JERSEY to FAREHAM
to REME
Contributed by Douglas R Dick
MOSELEY
I started my army service as a boy on 28th of October 1938 and my
first posting was to the Army Apprentice School
based on Jersey in the Channel Islands. I
was to undergo training as a Vehicle Mechanic under the tutelage of the Royal
Army Service Corps.
During my time there war had been declared and Germany was
to invade the island in 1940. We had already been evacuated to the mainland
and on my return to the UK
I was posted to Fareham
in Hampshire to continue my training. This was quite an advantage as my home
was in Portsmouth
and allowed me to go home every night, often travelling through air raids.
After completing my apprenticeship and passing out as a Vehicle
Mechanic, I was accepted as a man soldier but continued at Fareham until 1942 when I was then posted overseas.
I started my service with the Royal Army Service Corps but in
1952 was transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
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A VEHICLE MECHANICS RECOLLECTION
1944. Pre L.A.D. R.E.M.E.
Contributed by Douglas R Dick
MOSELEY
After landing at Arromanches in France
immediately after D Day+1, my unit proceeded to our allotted map reference
with all company vehicles of 3 ton Dennis
Diesels and 3 ton Bedfords. All diesels were governed at 30 m.p.h.
unlike today. Trucks included the
two workshops and 'Flossie,' a Thornycroft
breakdown truck of World War 1 vintage.
One Bedford contained stores and
the other Bedford
contained a lathe and miscellaneous and necessary items such as workshop
equipment etc.
The company's role was to transport personnel, rations etc. to
forward positions. When mobile and in convoy the Workshop vehicles travelled
in the rear.
One of the drivers complained that his diesel had a rattling
noise in his engine as the truck was urgently required on convoy duties the
next day. On checking I maintained that a piston was broken.
When no volunteers to repair it came forward I took the repair on
myself as all the Workshop personnel were conscripts
except me, and we were fatigued from the day's duties.
I was the only ex boy aged 18 except the W O 1. There was not too much shrapnel flying
around so I said “Let’s go”. The driver said he would assist me and we
borrowed a torch. He helped me in removing the cylinder head and I removed the sump. I was
instructing him from underneath the vehicle, lying on my back all night. The whole piston was shattered right from
the crown to the skirt with broken rings.
Anyway we fixed it O K and the driver joined the convoy.
That truck went through into Germany many times with flying
colours.
Happy Days
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