大象传媒

I was born in Newport South Wales in October 1926, the youngest but one of eight children. Little did I realize that when the war broke out in 1939 and being still in school, I would be called up to do service in the army. From the the time that I left school at fourteen, I was employed on the Great Western Railway as a junior in the District Goods Office office in Newport. During the time there I attended the Technical College and also trained with 210 1st Mon. Air Training Corp. in readyness for call up to the Royal Air Force. This was was not to be for the army needs were much greater at the time. During that time I became proficient in Morse Code. This enabled me to be selected for training as a wireless operator in the Royal Artillery. We were being trained for the war against the Japanese in Burma. I am keen to contribute with stories of the past. I play golf and I also play indoor bowls. I am interested to read and to contribute stories of world war two.
It was in 1948 that I was `demobbed`.

It all began with Basic training at Shorncliffe Barracks Folkstone, and then the 39th. Training Regiment Royal Artillery as a Driver Wireless Operator in Yorkshire and so to India (originally bound for Burma) but VJ was declared. India 1945-48 first with the 10th.Field Regiment Royal Artillery 2nd.Indian Division and later transferred to the Royal Signals after passing the high grade cipher course at Mhow Central Provinces India. Posted to GHQ Signals Regiment in New Delhi. Partition occurred with India and Pakistan during my stay and we played a vital role in passing the secret information of the many atrocities that took place at the time.
My wife and I celebrated our Golden Wedding aniversary in September 2003. We have two lovely daughters Jane and Anne and two smashing son-in-laws David and Robert (Bob).Three grandchildren Jessica (21).Taking a year out before going to university, at present in Australia enjoying a well earned back packers holiday.(Since returned and now at Bournemout University).Robert jnr. is studying for his A Levels and hopes to be following in his sisters footsteps. Daniel my youngest grandson is nearly now ten,he is at present attending a school in Hove, near Brighton.At the present he is learning to play the piano and also the violin, and I must say he is a wizard on computer games, far better than his grandfather at getting used to his new computer.He is a very strong supporter of Brighton and also Newcastle.He plays a nifty game of football himself. The only son of my eldest daughter,and my son-in-law David. We love them to bits.
My wife Thelma is a ex. casualty nurse now retired but still doing her bit for the Heart Foundation Charity.My name is John an ex. Royal Signals Army Sgt.,and later working in the steel industry in Computer Operations.
I have made my first contribution to the WW2 Peoples War WEB site `Discipline For The Young Soldier` as I think this had a strong bearing on my character throughout my time in the army.

Ex. Sgt. Beal Royal Signals.;