George Shepherd

When George Shepherd was called-up for World War II, he was summoned to the Music Hall to join the Gordon Highlanders. For a time he was stationed in Orkney, based at Tormiston Mill on the Orkney Mainland. Because of his qualification and experience as a Pharmacist, he was given compulsory transfer to the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corps) and then finally to Intelligence.

He was promoted, but chose to revert to the ranks three times at his own request, although finally he did accept promotion, becoming Sergeant-Major (Warrant Officer 1).

WAR IN THE FAR EAST

George Shepherd was sent to the Far East with the IVth Army in the troopship Orion, firstly to India where his training in Quetta included a crash-course in Hindustani, a language in which he became fluent.

Much of his war service was spent in Burma, mostly with the Ghurkhas whom he admired greatly. For one year he was the only white man in his unit of "the Forgotten Army" in the Arakan Box. They received supplies by air-drop, and dyed pannier-donkeys green as camouflage for crossing ridges in the dense jungle.

His small collection of war photographs (although not all taken by himself) include the Japanese surrender in Malaya in 1945.

When he was repatriated to Britain in 1946 he was not allowed home to Scotland, but sent to Portsmouth to work as Acting Doctor in a hospital. He finally returned home in 1946 and resumed his career as a pharmacist with Davidson & Kay Ltd.

After the war George Shepherd never wore his medals or ribbons, even on Remembrance Sunday or at formal events which stated that "Decorations may be worn".

See ABDMS079213.