大象传媒

In 1950 I finished my university course and was weary of study. None of my job applications had been successful and I thought a spell of outdoor work might help to sort out my life. The Korean war had just started and the government was threatening to call up the Z reserve - World War Two veterans like myself.
The clerk at Scunthorpe Labour Exchange flicked through his cards, "Builder's labourer at that new school in Foxhills. That should suit you - near where you live and time rates so it won't kill you." I reported to the site foreman and told him I had no experience of the work. "Don't worry. Half the b-----s here haven't," he said. "Monday morning half past seven - and don't wear that suit - it's mucky work."
On Monday morning it was raining and I was with an old bricklayer and an apprentice on an inside wall. I didn't know a rustic brick from a common but they were patient and helpful. I felt I was coping - even enjoying the work. During the morning the foreman came round to see how I was getting on. We discovered, to my alarm, that we had both been in the same battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment but in different companies. Neither of us could remember the other.
He began a list of the officers he had disliked, "Remember Captain Brown? If I had
'im 'ere I'd have 'im up that ladder with two hods of bricks." And so on until he went off with a promise to return in the afternoon.
On his afternoon visit he realised that the conversation was a bit one-sided so he asked me a question, "You said you were in 'A'company - in a rifle platoon?" I hesitated. "I was a platoon commander" I said - foolishly. "Oh, you b----y were!" he said as he turned away.
The next morning I had to look after three bricklayers one lift up, normally a labourer looked after one bricklayer one lift up. Snow had frozen on the planks and I couldn't control the barrow so I tipped a load of mortar down a manhole. I brought the wrong bricks. The taunts flew, "I know we're not on piecework but I like a few bricks to lay to keep warm. "That night every muscle ached and my fingers were like frozen sausages. One more day like that and I was going to ask for my cards.
The following morning I was back on the inside wall with the old brickie, it was heaven after the previous day. The foreman came round during the morning looking thoughtful. "This officer business - " he said, "I hope you don't think I was getting at you. I was thinking last night. This 'ere Z reserve, I might be called up. You might be called up. I might be in your mob. I shall have to look after you. Have a fag." And he did look after me - although he made stand to attention and salute when I collected my pay!

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