大象传媒

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My father, Robert Powton, joined up in September 1939 as a Clerk in REME, later transfering to the Intelligence Corps. Robert told many stories about his war time experiences (and he was quite a story teller!). Robert started off in a searchlight section - travelling by bus from Edmonton all through the night (as a diversionary tactic to fool the enemy) and ending up at Ongar, Essex! Robert came from a poor family background and circumstances had not allowed a consistent period of education, nevertheless he was a clever, articulate and charming guy who wasn't quite sure what wanted out of the Army but knew it wasn't the searchlight section. I am not sure of the sequence of events but do know that returning to base following a spell of leave at one time he stopped to assist wardens recovering people from a bomb damaged building. Whilst doing so he lost his forage cap and when he reported back he was informed that he would have to pay 1/6d for a new one. Robert was quite outraged - there he was doing his bit and he gets charged for it. Feeling rather aggrieved and being a bolshoi fella Robert wrote to the "Soldiers MP" about it. The Army was not best pleased - soldiers were not supposed to complain, never mind write to their MPs! His officers tried to find some outlet to move him to and eventually sent him on a radio mechanic's course. By the time those concerned realised that Robert was the only one there without a degree and was not very practical either it was too late - it was a radar course and top secret, so he had to stay. He ended up being able to diagnose faults and letting others repair them! So he said anyway. Robert wrote a diary whilst in the forces (another thing not allowed so I understand) and I have recovered the diaries for 1943 and 1944, which I will attempt to attach in bundles with some photo's, as they are far too big to do in one go.

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