1947 autumn

-

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL

EDITORIAL NOTES

EDITOR:

Lieut.-Colonel A. L. D UNNILL, O.B.E.

The Royal Army Pay Corps Journal is published quarterly, viz., Spring (in March), Summer (in June), Autumn (in September), and Winter (in December).

Local Representatives have been appointed in each Pay Office, to whom all Corps News and Notes should be sent for transmission to the Editor. Other articles intendei for publication may be sent either to the Local Representative or direct to the Editor.

All letters, articles, etc., should be clearly written in ink or typed on one side of the paper only and should be signed. If the signature is not intended for publication, but as a guarantee of gool faith, a nom dlt plume should be given.

.. *

Articles, photographs, etc., should be forwarded to the Editor to ensure receipt by the 20th of February, May, August or November, if intended for publication in the issue of the following month.

All articles printed in this Journal are copyright, and application for reproduction should be made to the Editor.

The Editor will always be pleased to receive constructive criticism for the improvement of the Journal, including suggestions of particular features which could be included or omitted.

Subscribers are requested to notify at once any change of address. The Editor cannot be responsible for delivery of copies unless this is done.

All correspondence should be addressed to: THE EDITOR,

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL DISTRICT PAY OFFICE,

LADYSMITH BARRACKS, ASHTON -UNDER-LYN E , Lancs.

Tel.: Ashton 3051 .. .. ..

The rates of subscription to The R.A.P.C. Journal are as follows :-

For 12 Single months Copies

Through Office Representative 4/- 1/-If sent by post 5/- 1/3

Small advertisements in connection with articles for sale, accommodation, etc., will be inserted at a charge of 2d. per word.

For Scale of Charges for other advertisements application should be made to the Editor.

Readers can materially assist us in our advertisement s. Remember to deal with firms who advertise in thel Journal and always:mention the Journal in any correspondence with our advertisers.

INDEX

Editorial

Officers' Club Notes

Obituary

Old Comrades Association

Personalia

Corps N ews - Officers

Open Air Banking

Financial Disarmament of the Japanese

M eerut to Singapore

Snake-Charmer in Piccadilly

Birth.s, M arriages and Deaths .

A Pay Office in Japan

The Sudan in 1940

Notes and N~ws from Offices

471

Page

472

473

479

480

481

482

483

488

493

494

495

497

499

502

The Royal Army Pay Corps Journal Vol. V. No. 41

EDITOBIAI..J NOTES District Pay Office,

Ladysmith Barracks, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs.

Sept., 1947.

The Ed,itqr's daily post-bag indicates that more arid more officers and men who have been released from the Corps rely upon the quarterly appearance of the Journal for information in regard to their comrades who may still be serving, or who, like themselves have ceased to serve.

'IV e appreciate the remarks these men have to make and are glad to realise that the objects of the Journal have been attained insofar as these readers are concerned.

* * * . It is, we feel, a pity that so many who leave

the Corps fail to continue th~ir interest in the Journal, for it is after their release that its contents can be of help in maintaining liaison with their comrades.

We hope that any subscriber who comes in contact with an ex-member of the Corps who does not receive copies of the J ou rnal will endeavour to induce him to become a regular reader.

* At the end of this year Vo!, V will have been

completed and in our next issue we hope to announce details for binding the volume.

If any reader requires copies of past issues they can still be supplied on application to th~ Editor.

* * Officers' Dinne), Club

The first post-war Annual Dinner of 0e Officers' Dinner Club was held at the MayfaIr Hotel, Berkeley Street, London, on Friday, 4 July.

Ninety Officers were present and the Colonel Commandant presided.

* * * A brief record of service of the officers who

have retired during the last few months will appear in our next issue.

472

Autumn, 1947

BOOK REVIEW

"In the Street of the Angel," by · P. J. Stead. Published by Art and Educational Publishers Ltd., London. Price 8/6.

This book will be of interest to readers of the · Journal as the author served during the late war in the Corps, first as an other rank in the Command Pay Office, York, and later, on being commissioned, in the Regimental Pay Office, Preston. Subsequently he proceeded with No. 2 c.P.O. to Algiers and it was while there that the book was written.

. Pre-war Algiers is the setting for this melodrama of espionage and counter espionage. The hero, an Englishman soon finds himself in trouble in his efforts to unravel the death~ of a diplomat and a sea captain. Assisted by a resourceful valet he escapes from many difficult situations during the course of which he comes into contact with many remarkable and responsible persons.

The reader's interest is held to the end when our hero, having fulfilled his Foreign Office mission, is able to gaze upon the City of Algiers from the deck of a homeward bou~d ship.

* '" *

PHILATELY The response from those interested in

connection with the formation of a Philatelic Society has been most encouraging, and as a result an Exchange Club has been started.

More members are, however, still required, and it is hoped that those collectors who have not yet communicated with the Editor will do

. so as early as possible.

* * *

O UR CO NTEMPORARIES

The Editor acknowledges with m an y thanks receipt of the following Journals :

The Covenanter. The RA.O.C. Gazette. The Manchester Regiment Gazette. The Accountant: The Certified Accountants ' Journal. The Wish Stream. The Wasp.


R.A.P.C. Officers' Club GOLF

The summer meeting was held in excellent weather at :~est Hill Golf Club .on 3rd and 4th July. Thirty officers competed. The result of the competitIOns was as follm¥s .-

Riley Cleek . . Toller Cup Captains' Prizes

The Club Foursomes

Lt.-Col. R. C . Thompson Major E . M. Jenkins Major E . M. Jenkins Major G . T. Walsh Lt.-Col. R C. Thompson Capt. T . B. Cockburn

Two Corps Matches have also been played :-

Versus R.A.O.C. at Worplesdon on 4th June 1947 RA.O.C.

1. Lt. -Col. H. S . Mi ~chell .. 2. Lt.-Col. S . E. M. Welch (2 & 1) 3. Lt.-Col. B. B. Jackson 4. Maj . A. Worsfold 5. Capt. F . Bancroft 6. Lt.-Col. C. D. Canning 7. Brig. M. Lea-Cox .. 8. Lt .-Col. H . C . McVittie (9 & 8)

Total

1. Lt.-Col. Mitchell Lt.-Col. Welch . .

2. Lt.-Col. Jackson Major W orsfold

3. Capt. Bancroft Lt.-Col. Canning

4. Brig. Lea-Cox .. Lt.-Col. McVittie

Total

Total

(::! & 1)

Versus R.A.S.C.

1. Major Ellis 2. Lt.-Col. Huxham 3. Lt.-Col. Burrell 4. Lt.-Col. Muriel 5. Capt. Angus 6. Maj .-Gen. Clover 7. Brig. Williams . . 8. Maj.-Gen. Collings

Total

Ellis & Huxham Burrell & Muriel Clover & Williams . . Collings & Angus

Total

RA.S.C.

(2 Up) ..

(6 & 4) (1 Up)

(1 Up)

(2 Up) (2 Up)

RA.P.C. Result

0 v. Capt. K. W . Chaundy (2 & 1) 1 v . Lt.-Col. R Beauchamp 0 v . Capt. RN. Page (2 & 1) 0 v. Maj.-Gen. R G. Stanham (5 & 4) 0 v. Lt.-Col. J. R Burne (9 & 8) 0 v. Brig. C . N . Bednall (4 & 3) 0 v. Major A. N. Evers (4 & 2) 1 v. Maj. E . M . Jenkins

.. 2 Total

FO URSOMES l 0 v. Capt. K. W . Chaundy (7 & 5) f Lt.-Col. R Beauchamp l v. Brig. C. N . Bednall f 1 Capt. R. N . Page .. . . l 0 v. Maj.-Gen. R G. Stanham f Lt.-Col. J R Burne (10 & 8) . . l 0 v. Major Evers f Major Jenkins (6 & 5)

1 Total

3 Total

at W est Hill on 1st August, 1947 R.A.P.C.

Result 1 v. Capt. Chaundy 0 v. Lt. -Col. Beauchamp (2 Up) 0 v. Capt. Page (4 & 3) 1 v. Maj.-Gen. Stanham 1 v. Brig. Bednall 0 v. Lt.-Col. Burne (5 & 4) 0 v. Major Evers (8 & 7) 1 v. Capt. Robson

.. 4 Total

F OURSOMES o v . Chaundy & Beauchamp o v. Stanham & Bednall

.. 1 v. Page and Robson

.. 1 v. Burne & Evers

.. 2 Total

473

(4 & 2) (3 & 1)

Result . . 1 .. 0 .. 1

1 1 1 1 o

•• G

1 1

O·

1

1

. .. 3

9

Result o 1 1 o o 1 1

.. ·0

. • 4

1 1 o o ') . . ~

• THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL

SOCIAL FUNCTION The Officers' Club Committee, in an ambi

tious mood, arranged a big reunion of past and present Officers of the Corps at the Officers' Club, Aldershot, for 10 July, the day fixed for .the Corps Annual Tennis Tournament, and also the second day of the cricket match versus R.A.O.C.

Unfortunately, the day turned out to be illchosen, and the sporting events were completely " washed-out" by the weather.

The guests, however, turned up in good numbers, and despite the weather, the Social function, aided by the splendid attractions of the Aldershot Officers' Club was very enjoyable. The N.A.A.F.I. provided an excellent tea in their tastefully decorated "show" Marquee, whilst the RE.M.E. (Boys) Band contributed to the success of the day. Well over 100 guests including Sir Guy and Lady Riley, Major-General Stanham, and many serving and retired Officers and their wives were present .

* * *

CRICKET

I N general, one cannot say that the Corps Cricket Week was a great success. Chief! y the weather is to blame, for the g~e

against the RA.E.C. was robbed of what promised to be a very exciting finish by rain, and only one of the four innings in the RA.O.C. match was completed . The weather, however, had nothing to do with the very definite defeat we experienced at the hands of the R.A .S.C. -The truth is that we were not good enough. Admittedly; the RA.S.C. can produce a very good side and may, possibly, be the favourites in any future games. I t is, however, a strong indication that we should consider the future very carefully. This year has certainly been most difficult. Units ' have moved to new places and a great variety of handicaps have imposed themselves upon us, but it would be the greatest pity to allow the Cricket Week, which can now well be called traditional, to deteriorate from the standards of the past. The remedy would seem to be to have " area" trials at the beginning of next cricket season as well as the normal unit fixture lists so that the names and perfonnance of likely players for the Corps will have become known in time for the best to play in the Cricket Week. It is hoped also to get other Corps

474

fixtures. This year, for the first time there was a Corps fixture against RE.M.E.,' which took place a few days before the Week itself but too little was known about individuai players and they, in their turn, had had too little practice for the game to be a valuable

." dress rehearsal."

I t seems possible that we may not aet an allotment of the Officers' Club ground next year, as we understand that · the Aldershot ?ervices fixture list is going to be considerably mcreased and the Hampshire County Club may be playing at Aldershot for a full week. So far, at any rate, the Secretary of the Aldershot Services has not replied to the request for a ground allotment as his dates are by no means firm. Although this piece of information may be received with some dismay, particularly by those members of the Corps who have got many recollections of pleasant days of cricket at the Officers' Club, we must hasten to say that there is a very attractive ground about half-a-mile from the Training Centre, and there is no reason why it sho'Jld not provide as much entertainment, both to players and spectators, as the Officers' Club Ground ever did. It would not be too much to say that it is as pleasant a . ground as any in Aldershot, although its pitch is not as good as it can be made.

This is primarily . an account of Corps Cricket rather than one of the W'eek alone, and so it is only right for the Secretary to start by apologising for the letter that he wrote on 17 June. In return, he wants to thank those who answered that letter and gave him additional names. In the end, 26 names were put before the Selection Committee.

The game on 2 and 3 July against R.E.M.E. gave an opportunity for those whose names had been put up by their units, and who were stationed sufficiently close to Aldershot to play together before the Corps Week started . Unhappily, it did not produce any unknown star. R.E.M.E. brought a good side, captained by Colonel Henchley, which had already had several games. . Against go~d bowling the Corps scored 88 in the first innings and 71 in the second, ·Pte. Simmonds being th~ chief scorer with 30 in the first innings. In reply RE.M.E. made 202 before declaring for 8 wickets. Col. Malpass tried six bowlers the most successful, . being himself and Capt. Forster, each taking three wickets.


ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS

1st Innings Lt.-Col. Clowes, c and b Dickenson Major Taylor, b Needham Pte. Hart, c and b Dickenson Pte. Smith, c Booth, b Needham Sgt. Glendenning, b Ogden Capt. Forster, b Needham Pte. Simm ns, not out 2jLt. Gwilt, c Booth, b Needham Lt. Trevena, b Henchley . . . . Pte. Mercer, b Needham . , Lt.-Col. Malpass , c Dickenson, b N eedham

Extras . .

Bowling: Henchley, 1 for 31 Needham, 6 for 29 Dickenson, 2 for 12 Ogden, i for 8

11 16 o 1 8 1

30 11 o 1 1 8

88

b Henchley b Needham . . b Henchley . . b Needham . . b Henchley

2nd Innings

c Ogden, b J osephs b Needham .. run out not out c Needham, b Ogden c Booth, b Josephs

Extras ..

Bowling: Henchley, 3 for 9 Needham, 3 for 22 Dickenson, 0 for 18 Josephs, 2 for 11 Ogden, 1 for 9

o 5 4 4 8

13 o

13 15

6 o 3

71

ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS 1st Innings

L jCpl. Booth, c Gwilt, b Smith . . Capt. Broadbent, c Mercer, b Simmons Lt. Ball, cHart, b Malpass Capt. Josephs, b Forster Cfn. Needham, lbw, b Forster Major Coulthard, b Malpass Lt. Taggart, c Clowes, b Malpass Lt.-Col. Henchley, c and b Forster Cfn. Hacker, not out L jCpl. Ogden, not out A.Q .M .S. Dickenson

Extras . .

2 29 66 25

4 5 7

23 23

5

13

202

The Corps batting first against the R.A.E.C. , scored the respectable total of 208. Major Noel-Clarke's 50 was a very good innings, and the score had reached 105 when he got out, a good total for any opening bat to see by the time that he goes. Pte. Simmonds (33), L/Cp!. Blackwell (24), Capt. Forster (38), and Sgt. Collier (23) all deserve mention although it was most unfortunate that the last two should have been run out when a bigger score looked likely. In the second innings Capt. Forster's 59 was very attractive, being particularly distinguished by really first-class off-drives. Major Noel-Clarke again did well in his innings of 26, as did L/Cp!. Blackwell (32), and Pte. Mercer (23).

The batting of the R.A.E.C. was somewhat tantalising. During his innings of 61 Sgt. Birchall put the ball into the air frequently, but it just refused to go to hand. Without being uncharitable about his efforts, one was left with the strong feeling that he would be unlikely to repeat the same performance. The

475

Bowling: Mercer, 0 for 25 Smith, 1 for 31 Forster, 0 for 0 Simmons, 1 for 43 Travena, 0 for 13 Malpass , 3 for 32 Forster, 3 for 45

other scorer of note was Colonel Hudson, who batted with great vigour for his 64, and was appropriately removed by Colonel Clowes who, in his turn, had been bowled by Colonel Hudson in his first innings.

Including himself, Colonel Malpass tried n.o less than seven bowlers, but most of the bowling was shared by Captain Forster and Pte. Mercer. Sgt. Collier, bowling very slowly indeed, took three wickets for 13 runs in five overs, and was the one to get out Sgt. Birchall.

The fielding of the Corps side was, on the whole, quite good, but particular mention must be made of the wicket keeping of Major NoelClarke who, despite his protests about his age, kept very well indeed, just as well (in the writer's opinion, and recollection) as he did in 1939. Thereshou Id be no need to plan his " benefit" for another ten years yet.

The RA.E.C. scored a 20-run lead in the first innings, but the play had been fairly slow, and there had been intervals when rain put a temporary stop to the play. The position


when they went in for the second time was that they required 178 to win on a pitch which might \:vell have turned against them, and with a 'reasonable time only in which to get the runs.

That is where we must leave that game for with 32 runs for the loss of one wicket, rai~ stopped the match which had every promise of providing a first-rate ending.

1st Innings ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS

Major Taylor, b Hudson. . . Major Noel-Clarke, ct Watson, b Smith Lt.-Col. Clowes, b Hudson Pte. Simmonds, b Watson Sgt. Collier, run out Capt. Forster, run out L /Cpl. Blackwell, ct Peacock, b Watson Sgt. Glendenning, ct Coulson, b Watson Pte. Mercer, ct Weight, b Venables Pte. Smith, b Venables Lt.-Col. lVlalpass, not out '

Extras . .

Bowling: Hudson, 2 for 23 Venables, 2 for 35 Watson, 3 for 38 Smith, 1 for 17 WiIkes, 0 for 27 Wright, 0 for 56

12 50

4 33 23 38 24

6 3 3 o

12

208

2nd Innings ct Wilkes, b Wright b Wright b Venables . . lbw, b WiIkes lbw, b Venables st Bircumshaw, b Venables ct Bircumshaw, b Venables c and b Venables .. c and b Wright ct Watson, b Venables not out

Extras ..

Bowling: Wright, 3 for 61 Wilkes, 1 for 7 Venables, 6 fJr 62

. Watson, 0 for 33

3 26

9 11

7 59 32

1 23

4 8

14

197

ROYAL ARMY EDUCATIONAL CORPS 1st Innings

Major Watson, lbw, b Forster Sgt. Bircumsh~w, run out Sgt. Birchall, ct Noel-Clarke, b Collier .. Sgt. WiIkes, st Noel-Clarke, b Collier Major \Vright, b Malpass .. Sgt. Peacock, ct Clowes, b Forster Major Moore-Coulson, lbw, b Collier Col. Ronald, b Forster Col. Hudson, st Noel-Clarke, b Clowes .. Capt. Smith, b Mercer Sgt. Venables , not out

Extras ..

7 o

61 34

4 28 17 o

64 7 o 6

228

2nd Innings not out 7

not out 16

ct Forster, b lVIercer 6

For 1 wicket .. 29

Bowling Lt. Col. Malpass, 1 for 46 Capt. Forster, 3 for 77 Pte. Mercer, 1 for 42 L /Cpl. B1ackwell, 0 for 7

Pte. Smith, 0 for 18 Sgt. Coll ier, 3 for 13 Lt.-Col. C lowes , 1 for 19

In the game against the R.A.S.C. the wicket was definitely affected by all the rain of the two previous days, being lifeless before lunch, and then becoming difficult afterwards. The R.A.S.C. won the toss and elected to bat. Thanks to some good bowiing by Capt. Forster, who took five wickets for 44 runs, and by Pte. Simmonds, who took three wickets for 24, the R.A.S.C. only made 13l. The fielding of the Corps side was good and contributed

476

to this low total. Unfortunately, we were only able to make 86 ip reply, a score which flatters the side, as without some vigorous smiting by Pte. Mercer and somewhat more orthodox batting by Capt. Forster, the total would have been very small. Credit must be given to that grand pillar of so many R.A.S.C. sides, Major Marrison, who has played for his Corps for the last 35 years at least. He still bowls his leg swingers with an occasional ball that


does not swing, but comes back sharply from the off instead. To assist him he had Majo r Sadler, who is almost as well known.

The R.A.S.C. second innings was declared closed at 279 for three, Pte. Bateson making 138 and Pte. Ufton 123. It is very likely that more will be heard of both these p layers in fi.rst-class cricket for the former plays for the

Yorkshire second eleven, and the latter for Kent second eleven. Certainly the batting of both was really good both in attack and d~fenc~ . Great credit must go to Capt. Forster m thIS innings, who bowled 28. o."ers and took t~o wickets for 87 runs. Requmng 324 runs to wm, the Corps side only managed to collect 27.

ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS

1st Innings

Major Sadler, st Noel-Clarke, b Forster Pte. Bateson, ct Taylor, b Forster Pte. Ufton, ct Noel-Clarke, b Forster O /cdt. Brown, lbw, b Simmonds Capt. Gilmour, b Simmonds .. Capt. Leclerq , lbw, b Simmonds 2/Lt. Dexter, ct Taylor, b Mercer Capt. Stewart, run out .. Col. Bavin, ct Taylor, b Forster Major Marrison, ct Smith , b Forster Capt. Hunter, not ou t

Extras . .

Bowling Pte. Mercer, 1 for 44 Capt. Forster, 5 for 44 Pte. Simmonds, 3 for 24 Sgt. Collier, 0 for 13

19 41

9 19 3 I

16 4 2 9 :2 6

131

"2l1d Innings

not out b Forster ct B1ackwell , b M alpass b Forster

Extras . .

Bowling: Pte. Mercer, 0 for 28 Capt. Forster, 2 for 87 Pte. Simmonds, 0 for H Lt.-Col. Malpass, 1 for 52 Pte. Smith, 0 for 26 Sgt. Collier, 0 for 31

3 138 123

4

11

279

ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS

1st Innings Major Taylor , ct and b Sadler Major Noel-Clarke, b Marnson . Pte. Simmonds, et Dexter, b Marnson . . L j Cpl. B1ackwell, ct Bateson, b Marrison L t.-Col. C lowes, run out . . Capt. Forster, b Sadler .. Sgt. Collier, lbw, b Marrison Sgt. Glendenning, ct Dexter, b Sadler Pte. Mercer, ct Dexter, b Sadler . . Pte. Smith, ct Brown, b Marrison L t.-Col. Malpass, not out

Extras ..

Bowling: Major Sadler, 4 for 43 Major Marrison, 5 for 39

10 4 I I 1

24 3 o

32 6 o 4

86

. By winning the toss against the R.A;.O.C., L ieut.-Col. Malpass gave the Corps SIde all the advantage that he could from a pitch which would probably do very peculiar things. It was still damp from the previous day and was sufficiently difficult for the R.A. 0. C. bowlers

4:77

"21'ld Innings b Sadler b Marrison et Ste",iart, b Brown ct and b Sadler ct Sadler, b Marrison b Sadler st Ufton, b Bateson ct Marrison, b Bateson b Bateson .. not out ct Ufton, b Stevvart

Extras

Bowling: Major lVIarrison, 2 for 12 Major Sadler, 3 for 5 O /Cdt Brown, 1 for 8 Pte. Bateson , 3 for 0 Capt. Stewart, 1 for 1

1 4 8 8 0

. . 3 0 0 0 2 0 1

27

to dispose of the Corps side for 92. Before rain finally stopped play the R.A.O.C. had lost their first two batsmen for 11 runs and the eight overs bowled showed that anything might have happened.


ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS Major Noel-Clarke, ct Coates, b Halton Capt. Forster, b Halton .. . . . . Major Taylor, ct and b Halton . . Pte. Simmonds, ct Parnaby, b Speight . . L /Cpl. Blackwell, ct Parnaby, b Speight Lt.-Col. Clowes, lbw, b Halton

1 10 41 12 15

Sgt. Collier, b Halton . . Pte. Mercer, lbw, b Speight S /Sgt. Stuart, run out . . Lt. Macey, b Bruhl . . . Lt.-Col. Malpass, not out. .

Extras . .

o 6 1 1 3 o 2

92

Bowling: Cpl. Nicholls , 0 for 14 S.Q.M.S. Halton, 5 for 40 Pte. Speight, 3 for 20 Capt. Bruhl, 1 for 16

At the time of writing these notes, there is one more fixture-the game against the Cross Arrows. With ' the possible exception of one pl~yer, no ~ew talent has come to light, and so It IS only faIr to end these notes by making the strongest possible plea for active interest in Corps cricket in. the 1948 season. There must be young men who are keen, and who have ability if they can be found and encouraged.

LAWN TENNIS The Corps Tennis ' Day, postponed from 10

July, was rearranged, and took place at the Officers' Club, Aldershot, on 8 August. All the original competitors were fortunately able to make the journey for the second time.

Although the arrangements were necessarily on a modest scale, we were gratified to welcome about 60 guests to watch the play and partake of tea.

ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS Col. Parnaby, ct Noel-Clarke b Forster Pte. Speight, ct Noel-Clarke,' b Mercer S.Q.M.S. Halton, not out Capt. Coleman, not out Gen. Palmer Col. Mitchell RAIN STOPPED PLAY Col. }obson-Scott Capt. Bruhl L /Cpl. Morley Col. C;oates Cpl. Nicholls

Extras . .

6 3 3 1

For 2 Wickets 13

Bowling: Pte. Mercer, 1 for 5 Capt. Forster, 1 for 8

Sir Guy and Lady Riley, General StanhaIn (also a competitor), Brigadier, Mrs ., and Miss Ormsby-J ohnson were amongst 'those present. Lady Riley, who continues to take a keen interest in all Corps activities, handed the trophies to the winner and runner-up of the Singles Championship.

Cadet A. Murray and S.Q.M.S. T . H . Steg.gles, from the R.A.P.C. Training Centre, offiCIated as Umpires, almost without a break throughout a long day, whilst Major Mallock, Capt. Bown, and Lieut. Boanas also assisted in that capacity.

. It was pleasant to see Lieut.-Colonel Milling In such good form. He and his partner, Capt. Bown, won all their matches in convincing style, to make Regimental Pay Office, Shrewsbury, the R.A.P.C. Doubles Champions fo r 1947 .

ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS OFFICERS' TENNIS SINGLES CHAMPION SHIP

FOR THE MUSSON CHALLENGE CUP

1st Round Lieut. M. Burrough ,

v. Major A. R. de H. Mallock '>-

j (6-2, 6-1) Lieut. H. E. Boanas ,

v. Lieut. W. V. Davies J (6-3,6-4)

Major F. T. B. Stephens 'I (6-3,6-3) ~ v . J Major-Gen. R. G. Stanham

Lt.-Col. H. R . Beauchamp (Bye)

(Holder: CAPTAI N S. E. DYER)

Semi-Finals "')

Major Mallock I >

I Lieutenant Davies (6-4, 6-3) J

Major Stephens 1 1-

Lt.-Col. Beauchamp 1

1 (6-2, 6-1) j

478

Final

Lieutenant Davies

LOST TO :

Lieut.-Colonel Beauchamp (6-3, 6-4)


DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP (Holders : REGIMENTAL PAY OFFICE, R.A.S.C.)

1st Rou.nd (Regional Basis)

Regimental Pay Office, Shrewsbury,

Semi-Finals Final

beat 1 Regimental Pay Office, ' I Shrewsbury

1

(Lt.-Col. H. G . B. Milling and I. Capt. Bown , 6-2, 6-0) Regimental Pay Office

Kidderminster (home) J

Regimental Pay Office, Reading,

beat

"') Regimental Pay Office, I( 1 Reading. > (Major Mallock & Major

Regimental Pay Office, Shrewsbury.

(6-2,6-4)

R.A.P.C. Training Centre, . Aldershot (home)

1 Plunkett) J J

BEAT : District and Regimental Pay

Office, Salisbury Plain, beat

1 District and Regimental Pay Office, Salisbury Plain.

"') 1

I District Pay Office, Aldershot and Hants (hon:e)

Regimental Pay Office,

~ (Lt.-Col. H. R. Beauchamp & 1 Pte. May, 6-4, 0-6, 9-7)

District & Regimental Pay Office, Salisbury Plain

J - ~

Warley, . } Regimental Pay Office,

Warley. j beat (Lt. W. V. Davies & Capt. W ar Office (F.9) (home) Woods)

19bttuatp The death of Charles Edgar Gresham took

place at his home, Heathermount, St. Leonards, Ringwood, Hants, very suddenly on Sunday, 13th July, 1947, at the age of 58.

A Chartered Accountant, he saw active service during the 1914-18 war with the Honourable Artillery Company, and Royal Artillery . At the close of that war he transferred to the Corps of Military Accountants, and on the amalgatnation becatne a Paymaster, Royal Army Pay Corps.

He was promoted Staff Paymaster in 1942, and attained the rank of Colonel during the 1939-45 war, in which he served in ,Canterbury, Manchester (R.P.O.), York, Leicester, London District, and the Middle East (Egypt and Malta).

He retired in 1945, and from that time until his sudden decease, had spent a very happy time in his home and garden .

He was an expert horticulturalist-a hobby to which he was devoted.

* * Lieut . W. (Jock) Goodwin, R.A.:p.C., died

at Connaught Military Hospital, Hindhead, Surrey, on 4th August, 1947. Lieut. Goodwin enlisted in the Catneronians and was transferr<:!d to the R.A.P.C. in 1939 and joined for duty at the Command Pay Office,Western Command, Chester.

479

" Jock" was posted to the Army Pay Office, Manchester, in June, 1940, and practically the whole of his service in the R.A.P.C. was spent in Group 6 of that office.

A well-known and very capable footballer, he acted as Battalion Football Officer up to the time of his death.

He leaves a widow and three children. * * *

The death ofWilfred Jatnes Boiston Temple, late S/Sgt. took place in New Norfolk, Tasmania, on 24th May, 1947, in tragic circumstances.

His body was found on the side of the railway line beneath a precipice known as Pulpit Rock about a mile from New Norfolk .

It appears that the deceased was exploring the ledges on the rock when he overbalanced and crashed to his death, 100 feet below.

Temple, who served in the corps during the first world war was appointed Council Clerk of New Norfolk, in 1937. He was also Coroner for the district and took a prominent part in local affairs .

He leaves a widow and one daughter who reside in Hobart, Tasmania.

* * * We regret to record the death, in a bathing

accident in Lagos, West Africa, of Lieut. A. J . H. Walls, stationed in the District Pay Office, Lagos.


B.A.P.C. Old Comrades~ Association ROLL OF HONOUR

I t is with regret that we have to record the passing of the following Old Comrades since -the publication of the list in the Spring, 1947, issue of this J ourna!. Memb. No . .17693 Pte. A Martin. Died,

"

"

"

"

1-3-47. 25280 Pte. F. A. Wiggett. Died,

10~3-47 . 5835 Capt. W. Steele. Died,

25-5-47. 13807 Lieut. F. G . AlIen. Died,

4-6-47. 14 Colonel C. E. Gresham.

Died, 13~7 -4 7.

AREA BRANCHES Since the publication of addresses of Branch

Secretaries in the Spring issue of the J purnal, and the amendments published in the Summer issue, the following additional change has taken place :-NORTH WALES AND Mr. K. D. Goodhew,

WEST MIDLANDS Regimental Pay Office, AREA: Wolverley Camp.

Wolverley, Worcs.

BRANCH FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITiES 1.- Home Counties Area

A " Branch Gathering" has been arranged to take place on Friday, 26 September, 1947, at 8 p.m., in the Assembly Rooms of the Royal Empire Society, Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, London, W.C.2.

A further " Gathering" has been arranged for Friday, 28 November, 1947, at the same address. .

Members who are desirous of attending, and who haven't yet been notified personally, should apply for tickets, price 5s. 6d. (which includes a Buffet-Supper), to the Branch Hon. Social Secretary, Mr. J. Miller, 29 Salisbury Mansions, St. Ann's Road, London, N.15 .

Many members have made requests to be put in touch with past friends. The Branch is now able to render this service, and your Area Secretary will be pleased to receive your requests.

Many thanks for your response to the Branch Circular. 2.- East Midlands Area

An Area Committee Meeting is being held in the early part of September, and it is hoped to arrange some form of social reunion for late

480

1947 or early- 1948. Will all members in the Area with any

suggestions to make regarding same, please contact Area Secretary, Pte. G. R. Smith, R.A.P.C., Army Pay Office, RA/AA, No. 2 Block, T.O.B., Chalfont Drive, Western Boulevard, Nottingham.

GENERAL It is again emphasised that if ex-serving

members would be good enough to contact their particular Branch Secretary, it may be possible to arrange further functions. They should quote their home address and membership number in all correspondence. R.A.P.C., O.C.A., Lapel Badges

There has been such a demand for these lately that the present stock has been exhausted and, in response to a request from one of the Branches, the manufacturers have been asked to supply a smaller badge. This, they have agreed to do but, unfortunately, owing to shortage of ,material and labour, it will be some four to six months before they are available. The price will be in the region of Is. 9d. each, so would intending purchasers please wait for an announcement in this Journal or from their B ranch Secretary? R.A.P.C., O.C.A., Corps Diaries

Messrs. Gale and Polden, of Wellington Works, Aldershot, Hants, are again undertaking the supply of these Diaries for 1948. Unfortunately, owing to further increases in cost of labour and materials, the price has, of necessity, had to be correspondingly increased and they will be :-

Leather 6s. 9d. Rexine 5s. Refills 2s.

The new Diary will contain the names and addresses of all Branch Secretaries.

Please place your orders with your Branch Secretaries, to whom remittance, plus postage of 3d., should be forwarded. R.A.P .C. Christmas Cards

A reservation has been made for the supply of Corps Christmas Cards, and specimens are being forwarded to each Branch Secretary and Office Representative .

There will be two kinds, costing 4s. and 6s. a dozen (including envelopes), and you are advised to place your orders as early as possible to your Branch Secretary. Remittance, including postage should be forwar:ded with order.

(

.~

I


O.C.A. Civilian Appointments Bureau Will any ex-serving member who has the

opportunity of offering employment to an ~xserving member, or could put any ex-serving member in touch with a prospective employer, please contact his Branch Secretary, or S.S .M. H . Leader, R.A.P.C., The War Office, (F9), Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W .C.2, in the case of Home Counties Area only? /

1947-1948 Subscriptions Will any member who has not yet paid his

1947-1948 subscription, due on 1 April, please remit same to his Branch Secretary, or to the General Secretary, Capt. H. Hoptrough" R.A.P.C. Training Centre, Marlborough Lines, Aldershot, Hants? Membership Cards should accompany remittances. If any member wishes to become a Life Member he still has the opportunity of doing so by paying the difference between the amount of subscriptions paid since, and including, 1939, provided he submits his receipted annual membership card . to support payments of such annual subscriptions. Life Membership Cards are issued by the General Secretary only.

Objects of the Association One of the main objects of the Association

is: "For the benefit of past and serving members of the Royal Army Pay · Corps who are deserving and 1'n needy circumstances.~'

As a matter of general interest it may be as well to point out that between 1 April and 31 July this year, 14 applications for assistance were received and considered by the Committees of this Association, and grants totalling nearly £81 were made in Q.ine cases. In two other cases it was as·certained that the applicant was not a member of the Association, and the cases were passed to the R.A.P.C. Benevolent Fund for their consideration. In four of the cases in which grants were made the R.A.P.C. Benevolent Fund made additional grants.

* * * The British Legion, Met'ropolitan Area, is

now situated at Haig House, 26 Eccleston Square, London, S.W.l, and the Area Accountant, Captain J. C~ G. Howes (late 40 and 51 Battln., R.A.P.C.) will be pleased to advise any ex-Corps member on ex-service matters by 'phone (Victoria 7661-6), or by letter. An employment office is open daily to deal with personal applicants.

(Cont·inued at foot of next column)

481

• • • Freddie Gore would like his old friends to

know that he has left the Corps, and is now a Civil Servant in Inland Revenue (Guildford 1st Tax District). Private address: 5 Orchard Road, Onslow Village, Guildford, Surrey.

* * * P. F. Holland, having sold the White Cross

Hotel, Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, is now the licensee of the Royal Saracen's Head Hotel, Beaconsfield, Bucks, and wou ld be pleased to welcome ex-Radcliffe friends at all times.

* * H. N. Hodgson (late 38th Battalion, R.A.O.C.

Leeds), would like to hear from any of his comrades at "Snarlands," Whiteclosegate, Carlisle, or c/o. No. 5 Beaconsfield Terrace, Alnwick, Northumberland, where he is employed on the sales staff of Messrs. Hardy Bros. Ltd., the famous Fishing Tackle Manufacturers.

* * Mr. R. B. Stewart, "Woodlands," St.

James's Square, Boscombe, has closed his children's nursery, and is now taking in paying guests instead.

* * * Ex-Capt. "Bill" Thaxton, 6 Wardrobe

Place, London, E.C.4. (Telephone: City 6086) would like to hear from all his friends of the old Maritime Royal Artillery Wing, Leicester, with their views on a possible reunion gathering.

* * His many friends at Foots Cray and Meerut

where he took an .active part in sporting activities, will regret to hear of the death of Jack Watson, which occurred on 15th June.

(O. C.A . Notes continued from prev ious column)

Captains F. G. Partridge and E. W. Lewis, Directors· of South Midland Secretarial Services Ltd. , 23 Russell Street, Reading, and late of the Reading Pav Office, wish it to be known that they are in a po;ition to accept registrations for employment in the South Midlands from ex-R.A.P.c. (including A.T.S.) personnel.

As Business Consultants and Office Organisers, they are able to place suitably qualified persons in advantageous posts, either on their own staff or with local firms. The emphasis at present is on applicants qualifie:l in shorthand, book-keeping, costing and allied subjects.

They also undertake to train applicants for such positions at specially reduced rates for Old Comrades.

Applicants may register for employm~nt without :my obligation or cost.


~orps News EXTRACTS FROM "THE LONDON

GAZETTE"

T~e KING h~s . been pleased to grant unrestnc~ed permls~lOn for the wearing of the followmg decoratlOn which has been conferred on t~e .und~r-mentioned person in recognition of dlstmgulshed service in the cause of the Allies :-

DECORATION CONFERRED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS

Knight Commander of the Order of the Orange Nassau with Swords.

Brigadier (Temp.) L. J. Lightfoot, C.B.E.

. The KING has been graciously pleased to gIve orders for the following appointment to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition Qf gallant and distinguished service in the Netherlands East Indies, prior to 30th November, 1946 :-To be Officer (Mil. Div.).

Lieui:.-Col. (Temporary) T. H. Sweeny.

PROMOTIONS To be Major.

Capt. and Payr. N. Caterham-5thfuly,1947. To be Captain.

Lieut. and Paymaster R. J. W . Lace-23rd June, 1947. R. J. Doodson-28th June, 1947. I. A. Hay-10th July, 1947. H. R. Giltrap-18th July, 1947.

To be Major (Asst. Paymaster) .. Capt. (Asst. Paymaster).

T . Blackett-13th June, 1947. . G. J. Forsyth-15th June, 1947. A. E. Chenery-15th June, 1947. G. W. Mitchener-21st June, 1947. H. V. Scott-3rd July, 1947. C. H. Bailey-29th July, 1947. A. D. D' Allenger-12th August, 1947.

Retirements. Major and S.P.2 A. N. Evers, having

attained the age for retirement, is placed on retired pay, 14th June, 1947, and is granted the hon. rank of Lieut.-Colonel.

Lieut.-Col. and S .P.1 E. F . Cox, having attained the age for retirement, is placed on retired pay, 1st July, 1947, and is granted the hon. rank of Colonel.

482

- Offieers Lie.ut.-Col. ~nd S.P.1 F. T. Baines, O.B.E.,

to retIre on retIred pay, 23rd July, 1947, and is granted the hon. rank of Brigadier.

Lieut.-Col. and S.P.1 W. D. N. Robotham having exceeded the age for retirement i~ placed on retired pay, 25th July, 1947, and is granted the hon. rank of Colonel.

Major and Paym. (W.S., S.P.2) J. S. Eynon M.C:, retires on retired pay 27th July, 1947: and IS granted the hon. rank of Lieut.-Colonel.

Major (Asst. Pymr.) W. F. Oram, M .B.E., retir.es on retired pay, 1st August, 1947.

LIeut.-Col. and .S.P.1 F. Spilsbury, is placed on the half-pay Itst on account of disability, 2nd August, 1947, and is granted hon. rank of Colonel.

Major ~nd Paymaster (W.S., S.P.2) J . B. Cooper, IS placed on the half-pay list on account of disability, 3rd August, 1947, and is granted the hon. rank of Lieut.-Colonel.

Short Service Commissions. .T~e undermentioned from Emergency Com

mIsslOns to be Paymaster with rank of Lieut.-1st May, 1947. With precedence

next below :-*J. Maxwell, M.C. C. L. H. Young *R. D . Ogilvie J. D. D . Forrest iF. M . Laws, M.B.E. F. E. Matthews *R. Dove T. Hilling J. F . Brown G. J. G. Cave C. E. Jones T. H. Pearce F. J. Lowery A. E. Whitley W. D. Stark G. J. Terry F. Fitton G. F. Vaal E. G . Dowty H. J. R. Whittle N . MacColl D. W. Fox E. A. Newbury N. MacColl L. D. Davis G. H . Russell R . T. Weston P . G. Snow

iL. M . Piall F. V. Mundy, M.B.E. The undermentioned from Emergency Com

missions to be Paymasters with rank of Lieut.-1st July, 1947 :--' With precedence

next below :-tH. W. Reynolds R. W. Mackreth *J. C. Furmedge C. E. Jones *W. Lees ~ . Burbridge

F . G. Fry E. G . Dowty J. Blundell W . T. Greenway

* With rank of Captain. :C With rank of Captain relinquishing appoint

ment of Asst. Paymaster.

(


OPEN-AIR BANKING A short account of the difficulties encountered in supplying the Army with Cash

during the North-West Europe Campaign.

By F. M. WIGHTMAN

As everyone knows, a Field Cash Office is a portable Bank attached to a Division or Corps headquarters. The normal duty of

a F.C.O. is to supply all the units and the individual officers with such cash as they may require, to exchange the currency of one country into that of another as the Division progresses from one place to the next, and to receive money from Army Post Offices, Officers' Shops, N .A.A. F ~ I., etc. Needless to say, taking IN cash is a much lengthier business than giving it OUT, and is, consequently, very unpopular with Cashiers!

The tot~l staff allotted to deal with this vast and flourishing business is one officer and one Sergeant. There is also a driver to pilot the car, bu.t he can be elimin.ated from the technical side of things, his time being fully occupied with driving, putting up tents, digging holes, and generally making himself useful by chasing clients who have departed with too little money or, as is more usual, too much.

My particular trio found themselves in Normandy in June, 1944, complete with full Boy Scout equipment and a few million French francs; we had been with our Division in England for some six months prior to this, and consequently, were well acquainted with our clientele. I was curious to see just how different the job would be, and how the various instructions I had compiled before setting out would fit into the circumstances which, up to this time, had been purely theoretical.

Our first home was a large hole in the ground, which we had excavated ourselves; it was a curious fact that wherever we were, the area allotted to my Cash Office was invariably situated on ground which consisted of two inches of soil and underneath solid rock . We should have been equipped with pneumatic drills, not 5pades! However, it was remarkable how much progress could be made, even in solid granite, when a few odd shells or bombs and things started to drop around ; our digging team went down just like a lift! It was customary to erect our tent above our burrow, so that in the mornings I could reappear on the surface to deal out cash to any callers who so

4:83

desired, but for the first two weeks business was a mere trickle; no one wanted any money, as there was nowhere to spend it. This was fortunate, as we spent our time hopping

. from field to field as the Headquarters movedan almost daily occurrence, though at that time moves were rarely · more than a mile or two owing to the congested state of the bridgehead. I t was most annoying to have spent hou rs digging a perfectly beautiful hole, only to be told an hour after its completion that the H.Q. would move again in two hours' time. The worst of it was that one can't just pack up a hole and take it to the next 10catioR to be laid down like a sheet of linoleum; I think the Engineers should really concentrate on inventing a portable trench just like they have portable bridges ~ However, we kept moving, and our biceps grew larger daily. The tent, with its dug-out basement and sign outside, " WIGHTMAN'S BANK," became quite a landmark . This sign, which always called forth great amusement-it was surmounted by the pawnbroker's three balls-had been presented to us by the L.A.A. Regiment, who had thought of it themselves in England as a security measure when I paid my weekly visit to their Headquarters, and it travelled all the way with us.

Soon business started to brisken, and a steady daily flow of customers began to arrive. As business increased, so did out trouQles, the worst problem being still the constant moves from place to place, because at this time I had only one vehicle, and it took at least an hourand-a-half to get this packed before a move, as each item of equipment had to be in its own particular place, or there would be something left over at the end . It reminded me of the times when as a boy, I would take a watch to pieces, to find on re assembly that there were several superfluous parts for which there was no room. So it will be seen that when an hour or so before a move there was a lat:ge queue waiting to draw cash, it was a matter of extreme ingenuity and tact to start packing up without being lynched. However, we always managed to satisfy everyone's demands before departing for pastures new, though this usually involved spending the last hour dishing out cash in the


open. 'On such occasions a strong wind invariably sprang up the moment the tent was struck, and irate officers pursuing 100 franc notes across the adjoining fields were a common sight. It was nothing unusual for two or three officers to arrive just as the convoy moved off, and as often as not they would tail on and follow us through to our new destination. It was most annoying to be greeted by this nucl<:us of ~ queue the moment one stopped, but It had Its advantages. For instance one good idea was, to. say, "Fearfully sorry, old -boy, but I can t gIve you any cash until we've dug a nice new trench . . ." at which the prospective clients would either strip off their coats and give a useful hand or melt away quietly to return another day.

In those early days it was fatefully easy to take a wron~ turning and land dangerously near enemy hnes, and many hair-raising tales were told of fellows who had wandered into German outposts, though usuaYy, according to th: storyteller, they got safely back again after mIraculous escapes. As my office was visited by all the Divisional Units, it was a centre for gossiJ;> of this kind, and on . one particular occasion, I thought we were going to have a true " wrong turning" story all to ourselves, for on returning from a visit to the Base Pay Office we took a wrong turning somewhere in trying to find a short cut-a fatal error as we . , afterward.s found out, "short cuts ~ ' on any b~t offiCIal Army routes being apt to have dIsastrous results. The first intimation that all was not well was the sudden entire absence of troops or Army signs. I grew rapidly more uneasy, as the fields and buildings looked eerie and deserted, except for the .odd dead body or two. A few" Who amps " 100 yards on the l<:ft decided it; this was definitely not the rIght road, and as the car hastily drew up, a couple of soldiers materialised out of a hedge and roared " Whwew the H-- d'yoll think you're going?" According to them, it was most advisable that we beat a hasty retreat, as not only were the Bosche some unknown (but short) distance straight on, but the road on which ~e were travelling was under enemy observatIOn. I sweated profusely, until at last we reached civilisation again.

At last things started to move, and after the stench of Falaise, the Division gathered momentum every day. This new phase of movement was one of pleasant excitement after the dull little two-kilometre moves of Normandy. VVe formed a habit of moving on our

484

own with the Postal Unit, and the run through the North of France and the Pas de Calais was one I shall alwa~s remember, for the villages were bedecke? WIth flags and bunting, flowers were thrown. Into the vehicles as they rumbled thr?~gh, fruIt was eagerly handed to grinning reCIpIents as they leaned out of lorries . and trucks. Everyone was happy in the first flush of victory, for in this orchard country the hand of war had not been ' felt as in the devastated fields of Normandy.

The onward rush halted abruptly at Antwerp, where people celebrated, drank, and danced as the shells fell from the still contested harbour are~; Antwerp's worst ordeal, the barrage of FlYIng Bombs was yet 10 come, though no one ~new i~ then, and no one cared . As for me, my Immedlat~ . concern was to obtain Belgian francs, mIllIons of 'em. I had been trying now. for some days but somehow, there was an elusive quality about those first supplies of Belgian money. I chased it here, I chased it there, but always just missed it in some mysterious way. At last I caught up with supplies at Brussels, and returned triumphant -to find waiting for me a larger queue than I had ever seen before. It was four o'clock in the afternoon, hut we got cracking with a will, for the troops were anxious to change their French francs into Belgian so that they could' make the most of their first chance to make Whoopee. At 10 p.m. the doors were closed-not a single franc left! In six short hours five million francs had gone, all that I had been able to procure. So next morning I arrived at Brussels again and requested ten million, .and after a great deal of consultation, this was fixed up, though it took until the afternoon; the trou ble was that the demand for cash had been far, far greater than had ever been anticipated.

When I arrived back the Headquarters had disappeared! All that remained was my tent, surrounded by a large gathering of offit::ers enjoying an alfresco lunch on the grass outside -waiting for me, or rather, some cash. Needless to say, the waiting assembly knew where the new location of H.Q. was, and they gave us. a hand with the dismantling of the tent, thereafter trailing us to our new lair. By this time the crowd had swollen, so I gave up all thought of the sustenance for which my stomach craved,. and didn't even wait for the tent to be erected ,. but got busy straight away in a small watchman's hut which was conveniently situated nearby. This time it was midnight before the last client departed ; in fact, many had already


gone, seeing there was no hope of accomplishing anything that day. It was 4-30 a.m. before the cash was sorted out and balanced, and we fell into bed to sleep like the dead-only to be wakened at seven by the queue starting to form up again. This sort of thing went on for days (or sh(~)Uld I spell it daze ?); indeed~ it continued, though on a gradually lessemng scale, until the Division left Anhverp and passed on, heading for the desolate wastes of southern Holland. This time I was prepared, and crossed the Dutch border laden with guilders, bound for a lone rendezvous given me by Headquarters. The reason for this lone effort was that the locations of the Divisional Units were not known owing to the rapidity and fluidity of our advance, but so long as they knew where I was, they could ferret me out and exchange their currency with the minimum of delay. The tent had been nicely erected at our new spot, the cash all put in order, and all preparations made for the usual invasion when the Provost Marshal (whom I knew well) drove up and asked what I was doing there. I told him we were going to start exchanging currency, to which he replied that-we'd better be ready to exchange it into German marks if we stayed long . . . it seemed that a large pocket of German troops was in the immediate vicinity, and that it would be much healthier to try

. somewhere else. This we lost no time in doing. The exchange into Dutch currency went

much better than the pre vious one, chiefly because I had learned my lesson, and this time .specified particular days for the various units to visit the office. Consequently, the queues were much smaller and the whole affair under much better control. One curious feature was that we were never su.pplied with samples of the currencies in which we were to deal, making things rather difficult if one had never previously seen them, as in the present case, for I had never seen a Guilder in my life until I opened the box containing them. Allied Military issues of each currency had been printed to overcome the initial diffit::ulty of su.pply, and in all cases, it was entirely different from the normal currency of the country concerned. It was, therefore, a matter of using one's own judgment when dealing with nonmilitary notes to decide whether or not they were genuine. It must be remembered that Continental currencies deal to a far greater extent in paper money than we do here in Britain before this point can be properly appreciated , and any one denomination of

485

note, say, for example, a five-franc note, can have as many as five different prints! To illustrate this further, I made a note at one period of my overseas career of the number of different notes with which we were dealing, and this amounted to no less than 127 !

Really wintry weather now began to set in, bringing with it the problem of keeping one's hands reasonably warm. It can be imagined how difficult it is to work accurately with cash in a flapping tent, exposed to the biting winds which sweep across the flatness of Holland, and soon it became obvious that some means of heating or similar alternative must be found. In less than a couple of days a perfectly marvellous paraffin oil stove was unearthed in a little Dutch shop. It was marked" Made in Austria," and looked like a pair of Primus stoves, but instead of being pressure fed, the heaters had circular wicks and a most ingenious type of perforated funnel vaporizer. This acquisition was worth its weight in gold, and was the envy of all beholders. But greater good fortune was to come. One pouring wet day, when the tent was a veritable island in the wi~d-swept plain, the Divisional" AjQ " himself paid a visit ; after one look at the sodden piles of francs and guilders strewn around the tent, he remarked that it was impossible for us to work under such conditions-would a threeton truck be any use for conversion to a caravan-office? I could hardly believe my ears, but it was true, and a week later the threetanner arrived, so I dashed straight off to my R.1\.S.C. friends from whom I had extracted a promise to fix it up for me. Two desks were fitted, the end of the truck boarded up and a door made; the tail-board, when lowered, served as a platform where officers could sit and draw cash through an aperture with a sliding window which resembled nothing more than a theatre box office. Later, the Engineers asked if they could improve on the design for me, and further additions and amendments were made. The entire inside was lined with ply-wood, a two-tier bunk installed, new and bigger windows were TItted, the tailboard permanently "platform-ised," and the roof extended to provide shelter for the" clients." Electric lighting was installed by my R.E.M.E. friends , both 12-volt and fittings for llO or 220 volts; the latter could then be plugged in wherever a mains supply was available. Life, which hitherto had been exceedingly uncomfortable, now became almost a joy. It was incredible what a difference the new caravan-

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JO U RNAL

office made to our existence after months of tent life . As it was essential for two people to be with the cash, Sgt. Iddon and I shared the accommodation, and while there was not much room, it was amazing how comfortable our " home" became. The cash boxes and the steel trunk, containing all our "trousseau," fitted nicely under the bottom bed, carpets (of a kind!) were found for the floor, the paraffin heater stood nicely on the wheel box, and. there was a place for the tiny Phillips' radIO on the cupboard beside the beds. The most important factor was the ease with which the cash could now be handled with a capacious desk in which to keep it tidy, and I estimated that the new quarters took at least an hour off our working day; not only so, but the place could be packed up ready for a move in fifteen minutes or less . .

Another welcome feature of the mobile offi(;e was the addition of a cocktail cupboard, the contents of which would have turned a toper green with envy. Gin, whisky, liqueur brandy, wines, and the odd bottle of champagne were always in stock, and the kindness of many satisfied customers was often responsible for its replenishment. I remember on one occasion (which is typical of many) an officer arrived late at night, tired and frozen after a Jeep breakdown; he was revived with alcoholic sustenance from our cellar, and finished off with a cup of Nescafe laced with brandy before he departed with his cash and a nice warm feeling in his innards. A few days later he reappeared with a parcel and said: "This is so that you can do for someone else what you did for me "-the parcel contained, if I remember

. rightly, two bottles of whisky and one of gin . But in those days the Army was a hospitable place . Everyone helped everyone else ; any Army unit would welcome a lost traveller and feed and sleep him-yes, and help him on his way if his transport was" kaput." I had never before realised the kindness which could be shown by men amongst men, and I shall never forget it.

The caravan moved on. 21 Army Group took a special delight in shifting the Division from Holland to Belgium with great celerity , necessitating frequent mass exchanges to the different currencies each time. The climax came when half the Division was in Holland and the other half in Belgium. Life was a nightmare, and then the bogey of Co in raised its ugly head. I t will be appreciated that paper money is easy

186

to handle, it can be made up into standard and compact bundles with ease, but coin! In one day alone it was nothing to collect a hundredweight of the filthy stuff. It nearly drove us crazy. 'Where were we to put it? How were we to get rid of it? There was so much that it overflowed everywhere, and the sight of an officer approaching t~e office with a bag of coin was enough to make us foam at the mouth . Eventually, by having some hints and tips published in Divisional Orders, the flow was cut down to manageable proportions and premature madness of the Field Cashier and his staff was averted .

Christmas came, and with it, a mysterious move back to Antwerp . This was most unwelcome, as Christmas on the move was not a prospect calculated to · arouse enthusiasm in anyone's heart, and to spend it wandering through showers of VI's and V2's did not add to the anticipation. But suddenly the unknown destination ""as altered, and ofl' we went to the Ardennes to join the Americans in pushing out Runstedt's armoured thrust. It was like entering the Arctic regions, for the place was deep in snow and ice when we arrived; it was still there when we departed after the job was done. . Cold? I'll say it was cold. The first morning on rising my boots were frozen to the floor where I had left them overnight, and our water supply in jerricans was solid. The back platform was a death-trap, and I went head first into three feet of snow before having it sanded to prevent my clients from meeting a similar fate. The few customers who ventured out to patronise my establishment arrived looking like Shackleton's expedition, and tea was kept permanently laid on to thaw them out for their return journey. What it must have been like for the forward troops I literally shuddered to think. Our three weeks there were spent in eternal conflict with icicles and snowdrifts, so it was with a sigh of relief that we eventually set off for a rest period in Holland near Eindhoven- the first time I can remember the Division being out of the line.

Time passed pleasantly enough u.ntil the next move approached . This was a very hushhush one, and the Division moved off at dead of night after three weeks of peace and rest ; all Divisional signs and other means of identi-' fication were painted out- even cap badges and shoulder flashes were removed -in order that enemy agents would be unaware of how many formations were to be in the next blow.


I did not move by night, for I had to wait until the following day, as my driver was on leave, and no substitute was available until then. On the fate of it, there was nothing difficult about following the Division up-I had done it often before-but this time Fate decided otherwise. First, my new driver disappeared, complete with my truck and its contents of fifty thousand pounds' worth of currency, by the simple method of just dashing off without waiting for instructions. There was only one thing to do, and that was to send out search parties; I did, and in half-an-hour a team of Despatch Riders found the valuable wanderer and brought him back. The next difficulty was encountered after reaching Nijmegen, when I endeavoured to find Divisional Headquarters. There were no Divisional signs of any kind to be seen, everything was painted out, and the whole place was alive with strange units of all kinds, from tanksandflamethrowers to colossal field guns and other similar toys. To ask anyone was to invite immediate suspicion, and after being regarded with open hostility on a couple of fruitless inquiries, I was ready to tear my hair with rage. Admittedly I had a map reference, but to find a spot in the centre of a town is entirely different from pinpointing a spot in open country. Fortunately for the few remaining hairs I possess, I spotted a Jeep driven by a Signals' officer from Divisional H.Q., and my worries were over.

That night there was a terrific party in the Mess, as the N.A.A.F.I. supplies had just come in, but at 5 a.m., 1,000 guns sited all around, made it impossible for-those with" hang-overs" to indulge any longer in the luxury of sleep. Forty-eight hours later we were in Germany . for the first time, sitting outside the sodden Reichswald. The problems of the exchange to German marks now loomed ahead, but as I was going on leave, it seemed that the whole unpleasant business would be over before I returned .

Alas, it was not so. On my return I was to be sadly disappointed. The Division had by this time moved on to the Goch-Kevalaer area, and such was the congestion that the only transport I could find from the Leave Camp could only dump me at Main Division, whereas I wanted to get to Rear Division. No one was quite certain where this august body was to be found., as it was believed to be on the move. It was. But, unfortunately, it was in the centre of the biggest traffic jam in history. Eminent

politicians (one with a large cigar!) and toprank Army officers dashed into ~his jam with great nonchalance, and colossal gu~s ~ere ceremoniously fired across the Rhme mto Germany by the former, watched enthusiastically by the latter. My caravan-o~ce was stranded in the middle of this fantastlc traffic jam, and it was two days before I .was finally reunited. During these two days, I hved on the hospitality of any Army unit wh~ch was ~andy, and actually did very well, besldes havmg 48 hours " extension" of my leave !

Soon things were back to normal, and the Division moved steadily into the heart of Germany ; we crossed the Rhine and swept on towards Bremen. The roads were frightful, and grew steadily worse, but fortunately, the demand for cash diminished for the time being, and I thought that at last my work would decline into a single-currency business with German marks only. Had I consulted my Ball, Crystal, Field Cashiers for the use of, Mark IV, I would have seen that I was labouring under a misapprehension; however, for the moment I was in blissful ignorance. Our worst worry was the increasing activity of enemy aircraft ; these pests developed a nasty habit of appearing at first light, and every morning turned the Headquarters into a company of scantily clad gentlemen dashing for shelter, clothed only in-to use vulgar parlance -their" shift." They did shift, too!

487

By-passing Bremen, we approached Hamburg, and it became increasingly obvious that the war, in our theatre at least, was rapidly drawing to a close, and on 5 May, 1945, all resistance ceased ; we entered Hamburg as the controlling troops of that city. I t was an experience that I sb-all not -readily forget . Many times you must have heard the smooth phrase: "There wasn't a house left standing. . . ." which in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred is utter nonsense and gross exaggeration. While this was not the hundredth case, it was very near to it, for in the first three miles of the subu.rbs there literally was NOT a house standing as far as the eye could see on either side of the road. It was only round the Aalster Lakes that civilisation began to appear, and we established our Headquarters in the little-damaged Atlantic Hotel, Hamburg's best, and faIhous peace-time rendezvous.

We had scarcely been there two days when the fun started again. Now that hostilities were over, troops began to pour in from all quarters

(Continued on page 492)


Financial Disarmament of the dapanese in French Indo-China

By LIEUTENANT-COLONEL T. H. SWEENY, O.B.E., R.A.P.C.

WHEN British troops first flew in to. Saigo.n they found the Japanese Y okohama Specie Bank still open under

J ap.anese management and Japanese guards, whIlst the French Banque de l'Indo Chine and the Treasury were still in Annamite hands though the French quickly got co.ntrol o.f these. The day after arrival we borrowed a platoon of Ghurkas, entered the Y okohama Specie Bank at 11.00 hours, and had every o.ccupant outside on the pavement under escort in two minutes. The keys were taken over from the Manager and Cashiers, and the Bank placed under a 20 Div. guard.

This Bank was the main link between Tokio and the financing of Japanese troops and civilians in F.I.C., and the suddenness of our action prevented any organised destruction of files or re~o:ds, s.o at one blow we got a grip on Japanese FmancIal records and on a quantity of correspondence with Tokio that was never intended for British eyes.

At the time we had no special instructio.ns about enemy property, and the French could not set up the necessary organisation to deal with it for months, so Lieut.-Co.l. T. H. Sweeny, R.A.P.C., kept the keys of the Yoko'hama Specie Bank, and he and his staff of three R.A.P. C. spent a profitable four months digging o.ut vital information in it. ' The three magnificent vaults of this Bank also solved the problem that arose later of how to. keep all our booty in safe custody, once we got their doors open!

There was a spot of trouble about one of these Strong Rooms into which the Bank's current cash had been moved before we arrived, as the J aps must have been expecting us to take some such action and had jammed the double-combination locks of the eight-inch thick steel door. All efforts by the Japanese Manager and Cashiers to get it open failed at first, but Col. Sweeny gave the Manager twenty-four hours to succeed or the alternative of being" handed over to the Military Provost Corps until you reach a more amenable frame

488

of mind." He came back in a few hours with a four-foo~ high <;hinaman who got the locks to work m ten mmutes, and quite shattered Our belief in the impregnability of a Chubb's strong room door to keep out anything! Some seventeen million piastres were found inside so. it was as well that we did not have to use ou; dynamite.

This move of ours pro.ved mo.st" fortunate when, some two. or three weeks later we received orders from the Supreme Allied Commander that we were to remove all spending power from the Japs, whether Military or Civilian, and that the R.A.P.C. were to act as custodians o.f all military currency' bullio.n, and valuables that we could lay hand~ on. In theory the French were to do. the same for civil property, but in practice, they could no.t find the staff to do so until December and we al~o had to take custody of-and segr~gate from military boo.ty-all money, etc., taken o.ver fro.m the vario.us Japanese firms being closed down by our Intelligence Service on account of their subversive activities . Our investigations ill the Y o.kohama Specie Bank soon put them on the track o.f other firms, and we also discovered the account and pass-book o.f the Indian National Army (I.N.A.) in F.I.C. With assistance from these Major-General Chatterji, the Commander of the whole I.N.A., was traced and arrested near Hanoi.

The first step to. take in order to break the Japanese financial grip was obviously to discover how much currency was in circulation, and ho.w much of it was in Japanese hands, The currency still used was the same old prewar piastre, issued by le Banque de 1'1 ndo Chine, and the o.nly thing wrong with it was that the amount in circulation had increased ten-fold, and so was forcing prices up and enriching a roaring Black Market. The no.tes were numbered, and we were able to find that the amounts in issue had increased progressively from one hundred and eighty-six millions in September, 1939, to three hundred and thirty-eight millions by the opening of the

•


Japanese War, then to 1,550 millions by March, 1945, and had spurted to 2,350 millions by 14 August, 1945, the date of the Japanese surrender.

This last sudden jump at once aro.used our suspicions as to. what made it necessary, and it did not take long to find out that the Japanese Army had drawn about 600 millions more than was reasonable in the three months before the surrender, and that 256 millions of this plus all previous Bank Balances, were withdrawn, on Field-Marshal Terauchi's o.rders, actually o.n 14 August.

All this seemed a little fishy and we decided to analyse all military expenditure and see what could be fo.und.

The Colonel o.rdered the Head of the Intendence Branch to appear befo.re him and then said: « Up to yesterday yo.u were the D.P.I.C. of the Japanese Southern Armies. From today on, I am; and you take all orders from me. I must have all Japanese military accounts delivered here this week." So about a ton o.f acco.unts arrived, we got hold of a Japanese interpreter (whenever o.ne was available), and set about them. Some real work ensued, o.vertime meant no.thing, and the Colonel himself never stopped before midnight-Sundays included-and two mo.nths later the accounts for the past four years were available with all expenditure neatly tabulated month by month under main headings.

They sho.wed 57 millio.ns had been spent in 1941, 85 millions in 1942, 117 millions in 1943, and 360 millions in 1944, but there was nothing startling until March, 1945, and the monthly expenditure merely rose in accordance with the inflationary trend until it averaged 30 million piastres for the eight months ending February, 1945. In March, however, the Japs must have realised the War was lost, for they drew a lurr.p sum of 133 millions, and by July 29th, had drawn 453 millions. On 30 July, 112 millions were drawn, on 14 August, another 256 millions and, in additio.n all bank balances (amounting to 80 millions) were also drawn that day. This meant 901 millions in six months, o.f which 348 millions were in the last fortnight .

The Japanese Tro.ops were spread out over an area 600 miles by 400 miles of Annamiteinfested country, but were still armed, and we could not get at the bulk of them or bring them in under their own steam for some time yet, so we ordered them in October, to declare

489

what money they had in their pockets and their Treasure chests, and not to spend more than was absolutely necessary without our consent. The amount they eventually declared was 77 millions, and they asked authority to spend 76 millions of it by Christmas. The Colonel made some caustic comments on this which modified their ideas, and they spent 30 millions on themselves during October and November. Eventually, we got a real grip on them, taught them to keep their accounts more" R.A.P.C." fashion, and they cost nine millions over the period Decemb~r to February (i.e., three months), and this sum included their Navy as well, and about two millions spent on helping us to get food into Saigon, over 200 miles of water from Phnom Penh! This 77 millions seemed pretty small out of the 901 millions, and strengthened our resolve to analyse their accounts properly and to find o.ut what had happened to the rest of it. It turned out really to have been 104 and not 77 millions.

The final results showed that they had helped themselves to six months' pay o.n the date of surrender; had spent 52 millions on fortifications, 41 millions on aerodromes, and 105 millions o.n supplies, all of which were intended to. provide for a "last ditch" stand in F.I.C. of the Southern Armies ; had sent 295 millions to Hanoi to stir up trouble there; had paid 238 millions to Japanese firms and had another 145 millions somewhere in South F .I.C., which we could not find. We did, however, find most of 'the people who thought they were going to use it, and got sixty-four of them put" behind the bars" to contemplate life. The amounts which the Japanese originally claimed to have spent on fortifications, aerodromes and supplies Were far too large and hid very considerable sums which had been" put to ground."

The 238 millions paid to Japanese firms inc:uded 104 millions after the surrender, and it was decided to discover whether it all covered services rendered in the past, which didn't matter, or how much of it was for services to be received in the future, which mattered a lot.

We had no desire to see !'he Japanese win the Peace, after losing the war, so we then tackled auditing the accounts of the fifteen biggest firms concerned, and got the French to shut down all their branches which we could· reach. This drew the sting out of their tail, but had to be done gradually, as these firms had a stranglehold on the distributing and


retail trade of FJ.C. and the whole country would have had its trade frozen, and might have starved, if we had left a sudden void by closing them all at once without making arrangements for others to carry on with their business.

The audit of these firms meant more wrestling with Japanese figures, but it helped us to find the 64 people mentioned above, and also brought to light certain Chinamen who were holding sums of one million piastres upwards " on behalf of the Japanese Army." It also showed that Japanese firms got 238 millions from military funds out of their total turnover

- of 298 millions in 1945, and that the Army put in money whenever the civil firm had a debit balance. The finns had no more right to be called " Civil Firms" than W oolwich Arsenal has ; they came in just before, with, or just after, the Army, and were really R.A.S .C. and R.A.O.C. disguised as civilians. This suited the Japanese book better than putting them into uniform.

At the same time as all this was going on, the operations carried out by 20 Div., and by French troops, who were now arriving in large numbers, had given the Annamites such nasty knocks that it became possible to withdraw the Japanese gradually from areas which the French could take over, and it at last became possible to disann the Japanese Army and Navy, both physically and financially. .

By this time the Japanese had had over 500 casualties whilst fighting with us, and our own fellows, who had looked upon them as equivalent to vermin in Burma, were now almost comrades-in-arms, and were a bit reluctant at first to help us skin them financi~lly, though they saw the point of getting the weapons and, later on, they caught the spirit of the chase. General Gracey, however, issued finn orders that it was to be done, and the Colonel worked out a " drill" for getting and accounting for the money, and went on tour round our Brigades " putting it over," and telling Infantry Officers how to collect the stuff and what to do with it. No instructions had then reached F.I.C. as to the ultimate disposal of this booty, or as to the degree of control necessary; but, fortunately, the " drill" had covered the possible necessity of knowing exactly "what had been taken from whom," since orders to this effect were sent us after the whole job was finished.

The only R.A.P.C. C~shier we could spare to help in actually getting the monies and

490

valuables was Captain Cairns of 125 Field Cash Offi~e, and he was sent with Sgt. Mitchener to organise the " skinning" of the Japanese at Phnom Penh, where he spent a most profitable fortnight, and was so enthusiastic that he not only dealt with 11,000 Jap troops, but also added in the Japanese civilians (though not ordered to) as good measure !

Apart from this, and the Colonel's lectures and written instructions, 20 Div. did the whole job themselves and accounted for 60,000 Japs in a fortnight. The remainder were dealt with later as, and when, they reached the areas we controlled.

Meantime, all the money, gold, diamonds, watches, silver cigarette cases, cameras, binoculars, etc., together with the vouchers saying who had owned them, poured in daily on to our devoted little staff in the Y okohama Specie Bank, and they were soon completely submerged by piles of treasure that turned the Bank into an El Dorado.

The Colonel ordered the former J ~panese Cashiers of the Bank to help and an Indian sentry with fixed bayonet and loaded rifle stood behind each Jap to see fair play. Every consignment was counted separately and kept separate and, as each was completed, we gave " all clear" certificates to the Infantry Officers who had collected it, after the Colonel had authorised various adjustments to be made that were necessary owing to the Japanese habit of looking upon every type of currency as piaftres t Each Saturday we sent in to the ·D.P.I.C. A.L.F.S.E.A. a memorandum account of all valuables, and of currencies no longer having value, counted during the week. Our" Booty Imprest Account" was rendered to him, and C.C.H., Meerut, showing the increase of those currencies having a world value, and the amount when converted to piastres. Great praise is due to Captain M. Davies, R.A.P.C., and later, when he was posted to Hong Kong in the middle, to Lieutenant Davey, of 44 Area Cash Office who, together with Sgt . Grimsley, were responsible for the checking of the treasure and the compilation of these weekly returns. After organising the staff work required by all this, the Colonel was far too busy on the "Hunt for the Hidden Millions," and on carrying out his duties as Finance Adviser to S.A.C.S.E.A. <;ommission to do more than drop into the Bank occasionally, and to keep an eye on the results obtained weekly. For three months he was the only /.

/.


R.A.P.C. officer available for the" Hunt," but in January, Capt. (now Major) Furmedge, arrived with 44 A.C.O., and gave most able assistance during the closing stages of the search.

The final results from dealing faithfully with the Japanese armed Forces were that we got hold of nearly 80 million piastres and many other currencies which brought the total to over 100 millions, nearly half-a-ton of gold bars some diamonds, silver bullion, and 170 crat~s of coin-not to mention over 7,000 watches and hundreds of cameras, binoculars, cigarette cases, etc. etc. In addition, we took in about 35 millions of money from Japanese Civil Firms which we later passed over to the French Custodian of enemy property.

One of the many humorous incidents during the disarming of the J aps was when the Colonel discovered that 46,000piastres and 37,000 Burma rupees had ,been taken off a J ap Private, and at once said: "Take his trousers down until you find how he got it." A grinning messenger returned with the reply that" he" had turned out to be a " Comfort Girl."

The Japs took the philosophical view th.at, if we didn't skin them the French or Amencans would, and they gave no trouble ove.r the affair. Having pared them to the bone, It was still necessary for them to eat and to carr~ out various jobs for us which involved expendIture by them. The local inhabitants .would sell nothing to the French and very lIttle. to us, we were living on rations brought m, no contractors who would take on the job of feeding the Japanese scattered ov~r wide. areas were available, so there was nothmg for It but to give them the money necessary for food and work. The Japanese H.Q. was ordered to nominate six Imprest Holders, one from each area who were to be the only J aps able to draw funds from us, and who were to render their accounts monthly to us for audit. They could pass on some of the money to sub-ac.countan~s if they liked, but were held responSIble for It all and were to be the last Japanese to leave Fic. Each Imprest holder or sub-accountant was given a pass signed. by the Colonel, authorising him to spend pIastres and orders were given that, after 1 January, ~ 946 , every Jap found in possession of money WIthout such a pass was to be arrested at once.

Imprest holders were only given enough

491

money at a time to last a fortnig~t, .and ~hey accounted for it to our complete satIsfactlOn. On one occasion, Intelligence passed the news to us at 08-30 hours that a Japanese barge had just been sunk by the Annamites, and the crew, though rescued by another boat, had lost the 2,000 piastres given them for December food and , were much worried as to whether they would be left to starve. The Colonel discovered that they would reach harbour at ll-OO hours, and arranged for an Intendence Officer to meet them at the wharf with another 2000 and a deputation of high Japanese Oftic~rs waited on him next day to express their admiration for the kindness and efficiency of our Pay Services in producing the money even before Japanese .H.Q. had heard of }he incident t

At first the Japanese requests for money were absurdly high, so the Colonel s'ent for their senior Intendence Officers and told them: "I don't blame you for asking for too much every time, indeed, I would do the same myself, and I am quite prepa:ed to find out -how much is really necessary ill the areas we control and to cut it down accordingly. There , , h are a lot of Japanese whom we can t reac , however and I must rely on their word for what is ~ssential. If these requests are certified by you as necessary 'On the honour of the Japanese Army,' I will nO.t query" them, but will give you the money m full. Henceforward, every request with this certificate on it was for very reasonable amounts, ~d our . experience was that, once the J ap realIsed he was going to get a square deal,. he co~ld ~e trusted . . The discipline of theIr armIes SIX months aft~r they surrendered proved what good soldiering material they were, and they bore their defeat and much reduced standard of living with real dignity. .

. By mid-February all booty had been collected, the Japanese had been concentra~ed ~n ~he Cap. St. J acques Peninsula to awaIt shIppmg for Japan, and the French money t~en ha,d been handed over to the French agamst theIr receipt. Many millions of the worthless currency taken were burnt, and the Colonel sailed for Singapore with ninety-six crates of curren~y, gold, and valuables guarded by twenty ~achille O'unners beforegoing on to N.E.I. to do the ~ame ag~in." And so ended the " H~nt for the Hidden Millions" in F.I.C., but It led to a much bigger one in Java and Sumatra.


Jottings . .from Westminster In a recent debate in the House of Commons

Mr. Mitchison asked the Secretary of State fo; War what are the duties of the Officer i/c. Central Moribund Accounts.

Mr. Bellenger: "The Central Moribund Account~ ~ffice has been set up to maintain and admInIster the accounts of all non-effective soldiers, that is soldiers released from the Service, discharged unfit, or who have died."

Mr. Mitchis~n: "How does the Right Hon. Gentleman decIde when an account is dead? "

Mr. Bellenger: "When it is extinguished. " Mr. J. Langford-Holt: "Will the Right

Hon. Gentleman tell the House how many persons are employed under the Officer-inCharge of this Department? "

Mr. Bellenger: "I could not do that without notice, but it is not a large number."

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter: " Can the Right Ron. Gentleman assure the House that the title of this appointment is not the new title of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?"

Mr. Bellenger: "If Hon. Members will look at this matter in a serious way, they will u~derstand that t~e whole purpose of creating thIS Department IS to relieve the Pay Office of a lot of matter which will disappear in a short space. ~f time. w.e do not wan~ to clutter up the hVIng files WIth what we consider to be dead or nearly dead matter."

, ; TAE. \HIS:{ lO TAt. STARS \947) '" . .; .. '; '.- " .....

492

(" Open Air Banking"-continued from page 487)

to ~epair the docks and perform the countless dutIes that could now be accomplished. The ~avy, the .Army, and the Air Force left their hide-outs m France, Belgium and Holland a!ld swarmed into my first" permanent" offic~ Slllce the campaign began, bringing with them sacks-yes, sacks I-of currencies to be exchanged. Once again we were knee deep in ' notes of all descriptions, and it was not until an Area Cash Office arrived with the Lines of Communication wallahs that comparative peace descended again.

After a. month of "luxury," the Division moved to Its allotted area in the Ruhr, with the Headquarters (and m.e) at Hilden, near Dusseldorf. The tide of victory washed all sorts of peculiar people into the " Bank." UNRRA (of every natio.nality under the sun), Polish, French, Itahan, Dutch, Belgian, Czech Liaison o!ficers, Boy Scouts' Societies, Friends' MisSIOns, ~e? Cross, Mi.nistry of Supply, Control C~mmlssIOn, and MInistry of Labour experts -In fact, everyone but our wives and families appeared to be visiting Germany, and the masses of documentation required to pay all these gentry nearly sent Sgt. Iddon and I mad. However, it was so much easier working in a proper office with a real safe and" all Mod. cons.,~' that we really enjoyed the ever-

. changIng parade of curiosities, and gradually we became expert at dealing with all 57 varieties. To cope with our much eniarged area, we "opened" sub-offices at Munchen Gladbach and Mulheim, which we visited once every week. The Division had now swollen to nearly four times its previous size, and we had a turnover of nearly 400,000 marks (£100,000). The biggest problem at first l was the supply of cash, and for some weeks I had to fly by Auster to Rheine until a cash centre was opened w:thin easier reach.

On looking back, I cannot but be amazed to think how faultlessly the whole system worked, and how few snags really arose. It speaks volumes not only for the organisation of the theoretical side of the affair and accounting system, but for the way in which the " customers " co-operated, that no sh'ortages of more than a few shillings or "rubber" cheques came our way, for during the two years that I was the Division's Cashier, more than £4,500,000 worth of currency passed over our counter.

~ I


Meerut to Singapore By S.S.M. W. HUMPHRIES

ON looking back through the postwar copies of the Journal, I find that the Singapore Office has not had its fair

share of representation, for various reasons which I will not repeat! Let us rather look back to a day in July or August, 1945, when the personnel of the then C.C.H. were sweating in sultry Meerut. Lists of personnel began to gather in the office of the O. i/c., and eventually, it got out that 150-odd stalwarts were going forward to man the Command Pay Office in Singapore. While they were being sifted, kjtted, fitted, drilled, ' and generally messed around, Lieut.-Col. R. W. ShawHamilton and others quietly moved off ahead to act as the advance party. At last, on 15 November, 1945, " The" draft for Singapore

\ marched out to the Cantonment Station, to the strains of the pipes and drums of the Punjab Regt., The spectacle this provided for the troops left behind was of a first-class military nature, and there were no tears in the eyes of the troops leaving! They were volunteers to a man! Next stop, Calcutta. I'll skip the details of the train journey. A great many members of the Corps have had to suffer in those terrible Indian troop trains, on those seemingly interminable journeys and they will still feel the pang. At Calcutta, a day or two in a transit camp, and then aboard the "Ekma," and hurrah! for the ocean wave. En route, a port of call was Chittagong, where the R.A.P.C. won so many campatgn medals! It should be mentioned that six sergeants were left behind at Calcutta to help quell the riots which are a feature of that city. They (the Sergeants, not the riots) caught us up about a fortnight later.

The journey took just over a week, and was generally enjoyable. Many of those in the draft will still remember with a smile, the stentorian "·Let go three shackles, aft, Mister McIntyre," and the fearful din which followed. At last, Singapore, the city of the Lion. It has an impressive skyline on first sight, something like a miniature New York, minus the Statue of Liberty, and it is approached through a maze of small islands, each with sandy beaches and crowns of coconut palms. Our march from ' the docks to Raffles Place 'excited nobody but ourselves-the locals were used to the tramp of martial men by now, and so we settled down quietly in the new quarters and office " dis-

-1 93

covered" by Lieut.-Col. Shaw-Hamilton. The men were comfortably settled in_ an office building converted into barracks, the Sgts. in an old Bank (Taiwan) and the office on the ground floor of the huge Meyer Chambers block in Raffles Place. The officers had a nice little bungalow for a mess, where, on good authority and on a diet of mud and frogs, etc., they also kept a Malayan Crocodile. (Does any reader know where it is now?) In these places we worked and played, and dispatched envoys to all points East-Bangkok, Saigon, N.E.I., Celebes, Hong Kong, Japan and Burma. In fact, postings became so numerous, and we were so good at it, that the Detachment also incorporated the Depot R.A.P.C. for the Far East. In May, 1946, our first real blow fell. The office had to expand, and the troops had to evacuate their office-barrack building, by now complete with a lift and attendant. SoTyersall Camp, five miles away, was occupied. Accommodation, six men to a tent, hurricane lamps for lighting, bad roads, and all the " attendant discomforts of a tented camp. The weather broke as we moved in, and washed out tents were the order of the day. Every tent without fail leaked through the roof in addition to the walls, the bull-frogs bellowed all night, and the mosquitoes came out and made merry! Owing to the extreme scarcity of food in Malaya, failure of rice crops, etc., the standard of the Army ration was cut and cut, but on the whole, and . despite outbreaks of weird skin diseases, life was good in TyersaU.

The officers were ' less fortunate in Ulu Pandan Camp, their new home, but how much, I cannot say. . The move to Tyersall Camp brought about the Admin . Officer's greatest headache, transport. It is impossible to condense the 101 snags which arose, breakdowns, thefts, sabotage, etc ., but looking back, life was certainly well spiced with a variety of "disasters." Our only human casualty was a Malay clerk who fell off a truck when the hand rail " 'came away in me 'and, Sir." Then, the Powers said: "Ah, let's move the Command Paymaster's chaps around again," and on a day of torrential rain, we occupied our little bit of the notorious Ayer Rajah Camp . This camp was the subject of rude words in the House of Commons, and although we 111

(Continued on p,1ge 495)


THE SNAKE CHARMER IN PICCADILLY By A. W. DEWDNEY, Jr.

T HE c?ld air hit my face and I paused to regam my composure. It had been a very enjoyable evening and I'm sure

that when this re-union had been planned two years before in Meerut, not one of us really thought that we should all meet again. It's funny to note how people change when they don a civvy suit; rank is completely forgotten. Even the Colonel's reserve vanished in the convivial atmosphere of our stag, party, as he gave an impersonation of a bow-legged " char w.all~h .. " But then, in India, apart from a slight dlsclphne necessary to maintain law and order, we had always worked together as a team. It wasn't surprising, therefore, that the evening had been such an overwhelming success.

I began walking towards Piccadilly Circus: I reached the Circus and had the shock of my life. There, outside the Corner House, squatted a snake charmer! I looked again and, as I watched, he commenced playing on a flute. Out of the depths of his basket came the head of a snake. A cobra. Almost in a trance I walked towards the ch·armer.

" Buckshees, sahib." It-it couldn't be, and yet again I heard him

chant: « Buckshees, sahib." A crowd began to gather. The mystic

stopped playing and the snake recoiled into the basket. I took half-a-crown from my pocket and threw it to the" wallah."

If I was surprised, the crowd abou't me must have been even more so. It was as if a page of the" Arabian Nights" had miraculously come to life. The Indian played again. Up came the snake. Then it happened; the snake glided out of its basket, on to the pavement, and disappeared.

" Look out," I cried, and rushed after the snake. The crowd separated, I darted through, and nearly collided with a policeman.

" 'AUo, 'allo, now what's all this' ere? " Breathless, I explained that a cobra had

escaped and was somewhere in the vicinity. "Oh," he retorted,. "and whose is the

cobra ? Yours, no doubt." « No, no," I exclaimed impatiently, "it's

his." And pointed in the direction of the charmer. He was gone. The crowd grew larger.

494

" Now. look here, young man, I haven't got all my tIme to waste on you; where's this snake and (he laughed at this point) the bloke that owns him ? " . . I .looked" around the crowd and timidly lllqUlred : Has anybody seen a snake? "

" No chum," shouted a voice; " but I saw a nice bit of stuff walking around here with curves. A real charmer she was too ! "

More laughs and I felt extremely foolish. I tried again: "Look constable, there was a snake charmer here a few minutes agQ, and his snake did escape. I don't suppose it's harmful as their fangs are usually removed, but it would give somebody a nasty shock to wake up and find it in bed with them! "

I was getting desperate : "Somebody else must have seen it . . . ." I paused, as the policeman walked across to a crowd of sailors.

" Any of you chaps seen a snake around? "Cripes," said one, "'as he lost his old

woman? " But nobody else appeared to have seen either

the Indian or his snake. " Constable, for the last time-there was an

Indian here, and what's more I distinctly heard him playing a flute."

" And the," interjected the policeman, " the snake got away? "

Exactly," I said triumphantly. " So it is eh ?-well you can tell that to the

judge! "

* * * I told it to the judge. " Your honour, on the night of the 11 th Sep

tember, I was walking towards Piccadilly ~ircus Station, when I saw a snake charmer squatting on the edge of the pavement .... "

I related the whole story: " Yes, your honour, I had been to a re-union."

" Of course I had had a few drinks." That reply seemed to eclipse the entire

proceedings. One eye-witness stated that I was acting in a

peculiar manner-while another distinctly saw me throw a half crown piece at a taxi !

The constable told how he had noticed a crowd gathering and was amazed when he was charged by a young man. " Yes, your honour, obviously drunk."


You will have guessed that I was found guilty. Guilty of causing a disturbance to the peace, while under the influence of drink! ~ duly paid a fine of £ 2. •

But I'm still puzzled. True the judge may have been right, and I may have been drunk. But nobody will ever be able to explain away .the cobra I found in my coat pocket, . when I arrived home.

(" NI eerut to S ingapore" continued from paf!e 493)

the Detachment were interested, it was a detached sort of interest. In addition to its being an extra two miles from the office, it could only be reached over the most atrocious roads. We moved in before the camp was completed, amenities did not exist and it was less than a month to Christmas. Yet, full marks to all the troops, little or no grumblings were heard . Meanwhile, the Bank of Taiwan had already been occupied as an office, and practically collapsed on us every time a shower blew up. The unfortunates of the Regimental

. Group thus often arrived wet and muddy from a wet and muddy camp to a wet and sticky office, often in time to salvage a stray Imprest A/c. or acquittance roll literally floating downstairs. In less than six months, however, Admin. struck again, and the Detachmentsingle members thereof- are now comfortably quartered in Gillman Barraoks, still some miles from the office. But what a change! Modern barrack blocks, running water, showers and real lavatories for the first time! A grand swimming pool five minutes from the nearest charpoy, a N.A.A.F.I. canteen, and a permanent Camp Cinema. In addition, the 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders give us all the news of the military day on pipes and bugles. Taiwan Bank has been de-requisitioned and that part of the office accommodated in another building in Raffles Place. After occupation, we had to give up a part of it, which meant more squeezing. And so for the present, we stay. There is another general move in the offing, but more of that later, when we've had a breather. It will be readily seen from the foregoing that on the Administrative side, the Detachment has had a real hectic time since its arrival in this green and beautiful island, and we all fervently hope that our stay in these, our present quarters, will be prolonged as much as possible.

195

Births, Marriages and Deaths

BIRTHS

BULL.- On the ·21st June, 1947, at 1 airobi, to Margaret, wife of S.S.M., A. A. Bull, R.A.P.C. , a daughter (Sandra).

HARPHAM.-On 23rd May, 1947, at Shipstonon Stour, Warwickshire, to Irene Gertrude (nee Hall), wife of Sgt.-Major Monty Harpham, R.A.P.C., a daughter (Denise Irene).

HUNT.-On 29th June, at the Waverley Nursing Home, Bradford, to Ursula M . Hunt, M.B., C.L.B. (nee Kirk), wife ofA. W. Maurice Hunt, 2 Shadwell Walk, Moortown, Leeds, a son.

JONEs.-To Muriel, wife of Lieut. E. H. H . Jones, R.A.P.C. (R.P. Shrewsbury), at Knaresborough, Yorks ., on 22nd July, 1947, a daughter, Kathryn Dorothy.

LILLEY.-On 4th June, 1947, at Louise Margaret Hospital, Aldershot, to Winifred Mary (nee Payne), wife of S.S.M. J. P . Lilley, R.A.P.C., Training Centre, a daughter, Vivien Catherine.

MAxWELL.-On the 10th June, 1947 at Nairobi, to Nan, wife of Capt. G. Maxwell, R.A.P.C., a daughter (Elizabeth Sheena).

PARK.-On 6th August, 1947, at Accra, Gold Coast, to Eve, wife of Colonel H. P. Park, R.A.P.C., a daughter (Susan Margaret).

WHJTE.-On the 3rd July, 1947, at Nairobi, to Vera, wife of S/Sgt. D. White, ' R.A.P.C. , a son, Melvyn Douglas.

MARRIAGES On 5th June, at St. Mary's Church, Norton

on-Tees, Mr. A. Mould (ex-R.A.P.C.)(formerly at Stockport Road, and Meerut) to Miss N . M . Masterman (ex-A.T.S.) (formerly at Stockport Road).

On 30th August, at St. Stephen'sParish Church , Edinburgh, Capt. James Wight Rutherford , W .S., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Carter Rutherford , of 30 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, to Doris Shirt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Shirt, of 51 Neal Avenue, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs.

DEATH INIFF.-On 4th August, 1947, at the Leicester

City General Hospital, the wife of Capt. W. Iniff, of 7 St. Peter's Road , Leicester, after a long and painful illness.

THE ROYAL .ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL

Ten Minutes in the Life of a Chief Clerk (Tech.)

THE 'phone rings yet again. Wearily, I stretch out my arm and remove the receiver from its resting-place.

At once my ears are assailed by a raucous feminine gabble of which I am unable to understand a single word. I do eventually gather that the lady wishes to speak to a certain gentleman, but, after fruitless attempts to persuade her to speak more quietly and slowly, I sigh resignedly and say, " Spell it."

This she proceeds to do with considerable gusto, as follows, "V for Victory, E for Edward, I for-I for-I for-oh, yes, I for Ink. (Triumphant pause.) N for nuts. (Here, I think of a smashing crack, but let it slide.) E for-E for-E for Edward again, R for Robert, H for-now let me see, H forah, I know, H for Holly, U for Oven." (Here I break in hastily.)

" Did you say U for Oven? " " Yes, that's right." " But, surely, you mean ° for oven? " " No, no-U for oven." " But, Madam, there is no U in oven.~' Here, I regret to state, I am afraid that my

voice was inclined to be a trifle raised. However, for some reason known only to

496

herself, she found cause for amusement in the fact that there is no U in oven, and it was Some moments before her laughter could be reduced to a gigg'iing apology. "I'm so sorry, I mean U for Uncle."

"Ve carry on with our spelling exercise, and I finally extract from her that she wishes to speak to a Mr. Veinerhunt.

I do not recall anyone of that name in the Office, but as we have recently been joined by several civilians from other offices, he may be one of these. So:-

" And where does he work, Nladam ? " " There." " What do you mean-there ? " " With you." " Yes, Madam, but in which Wing? " Here a horrible thought comes into my mind

-I add hastily :-" By the way, Madam, you do know where

you are ringing ? " " Why, yes, of course, my husband's firm,

Brown and Veinethunt of Camberwell Green." ""VeIl, l\1adam," I say, as I "gently"

replace the receiver, " this is not Camberwell Green, it is the Army Pay Office, Knights-bridge! " .

All in the day's work, I suppose, just another case.

RONALD TEAL.

• 1


A PAY OFFI~E IN JAPAN By Lieut.-Colonel F. W. C. THOMAS

As soon as it was decided that British and Indian troops should take part in the occupation of Japan , the need for Pay

staff immediately arose. Lt.-Col. F. W. C. Thomas was instruct~d to proceed to N asik where the Force was assembling. He found there Major J. A. A. Smith and his staff of S.P. 27. Lt.-Col. Thomas was then known as Force Paymaster 125.

Contrary to the impression given at Meerut that departure was imminent, it was found that a great deal had still to be arranged and that even the agreement of some of our Allies to our Force proceeding to Japan was still awaited.

During the next four months, all possible steps were taken tq prepare for what we knew would be required of us in Japan.

The Pay Office" premises" at Nasik consisted of three marquees, one for Force Paymaster and second-in-charge, whilst the others were used by Cashier and R.A.P.C. staff.

Steps were taken immediately to establish the traditional close liaison of R.A.P.C. with those in their pay charge and it was not long before we were being fully employed in all kinds of pay work in addition to the work of cash supply. We seemed to be achieving this work with some satisfaction to all concerned. The officers were divided among H.Q. MessesLt.-Col. Thomas going to "A" Mess with G.O.C. and heads of branches and services, whilst the others were allotted to other Messes according to rank. The R.A.P.C. Sgts. were accommodated in H.Q. Sgts. Mess and seemed to settle down quickly. .

I t was necessary to think ahead and arrange for the time when we should be in Japan.

After some weeks, all necessary printing was effected, forms were amended and printed in good supply, typewriters were obtained, new clothing fitted and other necessary extra equipment issued. The prevailing colour of the Division-by now named BRINDIVwas olive green and both hot and cold weather uniforms had to be obtained. The Force badge was the Union Jack worn on one shoulder. The famous 2 Division sign for personnel of 5 Bde. and the Star of India were worn in the case of personnel of 268 Bde. on

497

the other shoulder. H.Q. ,>,'ore the Union Jack on both shoulders.

As the Division collected, the area became covered by tentage until for miles around nothing could be seen but tents with acres of motor transport in process of being painted and fitted for voyage to Japan.

Furniture, stocks of drinks and other necessities were obtained by messes. Arrangements had to be made for future supplies since, from information then received, there was nothing in Japan and that each component would have to arrange for its own supplies of food, drink, petrol, clothing, amenities, etc.

The amount of "crating" required was immense and at the end of three months when this had been completed it seemed impossible that all could be transported to Japan, however many ships were used.

Here several changes in Staff took place owing to the date of certain Release groups being too near the time of expected arrival in Japan. The delay in leaving India caused successive Release Groups to become ineligible to go to Japan.

The Pay Staff lost one Officer, a Staff Sergeant and two N.C.O.s, whilst the Indian Cashiers clerk supplied had to be returned as being too old and unsuitable.

The Staff received in their place were entirely suitable and the work of preparation was not

. held up at all . It was arranged that there would be an Air

Advance Party proceeding from Bombay, a Sea Advance Party sailing on H.T. Cheshire thre~ weeks later, whilst the main body were to follow in two portions, each of three troopships. The two portions of main body sailed at four week's interval.

Needless to say, there were ill addition, innumerable ships containing stores and supplies. The disembarkation and unloading of ships on arrival in Japan had to be carried out at top speed owing to acute congestion since the Australians were arriving at the same time and also because of the lack of available wharfage.

In January, the Chief Paymaster SEACINDIA came to yisit the office andvvished them good luck.

Lt.-Col. Thomas left India in February with


the Air Advance Party whilst the Div. Cashierthe Indian Army Officer-sailed with the Sea Advance Party. Major Smith, Capt. Halliday and Lt. now Capt. Barnicoat with one or more R.A.P. C. clerks each to assist them, were distributed among the troopships of first portion main body so that they could give effect to any pay instruction's signalled from Japan by Lt.-Col. Thomas and also assist in the exchange of currency by units on arrival. '

Currency control and restrictions had been published while the Force was still in India and these were republished at intervals after arrival. In addition, all exchanges were carried out on board ship so that there would be no opportunity of currency being taken into Japan.

Lt.-Col. Thomas acted as Gashier to the Air Advance Party until the arrival of Capt. Brazendale. He, in fact, carried out what is believed to be the first exchange of currency ever to be carried out whilst in the air. This took place between Hong Kong and Japan at lO,OOO feet .

The Air party had a very interesting, if uncomfortable, journey. They were conveyed in a Dakota from Bombay to Hong Kong via Calcutta, Rangoon and Saigon. From Hong Kong to Japan they used a stripped Sunderland.

They stayed in Hong Kong (and tasted all its delights) for eight days which were considered by them to be one of the most enjoyable times they had had for sometime. Just before leaving Japan, Force Paymaster 152 had been re-named " Staff Paymaster- Japan" to avoid confusion with British Commonwealth Occupation Force of which Brindiv was only a part.

The integration of a Force such as the B.C.O.F. was not as easy as one would imagine. The Staff Officers at H.Q., B.C.O.F. were of different components and with, differing experience, service and customs. All got on well on the whole but at times, each Staff Officer was inclined to be conservative and parochial in his attitude to things and there was an inclination to "jib" when a new instruction was issued which appeared to differ from established custom or procedure as known by him. The pooling of transport and stores too caused some difficulty. This was inevitable and it says a great deal for the whole assembly and its desire to achieve integration that com-

I plete harmony was attained so soon as was the case.

Since everything was procured from the Japanese authorities or supplied from outside

498

Japan, there were no local bills to be dealt \\ith by the Pay Office.

A complicating factor was the great distances between H.Q. Brindiv, Brigades and Units~a dispersion which rendered the addition of two Field Cash Offices to the Staff PaymasterJapan's Office most vitally necessary.

Train travel was slow-at least three times as long being needed for journeys as compared with similar journeys in U.K. When cash was required units had, at first, to send in to H.Q. for it. These journeys necessitated cash escorts and also the expenditure of an average of four day~ in time-a thing which in these days of officer shortage could not be allowed to continue.

Two Field Cash Offices were applied for and obtained (commanded by Capts. Hayes and Barnicoat). These Field Cash Offices were stationed at H.Q. Bde. on the Island of Shikoku and at H.Q. 268 (Indian) Inf. Bde. at Matsue on the north coast of Honshu.

Owing to the distance of Kure from Okayama (over 100 miles) and the stationing of some British and Indian Units under orders of H.Q. B.C.O.F. ' and H.Q. Commonwealth 'Base, it was necessary for Capt. Halliday to be appointed Embarkation Paymaster-British and Indian Division (or BRIND IV as it is termed). He had to carry out all paymaster's duties at embarkations, disembarkations, emplanings and disemplanings as well as to render pay advice arid assistance to the Units in his area. He also acted as Pay liaison officer between the Australian Chief Paymaster at H.Q., B.C.O,F. and the Staff Paymaster-Japan.

The Staff Paymaster's Office was situated in bank premises, first in Hiro whilst H.Q. Brindiv were there and later (in July) at the Yasadu Bank premises at Okayama. It was concerning the procuration of these bank premises that some opposition from the Japanese bank officials was experienced. ,

I t was claimed that the taking over of bank buildings was likely to interfere with Japan's domestic and business organisation.

The reply to this was to the effect., " Who won this War- Japan? "

The premises were obtained "vith all the advantage of rooms for safe custody of cash, telephones, etc.

At the Okayama premises it was possible to establish the whole of the Pay Staff under one roof and thus avoid the previous handicap of having to work in two buildings, one mile apart, as at Hiro.

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOU RNAL

Up to this time the Pay Staff had suffered a continual wave of ill-health. Capt. Halliday was sick for some time with ear trouble, Sgt. Dow with a rheumatic trouble which lead to his invaliding, whilst S/Sgt. MacKillop was operated on for appendicitis. Work was gravely hampered during this period by lack of fit staff. The National Savings sales organisation began to function in August.

With the move to Okayama, things became more settled and work progressed with increasing smoothness. Unfortunately, the relief for Sgt. Dow, when he did arrive left

, again after a few days on compassionate leave and on his way to U .K . lost his life in an air crash at Hong Kong.

Bank accounts were opened for all Cashiers (the U.S . authorities having given permission) and this made the transfer of funds easier. Private banle accounts could not and still cannot , be opened. All was on a' cash basis.

The inadequacy in numbers of R.A.P.C. Staff rendered it necessary to procure Japanese clerical assistance and some of these became very useful partly owing to their having been born in America.

Seven months after the arrival of the Air Advance Party the Pay Office was fully established on lines similar to a Command Pay Office elsewhere.

There \;\rere two main sections, Imprest and Booking, and three outlying Cash Offices including the Emb~rkation Paymaster.

Owing to the wide area to be covered, Lt.-Col. Thomas and Major Call ins (who arrived in July, 1946, to take the place of Major Smith) had to tour Kure, Shikoku Island, and Matsue on routine duties and checks each month whilst the fourth visit was a " pay liaison" one to Tokyo and Kyoto where certain parts of the Brindiv were stationed.

Much time was taken to carry out these duties, but it was unavoidable if pay liaison and control had to be maintained.

The foregoing must not convey the idea that work is such that frequent relaxation is possible. Local leave though, is fairly regular, and with the easing of the initial pressure of work, members of the Staff have been able to stay for a few days each at one or other of the very comfortable leave camps now being established.

THE SUDAN I N 194 0 By S.Q.M.S. A. DEEBLE

T HE war really began in far-away Sudan on 10 June, 1940, when Italy decided to range her forces alongside those of

Germany. Sleepy Khartoum, and its large .neighbour,

Oindurman, . became suddenly alert, and even more so were Port Sudan and many smaller towns on the borders of Eritrea and Abyssinia .

On the very day that the news came through, the R.A.F. made a daring and unexpected raid on Addis , Ababa, the Ethiopian capital and headquarters of the Italian occupation force . While this long-distance feat was acclaimed as a warning to Italy of things to come, there was an unpatriotic feeling that if the R.A.F. had remained quiet about the whole thing, so would the Italians in that part of the world. However, the first" reprisal" in the Khartoum area did not occur until 23 August.

The R.A.F. station was just on the outskirts of Khartoum, and the famous fort, built after Kitchener had avenged the death of Gordon, overlooked the airfield .

499

A three-engined bomber swooped down at 2-30 in the morning, dropped eight H.E. bombs, and scattered a trail of incendiaries over the fort and the aircraft hangars . That pilot certainly knew the lay-out! He dropped his bombs near our biggest ammunition dump, while in the fort, where R.A.O C. and R.A.P.C. personnel weroe quartered, were a few million rounds of small arms ammunition, among other items.

Luckily, the thick concrete roof easily withstood these incendiary bombs, which were nothing like the dangerous types evolved later in the war. Furthermore, the Iow swoop of the raider actually spoiled his success, because the incendiaries were' set off by a small propeller which unscrewed on the way down, and many of them reached the ground before ' the unscrewing was complete. Three unfortunate sergeants who had chosen that night to sleep, on the roof, for the sake of some cool fresh air received some minor burns, but otherwise no damage was done .


Then Italian forces crossed the border and occupied two towns, Kassala and Gallabat withoJlt much trouble. This was rather dis~ concerting, as one of these towns was on the main railway system, which runs in a circle round a 250 mile plain, branching off at various points to important towns such as Port Sudan, Wadi-Halfa, arid Kosti. Why the I talians, who built up a strong force on the border, did not attempt that 250 mile dash to Khartoum or Atbara, was as much of a mystery as why the Germans did not cross the Channel. Only two thousand' British troops barred the way to nearly a quarter of a million of the enemy, but by daring raids into enemy territory, skilful bluffing, marching and counter marching, they succeeded in creating the

. definite impression upon ' the Italian General Staff that a much larger force confronted them. Captured documents subsequently showed that the Italians estimated our strength at ,15,000. Much of the credit for this deception goes to the" Fuzzy-Wuzzy " border tribesmen, who were quickly organised to intercept any enemy agents, who found it very difficult to cross into the Sudan.

The three British regiments in the Sudan at the time were the 2nd Bn., The West Yorkshire Regt., the 1st Bn., The Worcestershire Regt., and the 1st Bn., The Essex Regt.

Sudan was not left in this plight for long. Convoys of Indian troops were soon on their way from Bombay, and it was then that Headquarters, 21st Infantry Brigade, at Port Sudan, felt the need for a Field Cashier, and made hurried application for one to the Area Paymaster, Khartoum. The Area Paymaster, Major R. S. Ellicott was, however, the only R.A.P.C officer in the Sudan at the time, so to meet the emergency, a staff-sergeant was loaded up with as many army forms as it was thought a field cashier might use, and sent off on the 500-mile rail journey to Port Sudan, on 4 Sept., 1940. .

The train was held up for twelve hours in the desert because . the track was "washed away," this being a common occurrence during the mid-summer rainy season. Large gangs of natives were employed building up the sand under the track. Often the journey took three or four days, but this time it was only thirty-six hours. The solitary R.A.P.C. representative received a brief welcome at the station from the Brigade Major, and was then driven in the darkness to a camp which accommodated part of the 1st Bn., The Worcestershire Regt. A

g?od meal was provided and a bunk put at his disposal, a bed being exceedingly welcome after the fatiguing journey.

Awakened next morning by the brilliance of the rising sun, it was a pleasurable shock to discover that only fifty yards of sand (and a barb-wire fence) separated my front door from the open sea, which is quite noiseless hereabouts because of a long, continuous reef some distance out. '

I had to report to Brigade Headquarters as soon as possible. Incidentally, I had brought with me a cheque for £2,000, to start off a banking account with Barclay's Bank. Mter I had been interviewed by the Staff Captain (Captain Waite) and Brigadier Marriott, the cheque was presented to 2fLt. R. L. Dray, of the Worcesters, who had been summoned to H.Q., and who was then and there given the title of Embarkation Paymaster. 2fLt. Dray was a very youthful, bright, and courteous officer, who did not for a long time give up the hope of receiving additional pay for this unusual occupation.

Having been allotted a Morris 15-cwt. truck, part-time, the next step was to find an office in the docks. There were a few odd sheds and huts from which Italian firms had been ejected, and we chose a hut with two rooms, in a convenient situation between the dock gates and the quayside. It was completely bare of furniture, which was gradually remedied by daily scrounging expeditions, helped by Doyle, 2fLt. Dray's batman and the driver. Two chairs were borrowed from the local cinema, but the origin of some of the additions was a mystery to us all. A heavy steel safe was a difficult encumbrance, because it could not be left in the building overnight, but had to be loaded on to the truck and deposited in the Worcester's guard-room.

On the first occasion when this was being done, there was an air raid, and the safe was left standing outside the guard-room until it was over. The sirens in the town and on all the boats in the harbour usually created an infernal din which vied with the explosions of the bombs-that was all the warning possible, as the planes came in from the sea. The docks, and our office, were on a narrow neck of land between the harbour and the sea, making an easy target from above, and the native dock workers used to keep on imagining new raids long after the planes had departed. If ever a man was seen running, it was the signal for

everyone else to stop work, and rush for the

500

THE ' ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL

trenches; while the hoot of a ship had 'the same effect.

On the ISunday following my arrival, the first batch of eight ships entered the harbour, three of them being troopships. Most of the troop-carrying ships bore unfamiliar names, such as Erinpura, Karagola, Varsova, Amra, Varela, Bankura, Rohna, and Akbar, but the British troopships Devonshire, Lancashire, and Nevasa were also used at different times. Only eight vessels could be dealt with in the docks, and a convoy of forty-odd would be anchored in a bay farther up the Red Sea, coming in eight at a time, every five days.

Besides making cash payments to officers, and to imprest holders, there was the big matter of exchanging all the troops' Indian money into Egyptian. This was a job which Mr. Hill, the manager of Barclay's Bank, undertook to do, and his chief cashier was with us on that Sunday morning deftly counting rupees, annas, and pies in coins of many different metals, shapes, and values, besides thousands of the new one-rupee notes. We congratulated ourselves that our hurried preparations were working smoothly, but, too soon, for an air raid at 11-20 a.m., followed by a false alarm shortly afterwards, decided the chief cashier to refuse to work there any longer. Mr. Hill personally ran the exchange in the afternoon, but thereafter Sgt. Bostock, of the Worcesters, was sent to assist us, and we all took a hand at this, the most arduous of our jobs.

At this time it was not, strange to say, considered an R.A.P.C. responsibility to exchange individual's cash, and we were in this respect only working on behalf of Barclay's Bank! The manager fixed the rate of exchange at seven piastres to a rupee, as a convenient though not very profitable figure, and this resulted in a loss to the Indians of threefarthings on every rupee, but we only heard of two complaints.

A signal was sent out to the ships, as the line of eight came over the sky-line, always just before dawn, for a representative from each platoon or section to collect all the cash for exchange, so that we had only a comparatively small number to deal with. They would crowd into our office, each carrying a large handkerchief filled with coins and notes, and while one was being attended to, the next would start arranging his cash in piles on the floor or table . Small Egyptian currency was not very plentiful, and when the Egyptian notes , and silver (including English florins and shillings,

which also were in general use ' in the Sudan) had been given in exchange, it must have taken some of the units weeks to sort out how much to give back to each individual, and to get the right change to do so.

The defences of Port Sudan consisted of a battery of eight light A.A. guns, augmented by any Naval vessels that might be in port, a few Lewis guns mounted in threes on tripods, and a squadron of Gladiators, which, unfortunately, were not fast enough to catch the Italian bombers, unless right up above them. However, it was reported that some were intercepted and brought down by a squadron based farther south. Later, Blenheim fighterbombers made their appearance, which gave the residents a greater feeling of security .

501

Office hours were, perforce, until 10-30 p .m., when the boats were in, but in between it was possible to take life fairly easily, enjoy a long swim every day in the baths at the Seamen's Institute, and visit the cafes and cinema at night. At the cinema, breaks in the film were very frequent, and sometimes took up to an hour-and-a-half to be repaired. The days were intensely hot, and the atmosphere humid.

Some of the Indian troops remained in Port Sudan, and one of their lorries was allotted to us ; ' it is rather a strain on the nerves riding with an Indian driver. On 1 October, 2fLt. Dray went on a course to Cairo, and ,2fLt. Kerans took his place, but he, after a fortnight" was appointed Liaison Officer at Brigade H.Q., and an offir:er of the R.I.A.S.C. , Capt. A. E. Davies, became Embarkation Paymaster. Capt. Davies had served in the R.A.P.C. at the end of the last war. Being an M.T. officer, he had his own Chevrolet Light Van, which I was able to use by myself when required. Another officer of the same unit replaced Capt. Davies after only three days, Capt. I. D. E. Cearns.

On 23 October, the worst air raid occurred, two bombs falling within thirty feet of (')ur office, covering everything with sand, and cutting pieces out of the woodwork. 'Ve were safe in a nearby trench. The Nevasa was in at the time, and also a beautiful motor vessel, the Felix Roussel, which was carrying New Zealand troops to Egypt. Although bombs fell all around them, they were not hit, but about thirty natives were killed by a direct hit on a cafe.

Two days later, I closed down my books, and with a feeling of relief, handed over to Lieut. Malone, R.A.P.C., who was a real Field Cashier. I departed for Khartoum the same day.

THE RO'vAL ARMY PAY ~ CORPS JOURNAL

NoTe I War Office

WAR OFFICE (F. 9) In the last q.uarter ~he branch has bid good-bye to

several old fnends , mcluding Major R S. Davy ~.B.E..' to whom we wish the very best of luck or: his retIrement ~ Major G. J. Forsyth, M.B~E., to Ceylon, Captam Speed, who has gone to discover ho~ P.A.Y.E. works 'in civilian life, S.S.M. H. W~lght to Hong Kong, Cpl. F. P. Campbell to Ml.ddle East, and S /Sgt. G. W. Johnson (exLeicester), Sgts. F. Johnson, R Chipchase, F. C. Hogg, and R Austin , Cpl. P . J. B. Clark, and Cpl. !. M . . B!~mner (A.T.S.), who have taken the plunge mto cIvilian life. ~t the same time we have been pleased to welcome

Major E. J. Burnet. (from Middle East), Captain L. D. Lee (from Kingston), Lieut. D . H. Evans (from the Training Centre ex-Reading and Whitchurch), S.S.M. A. G. Ward (from London District) S /Sgt. C . V. ~arris (from Malta, ex-Manchester): S /Sgt. A.. G. Llttlewood (from Leeds) , and Privates P. J. Tiller (from Warley) and R O . L. Burton (from Preston).

Congratulations to Majors H . R Giltrap and D. E .. Grant, on promotion to that rank, and to Captam E. G. Dowty, who has also decreased his war excess.

Tennis.-Captain D. W. Moore and Cpl. D. R Jenkins were chosen to represent F.9. in a doubles match ag~nst No. 36 Company at Warley on 26th June, their opponents were Lieuts. Davies and E,:ans, the finalists in last year's Corps ChampionShiPS, who won in two sets (6-2, 6-2) after a :fierce battle fought in particularly hot weather.

Cricket.-The branch's first match of the season was played at Raynes Park in late June, when a team captained by Cpl. L . C. Widocks, met the War Office Eleven, who quickly proved their superiority, and after knocking a considerable number of runs in spite of our bowlers' efforts, refused to allow our batsmen to share in the evening's hard hitting.

On Monday, 11th August, a challenge match between F.9 Officers and Other Ranks was fought, and proved to be a victory for the umpires, Capt . H. W. Gurm a~d S.S.M. W . T . C. Coles, M.B.E. , who got both teams out before the beer was served.

The officers started well, thanks to a gallant opening stand by Lieut.-Colonel R D. Buck and Major F. E. Matthews, but Sgt. H . D. Burton dealt them many bitter blo,\~s , including a hat trick, and a catch from a shot that never left the daisies so at 51 the innings closed. '

Establishments

502

. The officers? on taking the field, found ' great difficulty ill d~slodging S.S.M. W. A . Jones and S(Sgt. A. G. LIttlewood. They pressed on, however, WIth Capt. D. W. Moore's doughty speed bowling and a "bowled off waistcoat," which was granted by the Umpire like a shot, but the Other Ranks' score was 62 before the Umpires earned their aperitif.

R.A.P.C. TRAINING CENTRE The whole of the accommodation in Connaught

Hutments and in Tournai Barracks has now been taken over, and we. a!~ able ~o use sufficient space for · our many actiVities. SInce the last article, Courses for Officers of other arms have been started together with a Costing Course and Junior N.C.O.'s Cou!ses and our Recruit Courses have been extended to eight weeks .

During the Corps Cricket Week we had the ple~su~e of entertaining personnel from various UOltS m the Corps and from the RA.O.C. and on 10th July a. dinner party was held in the Officers' Mess at which we were privileged to have Sir Eric B. B. Speed, K.C.B ., K.B.E., M.C., the Colonel Commandant, the Paymaster-in-Chief, and the Deputy-Paymaster-in-Chief. Sports.~ The athletes got down to serious training

rather late m the year, and now, at the tail end of the season, they are finding their form. Despite the late s~art, a t~am has been sent to practically every athletiC meetmg in the district and the last three efforts hav~ secured us two first places, a second, and two thirds. Two of our recruits, Ptes. Scott and Harper, g~ined places in the District walking team a~d ~vere In the Southern Command Championship wmnmg team.

. Comp~tition in the District is very keen, our chief rivals beIng the BaSIC O.C.T.U. and the Airborne Establishments.

Our first Annual Sports Meeting has been fixed for Wednesday, 3rd September, and it is hoped to report success of this venture in the next issue.

In the past few months we have reintroduced Basket Ball as a Unit Sport and some keen games have been played between Companies and Messes. Six. teams are participating in our first . fixture, whIch IS a Unit League, and to date the Sgts. and Officers' Messes are running neck and neck for first place. We shaH shortly be selecting a Unit Team, and are looking forward to some really keen contests with neighbouring units. .

It is proposed to form teams in both football and hoc~ey, and it appears that we have some good

.. ,


talent in these sports. The hockey fixtures for the forthcoming season are fairly full up and we are also entering .for the Army Knock-out Competition. There will be a District League for football, and we hope to maintain a favourable position during the season.

The early part of the cricket season was taken up with an inter-company and mess league, and we did not start inter-unit matches until late in June. To date, all our matches, except one against 45 Bn. R.A.P.C., which was drawn, have been won and we have reached the semi-finals in both the District League and the Southern Command RA.P.C. Knock-out Competitions. Amongst the teams who visited us were 44, 45, and 33 Bn. R :A.P.C.

We had a very exciting game against the Basic O.C.T.U. in the second round of the District Competition when, with two wickets to fall , our opponents required only seven runs to win. The last two wickets, however, fell without any further score and we were through to the third round.

The Unit was represented in the Corps team by Lieut.-Colonel H . H. Malpass, O.B.E. , Major H.C.H . Taylor, O .B.E., Capt. E. B. Forster, Lieut. P. Macev S /Sgt. K. Stuart, and Pte. F. Smith. ' - '

We have not yet done any competitive swimming, but we were fortunate to have Officer Cadet McCabe, who participated in a number of individual events, and obtained placings as follows ;-

Par-a. Troop Regt. Gala; 1st 100 yards free style Open.

R.A.M.C. Gala ; 1st 100 yards free style Open. District Championships; 1st 220 yards free

style open; 2nd 440 yards free style open; 3rd Plunging.

In the 220 yards free style in the Championships Cadet McCabe got 1st place in the excellent time of :2 minutes, 59 seconds. The previous Command Championship time was 3 minutes, 54 seconds.

Enterta inments.-The last few months have been mainly directed towards forming the foundation of entert~inment, education and study in our Unit, and conSiderable progress has been made. A Music Recital Room, comfortably furnished, has been a going concern since its opening on June 19th, when a gramophone recital" Round the World in Music" was given by Pte. Day, who showed himself to be ~n able and interesting compere to the programme. Recitals ar~ given regUlarly on Tuesdays, and the present senes of "Proms." are being relayed and well recel ' ed by an attentive audience.

We now have a Unit Dance Band, which is small, but makes up for its size in noise and, let me hasten to add, qualIty . They have performed at Sgts. and Cpls. dances to great advantage. The first All Ran~s ' Dance was held on 25th July, and was, de~~lte the heat, well attended. Up to the time of wntmg, we do not possess a hall of sufficient size, but we were able to rely upon our A.C.C. friends for a place large enough to acconunodate the numbers attending.

As th~ outdoor sporting season was in full swing by the tune we had formed our various committees no competitions for Darts, Table Tennis or Whis~ Drives were organised, but the enthusiasts for these g~mes are getting in some private practice for the wmter months. We are ' well supplied with equipment so rival Detachments-beware!

The Study Centre houses , in addition to the

503

music room, a fully-equipped photographic section, woodwork and handicraft workroom and librarv and information rooms. All are well stocked, furri'ished for comfort and are proving a draw to personnel who hunger for knowledge on m atters other than those relating to "Pay " -outside hours of dutv. Camera e.nthusiasts . ~evelop to their hearts ' conte~t, enlarge, tmt and cntlclse each other's efforts nightl \'. They have, in fact, even rambled together. On 29th J uJ y a picnic tea was taken along the banks of a neighbouring canal and a pleasant evening followed in the course of which many photographs were taken and angles and shadows studied. The Part'· finished up in the Y.M.C.A. slaking their thirsts i~ excellent tea, and so to bed.

Rifle Club.-A Rifle Club (303) has now been formed in the Unit and is running very successfully. We should very much like to have ·303 fixtures with other R.A.P.C. units and perhaps units who are interested would be good enough to contact the Officer i/c Rifle Club.

Sergeants' Mess.-The newly organised Mess has now been going strong for three months, and apart from the many impromptu parties arranged more or less for or by personnel arriving at the depot from or for overseas , a number of functions have also taken place. A very successful dance was held in June which was attended by the Commandant, the Second-in-Command, the Regimental Paymaster, and Officers of the Centre. Sergeant Jock Turner led the Mess Band to whom we are all indebted for their untiring efforts.

A number of Mess members have now beer. fortunate in obtaining married quarters in the station, and in order to give the wives an opportunity of meeting one another a cocktail party was arranged during July. The party was very well attended, R.S.M. and Mrs. LiIley having · the privilege of greeting Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Blackwell, Lieut.Colonel and Mrs. Ml!-Ipass, Major and Mrs. Taylo~, and Major and Mrs. Potter, whom they in turn illtroduced to the members' wives. The evening developed into an exceptionally pleasant party and the committee considered themselves well repaid for their efforts by the obvious way in ,,,hich the company enjoyed themselves. .

The Mess cricket team has vet to be defeated having beaten the Officers by st.'{ wickets and th~ Junior N.C.O.s by seven runs .

In the Unit Basket Ball League we now head the table, the Officers having an equal number of points but an inferior goal average. '

W ~ were unfortunate in losing the services of 'our very popular Mess Caterer, Sergeant Harry Tinsdale, but feel sure that the many friends be made amongst personnel of the Corps now overseas, etc., will be pleased to know that we expect him back with us as a civilian by the time these notes are published.

The M~ss has had the pleasure of congratulating R.S.M. LIlley and S.S .M. Bamfortl1 on the birth of a daughter and son respectively, also S.Q.M.S. Lam?den and Sergeant Jock Turner on their recent m arnages.

MANCHESTER (15 BATTALION)

The unprecedented fine weather has enabled the ~porting :md social side of the office tv indulge in outdoor activities on a hitherto unknown sCllle.

Featuring high amongst which is a new depar.ure .


"The Group Outing." Pioneered bv an old stalwart of the Corps, Major HilIing, . Group ] 0 started the ball rolling with a day trip to Blackpool.

Following this lead further trips to Blackpool, North Wales and Staffordshire were arranged and it is to be hoped that these "get togethers" will remain an important feature of the office. Evening trips are likely to prove equally as popular. Outings are being organised to visit local beauty spots.

It is understood that premises have been obtained . near the office for a Regimental Club and Institute. By the end of October, the library, games room, quiet rooms and darts rooms should be in full swing, and a high attendance is anticipated.

Swimming.-This has proved to be a popular evening pastime throughout the summer and provided we can obtain the use of a suitable bath, it is probable that we c;hall continue throughout the winter season.

Athletics.-The Batta):on Sports were held on the Manchester Athletic Club Ground at Fallowfield. Brilliant sunshine shone throughout the afternoon and nearly 1,000 c;pectators enjoyed a thrilling and well contested meeting.

Group 1 won the Inter-Group Cup, L.-Cpl. Hassett materially helping toward~ their victory by winning the 220 yds.; being placed second in the lOOyds. and 440 yds ., and crossing the line first to win ~he 440 yds. relay after a grand display ot team runnmg.

At tht' last minute Administration g::lined second placc by pulling Group 12 in the last event of the afternoon, the Tug-of-War. Group 10, two points behind, were third.

Besides the fine show put up by L.-Cpl. Hassett, two other performances were worthy of recognition.

Sec. Lieut. Bartlett of R.W., although badly straining his ankle in the High Jump, in which he was second, succeeded- in winning the Long Jump , obtaining second and third place in the 220 and ] 00 yds . respectively.

Miss D. Wyatt, the winner of the Ladies' High Jump, was second in the Ladies' 220 yds. and

secured such a good lead in the 4- X 110 Medley Relay that it emu red victory for Group 10 in this event.

The presehtation of the prizes by Mrs. Cock burn rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

The complete success of the meeting was due largely to ~apt. Roberts, our Sports Officer, and to Capt. Berr-mo, the Clerk of the Course, and his band of willing helpers.

Dramatics.-The Drama Society has commeonced preparation for the winter and a small band of enthusiastic members in which the A.T.S. are wt'il represented, hope to have their first production ready by late October.

A.T.S.-The high standing of " C " Company was upheld this summer by W.O.II Thursfield (who we are very sorry to lose to Leeds), when she was selected to represent N.W. District in the Tennis Tournaments.

Netball still goes strong, the A.T.S. holding their own against many of the male teams who pitted their strength against them.

1\1any requests have been received for the publication of a list of Pre-War R.A.P.C. Members of the Battalion. Up to date, this has not been possible owing to the large numbers involved. Now, however, we give the following list :-

Brigadier A. A. Cock burn ; Lt.-Col. C. J. Day ; Majors H. Cook, .A. R. D. D 'AlIenger and T. Hilling; Captains G. L. Impens, J. K. C. Owens , A. Roberts, R. F. Soper and F. R. J . Webber: Lieuts. N. Mercer, K. T. Pinder and P. Ratchford ; W.O.I W. K. Buxton, W. A. Evans, E. J. Monks , L. A. Morrell, W. Peacock, J. W . Peto and E. A. Wright, and Mr. J . Pearce.

We much regret to have to record the death of Lieut. W. Goodwin which took place on 4th August and tender our sincere sympathy to his widow in her loss.

It was with regret that we bid fareweoll to Lt.-Col. A. Wood, who left us on release in July ,after many years of zealous duty on behalf of OFFPAY. The award of the M.B.E. just before his departure was a fitting climax to his seven years of unremitting effori.

Command Headquarters NORTHERN COMMAND ing Woolwich, Aldershot, London (Finsbury Circus),

On the 27th June we said farewell , but we hope York, Constantinop:e, Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, not good-bye, to a very well-known member of the Eritrea and Cyprus (we don't pretend to have Corps, Captain E. Shaw, who, after much delibera- mentioned them all), will join with us in wishing him tion and careful thought, had decided to forego the " Bon Voyage," and all the very best of luck in the clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal I fl!lture. and go out into the cold, cold world to try his luck Captain Shaw spent the last two years of his in civilian life. . service in this office, and was well known by the staff

Captain .Ernie Sha~ h~dto his cre~it soz:ne 31 of Headquarters, Northern Command (who were years contmuous serVIce m the Army, mcludmg 30 aware that he could always be relied upon to deal years in the Corps, a~d to mark the passing of. so with a tricky point) and by many other Army and well known a personahty from the fold, the occasIOn civilian people living in and around York. of his "retirement" was honoured by a gathering of some of his friends including our Command Paymaster, Brigadier N. Forde, who thanked Captain Shaw for all his good work, and drew attention to the manner in which he was ever willing and, indeed, anxious to help all those with whom he was associated. Captain Shaw responded as was appropriate and told us all how sorry he was to leave us to continue the struggle. We feel sure that those members of the Corps who have served with "Ernie" in stations almost too numerous to mention, includ-

504

Captain P. W. Cammidge has returned to us in an " indoor" capacity to take up where Captain Shaw left off, having been previously attached to this office while carrying out the du~ies of Visiting Paymaster.

Our usual hearty welcome is extended to Sgt. Towning and Cpl. Brake on joining the Costing Section from the Costing School. The best of luck to Cpl. Finch, who has decided to take a chance on civil life after completing his first term of colour service.


SCOTTISH COMMAND

Once again we have to record further releases in the persons of Corporal J. S. <;::ree and Sgt. N. R. Brown, to whom we wish all success. Both these gentlemen may have happy memories of their last night in harness which was rather « moist," to say the least.

We have received a temporary addition to the staff ' in the name of Cpl. J. S. Moss (ex-R.P., Edinburgh), who is such a racing expert as to regard the Release Regulations as an official Tattersall's publication. Since his arrival, the staff almost "whinny" just before any big race, but we are pleased to say he is now settling down in the .straight.

We offer our congratulations to Capt. T. A: Alderson, on his recent marriage, and also to Pte. J. C. Gwilliam on his appointment to Lance-Corporal. All present and ex-members of this office will be glad to know that the redoubtable Mr. Inkster has recovered from his long illness and is now back at duty.

There is no other social news to report except to mention that one junior member who haS recently acquired a motor cycle is wondering if driving efficiency will be regarded as a three star qualification-that is-when he gets the " L " off.

WESTERN COMMAND The Corps have been well represented in the

sporting and social activities of these Headquarters. In the annual sports held in August, S jSgt.

Noble (Costing) put up a very good show, and was second in the half-mile walk and third in the Hjgh Jump. Pte. Laverty and Miss Curtis won the threelegged race. The Group t"..lg-of-war team were, unfortunately, beaten in the first round, but were consoled by the Lct that their victors eventually won the competition. Brigadier Brickman was unplaced in the Veterans' Race.

Lieut-Colonel Howell, who is a keen rowing enthusiast, took an active part in the organisation of the Chester Regatta.

We have three cricketers turning out regularly for the Group, and one of these, Pte. Cart, has achieved the distinction of playing for the Headquarters team.

The R.A.P.C. Costing Other Ranks, quartered in Chester Castle, deserve every cangratulatioI1 for winning the Camp Commandant's Clock for the best-kept barrack room.

Although the cycling companions of former days at Chester are spread over the globe, they may be pleased to know that Capt. H. A. Fox sri!] makes usc of his "iron hor!';c."

At the Cheshire County Agricultural Show, held at Chester, Brigadier I. P. Brickman's corgi dog, Brown Knowl \Vinston, won second prize.

District Pay Offices LONDON DISTRICT (8 DETACHMENT)

We regret we missed the last issue-strangely enough, it wasn't due to a move. We are still where we were.

Since our last notes we have had the inevitable goings and comings. We have said farewell to Lieut-:Colonel H. W. Taylor, O.B.E., our District Paymaster, who takes with him our best wishes on his retirement. In his place we welcome LieutColonel J. H. Clowes.

Civilian life has claimed Capt. Job , Lieuts. Blasdale-Holmes, Orchardson, l\1.C., Croker, Vickers, M.C., S jSgts. Ernie ~right and Worthington Sgts. Teague, Campbell, Barrand, and Bennett, Cpl. Gaddarn, L jCpls. Pells and Hubble ; may their bowler hats be comfortable.

Lieut. Macey has gone to -Aldershot, and S.S.M. Ward to F.9. S jSgts. Gibbons and Newbold have gone to Witley. With S /Sgt. Gibbons posted and Sgt. Mitchener away on Detachment, the long and earnest conversations in Urdu, which we used to hear so often at tea-time, have finished and no longer need we worry about what they are saying about us. One or two of us are ex-India jSEAC, but our Urdu is no higher than "Char-wallah" and "Jaldi. "

Lieut. Leslie and S jSgt. Gunnell , and the whole staff of the Branch Pay Office (Leave), have joined us recently-we welcome them.

Extraneous activities are few. We have a flourishing tennis club, and our talent scouts inform us that there is some good form and much enthusiasm shown on the weekly club-night.

The Sports and Social Club Committee organised the annual outing, which again was a howling success (the howling came from one of the coaches on the way home-the occupants say they were singing).

505

A convoy of five coaches left here early one Friday morning under grey skies, but it cleared nicely and we reached Hastings in good time and sunshine. We split up, and all day odd parties could be seen spending their hard-earned cash on the various amusements in the town. The usual stop was made on the way home and the usual liquid refreshment consumed to round off the day. Our thanks are due to the Committee for all the work they put in to make the day such a success.

We, of London District, send best wishes to all our old friends.

PIERRE COCHON.

NORTH MIDLAND DISTRICT (62 DET.)

Life is becoming more and -more complicated by the large number of departures, and the very few arrivals of staff. However, in spite of the increasing work load, \ve have somehow contrived to find time for sporting activities. Getting a cricket team together is something of an achievement, and Mr. Herring is to be congratulated on his efforts in this direction. Our victories include wins against our contemporaries in the A.T.S. and A.A. Pay Offices.

Numerous Table Tennis matches have been arranged, and past successes augur well for the future. Congratulations to Cpl. Goldberg on reaching the final round of the North Midland District Tennis Championships. He was indiscreet enough to beat the G.O.C. in the semi-final round after a hard struggle, but there have been no repercussions as yet.

A Staff outing to the Test Match took place when the South Mricans visited Trent Bridge. All the England side were out by lunch time, and we certainly had the P.R.I.'s money's worth.


Arrivals and Departures.-The following have joined the Office recently, and we wish them an enjoyable stay in Nottingham. Capt. G. O. Savage from A.T.S. Pay Office, S /Sgt. Pracey from overseas, L /Cpl. Wilkinson from A.A. Pay Office.

Captain L. Halle, Lieut. Millen, Lieut. CambornePainter, Sgt. Hall, Sgt. Roberts, Sgt. Turner, Sgt. Lechmere, Pte. Peers, and Pte. Perry (A.T.S.) are recent departures, and we wish them all the very best on their return to civilian life, or in their . new stations.

Marriages.-Congratulations to Mrs. Baker (better known as Pte. Perry (A.T.S.) ), on her recent marriage. Also to Sgt. Lechmere, recently discharged, and Corporal Wood (A.T.S.), who are to be married on 1 September, 1947. May all their troubles be little ones!

Births.-Congratulations to S.S.M. and Mrs. J. L. J ames on the arrival of J ane on 2 June.

Promotions.-Sgt. Wright, Sgt. Holmes, Corporal Goldperg, Cpl. Braithwaite (A.T.S.), and L/Cpl. Dexter (A.T.S.) have been promoted to the ranks stated, and we offer them our best wishes.

" JIM-JAM."

NORTH-WEST DISTRICT (25 DET.) We have at last got settled in our new home in

Ladysmith Barracks, Ashton-lmder-Lyne, and on first impressions it looks as though it will be a happy one. Of course, the weather ' has been very good since we arrived here, but the winter might give us a different view.

Looking through the office windows here, we can see only the Barrack Square, and dismal as it sounds, it is a great improvement on our last accommodation, where if we could find a clean window to look through we saw only factories.

Since our last notes, Captain Ascott has joined from Manchester, and we have 'lost Captain E. R Adams to release, Private Boxall to Gibraltar, and Lance-Corporal"Griffiths demobbed. Of our A. T ,S., we have only" two remaining-Private O'Connor and Private Baker.

Lieut. E. G. Shearer joined us from Glasgow on 22 July, but he was only here for a fortnight before being posted overseas.

Congratulations go to Corporal Ades and LanceCorporal Kirby, on their promotions.

Our other activities are linked up with those of the Regimental Pay Office and quite a few Cricket matches have been arranged. These have been mainly inter-office affairs, but great enthusiasm has been shown.

The Sergeants' Mess, which has now managed to get itself solvent and shipshape, has had a Social Evening to which Officers and Corporals were invited. This was a great success, and , we are looking forward to mo~e of the same. ,

SALISBURY PLAIN DISTRICT (22 DET.) At the time of writing, and in common with all

stations at home, we in Salisbury are experiencing a delightful spell of real summer sunshine, and the surrounding countryside certainly has its attractions at this time of the year.

Wiltshire is noted for its agricultural element, and one is struck with the huge expanse of fields , etc. Harvesting is rapidly proceeding, and given a reasonable chance, it looks as if we are going to get " bumper crops."

506

As we have requested the Editor (and probably incur.re~ his wra~h !) to include a staff photograph 11l thIS Issue, I WIll attempt to pursue brevity in OUr usual report, thereby leaving a little space for the photograph. (We hope !)

Departures and Arrivals.-Since our last report the following personnel have left us for "Civvy Street" (and other things !) ; Major Moran, O.B.E. M.C. , Capt. Masefield and Lieut. Booth. Sgt. Leegood (discharged), Pt.s. Rhodes and Baker, Ptes. Hook and Kains, A.T.S.

Capt. Scott has" taken up residence," at R.E.M.E"., Devizes. The City of Salisbury, therefore, has lost one of its" war-time institutions."

Lieut. Thomas has also gone to Aldershot, and will no doubt find bags of scope for his energy and initiative. .

L /Cpl. Newson, Ptes. Cuffley and Senn to Taunton, Pte. Barreau to Aldershot, and Pte. Prestidge, who was transferred to RE.M.E., Otley.

Arrivals.-Major Drummond has now joined us, and we say he has "returned home." Many of us remember him from the old Morrison Hidl and Co-operative Hall days .

Lieut. Pearce has also joined us from Singapore, and is taking a keen interest in all things, including sport and entertainments.

We welcome both of these officers, and trust their stay with us will be enjoyable and prolonged.

Tennis.-In the finals of RA.P.C. Inter-Office tennis tournaments, played at Aldershot recently, the singles championship was won by our C.O. , Lieut.-Colonel ' Beauchamp, who defeated Lieut. Davies (R.P. , Warley), 6-3, 6-4.

Lieut.-Colonel Beauchamp and Pte. May were also finalists in the men's doubles, but, unfortunately, were beaten by Colonel Milling and Capt. Bowen (RP. ,Bhrewsbury), 6-2, 6-4.

We offer our sincere congratulations to Colonel Beauchamp and Pte. May.

Cricket.-In the Inter-Command Knock-out Cup Competition, organised by the .Command Paymaster, we visited Aldershot and played off one round with the District Pay Office, Aldershot and Hants. District. We are proud (and relieved) to record a win for No. 22 Detachment by two runs!

The tension was very strong in the last few minutes, as our last two men were batting and we needed two runs to win. Cpl. Cazaly (who had put up a marvellous bowling record of 7 for 21) took a swipe at the ball and we got three runs. Davies was then clean bowled, and we got away with a' very close win. We wish to record our appreciation of the marvellous reception provided by Aldershot, and of the excellent tea provided" in the shade of the old (apple) tree."

This match resulted in our team being drawn against RP., RE.M.E., in the next round, which we played at Devizes on 20th August. Sad to relate RE.M.E. were far too good for us, and after a very enjoyable game, we retired gracefully with the score as follows ;-

No. 51 Battalion 181 runs. No. 22 Detachment 80 runs.

We congratulate RE.M.E. on their win, and wish to record our deep appreciation of all the excellent arrangements made for us. "Thank you, RE.M.E. -let's hope we meet you again-perhaps at soccerand reverse the situation! "


Combined Staff of Central Clearing House, Distri~t and Regimental Pay Offices, Barnards Cross, Sahsbury. ,

We also played a match with R.T.O. , Salisbury, recently, resulting in a win for us by 26 runs.

Scores were; 22 Detachment, R.A.P.C. - 90 for 9 wickets (declared). RT.O. - 64.

Badminton.-We have recently acquired . Badminton gear, and we have marked out a pitch m our own grounds at Barnards Cross. ,

Staff Outing.-Arrangements are now completed whereby a large number of our staff and their ~ests will journey to Sandbanks and Bournemouth m the near future. Tea has been arranged at Bournemouth-no mean accomplishment fo~ a large number these days-and all other thm&s .bemg favourable, seats will be booked for those ".'I~hmg to attend a show at the Bournemouth PavIlIOn and Boscombe Hippodrome.

Final Note.-To the Editor and his Staff, and all our colleagues at home and abroad, we express our best wishes, and trust the good old " Journal" will go on from strength to strength.

" SAHIB"

SOUTH-WEST DISTRICT (23 DETACHMENT) As usual, a number of changes have recently

taken place in the staff. After a sudde~ spate of postings and releases, we are now settlmg 'down again with our new colleagues.

On the debit side of our staff ledger are shown .the names of Louis Douard to 18 C.P.O. , Terry FItz-

Regimental ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE (43 COMPANY)

In my previous notes I mentioned that there was a possibility that the Office would move fr?m Preston. Well, as you can see by the headmg above, the Regimental Pay Office , Preston, IS a thing of the past. The . change. oyer was effecte.d on 7th July, 1947, with many mlsglvmgs. There IS no doubt that to many of us Preston was as good a site for a Pay Office as any in England , ?ur homes were centred therein , and it was a blessmg to the

507

patrick to C.M.F., Freddy Stephenson to B.A.O.R., Cpl. Paddy Moran to Bulford, and Cpl. Frank Goodridge to the Depot. Then come the names of tv",o more fortunate people-Harry Jackson and S.Q.M.S. Bill Scott, to demob. To recompense us for these losses we have welcomed L /Cpls. Clark, Clarke, and Mahrer, L /Cpl. Newman and Pte. Senn into our fold.

Sport.-The untiring efforts of Lieut. Phillips throughout the cricket season have ensured that we never went short of a game. The majority of them have been evening matches played agamst local firms and clubs. By far the most important of these matches was the first round of the Southern Command Cup, in which we wer~ ?rawn against Devizes. The Devizes cricket team vlslted Taunton, but the match could not be played because of rain. .

The next week our team were persuaded. WIth little difficulty, to undertake the 63 mile tnp to Devizes to defend the . honour of the Detachm~nt. This they did by gaining 42 run~ all out, and allowmg Devizes t6 score 67 for five WIckets. Although all hopes of the cup were shattered, a thoroughly en-joyable time was had by all. .

So far this season we have played 13 games, of which seven were won and si;\( lost. This d<?e~ .not include a match played between office~s and <:IvIhans on one side, and O.R.s on the other Side which was won by the latter.

Pay Offices single men to be on the L.odging List and be on top of a main line railway statIOn. . .

As we have been in Ashton only a few wee~s It .IS too early to form any opinion as to whether It WIll prove a better station than Preston. Fr.om the sports si de of life things have bucked up ~Ith the sports field being handy. Many games of CrIcket have .been played. As we share the sports ground wltl: a neighbouring RA. umt, they have naturally supplIed I some opposition, needless to say, the R.A.P.C. have


given a good account of themselves. S.S.M. Knight, Sgt. Flynn, Sgt. Bond, and Pte. Ball have supplied a good background upon which to build a unit team.

Table Tennis under S /Sgt. Mdlwraith and Football under L :eut. Beaver, have also made progress, and teams have been entered in local leagues.

Since arriving here the W.O.'s and Sgts. have formed their own Mess, and members of other Sgts. Messes are welcome to sample our "Ind Coopes" whenever they are in this area. . The Officers' Mess has not yet opened but I am mformed i~ ~~ll be fu~ctioning very sho;tly.

To the CIvIlIan staff m Preston it was a blow when eventually the , movement orders were published but t~anks. t<? the great efforts of Mr. Suggate and Captam Pllkmgton, plus the co-operation of Mr. Stafford in Records, a large number of our employees were found employment at Tulketh Hall. A small number are still with us, and we recruited quite a few clerks ex-Officers' Accounts and RP. Radcliffe. As Main Issue is upon us their assistance was doubly welcome.

. Major Hall has left us for Devizes, Major Grigg to Klddermmster, and Captain McNaughton to Aldershot and Hants. District Office for duty at R.M.A ., Sandhurst. ~ieut. Wilson joined us on 12th August, but left agam on the 19th. Captain Midgley has taken his release. In replacement we welc~med Lieuts. Braine, Tresman and Linter.

Amongst the other ranks the call of release has taken S.S.M. Rudland, Sgts. Flynn Burgess Burns Wigna·l, L /Sgts. Daly and Spencer: Cpl. Cr;nk and m~ny others. SJSgt. Hill, Cpl. Cheetham, Cpl. Wllson, ~pl. Robms?~ have left us on posting to other uruts. In addItIOn, we have said good-bye to ~.Q.M.S. Jones and S /Sgt. Suppree who have been 1ssl!ed with . t~opical kit. S.S.M. Knight and Cpl. Gnnt have Jomed us, and to each and all we wish luck in their new station.

The release of N.C.O.s has caused a few vacancies in the establishment and I therefore, wish to record congratulations to Sgts. Billington, Fairclough, Bolton, Harrison, Ambler, Shenton Murrav and Lance-Corporals Jones, Cowan and M~Ardle .. '

Of our A.T.S. personnel we have said good-bye to Subalterns Pollard and Thomas, who took their release in June, and to Sgts. Bucklee and Kemp, and Cpl. Woods, who remained in Preston on the change-over. RS.M. Preston (A.T.S.) has joined us to take care of administrative duties in' connection with the A.T.S . platoon.

As the summer quarter draws to a close I have no further news, but I hope to be able to expand in my next notes.

BELFAST (3 DETACHMENT) . The t~e has arrived once more to record for your mformatlOn, pleasure or anything else, what has and may happen to this small band of " RA.PCATS " in this "little isle across the Irish Sea" of which the IQcals never tire of singing. Since my last report appeared in the Summer Ec!itioll of our indispensahle Jour~a.l, the weathe~ here has been simply glorious and It IS hard to realIse that this is really the U.K. in which we are stationed. It really make's a difference to present-day office life when one can get out of Barracks on a fine evening, or a week-end, and travel

\ down to Bangor or some other handy spot, to enjoy a swim or just laze around to your heart's content.

508

All the cares, trials and tribulations (if you had any) ?! 0 e day seem to fade away and tomorrow-well It s Just an<:~~her day. However,.I don't suppose this hot spell W 1

.] last much longer, and then winter will be upon u~c o~c~ ~?re ~ith its cold water, no coal and ot~er ~n\'lal det~Ils to keep us content during our dally tOll; but, frIends, the summer this vear sure' was welcome while it lasted, and Bermuda etc., ' holds no greater attraction other than ration~ and Income Tax!

. Person~e1..-Quite a few changes have taken place sIJ1ce publIcatIOn of my last notes in the summer issue o. the Journal, details of which are as follows :_

Pro1l1.otions.-In adc!ition to the promotion of our Reg.mental Payo:aster (Major Neal) to Lt.-Col., we offer congratulatIOns to the fo!lowing on their well-earned promotion:

Capt. Clark to Major. Sgts. Carroll and Keene to S/Sgt~. CpIS. Edwards and Moore and L.-Cpl. Bolton to Sgts. L.-Cpl. Glen to Cpl. and quite a few" lance-jacks." In the A.T.S. co~tingent, Pte. Walker has been promoted to Cpl. and Pte . Woodward to L.~CpJ.

Arrivals.-Capt. Bowen has arrived from Wolverley, Lieut. Bewick from Whitchurch and Lieut. Davidson from Gla~gow, but the latter did not stay with us long as can be seen from the next paragraph . S.S.M. Bartlett has arrived from Malt?. and taken over from S.S.M. Warwick on his departure for other climes. Sgt. Sinnott ex-Singapore haf' also been posted to this unit. '

ReJeases.-Sgt. cc Bob" Hindmarch and Lieut. Davidson have left for Civvv Street. Good luck to them. Sgt. Toothill has at hst heen released from Hospital and has also left to sample York's delightful Demob. machinery.

Departures.-In the last issue it wa!> reported that Sgt. (now S /Sgt.) Ke{'ne was on embarkation leave, but that has been cancelled and the football team still has its captain. S/Sgt. MacGregor has been placed ~n the "waiting lift" for overseas and may leave us shortly but cc confirmation is still awaitc.d." Finally, our old friend S.S.M. "Joe " WarWIck has proceeded for another overseas tour this time to M.E.L.F., and our be!>t wishes go out t~ him in his new station.

FootbalL-Our participation in two summer competitions proved unsuccessful as we were knol';ked out in both competition" bv the RA.F. Aldergrove XI> in the first round of one Cup and in the semi-final of another. However, we can put it down to experience, and this season we have entered a team in the Beifast Minor League. Our first game resulted in a victory over a country team by :3 goals to 2 away from home, so we have at least made a good start.

Other Sports, Social Club.-Apart from some cricket practice matches , no activity has taken place III any 'other sport, but it is hoped that the wint~r months may see the Social Committee ge t mto their str,ide with some really good entertainments.

Well, I thinl, that ,is all for thi,., issue, so' cheerio , and all the best to our ffiends in the Corps. past and present, wherever they may be, from all the members of the Northern T reland Pay Office.

cc H t\GGIS.'·


CANTERBURY (29 COMPANY) 29 Coy. moved to Canterbury in ---, but

years have rolled on since that happened, and time soothed the widow's pain. All ra.nks are now quite settled, and despite the extra work load, appear to be having a pretty good time in this Garden of England.

As we go to Press, we are attempting to arrange some entertainment with the Officers, P.O.s, and ratings of our war-time adoption H.M.S. Bicester, which has arrived off Folkestone.

Two verv successful dances have been held since our last nO"tes, but the vveather has been so good lately that the regular series have been discontinued until things cool down a little.

Cricket.-Fair weather has permitted the fulfilment of most of our fixtures. We have had many very enjoyable games, although two only have resuIted in a win for the Company. Our highest scorer to date is Private Webb, who made 71 not out versus Old Centralians, London.

The Posting Group challenged the rest of the office. A rubber was played resulting in two wins for the Posting Group and one for the Rest. The games were very popular, .drawing fairly large numbers of supporters.

Tennis.-A hard court has been !tired each Thursday evening since the beginning of the season, but the enthusiasm of our players has recently abated somewhat, probably due to the distance from barracks (about two miles). We are still waiting for the court in Barracks promised by the RE.s. It is at last beginning to look like a court, arid we hope to take it over shortly.

Boxing.-The Hastings Police invited L /C. Simmons to take part in a Charity Boxing Tournament arranged by them. He proved to be too good for his opponent, anel we hope he continues this promising start.

In our notes of the Summer issue, we erroneously omitted the name of Pte. Noble who defeated his opponent of the 3.P.T.C.

Miniature Rifle Club.-The Club continues to go ahead in spite of a continuous battle against grass and weeds which seem to spring up overnight ,and render the targets invisible from the firing point.

Our first match with the 7th Bn. Kent Home Guard O.C.A. resulted in a win for us by 133 points, with some very good individual scores. cc Refreshments" were served in the Corporals' Club, and some good work was put in on the · dart board. Unfortunately, our visitors were obliged to leave early to catch a bus.

The return match was held on the Home Guard Range at Barham on 3rd June, and we were blessed with very fine weather. Again our team triumphed. After the match, the " local" was taken over, lock, stock and cc barrels," by both· teams and their supporters ; the throng having to overflow into the l'ilain Street. O ur hosts gave us a very good reception.

A team of A.T.S. members lost b y a narrow margin to the local G.T.C. in June.

Now that the Club has become affiliated to the S.M.R.C., we hope to widen our field of activities in the near future. vVe should still be glad to hear from any other Pay Office willing to compete with us in a Postal shoot.

Officers' Mess.-In common with other Messes , we have lost several membel·s during the past

509

quarter. An opportunity was taken in June at the weekly Mess Night to bid farewell to two exceptionally cc old soldi,ers" whose combined service totalled over 100 years, of which nearly all had been given to the Corps. They were Major C. J. Stait and Capt. G. A. Bird, both of whom will be well remembered by many. The Commanding Officer spoke of their long and loyal service and a toast was drunk to their future happiness. Both Major Stait and Capt. Bird responded in a vein which showed the spirit that had carried them along in the past, and which disclosed that Army comradeship is a real entity.

The tennis court outside the Mess has proved very popular during a really good summer, whilst indoors , the billjards table has disclosed many examples of what must have 'meant application in other years.

Outing.-We received an invitation from R.P.O. , Warley, to visit them on July 19th with a cricket and tennis team and many dancers. An early start was necessary, and at 8 a.m. three fully-laden charabancs left to cross the Thames at Blackwall. Unfortunately, the man-in-charge of the Sun took a half-day off and left no one to carry on and by 2 p.m., we were disconsolately ,gazing at a soaked wicket and tennis court. This necessitated hurried improvisation on the part of our hosts to keep us smiling until we sat down to a tea of pre-war quality and quantity with the thought of a dance just round the corner. For this function the weather could not dishearten u~, and it proved to be the high-spot it was meant to be. Floor, band, partners, refreshments, and hosts were completely non-austerity, and the journey home was put off and off until the limit of endurance on the part of the drivers was reached. Canterbury was found to be still there well after 2 a .m.

Sergeants' Mess.-Our Mess continues to thrive under the able man'agement of the inimitable Edna (Sergt. Clayton, A.T.S., our Mess Caterer). We have had two very popular race meetings in the Mess , both well attended by members and visitors.

A cricket match between the Officers and Sergeants resulted in a win for the Officers;, sizing up the bar takings in the Sergeants' Mess next day, some doubt now exists as to which side really did WIn.

l\·1ention must be made of our enthusiastic members who are assisting in the Country's 'agricultural .effort during the evenings. Some unkindly folk say that they are robbing Dalton to pay Strachey.

29 Club.-On the 14/15th June a reunion of past and present members of 29 Coy. RA.P.C., Sergeants' Mess, took place. Thirty old members were acconllnodated in barracks for the week-end , and a very enjoyable time was had by all.

An excellent dinner was provided in the Mess on Saturday evening, presided over by our Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Colonel L. E. James , M.C. , this was followed by a race meeting and social evening. A cricket match was arranged for the Sunday, but the weather being against us , the match had to be cancelled, anyway, a very happy day 'was spent in the Mess bv all members.

It is now proposed to hold a further 29 Club do , in London, during the late autunm, probably a show and supper afterwards. ~Till any old members of 29 Coy. Sergeants' . iess,


who are not already on our books, please let our I Secretary, Mr. Bart~ett, Old Infantry Barracks, Ca~terbury, have their address, when they will be adVised of future occasions ?

, CROOKHAM (33 BATTALION) :After t~ree ,months in Haig Lines, Crookham,

thiS battalion IS something very different from its Lond<?n and Edinburgh components. The amalgamatIOn has been made without bloodshed, the Sc~ts no longer tell Us they didn't 90 it that way in Edmburgh and Celt and Sassenach have buried all their hatchets. Even the local inhabitants are finding us human after all. . The troops now realise the dust encrusted major IS the field officer of the week, and the subaltern who appears to be advertising "OXO" is in fact the Orderly Officer. They have had their first Battali~n parade and are all ready for the annual mspectlOn due shortly. . The fine weather and open-air life has put ideas !nto the heads of a lot of elderly gentlemen. Whereas 111 London they \vould have been snoozing away in a suburban garden deck chair or hammock thev have been hitting cricket balls about and going fo; long walk~. The mosquitoes have taken full advantage of thiS. The Crookham variety is a virulent type.

Thrown on our own resources as we are for amusement, outside office hours, there has been an enormous amount of activity in all directions. Major Flear's motto is "Never a dull moment." His efforts will bear much fruit when the nights gro~ longer.

Despite the heat, dancing has been one of the most popular recreations. Already" B" Company has had a very successful "do" which taxed the floor space severely. The threatened shortage of ladies was happiJy averted by the attendance of a crowd of charm.ing girls from the R.S.D. The autumn programme calls for a fortnightly Battalion dance.

Another popular dancing feature has been the Sunday tea dance to gramophone records. . Best !1ews of all . for the dancers is that a profes

SIOnal mstructor III ballroom dancing has been engaged, ~nd will take up his duties shortly.

There IS plenty of variety t~lent in the Battalion as "vas evidenced in the first show. A further sho\~ is booked for September, and we hope to give more news of the artistes in the next issue. -

The Dramatic Society, under the charge of Lieut. S. Barraclough, has already had a success in its first venture, the Terence Rattigan con'ledy "While the Sun Shines." Two performances were given at the second of which Colonel and Mrs. Rooney and a large party of their friends enjoyed themselves as much as did the rest of the audience.

Brian Royston, as the Duke-cum-Army General, gave a brilliant performance. Not all his genius was confined to the show itself.

Kay Berger played the Mabel Crum role of a bit of fluff to perfection, while Nina Marchant, as the soulful Lady Elizabeth, was equally convincing.

Kenneth Miles, Neil Kitchingman, and John Rimble all got right inside their parts, and made distinct personalitie~ of the characters they portrayed. Gordon Bryan, as ~he manservant, was ppsitively over-powermg despite the lack of length in his trousers.

510

Unfortunately, S /.Sgt. ~oyston is due for demob. shortly, but there IS obvlOusly plenty of available talent for future shows.

Great credit is due to the workers behind the scenes. The staging, lighting, and dressing of a show m a gaunt gymnasium ' is a difficult job. It was excellently done.

Cornings ~d Goings.-Empty Saddles in the Old Corral nught ",-ell be the current theme song. The completlOn of two years from V(E) Day saw a great Jr.flux of officers and other ranks. Among the form~r were Paddy Kearns, Jock Walker, Storev, Coggms, Rogers, Coleman, McCullough, and many others. -

Re~irements, to?, meant good-bye to such grand old timers as Major A. N. Evers, Major J. Eynon, M.C., and the doyen of them all, Captain C. A. Ht:ath . Our Second in Command, Lieut.-Colonel Ohver, was posted to Edinburgh, and Lieut.-Colonel A. G. Burdett came from Foots Cray in his stead.

Heavy demands have been made on our officers for overseas service, and amongst those we have lost or a.re losing, are Capt. E. A. B. Jones, who has been With us continuously since 1939. Capt. G. Aldersly, Capt. A. Al~ander, and Lieut. R. Brown, M.C. From Egypt comes the news that an old friend in Ernie Morton has attained his majority. We are happy to have with us Capts. A. J. Dohertv ru:td G. H. Mills of Foots Cray, and a number of one'plppers from O.C.T.U. Arrivals from overseas include LieLits. Forrest and E. S. J, Smith. A verv old [riend in Capt. Bill Colbourne, is in hospital makmg a good recovery from a recent operation.

Congratulations Corner.-To Lieut.-Colonel Burdett on the birth of a son, Peter Edmund, on May 22. To Lieut. W. Richardson on the arrival of Michael Paul, on 19 May; and to Lieut. E. S. J. Smith whose daughter, Diana Floris, was born on 27 April.

Cricket.-Two big handicaps faced us this yearthe lack of a grolllld of our own, and no set fixture list. Th~nks to ti:le R.A.M.C., we were able to get a lot of CrIcket on their ground, and all through the summer there was scarcely an evening without an inter-wing game or a Battalion match.

Our first team more than held its own. We lost three matches only, and in two of these the full team was not available. This excuse did not hold when

_ we met the strong Training Battalion team in the first round of the knock-out competition. With a score of only 75 to beat in thirty overs it looked easy,. but everything went wrong that possibly could.

Our meeting with the Reading Pay Office- provided an enjoyable afternoon match. Time robbed us of a comfortable win when the last Reading pair refused to be separated.

Lieut.-Colonel Burdett made several welcome appearances in the side. We found two good bowlers in Smith and Hawes, the latter also batted well throughout. Armitage gave some delightful displays of big hitting. Curson always batted in classic style.

Football.-We have entered teams in both divisions of the civilian Aldershot and District League and Cup. Also in the corresponding military competitions which are played in mid-week. The teams are hoping for a successful season. Naturally, the advent of the Scots who were in the Edinburgh

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY 'CORPS JOURNAL

office will provide plenty of good players. Who overlooked entering for the F.A. Cup?

Every sport is being catered for, even to weight lifting. Active committees are functioning for hockey, boxing, rugger, etc.

The officers have already been challenged by the Training Centre to a Heptathlon which embraces all the known games ever played. This should be good fun. Pete's Patter. My motto used to be Action Same Day, now it's

Someday. . , The Strength Return is now known as the Weakness

Report. A straight line is the shortest distance between two

points. Any other line is the distance between two markers.

Our Camp Barber is a bit of a wa1. Says he always works at cut prices.

Sergeants' Mess.-Having settled down to our country life at Crookham, the Sergeants' Mess decided that it was about time that their first function on the lines of other successful London "do's" should be held as soon as possible. Consequently, on Monday, 28 July, the opening celebration of the mess was held at which the Commanding Officer, Colonel O. P. J. Rooney, O.B.E., and Mrs. Rooney were present together with Major Flear, our P.R.I., and Captain N. F. Lee, the Adjutant.

On this occasion we entertained the RA.P.C. Sergeants' Messes in the Aldershot Area, consisting of visitors from the Training Centre, RA.P.C. Records, and the District Pay Office. The entertainment took the form of a smoking concert at which various members of the Unit endeavoured to amuse the party. Major Flear's stories reminded the audience of the days gone by and, no doubt, reminded some of the old peace time Sergeants' Mess functions. Various junior members of the Battalion entertained, and their talents earned the respect of the Mess and were greatly appreciated.

Although we are in the new camp on Army rations, Sgt. Tillotson, who is still our Mess Caterer, managed to put on a highly successful buffet during the evening, and the guests, not satisfied at walking round and helping themselves¥ decided to find seats and" sit down and make a meal of it."

Many of our guests mentioned how pleased they were to see that despite many difficulties, the Mess was gradually being furnished like a comfortable home, and there is no doubt that as time goes by, various other amenities will be had to make our lives in this country village a little more pleasant and amiable.

A large number of promotions has recently been made, including a number of old-time sergeants who have made the grade to Staff Sergeant. Deserving of mention are" Paddy" Carroll, Jobnny Butler, Reg. Arnold , "Smudger" Smith, and others.

At this stage we place on record our congratulations to W.O.I. Kennedy, who has successfully passed a W.O.S.B., and will eventually land at the Training Centre as a cadet. We have'lost recently on demob., W.O.I. Osborne, and very recentlv have gained _W.O.I. Bell from overseas. -

A.T.S. Notes.-It was with _ m,my regrets and mingled fears and hopes of what we might find that we kft London and drifted down to Crookhan1.

The advance guard had enjoyed themselves to a certain extent after realising that conditions could

511

not be altered much for some time and, therefore , must be endured with humour and patience.

Miss Mackowie had to leave us when we knew that the messing in camp was to be done by A.C.C, cooks, and with her went all the cooks who had looked after us so well in London and most of their assistant orderlies. The mixed messing in an enormous cookhouse was very different from the small diningrooms at Hill Street.

When everybody was finally settled in, the real war was started on the quarters. Gradually, floor& lost the accumulated dirt of the last couple of years , curtains appeared at the windows, they were necessary as well as decorative. Paint was dished out and chairs and lockers were given a coat. The finished results were effective if a trifle dazzling in some cases , and it will be many months before the cleaning rooms lose their harlequin coats.

The first really big batcp of releases will have gone by the end of August, although there has been a fairly steady trickle for the last few weeks. Yet they are very few compared with the numbers who went out about this time last year.

Soon the summer will be over and as autumn, which will be very lovely down here when the frost has made the bracken look as if it was on fire, has given way to winter the test of those who are still in the camp will begin. We, who have been released, will be suffering in much the same way, but without the same spirit of companionship and unity to carry us through. When we next meet in the street, train, cinema, or wherever it may be, there will always be much to discuss and recall of the first few montl1s in this camp.

DEVIZES (R.E.M.E.) (51 BATTALION) Since our last notes we have had a long welcome

span of real summer weather, and every opportunity has been taken, both in sport and entertainments, to make the most of King Sol. There is no doubt. that the County of \iViltshire must be one of the most beautiful in England. Many of us have been fortunate enough to get about and enjoy the countryside which has been at its best.

We have again had considerable changes in personnel and quite a large number have left us for Release, postings overseas, and to other stations at home. The most notable departures are Majors Stanford and El .m, Captain Clapp, and Lieuts. Nappy and Scott. S jSgts. Swinton (to Release), Littlewood (to War Office), Winscott and Mason overseas.

Arrivals during the past three months include Major T. Hall, Second-Lieut. Walsh, S jSgt. Flook, and many others.

To those who have left us we wish the best of luck wherever they may be, and to those who have joined us we hope that their stay in Devizes will be a pleasant one. -

There have been a considerable nllll1ber of promotions among which are Captains L. S. Bruce and D. W. Fox, and S jSgts. MacLean and Tyzack.

Sports.-There has been much activity in sports, particularly in cricket, athletics and summer hockey.

The cricket season has been most successful, 20 games having b een played resulting in 14 being won and six lost. The Battalion XI reached the final of their Area for the Salisbury Plain District Knockout Competition, but were beaten by S.T.C. RE.s from Warminster.


The Battalion, however, have reached the Final of the RA.P.C. Southern Command Knock-out Competition, having beaten D.P.O., South-Western District, and D.P.O., Salisbury Plain District.

The leading lights have been Sgt. Bailey, Ptl:. ~ercer, Pte. Betteridge and Cpl. Stephenson. Lieut. Barton has done an excellent job of work in arranging the very attractive fixture list and making all arrangements so essential behind the scenes.

Pte. Mercer was selected to play for the RA.P.C. during Corps Cricket Week.

Major Grant, after umpiring for most of the season, has at last withdrawn from retirement to play.

Thanks are due to Mrs. Grant, who has done so much in providing the teas for the home matches.

Athletics.-Teams have been entered in local Sports Meetings, and one or two members have been outstanding, particularly Cpl. Shenton and CI?I. . S~art, who were selected to represent the Dlstnct m the Southern Command Championships, and Cpl. Shenton has been chosen, in turn, for the Southern Command, Army and Combined Services. On 30 July he represented the Army in the InterServices Athletics, gaining first place in his heat in the 4 X 220 yards Relay Race; he was chosen to represent the Combined Services versus the British A.A.A. Board on 16 Aug., and competed against athletes who had gained international honours, where he took 5th place. He has, however, been chosen to compete in next year's 200 metres race. He was .also selected to represent Yorkshire in this year's . Inter-County Championships. Congratulations, Cpl. Shenton, on your very fine performances, and good luck in your future events.

Hockey.-The conversion of one of the Camp Squares to a hard Hockey Pitch has been amply justified and there has been considerable keenness and enthusiasm. In our first showing in the Salisbury Plain District League Competition we reached second place.

Other Sports.-Two of the four tennis courts that were planned have now been completed', and are in constant use, the other two will be ready in the near future when we hope to take part in local competition. Badminton has proved very popular, and the Courts are in great demand. Preparations for soccer and Rugby are now well under way. Many members of the Unit have joined Devizes Swimming Club and considerable us.e has been made of the Open Air Pool in Devizes.

Entertainments.-The Other Ranks' dances are still being held weekly, and are proving to be a very popular form of entertainment, as many as 200 attending at each dance. The Unit Dance Orchestra under the direction of Lieut. Doling, is an undoubted success and a great attraction, their services have been in keen demand, especially at the informal Wing Parties, which are now being held quite regularly.

A very successful social evening was held on the occasion of the Derby Sweepstake Draw, which took place on 4 June. Thanks are extended to Mrs. F. W. Grant and Major C. T. Brend, who officiated. A most enjoyable evening concluded with dancing until midnight.

Advantage has been taken of the fine weather, and there have been coach trips to Bournemouth, Weymouth, Cheddar, and Weston-super-Mare. Three coaches were required for the Posting Group

512

Outing on 20 July, to Cheddar Gorge, where a stop was made to visit the Caves and then on to Westonsuper-Mare, where the rest of a very pleasant day was spent.

Officers' Mess.-The Officers' Mess continues to. fiouris?, afold the Snooker Ha!ldicap . was won by LIeut. Gtlchnst, after some very mteresting games.

The 8 June was the first Ladies' day in the mess when the Officers' wives who are at the station wer; entertained to tea.

We have lost a few members during the past three months to Release and Overseas, but the few who have arrived from other stations are extended a hearty welcome.

We have been visited by our new Command Paymaster, Brigadier R W. Hackett, Lieut.-Colonels Barr!ltt ar:~ Beaucha.mp and other officers. A very fieetmg VISit was paid by our former Commanding Officer, Brigadier B. L. Burgess, on 18 August, but we hope to see more of him on his next visit in the not too distant future. Captain J. C. G. Howes also paid us a surprise but welcome visit recently, and he hopes to visit us again.

W.O.s' and Sergeants' Mess.-The past few months have seen the departure of many old friends. To the perils of " Civvy Street" have gone SjSgts. Swinton and Tyzack, Sergeants Gallirher, Cooper, N. A. Jones, Tyler, Day, Allred and "Taffy" Hughes, the two latter being Meerutonians. Calls for overseas stations have taken S jSgts. Bert Mason and Basil Winscott to Colombo and M.E.L.F. respectively, Sergeants Gale and Jones have also gone to M.E.L.F., whilst Sergeant Wood has gone to West Africa. S jSgt. Littlewood has left us for F.9 (B). Our best wishes go with them all.

Recent arrivals include S.Q.M.S. W. Tucknett, from 44 Btn. Whitchurch, and SjSgts. Hobbs and Flook, the latter from Netherlands East Indies.

A coach trip to Bournemouth on 29 June was enjoyed by all who went. The high spot of the trip was an amusing incident at Poole, where S.S.M. Dickinson and Mr. Binge went for a sail and finished up by capsizing the boat, and they both had to swim for it.

Another notable event was a cricket match played at Waller Barracks on 17 July, when a combined Officers' and Sergeants' Eleven played a combined eleven of 96 (M) H.A.A. Regiment RA. There were two hours of very lively cricket, which resulted in a win for us by six wickets, thanks. largely to splendid knocks by Major Grant and Lieut. Woods.

On 6 August we were pleased to entertain the War Office Inspection Team in the Mess, and an excellent night was enjoyed by all.

A.T.S.-SjSgt. Thomson, Sgt. Scott, Cpl f . Edwards, Evans, and Ptes. S. Jackson, E. Smith (a few of the many) are amongst the releases, and we wish them a prosperous return to civilian life.

We have recently said good-bye, with regret, to Junior Commander Hurburgh, on her posting to Winchester, and extend our congratulations to her on h er promotion to Senior Commander. Sub. Duncan has also left us, having been posted to Aldershot ;1 v Junior Commander. We wish them every succes~ in their new appointments. We have al so said good-bye to C.S.M. Ough, on her posting to Charlbury, and hope she will be happy with her new Company. Sgt. H. Cross has gone to PreO.C.T.V., and we ""ish her ever y success.

. THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL

Having said enough about the posting:>; we now extend a hearty welcome to our new Commanding Officer, Junior Commander MacPherson, together with Sub. Hudson and SjSgt. Bain, and hope they don't find " J " Company too trying.

A Company Dance was held on 31 July, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended, so much so that another one is being held on 29 August.

General.-The Unit Agricultural Scheme is now well underway, and there is some reward for the time and energy that has been spent on the plots. The cabbages, beans, Brussels, etc., have developed, and are now firmly established. Gardening is now definitely one of the spare-time accomplishments of many members of the Battalion.

During Devizes Hospital Week, held early in July, Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. H. O. Browning, Major and Mrs. F. W. Grant, and Miss D. Grant accepted the call of the Mayor of Devizes to assist in the judging of the decorated vehicles and costumes. This Hospital Week was a very popular event, and many will regret its passing with the Nationalisation of Hospitals. .

To all ex-members of 51st Battalion, RA.P.C., wherever you may be, we send hearty greetings from Devizes.

EXETER (32 COMPANY) By-Pass Camp a1most looked its old self with the

arrival of the A.A.C. from Edinburgh, and all huts were again filled. Now we have lost our Welch and South Wal.es Borderers accounts to Shrewsbury, and releases take their steady toll and we are back again to a small body-surprisingly enough, still in Exeter, in spite of the number of times we have nearly left. In fact, now that we hear that we shall definitely be gone by next month, none quite believe it, although, if it is so, we must thank the powers that be for their most excellent planning, which has allowed us to spend a really glorious summer in Devon, and is now planning to move us to save the rigours of a snow-bound pay office again this winter.

Officers' Mess.-Organised activities have been very small, owing to the uncertainty of the duration of our stay. However, a good many informal and impromptu parties have been arranged.

A large number of changes have taken place. We have welcomed Major A. W. L. Shepherd, Capts. J. GemmeIl, and H. K. Craxton, and Lieuts. R. W. Baker, A. H. L. Thomson, and P. J. Tooley, from Edinburgh, and Capt. C. E. Goddard from Whitchurch. Even larger is our list of departures. Our best wishes go with Major C. B. Ferguson, posted to Canterbury, Capt. A. T. Knevett to Depot, Lieut. A. H. Matthews to Devizes, Lieuts . E. H. H.

.JQnes and D. M. Munro to Shrewsbury .. and Lieuts. J. c. BackweIl, M.B.E., C. C. Beazley, L. Hall, and D. C. L. R Todd, now released.

We offer our congratulations to Lieut. R W. Baker on the occasion of hi s marriage.

Sergeants' Mess.-Owing to threat of early dispersal, only one function has been held-a small " stag party," when the officers visited us, for darts

' and snooker. Our changes have been many-S.S.M. WetheraIl, S jSgts. Wookey, Manson, and Eccles, and Sgts. Scott, Morr'ison, and Rowley have joined us from Edinburgh. We have lost S.S.M. Kirke (Chester), S.Q.M.S. Kenny to the coal mines, S jSgts. Harris, Wright and Eccles released, S jSgt. Lucking on embarkation leave, prior to overseas

513

posting, Sgt. Rawley overseas and L jSgt. Lakey to Shrewsbury.

"A" Company, A.T.S.-Our congratulations to Junior Commander S.M. Pereira and Sub. M. Simpson, who have managed to put up with us for longer than any of their predecessors. But now they, too, are going, and we welcome Junior Commander K. W. Samuels as a successor.

Sports.-This quarter has seen the departure of Lieut. L. W. Hall, our Sports Officer, who will be sadly missed by the cricket and soccer teams.

The transfer of the accounts of the S.W.B. and Welch Regt. to Shrewsbury cost us five members of the cricket team, the places of some were taken by personnel from Edinburgh and the team has had an enjoyable if not too successful season.

Rumours of moves prevent us making any plans for the forthcoming soccer season, but by the time these notes appear in print the future of the office, and its football team may be settled.

Apart from cricket there have been no organised games, but full advantage has been taken of the weather by swimming, boating and tennis enthusiasts, who are enjoying Devon at its truly glorious best.

Entertainments.-Since our last notes we have been entertained by a Dramatic Society from a nearby Naval Establishment, who gave an excellent performance of the farce "Madame Louise." We have also received a visit from a Stars in Khaki Concert Party, who put over a very lively show " Appointment with Cheer."

A mobile kinema unit calls at the camp once weekly. All our efforts to put on either a play or a variety show of our own have been frustrated by the move bogey.

A number of enthusiasts with the aid of kit drawn from the Command Welfare have made an excellent job of adding to the lighting effects on the stage in the theatre.

Dances are now a weekly feature in the camp, and have proved very popular-up to now we have had an outside band, now, however, the boys have plucked up sufficient courage to form a band amongst themselves, styled rather impressively " The Modernairs."

D. H. S. FOOTS CRA Y (34 COMPANY)

With the majority of the office now situated in the Main Building, ex-members will notice how the staff has shrunk compared with even one year ago , but as is no doubt evident elsewhere, the work has not shrunk in the . same proportion.

Some more of the older hands have been posted during the past quarter, amongst them Captain Kidman, who left by 'plane in Ju'ly for the warmer surroundings of Lagos. VIe trust that by now he has settled in, and is thoroughly enjoying the night life of the West Coast, .especially at the Apapa, Ebut Metta and Ikoyi Clubs. S jSgt. Hart has left on demob. and is now dealing with the intricacies of points, etc. , in his own shop. S jSgt. Harris, who we congratulate on his recent marriage with L jCpI. Graves, A.T.S. , of this Office, should by now be speaking excellent Polish, having been posted to Witley.

Amongst the arrivals mention must be made of L ieut. Ulph, Lieut. Beatty from Middle East, and Sgt. Murrell just arrived on compassionate posting from West Africa .


The cricket team has been doing quite well, and on meeting our neighbours-Kolster-Brandesproved that white flannels are not necessarv to obtain runs and wickets. Final scores were: Com-pany 107-Kolster-Brandes 51. .

An Office outing to Brighton took place on 12th July, when about 200 of the staff and 150 of their husbands, wives, and children journeyed by Special Train from London Bridge, arriving at Brighton at 11 o'clock. Attractions proved well up to expectations and amongst the special features attended by members of the party was a County Cricket Match and a Brass Band Contest. In the afternoon a large number took advantage of a two-hour ~ea trip , arriving back at Brighton in time for high tea in the Aquarium Ball Room. The party left Brighton at 7 p.m., arriving at London Bridge at 8 p.m.· The organisers must be complimented on their excellent work which was borne out by the fact that a considerable number of requests have been received for a repeat.

Sergeants' Mess.-\Ve are pleased to report that S.S.M. Bernard Lavender is back at work, having fully recovered from his operation. We have to remark that whatever the doctors removed as' unvyanted they left .that tendency for wise cracks which seem to flow in a continuous stream once , Bernard" starts talking.

On Sunday, 10th August, a very successful outing was arranged to Whipsnade Zoo for members, their wives, and children. Transport was provided by the L.P.T.B. , and 34 people were duly deposited .at Whipsnade, and what is more amazing 34 people arrived home in the evening. Our Special Correspondent would like to know why S.Q.M.S. Charlie Breen started using hair tonic a few days before the outing.

Congratulations to S.S.M. Jim Warner on his recent marriage to L /Cpl. Robson, A.T.S.

Before we close, I must report that Wally Carne, weUknown for his exhibitions of Hyp:.otism, recently won a talent competition at the Corona Cinema, Swanley. We are reliably informed that there is no truth in the rumour that Wally hypnotised the judges.

GLASGOW (35 COMPANY) Since the last notes were published, Lieut.-Colonel

W. D . N. Robotham has retired after 33 vears' service. Except for a short spell in the Bournemouth Office he had been R.P. of this office from September, 1940, (at Perth) until his retirement here a few weeks ago. In his honour, the Office Staff gave a Dinner and Dance in the cc Georgic " at which Mrs. Robotham was presented with a silver tea service. In addition, the officers also held a farewell dinner at the cc Grosvenor."

In Colonel Robotham's place we have Lieut.Colonel R. C. de V. Askin, M.B.E., M.C., and it is hoped his stay in ScotlaT\d will be a pleasant one. Coinciding with Col. Askin's arrival is the finest summer Scotland has had for many years. This augurs well for his sojourn in stern and wild Caledonia.

Visit to H.M.S. "Bicester."-An official visit was paid to H.M.S . cc Bicester," cc our" ship on 27th July, by the R.P. (Lieut.-Colonel R. C. de V. Askin, M.B.E., M.C.), the A.R.P. (Major C. L. H . Young), and Welfare Officer (Lieut. J . Lindsay). The ship was lying off Dunoon (CC doon the watter ") during the recent visit of the F leet to the Clyde.

514

The party was entertained on board by Commander Foreman, R.N., and ships' officers.

An unofficial visit had been , paid the previous evening by the A.R.P. and Welfare Officer who had set off at mid-day and finally arrived on board at 9-20 p.m. Commander Foreman and Ship's Officers did the honours. One remarkable highlight of the evening was the win at " Lie" Poker by the A.R.P., whose stories will, in consequence, be taken in future with more than a grain of salt.

A memento of the official vis:t in the form of a painting of Loch Lomondside has been purchased by the Company and forwarded to the ship.

It is suggested that gifts of books might be sent to the Ship, c/o M.F.O., Sheerness, by other Pay Offices, whose members can be assured of a ready welcome should they be lucky enough to hav e the ship in their vicinity. ,

Lieut. Mudie, Ptes. Moffat and Grant have taken unto themselves wives recently. All good 'wishes go to them for the future .

S.Q.M.S. Donlan is now one of the "lucky " ones, having been allotted a quarter in Hamilton Barracks. He is also a proud father again-in his new quarter.

There has been a spate of departures and arrivals since the last notes, but space forbids particular mentions . To all who have left us for Release, Overseas, etc., good luck wherever you are, and to the new arrivals may your tour of duty here be all you could possibly wish it.

Still that mysterious word "Hamilton" floats around, but the Office stays in the same old place, anq there now seems no prospect of any immediate move.

There is little to report in the sporting world. A games day was held in Edinburgh against the Edinburgh Office at which honours fell about even. It is hoped to have a return tournament here next month.

With the main issue, breaking down to Units and Coys., etc., etc., there has been little spare time recently for anyone, but once the present stress has eased, efforts are being made to get really cracking again. Is anybody interested in a postal shoot ?

KINGSTON-ON-THAMES (40 BN.) Since the publication of the summer number 'we

at Richmond have lost our Magazine Representative -Lieut. D. E. Atkins.

He has gone back to our old station at Whitchurch , where we hope he is settling in, and that he occasionally misses us as we certainly miss him.

Arrivals and Departures.-Captain A. W. Marriott has joined us from North Africa. We give him a hearty welcome, and know he will be happy here as he can live at home with his family after many moons abroad.

Captain L. D. Lee has left us to join the brains of the Corps at War Office, whi le Subaltern Dykes, A.T.S., has gone to Reading.

We wish them all well in their new stations, and express our regret at parting with them.

Many of our rank and file have also left us for Crookham, Knightsbridge, and, of course, the usual trickle abroad. To all we say thanks for a good job done, and best of luck !

War Office Inspection Team have paid us a VISlt recently, now we have got over our move from Whitchurch. They did not bounce us up and down too much, but the Officers of the 40th Bn. invi ted


them to their Mess one evening and completely defeated them at the usual classical indoor games, including Euchre, at which our Major C. G. Walker is invincible.

Richmond is a pleasant spot, but being so near town combined with the fact that the number of mi\it~ry personnel is fast diminishing, it has been impossible to get any Battal50n team~ to compete at cricket. We have our enjoyable httle games on Richmond Park in the evenings which are thoroughly enjoyed by all, despite the , fact that the patch . is really impossible and constitutes a danger to hfe and limb.

Future Events.-By the time the Christmas Notes are prepared we fully expect to be onc~ more on t~e move. This time to Kenry House, Richmond Hill, Kingston, where we have to start all over agaiI?-' aI?-d run our own show. More about our new locatIOn m our next.

O. M.

NOTTINGHAM (A.A.) (39 DETACHMENT) The last issue of the Journal recorded the transla

tion of Lieut.-Colonel R. S. Ellicott to the Reading Office. fncidentally, a most excellent and popular dictionary alternatively defines "translate" as " to transfer; to remove to heaven." Now we know why the Colonel was in such haste to g~ places.

The name of his successor as Regimental Paymaster, R .A. (A.A.) and O.C., will be of considerable interest to all who have served in the A.A. Office, especially those who shared its fortunes, in the early days of the War, at Warley aI?-d Leicester. Congratulations will go out to Lieut.-Colonel F. V. Mundy, M .B.E. , upon his appoint.ment a~ head of the establishment. Not only IS thiS appomtment a tribute to the officer concerned but, at the same time, is a compliment to the Office Lieut.-Colonel Mundy has risen to command.

Events have been few during the last two or thr~e months. By wav of an experiment, an Office SOCIal was held on 31st May, and despite the fact that 0:rer half the Office Staff reside in Leicester, 25 rrules away the function turned out to be a great success, thanks to the fine planning of Lieut. DU~T and S.Q.M.S. Davies. The night trip back to Leicester was indeed a part of the show. UI?-f<?rtunately, Lieut. Duffy, a stalwart veteran alwaJ:s wIlhng to do a little more than his share of everythmg, has gone to the Taunton Office, on exchange with Lieut. H . J. Denham. ,

Staff-Sgt. Major Be? JV!.orley has sall~d for Bermuda, a station which, Judgmg by Ben s fanmail, is Utopia to all S .S.M.s of the C?rps. ,

Besides Lieut. Denham, new arrIvals mclude Capt. K . J. W. Davis and Capt. T. F . Monks, both from the A.T.S. Office. L 'eut. J. W. Gee (L.A.A.) has stepped across the road to more or less even up the balance of power. ,

Cricket became a great feature of the UllIt recreational activities during the summer, and to Pte. Shorter and his team must go a wO.rd of p.raIse ~or their fine spirit of endeavour. J n splte of difficulties and disadvantages, they played well and secured a good following. They even faced up to hardened Test players-for how, long need n.ot be recorded.

Pleasant as the summer at Nottmgham has been, the winter is not too far away, and perhaps then there will bt! more opportunity for events of the gettogether type,

515

Our best wishes go out to all those who have departed for" Civvy Street," and a hearty welcome is extended to S.S.M. " Jack" Woan on his posting to the "A.A." Office.

NOTTINGHAM-(A.T.S.) (42 COMPANY) We are still in occupation of the excellent Tem

porary Office Buildings, and ~ope that we may l.>e allowed to remain for some tune. Rumour has It, however, that we shall have to move eventually to permanent accommodation elsewhere.

Arrivals.-We extend a hearty welcome to the following who have joined us during the past three months, and hope that their stay in Nottingham will be an enjoyable one :-

Major F . M. Laws, M.B.E. (ex-R.P.O. Guards) as 2nd-in-Command. Lieuts. H. B. Allison (ex India) , and J. W. Gee (ex-R.P.O. A,A,). Subs. Morriss and Groves (ex-R.P.O., Leeds), Cpl. G. H. Harwood (ex-West Africa).

Departures.-Majors G . E. Pears on, to Singapore, G. A. Waltuck, to Wolverley, and F. G. Holt, Released. Captains L. Tripp, to M .E.L.F., G. O. Savage, to D.P., North Midland District, K.,J. VI· Davis and T. F. Monks to R.P.O. (A,A,). Captam F. H. Burns, Lieuts. A. T. de Covedy and H . R. Holme, Released. Lieuts. F. W. Gould and J. A. A. Terry to No. 2 C.M.D. and D.U., York. S /Sgts. T. C. Husler and F. Woolley, Sgts. G. A. Mitchell and R. V. Walker, Released. Sgt. L. Riley to B.A.S. (P.R.C.), York.

To the above, and to all who have left us, we wish the very best of luck. ,

Major Pearson has been ,a popular aI?-d energetic second-in-command, and hlS cheery smIle and unfailing readiness to help will be sorely m,issed. He carries with him to Singapore the best WIshes of all who knew him.

Captain Tripp, who is now on his way.East, was the oldest officer inhabitant of the Office (m serVice, if not in years), but in spite of this he has retained a very youthful outlook, and his keen sense of hUI?our has helped him, and those who have been assoclated with him, through some " tricky" periods. ,

" Faj" Hoggett's pipe has also departed and IS probably competing merrily wit~ Vesuvius.' while it is probable that the man behmd the pIpe has introduced several strange new words mto the I talian language. " . .

Captain G. O. Savage has been appomted VIsltmg Paymaster, and appears to be enjoying his nomadic existence. We hope he knows all the answers!

Office Outing.-An office outing was arranged to take place on 27th June, to Belle Vue, Manchester, and a party of approximately two hundred left the office by coach at 1 p.m. in the best of spmts. A halt was made at the George Hotel, Taddington, in Derbyshire for light refreshmen~s , both solid, and liquid-the latter maybe not provmg ex.actly hght. By this time rain had begun ~o, fall, and It ~ppeared that Manchester intended hvmg up to ItS wellknown reputation. This setback, however , did not affect the light-heartedness of the party, and on arrival at Belle Vue just before 5 p.m., in somewhat dismal conditions, we were welcomed by the strains of the Royal Army Pay Corps Regimental March, "Primrose and Blue," played over the Belle Vue Recording System. This surprise welcome had


been secretly arranged by an ex-officer of this Company-Lieuf. Frank Bestwick~who is now on the staff at Belle Vue.

Almost immediately on arrival an excellent" High Tea" was enjoyed by all in the "Pagoda Cafe, where the Management had kindly erected our own private bar. After the meal the party broke up to take advantage of the available entertainments at Belle Vue. Owing to the inclement weather these had been somewhat reduced, but before' long the sun broke through and to some extent made amends for its previous lack of co-operation.

Later in the evening the ballroom, with its excel-• lent and very well stocked bar, was a favourite

rendezvous . Departure on the return journey had been arranged for 10-30 p.m.

Cricket.-While it has been found impossible , owing to the small number of military personnel now

. in the Unit, to arrange regular matches, the Company Cricket Section have participated in several evening games with some measure of success. The run-getting efforts of Pte. R King and A. Alexander have been very consistent, although it is observed that in the last couple of games they have been joined 'by two Posting Wing Officers (no names at this stageconfirmation that both have been invited to toUl' the West Indies with the M.C.C. is still awaited).

The matches with our neighbour, 39 Battalion, R.A.P.C., have always been keenly contested and played in a most sporting way.

Our record to date shows: Played 7, winning 4, and losing 3.

Football.-Football seems to have suffered most as a result of " Release," and this will be the first season that the Company have not been represented in the local league since 1940.

READING (45 BATTALION) Reluctantly on this glorious summer , evening, we

turn from the enjoyment of a well-earned post-Main Issue rest to seat ourselves before the typewriter and painfully hammer out with one finger these Notes, which we have suddenly realised have to be posted by tomorrow-or else !

During a summer of unprecedented weather, the highlight of the season has undoubtedly been the cricket match, Officers versus Sergeants, which took place on 30th July. A hard-fought game, with no quarter given or taken, was won by the Sergeants by one wicket after the Officers had put ' up a useful total of 93 runs. The match was one of many " incidents," but the most noteworthy appears to be that in which the Officers' wicket-keeper, in replacing the bails, and finding himself hampered in doing so by his gloves, called upon the umpire (a member of the Sergeants' Mess) to perform this duty, and was told: "You knocked them off, so you can put them back!" (or words to that effect). The match was followed by a games evening at the Officers' Mess, at which the Officers got their own back at darts and snooker, though as the evening progressed, no one minded very much ,who won.

Too late for inclusion in the summer issue was the news that S.Q.M.S. MacMillan, despite an excellent score of 74-two under par-failed to beat his first opponent, a Walker Cup Final Trial player, in the British Amateur Golf Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland. It is understood, however, that far from being disheartened he is putting in considerable

516

practice to b~ rea~y for the big event next year at Deal. We WIsh huT). the best of luck. It is believed that this is the first time the Corps has been represented in Championship Golf.

The Battalion Footlights Club has now been formed, and started its career in May with a very succes~rul locall~-produced revue e~titled " Spring Fever. Last mmute rehearsals are now in progress

" for a presentation of "The Magistrate," by Sir Arthur Pinero, and it is hoped to follow this up with a performance of " Rope," in September.

This year saw t~e reintroduction of Gardeningthat dehghtful pastllle for the long summer evenings. No one minded this very much so long as there were German P.O.W.s available for the job, but suddenly these were wafted away and we found ourselves with several acre~ of soil to till, hoe and weed (especially weed I). ThIS has been made the subject of a cartoon by " Youngie," which we hope the Editor will find room to include.

SA • . RAN1KI-\f:T • C.AMP . ] OANOfllON

Arrivals and Departures.-As usual, there have been considerably more of the latter than the former . We lost our C.O., and 2 i/c. within a few weeks of one another, Lieut.-Colonel W. Vero proceeding to Nairobi, and Major J. Howard to Witley. In their places we welcome Lieut.-Colonel R S. Ellicott and Major R E. Noel-Clarke from Nottingham -and M.E.F. regpectively. Many old stalwarts have left us on release, among them Captains Paul, Alien, Lewis, Glover, Parker, Scott, Partridge, Lieuts. Meaney, Giles, and Speller, S /Sgt. RusseIl, Sgts. Powell (Sandy), Clifford and Weldon. Major C. W. Goode, Lieuts. Beck, Mayhew, and Weaire, have arrived, and we wish them a pleasant sojourn in Reading.

Obituary.-It is with deep regret that we record the death on the 9th August, 1947, following a traffic accident, of Lance-Corporal D. C. Winch. His loss will be felt by his many friends in the Battalion, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his parents in their tragic bereavement.

SHREWSBURY (46 COY.) We open up our profit and loss account with a

welcome to the Exeter Contingent under Lieuts. D. M. Munro and E. H. H. Jones, who have joined us on the recent transfer of the Welch and S.W.B. binders from R.P. , Exeter. Also on the credit side


is Lieut. H. Smyth, from P.O.S.B. On the other side of the account we have lost ' heavily in the departures of Major W. W. Scott to R.P., Droitwich, and Lieut. G. Piller to B.A.O.R We extend a hearty welcome to our new arrivals, whilst bidding cheerio and good luck to our departures.

Congratulations are extended to Sgt. Toole on his elevation to the Sergeants' Mess, and L/Cpl. Skeplorn on rising to married bliss. We wish them "happy days" in their new spheres! .

As we go to Press the extreme heat is making even the contemplation of our recent sporting activities most exhausting. However, we are easily roused to blow a fanfare of contratulation to our C.O., Lieut.Col. H. G . B. Milling, O.B.E., and his partner, Capt. W. Bown, on their triumph in carrying off the doubles at the Corps Tennis Tournament at Aldershot. Once again "Floreat Salopia." During the light evenings we have succeeded in building up a very useful soccer side, and at last can record a victory over our friends and rivals the District Pay Office. It is hoped to enter the side for the local Thursday League, and we look forward to a successful season. The cricket team, under the able Captaincy of Lieut. S. A. Marshall, has had a very pleasant and successful summer's sport. Lieut . A. E. Newbury and Pte. V. Abel have been the most consistent scorers, being considerably reinforced later on by the stylist Pte. Beckett, a notable acquisition to our willow wafters from Exeter. With the ball the most success has been achieved by the very effective spin bowling of the skipper, Lieut. Marshall, and the pace bowling of Pte. Abel, whilst the terrorist activities of Lieut. Newbury have also produced many wickets.

The triumph of S.Q.M.S. Page on the bowling green must not be allowed to pass unnoticed. We offer him our sincere congratulations upon his success in the Shropshire Merit Competition, the Shropshire Handicap and the Fulwood Cup (Home Green Championship). We are assured by Lieut. W. Herbert, the latest convert to this ancient faith, that this noble sport is not all beer and skittles, but requires prodig:ous effort of brawn and brain.

Musical I Appreciation Society.-The last of our first winter sessions was brought to a successful close on 30 May, when Lieut. W. Stark presented a recorded recital of music by Tschaikowski. The staff and friends were honoured by the presence o' Major-General C. G. Woolner, the Area Commander, and Mrs. WooIner. Lieut. Stark's verbal assistance in appreciating the music, given between the hearing of the selected items, was of great value, .especially to the new recruits of Ox:pheus. In his closing remarks, Lieut. Stark promised to present a complete recording of " La Boheme" at an early .date. This performance will be an open air show to be held in the Rose Garden in the office grounds ,at Whitehall.

Sergeants' Mess.-Social activities in the Mess have included a home and away contest with the officers at the usual games of snooker, darts and bridge, with results slightly in favour of the Mess members.

A successful outing to Wolverhampton ea.r1y in June was blessed with good weather and some were able to see the important League Football MatchWolves versus Liverpool. A very good dinner was provided at the Star and Garter Hotel, and the

517

evening was concluded with a v isit to the Hippodrome, where Norman Evans' Company provided real good entertainment.

Arrivals and Departures.-Sgt. Lakey has joined us from Exeter, while S.S.M. Briggs and S/Sgt. Hills have departed for overseas stations.

. W. R. S. C.

WARLEY (36 COMPANY and 13 DETACHMENT) Apologies to our regular readers (or reader as the

case may be) for missing the last issue, but this was due to a misunderstanding following the amalgamation of 36 Coy. (late RP., Ilfracombe) and 13 Det. (D.P. Warley) and your faithful scribe promises to " obviate this error in future."

Arrivals.-We are pleased to welcome Lieut.Colonel G. B. A. Brayden as our new RP., S /Sgts. C. H. K. Giles and T. Bryen, Sgts. H. Weaver, H. Wade and A. Rae amongst others. It should be noted that Sgts. Wade and Rae have now moved on to other offices, much to our regret.

Departures.-We were sorry to bid farewell to Lieut-.Colonel H. P. Lambert (now overseas) , Major H. E. Brown, Lieuts. W. G. Mayhew, H. A. F. Richardson, L. A. Thurgood and W. G. Bowen, S /Sgts. A. N. (Chalky) White, and Brian Flavell, Sgts. Pat Duffy, George Watling, and Les Marchinski, Mr. Salisbury (H.C.O.), Sgt. Margery Webb, Cpl. Mary Hodge, and L /Cpl. Brian Harris, all posted elsewhere. Amongst those who decided to amble down" Civvy Street" were Capt. S. G. Stacey, Lieut. J. A. Beavon, Sgts. Charley Richards, D. K. Farrow, F. J. Bristow and A. West. Some of the ladies who no longer grace the office for this reason are Sgt. Gladys Clark (noyv settling down to wedded bliss), Cpls. Jean Walker, Hilda Hubbard, Audrey Davis, and F. Jackson, L /Cpls. Lucy Berry, Jean Anderson, and May Mason. Only lack of space prevents us mentioning many of the other old familiar faces. However, we send our very best -wishes to all who have left us and sincerely hope that they have settled down in their new sphereswhatever that may be.

Sergeants' Mess.-Like most other units, our membership has become more than somewhat depleted. To make matters worse, the current attitude of a goodly proportion of members appears to be-" here today and gone tomorrow." Consequently, entertainments have been most difficult to organise. However, we have been "at home" to our near neighbours, the Sergeants' Mess of the Depot, Essex Regiment, and to various local organisations, including the Brentwood Labour Club and the staff of the Brentwood Mental Hospital-this latter a subtle touch as, who knows how many harassed 'Ving and Section Leaders in these days of staff shortage and otller irritations would yet be glad of influence in the right quarter. 'When conditions improve we hope to extend invitations to other Pay Offices in the London Area.

Old timers in the Corps will be interested to know that Mr. H. F. Everett was seen in the lVIess on two or three occasions recently. A little bird has uttered the proverbial whisper, that at long last, he has gone and done it by blithely casting awav the joys of batchelordom. We wish the newly-"'weds lasting happiness and are looking forward to the occasion when we may repeat this wish in person to the happy couple.


Cricket.-W e have almost concluded a very successful cricket season, during which we have won 11 of the 16 first eleven matches played. Four games were lost and the remainiflg fixture was drawn.

Matches' against F.9 and RP. Canterbury, were among the few games rained off. The latter was most aggravating for, after their long journey from Canterbury, our visitors were obliged to seek shelter all afternoon from the season's heaviest downpour, which commenced just as we were about to give battle. However, we hope to have succeeded in making amends for the churlishness of the weather by the concluding dance, which seems to have been voted an unqualified success by everyone.

Despite apprehensions early in the season, we managed to raise a very useful side of youngsters who proved too good for the locals and only suffered one real thrashing-that being at the hands of the powerful Hutton C.C. With a little more experience and some <:oaching from the right quarter they should develop mto more than useful cricketers.

Badminton.-Started off with a swing, but, with ~he advent of the long summer evenings, faded out m favour of other forms of less strenuous exercise. One match was played-against the local P. T. staff resulting in a 3-1 win for them. '

Golf.-Capt. Ogilvie and Capt. Cockburn took par~ in the summer meeting of the Corps Golfing SocIety. The -latter p;irtnered by Lieut.-Colonel Thompson, won the bogey foursomes in the score of 2 up.

Other Notes.-The Corps will be sorry to hear of. the serious illness of an old friend of manyLIeut. H. E. Evans, who was recently admitted to hospital suffering from tuberculosis .

C. F. B. WOLVERLEY (28 COMPANY)

Having said good-bye to all our many friends at Bournemouth, we are now in the process of settling down to c.amp life, and although many have felt the change from "civvy" billets, all have done their best towards getting our new home in order.

The actual move was accomplished according to schedule, and we were "open for business" very shortly after the arrival of the main -party on 29th May. Much credit is due to our advance party, le d by Capt. Kingston and S jSgt. Herriot, for the hard and excellent work they put in to get the camp ready.

It was with regret that we said good-bye to LieutColonel Bates, who, unfortunately, was suddenly taken ill, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Major Taylor ably took over the reins during the difficult period immediately after the move until the arrival of our new R.P., Lieut-Colonel Edinger, to whom we extend -a hearty welcome and hope that his stay with us will be a happy one. We have also welcomed amongst us Majors Meaden and Waltuck, Capt. Thomas, and Lieuts. McDonald, Rose, Young, Haywood, Gregory and Harris, also many civilians who have come to us from our neighbours at Kidderminster. Departures have been frequent due to Release and other causes , and we give our best wishes to those who have returned to "Civvy Street." -

Sport and Entertainment.-The A.T.S. gave us a very enjoyable opening dance shortly after our arrival , and we have been able to arrange a similar

518

function each week. We are also fortunate in having space available for a cinema and have a film show once a week. Preparations are also in hand for the formation of a Dramatic Society. Two trips have been held so far, one to Ludlow, and the other to the Stratford Memorial Theatre to attend a performance of "Twelfth Night."

Sp: rt has been rather difficult up to the present, but a few games have been played, and we hope to arrange more when we have settled down. We played a football match against a team from Kidderminster, who it is regretted proved tO J strong for us.

.Sergeants' Mess.-The Sgts. Mess has joined wIth the R.A.S.C. who share the camp with us, and the opening of the combined mess was celebrated with a social evening, at which we were pleased to welcome as our guest Lieut-Colonel Taylor.

A number of our members have been very hospitably received by the Sgts. Mess at Kidderminster Office, and we wish all our friends there a good time when they move to their new quarters.

We were sorry to lose S.S.M. Woan, owing to illhealth, and hope he will soon be fit again. In his place we have welcomed S.S.M. Long who, strange to say, previously relieved S.S.M. Woan at Singapore. There have been a number of changes due to Release, and to our departed friends we give our best wishes on their return to " Civvy Street." Our congratulations go to our new members on their recent promotion.

YORK (47 COMPANY) Personal.-After several false alarms, our R.P .,

Lieut.-Colonel G. B. A. Brayden, left us in May for a spell in Warley. He was relieved by Lieut.Colonel A. E. Barlow, who was no stranger to York , as he only moved from Command to the Regimental Office.

As is common with all offices, we have suffered rather heavily from releases, amongst them being Capt. E. B. Spiers, S jSgt. Minks (now -a civilian clerk in the office), S /Sgt. "J ohnny" . Warren, and L /Cpl. " George " Jamieson.

Losses on postings include Major Thursby, Capt. W. R Gill, M.B.E., and Capt. "Jim" Riley to Whitchurch, Lieut. Butterfield to D.P.O., Northumbrian District, (for promotion), Lieut. Gyton to Leeds, Lieut. Mabon to C.M.D. and D.U., York , and S/Sgt. Lambert to B.A.O.R. (we think). Latest news is that Capt. Cuthbert proceeds on a costing course at the end of August. He may return, but we don't know.

As against our losses, we welcome Captains Close and Doonan, Lieuts. Mash, Jenkinson and Ebner, Sgt. Hutchinson, and a large draft of lads from Manchester, plus ten from the Training Centre. They will at least tide us over the next few weeks, if not more.

Pre-war "regulars" now serving in York are Lieut.-Colonel A. E. Barlow, Major C . Pearce, Major R G. Turrant, Capt. J. H. Close, Capt. M. H. Cuthbert, M .B.E., Lieut. G. Jenkinson, Lieut. D. Welch , Lieut. D . A. White, S.S.M. J. F. Reed, S.S.M. T. W. M. Wykes, S.Q.M.S. L. E. Ribton, S.Q.M.S. H. Rigby, S/Sgt. W. C. T. Fraser, S /Sgt. D. G. Graham, S/Sgt. H .. Pearson, and S/Sgt. M. Pendergast. In addition, for the information of old Yorkites, the following pre-war civilians are still with us-Messrs. Bradley, Lukins


Hall, Minks, Drummond and Dwyer, Miss Dowdell, Mr~. Chiven; nee Kerr, and Miss Seacroft.

We have had a visit recently from Mr. Rigby, father of S.Q.M.S. Rigby, who l::ears out the song about old soldiers.

Vve offer our congratulations to Lieut. -Welch, ,,-hose wife has recently presented him with a daughter.

Cricket.-The unit cricket team has had quite an active season of evening cricket, playing as many as three or four matches some weeks.

Some Garrison matches have been played, but the majority of games have been against local teams. Unfortunately, the unit has seldom been able to field its strongest team owing to leave, piquet duties or sickness, and many matches have been lost: but in spite of this, the team has played some very good games and many close finishes have ensued. For instance, the team lost to Acaster Malbis C.C. by only one run. In this 20 overs match, the unit batted first, scoring 60 runs for six wickets, and with only three overs left in their innings. Acaster were 58 runs for nine wickets, but a bye and a lucky " snick" for two gave them a very narrow victory before the whole side were out for 61 runs . Another close finish added excitement to the game against Bootham Park Mental Hospital, who won by seven runs. The team's best performance of the season was against Command Supply Depot, RA.S.C. , who were defeated by 80 runs. The most important item in cricket, the weather, has not been unduly harsh this season, and the team' have had only two matches spoilt by rain.

Vtl e congratulate Pte. Brinsdon, A.T.S., on her selection for the A.T.S . team in the Inter-Services Cricket Match. -

Outings.-As old Y orkites and others who know Yorkshire will appreciate, the country lends itself

admirably to summer outings and as far as is possible within the limits of time, transport and finance, full advantage is taken of the beauty of the Ridings . So far, two v_ery successful trips have been arranged. The first was organised by Release Wing (I don't know why they are always first in the field, but they are) on 22nd June, over a route, Thirsk, the Moors, Redcar, the coast road to Bridlington, stopping at Saltburn, Whitby and Filey, and thence back to York. The Organiser (Major Aldis) had obtained permits from his friend " Billy" Butlin to go over the Camp at Filey. The trip included a sail round Flamborough Head, which helped considerably in restoring an even balance between refreshments andcoach- rides. The second trip was organised by Mr. " Johnny." Warren to Bridlington. Again the refreshment situation was good, and everybody appeared to have spent a very enjoyable day which included an inspection tour Of the minesweeper H .M.S. "Wave." Several other trips are in the offing, and more will be heard of these anon.

Racing.-York is a very u~eful racing centre, and during the summer months it is possible to attend a meeting about every Saturday. One member of our staff assures us that he · makes a profit (ta:" free) from his racing. He still carries on so he may (we only say may) be telling the truth. Be that as it may, if any member of the Corps feels the call of the turf, let him come to York.

Old Comrades' Association.-The following non-serving members are resident in the York Area :-Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara, Major \V. Goldthorpe, ex-S.S.M. Shonfield, ex-S.Q.M.S. G. J. Dowdell, ex-S.Q.M.S. W. T. Moorse, ex-S/Sot. Bill Drummond. (Enlisted 1914, and serving as'" a civ-ilian clerk in RP. Office, York.)

" CYCLOPS."

Miscellaneous Offices CENTRAL CLEARING HOUSE

At the time of writing C.C.H. is still functioning at Barnards Cross, but with a much depleted staff.

By the time these notes appear in print, it is quite probable our C.O. , Major K. 1. Morgan, O.B.E. , will have returned to civilian life, having served in the ~learing House for the greater part of his Army serVIce.

Capt. A. H. Barnard is also due for release on 1st September, and he, too, has served in the Clearing House since November, 1943.

Thus, the last of the old gang will have said" fare" -ell " to good old C.C.H., but memories will linger on stimulated by our C.RO., C.C.H.S. activities.

Departures and Arrivals.-Since our last report the following have been released: Cpl. Don Date, Pte. Brown, Pte. White, and Pte. Wilkins. "Good luck to you all ! "

S.S .M. Lewis has also left us to take up duties at H.Q. (Pay Services), Southern Command. S.S.M. Spark has now joined us from Australia consequent upon the closing down of the Imperial Army Paymaster's office at Melbourne. Capt. Chamberlain (LA.P.) came to us in March to take charge of Australia Pay Records, and left us for "Civvy S treet " in June.

Ptes. Everett, Longley and Woolls have also left

us for service overseas, and rumour has it that they have already had" far more sand mixed up in th :;r food " than vitamins. -

Ships- A /Cs section have now moved to District Paymaster, Aldershot, so we have said farewell to

. S /Sgt. Brown, L /Cpl. DimelO\v and Pte. Wilkins (both released recently), Pte. Ward, and our only two A.T.S., L /Cpl. Hurry and Pte. Baker.

519

S ~Sgt. East is now on embarkation leave, prior to serVIce overseas.

Cpl. Cherry hopes to be rel~ased on 27th September, and Pte. Wale was recently posted to M.D.V., Aldershot.

Entertainments and Sport.-As stated in the previous issue of the' Journal, our activities are closely linked to the Regimental and District office staff, being situated in the same building, and, as usual, I am reporting on both subjects under No. 22 Detachment notes.

C.R.O.C.C.H.S.-Members should have now received News-Letter No. 4, which was of excellent material, and again I feel I am expressing ' all "Crocchs." feelings when I say we are more than fortunate in having "Hi Warren" as our Hon. Secr~tar~ (Local, _Acting, and Unpaid, but lacking nothmg m enthus13sm, ability and initiative).

Don't-. forget to notify the Secretary of any perm-

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOU~NAL

anent change of address. The successful functioning of our card index of names and addresses depend upon it!

}\ny items of interest, etc. , for. insertion in NewsLetter No. 5 will be greatly appreciated by Hon. Sec.

And so we say " Hail and farewell" to all our colleagues at home and abroad, and for m y part, this is " really farewell," this being the last report I shall write for the Journal.

To the Editor and his Staff we offer our congratulations on the Summer issue, and trust this one wiIl be no less interesting and enjoyable to all.

, " SAHIB." CENTRAL MORIBUND ACCOUNTS OFFICE

(107 DETACHMENT) Whatever the unkind thoughts which were so

forcibly expressed during the cold and dreary months of last winter, when the majority of us were experiencing the conditions of life in barracks in the heart of the country for the first time, apart, perhaps, from the hardened few ,.",ho had a little spell to their credit duri~g primary training, there's no denying the many assets of such a life when sum:Ler comes, and as far as conditions have permitted we have certainly taken full advantage of all the country has to offer.

Naturally, our biggest venture has been in the realm of sport, and despite the drawbacks of suitable grounds and the shortage of gear generally, we can safely say that so far we have made excellent progress.

Hockey.-As reported in the last issue, a hockey pitch had been established on the drill square, and to date this has been our only available ground. Experienced players were hard to find at first, and we had to be content with joining in with 51 Bn. to form one team from the two units for representative outside fixtures. During this preliminary period we suffered our first defeat of 6-1, at the hands of the R.A.P.C. Training Centre, Aldershot, but managed to recover our pride by beati~ng the local Mental Hospital staff by 2-1. By this time, more people were becoming interested in the game, and we were at last able to field a team of our own, and so far in two very keen matches against the might of 51 Bn. , we lost one game 2-0, and drew the second I-I. We are, as a unit, definitely becoming hockey minded, and are looking forward to entering a team in one of the local competitions, and in the mean- ' while, we are giving our support to 51 Bn. in their fixtures in the Salisbury Plain District Summer League. .

Cross Country Running.-We now have a crossc cuntry team in training under the tuition of Sgt. R W. Simson, who is attempting to produce.a breed of supermen to whom a ten mile ramble is just chicken feed. Already two outstanding speed merchants have emerged in the shapes of Ptes. L. G. Doe, and C. Burton, both of whom show considerabl .! promise. We shall be having an opportunity shortly to t ry the team out in the inter-company competition at present l::eing organised by 51 Bn. , and if aU goes well, we shall be in a position to put a strong team into the field in, the open District competition due to be held sometime in October.

Great interest is being shown in other branches of sport, but to date there is little to report.

Entertainrnent.-To add a little spice to the social side of life, a unit evening was arranged on

520

10th July, under the able guidance of Lieut. Vickers and S /Sgt. J. Taylor, embodying dancing and variety turns. Cpl. W. H. Tyler produced the variety entertainment which was very much enjoyed by all, and the unit dance band of 51 Bn. produced the rhythm. It was interesting to note that the Civilian' Staff added its quota to the evening, especially Mrs. Dalby, whose vocal efforts were much appreciated. The evening was voted a success with the result that a second evening was held on 29th July. Unfortunately, Cpl. Tyler has now returned to civil life, and his efforts on the entertainment side will be sadly missed.

Arrivals and Departures.-Although we can now consider ourselves fairly static from a Staff point of view, the numbers of personnel joining and leaving us are still all too many to report in fuIl , and only a few of the better known members can be included in these notes.

We extend a hearty welcome to Lieut. Matthews, ex-R.P.; Exeter, who has already proved an asset to the hockey team, Lieuts . Wiles, Young and Vickers, ex-RP.s, Leeds, Foots Cray, and Canterbury respectively, and also to S.Q.M.S. W. Tucknott from RP. Whitchurch. S /Sgt. R. Hobbs has joined us on posting from disembarkation leave ex-No . 4 C.P.O., Egypt, and Cpl. S. Waterman has rejoined from the" Y " List after a long spell in hospital.

Quite a crowd of lucky people have left us on proceeding on release, including Capt. J. W. Grant, S /Sgt. (Archie) Lock, Sgts. G. Allen, and T. F . J. Johnson, and ,Cpls. D . W. Seviour and W. H. Tyler. We wish them all the yery best of luck in their new spheres of life. We have also lost Lieuts, Donner and A. D. Lindsay, D .C.M., on posting to C.D.U. Aldersr.ot, and R.P. Leeds respectively, and L /Cpl. Dunne, A.T.S., on promotion to corporal and posting to London as a P .T. Instructor to the R.A.

Prornotions.-With so many peoplc proceeding on release, there has been ample scope for promotion, and congratulations are due to Lieut. F. C. Barcham on his promotion to Captain, Sgt. J. (Badge) T aylor on his promotion to Staff Sergeant, Cpl. R W. Simson, Cpl. A. Johnson, and L /Cpl. A. Cole, on their promotion to Sergeant, L jCpl. F. Howe on promotion to Corporal, and Ptes . McCready. J . Clarke, W. Cudd, F. W. Mills, and R J. Holmes on their appointment to Lance-Corporal.

To bring this quarter 's notes to a close, we ext.end our hearty congratulations to Pte . R A. Hemmmgs on his recent marriage, and wish him all the very best of luck for the future.

No. 2 C.M.D. AND D.V., YORK This will be the first contribution from this

detachment, so may I say "hello" and send greetings to all ?

Here we are in the West Yorkshire Regiment Barracks, Fulford, York, and most of us enjoy the barrack life. Owing to the long hours we work h~re the discipline is not too strict, and the general feelmg is one of a happy family. When we receive our b~d lamps (?) this unit wiLl be almost a heaven to wor~ tn.

The heading stands for No. 2 Combtned Mlhtary Disembarkation and Dispersal Unit, which means we work in a Demobilisation Centre for all Clas~ "A" releases. Our duties consist mainly of paying out leave advances of pay, civilian clothing allo\\'-


ances, and travelling allowances to Officers, A.T.S., and Other Ranks . ,

There are only sixteen other ranks of thIS deteachment, and we . are in a barrack room of o~r own which is centrally heated. We have done gre~t work in the garden surrounding o,ur room, ~a:ryrn.g off first prize in the Unit gardemng competltlOn.

Education facilities are very good, ~orthern Command Library being almost opposIte the barrack gates. , ,

There is plenty of competItIOn for sp~rts of all kinds and considering the smallness of thIS detachment'we do very well. Football is very popular, and we held our own against the C.M.D. and D.V. teams last season.

Here are some of the particulars of the personnel who make up this small detachment of six O.fficers and sixteen other ranks :-Capt. S. Josephs IS our O.C., and Dispersal Paymaster, who came here from RP. Exeter and M.D.V. Guildford. 44 Battn. sent us Lieut. F. S. Lindsay and Cpl. Jim Bentley, and RP. Shrewsbury 'sent us Lieut. J . A. H. Terry. Nottingham (A.T.S.) dispatched Lieut. F. G. W. Gould and L jCpl. Gerry Arthur. From York we were sent Lieut. H. E. Boanas, Ptes. Alf. Howell , Harry Brown , and Tom Hargre ~ ves. Leeds (R,A.O.C.) Office sent us Lieut. J. T. Croome, L /Cpl. John Lee, Ptes . R C. " Johnny" Johnson and Norman Hornby. Bradford gave us S /Sgt. Freddie Kemp as a Supervisory N.C.O., and L /Cpl. " Geordie " Leake. From Leeds (R.E.M.E.) came five other ranks in the persons of Cpls. "Spud " Murphy and Stan Acey, L /Cpl. "Taffy" Jenkins , and Ptes. Ian Beaton and Jim Williams. Cpl. Ray Curwen is the only representative from R.P. Leicester. Sgt." Timber" Woods, after being retransferred ' from D .P .O . Leeds, proceeded on SEWLROM, and was th'en sent to Palestine for another tour of duty. \Ve wish him all the very best of luck. '

Owing to releases we shall lose Cpls. Jim Bentley and Stan Acey before these notes are printed. Group 59 ",ill see the departure of L /Cpl. " Geordie"

Overseas ACCRA, GOLD COAST

Greetings to all Pay Corps Wa!lahs from C:P.O., G.C.D., W.A., and in particular to Capt. G.Kirkup, Lieuts. T. Roberts, and C. Phillips, S.Q.M.S. Young, S jSgts. Alien, Lochore and Cox, Sgts. Bayes, Angus , Whitebread , Carpenter, Radford, and Wooi who have recently left us for U.K. ,

Since we last contacted the outSide world through the pages of our Journal, we have welcomed Capt. Le Vey (Free town) and C:;apt. Grant (Lagos), Lieut. De Martyn (R.P., Devlzes) , S.S.M. Humphreys (D.P., Glasgow), S /Sgts. Barre and Jones (RP., Warley), and S /Sgt. Gray (RP. , Whitchurch), Sgts. Heatley (A.P.O., Manchester), and Dodsworth (D.P. Leeds) , and we wis~ them all the best for theIr tour, making at the same tlI?e , a. mental note that we will be home before their fIrst SIX months are up.

A study of A.C.I.s and W.O. letters ,will indicate what we are doing here. Our small staff IS now han~ling the accounts of Officers in the Command, and IS looking forward with apprehension to the day in

Leake and "Johnny" Johnson, Group 60 takes two more "bods " in Cpls. Ray Curwen and" Spud" Murphy. .

One of our losses to R.P. York was Lieut. P. Mash (ex-Meerut), who told us many stories of Indian life and snakes! Vle lost a very popular Officer in Lieut. S. Davey, who gained admittance to a Teachers' College. S /Sgt. Kemp will be terrninating his Army career on September 1st, and proceeding to London University. "CongratulatIOns, . Staff, on gaining the award! " . .

Duty permitting, the Dispersal Paymaster likes as many of us to go on Educatio.n~1 visits. Rowntree's Chocolate Factory has been VISIted by ne~rly e~eryone, and all who go reany enjoy the educatIOn gamed. I am sorry to say that nearby Tadcaster b~ew~ry could not permit a visit, maybe they were thinkmg of free samples! " ARGus."

HQ. BAS/PRC/E.C . Since our last notes appeared both Major H·

Finlayson and Capt. Leppard have departe~ on release (18th June) , carrying With, them good WIShes from many friends they made m the B..A.S. and Polish Pay S.rvices to say nothing of a few lastminute "memories."

Major H . E. Brown has joine~ us fr?m Warley and Capt. Humphries from Klllghtsbrtdge office. Sgt. Finlayson has taken the plunge and should be with us until General Demob. Sgt. Prout seems destined to revert to Civvy Street w.e. f. August.

" Leafy Bucks" extended a favou,rable welcome to our new arrivals, but some heavy ram ha~ subdued optimism, and given a foretaste of what lif~ can be like " in the forest" when Mother ature IS not so kindly disposed. ,., , ' . .

The P.R .C. is very actIve 111 strtvmg to achieve ItS object and finance con!inues to bristle, w!~h many difficulties to say nothtng of "translatmg to and from Polish. .

Incidentally, a hundred and one ~ther fi?ance . questions have to be delved in~o here m re~atlOn to

practically every Pohsh questIOn, so our mterests are by no means confined to the P.R.C. " POLSKI. "

Offices October when it will have to extend its arms still further to embrace the accounts of B.O.Rs.

It is a long time since anyone of us dared to apply for local leave, however the office closed for !our days over Easter and a party of us went forty mlies up to the Bush bringing back some illuminating photos of native life. , .

Sport.-Sport is restricted to g.ame~ reqUlrJ?g few players and tennis, golf and sWlmmmg prov~de exercise and enjoyment every afternoon. .The hIgh light of our sports appeared w~en Major Cook, having entered with other less gifted members of the Officers' Mess for the monthly Snooker CO!'llpetition at the European Club, brushed all opposltl(~n aside and sailed to the finals where" by error . m casting which was not picked up untIl he had madvertently missed the black, he lost b,y one.

To all our friends, departed and aWaited, w~ offer our best wishes, and to the latter may we add m the local lingo, " Bra ha ntem-ntem " - " Come onewe are waiting."

521


H.Q., WEST AFRICA COMMAND It is regretted that we were too late to go into print

in the last is.sue of .the Jo~rnal , ~)Ut we have now got a .m~ch revIsed AIr Mall Service which brings us wlthm about 25 hours .of U.K., and we shall, therefore, be able to submit our quarterly contributions regularly and in good time, in fact, if only the fares could be reduced to meet our pockets we could occasionally manage a week-end or even arrange

• soccer or other games with units at home. . ~he Command Pay Office, Gold Coast, kindly m.vlted some of our staff to accompany them on a trip up country. We went in an open three-ton lorry for about 50 miles, and stopped for refreshments, etc., at Senchi Ferry on the Volta Riverone of the ~ate~ays to French Togoland. Apart ~rom t~e blistering heat the trip itself was very mt~r~stmg and ga,:e us a good insight into the ways of hvmg of the African Bushman. (When it comes to money they are not so "Bush.") After refreshments we hired native boats and paddled up and down the river exploring numerous creeks-ostensibly looking for crocodiles which we hoped we wouldn't meet. We understood there were a lot of " crocs." to be found there and took some rifles hoping we might ~et a shot at them. We didn't see any, but had quite good sport shooting monkeys. Whether any were hit I can't say, but the noise scared them.

Two-thirds of our small B.O.R staff are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the boat for home and sunshine as we are at present enjoying the "rainy" season, and there is no pleasure in it at all.

"PAYWAC. " 23 (AUSTRIAN) COMMAND PAY OFFICE,

B.T.A. T~e summer issue of the Journal saw the pro

ductIOn of our first notes as a new office. Since then we have settled in t and become well-established in the theatre.

Many changes have occurred in the past three months, chiefly among the officers. We were sorry to say goodbye to Capt . .T. Putt, who depa:-ted on release and Lieut. E. W . . Day who returned to the U.K. on Python. accompanied by his family. As Field Cashier in Klagenfurt, Capt. Putt was a wellknown and popular figure among hi" clients: Lieut. Day, previously with 8 Base . Command Pay Office, C .M.F., was among the first officers to open our pre~ent office. In their place we welcomed Lieut. H . M. Sinclair, former!y of RP. D'roitwlch, and Sec. Lieut. D . T. Cwil, .. Unfortunate lv, Sec. Lieut. Gwilt was with us for only a few days and then repatriated to' the U.K on medical grounds. \Ve hope that his return to , for him, a more amenahle clime, has alleviated his trouble. A recent arrivalposted to H.Q. 2nd Echelon, B.T.A. and a fre<luent visitor to this office-is S /Sgt. R W. Lambert, late of the York RP. office, whose representative for this Journal he was until he left England.

We were pleased to welcome the family of S .S.M. Woodthorpe, our chief clerk, who recently joined him from the U.K. They are now happily esconced in a quarter and as an experiencecl " campaigning" famil y, it did not take them long to settle in. Another family note concerns S /Sgt. Lambert. We congratulate him and his wife ~n the birth of a daughter on 16th July. Mrs. Lambert (ne" Nora Powell) was well-known to many in the York office during her service there in the A.T.S. from H)43 until recently .

522

The summer is still at its height and the leisure hours of many are ~pent at the NAAFI Lido on the Worhter'lee, the lovely lake which attracted visitor ' from all ~ver the world in pre-war days. We ar: now runmng our own Sunday recreational trips to nearhy beauty spots and places of interest . Th,s means a full day out, ~pent in picnic fashion, usuall v ~t a place where on~ can be ab~olutely lazy or indul);!~ m strenuo,:,s ex<:rclse accordmg to the mood and forget pay m all Its aspects for a while. . One of the many fine days recently ler..t colour to a par~de by members of this office when they mounted thrlr first guard on the Garrison H.Q. It was an excellent turn-out j their smartness and arms drill called !orth praise from many responsible quarters. The high standard shown was summed up in the ~ords of our Commancling Officer when he :;aid :

It must be rare that the R .A.P.C. is called upon to .mount ~uard over other than its own barracks and thiS occasIOn was a fitting demonstration of how the Corps rises to any demand."

Contrary to our expectation, we have not found it possible to field a complete tram for either football or cricket but a number of the staff have earned placrs In the teams of H.Q., B.T.A. S15t. Bates ot 14 Field Cash office represented B.T.A. against C .M .F. in the swimming championship held at Udine, Italy, on 16th August.

BERMUDA There is nothing of note happening here at the

moment. The sticky heat isn't conducive to an active life and, consequently, there isn't much to report.

In the field of sport, Captain J . Murrell has distinguished himself with the squash racquet and has played in the Garrison Officers' Mess team in its two matches against Officers of the Royal Navy. S .S.M. Robinson and Sergeant Boden have turned out in every match for the Garrison W.O.'s. and Sergeants' Tennis Club, and have done their hest to become grease spots in the afternoon and early evening heat. Apart from these activities, everyone spends as much time as they can in the sea. The water is. certainly deligh~fully warm and though not as bracmg as a cold diP, one can spen.d a whole afternoon in the sea nowadays without becoming uncomfortable.

Congratulations to S.S.M. J. Robinson and ·Sergeant C. A. Vincent on their promotion to these ran.ks. "They also serve who only stand and wait. "

Our" Tame Musician," Sergeant Norman Boden, is in the throes of trying to organise a Command Dance Band, but is having a little difficultv .in obtaining instruments. The present three-piece outfit, with Sgt. Boden on alto-sax and clarinet, has performed at several small Unit functions with some success. The drum set used on these occasions was improvised by the aid of a military side drum loaned by kind permission of the ' Infantry Unit here.

.HEADQUARTERS, B.A.D.R. I have been reminded that so far no mention has

been made of the fact that our location is Bad Oeynhausen, a small town in the Westphalian plain west of Osnabruck, and east of Hanover. It is a very pleasant place to be in if you have time on your hands and ailments or infirmities to overcome. We have neither, and so perhaps may be forgiven if we do not appreciate to the full the benefit of being


stationed in a town which before the war was valued as a Spa resort. '

With the exception of the married personnel, other ranks now live above the office and report themselves as being fairly comfortable, a condition they hope to maintain during the winter if our central heating system, which failed the whole of last winter, can be made to work. We hope shortly to hoist the Corps flag outside the office, although at the moment there is some difficulty in getting the flag pole repainted for at present it bears the markings ' of the German Reich.

L jCpl. Letch, who formerly served at the Release organisation at Tournai and Fischbeck, recently left on release himself; and so did Sgt. Archer who, unfortn:;ately, spent his last few weeks in hospital. We were glad to see him fit again before he departed. S jSgt. Daft undertook an additional six months' service beyond his due date, but is now at the College of the Rhine Ai-my limbering up for civilian life. Sgts. Gibson and Chesterton have since joined us, together with Ptes. Wood and Martin. Congratulations to Cpl. K. S. A. M. Brown and L jCpl. Barnsley on their promotion and appointment respectively. Neither must we forget to congratulate ourselves on our A.T.S. staff, consisting of Ptes. B. M. Stanley (ex-Leicester-Heavies), D. U. Green (now also at College of the Rhine Army) , J. C. Miller and H. Prescott, who formerly served at the F oots Cray office. They are devotees of the swimming pool and Pte. (Brenda) Stanley has even been known to enter the pool.

Congratulations to S.S.M. and Mrs. Brooks ~m the birth of a daugher, Barbara. We lire glad to be able to say that all are doing well.

Sgt. Pickup is busily preparing his quarter against the arrival of his family. Their arrival really will complete the roll of those families eligible to come out.

Pte. Martin, formerly of the Canterbury Office, has been achieving considerable repute as a swimmer. He gained three" firsts" in the Divisional Championships, held by 7th Armoured Division, and was a member ' of the H.Q. , B.A.O.R, water polo team which won the B.A.O.R championship in Hamburg recently, and which will now compete in Berfin for the inter-Services championship. We are still adding to our laurels at Tug-of-War, and fielded five mem

. bers of the team of eight which won the event at the recent Headquarters championship. Those members were: Major Frisby, S .S.M. Brooks, Sgt. Pickup, Cpl. Brown, and Pte. Martin, and all received an award for their efforts from the M.G.A., MajorGeneral E. M. Bastyan. In addition, « C " Coy., to which the Branch belongs, ran out winners at the same meeting. Altogether our sporting record ' is good, whilst in the non-competitive sphere we have keen participants in tennis, shooting, and flyfishing.

Capt. H . W . Reynolds has been in the news recently, having acquired a Volkswaggon and a short service commission in that order. He has also been acting Treasurer of the British Services Tattoo, already held at Dortmund, but has now handed that responsibility back to Major Frisby, recently returned off leave from Norderney, who will now handle the Berlin Tattoo. Incidentally, Miss Edna Reynolds is fast becoming a star performer with the Rhine Army Theatre Club. .

523

Lieut.-Col. J. C. L. Thomas has at last gone on leave. His previous leave was taken in March, 1946, and if only for that alone we feel he has well- . earned this one. The Colonel has gone to the U.K., but there are some very good leave centres in the zone, the principal summer ones being at Norderney in the Frisian Isles and Scharbeutz on the Baltic Coast.

We were very glad to see the Paymaster-in-Chief on a visit to us at the end of July, when he was accompanied by Major Giltrap. General Stanham was able also to visit our District Pay Offices at Detmold and Hamburg, who were equally plt:.ased to welcome him.

Late News.-Congratulations to Major C. Endacott and Capt. E. N. Pinkham on reaching the final of the Inter-Regimental Doubles in the B.A.O.R Tennis Championships. They were finall y beaten by the Devon Regiment.

No . 18 DISTRICT PAY OFFICE, B.A.D.R. The summer months in Detmold have so far

been mainly warm and sunny, and 18 District Pay Office has taken full advantage of the sustained fine spells to participate in the popular seasonable activities.

The life of the married families has been enlivened by a few trips and picnics organised by Mrs. S. C. Rogers, and severl;ll families have taken advantage of the excellent leave Centres set up in B.A.O.R, which offer every kind of holiday from mountaineering to the normal seaside holiday, and most of them are situated in picturesque surroundings .

A particularly popular resort is Bad Harzburg, catering for the mountainous inland holiday, whereas the Frisian Isle of Norderney offers an ideal seaside holiday. The holiday Centre in Brussels the shoppers ' paradise, has now closed down and visits can now only be made under private arrangement. Apart from local holidays some families have still found a trip to U.K. more attractive. A ~rip to the Dortmund Tattoo was organised on a unit basis, and despite the heat and long journey, the spectacle presented was well worth attending and enjoyed by all. .

Officers' Mess.-We have said good-bye to Lieutenants Sturgess and Sherlock, who have left us for" Civvy Street," but contrary to the forecast in the previous note, Lieutenant J. Bowler is still with us for a further period. Major N. Caterham has left on appointment as O.C. 56 Forward Base Pay Office, but is, in fact, still in mess with us as the new unit is based on Detmold. Lieut. H. Barley, an old 18 D.P.O. member has. rejoined the mess as part of 56 F.B.P.O. We have been pleased to see the three divisional Staff Paymasters when their duties have necessitated a visit to 18 D.P.O .-viz., Major V. Hazel (7 Armd. Div.), Major E . B. Bradshaw (2 Inf. Div.) , and Major C. Langham (5 Inf. Div.). We were very pleased to welcome General R. G. Stanham and Major Giltrap, who favoured us with a recent surprise visit and took lunC:l with us.

We have been joined by 2jLieut. A. Greenfield (from Canterbury), and Lieut. T. R Barnard (from France), and extend to them a hearty welcome.

, Readers will have read in the last number that Captain W. J. Morris had sustained severe injuries as a result of a drop of 140 feet from the Autobahn. Vve are now pleased to report that after being encased


in plaster for three months, he has made a good recovery and is at present on leave in U.K., enjoying some well-earned sick leave in addition to his normal privilege leave. He is regarded locally as the " eighth wonder of the world," and we all wish him a speedy and complete recovery .

Sergeants' Mess. Since the last notes , activities have not been on a large scale-although as Fridays and Sundays are now regarded as "Ladies'" nights-we find many of the Mess members present and the ladies' presence in the Mess help to make the evenings rather enjoyable.

We congratulate and welcome into the Mess, Sgts. I. Lomax and J. Hutchings on promotion. They have helped to bolster up the strength of the dining members.

We have recently lost one of the families in Mrs. Harrison, wife of S jSgt. Harrison, .who has retJrned to the U.K.

We offer our congratulations to S .Q.M.S. and Mrs. Alexander on the birth of a baby girl, Lindsey Margaret Sheila (L.M.S.), on 11 M ':lY, at 155 British Military Hospital. Tne Christening took place on '20 July at the Garrison Church, Detmold, after which a christening party was held to which all members of the mess were invited. This was the first event of this nature to be held in the Unit.

Social life in and out of the Mess has included whist drives and a games night to which the officers were invited.

An outing by the Married Families was made to Bad Pyrmont on 23 July. A very enjoyable time was had by everyone attending.

We welcome into the Mess S.Q.M.S. "Busty" Crabb (ex-Hook of Holla~d) , Sgts. "Paddy" Haydon and "Len" Virgo (ex-Toulon) , " Monty " Malyan (ex-R.P " Canterbury), "Cossie" Cosgrove (ex-Glasgow).

The following have left us for "Civvy Street," S jSgt. "Ted" Harrison, Sgts. Arthur Mossop, and Jack Chapman, to whom we wish all the best.

S.Q.M.S. J. Robinson and .S jSgt. E. Campbell have left us on posting to the Hook of Holland and Copenhagen respectively.

Men's Mess.-In March we were sorry to lose Cpl. Lomax, and L jCpl. Hutchings to the higher plane of the Sergeants' Mess, and we all wish that before long they will be sporting new brass crowns on their battle dresses. Also among _ the departed have been Cpl. Mayston, Pte. Bird, posted to Railways Branch , Brussels, and Pte. McCraine, posted to 52 F.B.P.O., and to that better land on demob.L jCpl. Laflin, Pte, Wheeler, Pte .. Cox, Pte. Brown, R.A.P., and Pte. Beswick. .

Cricket.-A Unit cricket team has been formed. In our first match of the season the officers and senior N.C.O.s played the Rest, and despite a gallant 60 by P .e. " Reg." Higgitt, who also shines behind the stumps, the former won with a few minutes to spare.

The star of our attack is Pte. " Bill" Ford, with over 30 wickets to his credit, while Capt. Pinkham and S.Q.M.S . "Ray " Hansen head the batting averages . We must also thank our scorer, Pte . George for adding a few runs at the appropriate mom.ent.

To date we have won two games, drawn two, and lost four, but with the all-round improvement in the team we should finish the season with a better record.

524

Tennis.-Members of the Officers ' and Sgts.' Messes, and their families , have the use of the Detmold Garrison Courts. A court is also situated in the Barracks for the use of the Cpls.' and Men's messes. The Unit is represented on the Detmold Garrison Tennis Committee by Lieut. M . D . Smith.

Capt. E . Pinkham, has entered for the B.A.O.R. Championships-singles and doubles, held at Hamburg, and is being partnered by Major C . Endacott.

Fishing.-Lieuts. J. Maule, Barley, and Bowler are our chief .exponents of the Isaak Walton cultand there are signs of a growing enthusiasm for this quiet and restful sport. .

Hiking.-Except for one or two, this activity is hardly a sport; and an invitation to accompany Major J . G. E. Rippin and Capt. T. L. Markey on their frequent explorations of the Teutoburger Wald, is almost akin to an invitation to dine at t he Ducal Palace .in ancient Italian times .

The Teutoburger Wald is an extensive expanse of thickly wooded hills, and offers excellent walking and some good hilly ascents and descents . It is almost uninhabited and, in a recent severe thunderstorm, our two stalwarts were fortunate in reaching shelter in the only farm house for miles.

The forest also has excellent photographic poss ibilities.

COMMAND PAY OFFICE BURMA Political.-Recent events had repercu~sions in

extra duties, parading with arms, special guards , picquets, and armed escorts for duty journey.; into Rangoon-and a seven-day working week to compensate for these encroachments on our technical man-hours. August Bank Holiday, too! The parties are identifying themselves with prominent flags on vehicles, mass meetings , etc .-but there isn't much to see and our attitude remains as beforethe sooner the signal to depart for other shores, th~ better we shall be pleased. The writer saw the most impressive spectacle of the Iying-in-state of the murdered leaders and officials , which took place in the Jubilee Hall, Rangoon.

Staff.-Major L. McDonald left us for Singapore at th~end of May, taking our good wishes with himwe are trying to overcome the postal difficulties which have so far prevented us from sending some of his kit after him-but we do send on our congra-. tulations on the news of an addition to his famil y, and hope that everything is working according to his hopes. Good wishes also to Lieut. Newham, also posted to Singapore, and Lieut. Arrowsmith (U.K.), and to S jSgt. Francis, Sgt. Twiss, and Ptes. Bradley and Poulton who have gone to their homes in "Civvy Street." We welcome the following reinforcements: Captain Herd ; Lieuts. Littlejohn, Getting, and Palmer; S jSgt. Ingerfield; Sgts . Stevens, Spackman, and Boyd.

ProIllOtion.-Congratulations to Cpl. Wheat , L jCpls. Mills, Black, Kenworthy, and Mayhew on elevation to the ranks and appointments shown.

Football.-We are the only branch to provide two teams in the headquarters league. Both are doing well.

Weather.-A freak" sun-storm," lasting several days , has spoiled the consistency with which the seething torrents are wont to pour at monsoon time.


Married Families.-The quarters themselves are not bad-but the amenities have come short of the promise-and, well, it has not beell too good for families here.

Monthly Acq. Rolls.-Did not arrive in Burma till August, despite every effort, so don't blame us in the Regimental Pay Offices.

CEYLON (69 DETACHMENT) Greetings from Ceylon, the new Dominion. The

pace here is hotting up, with new accounts expected in their t housands. Latest arrivals here are a new A. jC.P., in the person of Major J. G. Forsyth, M .B.E., who joined us from the War Office F9 ; Lieut. J. D . S. MacFarlane (Lagos) , S jSgt. H. J. Mason (R.E.M.E., Devizes), Sgt. B. T . Gilvier, ex-Hong Kong, Sgt. T . H . Jones (Crookham), L jCpls. A. Hobbs and L. Blake (Reading) ; L jCpls. G. Coward and G. Mordaunt (Canterbury), and Pt s . J. Fairweather and D . Stevenson (Meerut). Capt. P. J. Powell (Meerut) has been with us for a short period to help set up a new Officers' Accounts Section. We have only two departures to record, Major A. M. Burrows having reverted to Home Establishment, and Sgt. S. J ackson for Rele .! se.

Entertainments.-Mter a period without any organised social events, due to industrial troubles, we have settled down nicely and have extended our activities with educational tours to local places of interest. The first . place" investigated" was Radio S.E.A.C. in Colombo. A very good time was being had by all ranks until a Radio Bloke requested that a record should be made. Mike fright got everyone but , finally, the organiser of these outings, Sgt. E. Lawrence, led them off in a fruity baritone. The record was indeed made, but" is for reproduction at Stag Parties only. A second visit was to "H.M.S. Jamaica" in Colombo Harbour. Visits to Tea, Rubber and Ma~ch factories, and even a local jail, are foreshadowed. We, of course, keep up the usual dance nights, and the last Sergeants' Mess Dance was an unqualified success.

Sports.-Sporting activities were curtailed for the same reason as entertainments, but restarted on 19 June, and with the help of the new staff, particularly Sgt. Gilvier and L jCpl. Hobbs, we have almost a full R.A.P.C. team for football. At the time of writing we have played 11 games since our last report, winning four and losing seven, but with the new intake to pick from we hope to reverse this tally. .

In the cricket sphere we have much better news, fiv~ victories in eight games, and one by ten wickets . Our redoubtable captain, SjSgt. Allen can take a bow for his performances with the bat and ball. Sgt. Lloyd has put in some stout work, and has a notion that he has 11 players with ideas ' on how to play hockey, but the March of Time will reveal whether he is right or wrong. Our Yachtsman, Sgt. D. Jacobs , has, unfortunately, had to have his appendix removed, but we are pleased to report his good progress. Ptes. Foster and Hoyle are members of the Colombo Rowing Club, and the first named was in a winning crew at a recent regatta. Hoyle is still in the improver class, so here's more power to his elbow. " LANKA. "

CYPRUS (97 DETACHMENT) Arrivals and Departures.-Since our last notes

appeared our former scribe, S.S.M.T. Sowerby, has sailed for the land of his birth (somewhere between Preston and N ewcastle-on-T yne, I understand) , and

525

Capt. C. R. Wilkinson has returned to Jerusalem, and in his stead we welcomed Lieut. A. N . Gunby from the Holy Land. At the time of writing, Lieut. L. V. Betenson has embarked per hospital ship for U.K., where, it is hoped, he will quickly be put upon the road to recoverv. S.S .M. " Nobby " Clark has recently arrived from Jerusalem to take over where ~'Old Tom" Sowerby left off, and we wish him every success in his new vocation.

The most notable arrival in the spring was Lieut. Dean's wife, who spent a month quarantined !n Egypt en route. She will be remembered by many In

the Preston Office as an "old soldier " A.T.S. , in the name of Cpl. 'Ella Gracie . Prestonians will also be interested to know that ex-Sub. Kay Donnelly has arrived on the island to marry the man of her choice, Major Sharkie, R.A.~.C.

Cricket.-We have had qwte a successful season and at the time of writing are placed fourth in the league table with an outside chance of winning the championship . Sgt. Haslam and S.S.M. Clark (exJerusalem) have been the mainstay of the team, both with the bat and the ball, and have produced scores of 241 not out and 77 respectively . S jSgt. Ellor, however, is the hero of the moment. In our last game our first six wickets had falle~ for 19 runs an? we needed still another' 1 \) for VICtory. The tall wagged well and truly, but it seemed a forlorn hope when S jSgt. Ellor went in to bat-we still required six runs-as our hero hadn't hit even one ball in the previous eight games. In a breathle.ss silence he faced up to the demon bowler and. WIth ~he grll:ce and ease of a Jack Hobbs calmly hit a mIghty SIX. The next ball shattered his wicket, but what a victory !

A note for the statisticians-Sgt. Haslam has completed the cricketers' double of 1,000 rW1S and 100 wickets this season.

Finally, the pre-war regulars serving here are : Major L. I. F. Barton, Lieut. F. J. Dean, S.S.M. H. D. Clark, and S jSgt. F. G. Bolt.

F. G. D . COMMAND PAY OFFICE, FRANCE

Well, well! As the man said to his friend, " It just shows yer-don't it! " M y pre~ecessor spoke rightly when he assumed that the notes ill the summer edition of the Journal would probably be the last from that veritable seat of learning-C.P.O. , France! We have already learned, ho,-.,'ever, that thjs redoubtable fortress of blood, toil , tears and sweat, is to continue in France for some little time yetalthough we wh~ are left-will, a month before these words appear in print (subject, o~ c~)Ur~e, to Editor's approval !) have mov.ed from thIS mVlg.orating resort to the more lUXUrIOUS (though, pOSSIbly, less invigorating) city of Paris.

We move there to continue the arduous task of adjusting military affairs financial in. so far as they affect the British public, and preparmg the way for our final evacuation from this fair country- when the run-down of " British Forces in France" is complete. To this end, therefore, and preparatory to inoving off by road convoy in' the. (dangerous~y) near future, mountains of rubbish appear as If from nowhere-in various parts of the office-for condemnation and disposal ; Signals come and go with amazing rapidity-the worthy Admin. Sgt .. (a ~ery " daring" Dexter!) is to be .seen . delvmg II.ltO hitherto unexplored cupboards and kItbags-whIlst the S.S.M. wonders how far on the road we'll get


before being caught up by a D.R., bearing a belated amendment to the last move instruction !

However, in spite of canteens closing 9n us all over the place (even the "Y.M." are leaving us this week) the leave roster which must go on, and an ever decreasing staff-we manage to raise a smile (even from the worthy "grandad" of the office, Sgt. " Pete " Sharpe I). What he'll do with no tennis courts on which to lavish his loving care, and all his off-duty hours, we have yet to discover.

As we have no amenities whatever for social events, we have accordingly nothing to report in that direction, but remembering that " names make news ," here are the staff casualties since the last Issue.

Births.-Our congratulations to Pte. and Mrs. E. F. Scarfe on the arrival of a baby daughter, Arigela Beryl, on July 2nd. This item may interest Nottingham (A.T.S.) readers , as both "Mumrr.y and Daddy" were serving in that office last year.

Postings.-To Capt. H. A. J. Dawes, Sgt. Virgo, Sgt. Rossiter, L /Cpl. Jones, Ptes. D. Harper, D. Stallard, and A. H . Stone, we say " Good-bye and Good Luck" in their new B.A.O.R stations.

Capt. J. Peters-Dickie, Capt. J. L. Henderson, Lieut. E. Rodgers , Lieut. R M. Cameron and Lieut. F. C. Snewin have left us for a warmer climate, via the Depot. Bon voyage, gentlemen, and happy stations in M.E.L.F.

Releases.-lricluded in those who have by now been through the Release machine, are S /Sg ". W. L. Jones , Sgts. Scoppie, Diver, Golby and Woonton,

Cpls. Brierley and Barbe :-, L.Cpl. Fisher, and Ptes. Lawrence, Truswell, Busby and Scarfe. To them all our thanks for a job well done, and good wishes fo; success in civvy life!

.This "agony" column would not be comple te WIthout a word of thanks to the civilian members of

. our staff still with us , but who for domestic reasons cannot accompany the office to Paris and will ' therefore, leave us on the · occasion of the move. '

Of these, all past members will remember Madame Diane Maire-who has been our Interpreter and Confidential Typist since the very early days, and has travelled around with the old 16 C.P.O. since its inception. "Di" has been a very valuable asset to us, and will be sadly missed.

Our second typist, Mell.e. Legrand, who though not with us for so very long, has done a verv fine job-will soon be !aking up an appointme"nt of French tutor in an English school-we wish both of them "Bonne chance" in their new spheres of activity.

Mr. WaIter Boot, has also been with us for a verv long time, and has been of invaluable assistance with his wide knowledge of languages. To him, and his worthy assistant (65 years young!) Mr. Basset-we also wish good luck!

And so, until the next issue, and with the hope that we shall soon be able to regale you with reports of the "Folies Bergeres," the "Bal Tabarin " Champs Elysees by moonlight, and tales of midnight orgies and Bacchanalian revelries from the fair citv of Paris-au revoir. J. V. P ..

W.Os.' AND SERGEANTS MESS, GIBRALTAR. ,il Back row :-Sgt. D. Bevan, S /Sgt. R. H. Smee, Sgt. E. W. Barnard, Sgt. F. Cra~tree.

Front row :-S/Sgt. R. L. Massey, W.O.t A. E. Clarke, Major A. R. Elliott (Officer to charge), W.O.2 H. Adams, S/Sgt. R. G. Smith.

526

I


GIBRALTAR With the heat of the summer upon us we are

finding it very difficult to resist the daily siesta. A great struggle of mind over matter took place, thus you are able to read these notes .

We had a grand office outing to the small Spanish fishing village of Estepona, where much wine was consumed, a good time was had by all, and we returned without casualties!

Our c.P. , L :eut.-Colonel J. B. Jardine, departed on leave to the U.K. and austerity, and returned safely from the land of the heather. During his absence, Captain A. R Elliot, the A.C.P. assumed the reins of office and was temporarily" crowned."

New arrivals (a very large number for this small office), include Lieut. J. Stevenson (Manchester), S /Sgt. R. L. Massey (Shrewsbury), Sgt. A. H . Rowley (Exeter), Pte. J . Boxall, (Manchester), Pte. J . J . Carter (Aldershot), Pte. K. Cole (Canterbury), Pte. C. Grant (Dover), Pte. R. H. Janley (York) , and last but certainly not least, our new W.O., J. S. (Jock) Lawson, from Kidderminster.

Our departures were Pte. H. F. Worthington, who has gone to search for black diamonds', Pte. D. Clarke (release), S /Sgt. R. H. Smee (Python). By the time these notes are printed we shall have wished our late popular S.S.M. " Nobby " A . E. Clarke, all the very best on his return home after five years on the " Rock."

Family numbers have increased with the arrival of Mrs. H. Adams and Mrs. R. Smith.

In the sporting sphere we have played our old friends , the RM.P., two games of cricket and finished all square, we now await the decider.

On the range we shot holes in the RA.S.C., and scored an easy revenge for our previous defeat.

With the increase in staff we are looking for",ard to producing a football team this winter to keep the flag flying, and to improve upon our efforts of last season.

Sgts. Mess Notes.-And the Powers did peruse .the Notes under this heading within the last Journal, and did say of the scribe" He shall tarry awhile at Gibraltar." Anyway, mess-mates, the trooper is dated 30 August.

We have extended the usual hearty welcome to S .S .M . (Jock) Lawson and Sgt. Rowley, and hope their sojourn midst the Rock .Apes will he a very pleasant one.

Vtl e have one departure to record-a member of Gibraltar 1943 vintage and an old friend of many on the Rock~S/Sgt. Reg. Smee. We wished him ban voyage at a Mess social evening, and as far as I , or the other members' remember, a good time was had by all.

A "Hail and Farewell" social is on the agenda for 16 August, and that will be duly reported on in the next issue. With that, for the last time, Mess-mates, "Adios." . " HOPLEAF."

HONG KONG (78 Detachment)

This is the first time our notes have appeared in the journal under the above title. Of course, there have been a few more arrivals and unfortunately, as far as the office is concerned, some departures.

Arrivals.--Since our last insertion Captain C. O. Griffith has returned from L.I.A.P. in U .K . which iJlcidentally took him away from this office for nlmost six months; Lieut. lVlarcham , Sgt. Doyle and Pte.

527

Heather arrived from Meerut with those awful things called Officers' Accounts, and last but not least, Mrs. Bacon came to join her husband in the colonv. Our second in command, Major L. W . Mills; is getting ready for the reception of his wife and daughter to the colony early in August, after a separation of just about a year.

Departures.-Sgt. Jones left on Python and L.-Cpl. Brownson on release. We extend our good wishes for a good leave and in the latter case, PIOSperity in civvy street. Pte. Perry went on L.LA.P. and is expected back on the next boat. Our S.S.M., George Birch, is now w?iting' for his relief to arrive and allow him to proceed to U .K. on Python after a spell of just over 3 years in Delhi, Meerut and in Hong Kong since the re-occupation. When he goes the office will 108e a well-liked Chief Cierk and the Sergeants' l\less a staunch bar supporter and entertainment organiser. . Awards.-L.-Cpl. Brownson has been awarded the C .-in-C .'s card for good service in the New Year's Honours' List and, of course, insisted that he was no more entitled to it than anybody else.

Promotions.-Pte. K . Smith of our Costing Section has gone up another rung of the ladder to Sgt.Congra tulations.

Sports.-A' far as outdoor sport goes this offic::e does not feature verv prominently, but there IS plenty available. Recently r\ few A.P.T.C. instruct.ors arrived in the colonv and a number of us are feelmg the henefit of early' morning P.T. S.MJ. Eastern has arranged Water Polo matches between the various Services In the Victoria Barracks' pool nvice a week. Tenni~ and hockey are among other games played regularly out here.

Sergeants' Mess.-The garrison mess is one of the most popular on the island and is used by quite a number of C.P.O.s and P.O.s and several Roya! N aval Dockyard personnel. Recently dance:; h:lVe been held on Sunday evenings but the temperature is now warmi.Qg up a bit and consequently a l('ss strenuous form of entertainment will have to be arranged.

Officers' Mes",.-Single officers live in a Mixed Servicec; Mess in the old Japanese Consulate which ' is composed of two large and spacious houses set in their own grounds 'with a hard tenn 's C(lurt hetween. The quarters are extremel:.: comfortable mld plenty of hand-made furniture is provided for each officer. The mess is situated on the " Peak" and overlooks the whole of Hong Kong.

Married officers live out in married quarters ~nd, according to all reports, hoth they and their f"milie~ are having the time of their lives.

No. 6 COMMAND PAY OFFICE, IRAQ These will probably be the last notes from 6

c.P.O. , as by the time the winter issue is published it will no longer be necessary for members of the Corps to "bear the white man's burden" in this hot spot of the earth's surface. . yery few g.reeted the news of the evacuation of BntIsh and IndIan Troops from Iraq with regret.

The Office is situated a few miles from Basra on the Persian Gulf having moved here from Bagdad in April, 1946. It is now a shadow of its former self, and most of the « old-timers " have left for cooler climes.

Recent arrivals include Capt. C. E . Hutchence (Leeds and Radcliffe) , 2nd-Lieut. J. A. Dilliway


(Devizes), 2nd-Lieut. F. G. Thomson (Glasgow), and Pte. J. Gould (Foots Cray).

Major L. W. Purden, our present O.C., is apparently fond of high temperatures , as his last station was Khartoum. The Chief Clerk, S /Sgt. H. L. Stock, is packing his kit for Python in the near future. It is to be hoped that the rigours of an English Winter after ·an Iraq summer will not ·prove

'too much for him. Sgt. G . W. Cook recentl y returned from L.I.A.P. , and SEWLROM in U.K. Others at present on U. K. leave or the return journey are Capt. C. J. Chappell , Lieut. P. Harrison, Sgts. Abrathat and McDaid, L /Cpl. Millward and Ptes. Gathercole, J ones and Knowles. Release recently claimed Lieut. E. Miskin.

There is no Mess news as all personnel of the unit are accommodated at H .Q. Messes.

Sporting activities are necessarily curtailed at this time of the year owing to the climatic conditions. Swimming in the " cool" of the evening is favoured by those of us who find the strength to rise a little earlier from our "charpoys" after the afternoon siesta.

And so the life of No. 6 C.P.O. draws towards its close, having faithfully served the purpose for which it was created. Those of the Corps who were here in the dark days of the war will remember with pride the part they played in maintaining Pay Services, often under extremely difficult conditions, during the period when no less than four minion tons of supplie: of all kinds were delivered to Russia along the Persia-Iraq route.

"PI K ELEPHANT."

JAMAICA (71 DETACHMENT) " The old order changeth. ." The author of

the foregoing quotation surely must have had the Command Pay Office , Jamaica in mind, when he wrote it.·

Since the summer issue notes were despatched we have had to bid a regretful farewell to Lieuts. Young and Fuller, S /Sjt. Nixon and his famil y, Sgts . Crow, Gifford and Erne, and Ptes. Crossman and Everett. Whether they have gone to don a civvy suit or are still in the service, our best wishes for their success accompanied them.

The new arrivals, to whom we extend a warm welcome, . are Lieuts . Finkel and Har'lant, S /Sgt. Riley, Sgts. Summers, Haughton atid Hamilton, Cpl. McLuckie and Ptes. Alford and Smith, Sjt. Campbe l's wife and baby daughter, and we hope they will enjoy their stay.

Before I pass on any more news I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the whole office to congratulate Major F. H. V. Purcell, on the award of the M.B.E., which was notified in the Birthday Honours List.

We feel sure that everyone who knows him and has had the pleasure of working with him will echo our congratulations.

It is understood that one of the latest arrivals, ably assisted by some kindred spirits, has started a private Zoo, having so far been fortunate enough to collect one elephant and one crocodile! The latest information is that the animals were supplied through the agency of the local Rum Distillers' Assn., and that both are coloured pink! (The original '42 staff of the C.P. Nairobi should recognise an old friend in the crocodile.)

528

. The parade in honour of Hi~ ~ajesty the King's Birthday was a very smart affair mdeed, which has bet:n described in the local Press by much more able pens than mine. I think that it is suffic·ent to say that we were fully represented in a gathering which, apart from the khrki drill) reminded one more of Ascot.

At the moment the main body of the office is stationed in the Hill Station, Newcastle, amidst steep hills, covered with all sorts of vegetation and which provide some interesting walks for those who feel sufficiently energetic. One Sunday morning 17 hardy mountain: ers set out to climb St. Cath erine's Peak, the second highest mountain in the area, It was a gruelling climb, but the result was worth it. We had a most marvellous view, which I think would only be beaten by the foothills of the Himalayas.

There is, of course, all the usual sort of work in the office, and at times we think that we get more th:m our share, but with the happy crown in our office and a really good team spirit all around, work does not seem to be the bugbear that it is elsewhere.

On that happy note, J think that I shall leave all our less fc.rtunate comrades gnashing. ·their teeth with envy because they have picked the wrong station. All good wishes to the Journal, its contributors, and readers from the lads in the Jewe l of the Caribbean-JAMAICA. " COPPERFIELD."

JERUSALEM (90 BATTALION)

Since our last bulletin , Colonel C. Holmes, M.C. , has proceeded on L.I.A.P. and SEWLROM and we expect his return during the next few weeks.

The Mess has assumed a very large membership owing to the present emergency necessitating all officers being accommodated in Messes.

We do, however, achieve a cheery atmosphere which is added to by the very good work of Lieut. Kir;"'by, who has been responsible for pro vidin~ at least three cinema shows a week. He has also Improved the cinema premises, which have been christened "Fiducia" Cinema, by obtaining the necessary paint and timber with which to erect a projector room, enlarge the screen and add various clever designs to the walls, including , too, the seductive · Fiducia girl in the entrance hall.

In his carpentry he has been ably assisted by Major Plowman, L ,Cpl. Moseley (who did the paintings) , and Spr. Philby, who operates the projector. .

Sunday trips to the seaside are regular and \\·ell attended, whilst some visit plac.es of historical and biblical interest compered by the Padre.

A voluntary education scheme has been started , which is being satisfactorily supported and assisted by instructors including Major Hobley (Admm. Officer), Capt. Guran (R.A.E.C.), Capt. Muller (Clearing Wing), and many others. Classes m Arabic are also being organised. .

We welcome our new arrivals, and hope they will enjoy life here. We wish the outgoing personnel the . very best of luck in their new place of abode or duty.

Cricket.-Su.rveying our potential cricket talent prior to the commencement of the cricket season, it was with " tongues in our cheeks" that we eventually decided to enter the First Division , Jerusalem Area League, which contains Infantry Battns ., and


which, on paper, should be considerably stronger than we. However, results to date have confirmed our decision. The "youngsters" in the side. L /Cpls. Barnes and Alder and Ptes. Conlon and Gratton, although lacking experience, have proved their worth, especially in~keenness and their willingness to follow the example set by the experienced players.

The side is , once more, ably led by S.Sgt. Bridgen, and to date have only lost one match. The weakness appears to be in the bowling, but with the recent return from' hospital of Sgt. Nye, it is hoped that this defect will be remedied. The best « allround" individual performance has been 7 for 60 runs followed by 53 runs in quick time by S.S.M. Clark, who is now in Cyprus.

S /Sgt. Brigden collected 33 runs in three overs from the RA.F. !

Both S.Q .M.S. Nelson and S.Sgt. Brigden recently played for Jerusalem Area against the Palestine Police Force side, and have now been selected for the Army Command Trial Match.

Tennis.-Although we have not found any outstandinK players , except, of course, Major " Tiny" Boggis still with us, tennis is flourishing again. Both the Officers and the junior ranks have beaten the Sgts.' Mess. Whitsun provided the opportunity for the. junior ranks' championship, won by Cpl. G. Chadwick after a hard fight with Pte. R . Green in tht final , Cpl. Chadwick, after eliminating the only challenger from the Sgts.' Mess (S.S.M. Clark) , also won a recent American Knock-out Tournament, contesting the. final with Lieut. Lewis.

Football.-At the moment we are rather at a loss to know how we will manage to turn out a team, as by the time the season starts quite a fe '.v of our defence stalwarts will have departed . Already « Johnny" King, our « net" custodian, has departed for other parts as has his name-sake. Cpl. King. "Jirnmy " McDougal, and " Nobby " Clark are leaving in the near future , the first on release and the latter to Cyprus, while yet other probable depa ~tures are « Jocks " Mathers and Paice to U.K. All success in the future, lads !

Lieut. Tozer has now departed for " Civvy Street," and the team will greatly miss his cheerful managership , which job he passed on to Lieut. Fabian.

Athletics.-Our athletes are now steadily training at Mount Scopus for the forthcoming Army InterU nit Team Championship. We have the nucleus of last year 's team al).d several promising athletes, who have joined us since, and this year we are hoping to win the Brigade Championship.

Lieut. Lewis , the Coy. Sports Officer, is now concentrating on the . Hammer, and hopes to emulate the feats of Dr. O'Callaghan.

Swirnrning.-Our amphibious operations are still progressing favourably, and each Sunday our two three-tonners set out for Bat Yam and El Jura alternatively, for a dip in the blue Mediterranean. We combine with our swimming activities, a game of baseball, football, and all-in Rugby.

Sad to relate, on several occasions our threetonners chugging away up the mountains around Jerusalem have conked out, and then our long wait was whiled-away by the melodious tunes of our impromptu choir.

Our Water Polo team defeated a scratch side from the Roya l Irish Fusiliers by seven goals to one. (Scorers , Alder 2, Sullivan 3, Lewis 2).

529

The Water Polo Team, thanks to the generosity of the Y.M.C.A., who loaned us their Swimming Baths during the Winter Season, have now reached a very good standard of play. The team has been greatly strengthened by Lieut. Wood and Lieut. Lewis, who were in the RA.P.C. team at . Leeds, which won the West Riding Water Polo championship.

Table Tennis.-Our Table Tennis has at last met its Waterloo. We were defeated by the RA.F. H.Q. North Levant by six games to three, after a very exciting game with the majority of the games being won and lost by a very narrow margin. Total results to date: Played 12 ; won 10 ; lost 2.

A very enjoyable social evening was held at St. George's School, and a very good game of Table Tennis was witnessed by about 120 spectators. The Singles concluded three games all, but in the Doubles the schoolboys romped away and finally won the game by 6-3.

Sergeants' Mess.-Since our last notes appeared the keynote in the Mess has . been departures. Member~ who have proceeded on release are S /Sgt. Lo;c', S. /Sg. Russel and Sgt. R H . Smith . S.S.M. King is now with C.P., Egypt and Sudan vice S.S.M. "Bunny" Austin, who replaced him in Jerusalem. " Bunny" is not, of course, new to Jerusalem, having been here during the war days, when he was perhaps remembered by many for his " big dog " which always followed him around, and at times perhaps gave the show away. S.S.M. " Nobby" Clark is now with 97 Det. in Cyprus. He was replaced by S.S.M. Watson (ex-Foots Cray), who recently arrived in the Middle Ea;t (not for the first time). The postings of S .S.M. King and Clark were due to the departure of Married Families from Palestine and now, of course, ~alk of El Ballah in the Mess is practically non-existent.

The 2nd Battalion, R.I.F., have been repJaced by the 52 Light Inf. (O.B.L.I.), and the month of May was notorious for two hectic social evenings in the Mess. when a farew,,1) -was given to the Fusiliers ancia welcome once rnore, was given to an English, County Regiment. During the early days of June a Triangular Indoor games evening was organised with members of the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters and 2nd O. and B.L.1. ~Notre Dame) Sgts.' Mess.

On the Billiards Table and Table Tennis Table we managed to be the leading lights, whilst on the Darts Board though our members seemed to need more practice in tht: « English Pubs " in order to compete against the Foresters.

Although the restrictions, for which the R .A.P.C. in Schneller are probably the most afflicted of any troops in Northern Palestine, are still with us , the bar is patronised only by the regular few stalwarts, ably assisted by members of the O.B.L.I. The R.A.P.C. personnel, who in more palmy days were

'·fortunate to serve in Jerusalem, will realise that Schneller is in the midst of the Mea -8h,earim Quarter, which is, of course, probably one of the most notorious hide-outs of the I.Z.L! (Terrorists), therefore , in order to proceed to those few parts of Jerusalem which the authorities consider safe enough for British troops, it is necessary to travel through this quarter in t,ansport, and, of course, weapons are carried at all times. .

In the sporting world the Sgts.' Mess provide quite a reasonable proportion of t~e .Company's cricket team, but, alas, as for the TenniS, Its standard


is very low as will be realised when not only did the junior ranks defeat the Sgts.' Mess in a recent American Tennis tournament, but, sad to relate, so did the Officers.

LAGOS, NIGERIA J. J. J. M.

We must apologise for having been too late ill

contributing news to the summer issue. During the last six months many changes have

taken place due to releases , and that happy event"Tour-expired." Amongst those to whom we have said farewell are Lieuts. Robotham, Hopkins, Bird, and " Tich " Cra'wford; S jSgts. Baldock, Kendall, Cornwell and Hunter; Sgts. Snowden, Bryant, and Clarke ; Cpls. Perring and Yelverton. S jSgt. McKay has been seconded to the Nigerian Government, and we hope he will be happy in his new post.

We welcomed S jSgt. Cummins; Sgts. Porter, Bullen, and Prior, and Cpls. Steel and Cruse. To these new arrivals we must add Capt. Kidma:n, S jSgt. Olsson, and Sgt. Wood, who created a record b y leaving U .K. on Friday, 18th July, and arriving here on Saturday, 19th July. We shall be pleased to accommodate anyone from home who would care to spend a long week-end with us !

Old coasters who have served with 77 Detachment will be interested to know that C .P. and R.P. Offices have now moved from the Racecourse, the Officers ' Mess from Ikoyi and B.O.R.'s Messes from K.G .V. Park, Lagos, to Lancaster Barracks, Yaba. The Offices were previously A .O.R. barrack rooms , SO our new accommodation falls far below the standard which we knew in King's College.

Vve have had a real rainy season this vear with the result that the ground around the offic~s has been a quagmire sufficient to bog down lorries and on one occasion certain coasty people were' seen taking swimming lessons in the flood outside their quarters. The Daily Times reported a fall of 30 inches of rain in 14 days, with a record of nearly six inches in 24 hours.

Although reduced in numbers, we still manage to run a soccer team in the Army League, and have had quite a successful season. We had also had some office games in which Officers and O.R.s (old and not so old) have competed. It was exhilarating to see Capt. Ross playing a stalwart game at back . Lieut.-Colonel Stewart displaying deft touches o~ the wing, and Capt. Jones opening an attack on goal in grand style. It can be confidently said that all games have been enjoyed by both players and spectators. Congratulations are extended to S jSgts. Gallagher, Giddy, Harding; Sgts. Binks, Standley, Harold and Cpls. Farmer, Wilkinson', Heath, and Twiselton on their promotion to those ranks:

And now, until the next time, we say" Odabo." " BATURE."

MALTA G.C. (72 DETACHMENT) There is not a great deal· to' report from the Georgf'

Cross Island this quarter, I regret to say. However, one or two items of importance cross m y mind, so I put pen to paper, and I think that I echo the thoughts of all members of the Detachment in saying :_

' We offer our congratulations to :Lieut.-Colonel F. G. Norton, our Command

Brig. R. W. Hackett and Officers, Malta Detachment.

530

THE ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS JOURNAL ~-----------------------

Paymaster, on the award of the O.B.E. in the Birthday Honours.

S jSgt. and Mrs. Grant on the birth of their son, T homas.

S jSgt. and Mrs. Cullen also, on the birth of their son, Patrick. . .

During the past few months we have had the pleasure of seeing n",o distinguis~ed visito~s.' firstl~, Brigadier R. W. Hackett, who paid us a VISit on his way home. We hope he enjoyed the short stay in Malta, and, secondly, Captain G. F . Vaal, from \V.O. (F9b), who came to tell us all about these " new-fangled" machines that "the powers that be" are sending us. Luckily, Maltese numerals are the same as in U.K. !

Our "Agony Column" this quarter is yery short; we have had t? say good-bye to Li~ut. P. Cozens, who was repatrIated on Python, after spending the better part of two months in hospital. We sincerely hope that all is well now. To Captain L. J . Gee we extend a sincere welcome and greetings on his joining us from the " Land of Pharaohs." At last someone else to whom we can tell the old , old stories of the Blitz and Siege! Before these notes appear in print, we ~hall have said "Sah ha" to Captain and Mrs. Poole-not forgetting David Michael-who are due home on Python almost immediately. Captain Poole will be missed in the Command, as he has not only been a very efficient Cashier for two years, but he ' has been (unofficially and unpaid) "Command Photographer" - a job he has excelled in. The Detachment will miss him and his camera, at the Unit Social functions in the future. We all wish him best 0' luck on arrival in u.K.!

Major S. P . Holland severed his connections with the Pav Office in May, on being released from the A.P.C. /M.T.F. , to take up a Civilian Officer's appointment at Headquarters. He has been employed in the office for 34 years, so there are many of the older members of the Corps who remember him well. The staff wish him every success in his new appointment.

It may interest read(!rs to know that H.Q., Malta, now adminifters Tripolitania and Cyrenaica Districts, imd that G.H.Q., M.E.L.F., controls Maltl once again.

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, concludes the notes from this bastion of the Empire for the quarter , but before closing we take the opportunity to seJ ~d best wishes to old· members of the " Fighting 72nd," wherever they may be. " MELITENSIS."

4 C.P.O. (BASE) M.E.L.F. (92 COMPANY) Yes, the heading is quite ' correct, and here are

some notes at long last from the spot on the Canal zone where all newcomers to the Middle East are welcomed with open arms and prayers of "May these ' bodies ' please be allowed to remain here and work." In a few cases the prayers are answered, and the "body" then moves from the Base Depot here to 4 C.P.O. (Base), which entails moving into another tent and being posted to Debits , Imprest, or some other wing to work.

For the benefit of those still in the U.K., w: .o may find themselves boarding a ship for the r. iddle East and those who knew us when we were in ~ :airo, but have long since departed from our r.1:d : . here is a brief idea of what Fayid is like

The camp is situated between a range vt 1. ills on the ,,,,'est and the Great Bitter Lake on the East on a

531

nice level stretch of sand. 4 C.P.O. (Base) had a hand in the placing of the sand here as on our removal from Cairo someone very carefully loaded a large box of sand which had been emptied from the fire buckets on to a " ten tonner." The unknown individual evidently didn't like the idea of the desert being sandless through the filling of fire buckets .

Accommodation here is varied. For that horrible thing " work" there are both wooden and Nissen huts unless you are in the know, then you go to either Central or the Command Cashiers and work in a brick building. The idea of the brick building in this case is so that the local light-fingered gentry will not find it an easy job to pinch the "dibs." These are guarded at night by a Basuto guard who are determined to ensure it does not go whilst they are there. We next come to the tent. This is the erection under which all ranks sleep, and have as their private abode, sometimes with another three to five perSO:1S according to luck. The third type is more of a shrine thlll accommodation. It is the lVlecca to which numbers look but few attain. To arrive in this Valhalla one thing only is necessary, that is a wife sent out from the U.K., under the sanction of the War Office . Then you arrive at and live in' a Butlin. This has electric light, fans, hot ' and cold water and a bath, not just something where you turn a handle and the water pours over you. No, I am not jealous. I'm in one.

Amusements here are varied and cater for most tastes. If you are energetic there is cricket, tennis , and swimming. Swimming is a great favourite here as it gives one the chance to undress and get brown all over or at least nearly so, as well as a bit of exercise. I have always heard Pay Corps personnel are a thick skinned crowd, but I dd n 't know how thick till I started sunbathing and shed more skins than any normal being could ever have.

If it's inside amusements you want there is a recreation room with table tennis, darts, and other indoor games. Letters home can be written in comfort here also if being " pranged" with a pingpong ball can be ignored.

For both indoor and outdoor entertainment there is photography. A photographic society has just been formed and should prove successful as the light here is ideal, and there are any an10unt of subjects awaiting snapping. Pending completion of the dark room, discussions on various aspects of the art are being held.

Since we have left Cairo the comings and goings have been pretty heavy, so I will content myself with saying welcome to all the newcomers and best of luck to those who have left us whether it be on Posting, Python, or Release.

Sports.-As one would expect the close proximity of 91 Coy., R.A.P.C., led to friendly rivalry from the first. The opening round was accorded to our rivals on the football pitch where they gained a wellearned victorY. Our ego was, however, bolstered up on deliverU;g a defeat to them when hockey sticks clashed .

Then, of course, followed that very serious b :.;siness of cricket. We are very pleased to welcome S jSgt. North, the R.A.P.C. XI 'k~eper, who assumed captaincy of our team by unanImous vote. Amongst other newcomers we had Pte. Bob Sparkes, recently demobbed, who also gave such sterling service to our football team, Pte. Eddi Cox, late of Bournemouth arid, more recently, Lieut. Townsend who j<?ined us from Nottingham. Add to these the remaInder


"

The Mohawks Rugby Football Team, Nairobi.

of last year's teams in the persons of Cpl.-now Sgt.-L~wler and Ptes . Lacey and Moll , and we had the makmg of a strong team.

We have now, af!er a somewhat shaky start, settled down to a faIr share of victories in which the batting of Lieut. Townsend, S /Sgt. North, and Ptes. Cox and Lacey allied to the bowling of Lieut. Town.send again and Pte. Moll have played a consplC ': OUS part. In playing O .O.A. , we stand at the moment on equal terms with one game each . T~e rubber match should produce some lively CrIcket.

NAIROBI (87 COMPANY)

Since our notes appeared in the las t ~dition of the Journal many changes have taken place. Colonel F . J . Bellman, M.C., who has been Command PaYJ!laster for the past four years, will shortly be leavmg for England on the "Ascanius." The keen interest taken b y Colonel and Mrs. Bellman in the welfare of 87 Coy. w ill be remembered by all with much pleasure, and to both of them we extend our thanks for their services in the past and our best wishes for the future.

A farewell dinner was given to" Colonel Bellman at '!'?rr's Hotel , Nairobi, on 15th July, and in addItIOn to the Officers of the Corps, representatives from the Co:nmand Secretariat were present.

A hearty welcome is extended to Colonel W. Vero, our new c.P., and 'we hope he will enjoy his stay in E~st Africa.

We have made our farewells to Lieutenant and Mrs. R. Burrows, who have left to make their home in Northern Rhodesia , to Lieutenant R. Petty,

532

our previous Journal representative, who has returned to U.K. on PYTHON with Mr~ . Petty and to Lieutenant "Ri!l" Davies, who h2s take~ local release and is now at the Inland Revenue Offices, Nairobi. To all we wish good luck.

Major T. H. Taylor has now left us to take over duties :-vith the Somalia Gendarmerie at Mogadishu, and LIeutenant and Mrs. Valentine have left for Mauritius.

The Pay Corps Camp at Salisbury Road has now closed down and its members have transferred to the Nairobi Transit Camp-so well known by so many!

Members . o~ the Corl?s helped to take part in a Pageant deplctmg the HIstory of the British Theatre which was held on the Nairobi Racecourse on 31st 1\1ay, and also with the running of the sideshows. It wa~ a n:ost successful ciay resulting in over £ 2,000 bemg raised towards the K enya National Theatre Building Fund .

We have recently had the pleasure of welcoming Mrs. Taylor and her daughter Beryl, Mrs. and Miss Shand-Tully, Mrs. Valentine (who has since left us fO.r Mauritius) and Mrs . Sargeant. We hope they will have a very pleasant stay in East Africa.

The Sporting activities of the Corps have been confined mainly to Rugby and Football. This being the first season for Rugby, and as a team, the first for many of the players, we did not expect outsta~ding re.sults. In fact , our team was the only Unit team In the league, and praise must here be given to all those players who were always willing to fill gaps despite their lack of experience. We were unfortunate in. temporarily losing ·some players through injuries, while the places of others had to


be filled , due to demob and L.I.A.P. \Ve managed, however, to carry on ·and gave our best against the strongest of the league. One or two of the more

. experienced players wert chosen to represent the Arm y, Services, and also Nairobi in certain matches.

At Football , we did not do so well in the Army league. At the finish we ended half-way down the league, quite a difference from last year when we were second from the top .

A Civilian L eague has been formed and we were forced to unite with 0 2E and Military Records. After a poor start we are doing quite well , having won two and drawn one of the last three games. In

- the course of this revival we m anaged to draw with the league leaders, a Scots civilian side, Caledonians , containing several well-known personalities in the soccer world. A win over the leading R.A. F . team, Eastleigh , gave us great encouragement, and we are hopeful of continuing our present progress and reaching one of the top league positions.

\Ve, as proud holders of the Services cup, are looking forward to the start of the Cup fixtures \\·ith great expectation.

H ockey is now starting, and despite the loss of so many players, we are endeavouring to arrange a series of friendly matches and hope that we shall be able to obtain a full fixture list.

Before saying "kwa heri" may we express the fee ling of all in this office by sending greetings to ex-Nairobi members at home ?

NORTH AMERICA H aving missed the boat for the last two publica

tions, your Transatlantic scribe determined to make this edition to reassure those who may have imagined the banks of the Potomac had been evacuated for the third time since 1789 . . (Or thereabouts.) Happily, this is not so ..

Of the old hands, Captain G. J. Kilb and S.S.M. F. Rice remain , and _we have welcomed to these shores in recent months our new O.C., Lieut.Colonel F. J . Bairsto, late of Salisbury, S /Sgt. R . G. A. Young, of Officers' Accounts, Manchester , and Sgts. F. Pearson,V. H. Steward, and A. M. L aing, late of Radcliffe, Preston,. and Edinburgh respectively. Welcomes, unfortunately, cause reluctant farewells, and our best wishes go to Lieut.-Colonel R. D. Ogilvie at his new station, and to S /S;st. H . T . Champion and Sgt. J. Hodgson in their new life in the countries of their adoption. These N.C.O.'s elected local release in Canada and the U.S.A. respectively, each having taken unto himself a WIfe, from those countries.

Sgt's. R. J. Parsons, S. Jackson, and H. J. Womb\,fell have returned to the Old Country on release, the former with the promise, or threat-" I'll be back." V,Tell , you're always welcome, Roy.

This is definitely a families' station, and those of Captain Kilb and S.S.M. Rice were well established when we had the pleasure of welcoming Mrs. F. J . Bairsto and her two daughters . Mrs. Young and Mrs. Steward, with their respective kiddies, are expected daily, and it is our fervent hope that they wi ll be established before publication of this article.

We extend hearty congratulations to Sgt. F. Pearson on his marriage to Miss Doris Elizabeth Hill of Cobden, Ontario. This happy event leaves only one eligible bachelor. How about it, Sgt. L aing ?

For the benefit of ex-Washingtonians we would m ention that Mr. Fraser, Mrs. Nelson. Mrs. Flick,

533

and Miss Rowbottom remain with us in a drasticall y reduced staff. (U) K Street has a.h:nost reverted to its American owners, and th~ entire Br~tish Army Staff are now concentrated in the Joh.n Marshall Building . .

The return of comparative norm al times to the U .S .A . . has considerably brightened an already pleasant existence, and quite a fair proportion of the R.A.P.C . are sporting cars for their business and pleasure. These are rather reasonable in price compared to the smaller U.K. models-a trend not followed by much else unfortunately. Finding ourselves entangled in the national policy of economy in dollars neither officers nor m en are quite as flush as might be desirable . . Leave, owing to the prohibitive cost of living, is

not too frequent here. When we do accumulate s ufficient funds we can, assisted by a free travel allowance of 700 outward miles, get to places only dreamed of prior to our posting. Miami., the Adirondacks , and New York City are favourite vaca tion spots, and one or two stout hearts have even made the long trip to San Franciso, stopping off at (relatively) nearby H ollywood to see their favourite film stars.

We fear there is nothing in the field of sport to report from this small detachment. Individuals get a game of hockey or soccer on occasion, and there are some fair golf courses nearby. Several good beaches are within convenient distance onChesapeake Bay for swimming, and a pleasurable afternoon's boating is to be had on the Potomac River.

O.O.A., M.E.L.F. It is regretted that we were not able to supply

notes for the summer issue, the reason being a. marked lack of news and shortage of time. Even now it is very difficult to release oneself from the " not so very normal" everyday duties of O.A.B. life in order that our tales of woe are certain to appear in the next issue, but, here, briefly, is our story.

Major H. Watson (late A .P.O., Manchester) assumed command of the Unit early in March, Lieut.-Colonel G. J. G . Cave leaving us for ~he Command Cashier, returning to O.A.B. some time later.

To Lieut.-Col. Watson fell the task of organising the office in preparation for ·the arrival of officers' main accounts from Manchester. As one might imagine" this was a very difficult business , but thanks to the efforts of all the staff, officers in the M.E.L.F. are still receiving their pay.

At the end of May we welcomed Lieut.-Colonel H. P. Lambert, who arrived direct from U.K. to take over command. Although new to Fayid, Col. Lambert can tell most of the "squaddies" tales of overseas service.

Owing to so many new arrivals, it is impossible to greet each individual, but to all those volunteers let me quote that well-known refrain "\¥ho's Sorry Now? "

Amongst the recent departures have been Lieuts. Greenwood, Martin, Prier, and E vans , S /Sgts. Lane and Barnes, Sgt. ~hooler (who may like to know that the Sgts. lines are now very peaceful in the early hours of the morning) , and las t but not least , Cpl. Carr, Ptes. Gilbertson and \Vard. To those ex-members of O.O.A. who I might have forgotten to include, I apologise.

Entertainments.-Since the arrival of the draft


from Manchester an Entertainments Committee has been formed, and are now very busy organising dances, not to mention a play that is alleged to be in procluction.

Other clubs formed in the Unit are the Rifle Club, members of which hold a meeting every Sunday morning, fortunately, the meeting place is some distance away from the office area, and also the Photographic Society, which has definitely proved a great success.

Cricket.-Unfortunately, O.A.B. does not possess its own sports ground, but in spite of this, a very successful team has been fielded, this success can be judged on league position, which is now second, the league leaders being our latest victims.

The enterprising batting of Lieut. Prier, now in U.K. on Python, was a very great, but now sadly missed, asset. L /Cpl. Jelley, Captain of the team, has done his share of scoring, and it looks as though he'll carry out this hard hitting policy to the end of the season. At least we hope so. D. J. C.

SINGAPORE (75 COMPANY) There seems very little to report from the Com

mand Pay Office, Singapore, this time-organised sports such as footb~ll and cricke~ are a1mos~ at. a standstill. The revival of the Smgapore Dlstnct Football League II was expected, but so far it has not materialised.

It is rumoured that some of the Sergeants' Mess members, led by S.S.M. W. H~mphries and S /Sgt. Fraser, are very proficient at "Euchre," and will soon be taking on all corners.

Sunday bathing parties to Changi are still very popular as are the occasional Wednesday afternoon trips to the Singapore Lido.

A new Shackle Club (N.A.A.F.I.) has been opened on the site of the old Fleet Canteen, and includes a · W.O.s' and Sgts.' Section which ,,'-as transferred there when the Pegasus Club closed recently. This Club appears to be very well sup· ported , and is run on the same lines as the N.A.A.F.I. Clubs at home.

Under "arrivals" this time, we welcome Miriam Frances the infant daughter of Lieut. and Mrs. Chappl~, born at t~e British Mili~ary Hospital, Singapore, on 15th July. CongratulatIOns! .

Other arrivals are the staff of the O.A.B., Smgapore and when they have finally settled in, no doubt we shall hear from them! Meanwhile, Major Pittha~ and Co. are very busy putting all their officer clients in the pay picture. They are out in the blue at Nee Soon, but we expect lots of doings in the near future . J. W . R.

SOUTH AFRICA Many who have passed through Durban during

the last SIX years will be interested to l~arn . that at last sufficient pressure has been applied by the Higher Power.s to dig us out ot our home in Garhck Hou~e and by the time these notes appear in print, we shall be safely and" comfortably" housed .in what remains of Clairwood Camp. With the summer approaching we spall miss our air:-conditi~ned office, but as in most things , there are consolatIOns. The small portion of the Camp allotted to us is comfortable and well looked after. We shall have the advantagt of ::\ Canteen (~ot to be sne.ezed at in t~('se days of high outside pnces) good foo~ and wld~r spor~s activities. The Canteen contams what IS

reputed to be the best billiard table in or around 534

Durban. We "hall have a Badminton Court and ;] Tennis Court is being constructed.

These conditions will compensate somewhat for a poorish sort of office, and the inconvenience of being some ten miles out of town. On the move we shall lose the services of Miss Marcuson, ou; typist for some six years, and this opportunity is taken to thank her for the good service ~he has always given us. We shall miss her.

The threat of moving to Clnirwood has coincided (possibly purely aCCidental) with two more marriages in the Unit and congratulations and best wishes are extended to L.-Cp1. -R. Clifford who married Poris Noel Jonquier on 12th July and Pte. J. W. Rees, who married Mae Eisele on 2nd August. We hope they will be happy in their ventures.

S/Sgt. T. R. Taylor, S /Sgt. E. H . Chalkley (and family) and Pte. G. G. Harris, have departed for U .K. and we wish them " happy landings." ,

Sgt. W. O. Motson has taken local release and is rlOW working for Nestles Ltd. at Estcourt. We hope he will not have caus,~ to regret his decision to stay in South Africa.

Ex-SI:,Tt. Cruickshank and Ex-Pte. Braund (one time of this office) have returned to Durban as settlers. We hope to see more of them.

Congratulations to Cpl. and Mrs. R. S. Green, on the birth of a son-a future probationer.

Many ex-Durbanites will remember L.-Cpl. A. J . Fellows, and they will be interested to know that he has now risen to fame in a big way and sits in his own office as Racing Editor of the Daily News and Sunday Tribune. If his tips were as good as hi s articles, we could all make fortunes.

TOTSIENS!! W.P.

16 F.B.P.O. TRIPOLI. (MELF) It is a- long time since any news was forthcoming

from this office, therefore the moment is now ripe for past and present events.

First of all, I will deal with the ofTIce staff. Starting at the top, Major H. Cuthbert has been our O.C. since March. He relieved Capt. A. Roberts, who was here on temporary duty after Major P. Stevens returned to U.K. on"Python" in January. We still have Staff-Sergeant Sebb0rn as chief clerk, with the following as his "underdogs." Sergeant Irons (Debits), Cpl. Taylor (fmprest), Pte. Armstrong (Booking) ; these three coming here in March, when Cpls. Curtis, Watson, and Sheriff proceeded on release. Pte. Beck deals with Bills section. In the Base Cashiers ("the old firm" ) we still have Lieut. J. Morgans and Pte. North, the former being due for release in a few weeks.

At the moment of writing we are in the throes of staggered L.I.A.P., with one person away at a time, and the others having to deal with his job.

Up to July we had been living in style at a very nice house in town, and had things down to a fine art but had a rude awakening when we had to move out to hand over to married families, and invade the Tripolitania Signals Squadron. Along with us came our old counterparts of long acquaintance, the staff of the Army Post Office, who sh3re the Banca DI Napoli and quarters with us .

Last season we managed to raise a football team, combining with the A.P.O., going under th.e title of the " Fiddlers XI," and reached the semi-finals in the Area Cup before being knocked out by the R.A.F. XI. L.N.G.N.

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1947 autumn

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