Friday 8th March 1940

"Why don’t you come back, Steve?” said Sidney. “There are only five of us now and it’s bloody miserable.” During the day, Barford, my second-in-command, returned from hospital; his friend Hutley would be due back from a course within a few days. Everything fitted in! I’d move out secretly, leaving Barford in charge and thus making room for his friend to later join him!

It was a dark night, ideal for a “moonlight flit” as there was no moon. Sidney and I carried my bed and belongings out of the exiles tent, through several rows of “B” Troop tents and reached No.15 safely. I kipped down between Gibbon and Stiles, with Pond, Andrews and Gilbert opposite. Home again! Some of us were still talking at 10:30, long after lights-out.