The Military
I went to Sutton Coldfield assessment centre for three days for assessment it was decided I would be suited for infantry and so I opted for the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
I went to Bassingbourn Barracks to start basic training where I met the lads I was to train with, we were called Chindit Platoon, I recently checked the name out of curiosity and this is what I found
“The Chindits, known officially as the Long Range Penetration Groups, were special operations units of the British and Indian armies, which saw action in 1943–1944, during the Burma Campaign of World War II. The creation of British Army Brigadier Orde Charles Wingate, the Chindits were formed for raiding operations against the Imperial Japanese Army, especially long-range penetration: attacking Japanese troops, facilities and lines of communication, deep behind Japanese lines.”
We were given a name to be proud of; we were also the only platoon on base that marched around singing, similar to the US Military which you see on TV.
The training obviously started with drill square bashing as it was known as and boot buffing I could bull my boots to a good shine and iron a mean crease in my dress uniform or number ones as it was called.
Then we had the long marching and running etc. with full pack then the assault course with a two inch zigzag catwalk over deep mud we had to run across and which I fell off, there was no assistance I had to pull myself back up onto it and continue on the course included all the normal stuff ending with a 12ft wall. Then it was the normal weapons training.
We went on boat training, it was a cold winter plenty of frost we were by a lake it was not canoes but larger metal boats, I don’t know what they were made of only that they were heavy, four of us did the rowing, two on either side while the corporal stood giving his orders.
We set off down one side of the lake, there was an island in the middle where we got out the boat and carried it over land which was rough terrain to the other side then back into the water again with the corporal on board, as I was climbing into the boat he pulled me by the belt then when I had one leg over he promptly let go dropping me, not a pleasant experience, he thought it was funny then when we got to the end we then had to swim the width of the lake and run back along a bridge before we were done.
Another part of training was the boxing ring we were to be matched up according to size, I had to face a big guy I was 5ft 11in so I was tall and lean so there wasn’t much of me in the way of body strength, he was a little taller and he was very well built and powerful, he caught me with a power punch right between the eyes and blood went everywhere, I had blurred vision, I could not focus or even see him, and so he stopped fighting but the corporal told him to keep hitting me but he refused, so the fight was over then while I was at the stand pipe rinsing the blood from my face the corporal came over and said to me “well done Evans it’s not about winning, we only wanted to see how much of a beating you could take”
Then came the day it was time to face the gas chamber, we had to learn how to deal with gas and experience it’s affects, CS gas will burn where you sweat wherever that may be. We entered the chamber with our gas masks on, and the first thing we had to do was build up a sweat and so we had to do a workout with gas masks on and then line up at which time the chamber is full of gas and we are burning all over, then one at a time we would take our mask off, the only way out was to say your name rank and number to the Commanding Officer.
The CO came up to me and spoke with me then punched me in the guts ensuring I took a good intake of gas; it is not so easy to talk when you’re coughing, once let out of the chamber it was a matter of letting the air do the job, if you rub your eyes or anywhere else that is irritating they will only get worse so leave them alone no matter how much you may want to, I had a good bunch of guys to train with, it was tough but it felt natural to me.
We were told that a dance night was being held and that some coaches were coming in with ladies all was not lost music and dancing was coming to me, on the night of the dance we were given a talk beforehand on how to behave, the billets were off limits and we were to greet the young ladies when they entered the hall and escort them to our table.
I escorted an oriental lady to my table she was so lovely and beautiful and so different, I got her something to eat, which ended up being half a chicken, we had a dance, she was not that long in the country which made her interesting, and so I took her for a walk to show her around and there were bodies everywhere I felt slightly embarrassed, I was keeping the stiff end up for the Brits, and I think I did okay, she agreed to meet me on the next dance so I guess I did my country proud.
Time passed and the next dance was coming up I am looking forward to seeing her again, or would she even show up? On the morning or it may have been the day before the dance we were lined up and the CO came in and asked for a volunteer, impulsive me steps forward as I do, I had volunteered for guard duty on the night of the dance, they do have a saying in the military “never volunteer” I pulled guard duty and I did my job and so I don’t know if she showed or not, and as usual I had not asked her for her contact details.
Now my first leave was coming up, we passed off the square and were sent home in uniform, kit bag packed it was off for the train.
I headed off for Coventry my family knew that I was heading home, I arrived late when the pubs were closed, I had made arrangements with my brother to pick me up, I was to call him when I was ready, I told him that I wanted to go for a drink first, he was a night owl so time didn’t matter and so I decided to go to Mr Georges which was a night club in town, on arrival the staff were very pleasant they took my kit bag and gave me free admission which I never expected.
Once inside it was a different story, the atmosphere was uncomfortable, I was getting bad looks from people, I went to the restroom where I was followed in by a plain clothes police officer, he showed me his identification then he told me that my safety could not be guaranteed the support for the Irish was so strong in there, I was on my own and he advised me to leave, I told him this was not an option for me and I was staying.
This was a surprise and a disappointment to me; it was okay for him he was unknown, I was in uniform and I stood for my Queen and Country there is no way I was leaving with my tail between I legs and so the disappointment turned to annoyance and defiance, if I was going down I was going in style, I had figured that I was in a dodgy situation but at least I knew I was on my own, I was not going to let it dampen my spirit there is always a silver lining.
I met a group of four people who would talk with me because one of the girls brother was also in the military, I had my dance partner for the night, I just ignored the ignorant people it was tense in there when I went to the bar people turned their backs, they made it clear I was not welcome but I didn’t care it’s my city and no-one will drive me from it, I had a real good night I only wish I had got her number.
I called my brother and told him I was ready for pick up but there may be a situation, the balcony where I had to walk out was jam packed but I just walked through, I looked anyone in the eye, all ended peacefully, now I knew the danger of wearing my uniform and declaring that I was in the military and that I would be on my own, however I was not going to hide who I was because I was not ashamed; and also now in defiance mode, I was going to go everywhere in uniform.
Northern Ireland as far as I was concerned we were invited there as peacekeepers because they were killing each other over religion, we were certainly not occupiers.
My mother would often tell me about her dad who was the editor of a Dundalk newspaper and was taken out from their home by the Black and Tans and shot, his only weapon was a pen, he refused to stop writing or reporting on the truth.
This is when the IRA were justified in fighting for freedom because the republic were being suppressed by England, but now it was Catholic against Protestant which means there is no freedom if you are denied the right to believe. United we stand divided we fall.
I continued to wear my uniform and while waiting to cross the road downtown the passenger of a car threw a punch out the window, and while I was walking in a country lane up Wood End a car tried to run me over, those are just two incidents which portray the feeling towards me in Coventry.
I was up Wood End to visit Ethel the woman I had the affair with, I ended up over staying my leave and so the police showed up, I went to the police station with them where we had a chat and they said if we let you go will you go back to your barracks and I told them I would.
I went and packed my kitbag and headed off to Bassingbourn I had decided to hitch hike in uniform and I got a ride in a Rolls Royce, I was very surprised when it pulled up, I got in the back with the owner who was an American, he told me he had only just brought the car and was testing it out, while we were going up the motorway he asked his driver how fast we were going and he said 120 mph, it felt like we were cruising, I went back in style.
On arrival at Bassingbourn I was arrested and put in the guardhouse, the next day I was to see the CO. I had thought about my situation, I knew I would have to do some time which would mean being back squadded, I still wanted to stay in but the decision would be made by the CO the next day.
In the morning I was taken before him, I told him nothing of my events I only apologised and requested to stay in, however there wasn’t any second chance for me, I was to be discharged after I did some time in the guardhouse.
While in the guardhouse I was allowed two cigarettes a day which had to be smoked in front of the officer in charge, I small yard to walk around and the tower to complete daily, the tower was a construction I would have to climb with a lead weight on my shoulder which was housed elsewhere, I could be seen doing the tower by the other recruits.
My corporal came to see me and told me that I was a fool, and that I had been up for best recruit, I didn’t say much we just shook hands, I don’t think I was the best, there were fitter and stronger guys but it didn’t matter now anyway, I knew I was a fool and that I had let everyone down my mum had great expectations and had always been proud of me.
I had been told I would have a chance with The Royal Canadian Mounties after my service which was now over. I had lost a lot; my life was now on another path.
On release I went to my locker where my personal property and kit had been locked up before I went on leave, it had been broken into, my personal effects and my kit were gone, this meant I would have to pay for the kit out of the little money I had saved, but the most important thing to me was a genuine buck hide wallet my sister had sent to me from South Africa, I am lost for words and so I am heading back to Coventry.
I arrived home and went to my mother at Walsgrave, I never told her or anyone else about my events or problems I simply let them assume whatever they wanted.
I went to see Ethel, she knew I was gutted about the military and felt responsible for me overstaying my leave which she partially was, she said she felt I would have been killed had I stayed in, I felt I was more at risk being at home, the day came when Ethel’s mum passed away and Ethel was in pieces and so I stopped over she slept on the sofa because she could not face going upstairs and I was on the floor I looked after her and the kids, this brought us all closer and eventually I moved in, the kids would tell me of how both their dads had treated them and there mum which touched my heart somewhat, this was the end of any contact with my old friends because I now spent most of my time with Ethel and the kids I took the boy to school on his first day and the teachers thought I was his dad, I would carry him on my shoulders, I now had the responsibility of an instant family.
By doing this I had left my mother alone, but no more than when I was in the military except it was the woman I had chosen, in hindsight my mother was right, but so often people looking in can see what you don’t, I was too involved and smitten.