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This story is taken from an interview with George Samuel Lapsley and has been added to the site with their permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
The transcription was by Elizabeth Lamont.
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I served off and on in various Services from 1938 till 1982.

When I was 15 or 16 (I was big for my age), I said I was 18 and joined the LDV (Local Defence Volunteers) which later became the Home Guard. I was at Foyle College. We wore black uniforms and side hats and were armed with a 303. The first course I attended was held at Palace Barracks, Holywood where I learned to use the Vickers Machine Gun. We were used as a Defence Force to surround Londonderry and the Regular Army attempted to break through our lines. We knew the ground better than they did and usually managed to do a good job. However, there were often unusual and funny experiences as we often came upon unsuspecting lovers doing what lovers do in the middle of a forest where they should have been safe.

While at University I went to play rugby in Belfast and, after the match, went along to Clifton Street and joined the Royal Navy — much to my mother’s surprise. I served at Scapa Flow and later in the Far East. I left Ireland 16 stone and returned after 2 years in India, Ceylon and Burma at 9 and a half stones.

After the War I was invited by a few of my teaching pals to join the Royal Artillery TA and become part of a very useful 245 (U) Regt . I retired from the T.A. in October 1969.

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of an excellent and brave bunch of men and women who were never really appreciated.

At 59 years of age — both the authorities and myself thought that was enough so that now as an old man I can talk and write about the old days and the many good times I had — but not the bad

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