- Contributed by听
- ambervalley
- People in story:听
- Kenneth Oldfield
- Location of story:听
- India
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A2829080
- Contributed on:听
- 12 July 2004
Me wearing my uniform.
I was born at Bishop Auckland on 29th August 1914. I did my basic training at Lincoln Barracks, finished my basic training and was put in the artillery on 25 pounders. I was sent down to Watchet in Somerset to train in gunnery and learn how to handle 25 pounders. I passed out as a gunner and was posted to Colwyn Bay to be put on a draft. My draft turned out to be India.
I went to say good-bye to my parents and was followed down the entry by my small niece Judith who wanted to go to India with me, but it wasn't allowed. My ship was a small one, a 16000 tonner. The Bay-of-Biscay was a bit rough, a lot of my mates were sea-sick but it did not affect me.
We landed in Bombay harbour and a big banner said 'Welcome to Bombay'. We disembarked and were ferried to Kalian Barracks about 40 miles from Bombay. We were sorted out for various regiments. I was sent to Ranchi which was about 200 miles from Calcutta to join the 160 Field regiment. This regiment had just come out of Burma to have a rest and to refill.While on my way to Ranchi the European war finished. On reaching my regiment the monsoons started and my tent was leaking.
Eventually the Japanese war finished so the 160 Regiment didn't have to go back to Burma. The Indians were on the war-path so we had to go out in lorries with fixed bayonets and rifles to show a bit of strength. The Indians didn't like us ruling them which was quite understandable. The 160 wasn't a regular regiment so it was disbanded and I was sent to the 16th Field Regiment, which was a regular regiment.
The 16th Field was stationed at Poona in the middle of India. After a few months in Poona we were ordered to go to Coimbator - the other side of Madras. We were due to be demobbed so set off for home. Reaching Madras station we were not allowed out of our train as the Indians were on the war-path. Leaving Madras station we went to Deolali. From Deolali we went down to Bombay, boarded the Empress of Scotland and were away to Blighty.
SERVICE - 1 year in England
2 years in India
I was very fortunate to miss the fighting.
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