Fond Memories - I Was Lucky

I received three months training in a signal school in Compton Bassett, Wiltshire. This training was a God send, as it meant I experienced some wonderful things and places during and after the Second World War. I was aged 21 when I joined the RAF and trained in Scotland. Our general was unbelievable, he remembered all of service numbers, a mean feat when there were so many of us. I was then posted to the Middle East, whilst the war was still raging in the Desert. I went to Free Town Harbour in the North West of Africa, where a pack of U-boats was waiting for us! One of our escorting Destroyers picked up a man on a raft during our journey over there and then we went to Durban. We were greeted by the infamous singing ‘Lady in White’ and we were then posted to a Transit Camp in Cairo, Egypt. We travelled up through the Desert and remained there until the war was over.

I am a very, very lucky individual. I was never called on to fight, and the ship I travelled on was dive bombed after I completed my mission. The fact that I went to Signal School also provided me with further luck. Whilst waiting in transit in Cairo, I visited the local town and approached a gentleman about gaining some work. There was nothing available but he offered me a job working as a Mechanic. I was posted to the out skirts of Cairo and given the task of training pilots. I taught them Morse Code and was then sent to the Persian Golf.

The Second World War led me on some unbelievable adventures. I visited a variety of archaeological sites in Iraq and saw things which later moved to museums all over the world. I experienced many things which enriched my life and broadened my world. I understand that many horrific things happened during the war and that I was one of the lucky folk. I have continued to live my life with that in mind.

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