204669 Pte. Thomas "Mucka" Hall 1st Battalion from:Walsall Tom Hall was my father, he served with the 1st Battalion South Staffs from 1931 to 1945, with a short break in 1938 when he was on reserve and decided not to go back in when my mom agreed to marry him. Unfortunately, before my brother was even 1 year old he was recalled to fight in WW2. He served in Palestine, Egypt, India and Burma (with the Chidits) to my knowledge.
Throughout the war he sent all his pay home, and lived on his wits. He trained as a barber and made money on the side doing that. He was brilliant at dominoes and won money on a regular basis, as he did at cards - but as a bit of a cardsmith I think he did a fair bit of cheating. He trained as a cook, a butcher and a nurse, all of which helped him be a great father in post-war life.
He never told us kids of any bad things that happened, only funny stories about whitewashing the coal, and spud bashing, etc. The one battle memory he recounted was in Egypt when they were ordered to attack an Italian held fort. Ammunition was so limited that they couldn't afford to fire any before actually taking the fort. They used oil drums and other metal objects, bashing them with their rifles to make loud banging noises and after about half an hour the Italians raised a white flag and they took the fort without firing a shot. Is it true? I honestly don't know, but he told us that story many times and I believe it.
Sadly, Dad died in 1983 at the age of 70 and I still miss him now, but I have his memories and they are great. I dare say I will join him some day, but not for a good many years yet.
|