mixtures were expensive and the trick was to drink each layer in turn during the course of an evening. It was usual for the imbiber to have a blinding headache next morning. The bar also sold Alka-Seltzer tablets and Underborg pick-me-ups.
I also did short stints as House Member and Library Member in the Mess. The former involved control of the batwomen, the laundry, and the associated inventory. The latter meant that I was present at set times to open the library bookcase and record borrowings. In this connection I maintained a wish list for future additions. There were constant requests for 'Lady Chatterley's Lover', 'The Kinsey Report', and 'The Kama Sutra'.13 None of these was ever bought but Stephen Potter's 'Upmanship' books were, however, very popular.
There was a period, thankfully a very brief one, when I was elected Mess Catering Officer. I lasted for a week and was, admittedly, bloody hopeless at it. There was much relief all round when Flt.Lt. Bill Billing took over from me.14
__________________________________________
13 The Kinsey Report was the result of research into sexual habits.
14 50 years later, as I write this, I am still as hopeless in a kitchen.
187