ANTHONY COTTERELL - A Newspaper Man in Service Harness
CONSCRIPTION MARCH 1940
From What! No Morning Tea?, published in 1941.
I was just putting the lead on the dog when our maid Daisy gave me the letter.
I took one look and knew. This was it. And it was. A railway voucher, a postal order for 4s., and some orders.
For the first time since I left school someone was giving me orders which I couldn't walk out on or argue about.
I was just putting the lead on the dog when our maid Daisy gave me the letter.
I took one look and knew. This was it. And it was. A railway voucher, a postal order for 4s., and some orders.
For the first time since I left school someone was giving me orders which I couldn't walk out on or argue about.
"DEAR SIR,
In accordance with the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, you are called upon for service in the Territorial Army and are required to present yourself on Friday, 15 March, 1940, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon or as early as possible thereafter on that day [...] A travelling Warrant for your journey is enclosed.
A postal order for 4s. in respect of advance of service pay, is also enclosed. Uniform and personal kit will be issued to you after joining H.M. Forces. Any kit that you take with you, should not exceed an overcoat, change of clothes, stout pair of boots, and personal kit, such as razor, hair brush, tooth brush, soap and towel.
Immediately on receipt of this notice, you should inform your employer of the date upon which you are required to report for service.
Yours faithfully,"
In accordance with the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, you are called upon for service in the Territorial Army and are required to present yourself on Friday, 15 March, 1940, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon or as early as possible thereafter on that day [...] A travelling Warrant for your journey is enclosed.
A postal order for 4s. in respect of advance of service pay, is also enclosed. Uniform and personal kit will be issued to you after joining H.M. Forces. Any kit that you take with you, should not exceed an overcoat, change of clothes, stout pair of boots, and personal kit, such as razor, hair brush, tooth brush, soap and towel.
Immediately on receipt of this notice, you should inform your employer of the date upon which you are required to report for service.
Yours faithfully,"
I really laughed. The whole thing was so awful, it was funny. Everything you had ever worked for was sent up in smoke by that halfpenny circular. Every hope, every plan.
Not that I had anything in particular against the army. But I was comfortable and I didn't want to be disturbed. An unconscientious objector.
Not that I had anything in particular against the army. But I was comfortable and I didn't want to be disturbed. An unconscientious objector.
