As HMS Dorsetshire was undergoing her refit, the sailors were allowed leave. The South Africans were told they could stay in Devonport or go to London, where South Africa House would look after them. Vernon decided to go to London and in the city heat decided to get a drink. Little more than a teenager, he found a pub, saw what he assumed was bottles of the apple drink he had known since a boy and asked for a bottle. It tasted fine and he asked for another. The barmaid looked at him and asked if he was sure. when he said yes, she gave it to him but kept watching him. Vernon enjoyed the second bottle, still felt thirsty and asked for another. The barmaid asked the barman is it was all right. The barman spoke to Vernon, who told the barman, they drank that stuff like lemonade in South Africa. The barman looked doubtful but gave Vernon another bottle. Vernon told me - he nearly made it outside but the next he remembered was being in hospital after the scrumpy cider had been pumped from his stomach. When he was telling me the tale, he smiled ruefully and said it was lucky the barman had called an ambulance instead of the Military Police, the MPOs would have thrown him in jail. After the refit, the Bismark sneaked out to be chased by men like young Vernon from around the world, including South Africa.

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