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Reg Tarry, now a lively 94 year-old, kept a detailed account of his life overseas in the RAF Police from September 1941 until December 1944. This story is compiled from entries in his “Journal” for December 1941 whilst he was stationed at a Middle East HQ unit near Cairo. It is submitted to the People’s War site by a member of Market Harborough Branch, Royal British Legion with Mr Tarry’s permission. He fully understands the site’s terms and conditions

“I must say that an enormous amount of work is being done to make Christmas enjoyable for us both at Camp and in town. This afternoon (Christmas Eve) we went to the Kiwi Club for a Christmas Party and quite enjoyed ourselves. The “Christmas Trees” are a species of palm and are decorated with raw cotton straight from the plant which grows in profusion near the Nile. Coloured lights, tinsel, paper decorations and novelties in the way of gifts and slogans and messages make the place something like Christmas, in spite of the difference in the temperature. . . . .

“On Sunday, in company with members of the choir, I went to ST Paul’s Church to a carol service and quite enjoyed it. We had a full choir of about 20 servicemen and the carols were sung with gusto and obvious enjoyment. The organist was a patient from the New Zealand Military hospital in Helwan and the preacher was the Army Chaplain. . . . .”

Christmas Day (after being on night duty)

“Breakfast of eggs and bacon went down well and after a wash and clean up we went to St Pauls Church for the Christmas Morning Service, It was a very enjoyable service, the carols were well sung and the sermon by Padre Buck was inspiringly delivered. . . . .

“Dinner itself was very well done. The Officers and senior NCOs did a grand job of waiting on the boys, working with cheerfulness and (a certain amount of) skill. We began with Tomato Soup, should have continued with fish, but unfortunately something went wrong with the service and we on our table had to go without. However, this was made up fpr by the main course which consisted of Roast Turkey, Roast Beef, Stuffing, green Peas which materialised as beans, roast potatoes and cabbage. This was followed by Christmas pudding and white sauce. Also on the tables were bottles of beer and minerals, fruit, nuts and cigarettes, and incidental music was provided by the Station Dance Band. . . .

“I returned to the billet at a stagger and had a rest for about two hours or so.

“Half past seven found me at the “��ѿ��ýstead” to meet the rest of the choir preparatory to singing carols at the N Z hospital. Judging by the looks on the faces of the patients, they enjoyed it as much as we did. . . . we had been able to give a bit of pleasure to those battle scarred New Zealanders.”

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