´óÏó´«Ã½

Billeted with the Balls, my 3rd locus parentii (?) in Lutterworth, had its moments.
Mr B worked for BTH in Rugby in a reserved occupation making hush hush things for the War Effort. But, at weekends and evenings, when required, he went to the LDV - The Home Guard meetings. I suppose he was lucky, unlike the ‘lads’ in Dad’s Army, he had the full monty: battle dress uniform, belt, boots n’gaiters and his own 303 which he brought home with him.

Eager, like all lads with a new toy, he was eager to show us what he had learnt in the way of arms drill:

Squad. Squaaaad - SHUN. Staaaan dat, waaaait for it - EASE, Stand Easy. Squad, squaaaad - AHHtennnn - SHUN. Slohhhhh pe - ARMS. Preeee sennnnt - ARMS. Slohhhhh pe - ARMS. Riiiiight - TURN.

Crash, ------- tinkle, tinkle.

The modern thirtys ‘swirling pink’ glass light bowl was the first casualty of Mr Ball's war. Mrs Ball was not amused.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.