The beginning of the Cold War began within days of the end of the Second World War, yet conscription still continued to replace the demobilisation of the existing armed forces still serving in war-torn Europe, the middle and Far East territories of the British Empire. Who better to replace them than over two million eligible eighteen year old young men who were thoroughly enjoying their freedom until a brown envelope fluttered through the letterbox informing: YOU'RE CONSCRIPTED LADDIE. This is a factual and personal story about the camaraderie that quickly developed among many during their enforced National Service. They did not want to do it, but I am sure that they, like me, had some great times apart from the shit that was dished out! I sincerely trust that the chapters within my story do relate to similar incidents, albeit under different circumstances, that occurred to thousands of others. For all of us it was a period of you had to do it. No ifs or buts and for many that did enjoy that way of life, and did re-enlist, good luck to them. Nevertheless, I can honestly say that I now look back with pride that I became one of the millions of young conscripts who did survive to tell the tale.
IRELAND - INDIA - ENGLAND1915 – 1974A story based on the memoirs of Pte. Sarah Kathleen CunninghamA TRILOGY– entrusted to and written by Joe P. Plant1915. The true story of a young Irish Coleen. Sarah, eldest daughter of the Cunningham family. Exasperated by the drudgery of her home life, volunteers to serve in the Army. An adventure which is to change the course of her future life. Demobbed in 1919. Meets, falls in love with a young veteran of the war, her Gallant Sergeant Jack Plant. They court; due to the Troubles their marriage is almost a disaster, but that’s just the beginning? Seven postings later, a posting to India.1929 they sail to Bombay. Breakfast in the Taj Mahal gives Sarah a false image of her future life? After a four-day train journey, arrive in Nowshera. Sarah inherits 28 servants who only speak Urdu. During her stay Sarah endures loneliness, despair, illness, miscarriages, a birth, frightening escapades of her tribe, wild animals, the king cobra, visits to hill stations, a chance meeting with Kitty – a lifelong friendship provides amusement. They return to Blighty, the birth and death of Peter, more babies. Jack’s demobilisation; due to the pending war, his recall. Later a traumatic period, evacuation, her eldest daughter Mary contracts TB. During the London Blitz bombed out, necessitates a move to a Lancashire cotton town. Her eldest son is sent to the war in Burma. They return to a devastated London and rationing. What will happen next?
MALAYA 16th. June 1948. Early in the morning, 3 murders of Rubber Planters took place. All within the area of Taiping Perak North Malaya. The names of the Planters were: - Mr. Arthur Walker. Manager of the Elphin Rubber Estate. and Mr J.M. Allison, along with Mr. I.D. Christian of the Phin Soon Rubber Estate. The two gangs of Murderers all Chinese, were Members of the Malaya Communist Party, under the then Party Chairman Chin Peng. Chin Peng had been trained and fought alongside the British Special Operations Executive Force 136. During the Japanese Occupation of Malaya from 1942 until 1945. Chin Peng’s objective was, to create a Communist Dictatorship in Malaya, after the cessation of hostilities. Then take over from the British Government in Malaya, The Malaya Communist Party, began to cause unrest creating strikes and acts of murder amongst the law-abiding Malayan people, whose population was mainly of Chinese origin. In February 1947. Under a Treaty arranged by the British Government. The Federated and Unfederated States of Malaya became one. Much against the Malayan Communist Party’s wishes. Retaliating, they creating more havoc and unrest amongst the civilians, until finally decided to. ‘Take up Arms’ against the British Government. The murders of the three Planters, had the British High Commissioner Sir. Edward Gent forced to take action. Initiated a State of Emergency in Perak, quickly followed throughout other States. Chin Peng ‘Declared War’ against the British. Subsequently, the atrocities spread throughout Malaya. The Civil Police were unable to control the speeding violence and mayhem. Necessitating, the existing British and Gurkha Troops to take control. Nevertheless, the Communist had taken their fight into the jungles of Malaya. Where for the next 12 years, a Bloody War took place. It was called ‘THE EMERGENCY’ by the British Government, due to the possible Insurance claims from both the Rubber Plantation and Tin Mines Owners. It cost the lives of 1,818. Commonwealth Forces. & 1,026 Federation of Malaya Police. Over the following 12 years, it is estimated that in excess of 22,000, lost their lives consisting of, Commonwealth Forces of the three Service’s, Federation of Malaya Police. Civilians, including the Chinese Communist Terrorist. Chin Peng survived, escaped with the remains of his beaten Army, numbering less than 400 across the Malay border into Thailand to remain an exile.
In the late 1800’s Vauxhall located on the banks of the River Thames was an area of depravity. Its population mainly unemployed, were either sick or poverty stricken, desperately in need of both spiritual and medical care. In 1892. A certain Catholic priest. Father. William Francis Brown arrived in Vauxhall. His purpose to start a Catholic Mission to the poor and needy of Vauxhall. Against all odds he built, a school, then his Church, in doing so he created his Parish. His next aim was to establish his Settlement, he purchased a Hall and four houses, during which time Father. Brown was introduced to a Nurse, who had been trained in Midwifery, and Child Welfare, with a character similar to his own and spirit of determination to succeed in administering medical help to the sick and needy. Her name was Miss Grace Gordon Smith. Between them they formed a partnership to provide the spiritual and medical treatment for the poor and needy of his Parish. In 1924, Father Brown was Consecrated a Bishop. Bishop of Pella. His alliance with Grace continued and between them they established an order of Nuns and created the Dames of St. Joan, to forge the way for a service, years ahead of the future National Health Service. In 1935 saw the opening of his Settlement, which included a Youth Club for the boys and girls of his school and those outside his Parish. During the Second World War although bombed twice. The Settlement carried on administering medical care, and the Youth Club never closed. In 1944 Bishop Brown purchased a house in Ashstead Surrey, as a Hostel for the Youth of London to spend a week-end or week, away from the bombings of London. Affectionately known to all members of the Youth Club as: ‘The Bish’ and as ‘Old Pella’ to all the people of South London. His good work was recognised by the Municipal Authorities of Lambeth who named a block of flats in the Lambeth walk. ‘Pella House’. This story is the history of one man’s dream that came to fruition in the establishment of St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Settlement-Youth and Pella Club, from its founding in 1892 to the present day.
Little, if anything, is known about Torpoint's passage through the years of World War II; in fact it is a time forgotten. This book goes some way to describe what actually did happen. It is not about one story, but about many individual stories, threaded together to record and validate one person's recollection together with others, to give a true account of the incident in question, which caused death and injuries to its civilian residents; also the fate of its servicemen who died in battle throughout the world. Due to censorship, the taking of photographs was not permitted. However, during research for the book, a few did come to light, including German Reconnaissance photos identifying Torpoint as a target and American GIs leaving on 1st June 1944 bound for the D-Day Landings - a truthful illustration of the times and incidents that did occur. This book also identifies a complete list of Torpoint's War fatalities, their courage, dedication and sense of sacrifice, which brought about their early demise. It is a chronicle of a short period in the town's history that students will learn from and that, for others, will hopefully rekindle lost family memories. "I can only congratulate Joe on a quite remarkable achievement. This book will provide a permanent insight to this and future generations of the dark days our predecessors had to endure, the contribution they made to eventual victory and the freedoms we enjoy today." Richard Carew Pole. Bt. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joe Plant was born in Crystal Palace London. During the London Blitz of March 1941 his family was bombed out so he has personal experience of being involved with incidents of falling bombs during the Blitz. He travelled north to Lancashire to seek refuge, returning before the end of the war to the devastation of London. In 1955 he was conscripted as a National Serviceman and served in Malaya during the Emergency (War). Demobed in 1957, in 1959 he married his wife Annette. From their marriage they have three children and seven grandchildren. In 1963 through a car accident Joe was was left partially sighted. He trained as a Design Draftsman, had to change his profession to become a Purchasing Manager, which took him to many foreign countries, before he was seconded to Devenport Dockyard in 1987. He moved to Torpoint where the family settled. In 1997, he became the Chairman of the re-formed Torpoint branch of the Royal British Legion.
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