大象传媒

The new Regiment consisted of 153,154 and 155 Batteries, each of 8x25 pounder guns.

When General Montgomery was transferred from Eastern Command in the UK, to Middle East Command in Egypt, he decreed that every man, including cooks and batmen, were to take part in a 2.5 mile cross country run every week.

Although not intended to be a race,it always developed into one, with many of us battling it out for positions at the end. I was able to complete the distance after having acquired that 'second wind' at the outset and eagerly awaited the remaining runs in the series.

By now, I had decided that after the war I would like to take up cross-country running seriously, but unfortunately, what was later to follow put paid to my aspirations, but there can be no question of doubt that this exercise made me feel fighting fit.

Whilst still in Hastings, we had a night- week during which the usual day-time tasks were then done by night, this culminated in a visit to the White Rock Baths at about 5a.m., where our C.O. ordered each of us to complete the length of the bath from the deep end, whether we could swim or not!

He promised that IF we were to get into difficulties someone would follow-up behind. but when I surfaced,there appeared to be no one in sight. Having been rescued, I then passed out on parade later in the morning, through having taken in water.

On a regimental day off, I was able to
attend a very fine performance of the combined Hastings and Tunbridge Wells Municipal Orchestras at the White Rock Pavilion, during which I remember a female vocalist, whose name unfortunately I have forgotten, giving a very fine rendering of 'Roses of Picardy' The conductor was the well-known George Weldon.

In the evening, by contrast and at the same venue, I enjoyed a performance by Sydney Kyte and his Band, who had currently been appearing at Hastings Pier Pavilion. nearby.

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