大象传媒

This is an extract from my personal story which may be of interest to you but first I shall set the scene:
At the time I was a troop Sergeant in a Tank Regiment located in an isolated area of a Lake District park, engaged in developing and training with Top Secret night fighting equipment.

Spring 1942, I received orders to report to the Army Gas School located in Tregantle Fort a few miles west of Plymouth to be trained as the Regimental War Gas Instructor, then on my return to the unit ensure that all members were correctly fitted and acquainted with their respirators, able to use them and also to recognise the enemys鈥� known chemical agents and take the necessary lifesaving precautions.

The evening of the 26th April I arrived at London King鈥檚 Cross Railway Station as the air raid sirens announced an attack on the city, together with hundreds of civilians I was directed into the massive cellars under the station, a bizarre experience for one used to a northern wilderness. I was further amazed and deeply impressed by the calm acceptance and camaraderie displayed by and extended to all present. In the early hours of the morning when the incessant bomb detonations had ceased and the rocking/vibrating shelter became still and quiet with the other occupants I was permitted to leave and continue my journey. First it was important to report to the station RT鈥橭s military transport office where a notice of compulsory delay must be noted on my travel documents and I would obtain details of the next rail connections to Plymouth. During this procedure I met up with the Royal Artillary sergeant also heading for Tregantle and the same course, we decided to pair up if possible on the training.

Later in the morning after settling in our accommodation in the fort together with the other course members we assembled in an isolated hut on the range area where a thorough general introduction was given regarding the chemical agents known to held by the enemy, the course period was one of an applied 鈥淎lert鈥� footing and respirators to be carried at all times.

As Session 1 finished we were directed to walk across the range to a distant hut to continue the programme, everyone was in deep discussion as we made our way in lovely sunshine over the extensive grassy area 鈥� the gentle breeze seemed as great as our nostrils enjoyed the smell of hay 鈥� HAY!-MUSTY HAY!-PHOSGENE 鈥� (choking)GAS. We were all desperately fighting to breathe as a vice like grip took hold of our throats. We put our respirators on and for a moment the trapped vapour in the face piece aggravated the situation until a few deep breathes and exhalations brought relief and the respirator filter stopped the ingress of the crippling chemical. We continued to Session 2鈥檚 location where a little further opening emphasis was necessary to convey to us the importance of our mission having experienced a weak dose of one war gas. So the intensive study started and continued, every day a hectic blend of subject assimilation and practice lesson, apart from one most evenings were spent preparing for the next day鈥檚 schedule. IN repose to very successful progress on evening鈥檚 leave was granted to the course and my RA companion whose home was in Plymouth opted to visit his parents, inviting me to accompany him. This was the prelude to a most memorable evening my hosts gave me a wonderful time, all of whom were accomplished organist sand demonstrated this on the home organ

All too soon it was time to leave for Tregantle and as we walked through the darkened city suburb our conversation concentrated on classical music, my companion suggested we call the in the family church where and his kin were the resident organists. Soon we were esconced in the vacant darkened church where I was entertained to a most marvellous rendering of my favourite and other pieces of music, my task was to operate the hand bellows. One melody still to this day transports me back to the those precious peaceful moments in the church, it is 鈥淏ach鈥檚 Chorale鈥� (Jesu, Joy of man鈥檚 Desiring).

So the course was completed, I returned to the Regiment as a Q! Qualified War Gas Instructor and in between my Troop and Squadron duties was immediately tasked to ensure that all members could recognise the presence of the lethal agents and to take the necessary precautions to survive.

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