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Western Mail, Thursday 16 November 1933, page 2
THE GOOD DON'T DIE YOUNG - THEY BECOME P.O.'S!
Dear "Non Com."-Thanks for placing my little effort amongst the stars! Thanks also to F.A., of Karlgarin, for threatening "to send it in himself, if I didn't" hence the tale!
I have a vivid recollection of my first coaling ship experience in 1915. After two days' travelling from Portsmouth, I had embarked on a small motor launch, at Thurso, North Scotland, for the purpose of joining my ship, H.M.S. Ceaserea. A rough sea was running at the time, and it took that launch two hours to reach the Ceaserea. Being a new chum to the sea it wasn't long before I was wishing and hoping that it was true that the good really did die young!
Eventually I got to my destination more dead than alive and as I made my wobbly way up the gangway I thought: "Now I shall be able to have a spell!"
Alas for the hopes of man! An imp of the devil smashed all my dreams of Paradise by yelling: "At the double there, change into coaling rig!"
You cannot argue with Petty Officers, so thus began my initiation as a humble unit of his Majesty's Navy, anchored at Scapa Flow.
P.O., 17826, Kondinin.