Churchills Children Versus Adolfs Youth
CHAPTER 13 ...Not a heap of difference
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
requirementof 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 undersized,
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
US 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 vomiting on the boisterous Irish
sea, I was reminded of my first experience of seasickness 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.
But this was 72 years ago, scratching the pile for youthful cannon fodder..
Comments
And sadly too many cultures continue to attempt to get their cannon fodder as young as possible.
Did you expect Rev Harling to make it to heaven? Or am I right in thinking that you hope not?
E F: During that particular time frame, forced religion and the cane went hand in hand. I recalled at the time me being chased around the classroom by the Rev and his cane for querying his teachings.
The Superintendent* of the boarding school was eventually arrested for brutality,His* grandson has informed me that he divorced his grandmother being he was such a tyrant.
A small world, but the grandson of the superintendent and I communicate regularly.
Oh I doubt if the REV made it to the high yonder.
Geeze mr Vest you had a tough life, but you survived, my mum sends her love.