Hi OIbert, Barked at the Missus, your a brave man, don't hold me responsible for your punishment. Regards Bert
Hi Bert, Fantastic reading! Real entertainment! No claims to fame on my side, I'm afraid! Myself, I've always been in Civvy Street, but my Grandfathers were in the Polish Free Forces Navy and a welder in Devonport Dockyard (he worked on The "Ark Royal"), and my 3rd Grandfather (my Gran married again after my Grandfather's death) was in the R.A., mostly in Africa (he had some stories to tell!-unfortunately he passed away some 16 years ago, and I never thought to make notes! :-( ). Michael
I had a hurried breakfast and went and waited at the office, the transport arrived the driver said he was going to Xthanthi first then on to Drama stay the night then going back this suited me. We had a long journey and spoke mostly about football, we arrived at Xthanthi, I thanked the driver and said I have got to have a tomtit, I waited in the bog until he drove off, I then went and found the office, when I walked in the Sgt said where the fuck did you come from, I said I have been in Hospital and they arranged for the stores lorry to take me back to unit, he said the Boss will be here in a minute, I sat and waited, then a Captain came in, the Sgt explained the situation the Captain was annoyed and said radio the Somersets to come and pick him up. The Sgt went off, when he came back he said your mob will pick you up tomorrow, he took me to a billet and arranged a bed, I had a pleasant stay there the food was good. Next day the transport arrived, I was going home, I had to explain to the driver where I had been, I booked in to the the Orderly room, then to my billet, I was greeted with great joy, " he's back", and "we thought we had got rid of you", I had always been popular. The Minder came and found me and we discussed Fugly, what to do for this best, he said one of the new RPs worked at a London dog track and was very friendly with the dog, I said lets go and have a chat, the bod was keen to take over the dog, so the Minder took our badge from Fugly collar and with great reluctance handy him over. We were both upset over this but we had no options, we agreed we would keep away from the Guardhouse, we had a week before we moved on. More Later
The day arrived for our departure, the usual parade, number off into groups, wait for our lorry number to be called, the lorries were all out side the compound. We had a new one pipper and a corporal in our group, we were loaded up like pack donkeys. Our number was called and off we marched, we approached the guard room, we were ordered to march to attention, all most impossible with the load we were carrying, at the guard room we got Eyes Right, I saw the one pipper salute, the sentry presented arms, and there he was was, Fugly, sitting next to the sentry, full of piss and importance, we were out the gate, found our lorry number, and that was the last we saw of Fugly, but not the last we heard about him. The Officer asked the corporal who we saluted, he said the Battalion dog, the Officer laughed and said I have never saluted a dog before, with a wry smile the corporal said I have many times, I don't think the officer under stood what the corporal implied. Nobody was sorry to be leaving the area,it was isolated and depressing place, but quite a few were sorry to say goodbye to Fugly, he would be remembered by the number of bruises he inflicted on you body. The convoy started off it was a slow and bumpy ride, after several hours we stopped at a tented camp, to spend the night, it was uncomfortable and the food was rubbish, we were glad to leave early the next morning, we loaded up and drove off, we did not go far, we stopped at a railway line where a train was standing, we were told to load up, it was crowded but OK, we set of to the docks. We lined up on the dock and slowly boarded a large ship, our group was one off the last to board, we were lucky all the lower deck hammocks were full, he got couches near the top deck, very comfortable. We stayed the night, the grub was good, we got some beer and had a good singsong, we thought our luck had changed, how wrong can you be. We sailed early next day, it was a pleasant trip, we arrived at Triest, our troubles started we were put into a part of a Wop barracks, what a dirty disgusting shithole, it might suit the Wops, but we were not happy, there was a lot of dissent, and things looked decidedly dodgy, we were called together and the CO arrived, he apologized for the conditions, and said it was just as bad for the Officers, he said don't do any thing rash, we were only there for 2 days, please don't let the Regiment down, I will make it up to you later, he was well liked and respected, and things calmed down. I went to have a tomtit, the room was large the ablutions were in the same room, there were no cubicles, just a recessed area with concrete footprints, and a hole to aim for, I had just started when the door opened and a old woman came in to sweep up, she swept all around my arse, I had to wait until she had gone, I had a job to stand up my thigh muscles were killing me. We were pleased to leave Italy. More later
We were more than happy to leave Italy, using train and lorries we were on our way, where we going Sgt, Germany lads, we arrived in Austria, well I supposed that was near by. We really landed on our feet, we arrived at Volkermarkt, we had been housed in some shitholes but this place was the cats whiskers, my mate and I got beds in the stores, real beds, iron frame with real springs, new palliasse fresh hay to fill them, and a big stove with plenty of wood, this was really living. The cooks could not stop talking about the Dining room and Kitchens, now they would not have any excuses, the Rec room was large and well fitted out, but the sports field and pavilion were out standing. This was the best barracks any of us had been in, time slip by everybody was in a good mood, it was a Sat, morning I was preparing to do some washing, my mate popped in and said come on we are going to have a kick about, I said I have washing to do, he said you do your own washing, I said the CSM usually does it but he is busy, he said put it in your kitbag and come with me, I loaded up put in a large bar of soap, we were stopped at the gate by a RP, he checked my kitbag and held his nose, he said you don't to dump that outside we have an incinerator, we went on our way with me suggesting the RP invite me to his Mum and Dad wedding. We came to small cottage, my mate knocked the door, and we were greeted by a young woman and 2 young children she invited us in, he introduced me and said could you do his washing, payment in cigarettes and chocolate she was more than willing, we had a chat and left, he told me her husband was a German soldier, he left for Russia, the Army told her they had no news what happened to him. My mate then stopped me and said all you get there is your washing done, understand, I would not shit on a mates doorstep, besides he was twice my size. When I collected my washing, I paid her with cigarettes and a bar of chocolate, I gave the kids 2 boiled sweets each, she did a good job, she had taken one sock apart and darned my socks, the first time in months I had decent socks, I usually waited to the stores to come then fiddle some extra pairs. More later
Thank you for the barracks picture. My Father, Frank was here at some point. The cricket field is close to the river at the top of the picture. I can remember watching him there sat on a Chelsea Pensioner's lap. The entrance was centre lower third point where the guardhouse was. My dad attended the annual reunion there in a hall. I believe it was to the left of the parade ground. Great memories.
Bert You will be pleased to know that italian barracks are still minging. I stopped at one in the 70ties and had to take a crap standing up like you...all the holes were toppers with shite as they did not flush....dirty bastards. Great stories about the dog...we had one in NI called Clit because he was such a .....
