls.
Various rumours - one of an escape of a high French
General, [[?]], from a [[?]] of 150 of [[R?]], and of a
reward of 100,000 marks for his capture, other of English
landings in Spain as Amiens in France. 
Hell, if something doesn't crack soon, half of us will
go potty – parcels are going off, only invalid comforts ones
now,  monotonous life, the inability to settle down
to any decent study more marked than ever and an
indefinite period of it stretching away into the future,
and nor know how things will be at the end of it,
either. Worst of all, no indications, of how things are
at home. What a bugger it all is!! Even some sort 
of interesting [[operation?]] would be a help. When the
majority of one's patients are open TBs for whom
nothing can be done, and whose prospects are rotten,
it only helps to make the prevailing depression so much
worse. Gosh, if I could only get back to Glad and
the kids! Still, I guess we'll have to stick it out.
"Eleven more years and ten more months - ."
at least the weather is good.
 

ApriI
27
Complete Ethyl Chlo- Ether anaesthetic to-day and
it went very smoothly - none of the uncertain depth,
sudden arrested respiration, coughing, need for O₂ etc.,
that was common with Chlo, and a much smoother, faster
induction. I thought I was beginning to like Chlo.
but I guess I'll never growl at ether again.
Nothing much doing for the rest of the day. Wiltshire
and Charlton, one of our batmen both got parcels to-day, 
and Charlton gave me a stick of shaving & soap, while
Wiltshire's will be quite handy in helping along the 
rations.
[[Flemington?]] sent memo for blankets to-day and 
Weston for his greatcoat.
Martelanz told me to-day that the large blonde
in the office not the glamorous Ursula, has  a
copy of  "I Promise [[Sp?]] - must ask for a loan of 
it.
During the op his moning, Ursula walked in,
followed a bit of back-chat with sister in German,
Whereupon Ursula blushed, grinned a little & retired.
Couldn't stop Sister laughing afterwards - appears
the she'd  [[?]] her up, and then said Ursula 
had haemorrhoids and should have them done - some
sense of humour. 
 

April
28
Back on to Chlo. again – the dispensary has apparently
dug up some more. Will the [[?]] can wait, one
anaesthetic.
Fozy, Wiltshire and I had our best walk yet this
afternoon. A patient took us by V. ground on a one hour
trip to [[?]], where we walked to the lake-side
and stopped at the "Alte [[?]]" for a beer - a
delightful little open-air caffe right on the water's edge -
must be lovely in peace-time spring or summer.
Walked then for an hour through the woods and around
the various lakes and then home by another line. It
was all grand. Arrived back to find that
[[Brolis Marim?]] had been whisked off at a moment's
notice to Stalag, Lord only knows why, allegedly
stopped by the [[Lolmecher Kleiner?]], hope nothing
happens to him, definitely illegal if it does on past history,
as he's a member of the British forces.
Spent a quarter of an hour watching one of my
French Tbs die, Cailloud.
The blonde promises to bring [["Prom ?]] to-morrow.
 

ApPII
29
Two anxistetics. Olan made ip punc o blanlet
a greatisat for lads and had him haded to Remis
th leamed from Lench o.3. from Reridod that he
left this moning for ukenown distination Wow can
I net that great but back again
n the last few days tha las been a Cot
a counte. bonbing W) Lublick, Bath, Exser, R. Stock
and forwide. Bensler Eainens his war, port
hime divs auto matcest, guib do. Chyared seh
1/. Is room for allead latr from Vndelep
Gor Fomsn Fon Coda.
to sdice of Cold losks sitch yeder nglun
 

ApPII
30
One amnistilic this moning, came back to rom to
hin a letter from Ghad, Iwith a map and full
news. The rnas (was grand, the id Vaken you
A Bussilton back gadden with them a Dad and
looking grant, the pr two have drwn ar lor, and
Danitt Ollds like a litle aid blus him, tough?
anees its an efect of the snef. Aad is ricdded to
sits with hm - he has eolden Duls. Thi's having a
pioto taken with him and hopes to send me a cop
Bill C. is in the anny, and he dad poan have a
daughter of which Jaf is nmensils pround, and
whom nd protensts be ialous. nger gon
David hs rell hair, and I Iam is loked paps
wihe tw tails Bu Jnston and wife expect an
ur, and Bitl Row collapsed and Ded Lt Cemes
comn occlusion. Had had no mand at time
of writing O - Winken Jan. 2
Ast called all Bits M.D. Vs him a Ma,
toldnt am was piled pr substage - helping
puls to ples illumes Colstay in, sand gand in a laf
wrow
Bid Coight oWeding, Tembread & Ballaka.
 

May

To anaistitues his morning, here nost of monning and
Baut of afteroon strut in comlting a detiled
of he this. Rinnohos that som b hend threx to be
exaliated a not before tim, sither.
Bridge in evening with Pade, Golnt, a tenhad.
Lunay
Ine were don a lit, when he opponition
ballekh up the bidding somewhat and, vnlherable lost
200 m the hand. Fowtually got to bad at 12.20.

Sata He
Sn el

 

May
wo anashuhies this morning - an app and on F.B.
in Reg. Latter was a young Kuedman who had hew out
since ril 9 slkered ly n , and was resquiaed
by a stalds guard who whi he bibed but him tres
e in Olel with so .22 or. 25 antomatic.
the one teat ost removed intened pie of h. Noot and
tnvilled ws mallious- apanlg raught
hom bolunidl while it was litel in ralung
Yan a Comamion this moning; and a Jemes
ere alibating say dry by whole Iholiday to. By
stent most of Our Pine a deprn, & lods?
Bidge again in euming with dine, Bd
a Tintead
 

Sunday
Mayb
3
ladoe did not call me for early yars, so went
to that at 10.20 instead, and he medested them that
he would like to ru me make a prautlce of I to give
example to any Brilish Caholics. Good id
3
have hought of At myself.
Asoluttily boning a deprssing day.
much down in aint don't uo h
through reading Eir Kiith urdoch's aont in
campt oour balls-p of 1o/alaya ing apore
die a pling anssicim that dit wns pritty wiell boked
ap by the Kines before hing rete in Camp
A3 wd. pape) Abnt. I thitth 100. That there: is a
considerable element of truth about it Even he weater
was against is to day), as for the last few day, oesoes?
treatering a cold, not cnduerve th bowlst or
volley bott, in jact, cold enough to keep wensone ins
lod and Megnewn to deliner tonnight, Callked
on vill 1, about the war & eveuything, and vere
condudch as usual that it will le Engish plicy
to let the Enskeen show continue bill endof x
year. John L Hpank will be using my rago wh
Preture to Glad & tem.
Camp for what its work, printed reports of new
taxation a inerlncting on luxunses, piod, Delohing in
England - sum to be waking up at last to jast that wers on
 

May
Some after awaking we were told tat a idish
comminsin Iwas to visit us to day, 20 put in my last bit and
ae i boots instead of sliphs, and went Talons t
tt
give he sgh aash & sust as we
Ded he OCommisson, one dear old lady
and about a dozen yung oficers, including Ober
who made hm as Conineus as usuall] We were
introluced - said his or iners who was done was, i
t
Turnaus in the last sow and away thi
tole Stations x and it were left on od
Vonder why?
fert of tay dind dull and srnt
bed.
4o much differet in evening. thought of somone
clse Io write ts, cohld drop a lied to
Fill overent acd
wive approrching Clutan chest K. Jays W ldmr
are ae een to have thr chssdone for orar
ersons, and Im wondering whether & might be wnd
shile enquiring re podalita of Sift 1s Wally bicause
o lad back in witter and Msowledge
or to a sol amongst Walian wokers per
the Rrdish notor of his moning apperently did alo
of vry good woth amongs Pean pr in s
pps i Handalay
oning me last war.
 

May
Did most of my round behad huatre, and
hinshed it after the se anxistheted. Intensensed the
Delant about the X. Tays and the transter to Wall
He s he will aothe hibinge screemings miti
photos he chiss of all Imedicl kinsonnel here Enclish
and tpch, as as possible, and tat this willl
pobably be done in two batches. On the quistion
tanspod he told me that I course no decision
be qui here but tat it I would write out onr
application, he would fomard it to his superiors.
Chupars in his dealing with us has always been
very fai, and I tink tat his meply in this Pace.
is as much as I could pasilly hadd expected fom
him. Some men migh no have been so synghe
his afternoon the fou ofus had a very fensant
onting to wnnary, Where, t affrars the Cha
station of oe last Lymfric James wishild - to
certain oohn point I oveld attractive, and
aftennoon franks wih that Plast Tuesday for
plasure - grand to see woods and lakes Sloating
Clubs and (the good. dois houses which have been
lmilt here, poor ay of describing it all, and a
ih to be away pad the strats of the city where
evee is even o mild degre vinqui ten.
 

May
Appel as usual, one dope, had a look anud the wards
then Habsez? did and taking in my tho. Hitan
Indian Major in Homl's eye-clie Isoon Saprineds and
had him dup for a cup of ea, nice old birk. Simedlast
was as a Eq. d Bhn in He, rer of time in Sun a Phluti.
ame of San Sis Fm. Was Faklen no hylsa last yeas
wist of Wollach, when his cosh with tefles , no astille
or plakes, fced Junes, and strck it out for 3days witt
lood or ninns. Whas a brokers prisonns - ho clesld, one
det h on ofier.
Wioe my application for transter to Haley, (ook it to
Cne for Fransat on a Crausn ssin through Adart to the
ahollkis, later wrote lettersto glad Home, Wle and
Linss Palantin Piandlagt) & calds to dus, Broashalls,
and Ts Ben& Hs. Joston.
Raget hidge an night with badse, I lent, & tindersd
Eonfersion afterards & bed at 1.30 – bad kalsts.
Phitis han ocmupid Vndagencar, which much to my
imprise, is actually Hanged Ma Frnme. Brtis a Yentle
hoths have wrstallsh Jaks.
 

May
Yana Communion, purt if round one done, and fiished
mounh with Nalsant. He Idecided to kind out Helger
Charltom, but as ids had been promised to us as permatient
batman by Chesar, De got in fist, Corw the latter, and did out
best to fixiup. Walse who homifid to hind hoe convedsing
realetin he 1Diph. wad C wer though it who explained to
him that there was no won for them aulahee else I. Luckely
he had to leave iust then, ohe would Opsidally have had a
fithe mext tt patients were cases of Vumps?
I L. Redmond calld in hou his Commands 1to e4 no to hay
s had lhuch with us, and the bunch repatres lett at 12a
Had for their sakes - 14 from Gus 122, Hoald havd bee mor
I hebe hom glad to day, dated teb. 10th, with sap
John is Baik on Bussilt beach, they look tire. John
Was going brack to school next day, I/ al wilh the goone a
little ated, and Drvid is walknt Yo had bhth
the kids bade and stouh o few Mays, Mis was dont
& so the house was quite Hill, what with the new maid.
Harel may be connnd back later. Frank Wallace has an
O. B. 3, and Balph Honner & Gible Hanland have pometing
Tos Had did no say for what henices - good luck to them
fill was with Gad Os banill, is very thin t no
diagnous made I not well by any mas. Go I do
lioke the Kid's O.K. Gead missed me like the dophins,
imth it grand! Wish I could put it right.
Two who henche does, have some from Phukenwald, exhange
with Vialle th Sandebeg, nee chaps. Vuos of Jurnian women
& hid prisoners there.
 

May
Long Cold lads at momning appel that all tentish
medical Ope were to go ond chirt K. Rays to day
which they sid this monng, Icptill borg me, u
ws wee e theat. Cone back fo e vs hid aue
letter from Rad, written on Jan V12 which, I think, is
amn in Dnd's willding. Hor much news excep
that weede Orsds will, and hat dod had been to Explanate
for e poker with Eilun Faman, him a per fartin,
H. Bman and a Ro. Wallker – lost he anm as nsual
kids were fe, and, us I had guiessed by the size and
shape of the Osneps Eve reauived she had Crss Voshander
witht.
Very litle to say for nest of day, except that, in spte
O all, h Cupar had contmnich Vedgers inpunding
discherge, and that will hoe to pind she pin
batmen fom amount the Endish Sanitalurs
Bods in aftenool and lullge in evening wit
Witshire, Ballata, & Limbuad
Bis naval battle reported of caast of Qunsland, in
Aral Eda, between Angls. Amuiche and Jap fleets, in
which Japs claim their nsual Fremindons poty
Mrt dopes this monning
 

May
9
One anaistutic then hranded over a number d cases
to Dr. Callon. Haval bable a yesterday will i proguent pps
20 far clai hwo Wank plsnd cannon and one ls
and one English ofwrsie clars – I comss theris mopten
up wintid and Austplia is donned
st of day very quiet, bnds in aftemon and bridge
a nifht with Shenclikd Pada, and Dr. Lanchon
is petty good.
Rnan proclaiation that all frinds a Belsian P.O.H
mant wrk fir pctoris for the good of the New Dude,
which can be allrused of ould by a Gundan withr
Genaltis dhis a da for non mpliaee.
 

Sudan
MaYS
10
Comminion a two Masser to day, not be rasion of any
outstanding vitue, but becence & Indminted Obreck at
before 1.3, and am a bot self consios about.
Comunion at a late 1/250.
Sum a volley. bath in Apmoon damned good sines
s then Sacted as Meac maker in a dustn
eur one of our batmen yand a French paintater one
prsidence at Whe casinng. Copped into the pat, lat
bae indolved m onr argument wih
28
oer the miquities of the fenthts in their
3/34r.
mudingin
Weir intanss expiciallyin
te Churdh in gehoul. I
Encland
and lelt kinly my lack
knil to hold our endn
of knowledge of Amoch iston. Padee wi to
leter and I inercased my rept for him (o lst lans
he showed the extent of hid notmotton on the vanous
poinds under discussion, and proved himself no
bigst, but a man of considerable commn-sture,
About the fouth or lifh night in nicernien on
which e been s bed after 1am – disgraceful.
Anyone would think me will at home