|
This
is a page within theStaffordshire Home Guard website.
To see full contents, go to SITE
MAP.
A SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
Being a Report of
a visit to the above in the Pike Age of the Home Guard
by The
Battalion's first student,
MAJOR T. J. H. HUME-HUMPHREYS
|
|
AS instructed, I reported at the above Military (H.G.) Academy
on Friday the 13th, in place of the C.O., who at the last moment
was unable to attend. The deletion of his name from the Nominal
Roll was an almost intolerable addition to the burdens of the
gallant officer (Admin) who welcomed me. Then writer's cramp
gripped him halfway through recording my three baptismal and
one (double-barrelled) surname. Finally, he wrote them on two
lines. It pleases me, now, to reflect that I probably saved
him from being drummed out of his swivel chair by thereafter
answering "Present, sir" twice every roll call-once
in reply to "Henry T. J." and once to "Humphreys
H." I also felt it only fair to all concerned, at first,
to say "Absent, sir" every time they called out "Cartwright,
C." Later on, I ceased this practice - so many others became
missing, believed ill.
DISCIPLINE
The Course is open to Officers and N.C.Os. from Acting L/Cpl.
upwards. |
|
|
Everyone sleeps and messes together. There is no silly
formality engendered between students. When a Staff N.C.O. yells,
"Hey, you, PICK UP that cigarette packet!" it is a
matter of complete indifference to him which of the two nearest
- Bn. O.C. (H.G.) or L/Cpl. (H.G.) - does it. Usually
it isn't the L/Cpl. However, everything is very friendly
and democratic, although, as far as I observed, officers (H.G.)
were expected to carry only their own luggage up the sixty steps
to the dormitories.
In the matter of conduct becoming to a Private Soldier, the
Staff Orderlies gave demonstrations valuable to the younger,
H.G. students by invariably springing to attention and saying,
"Sir," when addressed by the School Officers. They
also nobly refrained from embarrassing H.G. officers, by taking
not the slightest notice of their rank (if any) at all times.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
As no doubt you will be anxious to retrieve your lost opportunity
after reading this report, I would mention that out of eighty
(......continues.....)
|
