Happy New Year Everyone.'Vest is Back'

Still sore in places I shall not mention, this is to be expected so I have been informed; mainly by those who have witnessed the experience of like sufferers but not suffered themselves. Having woken from my op, my first reaction was I had been kicked in the goolies by a horse.
I cannot record any moments of joy or hilarity during my stay in Gosford hospital despite the overall high efficiency of the staff, particularly a male nurse originally from Sri Lanka. On the down side was blonde 40 nurse vinegar tits, to whom I smilingly delivered a sentence of well chosen words on my departure.
The after care has been provided by nearest and dearest and calls from the community nurse. Today I shall venture forth to the shops, the walking may assist my present sluggish gait.
I have not had a 'Drink' for 27 days, water and tea yes. I have now lost seven kilos within the same time frame, I am also eating less but enough, hopefully the trend will continue.
Here is a timely reminder of the past. and if any teenagers are reading this particulaly over indulged 'P' platers, consider yourselves lucky you were not around 67 years ago.

CHAPTER 13
My First Career
On 5 January 1942, I went to Shotley Royal Naval Base for a medical
examination, which I passed despite being under the height requirement
of five feet. I was four feet ten and a half inches, six stone six lbs (42.3 kg),
and fifteen years, five months and twenty days old. I was an under-sized,
under-aged piece of ‘cannon fodder.’ The school received a twenty-five
pound Sterling bounty payment upon my delivery to the Royal Navy.
My body was sold for approximately 55p or Aus $1-15 a Kilo or 30 cents
U/S per lb.
After a gruelling train journey to Fleetwood (near Liverpool,) I
embarked in the early morning on the Isle of Man steam packet, ‘Rushen
Castle’. It took four hours to get to Douglas, the capital and main port on
the Isle of Man. I hadn’t been at sea for four years.
Looking piteously at the first-timers berleying on the boisterous Irish
sea, I was reminded of my first experience of sea sickness on a
Portsmouth to Isle Of Wight ferry in 1938 the ‘Lorna Doone,’ a coal
burning paddle steamer that smelled of beer, egg sandwiches, and tarred
rope. I believe it was put to good use evacuating soldiers from Dunkirk
(Dunkerque) France in June 1940.
The Bible in my possession said, ‘To John Leonard Spencer on the
Feast of the Epiphany, 7 January 1942.” It was signed by the Rev.
Harling. I often wonder if the Rev. Harling ever made it to heaven.
Some of the other entrants who wore sailor’s gear like mine were from
other navy schools. Some wore civilian clothes. It was Wednesday, 7
January 1942. I was now a boy, 2nd Class RN. The Americans had beaten
me to this war thing by thirty-one days, but I was better prepared than
most for my next encounter with a new type of authority.


Now click on the book picture.
'Waving Goodbye to a Thousand Flies'. By J L Spencer.
Click the Book Pic at top right for Purchase info. Vest has received more books from the publisher, and more will arrive before Xmas, Email me for a Quote for a signed copy, AUSTRALIAN READERS $26..00. Overseas approx $29..00 - $31..00.