My Army Day,S

A Memory of Lydd.

I was a National Service Concript , January 1947 . ( Coldest Winter for years ) . I was posted to Lydd camp with the 30th Light Ack Ack , Regiment Royal Artillery . 18yrs of age . When I saw Romney Marsh on the Postings Board . I was quite scared . I had just seen the Film Great Expectations , with the swirling Mist , and the Graveyard scene in whch Pip meets the Convict . " My God, " I thought . Not the Marshes .! But, as I alighted from the train at Lydd Station , my fears subsided . From my life in London , to the beautiful Countryside which was Lydd , . Chalk and Cheese comes to mind .
I soon settled into the life and routine at Lydd Camp .. We would go to the Cinema in the High Street , . never paying of course . By climbing over the wall at the back of the Cinema ,( The wall that housed the Gents Urinal . ) And coming home from Weekend Leave on a Monday morning . Straight out of the Milk Train . On to the Platform , and over the wall , to Hare it up the High street to the Camp , just before Reveille . ( No tickets , you see ! ) I would wander over the Ranges behind the Camp some evenings , but always keeping the Tower of the Church in sight , to keep my bearings . We used to go on a 3 ton Lorry some days during the summer , to Brenzett,, to pick Potatoes , for one of the Farmers, who had fields there . We would wait for the Truck to pick us up at the Pub on the Crossroads . ( Pub now Vacant , and for Sale ) We used to get 4 pence Halfpenny a day for that . I grew to love Lydd . I stayed there for 20 Months , before the Regiment moved to Dover . I often visit Lydd . And I always look for the Church Tower on the Horizon as I approach the town from the Ashford Road . Wonderful Day,s !

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