Sleeping in bell tents at Halton-
The other occasion was the arrival of a new entry of apprentices at Halton – must have been 43rd or 44th.
I am not sure whether we were moved for logistical reasons, or to avoid contamination!!
The Saga of Guard Duties
Mine must have been the longest stint of guard duties of any member of the 41st. That is, barring remustering to the RAF Regiment.
The start was Anti-Sab. At Halton. Then a long spell while at RETREAT transit camp in South Africa.
My “C.V” for dispersal touched on guarding deserters while there.
Perhaps a little “meat” to the subject will not be amiss.
Dick Baum and Bill Sander were, I believe fellow sufferers.
The jail guarding was overseen by Army N.C.O.s, most of whom were ex-deserters who had become TRUSTIES and been given three stripes.
We were not given any arms of any kind, the only means of preventing escape was a Rugby tackle.  This was used on one occasion at least (not by an ex-brat), the RAF bod concerned added a good thumping into the bargain.
One of the “highlights” of the duties was to go to the V.D. ward at the nearby hospital to guard deserters who were inmates there!!
For this duty we wore Naval Police arm bands. This was at our own request, so that we could use the canteen etc. at the hospital.
(RAF TRADEMEN, NAVAL POLICE ARMBANDS & ARMY DESERTERS – sounds like a subject for a Comic Opera).
One client whom I well remember was a Geordie Squaddie – who was built like the proverbial brick Bog!!
He was allowed to go to a hatch at the rear of the canteen, or whatever, to get fags etc. When he wished to go there, he would pick me up by the scruff, with one hand, and carry me with him.
Not much chance of stopping him doing a runner!!
Luckily he gave his word that he would not escape until professional “Red-Caps” were guarding him.
During the night watches he used to tell his guards to kip, and he would wake you when it was time to change shifts.
We learned that he did, in fact, do a “runner” as soon as the Red-Caps arrived- and they had revolvers!!
Eventually after about ten to twelve weeks enough of R.N.D.S WINGFIELD was ready for us.
Aircraft at last we thought!!
A very few days were spent around the aircraft. The highlight was to ground run a Fairey Albercore!
It was only a very few days before a batch of us were assigned to permanent watch keeping duties (GUARD DUTIES TO the pure R.A.F. Types).
So, having been posted to F.A.A. from Cranwell on May 12th 1942 work on aircraft, apart from a few days in the Magneto Bay at Cranwell and one engine ground run, had been nil.
This watch keeping lark lasted for months.  While doing it I sat a written trade test board, the result being that one went from A.C.2 to L.A.C on 1st December ’42. So the F.A.A. had some uses.
Shortly after this I was caught reading a book on one sunny afternoon, while supposedly guarding an outlying ‘Pyro’ store. For this I got ten days Number Elevens, plus the doubtful horror of being made permanent Main Gate sentry.
One of the perks of the watch keeping was what was known as Seven Bell Leave – this meant that you could go “ashore” from 11.00AM one day until 11.00AM the next, this was (I think) every four days.  This allowed one to bait the snoops in Capetown, by making sure that they did see you, and then flashing your Pay Book, with “Under Naval Discipline” stamped on it. T Trouble is, they soon got to know us.
I am not sure exactly when relief from these duties came nearly March ’43 I should think.
When some marines arrived on the station, it was suggested to the Navy Brass, that they might relieve us.  Only to be told that these were “TRADESMEN” (they were MT. BODS.) As you can imagine we were not amused.
Eventually relief came, but not before the Marine Sgt in charge used the RAF chaps to demonstrate rifle drill to his new marines!
Anyone who reads this will realise that there was not much danger attached –
On reflection tho there was more risk in being the Snag in charge of 12-2, with the Armourers and their Aunties.
Sorry if this is long winded.
By the way – talking of longevity – how does an overseas tour from May 1942 until Feb. 1948 grab you??