ON ACTIVE SERVICE
1947 Battle soldiers meet in the strangest places 1948   

The war in Europe was over, but many of us younger ones had to soldier on, there was still a job to do in the Middle East. Some training in Egypt, some of us keeping the peace in Palestine and taking well-earned leave in Cyprus. I was very lucky to meet several lads from Battle. We all went to "The Battle and Langton School" in Marley Lane together, In fact, Michael seriously injured my leg with a spade in 1939 when we were digging Air-Raid shelters for the school in an adjacent field. I still have the scar.

       
    

I met Michael Poole (left) in Mount Scopus Camp in Jerusalem. He was just passing through with his regiment the Grenadier Guards.
I was operating the Irish Guards Military Telephone Exchange and I don't remember how he found me, but suddenly, there he was, and I couldn't believe it !

I met Godfrey Lade (left) in a British Military Leave Camp named "Golden Sands", in Famagusta, Cyprus.
We had both chosen to take leave from various parts of the Middle-East at the same time. Godfrey was serving with the 4/7th. Dragoon Guards, and, on release went to work at Till's  in Battle High where he stayed for many years.