Whilst the first-named was a weapon to deal out death or to protect from death, the latter was a place where spirits were refreshed, where the company were all friends and the atmosphere was jovial; where banter went to and fro and songs were sung in unison and with great gusto and ditties that had a long heritage in Airforce messes were recited and acted out. But, then again, there would be a song sung, like,
‘There’s a goldmine in the sky far away,
We are going there some day, you and I,
And we’ll say hello to friends who’ve said good-bye,
When we find, that long lost gold mine in the sky.
And then, somewhat morosely, but not without real sentiment:
Far away, far away,
We will go there, you and I, some sweet day;
And we’ll say hello to friends who’ve said good-bye,
When we find, that long lost goldmine in the sky.
It was a strange mixture, and as close as anyone came to displaying any emotion over lost friends and comrades, whilst still maintaining the ‘stiff upper lip’ of the British tradition.
