There was an equality there which would have delighted any Socialist heart. No one had any money – there was nothing to buy. Its only use was to do a bit of bartering on the beach – where you might on very rare occasions be able to snare a tin of condensed milk for 2/6. Once I saw 5 sheets of Y. M. C. A. note paper & envelopes sold there for 2/- ! I spent 18/- in 6 months on Anzac & that was entered in my pay-book for Canteen stores. The un-levelling element of clothes was in influence as their quantity almost nil. We were all equally dirty and almost equally ragged.
Among the norms of this life one must not omit the beach & its bathing. It was the great joy of existence. The water of exactly the right temperature & always a glorious sunshine. What a unique & fine sight it was to see as many as two or three thousand men of such physique as this 1st Expeditionary Force which was finer than anything Ive ever seen
