Dawa Kali

Dawa Kali

At the end of the war in Europe, we were on Ramree Isle preparing to attack Rangoon from the sea. We Europeans had a few drinks, spirits only, while our Africans made some Pombi (beer) with dehydrated potatoes, which I tried. It was vile! Later on, my personal boy - I think he had five wives - came to my tent to tell me his best friend was dying after drinking that Pombi. Would I bring my Dawa Kali to make him well? When I asked which fierce medicine he meant, he indicated my tin of Andrews Liver Salts, which I used as a fizzy drink. He thought it was some kind of magic potion making me the Bwana Kali (Fierce Boss) that I was.

I duly went along to the African lines to his mate, who moaned that he was dying (anakoofwa). He certainly sounded ill. I made a big show of giving the magic Dawa — a mug of water and a spoonful of Andrews. ‘You must drink it all in one go’.

The effect on the dying Askari was dramatic and instant! He leapt up shouting ‘I’M CURED! I’M CURED!’ I hurried out with my precious Andrews before they saw me doubled up with laughter. I bet Andrews don’t know their liver salts saved the life of an African soldier!

I did notice, however, that my Andrews rapidly ran out and I got dysentery and malaria while my boy thrived. Was it coincidence?

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Graham Brown of the BBC Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Alexander Donaldson and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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