From Cadet to Second Lieutenant

The course at the College was an arduous one, entailing the practical application of machine guns, mortars, etc. I passed out as Corporal Taylor, Instructor in the S.A. Instruction Corps, and was seconded to the Lyttelton Air Schools, where I lectured the future pilots in the rudiments of infantry warfare. 

My sojourn there went off well and I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. This was important to me as it meant more pay.

I was unfortunate enough to get blood poisoning in my foot and landed up in the sick bay with a temperature of 104F. I received no medication and after a couple of days I enquired from the staff sergeant in charge about a medical doctor attending to me. I was told that the medical officer on duty was playing billiards and could not be disturbed. the doctor eventually came round and prescribed M&B tablets (an antibiotic) which did the trick.

My stay at the Air School was uneventful until I was called to Headquarters and told that I was to report to a selection board being held at the Military College for an officers training course. The upshot was that I was enrolled as a Cadet Officer and spent four months at the Military College. 

Jack in his 2nd Lt's Uniform

I eventually passed out as Second Lieutenant T.P. Taylor. After some time at the College, I was given the opportunity of going on active service in a combatant capacity and flew to the Middle East with a group of officers.