大象传媒

Early in January I received orders to proceed to the Royal Artillery O.C.T.U. at Catterick, Yorkshire, where I met the rest of the intake of cadets.
Our ranks ranged from Gunners to Regimental Sergeant Majors, but we were soon to lose all badges of rank and would only be distinguished by a white band on the forage cap. One might have expected that as we were all going to be trained to do the same job we might all have been granted the same rate of pay, but it was not to be. The Sergeants and above retained their relatively exalted payments, while Gunners and ex-Lance Bombardiers (unpaid) still had to exist on two shillings a day, a sum which in fact we never received. For two consecutive weeks we had just ten shillings on pay day then on the third week a pound, but the pound was subject to deductions applicable to the whole three weeks, potential barrack damages, insurance and other trivialities. The only advantage was that it encouraged careful management of resources, a habit which I have never lost.
The first month of training was the usual routine of 'square bashing' under the eagle eye of a somewhat uncouth and foul-tongued character who introduced himself as, 'I'm Sarn't Gobbett, and don't you forget it', followed by, 'Old as I am (he must have been thirty at least but looked older) I can outrun (very doubtful), outfight (even more doubtful), and out something else the whole lot of you'. Maybe he could but that was yet to be proved. His voice was loud and harsh. Towards the end of the month with him we each had to take turns at drilling the squad,and on one occasion one of our number matched the squad across the parade ground but then in a temporary mental blackout could not remember the correct order to bring them back. In consequence they matched on towards the camp perimeter and the fields beyond. Gobbett roared out to the unfortunate cadet,'Bloody well say something if it's only goodbye'.
After a month with Gobbett we moved on to more interesting topics, such as the intricacies of sending a shell from gun to target, making allowances for wind speed and direction, the drift off due to the rotation of the projectile in flight, and the difference in atmospheric pressure from ground level to the highest point in its trajectory. Other items included vehicle maintenance, motor cycling over rough country, gun drill, gas drill, map reading and numerous other technicalities.
Sport was encouraged and I was able to gain a place in the O.C.T.U. Rugby Team for various inter-regimental matches. We had a fully-equipped gymnasium with an excellent P.T. instructor and I was able to take up badminton, fencing and to renew my acquaintance with the sport of boxing which I had learned at school. A team match had been arranged against the Royal Tank Regiment and I was pleased to be included in the team.
When my contest began my opponenent came in with a rush and managed to tap me on the nose which bled copiously but he rashly expended too much of his energy in the early stages of the fight, and in the second round I began to get the upper hand. In the third and final round I put him on the canvas, and although he got up again I was adjudged winner on points, which gave me much satisfaction.
The previous day I had had a little trouble in Catterick. We were having driving instruction and I was given the wheel of a 15cwt truck. I had never driven such a vehicle before and was quite exhilarated by the surge of power when one pressed the accelerator. Going through the Garrison Town I was suddenly aware of the blaring of a horn and a Military Policeman pulled in front signalling me to stop. 'Did you know you were exceeding the Garrison Speed Limit?' I was blissfully unaware of the speed limit, no one had ever told me. However IGNORANTIA JURIS HAUD EXCUSAT (Ignorance of the law is no excuse). He took my name and number and I was told to report to the Battery Commander on Monday morning.
I duly reported to the Battery Office as instructed, admittedly with some trepidation, but I need not have worried. The Major said quite casually,'I've just had one of the usual moans from the Military Police so I'd be obliged if you would stick to 30 m.p.h. in future. By the way, I thought you put up a jolly good show in the ring on Saturday night. We need chaps like you with some fighting spirit.' And that was it, but I think it was the only time I have ever exceeded the speed limit.

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