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The experiences of a
Light Anti-Aircraft Detachment
In the North Africa Campaign
1942 – 1943 By
Sergeant Robert George (Bob) Pankhurst
Royal Artillery (1920–1965)
Edited By Brian Pankhurst
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Author’s Note

It was one evening whilst at Kairouan that I decided to write this account of our experiences in the North Africa Campaign. I tried to write from an impersonal viewpoint, but as the story unfolded, I found it increasingly difficult to maintain my objectivity and for this I apologise to the reader.

You may ask how a unit of our kind spent so many months in a theatre of operations with relatively little battle action. The reasons lie with those in authority and I would point out that we discharged all given tasks with the thoroughness that is typical of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, whose badge we are proud to wear. I am more than confident that, had we been given a more active role, we would have carried out our duties with the same efficiency, as we will surely do in the future.

The dates and times herein were taken from my personal diary and are correct in every detail. I dedicate this story to the brave men who served in the unit under me and who shared my resolve to do whatever was necessary to protect the free world.

R G (Bob) Pankhurst
10 July 1943

Part One
Preparation for a Voyage

The excitement and tension of that Sunday afternoon in September 1942 will remain with me, etched in my memory, for the rest of my days. The whole battery was paraded at Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire in front of the Officer in Command, Major T G B Ford, who announced with his customary firm and confident manner that we were now on standby in readiness for overseas active service. Furthermore, we were advised that owing to the secrecy of our mission, we were not to be allowed customary embarkation leave.

The air of anticipation mixed with apprehension was palpable as each and every man filed past a table manned by orderlies and signed to the effect that he understood his orders. Rumour was rife in the camp later that day, as to our possible destination. Dakar seemed to me to score the highest number of votes, possibly due to its prominent press coverage at the time.

At 19.00 that evening, orders arrived to the effect that C Troop and half of B Troop should be ready to depart from the camp at 07.00 next morning. There followed a night of frenzied activity with Officers, NCOs and men scurrying about in all directions packing vehicles and preparing guns and equipment. Those who had left jobs unfinished during the waiting period were now galvanised into action and rapidly completed them.

Amongst all of the hustle and bustle, one man caught my attention - Staff-Sergeant Barker, a redheaded terror of an REME Gun Fitter who toiled through the night to ‘time up’ six guns. This was no easy task in the dark and he had sent Sammy Coulthard to the top of the church tower in Borgue with a torch to be used as an aiming point. This worked well until Sammy was collared by the local constable, who quite rightly pointed out that he was in breech of the blackout regulations. Following intense negotiation, Sammy and his torch reappeared at the top of the rower and Staff-Sergeant Barker was able to complete the work on his guns without further interruption.

Preparations lasted until dawn and our convoy was led from the camp at exactly 07.00 hours by Lt. J R H Morgan, RA.

During the next few days, further guns, and vehicles were loaded aboard transport ships at Glasgow and Gourock and further rumours did the rounds as to where this equipment might be heading. Stage one having been completed, we awaited further orders and in due course, the battery was divided into five groups and we all were issued with ships serial numbers. Almost two weeks later, the first group set off for embarkation at Liverpool and others followed. I was to board the SS Maron with thirty others, at Gourock on 21 October 1942.

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