Wartime experiences of Charles Hague — Part 1

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Roger Marsh of the ‘Action Desk — Sheffield’ Team on behalf of Charles Hague, and has been added to the site with the author’s permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Wartime experiences of Charles Hague — Part 1
By
Charles Hague

I was called up for army service 24th June 1940 (age 25). Had to report for duty at Sigglesthorn, East Yorkshire. From there, taken to Hornsea by East Yorkshire Buses where we were billeted in a Girls' College awaiting for uniforms etc. After 6 days when we were kitted out, we were marched from Hornsea to Beverley in shirts - no jacket, too hot - 50 rounds of ammunition in a bandolier, with string on rifles (no straps!) Kept having a break now and again on route. Had to lay on our backs with feet above our head in the ditches to ease the pain. On arrival at Beverley railway station - first call was the Medical Room. Blood and blisters the main ailment, a good start to army life !!! Route marches and drills for weeks, plus night manoeuvres on Beverley Racecourse and target practice etc for 3 months - for each Platoon.

Posted to 8th Battalion East Yorks for coasta1 duty on N E Coast (Sunderland) in September. Billeted in terrace houses in Roker Park Road on arrival. More drilling and marching in the Park. Rifle practice took place on the cliffs at Seaburn also firing Bren Gun and tossing hand grenades.
Called out at 4 a.m. one morning and told to put denims on! Marched to Seaburn cliffs to 2 Destroyers aground (side by side). Boxes and containers with cordite tubes floating about. Our job, wading out and salvaging what we could. This went on for most of the week. This incident put the Platoon on night guard duties until the destroyers were re-floated and taken into Sunderland, which took until early December. The destroyers were "H M S Ashanti" and “H M S Fame".

Was admitted to Sedgefield Hospital in March 1941 with Achilles Tendon problems. Had swollen ankle of left leg for quite a while. Spent 2 or 3 months there in plaster cast and then moved to Mytan Hall near York, a convalescent home for troops, moved around on crutches while there.

After approximately 2 months I was transferred to Queen Ethelburgers school for girls near Harrogate for physical exercises etc. and when fit, to be posted to some unit. While there, my youngest daughter (Sylvia) was born at my wife’s parents home at Apperley Bridge. I managed to get a pass for one day to see them. Unfortunately my wife was taken to hospital along with the baby when I arrived. Managed to see them, fortunately.

Received orders from Hull to report to Wenlock Barracks Analby Road in February 1941 (not sure of date) on returning to Queen Ethelburgers. Arrived by train to Hull in late evening - complete black out here. Found Barracks eventually and reported to Orderly Room on arrival. Went to Orderly room the following morning. The officer in charge listened to my report of the past few months. On learning of the arrival of my daughter he immediately had a pass made out for me for four days' leave and if conditions warranted it, to call at Belle Vue Barracks for extension of leave! Didn't need extension.

From Hull, for several months, I was dealing with transfers for soldiers to different units in the country. Had myself received a posting to a new unit ( R.A.O.C.) in Nottingham but the S.Q.M.S would not let me go until the transfers of men was completed. Was finally released and went to Nottingham R.A.O.C depot. I'd only been there a few months when I was posted overseas. Left Glasgow around August/September on the SS Mooltan (Indian Boat). Had escort of aircraft carrier and two destroyers. The convoy consisted of 3 or 4 ships.

Arrived Bombay some date in October.

Boarded train in - Bombay. No idea where we were heading. When train stopped we were at Nasik, some connection with Mahatma Ghandi I was given to understand. Then came the shock! Fall in boys we are now going to march to Deolali. On arrival there we were allocated to our accommodation, tents, no beds. Two blankets and your kit bag to use as a pillow.

Chaos reigned the following morning. On going to find the ablutions, one tent in uproar- shirts, socks, boots, blankets were flying everywhere. It turned out one soldier woke up to find a snake asleep under the neck of his kit bag.

On Parade that morning, things turned out not as expected. Many had to report to the M I Room for treatment for bug and flea bites. Even after we got charpoys, (Indian Beds) wood construction with coconut matting crisscrossed to sleep on, plus mosquito nets, things didn't improve. I don't know how long it was before we got orders to leave for Dehu Road just outside Poona. (R.A.O.C. Depot) but it certainty was received with acclamation.

Pr-BR

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