"Local men serving with the British Liberation Army have just started to receive fresh rations daily, and white bread makes a welcome change after weeks of eating biscuits.  A dinner is steak, green peas and potatoes, followed by prunes and custard and "real" tea!
  If you could visit their camp when they are out of the line resting, you would find them washing clothes, having baths in biscuit tins, or getting their hair cut in a saloon which has the sky for a ceiling and a "compo" (ration) box or water or petrol can for a barber's chair.
  They all look very brown and healthy, for the weather has been kind recently,  and they are able to

 sunbathe stripped to the waist.  The nights are often very noisy, but their chief complaint seems to be that the mosquitos keep them awake!
  In one camp, tame rabbits left behind by the  evacuated people have been rescued, and are a source of much interest.  Feeding and maintenance is an additional job for L/Sgt A.W.J. Armiger, whose home is at Brandon.  He has now five adults (for breeding purposes) and 27 immatures for rearing.  Five hens and a kitten have also sought refuge in the camp.
  Local men visiting the camp recently include Gnr J.W. Chapman, of Bury St. Edmunds; Gnr A. Hughes, who joined the "Terriers" while stationed at Feltwell; Gnr W.E. Dyer, of Brandon; and L/Bdr G.A. Smith of Bradfield Combust."

SUFFOLK PUNCH

From L.T. Mutum, with our Forces in Normandy.

"Last night local men serving in this sector were each able to purchase a bottle of beer from England for 14 francs; it was sold in a Regimental Canteen run by Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant J.J. Bond, who before the war was with Barclays Bank Ltd. at Brandon.  It was their first "real drink" since arrival in France and made a welcome change from the limited amount of cognac or white wine available at 15 francs per wine glass (10 francs = 1 shilling).
  Each man was also able to purchase 75 cigarettes for 25 francs, matches razor blades, chewing gum, shaving soap, etc. were also available from N.A.A.F.I.  Assisting R.Q.M.S. Bond were Sgt. H.C. Leathers, of Bury St. Edmunds and Bdr. A.W. Rolph of Brandon.  Lt.(Q.M.) W.A. Crack, of Bury St. Edmunds, was watching the proceedings.
  Local men bivouacked in a farmyard include Sgt G.T. Reynolds and Sgt W.A. Baker, of Bury St. Edmunds; L/Sgt A.J. Armiger, of Brandon; L/Sgt J.W. Palfrey, of Great 

Welnetham; and L/Bdr F.W. Groves and Gnr L.J. Brett, also of Bury St. Edmunds.  They are making themselves very comfortable under the circumstances.  Little groups of twos and threes have dug themselves pits about 2 feet deep and formed snug tents by fixing such material as is available to form a covering.  A touch of home is provided by photographs and pin-up girls which adorn the walls.
  In spite of the language difficulties, our men are making friends with the villagers from a hamlet near by.
  Walking along the lane to a Normandy farmyard about 11 o'clock this morning I was surprised to hear the strains of "Bread of Heaven" in full Welsh harmony, and came upon some fifty officers and men of a local unit gathered round their padre under the dripping trees in an apple orchard.  The men had recently been relieved from the line and were having a brief rest.  They were remembering fallen comrades, giving thanks for deliverance, and gaining strength for coming tasks.  Prayers were being said for the safety of those at home.  The singing attracted a number of villagers who were listening intently."