Page 22 - Chiron Spring 2020

22 CHIRON CALLING
during the time since leaving England. The wireless operators had been informed that due to the animal fatalities on board we were to report to the shipping agents when we stopped over in Colombo. A member of their personnel would be summoned to join us when we reach Rangoon.
A lot of activity was expected on the quayside today, many official looking gentlemen parading up and down, all smartly dressed in their dark suits and freshly laundered shirts, 5 double decker buses had been refuelled and then with the assistance of a crane, expertly manoeuvred for lifting over the side. We were later informed that these were the first ever double-decker buses and would require 2 conductors to man each of the levels.
Sergeant John Dingley R.A.V.C. arrived on board he had travelled from Kota Baham in Malaya, he was to discuss at length the incident of the fatalities. His first thought was sabotage but that thought was later eliminated.
Sgt Dingley was to share our cabin and would remain with us for the remainder of the journey to Singapore. His story telling of times spent in Malaya and Singapore were a great source of entertainment for us ·during those final 6 days at sea. He came over as a firm but fair person and we gained a lot of respect for him, always willing to muck in with whatever needed doing and his knowledge of the dogs was paramount.
Our voyage is nearing the end now and a farewell party was organised by the Captain and Officers. As Jones and I proudly took our places on the bench beside Captain Thomas he was the first to congratulate us on our achievements during these 8 weeks at sea, majoring on the fact that here we were just eighteen years of age and already members of the British Army. Captain Ikin came on board the day we arrived in Singapore, hat tilted to the right, he looked quite Jack The Lad, not at all tidy in appearance for a man of his standing unlike Sgt Dingley who in comparison was immaculate in appearance. Sgt Dingley and Captain Ikin exchanged formalities and proceeded to inspect the dogs. Ikin was known for his sarcastic disposition but on the whole seemed satisfied with the dogs.
After talks with the Captain we were to learn that a further 10 squaddies from different regiments and corps of the army would be arriving shortly, these men had all enrolled as dog handlers and where known as E.R.E. personnel.
Sgt Dingley, Jones and I undertook to lift the dogs off the ship whilst still in their kennels, the poor mites must have felt like they did on the day we passed through the Bay of Biscay as they were again being rocked side to side and back and forth. Our journey from the docks to No A.G.D.U. was to take 45 minutes, we passed endless army depots on route, and the newcomers had stood guard duty on these depots, which I was later to become familiar with myself.
We were assisted by our new mates to put the dogs into isolation kennels and then it was off to be rigged out with tropical
gear. Jungle greens or JG’s as they were called. We had been given instructions to meet prompt 0800hrs the next morning, which we did, dressed in our new gear. We did look a bunch of Wallies as we paraded in front of our superiors which included the Company Sergeant Major Day, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Clabby, 2nd In Command Major Ritchie O.B.E. Pte Jones and I recognised Ritchie from our days in Melton Mowbray. Back at the isolation kennels we were introduced to Captain Ken Lindley and Pte Don Bowden both R.A.V.C. we were to take our instructions from these 2 old soldiers. Both renowned for their beer drinking Don were quick to point out all the beer dens to us. He later became known to us as our fairy godmother.
Our bodies had become so clearly bronzed from the constant heat of the sun and sea breezes during those 8 weeks at sea and we were feeling very fit and healthy. Our new comrades had been travelling just 3 weeks and in comparison looked quite pale.
We had settled the mess bill which
to accompany him on his embarkation for No 4 AGDU - Hong Kong. Everyone was taken by surprise when they were to learn that I would not be part of that assignment. It was a sad day for me when Jones and I said our farewells, we had become inseparable and I knew I would miss his company dreadfully.
I soon settled back into life at No 3 AGDU and was thrilled with my new job, which was to look after 2 bitches, Dulcie and Kate. We are in the process of starting a new breeding program in the unit. I have just been promoted to Lance Corporal and happy to say life has never been better. Time seems to pass by so quickly when you are enjoying yourself and the satisfaction I get while training the guard dogs is immense.
Our unit had to perform guard duties during the night and a total of 50 ERA personnel are located in depots all over the island, R.A.V.C. personnel are exempt from these duties.
I am now blessed with the position of Full Corporal and performing my duty as orderly Sergeant. The duty book stated
amounted to £3 -17s - 6d (three pound seventeen shillings and sixpence old money) thirty-four Singapore Dollars, not bad for 8 weeks beer and cigarettes. Cpl Lindley informed us that 8 of the dogs would need to be placed in the front of the veterinary officers the following morning his list of the names of 7 German Shepherd dogs and 1 Boxer were handed to us. At 1400hrs that same -day Pte Jones and I had been summoned to the Sgt Major Ritchies office where we were to get the third degree on how to run a dog camp. After all the do’s and don’ts we were quite flabbergasted to receive praise on how well we had conducted ourselves during these last 8 weeks on board ship, talk about calm after the storm. We did walk away from the office that day with silly grins on our faces to say the least.
Sgt Dingley extended his hand to us and bid us farewell as he was returning to Malaya. (What I didn’t realise at that point was that in nine months time our paths would meet again).
Captain Thomas must have drawn the short straw the day he had been chosen to take eight dogs back with him on board his ship. Pte Jones was chosen
that I should expect to receive an intake of E.R.E’s personnel who would be arriving shortly from Korea. Imagine my surprise when my old pal Pte Jones came walking up to me followed by 7 Royal Artillery Squaddies. Jones stayed overnight due to 1900hr curfews that were in place in Malaya, he explained that he was on his way to commence War Dog Training Wing at ULA TIRAM JOHORE.
We reminisced well into the early hours anxious to tell each other as much as we could about each of our experiences while we had been apart. I was saddened to hear that we had lost Captain Thomas to a heart attack just previous to arriving in Hong Kong. Jones left the following morning and I continued with the breeding programme that was to become hugely successful. Dulcie produced four dog puppies, Kate producing 3 dogs and 2 bitches. As my career continued in the Army I was eventually posted to Malaya, I didn’t see the puppies again and to this day have no news of My Old Mucker Pte Jones. I enjoyed my time spent in the army and met so many people that were to become lifelong friends.