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This story was submitted to the People's War site by a volunteer from Radio Newcastle on behalf of Robert Pattinson and has been added to the site with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

In 1938 the Government introduced a scheme for all men when they reached the age of 20 to undertake military training, this was called the Militia. I passed my medical A1 in August 1939 and was looking forward to 6 months holiday from work. But war was declared and I was called up for Army service. I was to report to Darlington, travelling by train. My mother and two sisters came to say ‘Good Bye’. My mother was very up set as my father had died as a result of his wounds from the previous war. When I reported to the military in Darlington I was told to report to a school in the West End of Newcastle. I arrived there almost before my family arrived back home. After 2 weeks I was able to contact them and ultimately see them.
After 10 weeks intensive raining our regiment was instructed to join the British Forces in France, and was stationed near Arras. There was not a lot of action because the French defensive Maginot Line was very efficient making it difficult for any German Force to break through. We were subjected to a lot of Artillery and Air Force action. Most of the time was spent on manoeuvres and training in various areas in France to confuse the Germans into thinking that our forces were there in great numbers. This kind of action went on until the spring of 1940

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