The men were on half rations, there was no coal for the stove in the cold grey huts, and they hadn't been paid for over a month. Forty-two had slept in a hut meant for thirty, so they each took turns sleeping on the floor, with one blanket each.
The men were on reduced provisions, there was no fuel for the heating stove in the bleak, drab shelters, and they hadn't been compensated for over a month. Forty-two had occupied a hut intended for thirty, so they took turns sleeping on the floor with one shared blanket each.