91�ȱ�

This story was submitted to the 91�ȱ� People’s War site by Wymondham Learning Centre on behalf of the author who fully understand the site's terms and conditions.

Soon after the cessation of hostilities in 1945, our Company reached its final destination — the town of Luchow in Germany. Corporal Fred Pearce and I were summoned to see the Commanding Officer who had received a directive that priority was now to be given to providing Sports and Entertainment for the troops.

The C.O. had commandeered a small hotel in the town which was to be known as “The Pepperpot Arms” and we were to move in there. We were excused all other duties and parades so that we could concentrate on producing regular shows. Fred could enlist the services of any other soldiers, who could play instruments, to form a band, which the C.O. decided would be called “THE HOME-AGAINERS”!

My job was to write materials, i.e. comic songs, and instruments were sent out from the U.K. I received a new guitar and ukelele and daily rehearsals began with our twelve-piece band, which went on to give weekly performances until the Unit was disbanded.

I was then transferred to C.S.E.U. (Combined Services Entertainment Unit) and became guitarist with “THE ASTRACHORDS” — the 30 Corps Broadcasting Band of 15 musicians, 5 saxes, 6 brass and 4 rhythm. One of the assignments for this band was to accompany “THE NEWS OF THE WORLD VICTORY SHOW” starring SANDY POWELL, CAVAN O’CONNOR, BERYL ORDE, KENWAY & YOUNG and many other well-known artistes of that time on a tour of one-night stands starting in Berlin.

I was later transferred again to the B.F.N (British Forces Network) in Hamburg to join the resident 8-piece band RIC KENNEDY & HIS MUSIC as guitarist, doing several weekly broadcasts until I was demobbed in August 1947. I still have photos of the three bands, which I have mentioned and with which I enjoyed many very happy times.

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