Now at - 91st.Battery - 63rd. HAA Regiment / Royal Regiment of Artillery

"HORSESHOE BARRACKS"

After we were settled in at Horshoe Barracks, Shoeburyness in Essex, Bdr. Howarth marched us around the camp showing us various places. The Garrison Church,The Library (Yes we had a library) Hairdressers, NAAFI, and also the YMCA which doubled as the Garrison Theatre. He also showed us the Guardroom, and then marched us up to a place called Hilly Marsh. This is where the obstacle course, playing fields, and Regimental H.Q. (Headquarters) were.

We were also shown the M.T. (Motor Transport) Garages. We then were marched back to our barracks where we picked up our plates. (Yes, we had plates now, instead of the inevitable tin tray! ) We also picked up our eating utensils, and werethen marched to the cookhouse. In the first few weeks of training we were marched to all our meals. Dinner was a much better affair. It was a much better meal. Maybe we were getting used to Army Food? At any rate we were always hungry, being outside, fresh air, running,training, gymnasion (Physical Training) I have never been so fit in all my life, as I was after that first few weeks of training! A few days after arrival at 63.Regt. we went on our first Route March.This was with our packs on.

We were told that it was only a Ten mile walk, but it seemed like thirty! We were absolutely shattered! Around this time, one of our N.C.O's  wanted three volunteers. He said, "You, you and you, report to the Guard room."  I was one of them. The R.S.M. (Regimental Sergeant Major) wanted us to move some garden equipment from outside the guardroom down to campfield lines. Campfields was across the road from Horseshoe Barracks. We deposited these tools and the B.S.M (Battery Sergeant Major) found a job for the other two, and told me to report back to the R.S.M.

As I was waiting to cross the road on my way back, an Officer in full dress ‘Blues’ was riding past on his cycle, peaked cap, red stripe down his trousers. I saw him looking at me from a short way off, so I thought, "this guy is watching for me to give him a salute." As he was almost opposite me I sprang to attention, and gave him my best parade ground salute. He wobbled on his bikeand said, “Thank You”  and rode on by. I gazed after him and realised I had saluted the village postman! “You dozy man!”   a voice yelled out behind me. This was the B.S.M. whose name eludes me. “You don’t salute F ****** Postmen!”  I wanted to curl up and die. He was giving me a rollicking, and yet as he turned away there were tears in his eyes, he wanted to laugh so much.

I thought that would be the end of it... but not in the Army! Word soon got round about me and the postman, and in fact I was told weeks later that it was mentioned in the Officers Mess.