At the appointed time, I was greeted by a dozen or more seated around a charcoal fire upon which an iron pot of coffee was bubbling. After the ceremony of being individually introduced to each of the assembled body, a small cup of thick as treacle and very sweet coffee was served to one and all. Perhaps two hours later a deal was struck including the offer of a few ducks if "my esteemed and venerable master" so wished.

Soon, chickens were everywhere together with the half-dozen ducks that the "venerable" Major Russell had agreed to. Having a reasonably good memory, it escapes me why I cannot recall what was the ultimate fate of the flock. My only real memories are of a chicken regularly laying an egg on the driver's seat of one of HQF Troop's tanks and, when the rains came, of ducks swimming in the Squadron's lake.

Back to School

Early in 1944, I was on my way to Constantine (now Qacentina) for two weeks at the 1st Army Communications School. Much of the time there was devoted to learning all that one was supposed to know about the workings of the 19 Set, at that time state-of-the-art, with which our tanks were equipped. Additional to providing intercommunication for a tank's crew, the 19 Set was actually two wirelesses in one, the A-Set for long-range communication at the Squadron, and on occasion, for Regimental level, and the B-Set for short-range communication at the Troop level. For detailed information see 19 Set Layout and Details. Although much of the course was devoted to the less practical matters, such as circuitry and valve function, it was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. One thing learnt and never to be forgotten was that the B-Set was a "self-excited, super-regenerative, local oscillator!"

At the school was a large pile of scrap timber (mainly from US Army ammo containers) presumably being used for heating purposes. Having obtained permission to take some of the timber, I constructed what was to be my "bed" for the remainder of our sojourn in North Africa.

Our last two days were given over to exams, both practical and written. Only too soon, transport arrived to take myself and the bed back to Ain Mokra where, several days later, I was told to report to Major Russell. After the command to "stand at ease" and, astonishingly, he then gestured to me to sit in one of the office camp chairs. He went on to tell me, as the report from the School proved that the one from Corporal Pell of the RTR was not a one-time thing, I was now in charge of communications and all that had been learnt had to be taught to the other Squadron operators. Before I could recover from the surprise, the OC went on to tell me that I was now part of his tank's crew, promoted to the rank of Corporal. Henceforth, until the end of hostilities, the responsibility of ensuring that all of 'B' Squadron's wireless sets were on the same wavelength etcetera would be mine. However, first things being first, the order to set up a school was of immediate concern.