大象传媒

The 1st. Armoured Division was disbanded after the cessation of hostilities in Italy, my Signals squadron being widely dispersed. I ended up in 46 Division which was located in Graz, Austria.

They had just decided to take part in a scheme to prepare men whose demobilisation was approaching, for re-entry into civilian life. Anyone who had a degree, or had taken courses leading to one, was invited to apply to become an instructor. On the rather meagre basis of one and a half years leading to an M.A. in Edinburgh, I was accepted.

Two types of course were to be offered, one for those who wished to brush up their trade skills, or to prepare them for business life. For them there were instructors in building and electrical trades, and in commercial subjects. I was involved in the latter, running one course in Commercial English, and the other - what a nerve - in touch typing.I was, and still am, a two-finger operator. However, with an intensive study of the next Pitman's lesson beforehand, I just kept ahead.

The other course was more ambitious. It had become obvious that there were many men who had the potential to graduate, but had not acquired entrance qualifications before being called up. Most British universities had therefore combined to produce an examination called the Forces' Prelim, and it was open to any Division to implement the scheme. A specially reprinted library of textbooks was made available on demand. At the appropriate time, question papers were sent out, the exams held under proper supervision, and the answer papers sent back for assessment.

We offered English, Maths, History and Geography, as well as Modern Languages, Economics and Philosophy. Major L. an ex-headmaster, was the C.O., and his 2i/c was Captain 'Brush' K. a gentleman of unique eccentricity. The instructors had, where necessary, been promoted to the rank of sergeant. Geography now became my reponsibility.

We occupied what had been an SS barracks,which was easily converted into classrooms and offices. The surrounds of the buildings were very muddy, and a local firm had been asked to pave these areas. Weeks passed, punctuated by phone calls understood by neither side, because even good German speakers couldn't cope with the the impenetrable Styrian accent - and vice versa. But one day the builders' lorry was heard, announcing its arrival on its horn. Brush shouted out, instantly,
"Hark, the glad sound! The paviour comes,
The paviour promised long!"

We all worked long hours every week, enjoying doing something really constructive, and responding to the enthusiasm and commitment of our students. Unfortunately, we never knew how well they fared in their exams, because the results were posted back to their home addresses.

At the weekend, the instructors would go into Graz and enjoy the facilities of the WOs and Sergeants Club. Some of us also attended concerts given by the Graz Municipal Orchestra or even the Vienna Philharmonic.

I spent the best year of my army life in the School, and then my own demob group number finally came up, and, with the other happy members of the group, set off in lorries for Calais, via camps at Villach, Ulm, Karlsruhe, Mainz and Sedan.

I finally reached home in October 1946, having been called up in December 1941: a long stint, but shorter than many others.

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