Back to squad drill and field training, it brings back memories of my first three months training in H.M.S Drake, when I first joined the service. Chief Petty Officers Hobbs put us through all the movements to be done on the march, while instructing trainees. I think I am going to enjoy this part of the course. The drill shes seem to be homes for sparrows, in everyone I visited I found numerous sparrows, standing on the breams, twittering.
Major Garnier gave us a lecture on his method of P.T. instruction. He told us how he developed his system, from when he accepted the directorship of the “Robert Lucas Tooth” fund in 1924 until he joined the service again in 1939. This method of training helps to sharpen up the mental faculties as well as developing the body. I hope it sharpens me up a bit, I need it.
This evening I was present at a lecture given by our course officer on A.R.P. It was not a lecture but an exercise, in which our mess was supposed to be on fire and we were detailed to put it out. We made a terrible muck up of things as we did not know where most of the appliances were left. Now, we know where everything is left and what hydrant should be used for extinguishing fires in certain parts of our quarters, we should make a better show at the next exercise.
I had a very interesting and informative night in the mess, when four of the Frobisher class gave lectures. The lectures on the hole were quite good and it gave us a good idea, what would be expected of us. I myself would not mind giving a lecture, if it was to my own messmates only, but when there are officers present I would get all hot and bothered a and I would not know what to say or do. Anyhow time will tell, I might lose my nervousness by the time my turn to lecture comes along.
To day I was ashamed of myself, I seemed to be the scarecrow of the class. My number two suit is not in a very good condition and my boots are falling apart, I will have to do something about it very quick.
HMS Drake referenced is the naval barracks at HMNB Devonport.
“Robert Lucas Tooth” fund – Named after an Australian politician who in 1913 gave a gift of £50,000 to Prince Alexander of Teck to support the prince’s fund to assist and extend facilities for the “physical and moral training of boys”. His name was given to the fund and a medal named “Lucas-Tooth Boys Training Fund for Efficiency” was created circa 1916 to reward deserving military cadets.
A.R.P. – Air Raid Precautions.