大象传媒

SAWBRIDGEWORTH - MAY 1943

During a spell of brilliant sunshine with time for sunbathing and painful sunburn afterwards, our Q.L. Bedford trucks were replaced with brand new ones for which we had to sign. They did not have the let down tents on the sides; an American jeep also arrived for the Officers. We now had to set to work on the new trucks, to unbolt the top half of the cab and stow it in the back of the vehicle with other stores. The frame and canvas tilt put in its lowest position so as to enable the trucks to be stowed in the ship鈥檚 hold. Certain shipping markings had to be painted on the canvas sides, and then small covers wired over for security purposes. The unit was then put on standby ready to move.
Some of us were in a cinema in Bishop Stortford when a message was flashed on the screen telling us to report back to camp. So after a scratch meal and the unexpired portion of the next day鈥檚 rations were issued; the final part of the ship鈥檚 code added to the markings on the sides of the trucks, our convoy of trucks set off for Barry Docks in South Wales at about two o鈥檆lock in the morning, at least we the drivers did, if I remember correctly the rest of the unit went on embarkation leave.
Of course the weather had now changed, and it was cold, dark and wet, I believe we went through Hertford twice (confirmed 1995) as I remember seeing this statue of a stag above a pub twice as we proceeded on our way. During the forenoon we stopped at a wayside pub and took our box of sandwiches in with us, but the Landlord objected to us eating them on the premises and told us to leave which we did. When we stopped a little further along the way I learned that those with the box had smuggled out his fruit machine! More for revenge and due to high spirits: than the small amount of money, I believe.
Before we set off again, one of our brighter members had the idea of wearing our gas capes back to front, which was a great benefit in our open cabs with no windscreens. In the late afternoon we arrived at R.A.F. Gloucester for refuelling, but before that one of our trucks left the road and demolished a garden wall, apparently the builder had just finished rebuilding the wall from a previous crash. He was in the house having a cup of tea at the time! The front axle of the truck was also damaged.
We set off again for Barry docks arriving there just as it got dark. Despite having had no sleep the previous night and having driven all day in convoy, some bright spark not of our unit, decided we should do guard duty. Fortunately, we did manage to get out of that one and settled down for the night on the boards of the bell tents we had been allocated.
The next day down at the dockside we assisted a specialist unit in waterproofing our vehicles. This entailed fitting extended inlet and exhaust pipes, blocking up breather holes, wrapping up the ignition system in plasticine and oiled silk, tying a ground sheet across the front of the radiator to reduce wash and so enable the vehicles to be driven ashore from the landing craft through a few feet of water.
We were now sent on embarkation leave, to report back to West Kirby near Liverpool, on our return; excepting the vehicle mechanics who would return to Barry and sail with the ship containing the trucks. At West Kirby there were a few days to spare, so I went to Chester one evening to a pub situated on the second tier of shops and pavements in that unusual city and there by chance were some of my former friends from Sealand; I was quite overcome with emotion having never expected to ever see them again.
Apart from having my shaving kit stolen in the aluminium box which I had made at Hednesford; a night out in Liverpool; and a turn of guard duty; the time there passed without incident. We also paid a visit to the station stores and were kitted out with tropical kit which made us wonder whither we were bound.

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