252190 Pte. Bill Vernon Edwards British Army 1st Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment I was called up in August 1944, did my initial training in Dumbarton, then to Crickhowell Wales for Corps training, before being posted to Windermere in the Lake District. There I learnt to drive a Bren gun carrier followed by a motor cycle course. In January 1945 I assembled for posting to Germany, but this was cancelled, instead I sailed to India on the H.M.S. Durban Castle troop ship. I was posted to Dehra Dun in Northern India where we joined the 1st Battalion, South Staffs just out of Burma survivors of Chindit operations (about 80 strong). Major James Michael Calvert was commanding officer. The Regiment was made up to strength at Debra Dun and then posted to Agra H.Q. Central Command where I became the regiment's despatch rider. Once a week I would ride to Delhi with dispatches and stay overnight at Red Fort and return the next day to Agra (a bit dicey to say the least).
I volunteered for vehicle collection and delivery and was attached to the Royal Army Service Corps where I did many miles delivering vehicles to units. I contracted NYD fever and admitted to British Military Hospital Delhi for tests, returned to unit after nothing was found to be wrong. Went on leave to Shimla and travelled there on the narrow-gauge railway (toy train) stayed at the Viceroys Lodge.
Returned to unit section as a truck driver then back to motor cycles again. In early 1946 was awarded LIAP and returned to the U.K. on the Empire Ken troop ship. Posted to Whittington Barracks Motor Transport section, then demobbed at York.
This is a brief description cannot remember dates now. I am 92.
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