Army No. 19150961. Called up
early in 1947, Demob Group 106. Six weeks initial basic training
at the Buff's Barracks Canterbury, Kent, 13 week R.E. Sapper
Course at the Verne Citadel, Portland, Dorset. Marine Boiler
Course at the Marine College South Shields.
Posted to Egypt and the 23 Field Squadron who were packing up for their
return to Palestine. Sent with the advance party to prepare for
the Squadron's arrival at 21 Camp Palestine. My full name is
Derrick Frank Fullick, I was known as Frank Fullick for some reason
during my time in the Army, although when preparing to go on escort duty
with a couple of 3 ton Bedford QL's from 21 Camp while with the advance
party, we were in the back of one of the vehicles and told to check our
Arms were loaded prior to leaving on our journey, I was showing the old
hands that my rifle was in fact loaded, failed to depress the rounds,
just slammed the bolt home and pulled the trigger BANG a 303 went
through the rear of the cab, out of the front window wiper, just missing
the Troop Sergeant. Result was a charge enacted when the full
Squadron arrived in Palestine, fined 38 shillings and 6 pence sterling.
This resulted in my being nicknamed Trigger Fullick for the rest of my
time with the 23 Squadron by many of the lads.
A few weeks after my act of stupidity with the rifle, I qualified as an
MT driver and drove a 15 CWT Dodge for the remainder of my service with
the Squadron.
When the British Mandate finished in May 1948, we drove through
Palestine across the Desert to Port Said Egypt, two weeks leave at a
Leave Camp, then by ship to Benghazi and Lumsdon Barracks
I applied to join a Railway Company ready for my demob';
application granted so back to Egypt and the 10th Railway Company REs.
I went from there to Farnbrough and 'demob'.
Following demob' leave I went back to Nine Elms Southern Region as a
Locomotive Fireman taking up my June 30 1944 seniority date as per the
then law, working my way through to No. 1 Link. On my 24th
birthday, I qualified as a Passed Fireman which meant I could drive
steam locomotives as and when required.
In March 1953, I was appointed a a Dual Link Driver driving Steam or
Electrics at a depot called Hither Green. From there to Slade
Green Depot then to Holborn Viaduct Depot. In 1961 I moved to
Waterloo Depot which in 1967 and the ending of Steam on the Southern,
the depot became a Mixed Traction Depot involved in all forms of
Traction in and out of Waterloo Station.
In 1962 I was elected as a local Trade Union Representative for the
depot (unpaid) and held the position of Secretary of that body known as
the L.D.C. throughout until December 31, 1973. I had won an
election held by all Footplatemen on the Southern Region to represent
them on the National Executive of the Associated Society of Locomotive
Engineers & Firemen and took up my seat on that body 1 Jan 1974. |