OUR WET CANTEEN

Camp News, Volume 4, Issue 157, 15 January 1943, Page 3

OUR WET CANTEEN

You’ve heard of the Sahara And how dry it is in Perth, But they’ve got nothing on our flamin’ camp It’s the driest place on earth. We used to have a wet canteen In the good old days gone by; But the Terries came and they closed it up, That’s why our camp is dry. We never got our licence back, I think it is a sin, We have to walk a good two miles To visit Welch’s Inn. Now if they’d only realise What a saving it would mean If the boys could have their pint of beer . In the good old wet canteen. We wouldn’t have to walk two miles And brave the dirty weather, The Army would be better off, Look what they’d save in leather. There wouldn’t be the wear and tear Upon the battle-dress; The tunic holds a good eight pints In quarts you’d carry less. So you see it is quite obvious A waste that should not be; Why not open up the wet canteen And have a little spree. We’ve ofen heard it rumoured That we’d have a wet canteen, But you can’t get drunk on rumours ’Tis impossible old bean. At times we’ve been quite hopeful And saved up every bean, But what’s the good of money Without a wet canteen? The boys are all disgusted, And everyone complains; Because the only time our canteen’s wet Is when it damn well .rains! —J.P., Ngaruawahia.