Bromide in the tea was something we experienced at RAF West Kirby 'square - bashing' camp back in '57. It was confirmed by a mess orderly one day - if he winked as he told us I didn't detect it.
It was intended to dampen our sexual ardour while ensconced for long periods within the confines of this grim disciplinary regime. It had a distinctive and unpleasant flavour - just like all cookhouse offerings. Whether it worked or not is a moot point. It certainly didn't stop us invading Birkenhead on a brief weekend release. Furthermore, the farmer who pastured his alluring animals on the periphery of the camp may not have had sufficient faith in its restrictive properties as evidenced by the sturdy construction of the boundary fences.
This bilge-water was also served at Fire Training School and I didn't experience a return to normal tea-drinking until arriving at Duxford later that year. Then the trou...er...gloves were off...
'Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant.'
