BRINGING BACK THE MEMORIES
As Remembered By Bernard Mills
Two items in the February 2021 edition brought back memories:
Malcolm’s reference to guarding Monty. I was at GHQ when the 'little man' visited on his way to unveiling the Memorial at Alamein, that would have been in October 1954.
It was decided that all we ‘erks’ should march past the little man, some 400 plus bodies. Unfortunately there was no band in the Zone, they had all gone to Alamein. Some bright specimen decided to use two gramophones, one at the start of the parade, the other at the saluting base, supposedly playing the same record. By the time we got to the base we had lost the ‘beat’ from the first and picking up the second we were all on the wrong foot, so a shambolic changing of step as "eyes right" we shambled past, he must have been most impressed!
The second is about the Life Guards from Les Walklin. I worked in an Office
in GHQ that dealt with the trials of "new vehicles and equipment in the
Middle East". One such vehicle was the Daimler Ferret Scout Car. Early
one morning the telephone rang, I answered, "lieutenant so-and-so here,
Life Guards, on of our Ferrets will not start, no oil pressure".
"Well known problem, Sir" I replied. "Modification kit numbered
so-and-so, obtainable from REME Workshops, and your mechanics can fit, or
REME will do it for you".
"Oh, thanks very much for that. Now on who’s authority do I make
the order?"
"On your authority, Sir" I replied.
"No, No, No, I cannot do that, I need your authority to do that, to whom
am I speaking?"
"Corporal Mills, Sir"
Explosion on the other end. "I do not take instructions from a Corporal!
Get your superior officer to ‘phone me as soon as possible".
G2 arrives in office (a first class Major in the RA) so tale related – stay there Bernard – whilst I make that call. A true delight to hear that very polite "putting in his place" – now put me through to your "superior officer".
I enjoyed my time in GHQ, three first class officers, seven other ranks,
all working to make life very bearable. I ended my days there as Chief Clerk,
three months in a Sergeants Mess, very, very close to being heavenly!