The section travelled further east 'til we arrived at the designated
place. It was wild and deserted with rolling hills covered with
scrub. Next morning we went to our designated "beach" and set up
our gear. It was obvious that the Indian Army was to be in full
charge and we had a very small role, if any.
That evening we set off back and went down a small gully. I'd noticed
that morning a small army cookhouse set up in the bottom of the
gully. Mentioning to the P.O. what I proposed to do he nodded. I
went up to the Officer, saluted smartly and then told him my tale.
He then asked what regiment I was in and if we were with anyone
else. When I said the Royal Navy and Royal Corps of Signals a curious
expression covered his face. "OK, join the line".
When we were all lined up with our messtraps, the officer was called
and, picking out Meaby by his hat, took him and the Yeoman to one
side. After a little conversation he saluted and walked away. We
all joined the queue and had a good dinner that we ate on the ground.
The Officer told our POs before we left that we could come back
in the morning for breakfast. He was a gent! We went back to the
lorry in high jinks.
When we got back we made no pretence of what we had been doing,
so next morning the signallers went with us (a little behind) and
joined the queue. When we were all comfortably seated the Officer
suddenly appeared with a Regimental Sergeant Major. "Sergeant Major,
put all these men on a charge". Deathly silence from everyone standing
there. "They are to be charged with obtaining rations to which they
are not entitled". Cheers and whoopees all round, to the obvious
amazement of the Sergeant Major. There was handshaking all round.
We went back to our tasks with happy hearts.
We were subsequently despatched to another place about 50 miles
away as "surplus to requirements". A sad accident then happened
which fortunately had no serious consequences. A truck came in to
seek us with a tommy who was to act as our driver. After we had
acted as landing party we walked back up point and waited. That
night we pitched camp where we stopped.
About midnight we were awakened by a terrible screech. After some
scuffling around P.O. Meaby was found kneeling on the ground holding
his ear. It transpired that he had been stung by a scorpion. He
was in terrible agony.
The Tels fiddled around with our big transmitter and eventually
got in touch with army station. About an hour later an army truck
drove up with a sick berth attendant on board. Actually he was an
army bloke. While he was attending to Meaby he bollocked us for
not spraying the ground around with petrol. He whisked Meaby away
to an army encampment. It turned out to be Ahmednager.
The following day we returned to Bandra. Meaby returned to us a
day or two later. He was fully recovered but ever afterwards he
displayed a remarkable hatred of scorpions, killing them at every
opportunity.
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