I was called for Army National Service at age 18 in 1944.After infantry training, I was posted to Burma and embarked on the converted luxury liner troopship ‘Monarch of Bermuda’.
They made sure there was not much luxury to soften us. Head to Tail hammock sleeping. Smelly feet wafting stronger the nearer we got to the tropical heat of India.
The cinema was used for film afternoons, before hammock hanging time, and hearing ‘Road to Morocco’ brings that memorable pong/song ! - back.
Here It is – Pity it’s not in Smelly Vision.
I remember standing on a parade ground in Bombay (Mumbai now) on my 19th birthday – (November 1945) thinking what a transformation in one short amazing year.
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From country bumkin,who had barely travelled outside Ocle Pychard/Burley Gate village, to the Far East via Gibraltar, Malta, and The Suez Canal.
I have the army to thank for travel and mind expanding riches that I would never have afforded otherwise.
I left behind in Blighty my first ever steady girlfriend, and we exchanged weekly letters for several months – SWALK on the envelope – all those kind of lover’s acronym messages.
2 years is a long time for young love to be apart, and sadly it withered.
Although the song ’ It Was Only A Winter’s Tale’ is not of that time or temperature, hearing it always takes me back to our sweltering army tent in Burmese jungle land, receiving the SWALK less letter, and going cold with the chilling realisation that my first love, the most impressionable strongest, romantic, emotional love of all, was not to be.
And I would never now send a letter with BURMA on the flap! - 'Be Upstairs Ready My Angel'
Ever since, at this time of year I wistfully think of – ‘A Winter's Tale & A Love Not Meant To Be’.
Hankies ready ? This emotional video portrays the feeling, eye moistening well. (Sniff - I'm choked already!)
It's nice to read your relatable tale of first love, and how it ended. Got me thinking of mine. Thanks for including 2 songs. I had not heard either, but I knew of the artists. Always glad to check out new music. Stay healthy!
Thank you kenny.Yes, there was a twist in the tale at the end.My daughter in law asked who was she'Here's my reply -
Hi Jane.
Sorry, I thought you would know.I was walking with your Mum and Dad,and your Mum said,I was with someone yesterday that knows you.She said she was your first girl friend.
Yes,the irony bit is because we came to live in the same,but different village again,within what? a mile apart,and yet as far as I know, we never knowingly met,if we did,in the church or village hall,then I never recognised her,nor she me I suppose.
X
Life can be a 'bitch'. Fortunately you were able to travel the world a little. Funny to read: with a luxury liner and Burma in the same sentence. Who would associate the two :) First time I've seen one of your posts and am amazed by your age! My stepfather doesn't even want to do mobile banking and he is at least 15 years younger than you! I need to connect you with him! hahaha
Thank you qsounds.Good point,re luxury liner and Burma,Myanmar now.I hadn't made that connection.At the time,as young squaddies,we were unaware of the politics or terrible atrocities and ethnic persecution associated with the country now.
I am lucky in being able to use a computer in advanced years.I was involved with a mainframe one early on,and have been interested and active since.Pleased to connect with you. Give my regards to your stepfather.I hope you can encourage him to get online,or do more, if he goes online already.But hey,if he's happy.....
We got him his first smartphone just last year. Until then, he did only want to have these old Nokia phones with one can only phone and text message (with a store of 10 text messages) hahaha. By now I received a handful of WhatsApp messages, so he is progressing tremendously! :)
Fortunately, my mother is a little ok with laptop and smartphone :)