Just indulging,whilst imbibing

[Evan Lewis]

van Lewis

3/07/2014




To: Gwilym evans

Was intended for an Old mate ex Cadet Member. Since gone to the Camp in the sky. Think it may be of some interest,of that Time



Evan Lewis

5:34 PM





Found this while looking through old Mails etc. Was intended at the time,for old Mate. Since


















Being inspired by the Drums and Bugles of the Barry Sea Cadet Corps.As they brightened up a rather until then sombre Parade .along Bridgend road ,Llanharan. Our village ,to which We'd been returned.To escape the continous bombing of
Birmingham
Can't recall the reason now ,for the Parade.Probably it was to pay tribute to the Civilian organisations ,such as Air -raid ,Fire-wardens ,Home Guard .etc
For the first time ,the newly formed Mounted Home Guard,appeared. My Bro.
had a special wave from the Eldest son ,of the Howell's farm. Where the Bro. helped-out .He being able to assist with a popular little racing pony,of theirs , named Brecon Boy..


The Family now,in the main, were back at Llanharan.


The eldest Bro, .Having survived the Lancastria disaster..Off Saint Nazaire some months previous.Was now en-route ,Abroad? Somewhere!
We then had his first communication. An Aerogramme (which I still possess) Describing the delights of Durban S. Africa.Street lighting, Shops filled with Goods


As it turned out ,from there they went on to Bombay.


From there His Company were transported to Singapore,aboard the newly built S.S America. (U.S.S.West Point )


On arrival ,Singapore his Company of Royal Engineers was retained Aboard.To discharge the Army equipment .
History has shown.that they were Bombed slightly damaged. . As the advancing Jap Troops were running along the Quay. I have read since ,(from an account of a
Crew -member, )they were able to cut the Mooring ropes with axes ,and leave.


The Troops on Board , Joined now by Many civilian Refugees, from Govt, Depts. The ship eventually returned to Bombay.


Not too long after that .we received a telegram from the War Office,informing my Mother.that Sapper G.R. Lewis ,was Dangerously ill,at Basra Military Base Hospital . So You can imagine .the impact the news held, on the family. He returned Home some months later ,in 1943 ,via a Johannesburg Hospital.Minus a Leg..Such is War!


By now ,T was able to join the Bridgend -Porthcawl ,Sea Cadet Corp. A great organisation.


Soon Camp-time came round.We were off to Pembroke -Dock ,Chatham. there we lived aboard a Destroyer,for one week. Access to that ship, was by boarding the Ausonia, a Cunarder , requisitioned by the Navy, as a Submarine Depot ship .We lie outboard of Her. We also had a visit to a T class Submarine nearby , the(Turpin ) from memory.


Tee following couple of years ,Were tn order ,to Dartmouth , Devon. Ravensbury House a large house by the river Dart.
Twice,marched up ,to the Royal Naval College.(Known as , 'The Kings Old School.") The first occasion ,we had a Cricket game, there. the 2nd. was to their indoor rifle range. Using,american Winchester Rifles's ,under the guidance of a Gunnery instructor (G. I.) Twas there I learned I could not close my Left eye ,to take aim, (Still can't !).Was assured ,that it was not an unusual condition, so a handerkerchief was tied over it.


The third year saw us at H.M.S Glengower. (The Requisitioned . 1938 opened,. Butlins Camp )this Camp featured a rather large Swimming Pool. A couple of lifeboats there ,for rowing practice and a High tower, from which we practised the Lead- line. Soundings.


Highlight of that Camp,,was being chosen for the Colour Party. Marching immediately behind the Royal Marine Band.


This meant six of us .being detailed ,and instructed over the next few days ,By a G.I. I remember one occasion . when the G.I. (Gunnery Instructor.They teach Squad Drill )says " Come on lads ,We're passing the Wrens Quarters . Show them what you can do! Bring those arms up level."Naturally we complied.




The Parade was to honour the returning Free -French ,Chechoslovaks , and Polish, Sailors about to return,to their respective homelands. The war being ended , some many months,by now.

[Charlie Hannah]

Evan,reading your post i clicked on the icon and ended up on my email page at my account.How the heck is that.Hope no one else gets my account up.

[gray_marian]

#2, Clicked the icon too, snap! Woa Charlie you're a dark horse Kidding, it reverted to my own email add. Why did you click the icon anyway?

[Charlie Hannah]

#2, Clicked the icon too, snap! Woa Charlie you're a dark horse Kidding it reverted too my own email add. Why did you click the icon anyway?

Just out of curiosity marian,To be honest it gave me quite a shock and got me worried as wouldn't like to think just anyone can get to my account that way.
thankfully you have just answered my question.Don't know what we would do with out you girl, Ta very much .Hope you feeling well again Marion good luck to you.

[gray_marian]

#4, No worries handsome, you'll sleep well tonight. Feeling fine thank you

[j.sabourn]

#1... Evan when I was in the cadets we were taught on the old ex US world war 1 rifle the P17. With the tanger aperature back and foresight. This fired a .300 bullet as against the Lee Enfields .303. Was also fitted with a grenade launcher which was removeable. You say you worked with Winchesters. Shows the US even in those days had previously been exporting their weaponry to others. The P17 was a large rifle and was nearly the same height as me, watched the Edinburgh Tattoo last night in Melbourne on TV, they seem to be able to throw their rifles around like pieces of spaghetti. Cheers John S