THE COVENANTER
followed a somewhat different route. At I can speak only of the quality of training and
the end of 1942, the shortage of miners instruction subjectively. To my knowledge,
had become as equally acute as that of many of my newly commissioned colleagues
infantrymen. Ernest Bevin, then Minister were in full agreement with me, that while
of Labour in the National Coalition physically hardening in technical terms, we
Government, introduced legislation which arrived at regiments in the line, with little
provided that every tenth man liable to experience of battle command training
be conscripted into H.M. Forces, instead, other than the execution of several Battle
would be sent to work in the mining Drill attacks. We were wholly inexperienced
industry. Selection was at random, and once beyond Platoon level. To criticise this
one’s ‘name came up’ there was no appeal. situation at so late a stage in the war, in
However, if one was a volunteer, the threat all probability is unfair. The shortage of
of becoming a Bevin Boy (as became the title reinforcements had reached crisis point.
of those who were named) was lifted, as one The need to provide replacements dictated
had the choice of Service. Usually, if one that insufficient time was available for full
opted for the infantry, subject to physical training, and indeed there was an increasing
fitness, acceptance was almost automatic. shortfall of trainers who could be freed from
The prospect of becoming a Bevin Boy and line units. There was no extensive training in
spending the remainder of the war as a miner the use of radio equipment; I never worked
held no appeal. To become an Infantryman with tanks. The art of tactical withdrawal
had always been my wish--I was at that time (possibly deemed to, be otiose at that stage
CSM of the local Cadet Force. Along with of the War) was never addressed- likewise
several others similarly placed, I volunteered the possibility that one might at some stage
for service. Having passed the not too be required to take over command should
stringent medical examination, I started life one’s superiors become casualties. None of
as a Private in a newly formed 1st Battalion us had been trained in the control troops in
Young Soldier Training Corps, Markeaton the advance behind a creeping barrage.
Park, Derby-a unit I was given to understand
created specifically to identify and train Prior to the Army’s return to the continent
potential leaders. There, one received six on D Day, Units were up to strength, and
months initial training as a member of had enjoyed the benefit of several months
The General Service Corps, before being -in some cases years - of training and
posted to a Regiment. In the course of that operating together. The redoubtable and
training, I was promoted to the heights of battle experienced 50th (Tyne Tees) and
Acting Unpaid Lance Corporal and selected 5lst (Highland) Divisions had been brought
for posting to Officer Cadet training, to back from Middle Eastern operations. It
commence at its conclusion. is little wonder that many of the veterans
who had fought through the 1944 battles
Other ranks then progressed to a reserve of Europe and Burma expressed concern
division for three months ‘advanced’ field about he quality of soldier now filling their
training, after which, posting normally ranks. The real problem in my opinion lay
followed to a ‘line’ battalion. As I was to with the lack of time available for adequate
discover later to my cost, and even more training rather than the basic quality of the
so to the detriment of the Cameronians, men themselves.
the term ‘advanced’ was little more than
a euphemism. This also was the case with Quality of training apart, as 2nd Lieutenants
newly commissioned officers. After six of three month’s inexperience, some fifty of
weeks at Pre-OCTU (Officer Cadet Training us of a similar state, we gathered at a holding
Unit) and four months at OCTU proper, camp near Sunningdale, prior to being flown
they were posted to their Regimental Depots in Dakotas to Lille to join 21st Army Group
for six weeks. They then were posted to a as reinforcements. The Dakotas, normally
reserve division to command a Platoon of used for the transport of goods, did not
trainee soldiers under the supervision of an boast any seating, resulting in our sitting in
experienced Officer. The soldiers likewise, lines with our backs against the sides sf the
were under command of experienced NCOs. compartment, with our valises and other
At the conclusion of the Reserve Divisional equipment stacked in the centre of floor.
training, both Officers and other ranks were All proceed smoothly until the pilot set the
then posted to a service battalion. plane to descend to the airfield at Lille, when
it struck an air pocket, sending passengers
81
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