Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II

[Danny42C]

Sanders of the River (and the A-25 Song)

Davaar,

Greetings! Yes, the RAF reluctantly let us ride round on bikes in uniform, but drew the line on open umbrellas - whether on or off bikes. ("Bringing the King's uniform into contempt and ridicule !")

Ah, the A-25......"Cracking show - I'm alive ! - but I still have to render my A-25 !" (If puzzled, think F.765C of evil memory). Do you know many/any of the verses of that wonderful ballad? From memory to start you off:

(To the tune of: "Toodle-ayoodle-ayoodle-ayaye !)

"They gave me a Seafire to beat up the Fleet,
I polished off "Rodney" and "Nelson" a treat,
Forgot about the mast sticking up on "Formid",
And a seat in the "Goofers" was worth twenty quid!
Cracking show............"

and:

"Went off from "Ark Royal" in a Seafire one day,
Came in to land with the hook stowed away,
Came over the flight deck, the batsman gave "CUT",
And we float,float,float,float,float,float,
Float,float,float, PRANG!
Cracking show............."

(I'm sure Union Jack could add a verse or two!)

At Leeming, we had progressed beyond a cleft stick. Our chap had a bike and a satchel: we called him "Wells Fargo".

Danny42C

EDIT: "Sanders of the River" was one of my favourite reads as a boy ("Speak the language of the land, Bosambo !"). My father served in the Army as an instructor in the Nigeria Regiment ca 1900 - 1905. He said that Edgar Wallace had the W. African detail about right.........D.