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This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Roger Marsh of the ‘Action Desk — Sheffield’ Team on behalf of Reg Reid, and has been added to the site with the authors permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

The Lighter Side of War

By
Don Alexander

CHAPTER 28: Hamburg to Sheffield to Catterick Camp June 1946

Papers for the release of 1st Class Mechanic T/68784 Pte. Reid R.W.,
Height Five feet six and a half inches
Weight 147 lbs
Eyes Brown
Complexion Fresh
Hair Black
Max. Chest Thirty seven and a half inches
Distinctive marks/minor defects Tattoo mark right forearm
Age and service release group 26 C
Civilian occupation Golf Course Groundsman
arrived in June 1946 at Essdorf Barracks, along with rail/boat ticket, valid all frontiers, HAMBURG TO CATTERICK CAMP, North Yorkshire.

Catterick was where he would be officially demobilised with demob. papers, demob. money and demob. suit made by Montagu Burton in Leeds.

As the train from Hamburg, packed with troops, slowed to a crawl through Eindhoven on its way to Amsterdam Docks, Wardy opened a window, threw his kit bag out, then jumped out himself.

"What's Wardy doing? He won't get his demob money - or suit!"

`Tiny' Watson reassured Butch that Wardy had far too many valuables stacked away in a Dutch barn - lorries, spares and petrol, to be worried about demob. money or suit. He was off to see his loved one and set up his haulage business, thanks to 1st Class Mechanic Reid.
In London, Butch said goodbye to `Tiny' Watson, and watched him go with his kit bag, bulging with his outsize boots, over his shoulder.

"That's it. It's all over. I'm on my own."

He didn't know whether to feel elated or dejected as the train pulled out of St. Pancras towards Sheffield.

He decided to stay at his mother's on Winter Street for a couple of days before going to Catterick Camp. They hugged each other and she cried with emotion at having her son back fit and well after so many years. He'd joined up as a callow teenager and was now a confident twenty-seven-year-old man. His mother had had his motorbike brought up from storage in Stoke, and on his second day at home, he drove the faithful Manxman up to Dore to see his old mate Ron Gregory. Ron's mother cried on seeing him and called out, "Ron! Ron!" She was so upset and distressed at the loss of her son at El Alamein, that she imagined that she saw him, not Butch, approaching her. Her grief was inconsolable and her husband said it might be better if Reg didn't call on them again.

Reg was very upset at the news of Ron's death back in 1943 - and he had not known all these years.

He was Reg again, no longer Butch. His world had fallen apart -he'd even lost his name! He was determined to get a grip and sign on again in the Army - say for nine years. He was never low for long - he always bounced back.

On to Catterick, past the Spivs offering to buy demob. suits at £5 a time, Reg got his suit and money and papers, but went straight to the recruiting sergeant in another block at the camp, and said he wanted to sign on again.

The sergeant found and carefully checked through confidential reports of Reg's army career, looked at him, and gave his verdict:

"Reid - the army can't afford you!"

P.S. Reg (Butch) Reid settled in `civvy street', built up a painting and decorating business; married his right woman, Jackie, and they live near the beautiful Botanical Gardens in Sheffield. They have children and grandchildren, also living in the city. Reg's son runs the business as well as being a professional musician.

Pr-BR

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