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I was called-up in 1941, was sent to Woolwich for three weeks training in March 1942. I embarked on the CPR liner “The Duchess of Richmond”, and was sea-sick for the first three days. I was lucky enough to share a cabin with another Private by the name of Settle — one night he said “How about a game of cards?” and I said “Why not.”

So as to make the game interesting, he suggested we play for money. Well, gambling in the Army isn’t allowed except “Housey Housey” (bingo now), so out come a few coppers (pennies, that is). But before we started we agreed that at the end of the game, win or lose, we would finish with the same amount. Back then in the Army, lights out was at 10 o’clock, but we carried on playing. Then there was a knock on the cabin door and in comes the Orderly Sergeant, “Oh” says he “Gambling eh?” Well, we could not say we were not as he had seen the money. We had to go before the Officer and I got 14 days working in the ship’s galley (kitchen, that is). I had a whale of a time with all the food etc.

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