Conscript 2989: Experiences of a Drafted Man — John Shaqi
Conscript 2989: Experiences of a Drafted ManCrump, Irving
History
Conscript 2989: Experiences of a Drafted Man
Crump, Irving
Military training camps -- United States; United States. Army -- Military life; World War, 1914-1918
The washing process is interesting. Every one lines up and dips into the
same basin of water. Government soap is supplied in quantities, so are
the scrubbing brushes. One lays his jeans and undershirt out nice and
smooth on a long table, pours a basin of water over them, applies the
soap as if it were a holy-stone until the underclothing is covered with
a soft yellow scum. And then he spends the rest of the afternoon trying
to get the soap off. The more lather a chap makes the better washerman
he is, from all appearances.
The rear of the barracks on a Saturday afternoon looks like a string of
tenement house backyards, with flapping garments hanging from
everything, including the electric light wires, and men in various
degrees of attirement stand around waiting for the garments to get dry.
Oh, you daren’t leave them and go off on some other mission while the
wind does its duty. You simply have to stick and keep a careful eye on
everything you own, otherwise:—well it works on the principle that the
man who grabs the most is the best-dressed man for the following week,
and if you are not there to prove ownership you are liable to find a
pocket handkerchief where your undershirt was and the handkerchief isn’t
always what it was originally intended to be.
I did manage to get my wash done and gathered up in time to see the last
ten minutes of a Gaelic football game over on the parade grounds. But
next week I’m going to take the advice of the Sergeant who suggests that
I follow the example of Regular Army men and wash each piece as it
becomes soiled. I wonder if I am systematic enough for that?
Sunday:
No I didn’t draw a pass. I’ve been around camp the whole bloomin’ day,
but there were about fifteen thousand lucky fellows who did draw passes.
I saw them going down in groups for every train to the city since four
o’clock yesterday afternoon. But Fat and I seem to be a bit unlucky.
Poor Fat, he has wanted a pass to get home and see his mother ever since
he has been here. But a pass wouldn’t do him much good. He hasn’t any
uniform yet. Still waiting for the army tailors to get busy. I wouldn’t
be surprised if they shipped him to France with no more Government
property than a khaki shirt. We’ve been consoling each other most of the
day. Fat’s a good chap and a mighty likeable fellow.
It has been a day of rest, however, for all except Giuseppi, the
company’s barber. He has done a tremendous business; shaved every one,
from the Captain down.
[Illustration: Giuseppi’s methods are unique and interesting]
Giuseppi’s methods are unique and interesting. Somewhere he found two
planks, which he brought into the dormitory, and, by catching the lower
ends under the iron work of one cot and propping them against the side
of another, he contrived an affair that resembles remotely a steamer
chair. Line forms to the right. Bring your own brush and shaving stick
and do your own lathering for a quick and effective shave.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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