Rover Bulletin No. 50

NUMBER FIFTY 31st October 1945

Dear Rovers,

Homecomings and last leaves before demob are the events of the month.

Jimmy Reilly is home and looking very fit in indeed. He was delighted to find everything at the cottage as he left it with many of the old faces home again, with plenty to talk about, and with tattie chips to eat. Well! you can imagine at moments the air was tense when we listened to some of Jimmy’s news. He was flown on the first part of his journey and then proceeded by ship. He was on labour squad work unloading supplies for the Japanese. They wore a shirt and shorts when not at work and when working took them off, such was the heat. How he stood it we have not discovered! yet Jimmy must have been fly enough to play the Japanese at their own game for he’s back as sprightly as ever with such tales as bartering even their lavatory paper. There are many more tales to come but these lads never say very much. Meantime he’s back safe and sound so everyone is very relieved an! pleased. He has his old job to go back to but meantime is taking full advantage of a long and well-deserved leave.

Older members will be sorry to learn of the death of Jock Hutchison an old member of the 4th. He died in Japanese hands in 1942.

Jimmy (Johnston) has now got a house in Granton Road opposite Inverleith Church and expects to move in in a month or so.

George (Simpson) has now arrived home complete with a wow of a moustache and in his Pilot Officer’s uniform, well, he cuts some dash! He has done with all this however and is already demobbed and back at a Police Force School. He still looks natty in his demob suit and coat which, incidentally, lads, are very good indeed.

Eck (Wilson) is also out of it all and he too is back in his job with the Corporation Electricity Department.

Murray (Frier) is also paid off and back in civvy street, at present having a holiday but will return to his Job in Coast Lines.

We hear that George (Kay) should have been home and demobilised by now but has been held up with gales at sea on his coming home from Italy.

Ian (Furnival) was home on a well-earned leave for he has been just up to the eyes in it working – clerking,. The good news is that he is coming home for release in 5 week’s time. Great, this flow of home -comings – all the more the merrier.

Pin back your ears – a marriage lads, yes – David (Clark) on 22nd December. And so yet another falls.

John (Baird) was home on leave – seems he’s going strong too, and he expects to be back and out of the army by February,

In view of the large number of lads who will be demobilised by say the New Year or the early months of next year we would like to have your views on the continuation of this Bulletin. We know it’s discontinuance would largely affect the younger members (not a large number) but some other arrangement to fill its place might do the turn. Perhaps a younger members private correspondence circle. This possible rearrangement is also to give a chance to those not returned to get going again on some programme. Send all your bright ideas please. If you don’t, the boss (Jim) is expected home any time now and when he’s out and round here again, well, there will be something doing you can bet!

Jim was home on his last leave before being demobbed and this Christmas and New Year is looming ahead in something of the pre-war cheery shape. Hurry up the rest of you, you can’t come back too soon.

Ian (Thomson) is in Colombo (Celon) – soft job – every second day off so he sees the sights – surf riding has a tremendous attraction for him. Demob No. 62.

Ian (Moffat) has visited the Mint and a tyre factory in India and acquired an alarum clock – cheers!

Alasdair (MacKellar) wonders if Jimmy Reilly will still be interested in the Cubs. He has come back through the Red Sea (this time at 17 knots) to Alexandria, and sent to sea to pick up survivors from a burning ship 40 miles off Port Said. Their total was 41 men, women and children saved – Greek refugees going to Thrace. About 70 were lost. He is now in Beirut in Syria – a hot social spot at present. “Perhaps I shall see Joey if we return to Alex.”

Campbell (MacKellar) shows great interest in a “Column” composed of four Infantry Battalions, 3 Artillery Batteries with usual attendant services including 1000 mules and horses – quelling tribal warfare. He is sharing a room with a fellow Rover, 8th Marylebone. Great!

Jim (Suttie) is not so well – overworking on a Yank repatriation Transit Station. Hope you’re improving by now Jas. See you at Christmas

Stanley (Christie) is now at Gravely, Huntingdonshire, and doesn’t like it. He may go overseas.

Dick (Spaven) – “The army has caught up with me again. This is an Italian Labour Battalion and reminds me of Gilbert & Sullivan, I must say that it is quite a pleasant way of spending the last few months in the Army. I am doing Adjutant here but unfortunately it doesn’t carry a third pip. I hope to get out end of December or beginning January” We will be delighted to so you then Dick – you’ll see many of the other lads too. Grand!

Chorty (Turnbull) congratulating Murray (chief desert rat) in his engagement says “Ah me it looks as if I will be the only one left to do my own darning soon. l did, after all get through my Urdu Exam.” Congratulations!. “I am at NIRA. I’m Assistant adjutant – fame at last, I can now lick the stamps as well as the envelopes”.

Joey (Stewart) has a good chance of a U.K. trip. Hope it comes off!

All the very best.