大象传媒

I was conscripted at the age of 18 in 1943 and two days after my birthday I was conscripted to the Royal Navy. At 18 i didnt realise the consequences and that was it. I was originally from Lanark in Scotland so it was a big move to go to Chatam, thr first time I had left Scotland. There were blokes from all over the country. We all shared in a barrock room, sleeping in hammocks.
When I was 19 they sent me back to Scotland as a vounteer for the Coastal forces in a motor lodge. They put me on a torpedo boat, we used to speed about on the river which was good!
I also went to belgium and then to Dunkerque, but it was after the trouble. At the beginning of 1944, I was based in Belgium, not far from brussels because they I rang a torpedo boat from there. When we had a day off we used to travel to Brussels, as it was war time it was very quiet, I have never been back since. I never looked for any girls, I was too pre-occupied on the ship and with my job.
I was in Trafalgar square in VE Day, it was bedlum, couldnt move with all the people. The atmosphere was great - i met so many people, i was in all the pubs drinking, i never went into the fountain but that was because there were too many people. It was unbelievable but I have never experienced the same atmosphere since.
In the Navy I was earning 拢2.80 per fortnight which was better money than I was earning on my apprentice in Scotland. We also had free tabaco.
I was eventually demobbed in October 1947, I was glad to leave after four years service - the war in Japan was over then too. I Joined British rail and then at Camden Town door staff.

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