A short Autobiography

I was 18 years old when I first left home, I joined the army my grand fathers old regiment The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, I had signed on for 9 years / 22 years with the colours my wage was 9 guineas BEFORE stoppages for Rations/Accommodation /and 1 Guinea I had to send to my mother. I had never seen a proper indoor bath before so it was new to me that first night when I had a proper bath, I had never worn underclothes before as well, but it was the rules you had to wear issued green ones.

During that training I met some great Yorkshire men, who are my mates still today, we all served together in active services throughout the world, and we each became our own family. I have had grown men cry in distress when we have been away from our families, and tragedy has struck, we have held and supported each other through thick and thin.

After our initial training, we joined our regiment in Hilden, Germany, where we served for over 18 months, I never liked the Germans, they were bolshy ignorant bastards, many times the lads had fights in town with the Germans, and many times there were identity parades the following morning, To pick out the attackers as the Germans called them.

We were all excited at going to Malaya, but also there was the homesickness, three years is a long time to be away from ones family, BUT we were all mates from the same town and had matured in the army together. Yes it was exciting and it was nearing Christmas, it was getting colder and snow was expected.

The regiment had been billeted at a barracks only 10 miles from our town and the barracks we had done our training, after joining up, so not too bad, but for the few who lived in the South West it was a long way from home, one bloke turned up with a great sports car, it wasn't his not sure where he got it ? One of my mates had missed the bus to barracks and so borrowed his brothers motor cycle, he was not properly covered up with the cold weather, and as he came into the barracks, I saw him sway over and he crashed into the Keep wall and slid off, He was not hurt by the looks of it but was frozen stiff, his lips were blue and he was shivering violently, Four of us carried him to the Medical Room and he was wrapped in several blankets and was sat against the radiators. His name was Barrie Ogley he was a great mate then, we met in the boxing rink in training, we had to fight each other, to test our courage.

Our accommodation in the camp was in some wooden huts, they were warmer than brick barrack rooms, we were happy in there and because the rooms backed onto the back of camp we could easily get out of camp without signing out or in. Some of us had push bikes which we kept in the passageway, In the afternoon if it was possible and the Sgt was no where near, We would carry our bikes across an assault course, couldn't push them due to the rough ground then onto the road and off we went, not really bothering about things until the following day. It was rare we would get done for not booking out.

My mates were Pete Bate, Tommy Delemere, Arthur Pepper, Pete Smith, great mates and still are to this date. I remember one weekend at home on a weekend off Pete, Tom, and Arthur came to visit and told me they were fed up of using the push bikes and would I share in getting a car ?, I think they meant you have the money Les, lets have some and we are all mates anyway. We got a Ford Popular only cost a few pounds, and Tom could drive a bit, so it was arranged that Tom would pick us up on the Monday morning and take us to barracks and be a sort of taxi, we were all sharing in the cost. Everything went ok until one day, Tom did not arrive on time, but Pete did on his motor bike, He said that after a night of passion and beer Tom had put the car in a ditch BUT no problem he would take me to barracks on his motor bike, it just meant that i had to walk for 4 miles to get my lift -- that seems a long way now but then I used to run it.

As the time got nearer to our departure I was visiting my relatives saying how much I cared for them and it would not be too long before I was home again, In my heart though it felt like I was going away forever, and so my friend who was a girl in my street who was four years younger than me, Asked if I would marry her on my return, I said she was too young, but she said that she would 3 years older then, Therefore it would be ok ??

Southampton:

Gibraltar

Calling in at Gibraltar where we had a few hours ashore and some old soldier knew a bar where women stripped and a donkey was part of the act and rings were put on its P----- to save damaging the stripper, or as it was known in that area belly dancing ?

There was a lot of noise as this fat Arab woman started swaying around on the stage which was like a boxing rink with everyone looking up at her as she swirled around, throwing parts of her dress to the lads, who were panting away like dogs on the heat and then a fight started when some blokes tried to get to the front to see the show better, some local doormen tried to part the fighters and then uproar as everyone stopped fighting each other but turned on the Arab doormen- some chaps thought it was a good idea to get on the stage and help the Arab woman Undress, she started screaming and it was utter mayhem except for the donkey who was quiet and reserved in the corner, munching away on a carrot wondering when he could get started on his part in the act ? ha ha

It was at this time that a very loud scream of command came from the doorway to the club, everyone stood in mid strike and there was our Regimental Sergeant Major, his body size blocking out the streaming sun which before had made the whole debacle clear to see but what happened next was the command "God Save the Queen" from the RSM and a three man band gave an Arabian rendition of the Royal Anthem and a miraculous thing happened, everyone snapped to attention put on their head dress and sang the anthem 'God Bless the Queen' and as it ended the RSM shouted the command, "Outside you lot and fall in !!"

Every single soldier did exactly as he was told and fell into three ranks outside on the road, where the R.S.M told the Sgt and Cpl's who had ALSO been fighting to march the lads back to the ship. (Me included) Oh I forgot to mention before we all made it to the club, we had a few beers at a bar just off the jetty.

Suez Canal:

There were a queue of ships waiting out at sea for their turn to enter the canal, it was blistering hot on deck, so we were kept busy below decks of fatigue duties.

Aden:

We called in at the Port of Aden, and given a lecture on what we should and should NOT do whilst ashore for a few hours.

Colombo:

We were due to call in at the port of Colombo but due to a civil uprising, we were advised to keep away from shore and NOT to show any weapons on the deck as this could be misconstrued as a threat to the civil populace

Singapore
 

Lesparkin