We embarked on the train and didn’t know whether we were going North or South. During our time at the barracks we had also been given Royal Army Ordnance procedure, giving details of the build up of the Ordnance organization, including the various ranks and the different kinds of stores which built up the whole ordnance scheme, everything except transport, that coming then under the RASC (Service Corps). Among the ranks covered was the probably least likely to be reached of W.O. I B.O.W.O. Brigade Warrant Officer. When we finally reached our destination we were informed it was at Weedon in Northamptonshire and was the main depot for small arms. It was pitch black and raining as we marched down to a group of huts that had hastily been erected, some of them not finished off. Luckily the one I was assigned to was reasonable; there were beds and blankets in, and some lads who that day had also come to Weedon had filled palliasses for us with straw. They had come from Woolwich and in the main were clerks as opposed to us, being storemen. In the huts were double-decker bunks. I slept on the top deck and the lad who I had got friendly with at Shrewsbury slept on the bottom. Our stay at Weedon was rather boring, especially after being so active in our six weeks training. All that we were doing was to help civilians check incoming supplies of arms. I don’t think we were appreciated by some of the civilians who were mostly men and all in all it seemed to be a waste of time. Whilst we were at Weedon we used to go into Northampton at weekends on the bus or hitch-hike. Christmas 1940 was rather a sad time as it was the first Christmas we had been away from home. However, one of the civilian workers invited us for Christmas tea. Three of us went and his home was just a few miles from Weedon Depot, so we walked there. I am not sure whether the man’s wife was pleased or not as she had two little children. In the event, each of us attending pulled out of our gas mask holders a supply of chocolate which was our ration. I think the lady was very surprised and brightened up considerably as chocolate was severely rationed. Her husband was later called up into the R.A.F.. We walked back to the depot after an enjoyable evening, but we had only one day break. Three of our company had decided to take “French Leave” in other words going away from the barracks without a leave pass (AWOL). They went up home to Lancashire, mainly Manchester, and Chorley and Preston. On their return, they received fourteen days pack drill in their own time, which consisted of you being dressed in full equipment and your large pack filled to capacity and marching up and down very often at the double.
Prior to Christmas Day, December twenty second and third, Manchester suffered two terrible air raids, which did a tremendous amount of damage. My friend of the lower bunk, whose name was Jim Riding, a devout R.C., had made arrangements to be married that Christmas. He came from Manchester and had been granted a forty-eight hours pass. I saw him off and he hitched a lift on a fire engine as many engines were making their way to Manchester. Christmas eve was air raid free over Manchester but the damage had been done, including the smashing of the cathedral. The clock being stopped during the duration of the war. On my friend’s return after Christmas, he was in intense shock after seeing the appalling destruction which had been caused. He hardly spoke for nearly one month.
Continue to 22. Weedon To Old Dalby