From Frying Pan to Fire?

by Malcolm Binks(aka 681170 L/A Mac Binks Eng. Fitt S.)

I am sure we all remember selecting our choice of postings during our last six months at Halton! I think my first choice was 'Kai Tak' apologise for spelling ) Hong Kong, second choice was Changi Singapore. I was actually posted to R.A.F. Cranwell (yes, the College ). If you thought we had ' Bull ' at Halton, you have no idea!!!

After a tedious journey from my home in Yorkshire I arrived at the sleepy Lincolnshire town of Sleaford, compliments of British Rail, complete with Backpack, Side Pack and a very large Kitbag. I asked a porter ( they still had them in 1958 ) which way for the Bus to R.A.F. Cranwell. He grabbed hold of my arm and frogged marched me along the platform, through the main entrance and pointed me to a bus across the road and disappeared just as quick!

The bus deposited me outside the main Guardroom at Cranwell. I walked into the Guardroom and was met with a loud shrieking yell from the Corporal `S.P'. Something about Polished Floor, Boots and Floor Pads. At the side of the door was a box painted black, neatly stencilled on the side `Floor Pads'. I took out a pair of pads and stood on them which appeared to calm down the poor demented `S.P' "What do you want?' he requested. "681170 J/T Binks A.M. reporting for duty Corporal" I replied "Oh God" was his reply. This kind of response became the Norm each time I announced myself in the next few weeks!

I was billeted in a square barrack room with ablutions at rear with about six other lads. The building was just behind the Guardroom and was the Transit block for those coming and going. The polished floor was like glass, the Bumper, Bucket and Mop were obviously Brand New and never used. (We had a tatty old ones kept in a cupboard.) and we all slid about on floor pads at all times.

I was in transit for about three days until I had reported to `P3' where I was allocated to A.S.F.30 and proceeded to fill in and have signed my Arrival Card ( I do not remember the form No). I was allocated to a Barrack Block very similar to those we had at Halton. I remember dumping all my gear bedding etc. on an empty bed not far from the entrance door, when one of the occupants, on his wayout to the bog said "that bed should still be warm, the f****** g bod only f***** g left this morning"

Oh happy days!

Malcolm Binks