18.1.45 Joined Army.

Mum & Dad sad farewell at Yeovil station,  Arrived  in Fort George Inverness Depot of Seaforth Highland regiment in snow blizzard went over draw bridge across the moat into the Fort and were then cut off from the outside world for many days. Then started 6 weeks Initial training. 18.1.45--28.2.451st day initiation  – forced to crawl and lie down in a field with live ammunition fired over our heads. Every day thereafter, woken up to  Reveille – ablutions in cold water and breakfast i/c porridge with salt – then a run round the top of fort wall ramparts, physical training, rope climbing etc., square bashing drill under the RSM, inspection of rooms barracks, beds, blankets, boots, buttons.Completed the course and selected as “ Best All Round Recruit,” Feb 1945.