
Keith Holbrook
Keith Holbrook Keith Holbrook
Keith Holbrook
[1947 to1953]
[1947 to1953][1947 to1953]
[1947 to1953]
Having read Chris Buss’s excellent book ‘ A
Positive Contribution’, the thought has since
occurred to me that though it contains many
stories of happy, funny and memorable times,
there is no occasion relating to when one
wished fervently to be somewhere else. On
another planet maybe!
I had two such experiences. The first happened
soon after joining the Company. I was a shy,
somewhat nervous twelve-year-old and like all
new recruits had to undergo a couple of weeks
elementary drill before thought fit to join in
company drill in the main hall.
The time came for me to do just that. Lt
Gordon Ferriman was the drill officer that
evening and after the ‘tallest on the right,
shortest on the left etc.’ instruction and we
had formed into two ranks it was a surprise to
me when we were ordered to start numbering
from the right. So far- so good. Then came the
command ’company form fours’. What’s that all
about? Not sure, best stay put. I now became
uncomfortably aware that Gordon was staring
at me. Then the command ‘Company, form two
deep’. A long pause. Then with narrowed eyes
and a stare that seemed to go straight through
me, came the order, louder this time -
‘company, form fours!’. Realising this time that
something was expected of me and a nervous
glance round told me what it was, I quickly and
gratefully shuffled into position though not
without some embarrassment.
A minor incident? Yes, but it didn’t feel like it
at the time. From a somewhat inglorious start I
subsequently enjoyed drill but never forgot the
confusion and panic I felt on my first drill night.
“…
“…“…
“…
times when one wished to be
times when one wished to be times when one wished to be
times when one wished to be
somewhere else…another planet
somewhere else…another planet somewhere else…another planet
somewhere else…another planet
maybe!”
maybe!”maybe!”
maybe!”
Keith Holbrook
Keith HolbrookKeith Holbrook
Keith Holbrook
The other occasion I wished to be somewhere
else happened a couple of years later. I was
the junior member of the company’s first aid
team and we had entered the annual battalion
competition.
As I recall, the practical part, which came
first, went well. Then came the oral, where
individually we all had to answer questions
from an examiner. Eventually it came to my
turn and I entered the room to face a rather
stern looking officer, which did not fill me with
confidence. ‘Describe the workings of the
human heart’ I was asked [I could have told
him about my heart- sinking like a stone!]
Whether I had not been listening when the
subject was covered or it hadn’t been taught I
don’t know. But I gave it a good try but got my
ventricles completely mixed up with my
auricles, the aorta with the pulmonary. I
struggled on until the voice of the examiner
cut in saying, not unkindly ‘all right son, that’ll
do, you can go now’. I didn’t waste any time
making my exit!
Needless to say, that was one of those years
when the 70th didn’t win the competition.
I Remember When……….
I Remember When……….I Remember When……….
I Remember When……….
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