The NAAFI at Lo Wu
The Naafi as ever provided some refuge from our tents but it was always full and noisy. Here was the only radio from which the BBC could be heard, but it was mainly tuned to an American station, Radio Manilla. I do recall though standing outside in the dark and damp of an evening while on guard listening to an account of the 1950 Boat Race, that event striking me as incongruous in the circumstances. Our Naafi was home to the inevitable piano. It was also one of the few places in camp that had electric light.
One could get something to eat and a drink of beer, char, (tea) or real orangeade made by Watsons; a superb thirst quencher. Here we were introduced to what became part of our staple diet – the ‘egg Banjo’- or a fried egg on fried bread. San Miguel beer was sold (and now with an international repute), but I never acquired a taste for it finding it too sweet and perfumed. Many of the regulars did like it to excess and on pay nights, Fridays and Saturdays, the atmosphere was more like a saloon in a western film. Some regulars never even left camp preferring to spend their free time drinking whilst their money lasted. One ritual here and elsewhere was that the drinkers retained on the their tables all the empty bottles as the session progressed. By evenings end it was totally covered. I had never seen the like before.
Entertainment
Occasionally a mobile army film unit would brave the tracks to our location and provide some ‘entertainment’ with a film show in the mess hut. They would set up a projector and if the electricity supply allowed and attempt to show a film. They were all black and white, in appalling condition and with a sound track one could not hear. They really were not worth watching. But they were something to do of an evening, and as on ship the comic and ribald comments from the audience were the best of the entertainment.
These film shows were fairly regular, when the truck could get through, but the Major’s wife in her ‘welfare capacity’ on one occasion organized a ‘treat’ for us; a real live amateur concert party with some attractive girls, singers and the like. This was well done and well received, but it only happened the once in the whole of my service.
Pretty accurate description, the plane you mention was a ‘Mustang’, after the radio station in Shum Chun.
Thank you John for those remarks and your interest in my story. It’s even more interesting that after sixty five years the event is remembered. It did too at the time make an impression. It all happened so suddenly and was over so quickly. Not something that usually occurred at morning parade.
It appears you have some knowledge of the incident, can you add anything more about it?
Hi John.
I have followed you account with much interest.
You have the facts.
Perhaps you remember the typhoon that followed almost directly after we erected the tents, and demolished the lot. Incidentaly, i remember that after the rain, while a mob of naked soldiers were trying to get some order, a concert party called ‘The Four Aces. appeared and were quickly ushered the Officers Mess to avoid embarrassment ( not ours, I think).
Hey ho.
John.
John, it is apparent from your remarks you and I served time together at Lo Wu, will you say in what capacity?
I can’t say I can recall you directly but in some manner your name seems familiar. I look forward to learning a little more about you.
I think the plane incident and the typhoon were two particularly memorable events at Lo Wu, though it’s probably also true to say the whole experience of Lo Wu is unforgettable.
And I’ve certainly forgotten about that concert party but I can’t forget the hilarity that ensued in course of the torrential rains and its consequences. Something along the lines of a schoolboy lark.
One other matter I have since learned about was the strenuous effort involved in manpacking all the gear up to the OP was subsequently avoided because mules were later employed on the duty instead of of us squaddies. Some had it cushy!
So glad you got in touch, and If you have anything more to add please feel free to do so. How long ago it all was.
My regards,
John.
Hi,John.
As far as I was involved in the in the “man packing’ exercise, the practice of using mules never happened, as it was thought that the animal could carry little more than a soldier and was not as docile.
John, It was after our time. It seems remarkable that mules were employed at all. Why use a mule when you have a squaddy?
Character forming yes, and it did us no harm. It makes me smile when I hear complaints from teen agers about some aspects of their lot today. As was said “…they need to get their service in..”
Please keep up your remarks and tell us something of your NS experience. You clearly retain memories of it.
Regards,
John.
Hi,John ,
I was a regular, a fourth generation ‘gunner’,Your observations as a National Service man are very interesting.I was sorry to hear of Tim Tate-Smith, I bumped into him in Moulton(?) in ’71,while I working on the Shale belt.Bill Hale.Captain Ret.and Major Tilburn Ret,have now gone, but I was lucky enough to serve with them later and they both supported me at my wedding.I left the Army as a W.O. Surveyor 1, A.R.I. working overseas most of the time, including seven years with the S.O.A.
My infrequent visits to the U.K. persuaded me that I would not live there, We now live happily in a small town in France, where I am accepted as a welcome foreigner, not the case in the United States of Britain. So now you have it,Take care,
John.
Very interesting John, sad about Tim TS-we were good friends and he was best man at my wedding-and delighted in Sergeant Hale making Captain well deserved and at which I am not surprised and Capt Tilburn, as was, getting his majority. He was a gentleman and respected us. I thought highly of him. As I did also of Surveyor Sergeants and Warrant Officer’s, accomplished Surveyors RA and good soldiers who set a good example to us squaddies.
Can you say a little more about your service and the gentlemen in question?
I’m not surprised at your living outside of the UK, the USofA has been good to our sons and to us and we could not visualize living elsewhere. I’m glad you are happy with your new life. As we are here. There’s something to be said for starting one in later years. What is amusing about ours is that one day we were residents of staid Tunbridge Wells and immediately on my retirement, of Montana. Different in so many ways!
You did inquire about Brian’s story. I’m sorry there I can’t provide the translations you sought but I can say its purpose is a placeholder for subsequent contributions. The most likely first one is of a Surveyor RA with 15 Locating Battery as it became, and his experiences in Korea.
I now realize you don’t have the same tale as mine, but we do have shared expereinces and if you would care to let us know about them there will be any number of interested readers. And, of whom I should be one. If so please let me know and I can arrange it.
It was so very kind of you to get in touch and I do so appreciate it.
And you too, take care.
John.