 I arrived at R.A.F. Pershore in November 1949, having completing my basic training at West Kirby.I remember,as a new entry, watching a passing-out parade march by, & was impressed by the smartness & precision of the drill,especially the about turn,[done,of course to impress us newcomers,as we found out much later,when we passed out] The weeks passed like years,it seemed.One incident always sticks in my memory,on booking back in, after going off camp for the evening,it was back to the billet,off caps,on plimsoles,through the hedge,to the fish & chip van,[very secure perimeter[?] ]then into bed for a feast, not daring to put a light on, so the odd cold chip in the bed at Reveille!Other memories of dear old Pershore, the time the Corporal D.I.tried to make us buy bottles of white blancoe,& paint the timber ceiling cross-beams of our billet,that is,until the F/Sgt heard,& no doubt gave him a rollicking,out of our ear-shot. Then,just before passing-out,the camp was being closed down temporarily,due to contaminated water,Ihad just put my stripes up,& was standing by S.H.Q.,when a voice said "Corporal,is it right that we're all going home on a pass?" It took a few seconds to realise that he was he was talking to me,then I replied in my best "Snowdrop" voice,"That's correct, AIRMAN!" If there's anyone left alive out there, that remembers that period of time, let me know,the trouble is,55 years on,I'm nearly 72[still very much "with it"]but can't remember names of Training staff,D.I's etc., but it should jog someone's memories,I hope. Please respond,Iam a widower,& some memories,[good or bad]of those times, would be appreciated,signed, Maurice Cole[ex 2445109 A/Cpl Cole M.H. |
