Rover Bulletin No. 54

NUMBER FIFTY FOUR 28th February 1946

Dear Lads,

From the Rover Mate’s point of view the attendance this past few weeks has been very encouraging as we practically have a full house every night. What we are going to do when you all return is a mystery, perhaps we can build a prefabricated Love’s Abode with elastic sides.

The high-light of the month was the presentation to our Padre Mr. Wright on the occasion of his departure to the parish of Carnock near Dunfermline. We are all sorry to see him go after nineteen years association with the Crew but our link hasn’t been broken entirely as we have an open invitation to pop in at any time provided we don’t go altogether. Best of luck Mr. Wright, “Lang may ye sup with the Fifers.”

We are gradually getting back to our old standards, and one of our members has a bee in his bunnet about wearing the R.S. Buttonhole Badge to show that you are part of the movement. From experience it has paid rich dividends and it is easily carried.

Sandy suggested departmentalising the Bulletin into three sections, Overseas, Home, and Cottage news and we are working on that plan now but we depend on the lads away to write regularly so do yer stuff.

Jimmy (Reilly) is now demobbed and expected to start in his old job soon

Murray (Cullen) is now out of the Air Force and is on his long leave before going back to S.M.T..

Bill (McKelvie) is now demobbed and is away for a holiday with Dorothy. Mr. Lawrie’s hard work in the Garden in now at an end. Bill is getting his army uniform dyed for his afternoon bouts of gardening enthusiasm.

Bill (Mahaffy) is now away to Nigeria as an Executive Civil Engineer and will be engaged on Public Works. His first term is for one and a half years. Jolly good luck, Bill.

Duggie (Scott) has good news, he has now been released from the Mines and starts in his old job on Monday. Three Cheers.

Geo. (Pringle) is still working on the land and sends hie good wishes to all.

Jim (Suttie) is home on another short leave and is looking very fit.

Geo. (Kay) and Essie have now a house at the North end of Netherby Road. Another knotty problem solved.

Murray (Frier) is still in hospital, he gets out in the evenings and at week-ends and still has no word of results.

Hal (Stewart) has started up business in houses. He has bought another house – Perhaps he can give a few tips to those with sore heads with this problem.

David (Gosman) is on his way home and is expected next month.

Geo. (Simpson) took part in a local farce, He played at Rugger for Edinburgh Police verses Irish Police. We hear the gate was colossal.

Eck.(Wilson) no more news, “Have you any Eck?”

Joey (Stewart) expected to get a flip home but his luck was out. He says “I will have to content myself for a few more weeks with my tented abode and the opportunity of visiting romantic ?? Cairo.” I had a very pleasant Christmas and New Year in Johannesburg and although I had eight days there I was not sorry to come back. Since this I have been to Algiers and back and have now got myself the job of Barman in the Officer’e Mess for the coming month. If it should happen that a Blighty Trip comes along I have been assured of my place aboard. I may be out by next Christmas yet provided that there are no more strikes.

Ian (Thomson) “Glad to hear that so many of the Lads are returning. Let’s hope that Bailie, Thomson, and the other blokes in the Legion of Lost Souls (Group 60 and above) manage to totter home sometime before 1950. I came back from a weeks Leave up country, which I enjoyed very much, The Rest Camp where we were staying was about 4000 ft. above Sea Level, way up among the Mountains and Tea plantations. The twelve hour journey up there was a wonderful experience, the scenery was superb and at one point we were well over 6000 ft. up. The climate up there is a complete change after the muggy heat of Colombo. The air is fresh and cool and at night it gets pretty cold and you need to wear a jersey and long trousers. We had super beds with sheets and blankets. If I slept in a blanket in Colombo all they would find of me in the morning would be a little grease spot in the middle of the blanket. Additional comfort was a gentle shake at seven thirty and a Boy at your bedside saying “Tea, Master.” Almost made me glad I joined, for a couple of minutes. It was an R.N. Leave Camp but there was no “pusser” routine and we wore civvies and came out in just whatever we pleased. There was loads of activity up there, Hiking, Golfing, Shooting, Swimming and umpteen others. I wish I could spend the rest of my “foreign” up there.I know I am going back as soon as I get a chance. I am on watch at the moment and things are pretty quiet. This is my last night watch in Colombo but I will be doing the same job at Trinco. At the moment another lad and myself are trying to wangle a draft to Sea,. We want to see a bit more of the world while We are out this way and reckon we have a fairly good chance.”

Bruce (Bailie) says, “Having delved into my murky past of crime and corruption and finding that I haven’t been caught yet, the Unit, looking for an Instructor in the Army Education Scheme came across ‘honest man Bailie’, wasting away from lack of work and plonked him on a Course. If nobody wants to learn English after this, Billie minor will be doing 28 days in the Guard-room for obvious reasons.

Best of Luck and a speedy return to the hardships of Civvy Street.