- Contributed by听
- The CSV Action Desk at 大象传媒 Wiltshire
- People in story:听
- Doug Davis
- Location of story:听
- Compton Bassett, Swindon, Wiltshire and New Forest.
- Article ID:听
- A7206158
- Contributed on:听
- 23 November 2005
When I was called up in October 1945 we were given three shillings a day and before starting the eight week 'square bashing' were kitted out with uniform and boots.
I took a half-size shoe, but there were only the choice of large, medium or small. None of which fitted me. Consequently I suffered with ulcerated feet which became very bad. Eventually I was issued with a chit by the M.O excusing me from 'Marching Duties'.
One morning there was to be a parade and the other chaps were in their uniforms smart and ready to start. I was lounging around, unshaven, scruffy and relaxed thinking that I was excused, when a Corporal from an RAF regiment came in. He asked in no uncertain terms why I wasn't ready, so I confidently handed over my medical chit. He took time reading it, then announced that this only excused marching, not going on parade and put me on a charge of seven days confined to barracks!
Later I was posted to the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment (AFEE), in the New Forest, on special duties in clerical administration.
My work involved many different subjects including Education and requirements for Prisoner of War Compounds, this entailed deciding where they would be sent according to political status from the extremists, Hitler Youth etc. and people who didn't pose a danger.
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