on 3rd September, we heard Mr. Chamberlain, on the wireless, declare that we were at war with Germany. At school I had been in the OTC (Officers Training Corps) and had passed certificate A. In October '39 my Battery Commander told me I was being posted to the Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) at Filey. When I told my parents they were horrified and wanted me to refuse the posting. I was surprised but years later realized that their concern was based on the '14-'18 war when a subalterns life on the front was about 3 weeks. The six month course at Filey was technically very effective but there was one subject which was completely ignored and which was really more important than any other -- man management. At 19 one needed guidance in how to handle and get the best from men perhaps 10 or 20 years older than oneself. This became more apparent in later years. In March 1940 I was commissioned Second Lieutenant and although this made my life a good deal more agreeable I am not sure, on reflection, that it was in the best interests of the army! Eventually I was posted to 148th Field Regiment (Bedfordshire Yeomanry) stationed in Norfolk. We had no guns and most exercises were "make believe". To repel a possible German invasion at Yarmouth there were 3 or 4 Great War 18lbs (size of shells) chained to the railings on the front. Most, or rather all, the army's equipment had