Tom Rees.(22589834). Squad 254-Inkerman Barracks.
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A brief account of my National Service.

My call-up number was 51/18. I.e., September 1951. I was 18 years and 2 months old.

My stated preference was:-

Ist RAF...2nd RN. I had been a Sea Scout and two of my uncles had served in the TN...3rd The Royal Engineers (On leaving school Torquay Grammar, I joined a local building contractor as Quantity Surveyor's Assistant and hoped to continue my surveying training in the Engineers).

Like so many others my choices were ignored, and I was instructed to join an infantry Co at Plumer Barracks, Plymouth.

After recovering from the initial shock, the shouting and dreadful food, I found that I could apply to join the Royal Military Police. (My grandfather had been a policeman), so I applied and was duly posted. (I could have applied for a WASBY but decided not to as I had no intention of making a career in the Army).

I arrived at Woking station and was met by two very smart 'Red Caps'. They bundled me into the back of their 15cwt truck and deposited me, filled with apprehension at the guardroom Inkerman Barracks. Thus began my Police training.

At that time I was quite fit and found no difficulty with the rigorus training and drills. I quite enjoyed my time at Inkerman but I was keen to make the best of my two years and get a posting overseas.

My friend Gerry Bennet and I volunteered to go to Kenya and train as dog handlers (we never learn not to volunteer in the Army do we?)

We were posted to the Canal Zone to join 3rd Div. HQ, Ismailia. The remainder of 254 squad I think went to Germany or Austria).

As there were only three or four for Egypt, we were sent via the 'Medlock Route', Harwich to the Hook of Holland, then by train to Trieste. There we boarded a troop ship and sailed for Port Said.

Once on board we were put in charge of an army prisoner. He had been confined in a cell deep in the hold of the ship. We didn't like the idea of spending time with him in the cells so we used to take him on deck and even to the pictures when there was a film showing.

On arrival in Port Said we were pleased to hand him over, and we continued our journey by 15cwt truck to 3rd Div. HQ., a tented encampment in the desert outside Ismailia.

It was a time of troubles. King Farouk had abdicated and a British presence was not welcome. Our jeeps had metal bars mounted in front to prevent decapitation. The locals used to string piano wire across the roads. (Not very nice). Our duties comprised general policing, point, and escorting.

During my twelve months at H.Q. we were sent on exercises into the desert. The whole of H.Q went down to Saudi Arabia. Whilst in the area Gerry, myself and two others were given permission to visit the famous St. Catherine's Monastery. We set off by jeep across the desert with our map, compass and American Iron Rations, sleeping under the stars at night. (It was here that I experienced total SILENCE when the engine was switched off at night. The silence was truly deafening-not a sound-quite eerie).

We didn't reach the Monastery, before we got there we had a puncture and decided it was unwise to continue, so we returned and rejoined the unit. NOTE:Some fifty years later I went on a cruise with my wife and we did visit St. Catherine's Monastery.

Sometime after returning to Ismailia I was posted to El Ballah, and served my remaining time there. We patrolled the Canal Road and carried out escort duties, sometimes escorting Brigadier Heber-Percy in his Humber staff car.

Whilst on patrol one day, we saw a soldier jump from a passing troop ship and swim ashore. He was a Welshman escaping from the French Foreign Legion. He gave himself up to me. I had to hand him over to the authorities......I never knew what became of him.

During my time in the Canal Zone I did get ten days leave. I went to the Golden Sands Camp in Cyprus, a welcome break from the desert.

Back in Egypt, time passed and we counted the remaining days to 'Demob'. We were flown home in a York aircraft stopping briefly to refuel in Malta.

We reported to the 'Deep Shelters' in London and eventually released from the Army though we had to spend a further three years in the T.A as reserves. I was posted to the Royal Signals, and well remember the cold wet nights during annual camp on Salisbury Plain.

Thus ends my military service.

My close friends were Gerry Bennet. (Together in training and in Egypt.) Pete Waller during training and Derek Jent during training.

Tom R. Rees,
Bath. UK.