大象传媒

I was working in Stafford in a tank factory. People from the local area thought my accent a bit strange. I was selected for an officer's candidates course, we went training for 3 months. I was 18 years old and gained height and weight during the 3 months I was there.

I went down to Brighton to a college, I was told I was too young.

I had 6 weeks training on the HMS Diomede. The I went to Pwhelli at the Butlin's camp having basic training but I wasn't fit. I swang across water on a rope as part of this and fell in ! Everyone thought I was injured but I was just cold.

After failing the officer's course I went to Portsmouth. There was talk of expansion of war in Japan and we were waiting for the draft. I was 19, my girl was 18 and we got married !

I got my draft to go to Warrington, 20 miles from home. I was a gosling one, the starting camp. I was there 2.5 years as a instructor for the assault course. Then at the end of the war I was de-mobbed.

On VJ day, I was on honeymoon. I was the only uniform in Margate ! We led our own procession down the promenade.

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