Recollections of Roger Williams

It all started with a phone call whilst I was TDO on lates in the sorting office at Mill Hill. I was speaking to the Secretary to the Under Secretary for the Secretary of State for Defence. He was asking why the mail to the gulf was being delayed! I knew of no delays and informed him that there was no delay as the mail was leaving the depot every morning and being taken to RAF Lyneham for the daily flight out. He then insisted on speaking to the duty officer. The Duty Officer that day was not a Postal Officer and I pointed out that I was the Technical Duty Officer. He spoke to the duty Officer who only told him what I had already said.

The following day I was called in to see the OIC sorting office, who informed me that I was to report to the Directorate where I was to be informed of my new job. (Imagine my thoughts – I’d only been back at the depot less than a week) – the entire shift thought I was in trouble.

I was to go to RAF Lyneham to act as a liaison between the RAF and PCS. To insure all the mail went out on the correct flights, on the correct day. The logistics of it at that time were not too bad but the likelihood was that they could be phenomenal. I went to Lyneham not knowing what to expect. When I got there I found that where mail was leaving the depot on time it was not being given due priority at Lyneham and the result was complete chaos, it only took a couple of days to realise what was going on. It had to be sorted and then it was arranged that Mill Hill rang me with the weight and number of bags in the despatches prior to leaving Mill Hill. Thus allowing time for the Mail to be booked to the flights. Due to timings the mail was loaded on to the ramp of the Hercules aircraft.

During this time I was collecting information on flights from the UK to the Gulf, and for flights in the Gulf Theatre. This information was passed back to the depot to help with the planning of mail despatches and I was requesting mail to be sent from the Depot to catch the most appropriate flights. Every flight that left with mail on board was signalled to PCD RE, Directorate of Postal, Strike Command and all postal units in the Gulf, 2 PC Regt RE and too many others to remember. No one complained they got a signal they didn’t want to know about but the Girls in the Comcen were sick of me.

There was a certain amount of mistrust and animosity in the beginning and it was hard going. I was working out of the mover’s offices, sharing a desk; the only equipment I had was what I could carry in my own car from Mill Hill. At first I was living in Transit accommodation at the Hostel with people coming and going at all times of the day and night this was due to no room in the Sgts Mess. Conditions in the Movers hangers were not the cleanest or the warmest. When I eventually moved into the Sgts Mess, for my Days off a relief would be sent from Mill Hill who would then use my bunk until I came back. I was having to beg and borrow every bit of equipment and was on my own when I could have done with half a dozen Sappers. I eventually got very good working relationships with the RAF.

After 2 months it was decided that Lyneham was not able to continue with the current workload and RAF Brize Norton’s Aircraft were to handle the daily supply flights. So the Detachment was moved. Again I was to work alongside the RAF Mover’s, I had an office in the mover’s hanger same as at Lyneham I was passing on information of flights to the Ops room at the depot. With flights leaving Germany, arriving at Brize, the mail was loaded onto the same pallet of mail which left Germany in the morning – due to turn around times this was often left to me to remove the cargo net and rebuild the pallet with the mails from the UK. Planes flew a route Germany to Brize to the Gulf once in the Gulf there were two routes they followed, on even dates they went in one direction and on odd dates they went in the other. So post would arrive out there at different times every other day but I needed to advise the different units of this so that the right size wagon would arrive at the right time to offload the post.

Due to the quantity of mail now being moved the detachment size was increased from 1 Sgt to 2 Sgt’s and 3 OR’s. All Postal, bar 1 who was Lance Corporal John Nash from the Blues and Royals as a driver. At this time the volume of surface parcels was increasing, with many anonymous goodie parcels being addressed to a Sailor, a Soldier, a Airman. 40ft containers where being brought to Brize where the Detachment was in touch with RAF at High Wycombe requesting space on aircraft. Surface mail still didn’t have any priority so space was begged. RAF staff were not happy because of the extra work involved with loading pallets. Sometimes the flight time would be rapidly approaching and pallets would be left behind because there wasn’t time to load. Again the Detachment was increased in size with the arrival of 17 members from the TA (PCS).

Due to quantity now arriving at the depot it was decided that the containers would be stored at South Cerney which was central between both Lyneham and Brize Norton. This could only be done, as both Sgts were HGV 1 drivers, so these trailers were taken to either Airfield as and when space was available. Meaning that not only was I responsible for Duty rostas and all that goes with being responsible for the care of 15-18 Sappers and Junior NCOs but I was also responsible for making the Detachment work and I was driving HGV lorries through the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire Countryside in the dead of night and in rush hour traffic in fact I seem to recall going to work at 3am one day and not seeing the Transit block until 11pm 2 days later.

The detachment took over a hanger next to the main cargo hanger where we spent many hours loading pallets for different types of aircraft that the mover’s requested for flights. We had to work to strict sizes and weights and different types of pallet. We even loaded an aircraft ourselves due to workload of flights leaving for the Gulf.

Mill Hill would inform the detachment of the quantity of mail being despatched so that we could inform the RAF of the Number of bags and weight so that the aircraft loading could be worked out. All paper work was completed by the Detachment.

We had visits from various Sqn OCs who were surprised at the amount of mail we were handling. They also went away with details of how the mail was moved around so that they could let the families officers of units in Gulf know what was happening.

Towards the end it got very confusing with OP BFPO’s closing and containers still arriving from the depot, the containers were emptied, mail for BFPO’s, still open was despatched. The mail for closed BFPO’s put back on the container and returned to the depot. Plus we had the mail that did not reach the BFPO’s before they closed being returned. Then there were items being returned through the post, which shouldn’t be e.g. Hand grenades and ammunition and police sniffer dogs checked the mail for contraband before it could be released into the UK mail service.

DETACHMENT MEMBERS

Sgt Roger Williams RE SNCO i/c
Sgt Eddie Rea RE 2i/c
Spr Jock Taylor
Pte Mandie Lynch WRAC
Lcpl John Nash Blues and Royals Driver
And 17 members TA PCS

The Det was slowly disbanded after a very heavy period of long hours and hard graft. Leaving me to behind to clear up.

I received the BEM in the Gulf Honours List.

Recollections of Dave Muckle

I’ve put 1987 and I’m pretty sure I’m right, but if anyone knows different I’m sure they’ll tell me. In this year it was held at the Depot, and after having trials of sorts 2 Regt put a team in.

We travelled up on the Friday, taking the usual cases of liquid refreshment with us, and after dumping our gear in A block it was off to the NAAFI for a bevy. Surprisingly nothing much happened that first night, we met up with mates from the other Regts, and all had a good drink and went to bed about one-ish, after all we did have to get up and play footy in the morning.

Slightly overhung, we made it down to the pitch for the first game. I think we played 1 Regt and got beat, but we played 4 Regt next and stuffed them, I could have scored about 6 goals but couldn’t be arsed running up the other end of the pitch, so I hit them all long and missed. I do remember Jed Wright was their goalie-hopeless! The depot were doing their normal thing and beating everyone, but we didn’t have to worry about them until Sunday, so we let them enjoy their bit of fun.

I’m not sure who came up with the idea for that Saturday night, it could have been Scouse Winnett, Stan Hogg or Pete Bartle but it was a masterpiece. We had all taken lightweights, cam scarves, vests and boots with us, so that was one part of it ready. Once we were showered and changed we jumped into the mini bus and shot off to Wooleys in Finchley, straight to the toy section (and we found what we were looking for), WATER PISTOLS. Better than that they had Machine Gun Water Pistols, and they made the rat-tat-tat noise as well, result.

We got back to the block and dropped the gear off before going to tea. To this day NOBODY knew what we had planned, not even Dick Mackenzie who was our acting SSM, or Jim Dempsey SSM at Bulford. They knew something was going to happen, but WHAT!

The P*** Up, I mean Social Drinks were being held in the Viking Club, and we were supposed to be there for 8pm, but if we’d been on time we would have been seen and that would have spoilt the surprise. We all got ready in the gear we’d taken and ended up looking like 14 Rambo’s, there is a pic somewhere of us before we left-if anyone knows where please let me know, I’d love a copy. Then we set off to do the deadly deed- A SECTION ATTACK ON THE VIKING CLUB!!

We went straight into the bogs when we got there to make sure we were all LOADED and we knew who was going where. Scouse Winnett gave the word, or should I say screech and we were off, Stan Hogg hit the floor in front of the door to cover us while we piled in, GUNS BLAZING- I mean squirting! You should have seen the faces in the crowd, it was a picture, they didn’t know whether to larf or cry. Before we’d had time to get into our stride Dick Mackenzie came over and stopped us-BOO, a certain SSM who was in charge of footy at the Depot, I won’t give you his name in case I get retribution at the next Reunion-Harry Symms-bugger, wanted us to stop, so we did.

The good part of this though was that we had been told we couldn’t do anything until 10pm, but nobody else knew that-ha’ha, they thought it was all over. As you do in these circumstances, we decided to have a couple of drinks-or three, and by about quarter to ten we were on tender hooks. You know what it’s like clock watching, it seems to take forever, so we drew up a plan of action while we waited. The first bit was to get as many people wet as we could with the ammo we had left, if we’d gone to the bogs to load up they would have known something was coming. The second part of the plan was easy and contained only 3 words GET MEL BELLAMY.

I don’t know to this day why Mel was picked out, but I do remember someone saying he had just spent £30 on the shirt he was wearing, a lot of money in them days, so what the hell.

Bang on 10 Scouse screeched again and we all jumped up, lined ourselves up across the dance floor and opened fire. You should have seen them all diving for cover like a bunch of girlies scared of a little bit of water, and before you knew it our attention fell on Mel. The poor sod had nowhere to go and before he realised what was happening he was drenched. I can’t remember if Vanessa lept for cover or stood by her man, but we must have been good shots coz we didn’t seem to get her. As Mel does, he took it as a bit of fun, well what would you do with 14 people pointing guns at you, and the night went on.

The rest of the nights a bit of a blur, I can’t remember why but I think a Gorilla did a dooda in me gob the way it felt in the morning, and none of our guys were that hairy. I managed to get the keys to the mini bus back from one of the lads who’d scored the night before (thought I’d throw that bit in for a larf-it’s true!), and started getting ready for our first match of the day-against the Depot. Because Harry Symms had spoilt our fun the night before, and we knew how serious he was about the competition, we decided to get our own back!

I haven’t got a clue about breakfast, did we make or didn’t we, maybe someone can remind me coz I can’t remember. We had taken 2 strips with us, a Red one and a Yellow one, and while they looked ok on their own we decided we could improve the look. We took both strips out and mixed them up so we all had a yellow shirt, red shorts and a red and yellow sock each. On top of that we still had some cans left we had taken with us, so knowing the kind of reaction it would get from a certain person we decided we would turn up drinking them, and carrying the rest. The looks we got as we approached could have killed, but the lads thought it was a good larf so we weren’t too bothered.

Once we had been shouted at to get on the pitch to start the match, we finished our cans on the touchline and ran on-sort of. The game went the way everyone expected, we were getting beat but what the hell we were having a great weekend. Now I’m not sure about this bit, either Dick Mackenzie came on as a sub, or he was already on, but the game changed in a matter of seconds. Someone punted the ball high and long towards the Depot’s goal, it bounced up-I say hitting Dick on the head, but he’ll probably say it was played for, but anyway it went over the goalie and into the net.

Nobody had scored against the Depot all weekend and it was greeted with apoplexy, we charged up the field jumping on Dick’s back wondering how we’d managed to get a goal. Then it got nasty, 4 Regt who were watching from the side invaded the pitch! A certain SSm was highly dischuffed and started shouting at everyone to get off the pitch so the game could restart. Everyone was cheering, beer was being drunk, and all coz we’d done it, we’d scored against the Depot.

The rest of the competition passed quite peacefully after that. As usual the Depot won and got the cup, but we weren’t bothered, we’d had a fantastic weekend, a brilliant larf while we were at it, and I think everyone else had a good giggle at our harmless antics-Even Harry

Recollections of Margaret Grant MBE

In October 1953 a group of us completed 5 weeks basic training at the WRAC Depot Queens Camp Guildford, Surrey and after passing out, some of us were posted to 12 Battalion WRAC, Richmond Park, Kingston on Thames, Surrey.

We now had to attend Inglis Barracks Mill Hill for our Postal B3 Course. Our instructor was Sgt Cliff Leach. We travelled on old hired coaches daily to and fro stopping sometimes at the Ace Café on the North Circular road for a snack which was good especially if you had missed your breakfast.

On our first day, as we were going to the classroom, a few of us met the RSM and being raw recruits we all gave him smart salutes and walked on wondering why he did not salute back. All of a sudden there was this almighty shout for us to halt and he returned to us and boy did we get told off. I am sure by now you will have guessed who the RSM was – yes, JC (RSM John Corrigan – 54-60).

After passing our B3 course we then travelled daily to and fro to the Home Postal Depot RE at Knightsbridge, just up the road from Harrods. There was no heating most of the time or any modern equipment. On the late or night shifts we wore our greatcoats, slacks and leather jerkins if the weather was cold, especially in the Winter.

The Commanding Officer was Lt Col Reading RE he seemed to live at the Depot and used to appear in the corridor wearing only a bath towel after having a bath, especially when it was Naafi break for us.

We worked 3 shifts, Earlies, Lates and Nights and, naturally, at the Christmas pressure period we worked extra hours which we did not mind as the mail was important to the troops and it was our job to make sure they got it. I will not bore you with the postal duties as I am sure we all remember them and will never forget them.

Eventually , in 1956 we moved to North Acton Gorse Road which was a bit more modernised, we still had to travel to and fro from Richmond Park. We travelled for our meals to Gunsite Camp where the RE`s were stationed. It was situated between Wormwood Scrubs Prison and Hammersmith Hospital. The WRAC Senior ranks and Officers served the junior ranks with their Christmas Dinner every year and we put on a show for them also. We used to do shows with the RE`s at Gunsite Camp and I remember Mick Copland organising us, amongst others. By that time I had reached the rank of Sergeant and was pleased to become the first WRAC Senior rank in Postal.

It was at Gunsite Camp that Lt Col Reading asked me to do a spell in the Pay Office. I agreed and took over from Geoff Chandler and when the Camp was moved to Mill Hill, I went to the Pay Office there for a while where I met many good National Servicemen, some of them worked with me in the office too, They were good workers.

I used to have my lunch in the RE Sgts Mess and even although I was the only woman they made me very welcome. In October 1962 the WRAC had a big parade on the square at Mill Hill and the Princess Royal-Princess Mary laid a Foundation Stone as 12 Battalion became 12 Company and we moved from Richmond Park to our new Unit at Mill Hill.

I was promoted to WOII and since I had done nearly every job in the Postal depot and worked on sections 1 – 6, I went to the Mails Branch again and also dealt with the Long Range Couriers for a while.

I caused quite a stir as I was wearing the crown with the laurel wreath around it and the RE`s informed me that I was wearing the wrong badge of rank. Alas, they were in the wrong by only wearing the crown so they had to go and get the correct ones from the Q Stores and have them sown on straight away. In the New Year Honours 1967 I was awarded the MBE for my work with the Forces Postal Service and I was very proud to go to Buckingham Palace with my parents as guests. We travelled in the Co`s staff car (Col L Bennett) and it was such a lovely day and I was very proud to be given an honour for doing a job that I loved.

For many years we represented the WRAC at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance. Rehearsal on Friday and two shows on the Saturday, then the Cenotaph Parade on the Sunday. It was a tough weekend but very moving.

I was presented with my Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1971 by Major General James Bowes-Lyon.CB.OBE.MC. I was later asked to take my Commission but it meant leaving Postal, so I declined. Many tried to get a WRAC Officer appointment in Postal but at that time they could not, but I feel that I opened the path for this as eventually it did happen after I got demobbed.

My young brother John served 22 years with Postal and my elder brother James served 33 years with the RASC/RAOC and my middle brother served 3 years with the RA so I was one of a military family. 80 years service in total for the family.

I enjoyed my service with Postal and learned a tremendous lot. I met some fantastic people and I am so glad to have kept in touch with so many and, of course, the reunions are a great meeting for all of us great gals and guys. Long may we continue to remember the good old days.