大象传媒

As I jumped from the plane, all I could see was a large group of service personnel. There were officers of all descriptions, from the army, navy, air force, and any other service. They were clapping their hands and wishing us "Welcome home, lads." How did I feel? My stomach was churning, I felt has if I wanted to throw myself on the ground, to shout, to cry, to run around throwing my arms in the air, to scream, to let free the terrible feeling of emotion that was in me. I could not take it all in. Then - oh boy! - a young lady came up to me and, with a lovely smile she said "Welcome soldier, come with me." I was dazzled, I was not in this world, and I am sure she knew that it would not be long before I was stone-bonkers! But I somehow managed to control myself, and we all followed her into a hall which was full of troops. Lofty, Bunny, Frank and myself were there but what had happened to Harry I don't know. We all sat down at a table, surrounded by young ladies all in different coloured uniforms. They supplied us with lumps of fruit cake and tea and asked us all sorts of questions. It was great. Then, of course, along he comes; the man with the forms. He asked us for a few details regarding the past, the present, and the future.
Suddenly two big Royal Navy sailors appeared and balled out, "Any men from the Royal navy here?" Lofty stood up and called out "I am." They came over to our table, shook hands with him, and told him that a car was waiting to take him to barracks. And so away he went. I felt sad.
After a few minutes we were told to go outside as a truck was waiting to take us to a dispersal camp. The driver was a young lady from the ATS. I think there were twelve of us squaddies in the truck, and did she put her foot down! I don't know if she was in a hurry to meet her chap or not, but I don't think she thought of us as she went; down and up, taking bends on two wheels and us being flung from pillar to post. After about an hour we arrived all in one piece at our destination. As it was getting late and dark, the army had not allowed any grub to be put aside for us. It seems the cooks had gone home, so we straight to kip. We were back in the army!
The next morning we had a bit of breakfast. Five minutes afterwards we were paraded and told to take all our personal belongings with us. We were taken to a long hut and, once inside, told to strip off all our clothes then walk to the end of the hut, pick up a blanket, and cross over to the next hut, with only the blanket around us. Inside the hut it was nice and warm. There was a row of showers with soap and towels. We all had a hot shower and then we were told that we would be body-shaved, whether we liked it or not as the MO was making sure that we had no lice on us. After the shower, an orderly was waiting with a pair of hair clippers in hand and, with a few deft moves, my goolie-bag had lost its hairs. With our blankets draped over our shoulders, we went to another hut where there was a long counter where we were given socks, pants, vests and a lot of other clothes a soldier needs, together with a kit-bag to put them in. Then it was off into a hut where we could get dressed.
That done, we were taken to a small office and, (surprise, surprise) we were signing for 拢12 advance pay which was to tide us over for a few days, and also a railway warrant. We could leave the camp as soon as we liked or, if you wanted to stop a few days, it was up to you. We were told that a train would be in the station at 5 am for London. I had already made my mind up to go home and so had Bunny, Harry and Frank.
At 4.30 am, we were waiting to see Frank off as he was getting an earlier train. As we were chatting, the train pulled in and Frank suddenly turned round and, without a word, walked to the train and got into the carriage. We had not even shaken hands. He did not look back to us as the train pulled away. I knew how he felt. He was number two of 'The Gang' to go. Then our train pulled in we were on our way to London.
We arrived in London about 9 pm and it was on the platform of Waterloo Station that we said "Cheerio" and a soldiers farewell. I watched them march away. Harry Shoesmith, I have never seen since and it was to be 25 years before I saw Bunny Humphries again. At 10 pm I set off feeling really down in the dumps. On arriving at Rugby, I left the train and waited for my connection to Birmingham. It was a long platform and I was the only one waiting. As the train pulled in a lone sailor came out of the shadows. My heart jumped for joy. I shouted at the top of my voice "Lofty!" He turned round and saw me "Bertie, me boy!" he replied. Was I glad to see him; a real sight for sore eyes. We were to be together for the last stage of our journey.
I do not recall the rest of journey home, it was so exciting. Lofty said that we the railway carriage up in arms with our antics! We were in Cloud cuckoo land; we were free! It had not sunk in yet. Then, we were in long tunnel ... and New Street Station!
We stood on the platform for a few minutes trying to get our bearings. We asked a porter where we could catch a bus. He told us that the last bus had gone but, if we went to the drive, we may get a lift with the voluntary service. So we left the platform and went into the drive where there were plenty of squaddies hanging about. There was a stall so we had a cup of tea and a sandwich. As we sat on the kerb-side, a man shouted out "Anyone going to King's Heath?" Lofty said "I am." So this was it, the final parting. "Bertie, me boy, see you in a couple of days. We will have a grand 'P*ss-Up'" and off he went.
I put my kitbag on my shoulder and moved away. A gentleman stopped me, "Where are you going to soldier?", I replied "Home - Weoley Castle." "OK, I can drop you off. I can squeeze you in." I followed him to his car and there were three other squaddies in it. I sat down in the back. I was on my way! Questions were asked and I found that I was the longest serving P0W, that the chaps had been released by the Americans. I told them they were lucky. The lad by the driver said "Yes we were lucky. What about them poor bastards on that march? Ice, snow, rain, no grub. I only hope that they all come home safe." I asked the driver to stop at the top of Barns Hill. As I shook hands with them, I said to the one lad "You were right, mate. It was Hell, and I'm one of them, thanks," and off they went.
It was a lovely night. I stood on the corner of Ludstone Road and looked at number 5. It was so silent and peaceful. I crossed the road, sat on the fence and lit a fag. I just sat there thinking "I am here!" I just couldn't take it in. I left my kitbag by the front door and was about to kick it down to let them know I was here! I decided to climb over the back door but, in the process, I knocked the dustbin flying. I threw some bits of grit up at Edna's window. Then a voice I had not heard in 5 years came from the other bedroom "I'm coming." I heard a shout "He's here!"
I was home ... at last!
I thank God for a wonderful home-coming.

To Edna, my wife, my love, my life,
who was constantly in my thoughts, day and night,
who spiritually gave me strength, courage and fortitude
to fight and beat all odds.

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Genevieve Tudor of the 大象传媒 Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Mark Ruffle and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.