February 1942
Eric Postles continues his account of life in 61st Recce:
“After training those who were allocated to 61st Division went by train to Loughgal in Northern Ireland via Edingburgh, Glasgow and then from Stanraer by boat to Larne. The train journey from Larne was interesting as at each station the engine was detached to move goods waggons and we could get off for a leg stretch.
Our camp was Nissen-hutted in the grounds of an estate. We were divided in squads for further training including driving instructions on 15cwt trucks, Bren carriers and armoured cars as everyone had to be able to drive. The regiment was so concerned to have these young boys posted to it that we were given extra food to build us up. We were also dropped off around Lough Neagh and had to find our own way back to camp. Training ended with an exercise up in the mountains. We were on open trucks and had to endure snow, rain and cold.”
(Extracts from ‘My War Years’ by John Eric Postles ISO used by kind permission of the author.)
"The Divisional sign was a blue square with inset red diamond."
The 61st Division was deployed to Northern Ireland in response to the German threat to invade neutral Ireland - Plan Green - which, although thorough, may have been a deception or feint.
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