大象传媒

SEVEN YEARS OF WAR cont. ALEC LEWIS
CHRISTMAS 1945
Soldiers were now awaiting release from the service and I was eagerly waiting for my group number, which was 27, to come up. It was then September 1945 and I had been told I should be released in 1946. For the time being I had to carry on with my duties and try not to think about my home, my family and my 3 year old daughter whom I had yet to see. It was getting close to Christmas and this made it even more difficult. Although we were not sure at the time if the Dutch celebrated Christmas, John and I decided to put on a Christmas party for 200 children who had previously been interred by the Japanese.
It took a great deal of organisation. The big hall was plain white so we decided to cut out shapes of palm trees, paint them black, and stick them on to the walls. They turned out to be quite effective. We found a number of trestle tables which we set up but they looked very bare and we felt we could not leave them like that. Then John had an idea. There were a lot of wardrobes in the rooms so we started searching in them. To our surprise, one was full of large maroon-coloured velvet curtains. 'Right!'I said, 'This is just what we need.' We draped them over the tables and let them hang to the floor, and then over these we put white tablecloths. The next decision was what the children would like to eat; we thought sweets, cakes and drinks such as squash. The next job was to buy and collect all the cakes, etc. The Japanese had printed their own money which was the only money used in Batavia at that time and we were able to acquire as much as we needed, so cost was not a problem. Robby, the conductor or warrant officer, said that he was off into town to buy gifts for all the children. I asked Taffy if he would go too and pick up the eats and of course, he was more than happy to do so. He took a driver and a jeep, and off he went.
They were on their way back when out of nowhere a machine gun started firing indiscriminately. Unfortunately, the jeep Taffy was in was hit. A stray bullet went through the jeep and hit Taffy himself but the driver was unharmed and he rushed Taffy to the hospital. The doctor told the driver that Taffy was very lucky and would be O.K. The driver then came back with all the goodies for the children. He was terribly upset and shaken, and we tried to calm him down, telling him it was not his fault.
By this time, the decorations were all ready and I must say they looked quite impressive. Even the silhouettes on the walls looked great. The brigadier and his officers congratulated me on my efforts, but of course all the chaps in the brigade did their part; I could not have done it on my own. Next day the children arrived, accompanied by some of the mothers, and I am sure they all enjoyed the spread. Then came the attraction of the day! Robby, who had acquired a jeep which was loaded with the presents for the children, arrived. He did not stop at the bottom of the steps as one would normally do. Not Robby! With much difficulty he drove the jeep up the steps and through the entrance of the hall, while the children stared in amazement and then started clapping Then Robby started giving out the presents. Once again we were congratulated by the brigadier who said, 'Lewis, you have done a great job. I am just sorry I could not have filmed it.' After the children had all left and the cleaning up was done, we were all exhausted. But this is another memory I will always cherish.
Life in Batavia was very eventful as the Indonesians were stepping their guerrilla tactics, and we were told to be always on our toes. One thing I found hard to take was the fact that the Japanese, who were billeted some 100 yards from our positions, were now like our allies. They were commanded by our brigadier but they had their own officers.
It was nearing the time when Brigadier King was due to be relieved and go back to England. I would not be far behind him as I was 27 group. I packed up all his belongings and then the day came. I met the brigadier who was taking over from him. His name was Brigadier Darling and he had been in command of a parachute brigade. Both brigadiers got into a car which was laid on to take my brigadier to the

airport, and I got in front with the driver. I said goodbye to Brigadier King, shook hands, and we said, 'See you in London.' I never did, but when I eventually arrived home, I saw his photograph in the paper and he had been promoted to general.
To continue my story, on arrival back at Brigade H.Q., Brigadier Darling said to me, 'Lewis, you don't want to go back to the Seaforths for the short time you will be here as you will be going back to England in a few weeks. How would you like to take over the stores?' I had never done this job but told him it would be fine. Once they heard about this, all of my friends from H.Q. formed a queue outside the store. Since this was all new to me, if they wanted socks or shirts, they got them. I was very generous! There were a great many things in the store that were Japanese, including crates of cigarettes which were just like American ones and tasted toasted. I opened the store once a day for all of my friends who took full advantage of it! Brigadier Darling had his own batman/driver so I was free for most of the time. The days went by and my release day came.
HEADING HOME.
RELEASED! I was sue to leave in 2 days time with quite a few other men from Brigade H.Q. and men who were in the same group as myself. Whenever any of the men were due to leave they would be taken to the port by large lorries on the sides of which would be printed in large letters, 'Don't shoot. We are (the name of the group). We are going home.' This was because the Indonesians did not care whom they shot at. The lorry we travelled in had on its sides, 'Don't shoot. 27 group going home.' After all the goodbyes, we set off for the port, the same one that we had arrived at. The journey was quiet. The first leg of the trip home took us to Singapore for a few weeks. We arrived in January 1946 and were met at the docks by an army major who showed us where we would stay until called to embark for the final leg of the journey home to England. Sergeant John and I stayed together.
We could look around Singapore if we wished, and, the day after arriving, John and I decided to do so. The first place we saw and went in, was a place called Kathy Towers where Lord Louis Mountbatten had his headquarters, but we did not see him there. The next day we explored another area and we came across an avenue with beautiful trees either side of the road. When we touched one of these tees, we were both amazed. Although they were so beautiful, they were all made of concrete and wire, even the leaves. I imagine our mouths were draped open, not believing what we were seeing! They were a real work of art! It took us quite a time to get used to that. I shall always remember those trees and also how clean everything was. I did not think I would ever visit Singapore again so we went somewhere different every day we stayed there. On ne occasion we went to what we had been told was a Chinese millionaire's home. Of course, nobody was living there then. The place was a huge dome with rooms all round it. We went into the gardens which were dotted around with small pools with running water going under arches and little brightly coloured figures round the pools. It was a beautiful sight to see. I do not know who was looking after the place but it was spotless. We also visited Changhi jail where the Japanese had tortured the British and Australian prisoners, and starved them. We could not go inside but we had a good look around the outside of the high grey walls. We thanked God we had not been captured by the Japanese. I don't think we would have survived; we knew many did not.
As it was getting very near the time when we would be leaving Singapore, John and I decided to look for some nice gifts for those at home, including the 3 year old daughter I had never seen. We did not think we would be stopping again along the way so it was our last chance to buy things. We wandered around and I found a shop that sold children's clothes. I entered the shop and was met by a young Chinese girl, but after looking about I was still at a loss. The girl suggested a set of pyjamas that sounded good to me. She showed me some lovely materials and I chose yellow trimmed with another colour. They would be made to a Chinese pattern and she said they would be ready for me the next day. The next gift was for my wife. Hmmm, what would I get her? Looking in the window of another shop, I saw some shoes or sandals

which were hand carved. 'Right,' I thought, 'they will be lovely to get for Joan.' They too were made for me and were ready for the next day. I picked them up and they were excellent so I was sure Joan would like them.
Finally we left for the harbour and boarded a large ship called the S.S. Andes which had been a luxury liner before the war. The next day we left Singapore. Most nights it was so hot that we slept on the deck. Captain Smith kept asking me to be his batman for the rest of the journey but I replied, 'I am sorry, sir, my batman days are over.' We were told we had to go through the Suez Canal and would be stopping there for a few days. Within minutes of dropping anchor there sere lots of little boats all around the ship, with young Egyptian boys in them, trying to sell their goods. One little chap had handbags to sell which were made of crocodile skin and looked beautiful. It was very funny; the boys would put whatever you had bought in a basket and then we would throw the money down in the same basket as they weren't allowed to board the ship. Each day the young boys would gather round the ship, selling their goods. It was a pity we were unable to see a little of Egypt but we were not allowed off the ship at all. (In later years, it was the same Brigadier Darling whom I had known in Batavia, Java, whose parachute brigade was involved in the dispute over the Suez.) It was soon time to bid goodbye to the Suez Canal and continue on our way home to England. There were many activities going on aboard, both during the days and in the evenings. On several evenings there were concerts when a prize would be given for anyone who could guess the number of miles we travelled each day. The ship had a swimming pool, and also a large ballroom where we would take our meals. When you looked out, there would nothing but ocean as far as the eye could see. There were often good films shown and we enjoyed watching them.
It was by then March 1946 and we were getting closer to England. The order was given to change into our warmer uniforms as we were still all wearing our thin ones. I could feel the cold drawing nearer, a sure sign we were nearing home. The next day I was told we would be docking in 2 days time. When we did dock to the accompaniment of all the cheering, we were greeted with a snowstorm and an army band playing n the quayside. Can you imagine how we felt? We were not allowed to leave the ship so we were all leaning over the side, in the snow, listening to the band playing. The poor chaps were covered in snow but it did not deter them and they continued playing lots of dance music. By then, all were really feeling the cold. We had to stay on board and would be disembarking the next day. The excitement on the ship was great; we were almost home. After being away from my country for 3 years fighting in the East, the next day could not come quickly enough. (As a matter of interest, I was told it had taken us 18 days to get to England from Singapore, and we had broken the record.)
The next day we said our goodbyes and started to leave the ship. Everything seemed very strange to me after having been away for so long in such different surroundings. We had to report to the demob (demobilisation) centre in Guildford to receive our demob suits and we were given railway tickets to go there. We all had our big kitbags and I suppose the Customs felt sorry for us as they did not stop any of us, and just wished us good luck. Before boarding the train, I phoned Joan to tell her I was back in England, and I also spoke to my daughter. It felt very strange to be called 'Daddy' by a child I had not yet met! When I arrived at the demob centre I chose a suit and coat, clothes which felt odd after being in uniform for so long. Suddenly I found myself on my own and, still in uniform, I boarded my next train. During the journey I could feel people looking at me and I think they were feeling sorry for me. I don't know why as for me it was the happiest day of my life, being only a short time away from My wife and my daughter. I took a taxi from the station to the house where my wife was staying with her parents. All this still felt very strange. My wife opened the door and my daughter ran up to me, calling 'Daddy!' This was going to take some time to get used to! At last I was home with my family. Things were not going to be easy and I was going to find out just how difficult it would be to get a job.
The most important thing then was to thank the Lord for sparing me and allowing me to come home to my loved ones, as so many of my friends must surely have felt. I also prayed for all of those who did not come home.
Alec Lewis.

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