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That was it nothing to carry. We got onto Jap trucks driven by Japs. Off we went to Bangkok Aerodrome, which at this time was only a large field. We were met by a British Officer and we each received a packet of Players Cigarettes, the first time in all my six years service that I had ever got a free ration. Shortly after our arrival the Plane arrived, a Dakota Bomber. Inside fitted along the plane sides were plastic webbing seats. The Australian Pilot had our photographs taken with them, then we climbed aboard.
We were informed that we would be flying to Mandalay in Burma. The Pilot allowed us to take turns sitting in the cockpit with him, its great, you can see for miles. The Pilot told me we were lucky to arrive, two days before one plane crashed in the Jungle all died horrible being incinerated, after three years and seven months as a PoW.
When we arrived the pilot flew us around the Capital three times, so we could see it from the air. Lorries were standing waiting for us, and they took us to a Camp, but first an examination by the Doctor, a woman. Then we were shown where to sleep, then lined up for a meal. Which happened to be Indian Chapattis and a nice hot Curry. This was the first decent meal since my last one with the Jap Captain. We were there a few days I don’t exactly remember how many and then we were informed that we would be boarding a ship bound for England the next day.
So once again we packed our meagre belongings, and a lorry ride took us to the Docks. Where we went aboard the Shropshire, another Troop Ship. Late that night we set sail. We lost count of the days, who cared we were living in the lap of luxury compared to camp life. We even had tombola at night, eventually arriving at Colombo Ceylon, or as it is now known as Sri Lanka. We were allowed ashore and we went straight to the Canteen for a beer then for a wander around the town. After having a look around we finished back in the Canteen. Then we went back on board and set sail next morning.
Away across the Indian Ocean, wonderful days, free, just lazing around, and being fed wonderful meals. After some days we tied up at Port Tufic, at the southern end of the Suez canal and then marched ashore to be fitted out with a new kit, even camouflaged which we had never seen.
Next day off we sailed through the Suez Canal, an exciting time, seeing all these different places. On through the Mediterranean. I thought that we would call in to Gibraltar but it was non stop back to Liverpool. Where we had left four years before. By this time we had sailed around the world in sea miles.
We were taken by trucks to a camp at Crosby outside Liverpool for. Staying there for about one week, then I was issued with a rail warrant to Percy Main.
Of course my Mother and Brother Jack had moved from 49, Norham Terrace, to number 35, a downstairs flat. I received my back pay and gratuities £302. After four years my wages had jumped from three shillings a day to seven shillings and three pence.
My first night out I went to the Northumberland Arms at Rosehill my last place of employment. I was greeted by the manager drinks on the house. He asked me when I was going to start work as he had the second managers job waiting for me. I worked there for a few weeks but stopped going as I didn’t have the heart to tell him face to face.
I was then issued with a rail warrant to Washington, County Durham to a rehabilitation hospital for one month. Everyday we went to different work places and you were allowed to speak and ask questions from anyone. We visited a shipyard at Hebburn and I saw a man walking along with plans under his arm. It turned out he was a bludger, he just went anywhere in the yard all day with this role of paper and anyone seeing him would think he was carrying out plans.
One day we went to Spillers Flour factory on Newcastle quayside, going up five stories and worked our way down. The wheat was at the top and finished as flour at the bottom where it was bagged, I think they employed about ten men.
A lad I was pally with lived in Washington and he asked if I could ride on the front of a tandem, he couldn’t, and off we went most days travelling around Durham.
After this I went for a week’s holiday in Parkside on the Wirral the last place we where billeted and I stayed with the Murray family, enjoying my first real holiday. Dennis and I went to Birkehead docks, the Felix Rousell was tied up at the wharf so I went aboard and saw the plaque that the French Governement had placed on the outside of the Bridge:-
The 9th Battalion of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was awarded the Croix De Guerre.
This was for saving the ship while enroute to Singapore. Individually, we did not have the medal as it was a Battalion Award, but we could wear the Ribbon of the Croix De Guerre.
I bought the latest record at Littlewoods store named I’m Beginning To See The Light’ €by the ‘Ink Spots’€. After one week I was back again to Percy Main.
We were given a Welcome Home Dinner, by the Tynemouth Council, this was held in the Rosslyn hall, at North Shields, then they gave us a Dinner Dance at the Tynemouth Plaza. I went there every dance that was held and at one dance I was dancing with a girl who was in a uniform of the A.T.S., a Corporal. Her name was Edith Harris and we danced together quite well.
After the dance we caught the bus to Rosehill and walked to the camp, which was near the Coast road. After that we were courting, always out dancing.
I met her one night at the Camp and she gave me her bag to carry she said make on it is light its my washing but it was very heavy. When we arrived at her home 90, Heaton Terrace, Balkwell and opened the bag, it was full of groceries.
I was on leave until 6th June 1946, when I received a Rail Warrant to go to York to be discharged. There we were issued with Civilian Clothes, I picked a blue suit, a green overcoat, shirt, tie, a Triby Hat and Brown Shoes.
My Uncle Charles William Nicholson emigrated to Australia in 1955, with his wife Edith and three Children Hilma, Derek and Billy.
Charles William died in 2007.
Derek allowed me to include his dads Memoires in the Web Site .
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