As we had arrived just in time for lunch, I was told that the checking in process would take place after 'we' had eaten - I use the pronoun as my driver was also invited to partake of the meal prior to setting off on the return trip to the Regiment. The registration was a simple affair, consisting mainly of being given a couple of forms to complete - a questionnaire as to one's educational background and the other a listing of available courses, two of which to be selected. After being allocated a room, the Registrar said I was free for the remainder of the day, except for attendance at a gathering of students immediately following the serving of "afternoon tea." I discovered later, in the world of academia, the serving of both morning and afternoon tea was a delightful necessity!

After tea we gathered in the main hall for the introductory meeting conducted by a
Lt Colonel of the Army (later Royal Army) Educational Corps. First we were given a brief history of the Corps, from the 19th Century Corps of Army School Masters, through its present formation in 1920 to the present. He went on to tell us that, with the war's end, the Corps had been given the daunting task of returning a national Army to a civilian occupation. Additional to the posting of Education Officers to Units, with the task of giving pre-release advice, the Corps was currently in the process of organising an extensive network of Formation Colleges.

Explaining, that while the College was administered by the AEC, members of the academic staff were civilians thus, in the College we would be addressed as "Mister" not by our military rank. Following a brief session of questions and answers, the CO concluded his remarks by informing us, should we at any time find the classroom claustrophobic just step outside for a breath of fresh air.

 To provide for our physical well being, daily exercise  programmes were held and time given for the playing of  various sports - one memorable being participation in a fifteen  overs cricket match. With my roommate "Chunky" (on the left)
 as he wished to be called, (his name I have forgotten) a lot of  time was spent playing tennis quoits on a court set up on the  inner quadrangle. One Sunday, I believe it was the fourth, we  took part in a knock-out tournament, although neither of us  reached the finals of the singles event, as partners, "Chunky"  and I won the doubles being ceremoniously presented with a  pair of quoits.

Of the subjects available I had selected Geography and English Literature, both choices turning out to be enjoyable the former particularly so. With so much to do, in and out of the classroom, the weeks went by so quickly that it was a surprise when it was announced that transport would be coming on the morrow to take the students back to their units. After bidding "Chunky" and other new friends farewell, knowing that our paths would most likely not cross again, I was on my way to rejoin the Regiment - it was Saturday.