IT WAS September 1944 and I was driving an American General Lee Tank in a supporting role to the 5 Indian Division up the Tiddim Road, Burma.

There were only five tanks in support; conditions were very bad with most of the crew members suffering with stomach problems caused by the lack of decent rations in large enough quantity. Also, this road leading over the Naga Hill (really mountains) was just wide enough for the width of the vehicle.

We were confined for most of the day making normal bodily functions almost impossible creating quite a few accidents. Crew members would just have to wait until the tank could find a safe place and then permit crew members to dismount and clean themselves up.

This happened to me, the tank pulled into a safe area, grabbing a shovel, running like mad to find a convenient spot to satisfy nature.

In my haste I forgot the most important item — paper.

That was not in abundance.

Was there was a god in the sky? Yes, in the form of the Andover Advertiser — just one sheet — the obituary page, which had a photo and a remembrance to Mr Jones the popular Ludgershall butcher. I knew of him because my Mother always bought her meat from him although we lived in Tidworth and his shop was in Ludgershall.

How this page got to this godforsaken place, I do not know. Someone in the preceding infantry must have come from Andover, who was taken short and left the evidence behind. Thank you Mr Jones and the Advertiser.

I am now 96-years-old and often wonder if there is anyone left that remembers Mr Jones the ‘Red Faced Butcher’ from Ludgershall.

Malcolm Connolly, Biddesden Lane, Ludgershall.