PYTHON & HOME LEAVE

[PhilipG]

Does anyone "out there" remember the details regarding HOME leave arrangements for the Manchesters out in India/ Burma?  It would be towards the end of hostilities I seem to recall, when Python came alive and was devised, I think, to enable, quite rightly, home  leave for the troops who had been out east for an inordinately length of time.  My memory comes up too, with LIAP- Leave in addition to Python and LILOP- Leave in lieu of Python.  It must have worked well, for one could see in the UK such men with their Bush hats and yellowish skin caused by anti malaria medicine, enjoying themselves in Blighty.

It was alleged at the time that having enjoyed some home leave, the happy man returned to his unit in Burma only to be told that his "Demob Group" had come up and he was to return to the UK immediately. The army moves in mysterious ways. PhilipG.

[george.theshed197]

Hi Phillip,
Spotted your note and potential query on this subject but on arriving here have also seen a message advising that " as this subject topic has not been used for at least 120 days please consider starting a new topic"
So hopefully as I see no reason why we should confuse the issue by changing the question and here I go - before I start I have an idea what your questions may very well be - commencing with - your initial query possibly. What does a HOME POSTING infer ?
Firstly my memory here of all of the actual Regiments I had available from which to choose may not be accurate but the regions involved were.

I was advised that upon completion of my leave there were no vacations at any of your former Regiment Establishments in the UK due to the large numbers having come back from India etc.  following 'Partition' and that therefore I could be posted to any of the following Lancashire Regiments which in August 1949 were in - Gibraltar; The Caribbean; Iceland (?) and Germany.  I then asked the Orderly Room Sgt where about are the Depots of the ones named?  If I remember rightly basically Preston - Fulwood; Bury; Ashton and Lancaster. So I opted for Ashton.

In November or thereabouts I was presented with a Travel  Warrant and told I was going to the 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment in Wuppertal and duly reported to RTO in arrival at the Banhof and contacted the staff there who in turn phone for transport which took me there and thence to the Orderly Room, a Sgt Graham if I remember rightly or was it Sgt Stan Aspinall, from thence to B Company Company Office.

Thus began my time with the Regiment.

Now Fire away.

George.

[artyhughes]

Hi George,I remember your arrival well,Stan Aspinall I beieve was the orderly room Sgt,George Grahame was a Cpl I believe at the time employed in the Bn orderly room.

[george.theshed197]

Seems that I lost that one. So if a message appears adrift - my fault,
Hi Roy,
That sounds very well indeed - did I get any fanfares

Good to hear from you, hope Jean is keeping well.  Yes my mind clicked over later last night - Stan took over as ORQMS in Penang, Tommy Rod took over Ord. Sgt and George took over PRI - also just confirmed this in 'JB'; 1952/53. possibly around the completion of Re- Training and  our move to Tapah. Yes, it all comes back now Roy Pellowe and myself went to D Coy and took over with Lt Carey forming the infamous SEP's. what a disastrous period that was, however we survived ( just about)

Good to reminisce now and then, take care and our regards to Jean.
George.

[PhilipG]

George. Hello again,

Thanks for your indulgence regarding my suggestion of moving to this Forum and your answer elsewhere in respect of the method of supervision in the Manchesters regarding the discipline of those whose misdemeanours prompted their being confined to barracks.

My involvement in military punishments probably started with the discovery on a dark winter's night with a gale force wind blowing, that the whole of the airfield picket was asleep in an air raid shelter.  As this was in 1944 you can imagine the official stance that was taken.  Later a course at Fort Darland Detention Barracks, near Chatham followed - an insight into another military world.  But enough of that!

As regards Python, my recollection of it is that it was initially to satisfy public demand that those of the "Forgotten Army" (14th Army), who had been "out" for years should be brought back for an extended period of leave, the inference being that they should thereafter return to their unit.  A colleague (York & Lancasters) came from India under this arrangement.

In some ways it seems a sadness that Guardroom ceremony (Guard turn out etc!) ceased.  I wonder when that stopped?

Your mention of Harington Barracks took me back to the early 1950's when my firm sent me to the Formby & Birkdale area.  The electric railway stopped at Freshfield station and your barracks could be clearly seen from the train.

Re Demob No's (mine was 51). When 27 Group went there seemed to be very few left, presumably the result of the big call ups in 1940.

As always, thanks for your contribution. Cheers, Philip

[george.theshed197]

Hi again,
Regarding the old Guardroom Ceremony - we were still using them through Germany, Berlin  and  Minden 1954 - 1958 and they may have still existed into and after the Amalgamation with the King's  Regiment but it is possible that with all of the changes occurring in that era the modified check system by the RP's may have come into existence.
Bet its still carrying on at 'Buck House' 

George.

[PhilipG]

George,

I should think that with the difficulty these days of identifying officers it would be almost impossible to carry on the old procedures.  Philip.

[artyhughes]

Hi Phillip and George,The custom of the guard turning out was still in existence when I left the Bn in 68,it was customary for all soldiers to recognise all officers of the Bn,the Bn orderly officer was always in uniform and was most likely accompanied by the Bn orderly Sgt.visiting officers normally arrived by car and would be checked at the barrier,the guard commander was always informed beforehand of senior officers arrival,their car normally bore a 1star or more depending on rank,the Bn orderly officer turned out the guard at a time set by the adjutant,other times that the guard turned out was at first post(retreat) and the last post,the guard was always inspected at these turnouts.
Jankers,confined to barracks was a punishment for minor military offences(late on parade,dirty boots,unshaven etc)this punishment was awarded by the OC Company or commanding officer,first parade for these offenders was 15 mins after reveille with other parades throughout the day and evening,the last parade was at Last Post when they were inspected by the orderly officer,minor offences were recorded on the soldiers minor offence form and checked by the Bn 2i/c once weekly

[PhilipG]

Hello artyhughes,

Thank you for that very interesting info.  I am clear now regarding the liaison between the barrier guard and the Sergeant of the Guard.  I find it impressive the way, with changing times, the Services somehow are able to adapt ceremonial procedures of long-standing to the present day.  Thanks. PhilipG.

[george.theshed197]

Thanks Roy,
 I had been sat for a few days trying to write a general resume as I had remembered them BUT you beat me to it and in fact clarified better than I had, more up to date than 1959 when I left, and also more simple. 
Phillip is now better informed re the routine than he was previously- great job.
Take care,
George.

[mack]

its as well that python leave wasn't just for one or two weeks,it would take that long to fill out and submit all the forms and be issued with cig ration coupons,travel warrants etc,plus vaccination certs,ration forms,conduct sheet etc etc

mack

[george.theshed197]

Yes indeed Mack,

I have been twice, once in 1949 and again in 1954. ONLY a Civil Servant -Possibly ARMY type could have prepared such drivel.

George.

PS, Not accepting my toothy grins ??

[PhilipG]

Thank you gentlemen for your contributions.  I did not realise that Python was still going after the end of WW2.  This thread has brought back some memories of around that time e.g. the Trieste trouble and how it affected demob. Take care. Philip.