rank, were instructed in how to protect ourselves, and others, in the passive defence role. I experienced several types of war gas in the gas chambers, and learned about the new nerve agents and their supposed antidotes. I also learned about the effects of an atomic explosion - flash, blast, and radiation, and practised the use of atomic radiation detection equipment in an area of rubble strewn with radio-active sources. I became competent in the detection of gamma radiation and beta particles. I studied the use of coloured smoke and the use of wind in its deployment and dispersal. I also learned how quickly to identify a range of war gases and what protection and decontamination measures to use.
Most of the course was of a very practical nature, although there were lectures, some from Officers who had been present at Maralinga for the Woomera atomic bomb trials. We saw films of these trials and studied the effect of atomic explosions on buildings and military installations.
Life in the wooden-hutted Army Mess was vastly different to that in an RAF Mess. The biggest difference was that there was no bar in which to congregate and chat. In the anteroom the young Pongo subalterns conversationally out-vied each other with their pretentious pseudo Oxford accents, yet the same 'far back' individuals swore like low grade barrow boys when doing practical work on the course. Drinks were ordered from the Wines Steward who was in charge of the 'wines cupboard'. They were brought on a tray to individual Officers. Worse, there were only a few easy chairs so we had to sit on upright chairs at writing tables with green leather tops and green shaded reading lamps, ranged down each side of the room. In the meantime there was usually a moustachioed half-Colonel sitting in front of the fire, in a black leather club chair, sipping his whisky and soda whilst tuttutting over his Times newspaper.9 Convivial it was not.
At weekends some of us from the RAF made our way into Salisbury for a drink and Saturday lunch in 'The Haunch of Venison'. On Sundays, we only used the Mess for meals, spending the rest of the day either reading in our rooms, or small groups of us going out walking to explore the nearby ancient earthworks.
I passed the final exams with an 83% overall average, Grade A2, and came 15th on the course. I was therefore qualified, for the following three years, as an ABC instructor.
Back at Borgentreich I was immediately tasked with setting up a facility for ABC training. I took on charge a range of radiation detection equipment and personal dosimeters. I also had to take on my inventory a number of radioactive sources for training purposes.
The collection of these from a Unit over a hundred miles away, was not without its humour. Ron Young and I were detailed to take a Magirus Deutz truck for the trip. We wore personal dosimeters and armed ourselves with pistols. We loaded a number of empty sand-bags from Armoury stock in the back ready for filling prior to the return journey. Before arriving at the collection point we filled the sand-bags from a sandy area at the roadside, probably putting a couple of tons of the stuff on board to make a nest, in the middle of which the sources would go. Driving off, it was obvious from the vehicle's performance that we had a heavy load. Anyway, we collected the yellow canisters containing the sources, hung radiation hazard signs on the vehicle, and set off back to base. Progress was slow, far too slow. After checking for gamma radiation we found virtually none in the back of the truck, and then discovered that Ron's luminous wrist watch was giving off more radiation than came from anywhere else! We off-loaded 90% of the sand and pressed on. We came to a level crossing with the barrier down. Coming up quickly behind us was an offwhite Mercedes car which stopped close to our tail. The driver must have seen the
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9 Ginger Lacey's remarks about this almost comic opera caricature of an individual were wholly unrepeatable.
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