DEAR EDITOR -- The correspondence on the "bombing" of the Austin Works intrigues me, having served as an under-age member of the Home Guard; in the anti-aircraft unit that provided a Box Barrage over the Austin complex, a "Z" battery of 64 rocket projectors, each firing two 56lb rockets.

The battery was located next to the Stonehouse Public House in Bartley Green, the Command Post on Quinton golf course.

It had a certain glamour appeal! So much so that I resigned from the Police Auxiliary Messenger Service at 15 years' of age, to join 138 Battery as a "17 year-old". We wore the Royal Artillery cap badge, webbing gaiters too; our battle dress blouse sleeves were resplendent with A.A. Command's red background with a black "bow and arrow" flash.

The training received by recruits from the regular army gunner N.C.O's was first-class. I still remember every detail of the gun-drill! It stood me in good stead when I joined the Corps of Royal Engineers as a regular soldier in 1944. Then 17 years' of age and troop sergeant of "Dog" Troop 8th Relief, 138th "Z" (M)(101 Warks) Battery, Royal Artillery; I was required to report to Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow in my Home Guard Uniform (less stripes, flashes and badges).

There were a number of us serving under-age. What staggers me now is how we were tolerated by the 1914-18 war "old sweats". The training was tough. It included firing camps at New Brighton, firing over the sea, terrifying at first when the full battery stationed there opened up! We completed infantry training, instructional technique courses, leadership training on N.C.O.'s cadre courses.

An allowance of 1s.6d. (7) per night-manning was payable, if I remember correctly; or there was an evening meal, with breakfast at 6.00am the following morning in lieu, served by AT.S. girls.

It was common to hear the alarm bell sound a number of times during the night, to have to rush out and find one's projector (gun) in pitch black darkness. There were some odd scares. Such as the night when a drifting barrage balloon appeared over the gun-site. We thought it was a "parachute mine" and prayed hard!

Despite all of it, we each put in a six day week at our daytime jobs, working long hours. Those of us that were apprentices attended day-release classes, did our homework too and passed examinations.

There must be a moral somewhere?

County Councillor Tom Wareing

Jays Close

Winyates Green

Redditch