大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Mike Millington of CSV on behalf of John White and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions. The story was originally recorded by members of the Brampton Museum Newcastle Under Lyme

The naval motorised transport for conveying apprentices and their baggage from one place to another were usually 3 ton open backed (tailboard only) Bedford or Commer lorries which had fitted internally a long wooden plank on each side of the lorry , supported on metal frame bolted to the floor. These served as a seat for those lucky enough to board first, the remainder having to stand and hold onto the metal framework over which a waxed tarpaulin was stretched and secured at floor levels.
Being young, boisterous teenage lads, we were full of vitality, energy and mischief, so whenever the lorry was moving along the road we usually starting singing some song and those standing would start to hang onto the top of the lorry structure and throw their weight from one side of the lorry to the other in rhythm to the song. With hindsight this was a very dangerous manoeuvre because the reaction upset the stability and steering of the lorry so that it started to veer off course. The local civilian drivers must have been experts at controlling such vehicles under such circumstances for although the lorry progressed in a zigzag fashion along the road, it never veered over the centre line or turned over.
Only once can I recall a driver shouting for us to 鈥榚ase it鈥� but never to stop it. I think the majority of drivers enjoyed the challenge of their driving skills and also the camaraderie between them and the apprentices. However, whenever I read of military lorries carrying personnel overturning without reason or fault, in perfect weather conditions and some are killed or injured, I always think back to my apprentice days thinking; 鈥渢here but for the grace of God go I.鈥� Youth is always foolhardy and we learn by the error of our ways.

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