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Ive spent some time in The QE2 Military Hospital in Woolwhich, London.
Is that still there?
:?
Is that still there?
:?
Article Anecdotes by John A Silkstone
- Thread starter John A Silkstone
- Start date
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- Jul 11, 2004
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Hi Bombardier,
No. All military hospital have handed over the National Health Service.
The QE 2 Hospital was the new one. the old hospital was called The Royal Herburt and was about a quarter of a mile away by the turning to Shooter Hill and is now used as offices I believe. Silky
No. All military hospital have handed over the National Health Service.
The QE 2 Hospital was the new one. the old hospital was called The Royal Herburt and was about a quarter of a mile away by the turning to Shooter Hill and is now used as offices I believe. Silky
- Joined
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Hi folks,
Two years ago this month I started telling my anecdotes about my time in the Army.
Then it fell off in February last year when I was at the stage of the Millbank Military Hospital in London.
Since then I’ve been researching my genealogy. My father died when I was a young lad and my mother had married after his military service was over, so as far as she was concerned, he was only a sergeant.
In my research I found out the following and was utterly astounded. This year I attended the Royal Army Medical Corps, annual dinner and wore my father’s medals as well as my own.
The following is a copy of my fathers mention in the London Gazette.
London Gazette Supplement, 4th March 1918.
240730 C.S.M. Martin Silkstone, W. Yorks. B. (Leeds).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during heavy fighting on two occasions, when every officer in his company became a casualty. Observing that some high ground 150 yards away entirely dominated him, he at once took men to occupy it. Though met by much rifle fire he captured the position and from it was able to direct fire on the advancing enemy columns. Eventually outflanked, with all his N.C.O’s, Lewis-gun teams’ and casualties, he withdrew the survivors to Battalion H.Q., where he re-organised for a new advance, which was at once commenced.
The following is a summery of my father’s Military Career.
SILKSTONE, Martin (D.C.M., M.M.), Sergeant Major, 1st West Yorks. Regiment.
Mobilised in August 1914, he was immediately drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in the fighting at Mons. He also fought in the Battle of Ypres and the Somme plus many other important engagements, and was wounded in action a totals of five times.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for great gallantry and devotion to duty displayed in taking entire charge of his Company when all his officers were killed, and was granted the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the Field. He also holds the Mons Star, General Service and Victory Medals, and was discharged in April 1920.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Established in 1854, the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) is Britain’s oldest award for gallantry and second only to the Victoria Cross.
It was awarded to enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers and warrant officers of any nation, in any branch of the service, for distinguished conduct in battle.
Military Medal (MM)
Established on the 25th March 1916, the Military Medal (MM) was awarded for individual or associated acts of bravery on the field of battle.
For our over seas members, being Gazetted, as it is called, is having your military awards and deeds published in the London Gazette. This is still carried on today.
ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH
In June 1972 I was once more posted to the UN in Cyprus. This Time I was the NCO in charge of the MRS. It was an unaccompanied posting and so Jan and the girls remained at home.
Again I started to attend the Currency Exchange Unit at the airport. One-day the sergeant’s mess caterer asked why I always went to the airport in the mornings. I informed him that due to the new currency exchange rates I could make nearly £15 a week profit. I found out later that he was quickly shipped back to the UK. It appeared that he was exchanging the bar takings of the mess and pocketing the profit. He was making that much money that he didn’t bother to draw his pay and so questions were asked. The trouble was that it also put a stop to my little profit earner.
Christmas day I was invited for dinner to one of my friend’s home. He was stationed at the BMH but lived in a small town called Larnaca.
After dinner we went to a party across the road and was introduced to everyone by my Christian name. One of the lads there was in the Royal Signals. On meeting him, I said, “I know you!” to which he replied “And I know you.” We sat there travelling the world and found that we were never posted to the same location at the same time.
About an hour later I asked him if his surname was Matterson? “Yes” he replied with a frown on his face. “Well” said I “my name is Silkstone and we played together as children. Your family left Bullock Street when you were five.”
Though we hadn’t seen each other for over twenty seven years, we’d still recognised each other within the depth of our minds.
THE OTHERSIDE OF THE COIN
Though Cyprus was a good posting, some of the sights that we encounter after the terrorist had attack villages would be imprinted on the mind of the viewer for the rest of their lives. It didn’t matter if they were male or female, young or old, the people were massacred and the bodies mutilated.
I remember an incident with my first tour when we escorted a Greek ambulance to collecting a 50 year old woman who was shot while hanging out washing in the Neapolis suburb of Nicosia. There doesn’t appear to be any sense to the killing of innocent people going about their daily lives.
BACK TO BLIGHTY AND MILLBANK
I must admit that one of the nicest sights to see on returning from the Middle East is the green patchwork quilt of the English countryside below the plane.
Due to lack of water, the grass in Cyprus was always a brownish colour like the grass on sand dunes at the seaside.
Two years ago this month I started telling my anecdotes about my time in the Army.
Then it fell off in February last year when I was at the stage of the Millbank Military Hospital in London.
Since then I’ve been researching my genealogy. My father died when I was a young lad and my mother had married after his military service was over, so as far as she was concerned, he was only a sergeant.
In my research I found out the following and was utterly astounded. This year I attended the Royal Army Medical Corps, annual dinner and wore my father’s medals as well as my own.
The following is a copy of my fathers mention in the London Gazette.
London Gazette Supplement, 4th March 1918.
240730 C.S.M. Martin Silkstone, W. Yorks. B. (Leeds).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during heavy fighting on two occasions, when every officer in his company became a casualty. Observing that some high ground 150 yards away entirely dominated him, he at once took men to occupy it. Though met by much rifle fire he captured the position and from it was able to direct fire on the advancing enemy columns. Eventually outflanked, with all his N.C.O’s, Lewis-gun teams’ and casualties, he withdrew the survivors to Battalion H.Q., where he re-organised for a new advance, which was at once commenced.
The following is a summery of my father’s Military Career.
SILKSTONE, Martin (D.C.M., M.M.), Sergeant Major, 1st West Yorks. Regiment.
Mobilised in August 1914, he was immediately drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in the fighting at Mons. He also fought in the Battle of Ypres and the Somme plus many other important engagements, and was wounded in action a totals of five times.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for great gallantry and devotion to duty displayed in taking entire charge of his Company when all his officers were killed, and was granted the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the Field. He also holds the Mons Star, General Service and Victory Medals, and was discharged in April 1920.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Established in 1854, the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) is Britain’s oldest award for gallantry and second only to the Victoria Cross.
It was awarded to enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers and warrant officers of any nation, in any branch of the service, for distinguished conduct in battle.
Military Medal (MM)
Established on the 25th March 1916, the Military Medal (MM) was awarded for individual or associated acts of bravery on the field of battle.
For our over seas members, being Gazetted, as it is called, is having your military awards and deeds published in the London Gazette. This is still carried on today.
ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH
In June 1972 I was once more posted to the UN in Cyprus. This Time I was the NCO in charge of the MRS. It was an unaccompanied posting and so Jan and the girls remained at home.
Again I started to attend the Currency Exchange Unit at the airport. One-day the sergeant’s mess caterer asked why I always went to the airport in the mornings. I informed him that due to the new currency exchange rates I could make nearly £15 a week profit. I found out later that he was quickly shipped back to the UK. It appeared that he was exchanging the bar takings of the mess and pocketing the profit. He was making that much money that he didn’t bother to draw his pay and so questions were asked. The trouble was that it also put a stop to my little profit earner.
Christmas day I was invited for dinner to one of my friend’s home. He was stationed at the BMH but lived in a small town called Larnaca.
After dinner we went to a party across the road and was introduced to everyone by my Christian name. One of the lads there was in the Royal Signals. On meeting him, I said, “I know you!” to which he replied “And I know you.” We sat there travelling the world and found that we were never posted to the same location at the same time.
About an hour later I asked him if his surname was Matterson? “Yes” he replied with a frown on his face. “Well” said I “my name is Silkstone and we played together as children. Your family left Bullock Street when you were five.”
Though we hadn’t seen each other for over twenty seven years, we’d still recognised each other within the depth of our minds.
THE OTHERSIDE OF THE COIN
Though Cyprus was a good posting, some of the sights that we encounter after the terrorist had attack villages would be imprinted on the mind of the viewer for the rest of their lives. It didn’t matter if they were male or female, young or old, the people were massacred and the bodies mutilated.
I remember an incident with my first tour when we escorted a Greek ambulance to collecting a 50 year old woman who was shot while hanging out washing in the Neapolis suburb of Nicosia. There doesn’t appear to be any sense to the killing of innocent people going about their daily lives.
BACK TO BLIGHTY AND MILLBANK
I must admit that one of the nicest sights to see on returning from the Middle East is the green patchwork quilt of the English countryside below the plane.
Due to lack of water, the grass in Cyprus was always a brownish colour like the grass on sand dunes at the seaside.
- Joined
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AN INCIDENT THAT NEVER FADES
Some people say that they can remember exactly what they were doing when the news broke that American President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
I remember I was in Cyprus at the time, but I can’t remember what I was doing.
Now the 30th May 1971 I do remember, for that day’s events are etched deep into me brain.
I was on the middle shift at the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital, Millbank, London. I was looking forward to my 11 o’clock break when I was summoned to the Deputy Matrons office.
“Morning John,” she said “take a seat.”
This in itself was unusual. Deputy Matrons don’t call you by your Christian name, nor do they ask you to sit down. While taking a seat my mind worked overtime with thoughts of what mishaps could have befallen my family.
The Deputy Matron carried on. “John, a mother and father will arrive at 11.45 hours to view their son who is to be buried this afternoon. I would like you to go to the Chapel of Rest and lay out the body for viewing, also make sure that everything is neat and tidy.”
Inwardly I gave a sigh of relief. It had nothing to do with my family.
Having laid out many cadavers in the past, one more wouldn’t make any difference and so I answered. “Yes ma-am.”
Leaving the office I made my way to reception and collected the keys to the Chapel of Rest. Entering the chapel, I noticed a small white coffin on the dais.
Taking a deep breath I paused. Being in the forces I had assumed that the body would be that of a soldier, and not that of a soldier’s child.
Lifting the casket lid, I stared down at the grey waxy face of a child that was only a few weeks old. An autopsy had taken place and some of the scars were quite visible and ugly.
Replacing the lid I left the chapel and returned to the ward were I pleaded with the female nurses to lend me some of their cosmetic make-up, I also removed a pillowcase from the linen cupboard.
Once again in the chapel, I applied powder to the child’s face, highlighted the cheeks with blusher and applied a small amount of rouge to the small purple lips. Cutting off a corner of the pillowcase, I placed it over the child’s head to form a skullcap.
Having completed my duties, I was about to leave the chapel when I heard a knock at the door.
On opening the door I found the Deputy Matron with the child’s parents.
Even before entering the chapel the mother was in a pitiful state. At the coffin side she broke down sobbing. The father comforted his wife while at the same time keeping his military bearing and training. Though he stood soldier like, I could see the hollow man within his eyes. I knew then, that he would grieve for his loss at a later time and in private. However, at this moment in time, he had had to be the rock his wife could lean on.
On leaving the chapel the Deputy Matron silently mouthed “Thank you” and nodded her head
Nothing else needed to be said.
29 FIELD AMBULANCE
I stayed at Millbank until 1974 when I was promoted to sergeant and posted to 29 Field Ambulance.
I was given my movement orders which told me to report to Luton Airport at 16.45 hours on Friday. On arrival I was informed that I had missed my flight and I would have to stay there over the weekend and fly out Monday.
On Monday I flew to Germany and was met at the airport by Dodger Green, one of my old mates from Singapore. He informed me that the unit had been looking for me since Friday and I was assumed to be absent.
On arrival at the camp in Oberkirchen I was charged with being absent and marched in front of the CO. Once I showed by movement orders and verified the timings, the case was abolished. It appeared that the clerk had got the wrong timing and I should have reported no later than 10.45 hours.
The Colonel then informed me that they had been looking for me all weekend as my wife had been admitted into hospital after suffering a miscarriage. I was given seven days leave and returned to the UK on an RAF plane that was going to RAF Scampton which was only 10 miles away from where I lived.
Though the RAF cocked matters up in the beginning by not notifying Millbank or 29 Field Ambulance where I was. I must say they did themselves proud on getting me home again, they even arranged for one of the RAF lads that lived in Gainsborough to drive me home.
Jan was out of hospital the next day and I also received a telephone call from the Chief Clerk at 29 Field Ambulance, informing me that a flat was waiting for me and my family in Rinteln plus flight arrangements had been made and this time the timing had been correct.
We rented our house to the local council who promised to keep the house in good repair and would vacate the house on our return.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Reporting back to the unit I was told that I would be in charge of D Section. I was informed in the mess that the lads in D section were the dregs and that three of them was known as the Musketeers because they always hung about together and if there was a way out of a task, they would know it.
A SOFTY SOFTY APPROACH
The following, morning the lads where outside working like little beavers and in no time at all, the 12 X12 and a 24 X 12 tents where erected and the kit being laid out ready for use in side.
At NAFFI break I was in the mess and Dodger said “How did you get that lot to get the tents up so quickly?” “Easy.” said I, “I told them that I didn’t know how to erect the tents and could they show me. They were only too willing to prove that they knew more than me, and that made them happy.”
After that the lads and I got on great.
Some people say that they can remember exactly what they were doing when the news broke that American President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
I remember I was in Cyprus at the time, but I can’t remember what I was doing.
Now the 30th May 1971 I do remember, for that day’s events are etched deep into me brain.
I was on the middle shift at the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital, Millbank, London. I was looking forward to my 11 o’clock break when I was summoned to the Deputy Matrons office.
“Morning John,” she said “take a seat.”
This in itself was unusual. Deputy Matrons don’t call you by your Christian name, nor do they ask you to sit down. While taking a seat my mind worked overtime with thoughts of what mishaps could have befallen my family.
The Deputy Matron carried on. “John, a mother and father will arrive at 11.45 hours to view their son who is to be buried this afternoon. I would like you to go to the Chapel of Rest and lay out the body for viewing, also make sure that everything is neat and tidy.”
Inwardly I gave a sigh of relief. It had nothing to do with my family.
Having laid out many cadavers in the past, one more wouldn’t make any difference and so I answered. “Yes ma-am.”
Leaving the office I made my way to reception and collected the keys to the Chapel of Rest. Entering the chapel, I noticed a small white coffin on the dais.
Taking a deep breath I paused. Being in the forces I had assumed that the body would be that of a soldier, and not that of a soldier’s child.
Lifting the casket lid, I stared down at the grey waxy face of a child that was only a few weeks old. An autopsy had taken place and some of the scars were quite visible and ugly.
Replacing the lid I left the chapel and returned to the ward were I pleaded with the female nurses to lend me some of their cosmetic make-up, I also removed a pillowcase from the linen cupboard.
Once again in the chapel, I applied powder to the child’s face, highlighted the cheeks with blusher and applied a small amount of rouge to the small purple lips. Cutting off a corner of the pillowcase, I placed it over the child’s head to form a skullcap.
Having completed my duties, I was about to leave the chapel when I heard a knock at the door.
On opening the door I found the Deputy Matron with the child’s parents.
Even before entering the chapel the mother was in a pitiful state. At the coffin side she broke down sobbing. The father comforted his wife while at the same time keeping his military bearing and training. Though he stood soldier like, I could see the hollow man within his eyes. I knew then, that he would grieve for his loss at a later time and in private. However, at this moment in time, he had had to be the rock his wife could lean on.
On leaving the chapel the Deputy Matron silently mouthed “Thank you” and nodded her head
Nothing else needed to be said.
29 FIELD AMBULANCE
I stayed at Millbank until 1974 when I was promoted to sergeant and posted to 29 Field Ambulance.
I was given my movement orders which told me to report to Luton Airport at 16.45 hours on Friday. On arrival I was informed that I had missed my flight and I would have to stay there over the weekend and fly out Monday.
On Monday I flew to Germany and was met at the airport by Dodger Green, one of my old mates from Singapore. He informed me that the unit had been looking for me since Friday and I was assumed to be absent.
On arrival at the camp in Oberkirchen I was charged with being absent and marched in front of the CO. Once I showed by movement orders and verified the timings, the case was abolished. It appeared that the clerk had got the wrong timing and I should have reported no later than 10.45 hours.
The Colonel then informed me that they had been looking for me all weekend as my wife had been admitted into hospital after suffering a miscarriage. I was given seven days leave and returned to the UK on an RAF plane that was going to RAF Scampton which was only 10 miles away from where I lived.
Though the RAF cocked matters up in the beginning by not notifying Millbank or 29 Field Ambulance where I was. I must say they did themselves proud on getting me home again, they even arranged for one of the RAF lads that lived in Gainsborough to drive me home.
Jan was out of hospital the next day and I also received a telephone call from the Chief Clerk at 29 Field Ambulance, informing me that a flat was waiting for me and my family in Rinteln plus flight arrangements had been made and this time the timing had been correct.
We rented our house to the local council who promised to keep the house in good repair and would vacate the house on our return.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Reporting back to the unit I was told that I would be in charge of D Section. I was informed in the mess that the lads in D section were the dregs and that three of them was known as the Musketeers because they always hung about together and if there was a way out of a task, they would know it.
A SOFTY SOFTY APPROACH
The following, morning the lads where outside working like little beavers and in no time at all, the 12 X12 and a 24 X 12 tents where erected and the kit being laid out ready for use in side.
At NAFFI break I was in the mess and Dodger said “How did you get that lot to get the tents up so quickly?” “Easy.” said I, “I told them that I didn’t know how to erect the tents and could they show me. They were only too willing to prove that they knew more than me, and that made them happy.”
After that the lads and I got on great.
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Hi John.
Just read your article, it brought back some memories, I was at Oswestry in June 1957 and ended up in 29 Field in Cyprus.
Regards Bill Packham
Just read your article, it brought back some memories, I was at Oswestry in June 1957 and ended up in 29 Field in Cyprus.
Regards Bill Packham
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Hi Bill and welcome to your first posting on the site.
Silky
Silky
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Well lads it’s a long time since I placed some info about the things I got upto while in the Army. So here I am again.
OWT FOR NOWT29 Fld Ambulance was only a small unit, and so we took turns to be the mess caterer. At 11:45 hours I was preparing the bar to open at 12:00 hours when the phone rang. It was the lads in the guard room, informing me that the Carlsberg representative was there and would like come up to the mess. I told them to hang on to him, and I would come to collect him ASAP. We didn’t sell Carlsberg in the mess, and so I nipped down to the NAFFI and borrowed two crates. Back at the mess I telephoned Dodger, who phoned the other mess members and told them to order Carlsberg when they came to the mess. I collected the rep and drove him back to the mess. While talking to the rep, Tommy Goss came into the mess and said, “Usual Carlsberg John, please.” He was followed by: John Evens, Charlie Gribbens, Ray Bunting (RCT), Trevor Llewellyn (RCT), Mac (McDonald) (REME), Del Burgess and Dodger Green, all asking for Carlsberg. The rep asked why we only had bottles and not draught. I informed him that we only had the one pump and we couldn’t afford another, so he arranged for us to have a new pump put into the bar and sent us three firkins of draft Carlsberg to christen it with. We also got the usual collection of cigarette lighters, ashtrays, playing cards, clocks etc. The same sort of thing would happen when the Becks rep appeared. I must admit that the two hundred and sixteen free pints went down very well with all those who drank it.
WHY ARE THE ROADS EMPTY?Belonging to an Armoured Field Ambulance meant that I had to know how to drive (and know the basic workings of) a track vehicle, so I was placed on a driving course. It’s surprising how quickly the roads in Germany cleared when a tank with big red L Plates attached to the front and rear of the vehicle was driving down the road. The vehicles were Armoured Personnel Carriers, more commonly known as APC 432s. They had been converted to carry patients, and had the usual big Red Cross on the side.
RED CROSS! WHAT RED CROSS?On the course, we were informed not to rely on the Red Cross, as the enemy had decided not to bother with the Geneva Convention. Their first task was to demoralize the troops by destroying the medics. It was then that I started looking for some wire wool to get the bloody Red Cross of the side of my vehicle.
TAX! YES PLEASE.In December I received a tax statement saying that I owed £95 tax from the rent on our house, and that the bill had to be paid by January the 10th.Having a wife and three children, there was no way that the tax man would get his money at that time of year. I wrote asking them to check my tax payments for the last seven years, knowing that they would be closed over Christmas and it would be about February before I got a reply. In late January I received a letter stating that they had checked my accounts and found a mistake, and that a cheque for £700 was enclosed as back payment and interest on tax that they had overcharged me. This was an unexpected bonus, and goes to show that it is worthwhile to ask the tax man to look up your past payments; however, don’t forget that it can work both ways.
FLOTATIONIn the summer, the unit would drive south to the town of Hamelin, famous for its Pied Piper. Just outside the town we would turn off the main road and line up on the bank of the River Weser, and practice river crossing. A snorkel would be attached to the exhaust pipe, and a rubber skirt lifted out of its housing and raised to a height of three feet (one metre).Once the vehicle was made waterproof, we would slowly enter the river and sail the tank over to the opposite bank, using the tracks to give forward motion and guidance. We would take turns at being the driver. It’s difficult for the driver, because he cannot see where he is going. All his actions are controlled by radio messages from the commander, who is standing on top of the vehicle and telling the driver which way to go. What makes it even more difficult for the driver is the sound of the revving engine. With the tracks not carrying any weight, they turn at top speed, and you feel that you are going at sixty miles an hour; however, you need your foot well down on the accelerator to get the 432 to move forward, as the river current pushes you down stream and towards the weir. As the driver, I found the first time very daunting. You are totally blind and have to rely on the commander for all directions; therefore communication between the two has to be complementary. After a few crossing, however, I felt I could have crossed the Atlantic.
ANOTHER FINE MESS YOU GOT ME INTOEvery other Friday night, we’d have a movie in the mess. One night I was the projectionist, and part way through the movie the reel fell off the projector and rolled around the mess in ever decreasing circles. The mess members commented that the Laurel and Hardy antics of Dodger Green and me running round the mess trying to catch the reel were much more entertaining than the John Wayne cowboy movie that we’d been watching.
OWT FOR NOWT
WHY ARE THE ROADS EMPTY?
RED CROSS! WHAT RED CROSS?
TAX! YES PLEASE.
FLOTATION
ANOTHER FINE MESS YOU GOT ME INTO
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Just read through them again Silky, Brilliant
I have promoted all your Anecdote posts to a single Article. You can find it here. MILITARY ANECDOTES BY SILKY
Well done mate
I have promoted all your Anecdote posts to a single Article. You can find it here. MILITARY ANECDOTES BY SILKY
Well done mate
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