Bernard Kenneth Longhurst signed on the dotted line in Whitehall, London on 11th May 1939. He was aged 17 and therefore, to ensure acceptance, he stated 1921 as his year of birth; this was 12 months earlier than his actual birth date of 15th Jan 1922. Initially he enlisted for six years with the Colours (Regular Army) and six years in the Reserve, but he eventually completed 15 years and 42 days prior to re-enlisting with the Army Emergency Reserve. He served with the Royal Army Service Corps (later known as the Royal Corps of Transport) and traveled to North Africa, Egypt, Palestine and throughout Italy during the war. His role was to help transport troops and provisions and drive amphibious DUWKS.
His army record states: vaccinated - 27 Apr 40. passed medical A1 - 30 May 41 Appointed Platoon 'A' Lance Corporal - 08 Jan 42, promoted U/A/CPL - 12 Jan 42, attended No.12 NCO's & Platoon SGT's course at Buller Barracks, Aldershot, Hants - 04 Feb 42, attended School of Instruction in Pay Duties -12 Feb 42, attended School of Instruction in Pay Duties Q1 - 12 Mar 42, obtained Pass marks in Drill, WT, IE, FD Trng, AG, Maintenance, Protection, Convoy Control, Map Reading, Camouflage and Concealment - 09 Apr 42, passed through DM: NCO school Aldershot - 20 Jul 42, promoted P/A/CPL -18 Oct 42, promoted WS rank of CPL - 18 Dec 42, promoted P/A/SGT - 23 Dec 42, embarked as part of the British North African Force - 16 Jun 43, granted WS rank of SGT (AFW, 3011A-no8/43u) - 24 Jun 43, said to have driven King George 6th (who stood in open top vehicle M1308323 ) during part of the Royal visit to troops in North Africa following the El Alamein victory (see Pathe News 1943 review [4mins] and Kings visit ) - 12 Jul 43, embarked to Sicily - 07 Sep 43, embarked to Italy - 15 Apr 44, Awarded Africa Star with 1st Army clasp (auth: Pt2 order 2404) - 29 May 44, vaccinated, granted Duty Free Label £2 - 19 Oct 44 inoculated for TAB - 03 Feb 45, embarked to Palestine - 20 Apr 45 inoculated for Typhus - 01 Jun 45, granted 2 Duty Free Labels £2+£2 - 20 Jul 45 inoculated TT - 19 Sep 45, promoted P/A/Company Quartermaster Sergeant - 05 Oct 45, granted £3 Duty Free Label - 23 Mar 46, granted WS rank of CQMS (AFW, 3011A-no512, 24 Mar 46) - 30 Mar 46, completed medical ok - 08 Apr 46, granted £6+£2 Duty Free Labels
Following his demob he then joined the Territorial Army and parachuted throughout Europe annually. He was called up and went to Suez during the crisis of 1956. The whole family had to be vaccinated against smallpox as a precaution for his return.
