大象传媒

I was with the 2nd Dorset Regiment and we returned home from Burma arriving in Southampton. However, on our arrival we found out that a bullion raid had taken place earlier that day and no one was allowed on the docks to welcome us home.

My wife, Joan was an Almoner and friendly with the local padre who managed to get her on to the dock. There were 3,000 troops on board who had not seen a woman for three years and she was the only female on the docks to welcome them back home. I think my wife and I are the only ones who know what 3,000 wolf whistles sounds like!

We were told that we could not leave the ship until the next day but the sentry on the gang plank asked my wife if she had someone on board. When she said Yes, he said 'The next time I turn around get on the gang plank quickly'. She came aboard and my Commanding Officer lent us his cabin for the afternoon and we had dinner at the officers' mess. I will never forget my arrival in Southampton after the horrors of Burma.

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