The Lincolns (Frank Jennings 2nd Row Back, 3rd from right

I was called up in 1946 and sent to Palestine as part of the 2nd Btn of The Lincolns. As soon as I got there I was put in the MT Section (as they were under strength) as I could drive before being called up. We did railway patrols, road blocks and key places like police stations and oil depots. They used to blow the railways to pieces until eventually they ran no more. My friend, Pte Kenny was blown up within a month of being out – his name is on a plaque in Lincoln – also a Pte Caffery.

Pte Kenny’s funeral 1947

I remember having to chain our rifles to our beds after a raid on our armoury and you certainly could not stop to give a girl a lift because that would be the end of you, your truck and you rifle! The Arabs would steal your shovel off your mudguard (the difference!!)

I’m on the right – MT Section Lines Tel-A-Twinsky	Railway Patrols
Jewish convoy set upon by Arabs	Another vehicle blown up

After being there a year the battalion went home but some of us were sent to HQ 1st Inf. Div. until the last day of May 1948 when we drove across the Sinai desert to Suez to stay a month there.

We were then posted to Africa so didn’t come home until 1949. My demob number was 78 and I should have got a suit etc but I came home on the Empire Ken with the Malay veterans. It had picked us up at Malta so when we got back to York I was actually with 116 group so I didn’t get my suit as that privilege had finished with 78 group (which I should have been!).

784 died out in Palestine along with 119 British Palestine Police. Like in the Canal Zone, it was not a war – it was called Peace Keeping. About the same amount died in Korea but that was a war. And don’t forget – all for less than 20 pence a day – and I had no leave or time off for 2 years out there!