A National Serviceman’s Tale

I came to the Durham Light Infantry by a route which for many would be considered abnormal, but in true army way, was normal.

The tale begins just before my 18th birthday, when I was called to attend a medical for National Service. Shortly afterwards, I was informed that my call up had been delayed enabling me to complete my apprenticeship. I was also informed that when I reached 21, I would in all likelihood be sent to a specialised unit within the Royal Engineers, as I was a Poster Writer and screen process printer.

 When my 21st birthday cards arrived the first card on the mat was an “invitation” to join the Durham Light Infantry at Brancepeth on 21st January 1954.  Sgt Charlie Blackbourne (we never got to call him Charlie till 12 months later) together with other exalted persons ( L/Cpls) took over our lives for the next few months. The Winter of 1955 was so severe that all drills took place in the MT sheds as there was 15 Inches of ice on the square.

After being suitably trained, we were sent to Liverpool for embarkation to the troop ship bound for Suez. I found out during this time that the alternative was Korea. Even now I debated which would have been the most horrible.

On arrival in Port Said we were faced with a train with blinds drawn 3 Brens on the top, a Sten Gunner at each Junction and a 1 Bar Frame on the engine (to cut any obstructions on the line).  

Egypt was a filthy place, relishing in such place names as “Sweet Water Canal”. It was said that if you fell in you were sure of a place in hospital. The Selection Officer decided that the QM tradesman Pioneers was where my Signwriting skills would be put to the test.

The QMs was run by RQMS Benny Oliver and later, by RQMS Bob Bulmer.  The  QM was George Flannigan, whose wife ran the “Cock of the North” pub on the North Rd at Durham. There were three other lads from our intake allocated to Tradesman Duties, “Flan” made it clear from the start that the army paid us for 24 hours a day. If that was what was required of us, so be it. The pioneers were the workhorses. The fact that the Rifle Companies had every afternoon off for sports & cleaning was of no consequence for us.

As an example of how he exercised this edict, on one occasion he informed us that we were to expect a pair of killer dogs to arrive on the Monday. It would require a secure pen to contain them including sleeping quarters. We started work at midday Friday mixing concrete by hand and cutting ¾ inch steel to make the cage.   We completed the task on first light on Monday. It was the first time I had ever seen someone fall asleep standing up only supported by a shovel.

If we drew regimental duties (night guards etc. ) we would be allowed two hours rest before resuming QM work. I realise now, that this was part of the plan – keep the lads working, not thinking.   We were so isolated that it was 6 months before we knew the first name of the G19 Sgt even though he was only 20 feet away from the QM shop.

Most of the lads making up the existing Pioneers were ex-Korean vets about to return to the UK and demob. They assumed, what I would call, a more sedate pace (I hate to call it Marching). I on the other hand coming out from the depot, MARCHED when out of the workshop – this to the amusement of the old hands and was greeted by “watch out here comes FLASH”. Sixty years later, anyone who knew me from those days still calls me by that name.

There was one advantage in working for the QM in that the CO, Lt Col ‘Crackers’ May was always visiting the workshop to find out what was going on. He nearly knew more about the work than the NCOs. He was not beyond carrying it on to stopping us around camp for a chat. This caused much animosity among the senior NCOs and Officers. ‘Crackers’ was always on the lookout for work that he thought the Pioneers would be able to handle, no matter if it had been in the middle of the Suez Canal.

Whilst Brigadier Jeffreys in his book praised the National Servicemen, the QM was of a different school when promotions were for regulars, and not NS even though most of them were time served tradesmen. Private Soldiers were not only doing the work but planning it as well . Two of them, who according to the Order of Battle, should have been full corporals were kept down.  We did however become 5 Star Privates having not only trade qualifications but ACE 2nd class as well.  They had no power to stop the extra pay, that this was a right.

For my part I qualified ACE 2nd Class with part of 1st Class Rifle, 1st Class Bren, Pass pistol & FN rifle, qualified (this was not officially recognised as a Privates were not likely to have a need. Plus the Army Trade pass. After all it was my ‘Civvy Street’ work. I later found that Bill Wright did not have the ACE 2nd Class, therefore would not have qualified, leaving me the only 5 Star Pte in the 1st Inf Div.

The pay increases 11/8d (eleven shillings & eight pence) LOA Plus trade was about £2.50 per week in total. This helped to supplement a trip to the MMG Club the Cinema or, if finances allowed, a pint of ice cool “Assis” and a hot (steak?) pie in the NAFFI.

The day before Pay Parade, (the Regulars were worst) everyone was down to the last “Ackers” and, while the total amount was less than a NAFFI break, the total would allow luxury for one. The problem was solved by holding a fly killing competition. Flies were plentiful, but so were the other things we discovered when we quit Fanara – black beetles  4 Inches long under the slabs. 

We had days out, to Ismalia for the Army Football Cup Final. The Bn won – played on grass – the first we had seen for over a year. We also had a trip to Cairo – to the Pyramids and the Chamber inside the Great Pyramid. We were treated to a visit to one of the plush Hotels in the City only to find that we were served Haversack Rations in the lowest-class rooms available.

During the annual vehicle inspection the MTO said we had to give the best impression. He was going to have all cars, lorries, etc., repainted. This would, therefore, require all the Div and Diff signs to be re-painted as well. As it was the middle of summer the work would have to be carried out in full sun. My hands quickly blistered, so I devised a ‘Heath Robinson’ “Marle Stick” from some old tent canvas and a length of old pallet shaped like a broom handle. The RSM saw this and thought it resembled a swagger stick, so, next morning, he had me on the corner of the square doing the drill. As the CO’s office, the band office, and numerous others were overlooking the square, they had a field day. They had a good laugh. I don’t know, even now, whether he was serious or joking. It was not beyond him.

Some months later “Basher” asked the RQMS why it was that, as the order of battle called for full trades to have Cpls, and we didn’t. The answer that was forthcoming was “do not rock the boat”. There is a postscript to this story. When Flan retired from the Army ex-RSM Thomasson took over as QM. One of the first questions he asked was with the civilian/army tradesman. He promised that if they took his offer, they would have the promotion in 3 months. As we had 3 months to do before demob, we turned down his offer.

During my service in the battalion I was engaged as battalion sign-writer under QM Geo Flannigan, RQMS Oliver and Bulmer, RSM Edwards & Lt Col PHM May MC. Some of the work I carried out included making a banner for the 1st Div. Anti-Tank Gun Shoot, approx. 8ft high and 30ft long (I was only used to working at 12-inch-high lettering. Although the Cpls mess structure was complete, the interior was 3 months from completion. 

The CO wanted the interior to resemble an old English pub, including panelled walls (it was noted in the “Sunday Sun”). Painting this was achieved by applying a slurry of paint and petrol. One night I drew ‘Night Guard’ after having had my hands in the mixture for 12 hours. When the guard was turned out at midnight – “Good Lord, the man has dirty fingernails. Put him on a charge”.

I was involved in designing and making three windows for the church. These windows were brought to St Gabriel’s Camp, Barnard Castle when the Bn came home.  They were lost for some 50 years but turned up in the DLI Collection and two of them are on display in Bishop Auckland Faith Museum.  I also played Table Tennis for the Battalion.

We left the Canal Zone with full honours band playing and the colours flying. The Canadians turned out the guard but we just wanted to be out of the sun. It was nearly midday, the sun was beating down and we were in Angola shirts, shorts, puttees and hose-tops, full FSMO. After a pause in Malta where the CO put a wreath on the DLI Monument to WW2 Casualties In the Desert, we were Homeward Bound.

We arrived back home in the UK and – guess what – the port of Liverpool was in the middle of a dock strike. All 450 tons of regimental luggage had to be offloaded by hand and I never heard anyone mention overtime rates.

Why have I written this you may ask? Well, it is over 50 years ago. I have just received the GSM Suez Medal from the Government and Windsor Aubrey’s article in the Regt Journal suggests that the RSM chased them if they did not hand out reasonable number of charges. I would, knowing the man, dispute this. Those same officers will remember, as I do ,with a certain amount of longing for a lost youth, and to see it in print may make them realise who had the greater injustice. At the bottom they have only to look at the most soldier of soldiers “Mr Smith” to recognise that, if deserving, give an army punishment, not some false charge.

On ‘Demob’ I thought this is the end. Not so – I met Captain (now Lt Col Arnott) in Durham in about 2001 when he enlisted me to join the DLI Association. I had thought it was only for Regular soldiers. ‘Rubbish’, said he. If the NS men did not join it would very soon not exist. As of 2020 I still work for the Regiment. My spreadsheet of men who served in the Regt is approx. 300,000 names – and I have been Sec of Chester le St, & Vice Chair of Durham City Branches.

On leaving the Army I returned to my previous job, but not for long. Fred Newby, who I had worked with at Dawson printers, was now at FORMICA and he encouraged me to apply for employment with him. On signing the company Secrets Act I commenced work there on 26th Sept 1956. The Department I worked for was called Special Artwork Dept and it came to fame when Queen Elizabeth II visited the USA for the inauguration of Dwight D Eisenhower as President. She took with her a tabletop designed and produced by us showing “D Day 6th June at H Hour’ when he was Supreme Commander.

I transferred to the Currency Division in 1970 where I remained until early retirement. I had, during my time with De la Rue (1956-1992), gained BIM Forman Cert & IWM Cert in Works Management (IWM Dip). I must be, now, the oldest ex-employee.

On retirement I had hoped to concentrate on a golfing and gardening. It was not to be, despite having a new knee.

The reader can be excused for wondering ‘Is this an army story and where are the duties? Who wants to read the mundane? Walking the wire, Piquet duties, Guards etc., and all those wonderful things that occupied our time from Dawn until Dusk – Not me! Hope you are of the same mindset.

ROLL ON DEMOB but remain forever FAITHFUL and Answer the Call (this is the DLI).

September 2020