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Grandfather's Story
A CIVILIAN GOES TO WAR, (AND RETURNS UNSCATHED)
by
Cpl. Arthur George Pike 14260370
Page 10
The Karen people had
an appearance more like ours and I grew to like them. It is sad that
the present Burmese, sorry, Myinmar government seems to be not caring for them.
It will always be Burma in our memory. I would go back (Come you back, you British
soldier, come you back to Mandalay!) but there is the heat and the mosquitoes to think
of. I believe the mepacrine tablets were invented just in time to keep me clear of
malaria. So I came home yellow, it soon wore off.
In 1964 a strange illness put me out of action, and although it relented, it
would keep coming back. I was even tested for strongyloidiasis, in case I was acting as
host for a 40-year intestinal worm. Perhaps I brought the illness back with me, perhaps
not.
I subsequently met up with Tom Stacey at Torrington. He had been B Company
runner, and we told each other a good many stories of our efforts. He found, too late,
that our ex-CO was in the next village, and his son had been delivering his milk.
In 1948 I was privileged to marry Jean. We had been courting almost throughout
the War. Our two children have done well, and there are two grandsons. Berkshire? Oh
yes, son graduated at Reading University. During a visit I called our Orderly Room
Sergeant Major at Woodley. There was one local in the Second Battalion! His surprised
greeting "Budleigh Salterton Pike!" had a message for me. I hope I already
knew it!
My parents took me to see Bert Hinton at Aylesbury. He was able to thank my
mother for all the tins of fifty Players she had sent me. Would it happen nowadays, I
wonder? Perhaps the local lads no longer pose where the young Sir WaIter Raleigh did.
We were very proud of his achievements with tobacco in those days.
Then there is the Burma Star Association. Soon after the war a local branch
was started by a former ADMIN BOX man from 7th Indian Division. They had created
a successful way of thwarting the enemy advances. Another local branch was
started much
more recently, and I realised that no matter where they were, everyone had
contributed to the victory. We had men, and ladies, from all parts, but surprisingly
three members
of one unit - "our" 115 Field Regiment R.A.
P 1 :: P
2 :: P 3 :: P
4 :: P 5 :: P
6 :: P
7 :: P 8 :: P
9
:: P
10
Cpl. Arthur George Pike 6400751