My Life by Lionel Graves. (Page 13)
Then came VE day and Germany surrendered it was 6th or 8th May 1945. The camp went wild, rushing round shouting madly, the RSM locked himself in his room for safety. Went into Richmond to celebrate but only had a few drinks.
We were then messed around with parades, although in a masochistic sort of way I enjoyed the Saturday morning C.O. Parade when the whole camp, six to seven hundred were on parade at the same time, lined up on three sides of the square, march towards the centre, halt altogether with a resounding crash of boots, after so many paces, then present arms again, together. It certainly stirred the blood.
Shortly afterwards we were posted to the 38th Recce Holding Regt stationed, would you believe, at Middleton Towers holiday Camp, Heysham nr. Morecombe. Our rooms were the chalets and Saturdays were great going to the huge ballroom and pier and we were the only troops in the place. Felt like kings driving through Morecombe stuck up in the turrets acknowledging the cheers of holidaymakers. But training intensified working as a squadron in cars at first. The Burma Road assault course, the toughest yet, crossing rivers on three rope bridges, jumps over obstacles into bottomless pits. Dropped out of covered lorries in the wilds and having to find our way back. We were out on the moors, Kirby Stephen way, sleeping on the floor of a small village hall. One Saturday a local hop was taking place and some of our thickies started unrolling their beds and settling down while the dance was still on.
Then a message came over the 19 wireless set that the Japs had surrendered after the atom bombs and it was V.J. Day. The first night we did nothing but talk about a mutiny against the sergeant who had been riding us. The second night VJ + 1 we got 3 tonners into Kendal where we hit the pubs, dancing and singing in the streets and really celebrating. I'd forgotten to add that our most recent exercises had been out of the cars, on foot, though the thickest woods they could find preparing for Burma or the Far East.
Then back to Morecombe where we had another posting, back to Catterick where we just messed about until our posting came for overseas. Egypt and the Middle East Land Forces. To Salisbury first, the 14 days embarkation leave, on return, no ships available so another 14 days. I found an old diary so will now copy out the entries.
Thursday 15th November, 1945. Heard this morning that we were going to the Middle East. The draft code number has been painted on our kitbags RLGAH and we were given postal re-direction cards, may leave tonight or tomorrow morning. Packed Kit.
Friday 16th Nov. Reville 00-30hrs (half an hour after midnight). Breakfast 1am moved off at 3am. Went on troop train to Salisbury, Wiltshire arriving there at 5pm. Transport took us to Odstock camp about two miles out. The C.O. Told us that there were no boats so we could have an extra 13 days leave from tomorrow – three loud cheers. We had already had our 14 days embarkation leave from Catterick.
Saturday 17th Nov. Went home, getting there about 1pm.
Thursday 29th Nov. Left home for camp. 8Pm Went via Birmingham and London got to London at 5pm.
(Mother told me later that she had been very worried for me going out to Egypt, but one night dreamed she was talking to my grandmother who had died a few years previously about it and saying how worried she was, my grandmother told her her to stop worrying as she knew I was going to be alright and no harm would come my way – Mother also used to read fortunes in tea leaves for her friends!)
Email: Lionel Graves (lionel@graf-tek.com).
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