大象传媒

HOW I STARTED
In 1942, after seeing my scout hall burnt down after being bombed, I decided to join the local company of the Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force, to prepare me for any future need if the war continued, so I walked across town (everyone walked in those days), to where I had heard an ACF unit was based in an old school.
There I met a group of lads who were also interested, and I joined in, not really knowing what to expect, but I liked what we did, so, after a couple of attendances, we received our uniforms, which consisted of a battledress blouse, trousers (too long for me), a big, wide web belt, 1914 pattern, a pair of gaiters and a "forage cap". This cap was to be worn on the right side of your head, with two buttons over the right eye. It took some practice to keep the hat on, particularly when you turned, as the hat spun off your head, to the anger of the NCO giving the orders! We were not issued with boots. No youth sizes and boots were need for the "real army".
I found all the subjects interesting, including drill, weapon training and map reading, so I attended regularly every Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

MILITARY TRAINING
After a while, we moved to a Drill Hall in Augusta Street, Grimsby, which I found exciting, as there was a company of Pioneer Corps and The Home Guard based there. I used to watch the men of the Pioneer Corps doing their training, including the unlucky men on punishment drill (: "Jankers"), which taught me a lot.
Due to my interest in all activities, I was quickly promoted to Lance Corporal and shortly after I received a second stripe, much to the pleasure of my parents.

THE BAND
Because youth drum and bugle bands were a boost to the population, we formed a band and practised in a requistioned private house in a "well to do" area and I became a side drummer. We were taught by a Canadian Air Force officer to do all the different beats and we became very proficient.
There must have been some awful noise coming out of that house and I think, now, "what did the neighbours make of it?"
Band practice was on Wednesday evenings and at weekends (if we weren't actually in a parade). Our dress was smartly pressed battledress, with white belts (we had the more up to date belts then) and gaiters. Our hair was cut to the satisfaction of the Drum Major and we thought we were THE BEST!
The Drum Major was called George Robinson, a very smart chap and with his wide, coloured sash, presented an immaculate fugure.
Whether on a church parade, attendance at the Lord Mayor's Sunday, November 11th parade at the Cenotaph displays at Grimsby Town Football Club ground (in aid of a war fund), we were, we thought, the best band amongst the youth cadet forces.
One thing we did, which I don't think the youth of today cannot do, was to finish band practice at about 8.30pm, walk all the way to a large dance hall (The Gaiety), where we got in at half price as we were in uniform, and get home at about 11.30pm, quite safely. We had no worries of "muggings" as seem rife these days. The only other risk was of the air raids whcih were frequent.
I remember an incident, when we were marching into the People's Park, in Grimsby. The Drum Major, George Robinson, threw the mace high into the air as we entered and the mace struck two telephone lines and swung like a pendulum. Well, George had to mark time, waiting for it to fall, whilst we, the band, kept on marching past him. Eventually, the mace fell and George caught up with us and all was well, but it caused a laugh with the spectators!!

BOXING
One evening, the regular army physical education instructor "collared" me and said, "We need a Middleweight boxer for the team and you are it", "No, no, no!", I replied, but after my pal, Jim Fuller encouraged me, I said I would "give it a go."
So, yet another evening to fill my spare time. I was a busy lad!
Jogging through the darkened streets, strenuous exercises, lots of sparring (with bigger and faster boxers), kept us working hard. So it was Tuesday, Thursday drill and weapon training, Wednesdays and weekends band practise, then boxing whenever.
I did enjoy it, though, and a big bonus was when we went to other cadet units, or service camps in military vehicles and had good food at the various cookhouses, food that we could not get at home because of the rationing.
The National ACF Boxing Championships were to be held sometimes and we trained hard to enter the various county heats, so that we could be at the finals. Some of us were successful in reaching the finals, to be held later at the Royal Albert Hall. I was placed in the middleweight class.
In, I think, 1945, there was a big cadet weekend in London, with a parade of units, including many bands and the salute to be taken by HRH The Princess Margaret.
Our band did not take part, but we marched in the parade. By this time, I was a Warrant Officer and the split pin holding my brass badge scratched my right arm and I still have the scar today.
The Championships? Oh, yes.
In the heat for the finals, a full programme of boxing was staged at the Drill Hall, with a paying audience and I was dressed in boxing gear. Passing a group of Yorkshire cadets, they called out "Hey, you won't feel a thing when he hits you" and they laughed.
He was a big lad and during the first two rounds he smacked me often and both rounds were judged even. My father was in the audience, so I did not want to lose, so in the third round, and after a big "rocket" from my PE instructor, I went in hard and knocked him out, much to my relief.
Royal Albert Hall, here we come!!! Yippee!!! - But no!
Although I had qualified for the finals by beating the Yorkshire cadet, we received a letter stating that on the actual date of the championships, I would be one month over the age limit, so was eliminated. Yes, I cried with disappointment.
The irony is, that the cadet I knocked out in the semi final, won the championship!! Of course I congratulated him, although with mixed feelings.

SUMMING UP & THE HIGHLIGHTS
What an experience for a young lad in wartime! During this period I was apprentice marine fitter, doing fire watching, messenger for the Fire Service and Home Guard and a very enjoyable, character building few years in The Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Taking part in an exercise, with weapons, in deep snowstorms and persuading a bus conductor to let us "frozen kids" on to his bus to Grimsby.
2. Travelling to other service camps in the county for band parades, or boxing matches. Rides in military vehicles (remember, hardly anyone had car experience in those days) and eating good food, unobtainable at home.
3. Parading in the best uniform at the Cenotaph, as a side drummer, then as honour guard commander (armed), also at the Cenotaph and various fund raising ceremonies, including marching around Grimsby Town Football Ground.
4. The great mateship of all those cadets, adult instructors, regular soldiers, etc, whom I met.
5. Camps under canvas in the Lincolnshire countryside. No chance of overseas travel, such as today!
6. Mounting guard at the Drill Hall, with American P17 rifles and bayonets, handing over to the The Home Guard for their night duties.

LEAVING THE ACF, JOINING THE ROYAL ENGINEERS
Although I had tried to join the regular army several times, I was either told, "Come back when you are older", or I was in a "reserved occupation as an apprentice marine fitter", so I was pleased when I was accepted and my final parade, as a Company Sergeant Major, was on 15th April 1946 and I reported to 90 Primary Training Centre, Retford, two days later, to start my 25 years (and 75 days) service in the Royal Engineers.
The whole unit was on parade and I was presented with a wallet, which I had for years, but it was lost durring the terrorist emergencies in the Suez Canal Zone around 1953/4. But that is another story!
My service with the ACF taught me many things which were of immense help in my military career, enabling me to complete my service as a Warrant Officer, Class One, Royal Engineers and I fully recommend any young person, boy or girl, to consider joining such an organisation as THE ARMY CADET FORCE.

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