To War With The Bays: 66 - Surprised By Beauty
...La Boheme was playing at the Rome Opera House. Topper was mad to see it, so, not wanting to be a spoilsport, I agreed to tag along. As the opera progressed I became more and more interested. I was thrilled by the brilliant singing and the scenery was fantastic. I think that evening I had one of the most marvellous experiences of my life. I had gone expecting to be disappointed and uninterested. I left with nothing but praise and enthusiasm for what I had seen...
Jack Merewood and his friend Topper make the very best use of their leave from the Italian battle front.
To read more of Jack's story please click on To War With The Bays in the menu on this page.
There was a YMCA in Rome, where we spent some time and Topper played the piano. He loved music and wanted to go to the opera. I had never liked opera because in my home it was considered only to be of interest to the 'better off'. Really, it was unfair to say I didn't like it, because I had never seen an opera.
La Boheme was playing at the Rome Opera House. Topper was mad to see it, so, not wanting to be a spoilsport, I agreed to tag along. As the opera progressed I became more and more interested. I was thrilled by the brilliant singing and the scenery was fantastic. I think that evening I had one of the most marvellous experiences of my life. I had gone expecting to be disappointed and uninterested. I left with nothing but praise and enthusiasm for what I had seen, and Topper was delighted.
We decided to stay in Rome a couple more nights as there was still much to see. We went to the Colosseum, the Royal Palace (the Wedding Cake) not far away, the fountains and St Peter's again.
On our last day Topper said, 'I've got to go to St Peter's just once more to see that statue.'
I felt exactly the same, so we returned to St Peter's and again we knelt at the rail in front of the Pieta and took in its beauty. We were in no hurry, and we lingered a long time before finally dragging ourselves away. Outside St Peter's I bought an 8" x 10" photograph of the statue.
I bought a trinket box for Jessie. I had already sent Suzette two pairs of shoes, something she really liked, and now, in spite of her letter, I couldn't resist buying her another pair.
Our leave was over. It had been an unforgettable week. We'd seen and done so much, and needless to say, out of everything, the Pieta and La Boheme had been the highlights.
We arrived back at the camp on the 20th, and next morning, after a game of billiards, were taken to the station. The train left at one o'clock, not the most comfortable of trains, but at least we travelled in a carriage and passed through some beautiful mountain scenery. We arrived at Rimini at 5.30 a.m., were served breakfast about 7.30, then left in lorries which had been sent to collect us.
22 February: 'Got to Forli about 9.45 a.m. and saw Dave there. His name had been drawn out and he was on his way home on leave. Put buckshee kit [extra kit given out to take on leave, clean shirts, socks etc. - to be handed in on returning] back in stores there, and an hour later left for 'B' Echelon at Ravenna. At 2. p.m. left for Villa Nova and straight from there up to front. Few shells, pretty quiet. Had a pile of mail, thirteen letters and four Examiners.'
I was glad for Dave. He deserved the leave and I wished him luck. But for me, it was back to guns and mud, and that night I found myself already on guard.
