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Although the War ended in August 1945, most of those serving in the Forces remained where they were for some time and they still regard that period as part of their war-time experience. This story is an example of recollections from those 鈥渨aiting for demob鈥�. It is submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a member of Market Harborough Branch, Royal British Legion on behalf of Ken West and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr West fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

On the Grand Prix Circuit
By Ken West
The season of Grand Prix motor racing, brings back memories of a miss-spent youth at the Monza circuit in Italy.

During the winter of 1945-46, our company had been detailed to guard the VRD (Vehicle Reception Depot) at the Monza racing circuit, where thousands of ex-WW2 vehicles were stored. My job, with three other signallers, was to maintain communications with our HQ in the town, via phone cables, to and within the huge VRD.

Working the army routine system of two hours on duty and four hours off became very tedious, so, tongue-in-cheek, we suggested to our Company Commander that a 24 hours on and 48 hours off would provide a better repair service over all. With some reservation he agreed to a month鈥檚 trial.

We quickly settled into a smooth routine which meant that with Milan being a mere 15 minutes train ride away, we could spend many happy nights and days swanning around that beautiful city; staying late to see the top class shows at the Forces Theatre near the Piazza Duomo, then on to the Victory Club for tea and wads, and to phone HQ to check how things were.

After one such evening, we casually rang the duty man to check that all was well, to be told by a highly agitated Lance Corporal Jack Nattrass that there had been an armed raid on the VRD, resulting in two civilians being killed. He had managed to keep wireless contact but all the phone line were down. 鈥淕et back here鈥擯rontissimo鈥�.

A 15 cwt truck awaited us at Monza Station with our tin hats, rifles and line repair kit. We set to work in the pouring rain to re-establish communications. Fortunately the raiders had retired during the heavy rain, but it was 4 am before we returned to billets, soaked to the skin, with our best BDs a soggy, sorry sight.

In the morning we were summoned to Company HQ where, with some trepidation, we stood before the Commanding Officer awaiting a severe rocket. Imagine our surprise when he congratulated us on the way we had carried out our duties under such wet and dangerous conditions, proving that the one day on and two days off rota really did work. 鈥淲ell done, chaps. Carry on.鈥� We saluted and marched out.

He鈥檇 been 鈥渃onned鈥�, but everyone was happy. The rota continued, Lance Corporal Nat got preferential choice of days off and the MT driver had free beer for a week . . . and we sighed with relief.

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