- Contributed byÌý
- ´óÏó´«Ã½ Cumbria Volunteer Story Gatherers
- People in story:Ìý
- Joseph Hillman
- Location of story:Ìý
- Blackpool
- Background to story:Ìý
- Army
- Article ID:Ìý
- A5726946
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 13 September 2005
This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Janine John of the Cumbria volunteers on behalf of Joseph Allan Hillman and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.
First they started with the Territorial Army and the Militia — those that had done a bit in the army. Then they called on the real civilians whom in this case were called up to Squire’s Gate, Blackpool. There were men there that were waiting for us to come and register. There was an age group from 20 to 22. They gave us Palliasse for beds — a Palliasse was a canvas thing and you put straw in it to make your bed with. Then they gave you two blankets and that was what you got — not what they do these days with sheets and all that sort of thing. The men were there for about eight weeks and then they went out to other units. Some fellows called up were kept behind to help with the intakes that were coming in every month. Then the age group went from 20 — 24, 20 — 26 and kept going up. Eventually they got to the age of 20 to about 40 years old - civilian men that hadn’t been in the army. They did initial training there and then went into other units dependent on whatever they were fit for doing.
I was lucky enough to stay there on the PT (physical training) staff and my wife was in the NAFFI. We met there and were married during the war. I was there for about three years - I was lucky - and after that I was out in Burma.
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