大象传媒

In March 1944 after arriving back in the UK with my ship and its refurbishment we went to Dunfermline where my untreated wound from the Italian landings caused me problems. The Coxswain and the Skipper were arguing, Skipper "He's not leaving the ship" Cox"Then you take responsibility"
They call a Tug and I am thrown into a net and taken to a civilian hospital my left side was swollen. Principal Doctor, a tall man with fair hair and a little girl, he wore a harris tweed jacket, together with the RN doctor they wheeled me into the theatre, but, of course, it is closed down. They freeze my side and immediately I fall asleep.
Two days later I sit up, RN Doctor arrives tells staff I am leaving, Gentleman with fair hair protests but to no avail. Staff dressed me and I travelled by train over Forth Bridge to Queensfeery RN at Edinburgh. Wound reopened on arrival and I was put in a small sick bay with two beds. When the bleeding stopped I was sent on my way.
Assuming I was to rejoin LCT 115 I was shunted around the UK doing DIY on my side arrived weeks later at HMS Vernon torpedo school Portsmouth. Very busy day - Monty was coming and going. All the LCT's going off for D day.
Finally at Chatham Hospital in February 1945 I was kicked out of the service on Medical grounds.
Home on the Friday, on Monday morning Elderly gentleman arrives from the Ministry of Works told to report for work on Tuesday, the following day, and I was reminded that there was a war on and jobs are compulsory. I was to go to Mauldeth Road, the West Hough End, where there were two cabins, one had plans and tools the other materials. The Company was Winstanleys of Warrington and London, site agent was Crosby. My job was water infrastructure, 6 inch water pipes made of paper, rest lead pipes. First day on site, army trucks rolled up, German prisoners and I was allocated twenty. For weeks they dug trenches, there were no guards, just me and them. They told me they went dancing at the Ritz in Manchester. I gave them cigarettes and they made little boxes for cigs and trinkets.
Well they were working for me now seems I was not the only War Maverick. Incidentally the site was for prefabs.

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