Left Tuturano today en route for camp at unknown destination. The following morning arrived at Benevento [see map] after passing through a large wheat growing plain and then through the Appennines. Very lovely scenery. Camp at BV [Benevento] is a pretty horrible site on side of hill and 20 men to a tent. The scenery about this place is some of the grandest that I have ever seen. Rolling hills with towns perched at the top and mountainous peaks. We are 50 miles from Naples, which lies to the West. At Benevento our troubles became almost too numerous to mention. After 2 issues only, the parcels ceased and also the cigarettes and our rations became 60z loaf 2oz cheese 2 tomatoes and “stodge”. Here we all became pitifully weak again and many cases of malaria, heat stroke and diphtheria began to crop up. I began to study Italian with Malcolm Matheson and created an interest which helped me very considerably. Probably due to its situation, forming a sort of cauldron amid mountains up to about 5000ft, towards Autumn we began to experience minor cyclones and terrific thunderstorms.
One night at 2am our tent received the full force of one of these visitations and just came to pieces, drenching us all. I never wish to experience such a night again. Luckily the following day was warm and sunny. Towards the end of our sojourn here, large consignments of parcels began to arrive and were issued at the rate of 1 parcel between 5 men every 3 days. Although the quantity of food each was almost infinitesimal it is amazing the difference it makes to our health. Our 5 were now Peter Orchard, Pickard, Shore, Jack Minshull and Self. Had 2 injections contra diphtheria following a Shick Test, in which Jack Shore was pronounced positive and had 2 extra in the thigh. His arm took a very bad turn and left two gaping holes. Two British M.O.s [Medical Officers] arrived. Italian guards here are very friendly. British padre arrived and church services were a pleasure. Gave us a lecture on the animal kingdom, very good but was unable to answer one or two of my queries satisfactorily. Nights began to get very long and cold and we were all praying for a move to permanent billets.