Crafty Deception (or was it a theft?)

This story was submitted to the Peoples War website by Karolina Kopiec from the BBC GMR Action Desk on behalf of Mr Neville G. Hughes and has been added to the site with his permission.

My old dad was telling this story to my mum (both gone now, bless them) during a visit of an old shipmate to our home in Cheadle (Stockport area). It was soon after the war years, about 1948 as a near as I can recall. I was a ten year old lad who was sat at the bottom of our stairs ear-wigging when I should have been fast asleep in bed.
Dad’s ship was in port for battle damage repairs (1941-ish). The crew were given home leave whilst the work took place.
One of my dad’s shipmates was passing through the dock gates carrying a large wicker type picnic basket. The police on the gate asked him “What’s in the basket, pal?” The ships cat, was the reply. “Don’t try and kid me” said the policeman, “Open it up!”, “No” said the sailor “it took me an hour to catch it, I’m taking it home with me, I’m a cat lover, and if I open it up, the cat will be away back to the ship”. Not believing his story the Policeman insisted he open the basket. Sure enough, out jumps a huge black cat and away it runs back towards the dock area. “There you are, what did I tell you?” said the sailor “I’ve got to catch it again.” Very disgruntled the sailor went back to his ship.
Back at the ship, the sailor filled the basket with provisions from the cooks store room, butter, tins of ham etc.
On his approach to the dock gate for the second time (carrying his basket of loot) the same policeman confronts him. “Don’t you dare ask me to open this basket again! You know what happened an hour ago!” said the sailor.
“Ok” said the policeman waving him through, “Enjoy your leave pal, you’re a good lad, I’m a bit of a cat lover myself.”
Back home, the ill gained grub was very welcome, as you well know food was very scarce.
I would call it “Crafty deception”, wouldn’t you?

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