
On the morning of the last day at Kirton we were woken by the Orderly
Sergeant, his voice ringing out "Come on gentlemen, 'ands off cocks" well before
Reveille so that we could get all our kit together and prepare ourselves for the final
Passing Out Parade.

Instead of passing out in May as I should have done, my turn came on June 3rd, 1952, when, as Parade Right Marker, I was the first to march on to the parade
ground before the assembled guests, including my parents. Lord de Lisle and
Dudley took the salute as we marched past. I was now an Acting Pilot Officer and
was given 6 days leave. My parents took me, and my kit, home by car. My name
appeared in the 'London Gazette' two or three issues later.


On leave, between courses, with my grandmother in the

newly laid out garden extension at our cottage in Shropshire.
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