3rd Btn GRENADIER GUARDS 1951-54
As Remembered By Brian Paradise
From Captain to Despatch Rider
We were at Deversoir Camp, Canal Road and I was given the job of looking after the Wash-up Point which consisted of a wood fired boiler and a concrete pad with three tables and three small baths – one on each table – so that all personnel could clean their plates and utensils.
The film being shown that week was ‘The African Queen’ with Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn. One of our Guardsmen happen to comment that the African Queen closely resembled our wash-up point so I came up with the idea of making it so with the help of a piece of wood with ‘African Queen’ burnt onto it.
The Duty Officer along with the RSM, Rob Butler, on his rounds of daily inspection came my way. I saluted the officer saying “African Queen ready for inspection Sir, Captain Paradise in charge” You could see flames coming out of the RSM’s head as the Officer turned to me and said this is the wash-up point and you are not a commissioned officer. I repeated this on many occasions and always got the same punishment so in the end the RSM used to steer the Duty Officer around me.
My Company Sergeant Major was exhausted with me – “what
am I going to do with you? I have given you all the good jobs, sent you on
road blocks, tried to keep you out of trouble, just tell me what you want
to do!” My reply was “Despatch Rider, Sir” So CSM, Bill
Nash instructed me to get my things and moved me into HQ Company with instructions
to report to Sgt Trapmoor. From that day onwards I was never in trouble again.