It was December 1939; this veteran had been ordered back to England from Delhi as things were hotting up…
I got back to the depot and was put on night duty. Actually, I was too senior for the job, but decided not to make things difficult for others, so I took it on. in the middle of that night the armed guard woke me up and said there was a motor cyclist dispatch rider with an urgent message from Army HQ in York. It read, “Regular officer of rank Captain or Lieutenant required for service in Norway. Report movement control to North Berwick by 1500 hrs.”
“Well,” I thought, “Jimmy can go, he’s had embarkation leave, so I will tell the CO in the morning.” But morning wouldn’t come. I kept feeling it was for me; after all, I’d had mountain warfare experience, and Norway is pretty mountainous. So, I told the guard commander to wake me at 5am. No good, I couldn’t get to sleep. I prayed for peace and sleep. Finally, I turned to my Daily Light to see what it had to say. For the evening of 20 April when the force was to sail it had these verses:
Acts 26:15, Who art thou, Lord? I am Jesus.
Mark 14:27, It is I, be not afraid.
Isaiah 43:2,3 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and … through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God … your Saviour.”
That seemed to fit the bill exactly. I went to sleep sure of God’s word and His presence. Shortly afterwards I embarked on a light cruiser and set off to Aandelsnes, a port on the coast of Norway, where God was good and, although injured I got back to safely to England some months later.