大象传媒

In October 1945 I was asked to report to the Company Office at Tel-el-Kebir, where I was told that I had drawn a fortnights leave in the UK, and would be leaving within a few days, on board a ship leaving Port Said. Draws were held on a regular basis including all personell in the area and those fortunate enough to win were granted 2 weeks leave in the UK. Although the leave was only temporary full kit had to be taken. So fully laden I duly boarded ship at Port Said and sailed West through the Mediterranean, calling at Malta, but not allowed ashore. The next stop was Marseille the port showing effects of bombing, with several partly submerged ships in the harbour. We were billited overnight on the local racecourse under canvas until the following day when we boarded a train bound for the Channel Coast at Le Havre and crossed at Newhaven. It seemed the journey would never end.
From Newhaven to Waterloo where I was able to telephone Marjorie for the first time in three years to give approximate time of my arrival at Devonport Southern Railway Station. Fortunately my leave did not commence until my arrival in the UK. Marjorie with Patricia were at the station to meet me and I cannot describe the multi feelings of excitement, joy and gratitude that I had made it back home again to my family. Patricia, quite naturally did not appreciate the occassion at first, but gradually got used to the abrupt change.
The sheer bliss of being home, where nothing seemed to have changed after all the changes of circumstances I had experienced in the past three years seemed unreal and took some time to appreciate. However, I savoured every moment of it with the constant reminder that it was only temporary, and I was due to return to Egypt in fourteen days.
The more I thought about it the more ludicrous the situation appeared and after a week I decided to visit Police Headquarters to see whether anything was possible to circumvent my return to Egypt. I had a meeting with the Deputy Chief Constable, Mr McCormack who told me he was desperate for the speedy return of as many Police Officers as possible. He did not know what could be done, but he would make enquiries and contact me as soon as possible. Days passed with the deadline drawing nearer, I was receiving such wonderful treatment, because I was considered underweight, sleeping in a proper bed with sheets, lovely water and beer to drink. The love of Marjorie and Patsy Anne and the company of all the family. I could not possibly go back. Two days before the deadline expired, I received a message from Mr McCormack to the effect that he had received a letter from the War Office that I had been granted a 'B' class release and that instructions were being sent to me about arranging my demobilisation. A letter duly arrived a couple of days later instructing me to report to Netley Barracks, Plymouth where arrangements would be made for de-mobilisation. There was no such place as Netlay Barracks and I assumed it must be Mutley Barracks, and I duly went there. Nobody there had any idea what to do and suggested that I contact a Royal Engineers Unit stationed in Fort Austin Crownhill ( now the garden center, Fort Austin Ave.) I wlaked to Fort Austin and produced the letter from the War Office, but after passing it from one to another it was decided that they did not have the necessary documents to enable them to proceed. I suggested that they telephone Police Headquarters, and speak to Mr McCormack who had been in touch with the War Office, this they did, after which an officer decided to telephone the War Office, the consequence of which was that I was granted an extra 7 days leave because certain forms necessary to carry out de-mobilisation proceedure would have to be sent to Fort Austin. How did we win the war?.
I reported back to Fort Austin in 7 days together with my kit bag, uniform and other Army property and was officially declared a civilian. I was given a Railway Warrant to travel to Taunton to collect my de-mob clothes, a complete set including a Grey chalk stripe suit, underclothes, shirt,socks,shoes and a trilby. I later wore the outfit at Don & Bertha's wedding in Watford.

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