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Back in my unit in Cairo, I continued with the test staff for a few weeks. Then, with five years continuous service abroad, I was eligible for a home posting under the "Python' scheme.

Word got around that I was leaving. John Blackie was posted to Cyprus and he asked me to take his valuable home - he had brought out his gold watch and ring, his 21st birthday presents! I promised, if all went well, I would deliver them to his mother in Newtongrange.

 

Jimmy (right) with John Blackie at the workshops at Abbassia

 

Worse still, Jack Berwick asked me to deliver his kilt to the George Hotel in Edinburgh! I must have been off my bloody head!

From Cairo, we travelled by truck to Tel el Kebir, and remained there for six weeks or so, waiting for a convoy from India to come through Suez. We mustered in Port Said, December '44, and boarded P&O Mabodja. It was amazing to find that, after five years travelling all over the Middle East, Nicolson, Senter, Kerr were on the ship - along with 4,000 - 5,000 others!

The convoy zig-zagged through the Medi - very rough at times. I watched as we passed between Gib and North Africa, then through the Bay of Biscay, and into the Channel. At the western approaches, we were on standby - fully dressed for 2 days and nights. I should think we were a convoy of twenty ships plus naval protection. Again, it was very rough. As we headed north, ships gradually dispersed until six or seven of us entered the mouth of the Mersey. We sat there for three days waiting a berth, looking at the Liver building.

Al last we berthed and got the troop train at the docks - band playing, great reception - and headed off to Nottingham for the REME depot. We stayed there for three nights while all the paper work was done. We got our warrants and instructions, passes and tickets. I boarded the Edinburgh train, still with Kerr and Senter, and many more, and came home to Currie for one month's leave.

I got the last bus to leave St Andrews Square. It was black dark, and the bus was packed. I had my two kit bags. The house was in darkness. The family didn't know I was in the UK. I knocked the door and my father came down and let me in. They were so surprised - we had a cuppa, much talk, and I put off opening my kit until the morning.

I had brought a few little mementos - silver filigree jewellery, silk stockings, shell necklace, small embroidered hankies, and a bag of mixed nuts. When we began to shell the nuts, we found ants had got into them!

During my leave I took "the kilt" to the George Hotel, and was thanked profusely. I got on my motorbike - a 350cc Sports Rudge - and took the valuables to Newtongrange and handed them over to Blackie's sister. I later learned that he had married a Cypriot girl. I visited relations and spent time in town. I found it very cold, and wore my uniform and greatcoat all the time, and at the end of the month I reported to Laurieston Castle - the REME transit camp. We were in Nissen Huts and had to do the usual guard duty, fire patrols etc. It was deadly boring and time passed slowly. Some had been there since Narvik (1939). They had themselves organised making toys and gifts in wood - just a bloody racket! They had spent the whole war in comfort. They had hired a hall in Davidsons Mains to stack their supplies and made a goodly living. The powers that be had turned a blind eye for four years!

When I was drafted to Gourock, after a few weeks, I was glad to go - that would be about February '45. It was small camp at the "Tail O' the Bank" near the Clyde boom. We were required to maintain the guns on the fortifications on the Clyde - servicing, oiling and greasing the shore batteries. We could see the tugs opening the boom to let the convoys through and then pulling it closed. I saw the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth passing our camp loaded with troops. I was amazed at the height and size of them.

I got home about once a month. I caught the Largs bus just outside the camp. To beat the crowds in Glasgow at weekends, I got off at Govan Cross, and took the train from there to Buchanan St station and home to Edinburgh by train.

While at Gourock the C.O., Captain Nelson, came into the workshops looking for someone to go on a course at Bellahouston Park for three weeks. It was a rehabilitation course of sorts. Contrary to army wisdom, "never volunteer", I said I would go.

We lived in huge buildings that had been built for the Empire Exhibition in 1938. I really should not have been there for I knew it all! It was just elementary trades experience. I helped the Staff Sergeant. I made a little box there, with "secret dovetails". It was much admired; "Lovely mahogany", said the Sergeant to his pupils, showing it. It was teak! I still have it. I got a Q1 qualification. Captain Nelson was chuffed!

A month later, a notice came from GHQ. Would I attend a course at the College of Education at Curden Hall, near Preston? I would, so off I set with a warrant on the London train, got off at Preston and was met by a truck and taken to Curden Hall. I found that the others were all Senior NCOs. We studied technical subjects - no practical, all theory, also technical drawing and design. I found it very interesting and the month passed quickly. The war was now coming to a close, but truth to tell, I took little interest in events, nor did any of us. It was quite different to previous years abroad when the talk and rumour was a way of life. "Got any griff?", they used to say.

Back in Gourock, things went on as usual, then one day I was summoned for interview at the Scottish Education Corps. This was a large building at one end of Sauchiehall Street. It must have been in May'45 because VE day had come and gone. I was shown into an interview room and confronted by a Major of the old school. I had done well at the course at Curden Hall, and I was offered a job in the Education Corps. "You'll be immediately promoted to Staff Sergeant", he barked. "What d'you say?". I knew I would soon be due for demob and the though of staying in the Army one minute longer than was necessary was not on! "I wouldn't stay if I was offered that crown off your shoulder!", I answered. "Get out! Get out!", he raged. I saluted smartly and left.

Back in Gourock, I found Captain Nelson, and told him. I was sorry that I had let him down. He had arranged these courses for me and had been more than helpful. "You're quite right", he said, "I would have said the same. I expect to be demobbed before you!". "However", he continued, "you did well in these courses. What do you intend to do when you leave? Have you thought of teaching technical subjects? I almost went in for teaching myself. My father owns Nelson's Commercial College in Edinburgh!". I said that I had intended first to complete my courses at the Watt. "Well", he said, "if you're agreeable, I think you should try Moray House. I'll send for the appropriate forms and we'll get them filled in."

When the forms arrived, I went to his billet one evening and he helped me fill them in. He even posted them off. Shortly I was called to Moray House for an interview. I got leave and passes. There were quite a few on the interview panel. After the formalities and questions, they said, "Tell us about yourself". It was a sort of oral C.V. I suppose they wanted to hear if I could express myself in a grammatical way. What school? What night school? Why are you just a Private? I had to tell them that the "Corporal" was never war substantiated, so it was lost on return to base. Then I told all about, well nearly all about, the Major and his offer of a Staff Sergeant. They accepted my night school at the Watt and recommendation from Captain Nelson. (I later found that most of the other applicants had had an entrance exam).

I was just back to Gourock when Captain Nelson was demobbed and went back to his Insurance job. Before he left, he filled up my demob papers. I continued on after VJ day, and then at last I was sent for demob to the base depot - Laurieston Castle. I was there for 2-3 weeks. We were being sent in drafts up to Redford to get kitted out in civvi clothes. The suit was tried for fit, we got shirts, socks, shoes, underwear - the lot. I handed in my army uniform. Everything was checked in, even my cutlery, (I bought my army greatcoat for £1 and later had it dyed) and that was it!

 

 

I had paid leave - 20 days demob leave on full pay, plus one day for every month spent overseas. In total that was 78 days' pay. I got a Grant from the Education Department and entered Moray House for teacher training in January '46.

 

Thanks for reading - any comments welcome!

 

Epilogue (added August 2000)