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Grandfather's Story
A CIVILIAN GOES TO WAR, (AND RETURNS UNSCATHED)
by
Cpl. Arthur George Pike 14260370
Page 2
The course at Bodmin
lasted six weeks, and was designed to propel us into the tank corps. I did
not qualify, perhaps because a test included putting a bicycle pump together (way
beyond me) or because I put all my bullets through the centre of the targets.
This may have been because my ancestors were pretty good at shooting rabbits
on their farms. I survived the unpleasant gas shed test, and country runs,
etc. I qualified for the Suffolk Regiment of infantry.
However, my transfer to Bury St Edmunds was held up because they wanted to
test me
for officer potential. This took me to North Kent for training with the Leicestershire
Regiment. More or less the same six weeks training, plus a week on lorry driving
and a week on motor cycles. More fears, but I mastered the m/c. I must have done,
because when I broke down and was left behind, I restarted and tried to catch
up, unaware the others had pulled in for petrol. So, I was going up Wrotham
Hill at about 80 mph when the sergeant drew level, indicating I should stop
and turn round and join the others. How did I manage that!
Rejection from this unit involved being sent to Inverness. Another cap badge
in an empty barrack room. Until an unlikely looking character came in and welcomed me with "Fetch't
coil". He was from Halifax, I think, and puzzled me, so I asked, rather hopefully "
Where is it?" The answer was quite clear - "In t'coil-hoil". I fetched some coal.
It was of course a mistake sending me to Inverness. I was sent post-haste to Bury St
Edmunds. Another new badge, but this was my army home now. It must have been
getting near Christmas, and I went to the Cathedral; I believe I fell asleep
during the service.
A keen-eyed reader will note that it was a bonus for a Geography student to
be sent to so many different places. I had learnt the importance of knowing my way about
from the golf course at Saunton. On the course and in the neighbouring sandhills it
was easy to get lost, but not me.
I was soon off to the holding battalion which was training near Skegness for
the front line. One afternoon I stood on the beach thinking there was really nothing
much between me and Hitler! There were no structures like the scaffolding erected on my
home beach to deter landings.
I got to know my way about Sausthorpe and Spilsby, but not the HQ at Raithby.
It seems these names have endings related to the invasion by the Danes centuries before.
The locals were (justifiably) proud of Telford and the Lincolnshire Wolds, but
to a Devonian? Then there was Firsby station where I arrived back from weekend leave 17½ hours
late. Fancy going to Budleigh Salterton on a 36-hour pass! In my defence my pass
was stamped at Kings Cross RTO at the time the train was supposed to leave. The
early departure was probably the result of the driver wanting to get out of the danger
zone. He put paid to my officer chances. But he did give me chance to stay at the charity
place at Peterborough.
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