大象传媒

When operational needs allowed, Sunday services were held at the Station Church, attended by all the various sections and squadrons. Even the SHQ (Station Headquarters Staff) were expected to send a representative unit.
The exception was - or should have been - the Marine Craft Section, as will be seen. This particular Sunday the MCS lads paraded as usual in front of the MCS building on what was to them a Working Parade - i.e. the lads were dressed for duty in oilskins, wellington boots, sub sweaters, and overalls. Warrant Officer Harris was taking the parade, and had just received last minute orders that the M.C.S. must attend the Church Parade. When he gave the order to 'Left Turn' the lads were puzzled, as the way to the pier-head, where they were to take over their respective craft, was to the right. However in true British fashion, they turned to the left, only to get the additional order to 'Quick March'
The scene now changes to the Pembroke Dock Parade Ground, where the other units were standing prior to the Church Service to be held in the Church. All the airmen, officers and men, were dressed in their 'best blue' with boots polished and with pride in their appearance.
Quietly at first, then louder with each second that passed, came this scuffling, scraping noise - well, you try marching in oilskins and wellington boots! - and gradually the MCS lads came into view.
The Commanding Officer summoned the Squadron Leader 'A' (Administration) and he in turn issued an urgent order to another officer, who actually ran to the MCS squad to halt them from going any further. There was a short delay before the order was given to 'About Turn' and off the lads went - this time to the pier, where the lads to be relieved were impatiently waiting. The rather surprising sequel to this incident was that the entire squad was put on a '252' (Charge Sheet) but of course it was quietly cancelled once the C.O. realised the reason for the error. So far as I know, the Warrant officer also escaped any charges!
Incidentally, it was standard practice, before the Church Service took place, for the order to be given 'Fall out the R.C.'s and O.D.'s (Other Denominations) and whilst the R.C.'s went off with their own priest to their own service, some O.D.'s would wander off for an extra Sunday morning kip- until an order was issued for them to report to the cookhouse for duty. This resulted in quite an increase in the C. of E. congregation...

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