大象传媒

It was 1938, I was 16 and went to join the T.T. Army but was told to return when I reached 17. I was called up in the Munich crisis and went to Languard Fort, Felixstowe for 2 weeks, until P.M.Chamberlin came back to England to say that the war would not happen, so we were sent home again. Then Hitler invaded Poland so I was called up again. That same day I had passed my lorry driving test so it was a memorable day for me. Off to Languard Fort once more. I was put on 6" guns as coastal defence. We sat all night putting armoured piercing fuse in shells. There were air raids every night, it was very exciting for all us young men; we actually looked forward to night time when the German planes flew over.
I volunteered for the Military Police , was accepted straight away & sent to Aldershot R.M.P training college . After an extensive cause in Motor Cycle riding & Map reading I was posted to Halesworth where I met my wife whilst on patrol. A week or 2 later the 1st army invaded Tunisia & we were sent with them to Algiers. We were moved around different points in the desert, performing many duties.On to Sicily which was later captured so we were sent across to Messina, Italy where we saw plenty of action.
One day I was leading some German P.O.W's to camp when an American civilian Ambulance driver came along & asked me where I was going.When I told him he said he would save me the trouble & take them in his ambulance.I took him at his word & he took over . He drove straight into them then drove away laughing. I couldn't believe anyone could do that to fellow human beings.
Another time a young soldier brought about a dozen of P.O.W's to me who were paratroopers. One of them was telling me how brave German soldiers were, & one of them had been shot in the leg & was being carried by the others.Two seconds later 2 Stuka dive bombers tried to destroy a nearby bridge. The P.O.W's threw the wounded man to one side & dived for cover. I was insensed by this & told them that British soldiers would never leave a comrade like that; so much for their bravery.
After Italy our division 4th British Infantry was pulled out of line & sent to Cyprus for a rest. We sailed on the liberty ship " Sam Glory". Half way there , there was a terrific storm. I sat on deck in my lorry which was being tossed from side to side . I could here the tanks below decks thudding against the side of the ship ,it was very frightening. Everyone including the sailors were seasick and all were scared.I was more scared in the storm than I was of the war itself.
The Captain had orders to divert to Greece as the greeks had turned against us. In Salonica we were on patrols etc. I had a good mate named Bert "fingers" Jackson. One day we out on Patrol on motor cycles when Fingers got a puncture. I told him to get to the roadside & repair it while I kept watch.A priest came along & approached Bert, I was watching closely when he reached inside his cloak for something.I was there in an instant with my gun in his back. It transpired that he had a gun & would probably have used it on us. I told him to clear off , he understood allright.
One time we were sleeping in 2 man tents & Fingers woke up screaming ,I thought we were being attacked , but a snake had crawled into the tent & over Bert's head. It gave us a fright and a good laugh afterwards.We even sheltered in a greek brothel once but that's another story.From Salonika we went home.

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