大象传媒

Message 2 - A Special Job

Posted on: 17 November 2004 by Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

Ken -
your story struck a chord as this was not the first time the RAF was robbed of the "brylcreem" boys for other tasks - just after the Battle of Britain while working in war factories in both Coventry and Birmingham - we were "augmented" by surplus RAF types learning the intricasies of operating a capstan machine in turning out various nuts and bolts for Pegasas engines and crusader tanks !
It happened again in Italy at the back end of the Gothic Line Battles when the Army - as always - were running out of men and so the hospitals were emptied - the Navy was scuppered and the RAF were denuded once more - even our own Light Ack Ack Batteries - like the energisers of to-day - were introduced to the delights of our comfortable Tanks as Ron Goldstein has made many comments when he exchanged his pop guns for a Honey Tank - without a roof I might add - so Ken - you were not alone !
You did survive !
Cheers !

Message 3 - A Special Job

Posted on: 29 November 2004 by Wolverhampton Libraries & Archives

Peter and Tom

I'm glad that the story was of interest to you. Thanks for replying. Your mention of the manpower shortage towards the end of the war reminded me it wasn't the last time it would affect me. In 1946 the system of early release from the forces,B release, was brought into being where anyone who could help in the rebuilding of Britain which was badly in need of it, could go back to their old jobs until their demob number came up then they were free to leave, but had to remain on Z reserve. I took advantage of this being in Singapore and returned to my old firm in Sheffield who were railway engineers where I stayed for two and a half years. But having married a Midlands girl, I moved to Wolverhampton and settled down. But there was a shock around the corner, out of the blue in 1951, I was called up for a fortnights' refresher course at the tank gunnery range at Castlemartin, issued with uniform under the Z reserve where I met some very disgruntled comrades. It was due to the Korean war going badly, so there we were again making the numbers up when we thought we were free. Fortunately that was all that happened I was lucky again, but I had nightmares for years that I was getting my call-up papers again. Does anyone remember the Z men?

Message 4 - A Special Job

Posted on: 29 November 2004 by Wolverhampton Libraries & Archives

Peter and Tom

I'm glad that the story was of interest to you. Thanks for replying. Your mention of the manpower shortage towards the end of the war reminded me it wasn't the last time it would affect me. In 1946 the system of early release from the forces,B release, was brought into being where anyone who could help in the rebuilding of Britain which was badly in need of it, could go back to their old jobs until their demob number came up then they were free to leave, but had to remain on Z reserve. I took advantage of this being in Singapore and returned to my old firm in Sheffield who were railway engineers where I stayed for two and a half years. But having married a Midlands girl, I moved to Wolverhampton and settled down. But there was a shock around the corner, out of the blue in 1951, I was called up for a fortnights' refresher course at the tank gunnery range at Castlemartin, issued with uniform under the Z reserve where I met some very disgruntled comrades. It was due to the Korean war going badly, so there we were again making the numbers up when we thought we were free. Fortunately that was all that happened I was lucky again, but I had nightmares for years that I was getting my call-up papers again. Does anyone remember the Z men?

Ken

Message 5 - A Special Job

Posted on: 29 November 2004 by Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

Ken -
Join the "Z" club.... I too was "asked" to re join the now defunct "Inns of Court" Armoured Car regt. had a nice welcoming letter from the C.O. who was so pleased to have a battle experienced man to join him in the possibliity of having a vacation in Korea...I was just married and was tickled to bits to be invited (!)This was around October 1950.
So it was off for a Medical with a beautifully turned out Doctor with a most expensive suit - I know it was expensive as mine cost me 25 guineas his must have been way over 50 guineas !

He then squirted some liquid into my right ear and it trickled back into the kidney basin I was holding.
He then tried it on the left ear....much to his disgust it flew back all over his natty suit. He cleaned himself off ... and in somewhat of a temper - I was turned down ...on the way out I asked about a pension for war wounds... "not a chance chum.. NEXT "

I took a friend into a Canadian War Veterans interview and while there the official asked me about my service ... he seemed impressed .. asked a few more details...next thing I knew I was in front of yet another Doctor who then recommended to the British Govt that I receive a pension
... they agreed and so since 1992... NOT backdated to 1944... I have been receiving a pension of 40% which helps in my perambulations in the U.K. and Europe every year ! The Canadian War Veterans look after my medical needs as well !Recently - as a mark of respect.. the B.C. Govt issued all Veterans - Canadian and Allied - with special licence plates which informs all and sundry -especially bandits - that the owner of this car is - older than you - probably smarter that you - and has been trained to Kill !

so you see Ken - you never know when you will become lucky !
Cheers
tomcan