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Soldiers needed water as much as food during the Second World War and not just for drinking or making tea but for washing and shaving. Water was often rationed to just a daily pint of water for each man, especially in North Africa, and even in places running with water not all water was safe to drink. Occasionally soldiers were issued with a few precious bottles or cans of beer.

William Nolan

William Nolan
William Nolan' biography (PDF, 48 KB)

William remembers purifying water in Burma in 1943.

William Nolan's transcript (PDF, 39 KB)


Stanley Wood

Stanley Wood' biography (PDF, 49 KB)

Stanley remembers boiling water in Burma in 1944.

Stanley Wood's transcript (PDF, 31 KB)


Albert Davies

Albert Davies' biography (PDF, 50 KB)

Albert remembers the water ration at Gazala in 1943.

Albert Davies' transcript (PDF, 32 KB)


Peter Lewis

Peter Lewis
Peter Lewis' biography (PDF, 49 KB)

Peter remembers the water ration in North Africa in 1942.

Peter Lewis's transcript (PDF, 33 KB)


Ian English

Ian English
Ian English' biography (PDF, 51 KB)

Ian remembers brewing tea in the Middle East in 1941.

Ian English's transcript (PDF, 31 KB)


George Chambers

George Chambers
George Chambers' biography (PDF, 50 KB)

George remembers cooling beer cans in North Africa in 1942.

George Chambers's transcript (PDF, 29 KB)


David Ridley

David Ridley
David Ridley' biography (PDF, 50 KB)

David remembers the alcohol ration in North Africa in 1942.

David Ridley's transcript (PDF, 32 KB)


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