Memories flood back for Thomas

Kind gift helps war vet recall youth

An Army veteran had a delightful surprise when he was gifted a book that brought back memories of his youth.

Thomas Patrick had told the magazine that covers news at the Erskine Home, in Bishopton, about his time at a locomotive engineering works in Glasgow’s Springburn.

And no sooner had the article appeared than a kind Erskine supporter from Argyll had sent in book about the works, much to 92-year-old Thomas’ delight.

He said: “I was very surprised to receive the book — it was a nice surprise.

“The book is the history of the North British Locomotive Company Ltd.

“I worked there for a short time — it was my first job out of school.

“I was a 14-year-old boy. I knew that it wasn’t going to be a career for me.”

It was in 1924 that Thomas was born in Springburn.

And he recalled his time at the locomotive works.

He told Erskine News: “I was an office junior in the wages department.

“I can remember the postman coming in with a wad of Territorial Army calling up papers for the fortnight’s training.

“This was June 1939 and I got the job of going round all the departments and dishing out these conscription papers.

“With war being imminent, I am sure they wouldn’t have been called up for training and then sent home — I just wonder how many of those blokes came back home.”

It was in 1943, at the age of 18, that Thomas, who now lives at Erskine, was conscripted into the Army. “Every man was needed,” he said. “I was sent to Fort George for initial training, but my medical showed I had a hernia, so I was operated on before I could start training.” He then joined the Royal Signals. “The Royal Signals is one of the combat support arms of the British Army,” he said.

“Signals units are often among the first into action, providing battlefield communications.

“The corps has its own engineers, logistics experts and systems operators to run radio and area networks in the field.”

The young Thomas soon found himself part of the D-Day Landings in France.

“I transferred from ship to a landing craft off the French coast and headed to shore,” he said.

“When they dropped the door at the front, we stepped out into four feet of water — reality is what movies are based on.

“Running through the water, we were directed up a road for a few miles and finished up in a field where there were guns firing into the city of Caen. He added: “We were just kids ... school boys.

“At only 18-years-old, of course we were all nervous.

“There was a fear of the unknown. We were frightened and didn’t know if we would return home or not.” Later, Thomas was posted to India. “While I was out in India I saw locomotives with wee brass plates on the side of them — built by North British Locomotive Company, where I had started — they sent engines all over the world,” he added.

We were frightened and didn’t know if we would return home