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National Service

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paul stacey said:
I agree with Dave, Baz "FRUIT & BOILED EGGS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!, if anything like that had been offered up to my lot there would have been a couple of ACC men posted as missing, I agree with everyone else though Range stew from a hay box on a cold November morning when you had been stranded for 3 hrs in the butts with range marshal bawling shouting. " MAGIC" paul
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Surely you had a pack of sandwiches, an apple/orange, perhaps a bar of chocolate, all in a brown paper bag. That was a Haversack Ration !

We had them in two different Artillery regiments that I was in AND the Queen's Own Hussars.

What did they give you Footslogger types then, a live chicken and a Hexamine cooker ?
 
All this food being talked about, it strikes me you were spoilt. I must admit the food at Camp was good we hardly had any thrown away in the tubs outside the Cook house, not like the ones at Blandford, they were overflowing and we all ended up in the N,A.A.F.I with buns and tea.

Dave
 
I will tell you a story about distraction, relating to inspection by the ADJ on saturdays inspection. I mentioned before about the C.O liked looking at pictures of film stars, well the ADJ liked photo's of country scenes. Before I went to billet up in the Keep I was in the main block with 20 lads who worked at various job around Camp, we kept the billet very clean and tidy with no come backs from any Sgts who happened to come in. Some saturdays we knew the place was not up to our usual standard, so a distraction was made, the ADJ had given us some coloured pics of the Rhine Valley Castles. One was always above the door where he always entered and the other was the opposite end above the stove, if he came in he first looked to see the pic above the stove was horizontal if it was not he strode down to it and squared it up, then turned round and looked at the other one, we had to make sure that one was O.K because he would not bother to walk back up the billet and start inspection, he would just glance then walk out. We could not afford to do this every week and when the billet was good the one above the stove would be O.K and maybe the one above the door would be out, he would get a chair and square that one up then inspect from that end One morning as he stepped down he said to me "Corporal Edwards there a lot of bunk eyed lads in this billet" "Yes Sir the pictures get moved when dusting Sir" "I can see that" and he went on his way.
Any body got any stories to tell?
Dave
 
Eddie, I can relate a story, in 1950 I was travelling around Africa with 82 squadron doing photographic survey of the various Colonies, whilst doing a 3 months stint at a place called Bo in Sierra Leone which was a large airport and a small village and nothing else. To relieve the off duty boredom once a week we would catch the ferry across a huge bay to the capital Freetown to see a bit of civilization, one day as the ferry arrive a number of clerical digniteries disembarked, all African except two who were English, one of the English gents started speaking to me when he heard my brummie accent, it turned out to be Dr Fisher Arch Bishop of Canturbury, apparantly he came from or had lived in Birmingham ! I had a similar and unlikely experience on my next overseas tour which was to Hong Kong in 1953. I Was based in the old Kai Tak airport which we jointly shared with the civilian authorities, and I had my late Wife with me. We had an apartment in Kowloon and regularly caught the 'Star Ferry' (still running) across to Hong Kong, one day on the frry we were sitting next to 2 large ladies obviously Americanl with two sombre dressed men with them, my Wife started chatting tothem and it turned out to be Eleaner Rooservelt, President Rooservelts wife and the 2 men were their body guards, my Wife got her autograph on her Ferry ticket. Happy days and such a long time ago. Eric
 
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Baz , The only time I remember being given a brown paper bag 24 hr pack sandwiches and fruit was in the 60's when called put for "Heath fire duty" with the fire brigade, we were out for three days and nights fighting a fire which had spread to a fir tree wood as well. Bloody nightmare fighting flames 20/30 foot high with those sticks with rubber flaps on them. When we got back having not slept for 36hrs covered in soot and smoke grim I was put on a charge with others, by a Major in the Irish guards for being "improperly dressed" paul
 
Eric,
Talk about meeting people, I think it was on the 24th of June 1956, the Duke Of Edinburgh,being Colonel in Chief visited the camp at Devises, a month before that day it was bull, bull and more bull. My Armoury had thick dark Tan Lino on the floor which was being polished by Janker lads at night and during the day it was covered with corrugated brown paper and I wore my best boots which left only small stud marks which could polished out easily. That day was hot and dusty and the Duke was arriving by Helicopter which would come up the valley towards the back of the camp and land on the sports field. there was a Platoon of recruits on the square to welcome him. A few days before the adj was asking me if I had any early means of seeing the Copter coming up the valley, which I had, I had a very good range finder which was used for laying on Motor fire. I was shouting out the range to the officer until it was about half a mile away.
Cutting a long story short, he came into the Armoury, no paper mats, followed by the C.O, ADJ two other officiers and last of all my friend the R.S.M he walked up the rows of weapons asking about what qtys I had and what had I got stripped down on the bench. He had to retrace his steps to leave and as I was right behind him I had to step sideways and then he looked down at his footsteps. He was wearing rubber soled, heavy barred shoes which had left heavy imprints on the Lino"This floor hasn't been walked on for a long time Corporal" "No Sir" and he walked out. The last person to leave was the R.S.M and out of the side of his mouth he quietly said in a joking manner "Big mouth". I always told the truth.
Dave
 
(Sigh !).

We tended to call them "haverbags". Must've been a BAOR thing.

The only time I recall Aiding the Civil Power like that Paul, was Flood Relief in Sussex when I was in the QOH, in the late 60s.

Charged for being improperly dressed? I should dam' well think so too. Don't know what the army's coming to. Fire fighting ? No excuse !
 
Were you ever at "Bovington" Baz, I seem to remember that the QHR, were the centre Regiment sometime in the 60's, only other Cavalry Rgt I had any contact with, (apart from the household mounted) was 4RTR (Skin;s) great bunch of blokes, bloody big tanks too. paul
 
QOH were never at Bovvy while I was with them Paul. I did a few courses there though.

It was a brilliant place for D&M courses.

I'm hoping to get there this summer to have another look at the Tank museum.
 
Hi Dave , we were all up before our CSM, Joe Grindley, and he said he would see the RSM, but we did't hear any more so I think it was all hidden under the carpet and dropped. It was a bit extreme even for the guards.
regards Paul
 
It's gone quiet on this site! "Do you want to hear another story as the site wants a new input" Paul, Baz,Eric Chris, Nibby. Yes or No.
Dave
 
If only I could Baz, would't that be nice, but I must say I miss the Cpl's and Sgt's mess's too. I think that you should put more stories on Dave that's what this thread was opened for!!! If there other's who don't want to read any stories "stay off the thread" fairly simple really.
paul
 
cookie273uk said:
I suppose the thread does not really apply to me as I was a regular (1948 to 1956 RAF) but carry on by all means. Eric
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Eric, I am with you on this one, I joined up in Feb;48 before the NS
papers arrived.So in theory we are "Off Thread" I did five and
a quarter years with the Coldstream Guards,, first for King and country and then QE2.Hope you keeping well and busy walking those
dogs, cheers now Bernard
 
Does it matter what time you served, long or short, we all have interesting stories to tell even if there are some people who are not interested. When you have been in the forces, the comradeship is not like civvy st and it is something we will never forget as long as we live. Thanks all for your comments.
Dave
 
My National Service seemed to start when I received the dreaded letter signalling that my 1950s fun life-style had to end and I must report for a
medical prior to conscription, and I chatted with others about daft ways of trying to fail the medical. After training we worked alongside 'regulars' and thought they were 'mad' for signing up for service life....:rolleyes:

I remember on our Yorkshire RAF base when a local lass discovered she was 'with child' and someone on the base was responsible.
We were warned that the girl and her mother wanted to find the culprit and had demanded an identity parade. The formidable Yorkshire mother marchedher daughter along the ranks to look at everyone - but we all knew that the likely suspect had suddenly been posted abroad !

Keep the stories coming they remind me of my little bit of military life back in the good old 1950s.

There is a forum thread 'Humour in Uniform' which only had one reply and it's funny but maybe only to ex-servicemen.

oldmohawk... :)
 
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Well the forces are certainly a place for meeting people and travelling, I chatted to Dr Fisher Archbishop of Canturbury in Siera Leonne in 1949 whilst waiting for the ferry to Freetown, the Duke of Kent at RAF Eastleigh in Nairobi in 1950 when he came to giive the City its Royal Charter and the Emir of Kano while I was showing over one of our Lancasters in Nigeria in 1951 during Battle of Britain week (I was the wireless operator) and whilst I was Serving in the Far East my late Wife met and chatted to Eleanor Rooservelt (first lady USA) on the 'Star Ferry' in Hong Kong, people we would never have met and places we would never have visited if I had not been in the services, I enjoyed my sevice life and if I had not been taken of flying duties due to weakening eye sight would have extended my service. This was of course when we had Colonies all over the World, I should imagine there are far fewer overseas postings now and also less pleasant. Eric
 
I think that one of the important things associated with us young men from the mid fifty's to mid sixty's is that we were the very last of the "British Empire" servicemen and women and the places we traveled too are no longer available to modern troops not even Germany so much. And as we were in the main working class boys who had never been abroad before it was part of the great adventure so to speak. It also threw together all types and class's from all over Gt Britain which in it's self was also part of this great learning cycle or education which doe's not happen today.
paul
 
There has been no movement on this thread for some time, being a new member of this forum, I thought I would kick it back into touch.

National Service, two of the best years any young man could have, just as long as you did not kick against rules.
I was in the RASC, June 1956 to June 1958.
Two weeks selection training at Aldershot, 9 weeks driver training at Blandford forum, the the rest of my time at 22 coy. RASC Taunton Somerset. If anyone was at Taunton during this time I would love to get in touch with you.
Three of us, Joe, Mick and myself did our two year together from call up to demob.
I found Joe again four years ago, and Mick last year, we hope to get together for the first time in 50 plus years later this year.
We only came across one bad NCO during out time, during training, but some of the lads met him in town one night and did him over.
Never bothered us again after that.
Happy days, do it all again if the old bones would let me.
 
Paul, The old grey cells are not as good as they once were, cannot remember other than it was Aldershot, but more than likely Buller.
 
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When I was down at Pirbright Guards depot in the early sixty's "Buller" was the RASC depot, alongside the "Courts Marshall Centre, and the Provost Corps "Glass house".
paul
 
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cookie273uk said:
Well the forces are certainly a place for meeting people and travelling, I chatted to Dr Fisher Archbishop of Canturbury in Siera Leonne in 1949 whilst waiting for the ferry to Freetown, the Duke of Kent at RAF Eastleigh in Nairobi in 1950 when he came to giive the City its Royal Charter and the Emir of Kano while I was showing over one of our Lancasters in Nigeria in 1951 during Battle of Britain week (I was the wireless operator) and whilst I was Serving in the Far East my late Wife met and chatted to Eleanor Rooservelt (first lady USA) on the 'Star Ferry' in Hong Kong, people we would never have met and places we would never have visited if I had not been in the services, I enjoyed my sevice life and if I had not been taken of flying duties due to weakening eye sight would have extended my service. This was of course when we had Colonies all over the World, I should imagine there are far fewer overseas postings now and also less pleasant. Eric
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Now that is impressive Eric !

Blimey, if there were any VIPs around when I was a young soldier we were told "keep out of sight and shut up !".

We always wondered how it was that the RAF seemed to live better than we did.
I remember we'd been doing Battle Group Training in the Libyan desert and we appeared at RAF El Adem like something out of Lawrence of Arabia, eager to get on a Britannia and fly back to Gutersloh.
We were crushed to hear that our plane had conked out in Cyprus and we would have to wait several days for it to be fixed.
Fortunately the Blue Jobs found us somewhere to live and when we turned up at the cookhouse for breakfast, clutching our rancid mess tins and KFS we found that all that stuff was already laid on. There was warm bread rolls, a choice of eggs, tea OR coffee, we were amazed at the luxury of it all.
The fly in our ointment, however was that the building we'd been given to fester in was right next to where the Lightning fighters came, to turn around, prior to taking off. When a pair of those beasts took off the noise was above pain ! (Oh, how those RAF types must've chortled !).

Even so, it was far better than going back to our dirty old tents, in the dirty old desert !
 
It always used to amuse me when ever the "Orderly Officer" together with the CSM, Cook, and RSM, came round the cook house and asked in a banal way is the food good? Any complaints??, and looking past the officer to the two SNCO's scowling and looking all beady eyed behind him, as if to say "anyone complains will see me after"!!!!!. And every one at the table in unison "Err great Sir, Err, really good Sir!!!. Ok!! carry On all.
I can never smell cabbage cooking without immediately being transported back 48 yrs to Pirbright.
paul
 
Cook house food as I have said before at the Wilts camp in Devises was very good, no complaints until one day in the Summer of 56. I was late for a meal as I had been out on loan up the ranges,it was Salad for tea and my friend the R.S.M was Orderly Officer. Just as I was about to eat he walked behind me, I was in the process of turning a Lettuce leaf over and underneath it was the biggest snail you ever saw. I said "Bloody hell" to my mates who looked at my plate along with the R.S.M. He put his hand on my shoulder and said "Don't shout it out loud Cpl Edwards as they will all want a bit" typical of him, a smashing bloke.
Dave
 
This will be my last story for some time as the site seems to have gained interest to other people, its rather a long one perfectly true as I have a friend who can vouch for me.
The Summer of 1956 was the bicentenary of the Wilts Reg and it was going to be a weekend of displays, Bands, marching and drill. The Bull at Camp had been going on for two weeks and a guard of honour was assembled 12 lads in all, I had prepared the Rifles which took quite at time as I had to take the old pig stabbers to workshops and get the shanks buffed on the polishing mop, and burn and gun black parts where required , polish the stock and make them look like new.
As I said I did not do any duties at all but about one week before that weekend the C.S.M came into my armoury, I was doing some paper work so he came and sat down beside me " problem Sir" " yes Cpl Edwards I have a big problem" "what is that Sir" " I am asking you if you would do me a favour" " what is that Sir" "well all my full Cpls are getting demobed and I have not anyone to do Guard Commander, would you help me out" I had eventually got him in my hands, was I going to squeeze, No!!. A quick mental calculation, 9 weeks to go two guards no problem, O.K Sir ! The public were to be invited into the whole weekend along with the Brigadiers Colonels and the top Brass who would arrive on speck.
We were told never to volunteer in the army and I lived by that, here I was I had done just that and dropped myself in it. On Orders the next day I had to go and see the C.S.M who informed me that I would be doing guard Commander on that weekend but it would not be the usual 48 hr but 72hrs Friday morning till 6 am Monday,and double the Guard of Honour, Hell!! Anyway I was in it now so I had to get sorted, I met up with lads who were doing the guard and got sorted the pressing of their B.Ds during that spell because sitting about there was going to be a lot of horizontal creases which would require attention and boots to be spit and polished.
Now being being 6'-3" with legs that never end the Infantry marching speed being ,I think 180/min I do not stand a dog in Hells chance of keeping up with the lads
once I gave them the order Quick march to the Guard Room. Come the day, inspection carried the Adj gave me the order to march the guard off the Square, the took off and nearly left me behind, out of ear shot I said for Christ sake slow down, my size 10s were skimming over the ground like piston rods until we got out of sight. Why that speed of marching was ever used baffles me.
O.K for starters, the Saturday was when the big Brass were visiting so the lad on the gate would have to keep his eyes peeled for staff cars flying the flag coming up the road from Devises or from the R.A.P.C camp fortunately the main gate was on a bend in the road so he could get a good half a mile view in both directions
he would call out the Guard and I would get them out to give the salute as they passed into the camp.
We had good food and the Weather was kind until the Stand down on Monday the officers were pleased with how it went until the end of that week when we heard that questions were asked by the higher ups "what was a R.E.M.E. cpl doing being in charge of a Wiltshire Guard of Honour on such a important occasion"
The C.S.M was held to blame but we heard he got out of it because he had no choice having no staff.
Dave
 
When ever there is talk of N/S, someone always mentions about "NEVER VOLUNTEER".
I had seven brothers go through the military before me, two in the war, and five N/S, and they all said the same to me.
But on my work unit, 22 Coy. RASC, when not on detachment, and staying on camp, I found that if I volunteered for kitchen cleaning duties after the evening meal, usually cleaning round the back of the large industrial fridges, I would come back to my billet with a couple of loaves of bread, tins of sausages, cheese and blocks of butter.
All this bounty I shared with my very best mates.
There was nothing to do on camp during the evening that didn't need cash, so I did this.
kept me and my mates going.
 
Maypolebaz (post 519) I think you have a point about inferier treatment in the Army compared to the RAF, we were doing aerial photographic duties with our Lancaster Squadron (82PR) in Nigeria from Kano Airport and were billeted with the Army (4th Nigerian Regt) for 3 months in 1950 and the food and conditions certainly left a lot to be desired, even medical treatment, they were still using the old fashioned anti malaria tablets call mepacrine, which had side affects, were as the RAF were taking the modern paludrine more effective and NO side effects. Why this difference should be I do not know. Eric
 
cookie, maybe it was a case of "Someone has to use up the old stock of tablets", and the army was always bottom of the heap.:sorrow:
 
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