4

Billets and Training

As the Commando was being formed, Royal Marines from different barracks volunteered for Commando training.

On 22 September 1943 a move order was issued for the Commando to take residence, being billeted in the Castle Douglas area of south-west Scotland. The men in 47 Royal Marine Commando were to move into billets in the following new locations with grid references according to an old 1inch to 1 Mile map:

Part of the Commando’s move order dated 22 September 1943:

47 (RM) Commando Move Order No. 1

1. 47 (RM) Commando will move into billets in new locations as follows:–

Cdo HQ

Castle Douglas 245833

A Tp

Kirkcudbright 168743

B Tp

Dalbeattie 320835

Q Tp

New Galloway 122996

X Tp

Kirkcudbright 171734

Y Tp

Gatehouse of Fleet 084786

HW Tp

Castle Douglas 253847

The method of the move was to be as follows:

2. Advance Party by road under the command of Maj. P. W. Cunningham.

Composition of the party: 1 Officer, 18 ORs, 4 vehicles and 2 motorcycles.

IO will detail from Commando HQ the same NCOs and ORs as have already been to new locations. Pay Sgt will not be included in advance party.

Rations; Haversack rations will be carried for the whole of 24 September. Administration Officer will arrange to supply tea in containers of 1 gallon for use of the advance party.

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Extract of the Castle Douglas area map Sheet 92.

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Map of Lympstone barracks.

3. Advance Party by rail under the command of Lt Colin Leigh.

Composition of the party: 6 Officers

Timing and Route:

 Dorchester

dep

1347

Hrs

28 September

 Waterloo

arr

1658

 Euston

dep

2125

 Carlisle

arr

0445

 

dep

0715

 Castle Douglas

arr

0901

Rations; Individual.

4. Main Body by road under the command of Capt. G. J. O’Connell.

Composition of main body: 3 officers, 42 ORs, 2 × 15 Cwts, 2 × 3 ton, 16 Jeeps and 2 motorcycles.

Officer in Command of Heavy Weapons Troop will detail 31 ranks to travel in Jeeps.

IO will detail 11 ORs to travel in remaining transport.

Signals Officer and IO will travel by MC.

Rations; Haversack Rations for the first day will be issued under arrangements to be made by Administration Officer who will also arrange for the issue of hot tea.

5. Main Body by rail under command of Capt. J. R. Feacey.

Composition of main body: 8 Officers, 315 ORs

6. Rear Party under command of Lt L. T. L. Tunnicliff.

Composition of rear party: 2 Officers, 4 ORs, Vehicles (1) 15 cwt, (1) 3 tonner

Route Staging and Timings will be issued later to Lt Tunnicliff.

Part of the administration instructions of September 1943:

47 (RM) Commando—Adm Instrs No. 2

To take effect from date of arrival in location Castle Douglas and area.

Stores:–

A certain proportion of Troop stores will be held by Troops since the layout of the unit is such that it will not be possible to draw from a central store daily. Routine for surveys etc. will be promulgated as soon as location of QM Stores is fixed.

Transport:–

Certain Transport will be allocated to troops for use in troop location. This Transport will still be the general responsibility of the Administration Officer incl all unit inspections, etc.

All remaining Transport will be kept in Castle Douglas.

Pet will be drawn from;

92 LAA Regt in Castle Douglas

92 LAA Regt in Dalbeattie

Army Unit in Kirkcudbright

Whichever is most convenient.

Leave:–

Application for leave by officers will be made to Commando HQ in all cases. Section Cdrs applications will be initialled by Tp Cdrs. Officers leave and disposal book will be kept as at present. Officers are responsible for informing Commando HQ of entries to be made.

Troops will render leave lists where applicable to Commando HQ which will be responsible for issue of relevant passes, warrants, etc. Troops will be responsible for keeping record of ORs addresses on leave.

Requests for extensions of leave will ALWAYS be submitted to Commando HQ which will take action as requisite.

Discipline:–

All Tp Cdrs will have powers of Det Comd in accordance with KRA & RAR. These powers are the same as those of a CO of a unit, as modified by KRA & RAR.

The following summary punishments may be inflicted on Marines, by Tp Cdrs, subject to the right of election, prior to award, to be tried by FGCM;

Detention not exceeding seven days.

For drunkenness only, a fine not exceeding 40 shillings.

Any deduction from ordinary pay allowed to be made by a CO under AA S.138 or in the case of a Mne who by neglect or culpable mismanagement loses or damages any articles of his personal equipment, arms, appointments, clothing and necessaries, the amount to be recovered will be governed by RMOM 39 dated 2 July 1943.

Field Punishment not exceeding 28 days.

Punishments in this category will not be awarded without prior approval of CO.

Forfeiture of all ordinary pay under AA S.46 for a period beginning on the day of the award and not exceeding 28 days.

Punishments in this category will not exceed forfeiture of more than 7 days pay without prior approval of CO.

The following summary punishments may be awarded, the mne having no right to elect to be tried by FGCM;

Confinement to Barracks not exceeding 14 days.

Extra Guards or Picquets.

Admonition.

As CB punishment will not be enforceable in billets, punishments by forfeiture of pay under AA S.46 are permissible.

As a rough guide forfeiture of pay will be awarded on the basis that the forfeiture of a days pay is equivalent to the granting of a days CB punishment.

NAAFI:–

Cigarettes and Chocolate Ration Cards will be issued weekly to rank and file in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie. Ranks in Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse and New Galloway must make own arrangements either troop or individual.

No special advance of pay will be made to cover such arrangements.

Medical:–

MI Room is at present in Cottage Hospital.

MO will attach to each Fighting Troop one Medical Orderly and will promulgate to all concerned routine for dealing with cases beyond their capabilities.

Bank:–

Lloyds Agents in Scotland are National Bank of Scotland Ltd.

Billeting:–

Billets will be paid for in advance. ORs billets should be between 25/- and 30/- per week. Officers will make own arrangements but figure should not exceed £3 per week. Hotels are fixed at £3.17. 0. and £4.10. 0. per week.

Pro formas for receipts will be issued by Commando HQ prior to move. These receipts signed by the Landladies will be handed into Tp Offices by 0900 hrs on Mondays and checked against billet register. If lodging and feeding are separate a weekly rate will be paid and not each separate meal. Lodging 3/6, feeding 22/6—25/-.

Pay:–

Pay Sgt will visit Troop Offices once per week to square up any outstanding pay matters. This will be between 1600 and 1900 hrs. Detail of times will be published in orders. Flat rate will be paid weekly unless Pay Sgt is advised at weekly visit. Imprest Holder will make milk round with cash. As billets are to be paid for in advance it may be possible to get subsistence allowence paid in advance.

Troop Paying Officers will return to Commando HQ between 1000 and 1100 hrs on Sundays all ARs and Surplus Cash and same will be squared and agreed before they leave.

Notes on Billets

1. Billets usually will be good. Men not satisfied can change after notice given.

2. Landladies in new area all been given following infm:–

(a) Weekly rate 25/- to 30/- per week. 25/- not much; she must ask for more if necessary.

(b) Weekly ration card with double meat ration will be brought by all ranks. Cards will be promptly delivered.

(c) Laundry is man’s own responsibility. In some cases landladies will do laundry.

(d) Billets will be paid for in adv on Sats or Mons and a receipt given to be handed in to Tp office by men.

(e) Any complaints should be reported to an officer at once. Most landladies reckon to have none.

3. Prejudice in the area against excessive drinking; in some cases men were required to be teetotal; in all cases drunkenness is regarded as a crime.

4. Behaviour in houses is very important. First impressions are all important. Men should treat all the women folk with politeness and courtesy; offer to help with washing up, peeling potatoes, scrubbing out on Fridays, digging in the garden etc. etc. Furniture and furnishings are in many cases excellent and great care must be taken by men. Remember always that these are peoples homes and NOT hotels or boarding houses or hostels or worse.

5. Get in to meals on time if possible or if not warn out. As much notice as possible for haversack rations.

6. Where ranks sleep in one house and feed in another each landlady will be paid on a weekly basis. NO paying only for meals that cannot be scrounged from friends in the town.

7. There will be a lot of cases where ranks will be sleeping two in a double bed. Should be no difficulty but men should be infm now.

8. Tp Cdrs to see billets are allocated to best advantage. In one case two erstwhile ‘birds’ sent to local Manse.

9. 75% of landladies consider 2300 hrs late enough for men to come home; this must be mutually arranged.

10. All complaints, unfounded and otherwise, will be listed by Troops and reported from time to time to CO. All complaints resulting in a charge will be remanded automatically for CO’s disposal. Get an officer to the landlady to appease her wrath as quickly as possible; but no need to make fetish of appeasement.

11. A troop officer will visit all billets after 14 days and again after one month.

12. All changes of billets will be reported to Troop offices by individuals and to Commando HQ by Troops.

Notes on Training at Commando Depot, Achnacarry

Length of Course:–

Course is being reduced to 18 working days. No tactics will be included in the syllabus. To enable the course to be shortened, Commandos will carry out the following endurance tests on arrival;

5 miles in 1 hr

7 miles in 1 hr

10 miles in 1 hr 40 min

15 miles in 2 hrs 50 min

Leadership:–

This quality, above all others, is required.

Kit:–

Men must be fully kitted up. Two good prs of boots.

ACHNACARRY is not the place to break boots in.

Little outstanding laundry.

Adequate pairs of serviceable socks.

Physical Fitness:–

The course starts very abruptly. For example, the following were included in first day’s programme;

Cliff climbing.

4 mile run and walk in 40 mins.

Log PT (Physical Training).

Paddling folding boats.

Assault course.

All movement is done at the double.

Speed march and assault course on alternate days.

Weather:–

It rains every day and all day. Ground is wet and boggy.

All ranks must be prepared to get wet through and covered with mud from head to foot daily.

Dress:–

Drill parade; FSMO less A/G Equipment, Steel Helmet and haversack. Cap comforters to be worn.

Range, speed marching, Schemes, Fieldcraft and Unarmed combat; FSMO less respirator AG.

PT; Denim trousers, jerseys, boots. PT clothing underneath.

Climbing; Denims, cap comforters, service boots.

Note;

1. Officers dressed like the men, and carry the same loads and equipment as ORs.

2. Denims always unless otherwise ordered.

3. Capes A/G on all outdoor parades, except drill and PT. (carried in haversack).

4. Arrangements being made for issue of two suits of denims.

image

Men of 47 RM Commando at Achnacarry.

Care of Arms:–

Cleanliness of weapons stressed.

Weapon Training:–

Range practices all weapons.

Firing from hip: rifle, bren, TSMG —practice on 30 yard range.

Rifle:–

Holding, Aiming & Firing. Firing from low cover. Aiming off the target. Other posns. Firing at moving targets.

Application of fire:–

Recognition of targets. Searching ground and locating service targets. Unit of measure. Judging Distance. Brief anticipatory, fire orders for individuals.

Bren:–

Holding, Aiming, Firing. Mechanism. Stripping. IA. Stoppages. Use of cover. Handling—tripod.

Fixed lines. Section Handling (Movement). Section Handling (Defence)

Grenades:–

No 36. Dischargers. No 68. No 69 & 77. No 75 & 1¼ lb incendiary.

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Royal Marines on board a Landing Craft Assault to practice beach landings. (Press release photo)

Anti Tank Rifle:–

Aiming and Firing. TOET.

2-inch mortar:–

Handling, Smoke. TOET.

TSMG:–

Holding and firing, stripping.

Pistol.

Snipers Rifle.

Sten.

Fieldcraft (MT Pamphlet No. 33 and Handbook of Fieldcraft and Battle Drill).

Day:–

Individual and Section Stalks. Patrols. Wood clearing. Village clearing.

Night:–

Individual Stalk. Patrols. ‘Me and My Pal’ Assault Course.

Bivouacking and Cooking in the Field:–

Construction of camp fires. Methods of dealing with Mess tin ration.

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Royal Marines LCA beach assault training. (Press release photo)

Street and Village Fighting:–

Handbook of Fieldcraft and Battle Drill. Secs 37, 38, 49 & 57.

Assault Courses:–

No. 1 Course (Obstacle Course); Physical fitness & fieldcraft.

No. 2 Course (Bullet & Bayonet); Hip firing and assaults with bayonet over obstacles.

No. 3 Course; Crossing a river by toggle bridge and single rope (‘The Death Ride’). How to make a toggle bridge.

Cliff Climbing.

Field Firing: Officers will read SAT Vol. 1 para. 1, p. 39.

Map Reading: Included in syllabus.

Mne Ted ‘Ben’ Battley, B-Troop:

Christmas Eve 1943. The Commando were practising a night landing at Studland Bay. Or was it Freshwater Bay? Wherever, it was a steep, stony beach on a pitch-black, freezing night. A motley collection of craft were being used including R N lifeboats and the ubiquitous Dory—her with her nose in the air. To jump off her bow meant going into freefall.

The drill on B-Troop’s Dory was that the Bren team, Roy Emsley and myself, hop off first, tear up the beach to the high ground and give covering fire to the hoi polloi behind. Simple. Like blind men wearing sun-glasses we are perched on the bows. Suddenly the boat grinds on the bottom and almost stops. We both take a flying leap and sink out of our depth into eight foot of turbulent water. I force my way forward, find my footing and lope like a half-drowned hare up the beach until I realise that I’m alone. Turning back to look for Roy, I find him emerging from the sea minus the Bren gun. The boat had hit a reef and then over-ridden it and in the process had hit Roy in the back making him drop the weapon.—Despair! Never mind, it’s Christmas tomorrow and we might get a beer and a fag before the Court Martial.

In the morning, half a dozen volunteers and we two ‘irresponsibles’ formed a swimming party to search for the missing gun with orders not to come back without it. It took half an hour floundering about in freezing conditions before the final successful dive. I was so cold, I couldn’t bear walking on the pebbled beach. I literally crawled back to the transport.

After drying off and getting dressed, our spirits were given a huge boost by being invited to that Holy of Holies, the Officers’ Mess where, plied with tots of whisky, our Christmas celebrations began. It is no wonder, then, that every Christmas since I have declined to take water with my tot.

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Night time beach assault training for commandos. (Press release photo)

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Royal Marines beach assault practice.

Cpl Ernie ‘Taffy’ Staphnill, A-Troop:

Early in 1944 I was called up for army service, and my medical examination took place at the Blue Gates Hotel, Smethwick. Then a Rail warrant was issued for me to report to Carlisle Castle for military training. I did 6 weeks infantry training with the 52 Lowland Division Royal Engineers and then joined the regiment on the Racecourse at Ayr, Scotland. There I learnt to drive various military vehicles as a Military Transport driver. We did all sorts of mountain driving training, including having your legs strapped to your seat so you could not use your pedals and then guiding your vehicle down into a gully. We then had to get out of the vehicle and attach the winch to a tree at the top of the gully, and take the cable back down again and fasten it to the vehicle to haul ourselves back up again. We would also practice convoy work or perhaps map reading. After that we had to drive American trucks from Glasgow docks to Edinburgh for shipping to Europe. On completion of our training we were sent down just outside Southampton and put into pens for a couple of days. We were all put on parade by the RSM who said he wanted ‘volunteers’ for the Far East. He came along the row and tapped those he had selected to take one pace forward and turn to the right, and then marched us off telling us at the same time we were being kitted out with tropical gear. Instead we were marched down to the docks and put aboard a ship below deck. He told us then that he had done that for security reasons.

Cpl Bill Marshall, Y-Troop (later Sgt):

Next day all Marines on parade, then an officer came up to me and said ‘Sorry, we have run out of Sgts so it’s me, you and Y-Troop. Get in there and pick out seven Marines’. The next two years we stayed together as 47 Royal Marine Commando.

Mne Fred Wildman, Heavy Weapons:

Then, in August 1943, we arrived at a large barracks in Dorchester and after some reorganizing, we changed from an 800 strong Battalion to a 400 strong Commando and I became a member of Heavy Weapon troop, ‘47 Royal Marine Commando’.

From then on, our lives became a lot more interesting and somewhat exhausting in a build-up to a passing-out course at Achnacarry in Scotland in order to achieve the right to wear a Green Commando Beret. Travelling by train, we arrived at Achnacarry in mid-December 1943 and here we became aware just what was in store for us by having to jump out of the train on the wrong side directly onto tracks below and then having quite a long march to the camp. It then dawned on us that we were going to spend Christmas that year in tents. Not what you would normally choose to do in the Highlands of Scotland at this time of year. We were soon to learn that nothing we did on that course was what normal people choose to do, but we arrived at last at our billets in Castle Douglas as fit as lions and proudly wearing our Green Berets. What made it even more pleasant was arriving back on New Year’s Eve, so we had plenty to celebrate. As the months went by in 1944 we had much to keep us busy, including in my case, going on a cliff climbing course which involved much landing from small boats onto rocks at the foot of cliffs and getting our mortars and machine guns to the top. Not the easiest of tasks, but we became proficient experts after a while. Again, as the months passed by, we were made to spend more and more time doing boat landings on different parts of Britain’s shores. Then, at the end of May, when we were based at Herne Bay in Kent, we were ordered to parade in full kit on the sea-front road. Under no circumstances were we allowed to speculate on our destination. It began to look as though something very serious was in the wind.

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Men of 47 RM Commando on parade in Scotland.

Sgt Albert Thompson, Q-Troop:

From here we started a tour of the British Isles never staying long in one place, six weeks was about the longest.

That was six weeks in St Ives, as far as I was concerned this was six weeks holiday although we had to do rock climbing and landing on the rock from assault boats then climbing the cliffs, the weather was marvellous at the time. We must have climbed practically all the cliffs round Cornwall.

They had started this climbing school in St Ives and the man in charge of it had been on one of the expeditions to Everest his name was Smythe I think.

We were staying in people’s houses now no barracks, they would send men round the houses asking if they could take in one or two men for as long as we were in the area.

The commando would arrive at a place they would tell you the house you were going to stay at, you would turn up there with all your kit and side arms give the lady your ration cards she would show you where you were going to sleep and that was it.

You left after breakfast paraded in the street or the local square, had a roll call to see if everyone had made it then got on with whatever you were there for. You went back to the house at night for your main meal.

They gave us Cornish pasties they were that big they hung over the edges of a dining plate. When you had done a day’s climbing and got one of these inside you all you wanted to do was sleep, we must have climbed every cliff and rock face in Cornwall lots by day and night, but there was one night where we nearly lost half the troop.

The West coast of Cornwall is well known for its large sea swell it comes in off the Atlantic, and even when it is calm it can rise up and down the rocks eight to ten feet. It threw me off a boat one day, as the bow of the boat touched the rocks everybody had to run down the side decks and jump.

While at Exton I got picked out to represent the company at boxing, bad habit of mine being picked out. They made a big night of it everybody there all shouting for their own company boxers, our team managed to win the cup that was presented to the winning team.

CSgt Fred Batt, HQ-Troop:

The morning of May 25 was the much expected day when the Commando moved away from its billets in Herne Bay and into the assembly area at Southampton. I saw the troops away in the morning and moved down by road later in the day.

The camp in which we were put was canvas entirely, though all American type, and feeding and all worries were taken by static troops who manned the camp. We were not allowed outside the camp limits which were clearly defined by barbed wire and policed.

Accordingly all amusement was provided in the camp, an own cinema, a NAAFI, a games tent and a library. The weather was brilliant and for eight days we had a very pleasant holiday being waited on hand and foot and only stunning when absolutely necessary. On Monday 29 May, the camp PT Instructor organised a Sports Day and 47 Royal Marine Commando walked off with all the prizes except two won by an American. The talk of the camp was on every subject except that which we knew was to come within a very few days.

On Friday 2nd June we were moved in Troop Carrying Vehicles through the town to the docks and after a cup of tea on the jetty we got in to our billets on the Princess Josephine Charlotte.

We moved out to an anchorage the same evening and for a couple of days speculation on to our exact destination was rife. Personally I had no need to speculate as I had been briefed some three weeks before.

Then came the great time, after four years of training and exercises, the time when we heard the cable coming inboard and everyone knew that we were bound for enemy occupied territory.

Simultaneously the IO gave the order for false maps to be withdrawn and true maps issued. Speculation was at an end. Right down to the last newly joined recruit, the Troops knew exactly where they were going, how they were to move when they got there, and the ultimate objective in France.

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CSgt. F. C. J. Batt EX4328, HQ-Troop.

Mne John Wetjen, Q-Troop:

Such time as at Achnacarry (Commando Training Depot) at Spean Bridge near Fort William in December, 1943, under canvas. The assault course—hanging upside down a few feet above a Rocky stream, some clot had put his foot on the guide line to the swinging rope used to cross the small ravine. I had reached halfway across when I came to an abrupt halt—should I jump and risk landing on the further bank, or should I hang on risking the wrath of the Sgt? I jumped and was never going to make it. As I fell, by a miracle, the guide rope looped around my ankle, leaving me suspended face down, able to admire the rock formations and the pretty patterns of the swirling water around those very sharp rocks. The Sgt was not amused and the nearest I got to sympathy was ‘Wetjen, what the hell are you doing, you’re holding up the whole section, hanging about there’. (Such times—as at Towyn, Wales—it seemed the steepest and rockiest place for training exercises. As Number Two on the 2-inch mortar, I had to carry the containers of Mortar Bombs, smoke or high explosive, plus, of course, my rifle. Number One carried the Mortar and had to fire off bombs at the behest of the CO who, in his wisdom, always waited until we had climbed over several miles of Rocky cliffs before selecting a target.)

I soon twigged that it was better to persuade my Number One to fire off one or two extra smoke or High Explosive Bombs at the First few targets as this would enable us to keep up with the rest of the section, who only had rifles to carry, except for the lads with Bren Guns. However, on one occasion, the CO went on and on, insisting that there were enemy targets hidden at the top of every hill—each one higher and steeper than the one before—and we ran out of Mortar Bombs, while other sections were still merrily firing away at imaginary Jerries. I don’t recall what punishment was meted out, but it must have been something pretty physical—knowing our CO Capt. Feacey (later Maj.). I wonder what became of my Number One Danny Morgan, who played football for Bristol much better than he fired his bloody mortar.

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Mne. J. B. Wetjen PO/X119263, Q-Troop.

Cpl Chuck Harris, HQ-Troop (later CQMS):

At my camp, Slater was in charge of Security/Policing etc., I did not get on with him. Old mate Les Smith from Hampshire was also there. Convalescence had to end. My training had to continue. So I volunteered to go up to Achnacarry.

So for my 21st Birthday I went to Spean Bridge and walked the 7–8 miles up to Camp at Achnacarry, which were in the Grounds of the Castle owned by Cameron of Lochkeil. Stan Bissle was my instructor at that time (his earlier training had been in the Metropolitan Police). Col. (Charlie) Vaughn was in charge of Training. We were supplied with Denim overalls.

Mid January 1944 Col. Charlie Vaughn issued me with my Green Beret and my combined Ops Badge from the 4th SS Brigade (Special Services). I then went down from Scotland to North Wales—A. O. C. Wrexham, Welsh Fusiliers Barracks. It was here that I got two of my stripes back and made Cpl.

While in Wrexham, I visited Joan and her relations in Liverpool. Next posting was down to Petworth in Sussex. Eighty Royal Marines including myself, travelled by Train. At Petworth we transferred to different units, I was used as acting Unit Provost (Police), generally to do with discipline and carrying out instructions. Bored with this after a few months, asked for a transfer.

Only way transfer could happen was to take stripes off and in May 1944 ended up at Herne Bay to join 47 commando, reporting to Col. Phillips.

Cpl George Amos, A-Troop:

I first met Capt. Cousins when I was chosen to fill a vacancy in A-Troop of 47 RM Commando as a junior NCO. My first impression of him was that he was young, athletic and self-assured. I was allocated to No. 1 section with Sgt Fletcher and Cpl Simpson. Capt. Cousins, though only 22 years old, was an experienced officer.

Thinking back, various incidents come to mind. In Kirkcudbright, for instance, our morning parades were often the target of a local police sergeant regarding poaching. Capt. Cousins would castigate Simpson and Packer to the delight of the police sergeant but it was cosmetic, poaching was rife. Before we left for Herne Bay we had to destroy explosives and, unfortunately, an ill-timed explosion brought down some telephone wires. We didn’t stop to investigate but were told to make ourselves scarce!

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