- Contributed by
- kennedyshe
- People in story:
- Lance Bomardier George Howe and Arthur Howe
- Location of story:
- Dhulia, India
- Background to story:
- Army
- Article ID:
- A7436324
- Contributed on:
- 30 November 2005
As told by George Howe:
I was one of six brothers who all ended up in the Services, four joined the Army and two joined the RAF.
In 1943 I was with my regiment in Dhulia, India. One morning I was in the mess tent having breakfast when I saw a tall, tanned, young man wearing khaki drill, striding across the room in my direction. I looked at the stranger blankly until he spoke - it was my younger brother, Arthur, whom I hadn't seen since he had joined up at 19.
He then told me an amazing tale. He was serving in Burma when he was given leave. He knew where I was so he hitched a lift from Burma to Ceylon, then another lift to Delhi, then another lift to Bombay, then took the train to Dhulia.
After breakfast we went to see my Commanding Officer. My brother had 7 days' leave and I was given the same, plus railway passes for us both. We took the train to Bombay and found a YMCA where, for the princely sum of 1/6 per night, we shared a room. I bought a silver fob watch for 20 rupees which is still going strong!
Arthur now lives in Warrington and I live in Sherwood, Nottingham, having had the honour to be Sheriff of Nottingham at one time.
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