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course for subalterns
was opened in November of that year. This was made possible
by the injection into our lives of Torkington, a Territorial
officer of over ten years' service with the Manchesters. He
had been "disembodied" for essential war work, and
added a H.G. commission to the one he already held. He swallowed
the Beacon Camp "hook, line and sinker". For the
next year or so he worked like a Trojan weekend after weekend,
putting officers and other ranks as well as individual platoons
through their paces. He contributed far more than he realizes
to the general efficiency of the battalion. But time brings
its changes, and eventually the call came for him to take
over command of "F" Company.
To fill the gap caused by Torkington's departure from the
Beacon, I appointed Myers. Myers, from the start,
had always figured in battalion training, for he had commanded
our crack Demonstration Platoon of "B" Company.
In that capacity he demonstrated to battalion, sector and
zone. Without question he had no peer when it came to knowledge
of weapons and tactics, both our own and the enemy's. But
what is more important, he was an expert in practising what
he preached. So he became our Training Officer, and who
will ever forget his carefully thought-out training programmes
or his excellent lectures at the Institute and his Beacon
weekends? No battalion commander had a more enthusiastic
and efficient staff officer than I had in Myers.
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But what a story this is making, and I am
running a risk of using up all my allotted space before
I have said half the amount I wish to say. So any that I
do not mention by name must forgive me and let me take this
opportunity of thanking one and all for the loyal support
they have given me.
To get back to B.H.Q. personalities: Crawford, who will
always be remembered as ready to be helpful on every occasion.
He became, in addition to Bn. M.O., the S.M.O. to "H"
Sector and promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. While serving with
us, the O.B.E. was conferred upon him for his fine work
in connection with the Boy Scout Movement in Staffordshire.
A great soul and a pleasure to work with.
Pearman-Smith, our Liaison Officer, and absolutely fitted
for the part. A grand confidante and adviser.
Fox, who filled Hodgkin's place as W.T.O. Thinking of the
two of them together, I am not sure that I used the word
"filled" in its right place! Hodgkin did some
really fine work while he was with us, but Sector wanted
him, and Fox was chosen to take his place. He made a grand
job of it and became a most competent and reliable bombing
instructor.
Moore, with that attractive smile, worked so hard and successfully
in building up one of the most efficient signalling sections
in the Garrison.
Ayres, who, until illness prevented his continuing, led
such a fine devoted band of Intelligence men. (......continues.....)
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