Add MS 89265

Album compiled by W. “Bill” Millett, of the Royal Corps of Signals, during his time at Rezzanello prisoner of war camp (PG 17), near Piacenza, Italy, along with members of other British, Indian and Australian units captured by Italian forces in north Africa. Contributions from fellow inmates include prose, poems, pen and ink sketches, and watercolours. A loose list of their names (2 folios) is inserted.

Summary list of contributions:

• W. J. F. Clarke, Lt. R.A.O.C., Decr. 1941 Sketch of the Royal Corps of Signals “Jimmy” (figure of Mercury, with motto ‘Certa cito’).
• George H. Fanshawe, Rezzanello 1941. Watercolour of a race horse taking a jump, with two spectators.
• C. E. Carter (R.A.S.C.), Rezzanello 1941. Pen and ink sketch of a woman’s head.
• A.I.P. Pen and ink sketch of a man’s head in profile.
• H. Jones Lewis, Capt. A.D. Corps. Poem addressed to Bill: ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do’.
• Oliver Ive, November 1941. Final three bars of ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’.
• J. L Martin, Maj. R.A.M.C. Poem addressed to Bill: ‘Oh Bill, twas in Michelli [i.e. El Mecheli] we met’.
• A. R. Darlow, Capt. RAMC. T.A. 3. L.F.A., 27.11.41. Poem: ‘Michele. 1941’.
• D. Gordon Blair, 2nd Lieut. R. Signals, 28.xi.41. Poem: ‘The burial of one more (breakfast) at Rezzanello’.
• Lt. G. Bettington, 3rd Transvaal Scottish S.A. Forces, 23rd Jan. 1942: Poem, ‘Cavalry song’.
• Ronald Hardy, Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, S.W.1. Extract from Cavalcade, by Noel Coward.
• H.J. Gunner Moore, 2 Frankfurt Road, Herne Hill, London S.E.24. ‘Time marches on series 1941. Rezzanello. Commentator: Gunner Moore’.
• A. O’Connor Fenton, Italy 1941. Watercolour of horse and cowboy standing on a bluff (pasted in).
• W. Sayer [L. Hayes?], Lt. Col. P.A.V.O. Cavalry F.F., Rezzanello July ’40-?. Song: ‘Chorus of a pig-sticking song’.
• J. A. Middleton. Lt. Col. R.A.S.C., Rezzanello Dec. 1941. ‘To Bill Millett, wishing him success in the future as a Regular Army Officer’.
• M. D. Close, Scotch College, Melbourne, 18-12-41. Poem: ‘The Knights of the Round Table’ about card players in the camp.
• Rex B. Hawke, Lieut. 2/24th Bn. A.I.F. Poem: ‘R for the Roll Call’.
• Dickie Findlay-[?], The Gordon Highlanders. Mixed language letter: ‘Meo caro Bill’.
• S. H. Radcliff, Major RE, 22/11/41. Poem: ‘Camerata no. 1’.
• E. O. [?], Major R.E. 23.11.41. Poem: ‘Steve wrote the top verse, it’s easy to see’.
• J. M. P. Walker, 2. Royal Lancers (Gardener’s Horse). Pen and ink portrait of a man wearing a cravat, half profile, signed J. W., 1.42 (pasted in).
• D. S. Bannatyne, Q.O.C.H. 8:12:41. Poem: ‘Room 3. There’s many a man of the R.A.O.C.’
• Lieut. Trevor Henendorf, A.I.F., c/o Public Schools Boys Club, Melbourne. Pen and ink sketch of a man wearing a slouch hat with an Australian Imperial Force rising sun badge, possibly a self-portrait.
• Lieut. B. B. Grogan, … Victoria, Australia. Poem : ‘Looking at life with the right spirit’.
• J. H. Houghton, R.A.S.C., Dec 7th 1941. Poem: ‘Rezzanello alphabet’.
• H. A. Moorley, Major, R.A.S.C. (Sinbad the Sailor) Dec 2nd 1941. Poem: ‘I remember Rezzanello, a castle in the hills’.
• Steve [?] Hamilton, Capt. I.A., c/o Grindlays Bank, Lahore, India, or Punjab Club, Lahore, India. Poem: ‘Just a friendly ‘smile’. To Bill, I hope we meet again’.
• Jack Kruger [?], Australia. Black and white photograph of his home in Melbourne, pasted in.
• Jack Pringle (of ‘Hussars’)! 1942. Colour sketch of a hussar on a horse.
• Jack Walker, 2/24th Bn. A.I.F., Rezzanello, 15 Dec 1941. ‘I hope Bill you’ll find time to visit Melbourne Australia. As a sporting man you’ll like Australian Rules football’.
• L. Canty, 26 James St, Box Hill, E11 Vict. ‘When you arrive in Australia I hope this is the first telegram handed to you’ [followed by Morse code].
• Douglas Meighan, Lieut. 2/24 Bn. A.I.F. ‘Mr Melba’ c/o/ Abbotsford Brewery, Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia. Extracts from Dvorak, New World Symphony, and ‘Goin’ home’.
• J. G. Mair, Rockwood, Albury, N.S.W., Aust. Poem: ‘Where beer is good’.
• G A Sheldrick, Lieut. c/o 318 High Street, Preston, Victoria, Aust. Miniature watercolours of a house and a castle ‘To an Englishman his home is his Castle. To the occasion when a Castle was not his home’.
• Neil [Head?], Rezzanello, 1942. Poem ‘Ruinous racing’ by Ogden Nash.
• A. M. Edwards F/O, Royal Australian Air Force, c/o Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 16/12.41. ‘This may serve to remind you’. • [?], 24 Jan. ‘42. Poem: ‘O western wind’.
• Johnny Johnston, January 31st 1942. Poem: ‘These foolish things’ or ‘Don’t look round but I think I’m being followed’.
• A.H. Powell, [Arthur Powell], 13.12.41. Pen and ink drawings of life at Rezzanello over the course of a day, with colour wash: ‘Another Day’ [signed ‘JNR’]
• Theo Pratchett [?]. Poem: ‘The Turf’.
• S. G. M. Wright, Capt. R.A.S.C., c/o Cox’s & King’s, 6 Pall Mall, London S.W.1. Poem: ‘When I look back on these days, I shall remember you Bill’.
• G. Gilbert, Capt. A.I.F., c/o Bickfords Dental Ltd… Adelaide. Poem: ‘I play poker when I am able’.
• G.M. [?] Campbell, Lieut: RN. ‘The wages of gin is debt’.
• Brian Ashford-Russell, Major […], January 1st 1942. ‘If our forced sojourn in Italy has taught us tolerance [etc.]’.
• Tom N. Elliott, Lieut. 2/12 Bn. A.I.F. Pen and ink drawing of a man cutting down a tree, and a two man saw inscribed ‘Good luck! Bill. From the timber lands of North Q’land’.
• Captain T. H. Vincent, Naval & Military Club, Hobart Tasmania. Pen and ink map of Tasmania.
• Pat Frost, 14 Jan. 42. ‘It will always do me good to meet you Bill’.
• J. R. Fishbourne, Capt., 3 […?] (P.of W. D. Gi) 19.1.42. ‘A sense of humour’.
• P.W.S. Perry, L.T. R.A.S.C. 8/1/42: Watercolour of girl skating.
• Giles Farmer , Major, R.I.A.S.C, Italy 27/1/42. Arabic couplet ascribed to Fridansi, 10th century Persian poet [i.e. Ferdowsi].
• Major H. W. Sanders, RIASC. ‘Here’s to meeting you, Bill, back in good old India’.
• J. Hunt, Ldg Seaman, Royal Navy, Rezzanello, Jan. 1942. Insignia for ‘Oswald’ [HMS Oswald, submarine sunk 1940].
• R. D. Anderson, 20 Esslemont Ave, Aberdeen, Scotland.