大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War website by a volunteer from CSV Newcastle on behalf of Robert Pattinson and has been added to the site his/her permission. Robert Pattinson fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

After Dunkirk the country was expecting a German invasion, and a lot of time was spent building anti-tank barriers and taking them into the water at low tide, our regiment completed about 10 miles of defences.

We were then given 5 days embarkation leave. This was bad news to me because it was almost certain we would be sent out to the Middle East and I could not stand hot weather! When we returned from leave we were told that we were not going abroad but were changing our status from infantry to a reconnaissance regiment, we then became the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment and were attached to Montgomery鈥檚 3rd Division. This meant new training as we were to be equipped with very fast light armoured cars and half track vehicles which were all fitted with wireless communication. As I had some knowledge about communication I was sent for a full training course and became an Army Instructor. I spent a number of months training the regimental N.C.O.s in the correct method of communication when in action. I was advanced to the rank of corporal and therefore received Trade Pay, the extra money being very useful.

During one training session the Colonel came in and watched for about 15 minutes. After th session I was told to report to the Colonel with the result I was promoted to Sergeant. This meant that not only did I loose my Trade Pay I had to pay mess bills and was consequently worse off.
I decided that on my next leave I would return a day late, this resulted in being charged, the punishment being reduced to rank of corporal, This is what I wanted and was the only time during my 6 years of service that I deliberately broke the rules.

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