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Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of corresponding with Tom Diston, a wonderful
gentleman from the U.K. Tom is gradually sending me via email and snail mail memories of his stay on Cocos (Keeling)
Islands during 1945-1946. Below are his memoirs as I receive them, including links to his photos, newspaper clippings
etc. Thank you Tom for your contribution to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Historical Society. It is a pleasure hearing
from you and your wife, Elsie.
Regards......... Karen, Webmaster
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When I arrived on the Island in 1945 there were already many troops. I was struck by the peacefulness
of the place - all the palm trees, land crabs and the waves washing up on the beaches. Many of the palms were cut down
to make way for the runway, the living area and other buildings.
At first we had very little fresh water, but later we got it in 10 gallon cans. The food was
all out of tins, many without labels. Often it was a lottery as to what was for dinner. Luckily I had made friends
with some of the Islanders and we used to barter fish for tinned fruit, bully beef, jam etc. One of my new friends
made me a box from the wood off the Emden. He also made me a model boat, but to my sorrow it was stolen and I was posted
home before he could make me another.
Memories of a day when we found a hen with 11 day old chicks. We took them back to our billets,
made a shelter for them, fattened them up and then had them for dinner. Mind you, there was always joy when a ship came
to the Island and we got fresh food. And as a cook, I got my share.
More memories next time.........
Memories of times gone are never forgotten. Here are photos taken on Cocos during Tom Diston's stay. Please click here.
More memories now...... (received 04/08/02)
Besides a shortage of fresh food we had few facilities for cooking until two of the Unit lads made
us an oven out of 2 x 40 gallon oil drums, also a cooking stove. We used palm branches for fuel.
When the supply ship came in we ate well - Yorkshire puddings, mince & dumplings, steak when
available, with onions and roast potatoes. I even got a recipe out of one of the papers from home for a wartime sponge
pudding with custard. This was very pupular - a change from rice pudding which always seemed to be full of insects.
more memories later.........
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