大象传媒

This story has been input by Kate O'Shea NI's Bus Team on behalf of Tom Hewson, the author. The author understands and accepts the terms and conditions of the site.

As with every WW2 veteran, some memories flash up every now and then which bring a flavour of those years and form a significant contribution. We must never forget the memory of our factory workers who made the accessories necessary to the War and who kept the nation strong in its war effort. Not least among those were the 'Bevin Boys', who I'm sure would rather have been in the Forces than have had to work down in the coalmines. Their contribution was inestimable.

I had five friends who joined with me and two of them died in the War. I joined the Army and all joined different services e.g. the Navy and Airforce.

In Part Two of my story, I described how one felt when arriving in civilian clothes at the Barracks. It seemed like hours as we waited to get our uniforms and join those who already had theirs; finally relaxing into the uniforms themselves. However, I also remember demobilising and getting back into civilian clothes for the first time again. I will never forget the feeling as we received trilby, underclothes, suit, raincoat and shoes. As I walked out of the Barracks for the last time an awful feeling of 'not belonging' came over me. We were new in the wide world, 'on our own' and 'out in the cold'. Where was comradeship?

I had been asked to stay on by our GSO as SSM Chief Clerk of the Division -- still in Hilden, near Dusseldorf. However,I was now married and my wife was in the process of buying our first house so it was not a practical proposition -- although the peace location from June 1945 in Hilden was more or less a well deserved pleasant time, after almost seven years in the Army.

I do recall the disturbance we sometimes caused in Belfast when at 0630 we found ourselves doing PT exercises in the streets around Botanic Gardens. The PT instructor's voice resounded and caused curtains to open gingerly and and we soldiers could see the seemingly embarassed females just as quickly close them again - much to the amusement of the troops!

The vagaries of the services are many. On one occasion during the time our Headquarters were in College Gardens, Colonel Frere told me I had got a War Office posting to the 18th Infantry Division in Tewkesbury. He asked did I want to go. I said I wished to stay with 53rd. He then cancelled the posting. 18th Division went to Singapore and never fired a shot and were captured by the Japanese. How many or how few returned I never knew.

I spent almost seven weeks in Campbell College, which was a Military Hospital during this period of the War - I had broken my leg. Then, I learned that my boss, who had visited me in hospital, Major Clifford, had been sent to Aldershot for some weeks on a course in Army Organisation, which I found amost interesting and helpful. My stepson -- a Major in the Army today -- is surprised that I recall so much of Army Organisation etc.,

During our time in Castlewellan, Major General Wilson, a tall, smart, typical-looking General -- always in calvary drill dress as was his ADC -- used to ride a horse around the lake, early in the mornings. One morning about 0700 a soldier did not notice the General and the General called "Soldier, do you not salute your Commanding Officer when you see him?" The soldier -- seemingly quick-witted -- replied: "Sir, I didn't expect to see you so early in the morning! At this, the kindly General passed by.

Later, General Wilson left the Division and Major General Bucknall arrived at Castlewellan in civilian clothes. Presumably, this was a deliberate ploy. Under the circumstances, the Guard Commander arrested him and placed him in the Guardroom until proper identification was made. The Guard Commander was eventually congratulated for his enforced procedures of security.

Sometime in 1942, General Bucknall left and one of our Brigadiers R K Ross was appointed to command 53rd Division, which he did with distinction throughout the period to the end of the War. Sadly, he died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1951.

I remember one particular incident with some warmth. Jock Cameron had been Corporal in charge of Cartography, 53rd Division, during the whole of the War years. He was an architect in civilian life and a well educated person. We happened to be on an exercise near Battle, East Sussex and Jock was trying to interest his 'Sassenach' colleagues of where and when the flower of England died in 1066. The lack of interest by these 'Sassenachs' rather hurt and disgusted him. Some years later when I had organised a reunion of former Divisional Headquarter staff I wrote to Jock inviting him as a very valued member and I reminded him of this Battle incident. He replied that he did not recall having chastised us but admitted he 'was like that'. But, he recalled that when we were in Hamburg I had produced a bottle of Bols and we had drunk a toast to our future. As I had forgotten that incident, it was to me a very touching reminder of a lovely incident right at the end of the War. And, so, I have safely kept Jock's letter as a valued War memento!!

I'll end here but I'm sure that I shall recall many, many more incidents. I'll never forget the casualties caused by schu mines and mortars in the vicinity of Divisional Headquarters -- and even more so on the Frontline of our colleagues - and their children, who today will remember them with pride but no less with sorrow.

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