大象传媒

This story has been submitted to the peoples war web site by R.V.Train for GMR action desk on behalf of John Charles Yates, With his permission, and is fully aware of the terms and conditions.

15, January 1940, I was called up to the south Lancashire鈥檚, Oford Lane, Warrington. Having completed 2 months basic training, we were sent to Lymm on further exercises. From Lymm we went to Driffield in Yorkshire near the Airport, where (Coba Caine flew from).

From there we were sent on to Liverpool to guard the Mersey tunnel. Blocking the tunnel with old cars, and told to shoot any would be persons trying to enter, that were not authorised, once the siren had sounded. The fast lane of the tunnel was permanently blocked with old cars.

Later we went to Lowestoft, Norfolk Broads. Here we spent six weeks approximately, in trenches out in the open. This was in case of an invasion. After this ordeal we went to the local baths for delousing, and made to use Condis fluid.

From Norfolk to Maidenhead for night exercises. Then by road to Hull for more exercises.

Finally from Greenock, we boarded the M.S Royal, (8000 ton ship). Stopping along the way at Cape Town.

In a transit camp for three days eating oranges. These being unobtainable in the UK.

Once again onboard we sailed for 3 to 4 weeks landing at Bombay. Then by road to Diolarly, (known colloquially as dulally.

As this was 1942, Ghandi was put in prison. We therefore were put on guard duty going to various trouble spots.

On one of these occasions after we were away on patrol, we returned to our barracks to find half of our comrades had been shipped out to join the 14th army. Several of them being killed.

Later we were sent to join the 1st Battilion Lancashire Fusiliers at Cawnpore. Staying with them for about 6 months.

Finally the fittest A1 plus were sent to the Synd Desert for extensive jungle training for 6 months. Spending Xmas day out there was not as good as it sounds as it was 95, degrees in the shade.

Parts of our training were to bored, and evacuate the gliders as quickly as possible. Being made of light wooden structures and canvas. We had to reinforce same as we were to carry donkeys, as well as ourselves. After two practice runs we were supposed to be efficient.

Next thing was being dropped behind enemy lines. Wingates forces had already marched into Burma with the Kings Liverpool forces. Some of those stayed in until we came out in 1946. We flew out with gliders, our Pilot being Jackie Coogan, of film fame. Suddenly we were travelling back to base, apparently the previous gliders had crash landed in the trees on the previous evening, and Japanese soldiers had also devastated the site with felled trees.

As we were to be a recognisance patrol our main aim was to gather information. On many occasions Japanese patrols would pass within yards of us. One of our group was wounded. Returned for treatment, but refused to stay, and was sent back to us. He was wounded again, but this time we had to carry him. We carried him for 4 days. This being no picnic as the ground was only narrow paths and dense jungle. On the 4th day, as I was nominated medical orderly, (although I had been an optician), it was left to me to pronounce him dead. I reported this to the officer commanding who then gave the order to bury him. Having gathered several comrades together we buried him in his ground sheet in the jungle. I cannot think of his name but he came from Lancashire area.

Supplies were dropped by parachute and the chutes would land sometimes land a mile away. Speed was of the essence as the Burmese Bandits would raid the supplies, especially the parcels with the red bands, as these held the Indian Rupees. On this occasion on of our comrades had a rather nasty experience. His testicles became very swollen, and as I was medical orderly I was detailed to stay with him, and await the return of our group, who would collect us on the way back. We survived on Donkey that had been cut up and had to be cooked on an open fire.

3 days and 2 nights later his testicles returned to normal. About this time the monsoons arrived, and it was decided to carry on with the campaign. Under normal circumstances we would have called of searches. By this time everything was soaked leaches were abundant. A loaded mule sank to its belly in the mud. Its load had to be removed in order to rescue the animal. Its soft nose was full of leaches. We also had to suffer from bites, lice, crabs, leaches. The only consolation being when we could strip off and bathe in some stream, when we were lucky enough to be near one.

Finally we were returned to the transit camp, and sailed on the Strathaln. Our journey home was much quicker as we returned via the Suez Canal, arriving in Britain on New Years day 1946, with snow on the ground. It was bitterly cold and we were only given two blankets each to sleep in. Thank goodness we only stayed one night.

Wingate said that he would only take the cream of those he thought could stand the arduous conditions. Namely the Black Watch the Lancashire Fusiliers And the south Staffordshire鈥檚

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