What went on in the aft deck area that was covered by the canvas?
Everything. That was our main quarters, our messing arrangements. The officers used to sit separately; they wouldn’t eat with the troops. So they 05:12:00:00 used to sit on that forward hatch near my radio cabin. They’d sit there and eat their meals. Taffy would have to run up their pancakes or their M&V [meat and vegetables] or whatever they were being served. Crazy when you think about it.Q: Did the rest of the crew resent that aloofness? A: I don’t think they cared. I think they preferred to be on their own anyway, quite frankly. They could say what they thought. 05:12:30:00 It was noted, but nobody. It was typical; the officers always segregated themselves from the troops.Q: Who were your best mates amongst the crew? A: I got on very well with Taffy. Taffy and I were pretty good chums. Poppa Falls and I used to kick around a little bit ashore there. He and his wife and Hazel and I used to go out a little bit when we had the 05:13:00:00 opportunity back in Sydney when we got back on
