<![CDATA[Pat Coffey and fellow RN Cdo.]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/rn+cdos/image007.jpg.html left) talked fondly of this mate in this photo, Dad said he was a Cockney (anyone from the London area was a Cockney to Dad) This mate helped Dad out by leading him his square rig uniform to grab shore leave in Liverpool.
The story goes:-
His Commando group was on the move for the big one as yet unknown (North Africa) with the yanks they were taken to a railway siding in Crewe where they were met by armed Military Police and dogs, Yanks. They were locked into the carriages and off the troop train went. He said they travelled for what seemed like hours and in the means time a book (betting) was set up to their eventual destination, Dad recognised the approaches to Edge Hill, Liverpool and said so, He was gagged while the bets were laid and his group made a killing. When they boarded the troop ship they were informed anyone local could go ashore for a few hours in square rig. Dad live less than a mile from the Pier Head and didn’t have his square rig which really got up his nose as he was told he would not need it. Up stepped his cockney mate and offered his uniform. Dad tried it on and the crutch was just above his knees and his hat perched on the top his head while the tunic left a gap showing his stomach he said. Put on Navy Coat they encouraged which disguised the anomalies, now if you can get by the officer on watch your home. Dad gingerly small stepped up to the officer and rating and was allowed to pass ashore. There was acres of cobbles and tram lines to the Tram and while he was short stepping his way across the rotunda he was watched by women aboard the targeted tram, as dad tried to step on the tram his leg wouldn’t reach the height, then it started, "Hey short arse, what navy are you in Subs?" After a couple of attempts to board the tram using both arms he hoisted himself on the platform to a round of applause as the women cried "Ah… how desperate we must be to get allsorts to fight for us".
Uploaded by Nick Collins]]>
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