Memories
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I had my tooth pulled to visit Southend
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| Brian Tolson |
In January, Memories reported on the campaign for a memorial to the men who saw action on Southend Pier during the Second World War. The article tickled the memory of Leigh reader Brian Tolson, 82, who recalls his own experience of the wartime pier - and a heroic visit to the dentist
SOUTHEND Pier was taken over by the Navy and renamed HMS Leigh for the duration of the Second World War.
I served at sea on Atlantic convoys and during the 1944 Normandy landings, but my one and only contact with the pier took place towards the close of the war.
I had been with the crew of the tanker British Faith during the Normandy Invasion and in August 1944 I joined the SS Atlantic in Middlesborough and we sailed in convoy to Canada, the USA and Newfoundland.
While in Nova Scotia I received a letter from my mother informing me she and dad had sold their house in Darlington and were moving to Westcliff.
SS Atlantic finally returned to the UK in March 1945, I was only allowed four days leave, which I spent with relations on Tyneside.
I couldn't make contact with my folks as none of the family had a telephone. I then had to join a liberty boat, the Fort Tremblant, which was to sail to the Middle East.
We sailed from Newcastle to the Thames Estuary and anchored off Southend Pier, along with many other ships, as this was the gathering area for the convoys to be organised.
Having received my parents' new address in Westcliff, I wondered if there was any possibility of me getting ashore to see them.
No shore leave was allowed. However, I discovered anyone reporting sick would be able to be taken ashore to see a Doctor.
I therefore quickly went down with severe stomach pains and the ship's captain arranged for me to be picked up by the "sick tug", which did the rounds of all the vessels off the pier to collect sick crewmen.
While making our way on the tug to Southend Pier I was told, to my horror, the Naval Doctor was based on HMS Leigh and not in Southend itself.
Disembarking at the pier no one asked any questions. We were told to line up in two columns, one line to see the doctor, the other for dental treatment.
I took a chance and lined up with the small group of toothache boys. We were marched into an office on the pier and interviewed by a naval medic.
After the medic had viewed my exaggerated antics over my now violent toothache with some suspicion, I was eventually issued with a four-hour pass to go off HMS Leigh and given a form for a local dentist to complete.
I was directed to a Mr Holloway's practice close to the railway bridge over Southend High Street.
On meeting the dentist I told him the truth regarding the real reason for me getting ashore. "Can you give me a note to say that the toothache has eased and no treatment is required?" I asked.
Mr Holloway blew his top and waved the dental form at me.
"This," he said, "has to be filled in properly."
He started to usher me towards the door with the dismissal: "Now clear off back to your ship."
As I got to the door an idea occurred to me. I asked: "If you pull a tooth, will you be able to complete the form?"
"Yes," he replied. The Dentist then guided me to his chair and asked which tooth was I prepared to lose. I pointed to the back of my mouth indicating any tooth in that area.
Walking out of the dentists wearing my sea boots and without any money in my pocket, I started to walk up the High street.
With a throbbing head and blood seeping from my mouth I asked someone the way to Westcliff. I was directed towards London Road and continued walking and asking passers-by for directions to Southview Drive.
I eventually arrived at my parents' house.
I was lucky they were at home. After the initial surprise at seeing me they gave me an aspirin and a cup of tea. Fifteen minutes later with a scrounged fiver in my pocket I caught a bus accompanied by my dad to Chalkwell Park and returned to Pier Hill.
Getting back aboard HMS Leigh I was quickly put aboard the waiting tug, which was just about to sail.
Nobody had the time to ask me for any paperwork and I arrived back on my ship, which was preparing to get it's convoy position ready for an early sailing time the next morning.
The convoy sailed in the early hours of the next day.
My dear old dad went down to Pier Hill later that morning in the hope of seeing the Fort Tremblant, but we had been long gone by the time he got there.
Still, I had left a small part of me behind in Southend - even if the sacrifice turned out to be unnecessary.
The gap in my teeth actually came in handy when I was smoking my pipe. And now, 60 years later, the rest of my teeth have gone.
12:00pm Thursday 3rd April 2008
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CommentPosted by: andy, southend on 2:56pm Sun 6 Apr 08
[bold]bold[/bold] that is the best story ive read for a long time good luck
that is the best story ive read for a long time good luck
Posted by: ADSUM, Hadleigh on 5:13pm Sun 6 Apr 08
You sacrificed a tooth to see your parents, and were prepared to sacrifice your life for your country. From one who has not lived through a war - Thank you.
You sacrificed a tooth to see your parents, and were prepared to sacrifice your life for your country. From one who has not lived through a war - Thank you.
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