The course had four tests. The first was on the airfield No one was allowed onto the public highway until they could control the Bedford safely. Part of the airfield had been made into practice roads, with roundabouts, junctions, crossings, hills and other hazards. Here and on the camp roads and airfield perimeter track, was where the initial driving was done. When the instructor thought you were okay, a different instructor would take you round for an assessment test, and when you had passed you could continue your instruction out on the highway.

There were lots of routes and many places to go. Sometimes out into the valleys or out on the coast roads, sometimes into Cardiff. A favourite stop for the instructors was on the sea front at Barry Island. It was winter so there was no crowds of holiday makers and there was always a row of RAF trucks parked up with the drivers and instructors drinking tea in a small tea shop that stopped open amongst the shutters.

Passing through Barry I often saw the rows of old rusting steam engines in Woodhams scrap yard, and wondered if any of my old friends from when I was a fireman on the railway, were up there rusting away. But I never got the chance to have a proper look.

The day came for my HGV test and disaster. I failed on clutch control due to the lorry bouncing up and down when at low speed. When I told my corporal instructor I said that it was because it was a different lorry and I hadn't driven it before. But he was having none of that and went absolutely bonkers. I passed on my second attempt. Now I said goodbye to the Bedfords and to my instructor, Corporal Jones.

I started with another instructor for the third test, which was on the Vanguards. It was a conversion course and the test was carried out by RAF personnel as it was an internal thing because passing the HGV gave you a car licence anyway.

I was doing all right. Apart from my goof on my first HGV test, I was among the best trainees, I'd even had the prestige job of driving the MT Officer home a few times. But that turned out to be a bit of a pain as I'd get to the barrack block about an hour after everybody else. The written test consisted of 50 questions, you had to get 60% to pass. When the results came through I had 98%, which meant that I had got one wrong out of 50. I was well pleased, top of the class.

I completed the RAF driving course at St Athan and my posting came through for RAF Uxbridge. I had enjoyed my time at St Athan but was eager to start my first proper posting. I had passed all my tests so I received my promotion from AC to Leading Air Craftsman and quickly but carefully sewed my two bladed propeller badges onto the sleeves of my uniforms.