'Stretcher-bearers': (23) A censored letter and language difficulties

Back again in the rat-frequented garret, trying to dry in a very restricted space, I started a letter to the family universal aunt. One of 11 children herself, she was readily available in times of crisis and I could moan freely to her. On principle, my letters home were cheerful and gave no indication about conditions, so this particular letter was one way of letting off steam.. Writing in indelible pencil, a precious possession used for my diary when pages were soggy, I used an air mail letter and was stupid enough to mention casualties. ( The direct hit on B company, which killed four and wounded five more was fresh in our minds and we knew some of these casualties.)
The incident is reported in "Algiers to Austria, A History of 78 Division". as follows:
"It was later in the same battle (near Termoli)that Capt. J.O.D.Williams and four other ranks were killed and nine other ranks wounded when the section of 11 Field Ambulance working with the Lancashire Fusiliers was hit by shell-fire."
[Strangely, while travelling to London by train recently to consult our unit's war diaries in the Public Record 0ffice I was re-reading Siegfried Sassoon's "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer", relating to World War I, when I came across "The aid post, a bit of a dug-out hastily made, was blown in. At the time it contained 5 wounded men, 5 stretcher-bearers and the doctor. All were killed except the Doc who was buried in the debris. He was so badly shaken when dug out that he had to be sent down , and will probably be in England by now."]
The letter I wrote was read by the officer censoring mail and next morning I was marched before the colonel and charged with (approximately) "conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline..... " The part of the letter mentioning casualties was read out and the censoring officer gave evidence against me.
It was only fair to plead guilty to the charge and to accept the colonel's "award". Oddly, Sgt. C. was on hand to confirm that I was down the line when Part I orders mentioning casualties had been published and he spoke up for me. Sgt C. was well known for his oft repeated phrase "Nobody tells me what's going on around here." (I was overjoyed when later in the campaign he was awarded the MM. (Military Medal.)
I admitted to a serious breach of censorship regulations and the colonel stopped my pay for ten days. This was very light. Most of my pay had for years been sent directly to my mother and there were few opportunities to buy anything at that time.
A few days later the names of four men were posted on A company orders and they were interviewed with the prospect of being exchanged with general hospital men. My name was not included. Had it been, I should have turned down the offer, but the colonel might have decided to push me out all the same. All four men accepted.
More rain and further delays. Prospects are that, when the weather clears, we shall be attached again to the infantry.

Language difficulties.

The other night some of us were sitting with the owners of a broken down, partially destroyed farmhouse, when one of our party felt obliged to lean over the fire to remove his mess tin full of hot shaving water. Not knowing the Italian "Scusi" he said "Pardonnez -moi." They did not understand. This started a series of misunderstandings. He bent forward again to repeat his action. They now thought that he was trying to look at something up the damaged chimney, so they too craned forward to look.
He shook his head and made a different sign. They seemed to interpret this as an indication that he had at some time fallen on to a fire.
His clumsy friend then tried to explain that he had not fallen on the fire, but, while doing so, he sidled heavily against his friend. This shocked the the Italians more. They did not understand and became upset.
All further attempts to calm them were unavailing. They left the room shortly afterwards, and did not reappear that evening..
Still it rains. Still we are held up.

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