Following the successful invasion of North Africa by the British 1st Army, I was driving a 15hwt truck from the Algiers docks to the outlying suburb of Boozarea. I pulled up sharply when I saw what I thought was the victim of a road accident lying by the roadside. Two Arabs ran to me and pointed to the figure lying on the footpath. The older of the two told me that his wife was about to give birth. Would I kindly take them to the nearby hospital.
Although i knew that giving lifts was contrary to King's rules and regulations, I felt I could hardly refuse in this situation. However, on arriving at the main hospital we were refused help and we were directed to a nearby maternity hospital. Fortunately the woman's husband knew the way to this second hospital and I drove carefully to this new address.
We had only gone a little way when the husband shouted for me to stop as the baby was on its way. Fortunately I happened to have a clean towel in the vehicle and the husband took off his shirt to lay on the floor of the truck. With much shouting by all three, baby was safely born. With the help of my swift army clasp knife, we cut the umbilical cord cleanly and once again I drove carefully on to the maternity hospital. I refused a handful of Algerian currency which the grateful husband attempted to give me.
I did however break KRR when I gave him my name and army address. Some weeks later I received a wooden plaque bearing a painting of the village scene of Boozarea which I still cherish.
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