During a winter's night on the Somme a party of us were drawing rations
just behind the front line trenches. A Cockney chum of mine was
disgusted to hear the Q.M. say he was issuing hot soup in lieu of rum.
"Coo! What next?" he grumbled. "Soup in lieu of rum, biscuits in
lieu of bread, jam in lieu----" While he spoke Jerry sent over two
whizz-bangs which scattered us and the rations and inflicted several
casualties.
My chum was hit badly. As he was being carried past the Q.M. he smiled
and said, "Someone will have to be in lieu of me now, Quarter!"--_T.
Allen (late Plymouth Battn., R.N.D.), 21 Sydney Street, S.W._