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Western Mail, Thursday 29 June 1933, page 2
A RECORD A.W.L.?
Dear "Non-Com.,'" - How's this for the record A.W.L.?
I arrived in the morning at Boulogne with a draft of 180 men. We were told then we would have to march to Etaples next day and no leave! I got in touch with the S.M. of the camp (a sport), and told him to post a guard over our equipment and tell the Q.M. that we would not want rations for dinner and tea. He grinned: "Very well, sir!"
As I marched out of the camp with 180 men the guard turned out and gave me a salute. Under the circumstances one could reasonably expect not to be asked for a pass anyhow. When I told the crowd to buzz off on unofficial leave they were slightly surprised.
I made one stipulation. They were to leave town at 7 p.m., as the M.P.'s went on duty at 8 p.m.
All the boys returned safely - and so did I.
"Sikh," Kondinin.