Fraternization with the locals.

[louisaj]

Originally Posted by 51highland

Surely there were no naughty goings on, after all there was an order to that effect.!!!!!!!

[Owen]

Quick on-line translation of ;-
BOUVIGNIES. chez Demoru Gustave
GRAND CONCOURS de COQS
50-150 organise par Les Mousses
au profit des coqueleux mobilises

Dimanche 21 Avril 1940
Tirage au sort 15 h - Mise au parc 15 h 30



Free Translation and Professional Translation Services from SDL International

BOUVIGNIES. with Demoru Gustave BIG COMPETITION of ROOSTERS 50-150 organizes by Foam Them to the profit of the
coqueleux mobilize
Sunday April 21 1940 Circulations to the exit 15 o'clock - Put to the park 15 o'clock 30

[51highland]

Dad told me about the family he and 3 others were billeted with in Eindhoven.

The Mother had insisted that her guests sat down at the table and she and her 3 small children disappeared into the kitchen.

Mother returned a few minutes later, a large serving tray in the air in one hand, the children dancing along behind her.

The soldiers could not smell any food and wondered what treat was in store for them.
She proceeded to lay the serving tray on the table, and there in the middle was, ONE egg bedded on straw. The children were so happy, the soldiers were nearly in tears, they suddenly realised that these poor people had less to eat than they had.

The soldiers were at a loss to know what to do or say. Sgt. Kenny "Porky" Hearns broke the ice by running off and getting some supplies from elsewhere, (he had a friend in QM's stores). returning and giving the family a feast. Apparently it was the first egg this family had seen in over 2 years.

It brought home just how much the Dutch people had suffered, yet they were still willing to share what little they had.

[louisaj]

Humbling tale 51Highland.

Owen..doesn't make much sense translated either!

[Rich Payne]

The cock-fighting event was not an official British military one, although the authorities would have been glad that the troops were not spending their time in the cafés or less salubrious establishments !

It seems to have been a benefit event to raise funds for the "mobilised cockfighters" - the local owners who had been called up, probably a sort of hardship fund. The French troops were notoriously badly paid even when compared with the British and were reported as jealous of the disposable incomes of the British, even after sending money home and the compulsory deductions for 'barrack-room damages'. This event seems to have been an attempt to redistribute the wealth !

[Rich Payne]

I think that 'Les Mousses' would have been the local organising club and it all occurred at Gustave Demoru's place.

I've no idea about the technicalities of the event, although it still goes on in this part of Belgium. Vicious looking birds with long hooked spurs.

Would the 50-150 be some sort of size or weight classification or could it be the experience of the birds, if they lasted that long ?

[51highland]

Dutch men were heard to complain, " The Germans steal your bike, but the Tommies steal your girl friend"

[von Poop]

Originally Posted by 51highland

Dutch men were heard to complain, " The Germans steal your bike, but the Tommies steal your girl friend"

WW2 once again leaves a long trail:

Will we be seeing Dutch football fans with "I want my Girlfriend back!" on their tee-shirts whenever they play England?