大象传媒

In common with several of my police associates, I received my call up papers to report to Goojerrat Barracks, Colchester in August, ( I cannot recall the exact date). It turned out to be a basic infantry course of some three months for police officers from all over the country. The course was fairly mundane, square bashing, rifle and machine gun drill, etc etc, and numerous innoculations etc. I had become private No 14247848 Infantry Training Regiment. At the end of the course, I was posted to the Royal Artullary Driver Training Regiment, stationed at Clevelys, Blackpool. The accomodation was at Clevelys Hydro Hotel, on the sea front between Blackpool and Fleetwood, and I had visions of a celubrious start to my military career. My visions were soon shattered however for on arrival, I discovered that myself and other Gunners on the course were billeted in the garage. A number of 3 ton lorries with towing equipment for Howitzers etc, were parked in open ground nearby. No time was lost in getting on the road and hours were spent 6 gunners per instructor, driving the 3 ton Bedford lorries around the Lancashire countryside. I found it quite enjoyable until some perverse officer decided that we should not only learn to drive, but also how to walk. He planned a route march to Lytham-St-Annes and back, some 20 miles. I planned to go to a football match at Blackpool on one saturday only to find that the Sgt Major, had carried out an inspection of the billet whilst we had been out. We slept in bunk beds in the garage, and it was a requirement that your bed should be properly made, with your kit displayed in required fashion. Greatcoats would be hung at the head of the bunk, buttons fastened and displayed to the front. He thought my buttons were not clean enough, and ordered me to do fatigue dities at Company Offices on Saturday afternoon. No football. Scrubbing floors of a requisitioned house just around the corner from the Hotel.
After I had been in Clevelys for about three weeks, I was informed that I was being sent forthwith on a course in London, the successful completion of which would lead to me being transferred from the Royal Artillery, to recently formed new regiment known as R.E.M.E ( Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). I was given the necessary travel documents, and the address of the company office of my new unit in Acton, London, ( which was a private house). On arrival there, I was treated with the utmost civility, and I began to think I had landed on my feet. I was to be billeted in a private house in Acton close to Weston Avenue. ( I have no record of the address of my hosts, an elderly gentleman and lady, who made me most welcome). I was to report the following morning 15th October 1942, at 8am to a garage on Western Avenue, by the name of Messrs Shaw & Kilburns. These premises had been completely taken over by the Army, and converted into lecture rooms and workshops, with civilian instructors, with just a nucleous of Army personnel to deal with limited matters concerning day to day update on military matters. A Captain Royal Engineers was in overall charge at Company office in a private house in Acton. The course consisted of two parts. It was necessary to pass the first before proceeding to the second part, a sufficient incentive to do well in the vain hope that it would last for the duration. However only about 50% passed the first part, and were immediately replaced by a new intake. Two seperate courses were then operated in tandem. It seemed ironic that after my antipathy to working in Allens Engineering works, Bedford, I should now be enjoying working in somewhat similar conditions, filing,sawing and drilling pieces of metal etc etc, to the satisfaction of the instructors. Classwork was extensive and homework consisted of writing up each days work with appropriate drawings, and took several hours each evening, to the amazement of my landlord and landlady. I was able to visit my Mother and Father in Bedford for a couple of days, during the course, but not permitted to stay overnight. Wekends which I spent in London, when not busy writing, were spent sightseeing.
On the 20th December 1942, I received a message from the Company Officer, to the effect that my wife was in labour, and I had been granted 3 days leave to visit her. A railway warrant was provided and I left as soon as possible. I arrive at 10 Collingwood Villas,Plymouth pm on the 21st December, but the baby, Patricia Anne was not born until 6am 22nd December 1942. A really beautiful baby. I returned to London the following day, and reported to Company office. The officer in charge, a Captain whose name I have forgotten was surprised to see me, and said that it was so near to Xmas, I was granted leave until the day after Boxing Day, he gave me the cost of the railfare. I think it was 拢5 about, and I had a couple of days to celebrate at home.
Finally the course was completed in early January 1943, and I became craftman 14247848 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and I was posted to the Royal Armoured Training Depot near Wool, Dorset. I was delighted to be so near to Devon, and had visions of being able to get home occasionally, however my stay in Dorset was extremely brief, merely a couple of weeks and I was on my way back to London, to a requisitioned secondary school in the East End. Again only a couple of weeks, but doing practically nothing, until the order was issued that we should be on parade at 8am, on a certain day, with full kit, on the move again, gradually information filtered down, as it invariably did, we were on our way up North, probably Hull.
We were transported by Army transport to Kings Cross Railway Station, and had a considerable time to wait before boarding the train. I toyed with the idea of making my way to Paddington, and returning to Plymouth, but sanity prevailed, and as the pundits had predicted ended up in Hull. The depot at Cottingham in Hull, soon disclosed what the Army had in mind for us.Tropical kit was issued, Khaki drill shorts & jackets etc and with Pith Helmets, and the speculation was narrowed to Egypt or India. In my case both wrong. A few days in Cottingham, and on the move again further North to Glasgow in fact. Its a good job we weren't wearing our tropical kit because it was absolutely freezing. We moved into a camp of Nissen Huts in Balahouston Park, in the centre of Glasgow, and remained there for about 2 weeks,during which plenty of free time was available, and good quality free entertainment for the troops, was almost nightly. I managed to see a football match at Hampden Park, I can't recall the names of the teams.
Then the inevitable orders for early breakfast, and parade with full kit. A short lorry drive to Gourock, and on to a tender which took us out to a huge Cunard liner SS Strathaird. We were really on our way. We had previously been given draft numbers, and had them stencilled on our kit bags in Cottingham. The draft numbers matched the number of your mess aboared ship. My mess number led me to a mess table with nine other new craftsmen REME, and this was the total number of our draft. We were fortunate in that our deck was above the water line, and we had access to a Port Hole, a lieutenant from Royal Engineers in charge of an adjoining draft made himself known to us, and said he had a watching brief over our draft whilst on board. We were to stay in the mess until further instructed. The process of loading the ship went on for several days during which we were given life jackets, and hammocks, and instructions for meals.The ship had been converted in some respects to cater for the increased number on board. Hooks had been fitted to the girders under the ceilings for the attachment of hammocks, and when they were all along there was not an inch of space between them. If a call of nature had to be attended to in the night it was difficult to find ones hammock again, and frequent altercations took place by misplaced hands groping around to find a resting place. It was fortunate that whilst in port, the port holes were able to be left open. Lifeboat drills were carried out for the whole ships company, which some had put as high as 5,000. These completed it was generally expected that it would not be long before we were on our way. Confirmation was not long delayed.Instructions were given that until further notice all personell would remain fully dressed, and life jackets would be worn in the alert position. When the order was given 'Darken Ship' all port holes would be firmly closed, and remain so until further instructed. I had got used to sleeping in a hammock, and slept very well, so much so that the next morning I found it unbelievable that we were at sea. A relief in some respects, that the waiting of the past weeks and the uncertainty had ended. What now!
The regime of continually wearing life jackets and full Battle dress was tedious, and had to continue for 3 days, we were allowed on deck for brief periods for a breather and a little exercise. It was am awe inspiring sight for as far as the eye could see dozens of troop ships, with Naval Escort of cruisers, destroyers etc, etc, and all zig- zagging in perfect unison.It was too cold to stay outboard for long, and the expectation and hope was that it would not be long before we were in warmer climes, and there would be some relaxation of the regime, once we had successfully cleared the area of intense 'U' boat activity. After three or four days during which some of our escort vessels had been active in our protection, as witnessed by the sudden veering off of certain vessels followed by distant explosions, we ran into warmer weather, and were relieved to know that we had probably cleared the most dangerous area for 'U' boat activity, but our escorts would remain on high alert for a considerable time yet.
It was getting quite warm now and Battle Dress was dispensed with in favour of K.D Lectures and mini courses of instruction took place a.m daily in the ships, main lounge, which had retained all of its peace time affluence, and could seat approx 500 people.
Information was now given about approximate location, and certain matters of interest to anyone who had never previously experienced a venture like this. It was now the beginning of February, and of course it had been inpossible to communicate with home since leaving Glasgow, and the anxiety at home must have been intense. The next matter of interest, was that we were close to land, and in fact just off the coast of Africa.We entered a river inlet and anchored just off what appeared a native settlement. It was Freetown on the Gold Coast, and we were there to re-fuel. The natives came out in dug out canoes and considerable amusement was caused by throwing coins into the crystal clear water for them to dive and retrieve. Many of us had now taken to nightly sleeping on deck, the one drawback being early rising to the call of the Lascar Seamen, ' Water come Johhny' Water come, as they hosed the decks. We were soon on our way and enjoying tropical weather, the ship being followed by shoals of porpoises and flying fish. Tombola was played on ship, and frequent concerts given by onboard E.N.S.A artistes. It seemed no time at all we were off Cape Town, South Africa, and had a wonderful view of Table Mountain. We did not stop however, but continued around the South African Coast to Durban, where we docked,and remained for five or six
days. We were greeted by the renowned ' Lady in White', who had made it her duty to greet all the troop ships by singing popular songs from the quayside. She had a wonderful voice. We were allowed ashore every afternoon, and evening whilst in port, a welcome relief ot be able to walk in different surroundings.
The week passed all to quickly, and we left port to find that we were now sailing unescorted, and entering the Indian Ocean.
Turning North with Madagascar on our starboard side we proceeded up the East Coast of Africa, until we reached Aden.
Stopping for refuelling only nobody being allowed ashore. The heat shimmering off the sand coloured rock faces did not present a very attractive sight, just a few camels in train carrying their dubious loads.
Within 24 hours we were continuing our journey North, up the Red Sea, and by now absolutely certain that our destination was Egypt. We duly docked in Port Suez and awaited our turn to disembark.
Everybody had left the ship, with the exception of our draft of ten. There was frantic running up and down the gangway. Documents were checked and re-checked, and finally gangways were hauled in board, and we prepared to sail. There was only one way we could go now, South down the Red Sea again, and we were fortunate enough to witness one of the spectaculat sunsets from which the sea got its name. We called again at Aden for a few hours and then proceeded East to Bombay. As I recall it must have been about the end of February, when we reached Bombay Harbour and berthed.
We did not have far to go for, we were being accommodated in a dockside warehouse. Facilities were basic to say the least. A NAAFI canteen was available and copious amounts of free tea, the most beautiful tasting tea I have ever experienced. A Military Police Port Control Officer assumed command, and informed us that we were waiting for a troop ship to go up the Persian Gulf to Basrah. It was not know precisely when the boat would arrive.
In the meantime it was in order for us to enquire at his office every day, and if cleared we were free to go into Bombay. Our kit etc would be under guard until 21.00 hrs by which time we were to report back. Bombay was interesting, there were many organisations catering for British troops, and one could eat and drink comfortably often in air conditioned premises, between exploring various parts of the city, markets etc. The sheer number of people was amazing, and to see them in their thousands curled up on pavements to sleep for the night. seemed unbelievable, as did the sight of women carrying sacks of coal on their heads, to unl;oad ships in the docks.
After about 5 days the 'Troop Ship;' arrived,it was quite a small boat and was almost overcrowded before we boarded.
Formalities completed we set sail almost immediately, and within a couple of days entered the Persian Gulf.The heat agravated by the high humidity was almost unbearable, and every inch of deck space was used for sleeping. Three to four days into the journey, I was taken ill and reported to the Medical Officer, who admitted me to the ships sick bay. He wasant sure what the problem was ?? Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, etc I remained in the sick bay with periods of semi-consciousness, and on arrival at Basrah was taken off the boat on a stretcher and recovered consciousness a couple of days later in NO 23 Base Hospital. ahving been diagnosed as having Dengue Fever. The whole of my skin had turned a vivid purple, but as medication reduced my temperature, my skin returned to normal. Approx 10 days later I was discharged and arrived at NO 1 Base WOrkshops at Shaiba,some 20 miles out in the desert from Basrah.

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