Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Capt. Claude Swift, son of Mr. A. Swift, of Thomas street Moonee Ponds, describes his home in France:-

I will give you a description of my dugout. It's a fine Queen Anne villa, situated one second from parapet, with side windows overlooking German lines; splendid view from front door, I overlooking graveyard; splendid asphalt footpath, ankle deep in mud, front garden in full bloom, six-inch forget-me-nots; splendid front fence of barbed wire and spikes, red tiled roof, covered with sandbags slightly damaged, owing to small boys (Huns) throwing stones on the roof-guaranteed to give way to a 12in. Krupp foundry.

Now we enter the house- It consists of two rooms, bed and diningroom. The bedroom consists of two double beds, liable to walk away if not well watched, beautiful spring mattrass of wire netting, also feather mattrass of sandbags; sheets changed twice weekly. Boarders supply their own blankets-blankets washed after the war. Boarders are requested not to complain if they find a rat in their beds or if one runs across their faces whilst asleep. This is no fault of the proprietors. The only other piece of furniture in this room is a dressing table made from the finest bully beef boxes obtainable.

Now we enter the diningroom, with its elaborate furnishings. Splendid table, seating accommodation for six, table cloth with news of the day printed on it, six beautifully upholstered chairs, one badly in need of a patch on the seat; all shelves made of the finest deal obtainable, cupboard built of fine jam box, guaranteed not to keep the rats out. All food is sampled by rats before being dished up to boarders. On the walls hang pictures of the finest Parisienne art. Visitors are requested not to gaze on the pictures too long; it is bad for the eye sight. Owing to our neighbours objecting to smoke, it has been found necessary to do away with fireplaces; electric light installed throughout. Please do not burn too many candles. Matches, tobacco and cigarettes supplied on the premises. Please do not interfere with ornaments, as they are likely to go off. Fine fireworks display every evening, continuing till daylight, both green and white flares being used. Strangers are forbidden to wander between the lines, as they are liable to be knocked down by a passing shell. After observing all these rules, boarders wander about in comfort.