Great Mates and Great Escapes.

Sir Thomas Playford.

Somewhere during the War Bernie met up with a soldier by the name of Tom Playford. He had joined the Army in 1915, his parents giving him permission to join.

Pvt Thomas Playford

He was 18 years 10 months of age when he joined. At some time they must have met up, or perhaps knew each other before the war. Claire says they spent some time in the trenches together.

It seems an odd friendship. Tom the grandson of a former Premier of the State, a Baptist and teetotaler, a very puritanical outlook on life. A man South Australians would label a "Wowser". That he should be mates with Bernie who was fond of drink and definitely NOT a "Wowser" is a strange association to contemplate.

Bernie had mentioned to Claire that before the order to go "over the top" was given, each man was offered a shot of rum. Thomas always refused his.

It must be said that Thomas was very supportive of ex-servicemen, even supporting their clubs be licensed, despite a strong opposition. Thomas became a Freemason, following to War. He had all but abandoned his religious roots and found structure in the camaraderie of  Freemasonry.  He remained teetotal.

Bernie was invited to Tom's wedding to Lorna Clark on 11  January, 1928. Bernie was accompanied by his own wife, of 3 years Mercia (Vera) Devlin (nee Fischer).

Kamerad.

One day, Bernie and a mate were bringing rations up to the front line. His mate had a pot of water for cooking and Bernie carried the makings of a stew. They stopped, and made preparations for the meal. They wanted it to be hot for their mates, up ahead in the trenches. 

As they were preparing the meal, two German soldiers came up to them. They spoke to Bernie and his mate. Bernie replied in German. I have no idea what conversation took place, the two soldiers walked off and left Bernie and his mate to finish cooking their meal.

Bernie counted this as one more lucky escape.

The Page Turner.

Bernie had a mate, a sergeant, a talented pianist.  He was often asked to play at officer's functions and various public performances. He insisted that Bernie accompany him on every trip.

When asked why he needed Private Devlin,  he replied that he needed Bernie to turn the pages of the music while he played. Of course no such thing was needed, the two of them would go off and play up as often as they could.