I'd forgotten all about St. George's barracks Sutton Coldfield! I went there in '83 and wanted the Paras, I passed all the tests including the more strenuous Para physical tests and all they'd offer me was RE, REME or RA and told me I could go Airborne after I was in. Like you I was from an army family and knew that was probably b/s and wasted no time in pointing that out which was quite ballsy for a 16 year old. I turned them down and got an apprenticeship as a draughtsman for 2 years and went back to the army having got very fit and done 2 years part time at college. They tried to get me to do a trade but I persevered and made it to my chosen Reg. I never looked back. Loved most of it and now my knees are dead, I'm wracked with Arthritis but I honestly wouldn't change a thing. It made me a man, I've been all over the world and I have a no quit attitude that still keeps me going. Nice video Keith, keep them coming and get your pit made you slovenly little man!! 😂🏴
Yes, easily forgotten as we only spent that very short time there. Glad you stuck to your guns with your choice of Regiment, many don't. Love your attitude toward your old injuries and that fact you wouldn't change a thing, good on you. Yes, nowadays Im lucky, me and the Tracer Round do the bed making as a team task lol.
We done for sticking to your GUNS, and always trying to improve your self. Your are right in those days you was trained for perseverance, adapt and overcome. I am not sure if that's the case, nowadays 😊, have a good one.
It was not b/s about going airborne after completing your trade training, I had mates that got their wings after completing their technical training in the REME, you did yourself a disservice, finanancially and experience wise by refusing a trade. But as long as you were happy and enjoyed your service.😅
I joined when I was 17 in 1971 by walking into a recruitment centre in Liverpool, didn't have a clue which regiment I had signed up for untill i turned up at the Guards Depot as a Lifeguard, did my basic training, each barrack room had a trained soldier who had his own room, we had to ask permission from him to enter and leave the room, outside the room you could not walk normally, everywhere was at a fast paced march, did a full infantry training before passing out and going to Catterick to do my tank training. Posted to Germany, where later in the year I had to re-sign as an adult after my 18th birthday.
Adair Walk Pirbright 1974, beasted by the NCO? On the way the the mess hall, but allowed to march back at a normal pace to your accommodation block.💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
Good old Army carriers office ….wanted to join the Artillery as my Dad was ex engineers and my elder brother was a serving engineer……wanted to do things my way not because I was son of or brother of , my first visit to the office I was created by a Sjt from the light infantry…..mate he could’ve sold a TV to Stevie wonder ….that was me all ready to join the infantry, 3 days before I was due to go to Sutton Coldfield I cut my knee open playing football …5 stitches across the kneecap, told to re apply once I was fit again….6 months later walked back into the office again only to be meet by an Artillery SGT the rest they say is history, Woolwich Feb 87 discharged by signing off March 99 …..would I do it all again knowing what I know ? …you bet I would best 12 years of my life 👍
My dad was ex RE, but I joined the RA, from 1984-1990. I was in 50 Missile Regiment (Northumberland Barracks) Menden Germany. Nice to hear about, how you joined up, thank you.
I walked into the Army careers office in Woodgrange Road in Forest Gate in 83 did all my aptitude tests and medical etc, then went off to Sutton Coalfield, Did all the tests, a Mock BFT, the PT tests etc, and the obligatory buckshee talk on the life inside a ping pong ball, conducted by a bored Cpl. Then they tried to talk me into the REME or RE, as I winged it on my multiple choice tests, and managed to get good marks. It was a fluke as I am as thick as mince! I can’t remember if it was a WO or a Rupert who looked rather disappointed when I just kept saying, I want RGJ, as my Dad and Grandfather had both served in the regiments that became the RGJ. Went back to Forest Gate careers office, Swore my oath, and that was me sorted. I still, remember getting on the train at Euston to go to Shrewsbury where the LDD for Junior soldiers was at the time. Great days, great mates and meet some absolute legends along the way. But, never actually saw the Ghost of Green eyes who was supposed to have haunted the Keep at SJM Barracks LDD 😂
I seem to be the only one that went to selection centre at Deepcut, in '83. I thought Sutton Coldfield was for Northerners and us Southerners went to Deepcut.
I was in Sutton Coldfield in September 1976, i joined the Royal Engineers, i wish i had been in your block to hear you tell the sergeant about the woman who makes the beds🤣😂
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd week 1 in.the battalion old sweats sent me in to the csms office to ask for an hgv course 😂 😂 last laugh he knew they were trying to make a dick out of me so he put me down for landrover training they were raging last laugh in me 😂
Your a true British army hero and we appreciate your service. Around 1971 there was a public exhibition outside our estate of a tank and the fighter aircraft that all us kids climbed inside and dreamed of joining the army and air force but we never did as by 1980 other jobs needed doing. God bless all our British military heroes.
Thats amazingly kind of you, thank you however, I'm certainly not a hero, those guys mostly never got to be an old git like me. Thank you so much for your support its very much appreciated.
I was a National serviceman in the 1950s, served in Malaya with 1st batt.rifle brigade.it was tough, but it was a benefit for all the lads. like listening to your army tales.brings back my army memories.
That seems a very long time ago Derrick, what was your first 4 numbers? I am over 80, and did not do Malaysia until 1965, you must be expecting a card, from the King very soon ! 🫢
What an outstanding story. Amazing! Like you I come from an Army family. My father came up through the ranks and was commissioned in `1941. My mother was a QA and managed Lt Colonel. You can imagine what I wanted. I wanted to be an engineer, and I made it. My first weeks at Sandhurst were eye watering. My worst encounter was having to go and apologize to Queen Victoria's statue for my incompetent drill. While the rest of the squad drilled, I stood there at attention, until I thought no one was looking, so I wandered of, Only to be stopped by a yell from the square. I was asked if I had apologized and what the answer was. I told the Sgt she had told me to take the rest of the day off. I leave it to your imagination as to the outcome. Love your banter, it brings back so many memories.
Cracking story Tim, I absolutely loved the way SNCO's and WO's, could string together such witty sentences that just destroyed the person it was directed at while the rest of us struggled not to laugh. Thanks for sharing your story.
So far what I know (briefly) is approximately my 10 great etc etc grandfather came out against the uk government in 1715 Scottish rebellion (Jacobite). My 9 great etc etc grandfather did the same thing in 1745. I believe he was the Provost of Banff sometime as well. My 8 great etc etc grandfather told them no way is he going to be a lawyer I believe it was, I’m going to join the British Army went all over the Empire ended up as a General, wrote around 8 books about areas he was posted to about a variety of subjects. #8 ended up posted to Annan In Dumfries and Galloway and would be the First of my linage out of Annan. 💂♂️🪖⛑️🏴🇨🇦
There in Feb 73. For my three preferences, RGJ RE RA . I was told, too short, I'm 5'10'', weak maths, poor eysight. Im 70 and I still don't wear specs. So , 18 months later I'm a REME aircraft tech. Go figure.. without taking the P.
I signed up at Whitehall, I remember getting a little black bible. I went to Sutton Coldfield too, where I got a haircut. I'm sure you could change your mind during those three days and go home if you wanted to. Feeling homesick I was tempted, but I stuck it out and never regretted it 😊
Hi mate,veterans I’d card turned up today Got emotional opening it,got a hug off mrs Reme Thanks again for the video you did on the card,as you can understand it means a lot Keep tabbing
Wow, Phil that's fantastic mate. It can be very emotional, it's hard to describe to people how much something as basic as the ID Card can mean. So glad you got it and great that you had the Mrs there for support. All the best 👍
Tryed to apply for mine. It would read my face. I did 2 operations with the SAS in NI (seconded, not a member off the SAS). I didn't think I was that special, that it wouldn't scan my face and you only get a few attempts at the photo 📸 😮😢.
You probably realised this over the years Keith, but you missed out on a great time at JLs. I was at Dover and mates of mine were at Shorncliffe. It was a great headstart to Army life.
Lol Brilliant dit ! Myself, Moving back from W.Germany i joined the Royal Marines at 16 and six months 10 June 1975 Junior Marines Deal (Kent) Attestation completed by JJ Moore RM who later received the Surrender of Argentine Forces in the Falklands. Completed training CTCRM Lympstone (Devon) March 19, 1976 - Passed for Duty (9 originals from 36) by Lord Louis Mountbatten - 17 three months old - what an adventure for the next eleven years 👍 Looking back now with tinted specs as a 65 year old id do it all again but i feel our country has changed so much i wouldn't bother - so sad 😑 Been a resident in the Philippines for 17 years now, many Ex Military Expats here inc one who was in the Korean war are of the same feelings about Blighty. 🤔
My first choice was the Royal Navy. I went to the Southampton RN recruiting office in 1978 where it was all going well with the interview even though I was a cocky 17 year old. One of the questions i was asked was if I could swim, I replied "why, haven't you got any boats". The interview was promptly termited with a barrage words some of which I'd never heard before. My next call was to the Army recruiting office where I thought i better not mess this one up. A few days later, a travel warrant and a letter, and off I went to Sutton Coldfield where after 3 days I was offered the Army Air Corps which I accepted.
@@johnnunn8688 That's right, I seem to remember the RAF was next to the Navy office back then. I just jumped on the next ferry, went back to the Island and into the Army Recruiting office in Newport.
Thanks Keith, that takes me back a few years, 1979 to be exact. I found that selection center very weird and drawn out, thinking to myself well why doesnt the ACO just select me from there, they must know what is available and what is not? I passed my medical, and written test, so now have to travel 180 miles to find out what is available after already signing the Queens Oath. The thing was, no body told me I was going straight from St Georges Barracks to my unit, so I had a tiny suitcase about the size of a laptop case, also skint, not a good start, I was lucky the army give me an advance of pay otherwise I would of been skint for a month. At only 17 years old, I classed it as an adventure, and a welcome to the real world.
I origionally joined up on 16th December 1969 and was supposed to become a Field Survey technician Aprentice at Chepstow where I went on the 4th January 1970. On arrival the first week was spent orientating ourselves around Chepstow, at the same time being issued that kit that fitted where it touched and being measured for the eventual issue of my No2 Dress we also had the first rudimentary lessons in drill marching first, then standing still. Sadly at that point I developed hepatitis and was put in the medical center for 6 weeks, on release from isolation I reported back to my troopy to find out that too much time had passed and I would not be able to rejoin my “intake” and as such would be relegated 1 term 2 days later I was told that because there was only one in teke oof Field Survey techs a year I would be relegated a full year, Not a happy chicken and in a right petulant mood I applied for transfer to one of the other Army Apprentice Colleges : Arborfield, or Harrogate, because my enlistment options were still valid to be trained as a Technician and I didnt want to get out of the Kate, so on completion of the first term where I worked in the Squadron office and did loads of interesting tasks. The beginning of the Next term on the first day back I was told to pack my kit and travel up to Harrogate where I could try out to become a terminal equipment tech. And so began my Military career
What the he'll, is terminal equipment (I am sure its good, whatever it is 😮). Have a good one Howard. Iam sure you can get treated for it newer days 😮😊😊.
@@davidkelly8299 TerminalEquipment was basically any thing that came out of a radio ore pair of wires ,that being Telephones telephone exchanges, Teleprinters channeling equipment, Cryptographic systems, Anything to do with satellite earth stations, latterly computers and targeting lasers. It went through a couple of metamorphosis to eventually be called Systems tech but by then I was well involved in all levels of code makers and code breakers and quite senior, But I did get over it!!!!
My mother stopped me joining the Welsh Guards. I was still under 18 so I needed parental permission so I waited. By the time I went back to the careers office, there was a gunner recruiter so the rest is history. The reason I mention this, is because without doubt, if mum had given permission, i would have been on the Sir Galahad when it was bombed. Id forgotten all these things until watching your channel RSM! Thanks!
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd my pleasure, truly. Keeping me sane at the moment. Two of my brothers, including the bombardier, are seriously ill in hospital. I am of course living abroad and not too good myself. It makes one think, a lot at the moment. Thanks for the distraction.
Although i'm from the North East i was living in Kent when i joined up. Did my attestation in Canterbury and my medical at Ashford. Proceeded to Birmingham New Street Station and on to Sutton Coldfield for selection. Having already served my time as an apprentice mechanic (City and Guilds 1 snd 2) i was accepted into my preferred trade and Corps, REME. So sfter 3 days, travel warrant to Reading and transport to Arborfield and basic training. Remember Arborfield very well, some great instructors and overall a good time. James Ian 581
Junior leaders in NZ was called Regular Force Cadets and they canned it in 1991 I had applied and was accepted but a few months later it was history budget cuts in all that
Mate. Just watched your story and I'm still wetting myself!😂😂😂😂😂 I walked into the Army Careers Office on Cambridge Road in Portsmouth at the age of 17. The Careers Office was near to what was HMS Vernon. It's now Gunwharf Quays retail park. Why didnt i join the Navy i hear you ask? Both my Grandads had served in WW2, my Dad was in the TA and I'd been in the Army Cadet Force since the age of 12. Like you, i signed on at the ACO and was sent my paperwork & travel warrant in the post. Travelled up to Sutton Coldfield and was there for 3 days. I was housed in London block on the 3rd floor. During that time i found that the trade i wanted was not available at that time. I'd wanted to be an Aircraft Technician. As it wasnt available, i accepted Vehicle Electrician instead. From there i was sent to the REME Depot at Arborfield in Berkshire to begin my Basic Training. Even those 3 days of my Army career stick firmly in my memory! 👍👍 Right. Now ive stopped wetting myself at your 'woman makes bed' story. I'd better let you get on. Must get together with you one day to go for a TAB.👍👍 You & Tracer round Stay Safe.👍👍👍
Great memories Nobby, thank you for your kind words and support it's much appreciated mate 👍. Glad my little story gave you a giggle 😃. Yeah would be great to go for a pint and pull up a sandbag and swing the lantern. All the best 👍
As someone in their late twenties, it's difficult because we associate the armed forces with little pay. At the time myself and friends had just graduated from university as engineers and we considered joining the Royal Navy. Please understand we were offered in some cases fifteen thousand pounds more to start our careers in the civil service or in private companies. It's very difficult to turn that sort of money down.
Thanks for sharing that story, was laughing my tits off, reminded me of some of the stupid things I did during my trip to the recruiting office in Norwich back in the 90's, like walking into the sergeant majors office and just plonking myself down on a chair without being asked to sit, new one swiftly torn out of me, what a dud I was lol 😂👍🏻
I too joined in 76 at 17+ a few days.... I was 6' and weighed 9 stone... I as made to do extra pull ups.... I wanted to join the REME.... However the Maj talked me into the RAOC... I was compulsory transfered to the all girls corps in 91! I left in 2019. I. Only ever served with the RAOC for a very short time.... strangest position.... Working for the American State Department in Sarajevo.... Happy days....
Takes me back to when I joined Keith, like you I did three days at Sutton Coldfield Wednesday to Friday Saturday got attested by an officer at Durham then early morning train the following Monday hungover cos I'd been on the lash night before to the guards depot Pirbright. Talk about your feet not touching the ground. That was 1986 and I went on to serve six years in the Scots guards and met some good lads along the way some of which I still keep in touch with. 😊
Hi there. I joined in 1972 as a Junior Leader Royal Armoured Corps, at Bovington. Army Number starts 2425, so not too far away from yours. Joined a Cavalry Regiment, 15th/19th The Kings Royal Hussars, nicknamed sometimes as the 5 and 9s, or sometimes Keyhole Kates ( due to shape of our cap badges). Always remember when I joined as you said by just walking into the recruiting office, was told after the “swearing in ceremony” ( all of the heirs and successors palaver,) that I was informed that I was now officially a soldier, but was classified as “on leave without pay” or LWOP, until my joining date some two months later. Sure enough looking back now at my “Red Book” my LWOP was dutifully recorded. Just applied for my Vets Card as well, thanks for the video on that.
I reported for training at US Marine Corps- Recruit Depot Parris Island in June 2002. Like every other recruit, when the Drill Instructor told us to “Get off my bus!”; I thought “what the hell have I gotten myself into?”
I went to Sutton Coldfield in 86, we were all fucking terrified. I remember little apart from some runs and what I came to learn later were very mild gym beastings. I passed, and next up was 9 months of torture at the Light Division Depot Winchester. If only someone had derailed that fucking train to Sutton Coldfield!
Love the leg pull on the beds, believe it or not, we still pull that one with cadets first camp. Junior leaders is a real big thing in the cadets, one of the top course they can do, and they all love it. Cracking video Keith, well done mate. Baz
I always try to thank everyone, the way I see it is if people are kind enough to comment on my silly little videos then the least I can do is take the time to say thank you to them.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Your a true gentleman sir. Its videos like these that inspire me to be a better man. Made lots of mistakes growing up. But now I'm a proud volunteer for Help for Heroes. And it really is thanks to guys like yourself, sharing your stories and life lessons. Thank you for replying to me. Means the world.
Joined up in 72. 3 days at Sutton Coalfield then training at Ripon for the QLR. My dad said I would never stick it. Well I did for 12yrs and attained the rank of Sgt.
Walked into the recuitment centre in Aldershot, told them i wanted to join the paras. went to Sutton Coalfield watched loads of videos for jobs in the Army (I now know they push you towards vacencies) any way watched the video of Radio Telegraphist when I heard "We would like to tell you more about this role but its classified Secret" I thought to my self ,, that has my name all over it. 1978
Day 1 Sandhurst - filling out forms, forms and more forms. Then assigned to companies and platoons. I was put in 3 platoon Amiens Company. All the time thinking what on earth have I done? Introduced to Capt Chalmers of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and Colour Sergeant Phipps Coldstream Guards and then it started, five weeks of inspections and PT. Drill, inspections, polishing and did I mention inspections? 😁
Sutton 78 arrived there to do all the test, got to walk through the rooms to pick the 'job. I remember the name badge with a star on it so you couldn't get a drink in the bar. That was removed, :) I was 16. One night some pis*head came crashing through the fire wall drunk :) Was mean to got to apprentice collage, but due to admin error I ended up going through the Crunchie side. Also listed as the wrong trade :) Should have known it was all down hill from then on. 4 days there in baggy lightweights and a jumper that didn't fit :) Got my nickname there that stuck with me for years :)
Just found your channel and really enjoying the vids. I joined REME in November 1969, age 17y6m got binned after a year for medical stuff. Enjoyed every day, your stuff on being a sprog was right on the money and company runner was a good berth. Keep up the good work
😂 hilarious. I remember loads of wind ups by the NCOs in my troop, with some of the new guys. 'Go to the stores and collect a skirting board ladder', 'tartan paint', 'a long weight', they poor lads always well for it..... 'the woman that makes the beds' 😂😂😂😂
I got to tell you this one. My brother was in the bombardiers mess at the time (I was a troop commander by then) and he was a drill instructor for new recruits. So as you do, he took the guys through their paces, showed all the movements etc. They improved. After a while he gave the command 'squad, Mark time'... and this young lad in the squad turned to him and answered 'quarter to four bombardier' 😂 I kid you not. I wasn't there of course, he was at Woolwich and I was in Germany then I think. However, to show how small a world the army is, some time later, I was doing an inspection of the troop lines, and my TSM and I came upon a section rolling about in laughter. The lad and his mate from the above story had been posted to my troop. Then I found out the name of the bombardier concerned, and I gave him a call, he confirmed the story, almost crying on the phone. Great Times.
I was 15 in 91 and the next year 92 I had been attending the local Territorial battalion 6 Hauraki for about 6 months I signed up and went on Basic and corps training 7 weeks but the actual sign on age was 17 and a half I was only 16 but I managed to slide through the cracks I wrote down the correct date they just missed it 😂😂😂 I got hauled into the Battalions CO (who I knew from the local gym he owned) and he gave me the choice the Army or High School 😂😂😂
That three day selection down at Sutton Coalfield brings back memories from '79. I think I was put in Belfast block too. So much for selection, they ask you what you want to do in the army then they tell you what you're going to do in the army. A Major was telling me how lovely it was to join a tank regiment!! I'm 6'3" and they wanted me inside a tank... err, no thank you Sir...
Went to Army youth selection Centre Harrogate in 77 for 3 days...must have done ok with the maths because I was offered JLRRA to train as CPA/ TARA...didn't know what that was but went anyway in 78...ended up as a Regimental Surveyor in Field Regiment...
Brings back memories thank you. I joined in 1985 and went through the same selection process and I can still see the block at the time. The minors where on strike at the time so it was also full of cops using it as a base
I had it easy 48 hours at selection centre.. intake August 96 ...10 weeks basic at Pirbright followed by phase 2 trade training at Leconfield and deepcut, at my unit in Germany by april 97.. my first dose of crabs by may 😂
Robert, I was such a donut mate, what on earth was I thinking. I never told my Dad, or any family members about it as you can imagine. But I sit back now and just laugh at my younger self.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd 💯 m8 like left handed screwdriver or go and paint the Hull.of that 432 go and grease the whisleing nuts and waffling sprockets .those were not pulled on me 😂
That story about the woman making your bed is a corker. Back in the 60's, I once strode manfully into the Army/Navy/RAF Recruiting Office in our local town Fistful of fresh GCE's, I fancied joining up and maybe being commisioned. They took a few details and to cut a long story short said I'd never get a commision in the Army asnd the Navy & RAF wouldn't touch me with a bargepole! Turns out that back then during the Cold War, if you had any family connections to the Warsaw Pact countries then were considered a potential security risk if Nikita Khrushchev and his chums got heavy on your distant relatives. Gutted. A Civvie eversince.
With a mum who had escaped East Germany by swimming the Elbe one February before working in a British Army canteen and meeting my dad... I was nearly kicked out of the (Aussie) MPs for being silly enough to tell them I had relatives in the DDR when being vetted for my security clearance. A British RMP female officer on exchange did the vetting and that was lucky for me because she had connections in BAOR who verified my background, my Dad's service and even my mum's employment by the NAFFI in the 1950s! Had it been an Aussie officer I doubt they would have bothered and simply knocked me back for the Top Secret clearance. That would have meant going back to Engineers and losing my stripes... not worth thinking about!
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd maverick and goose 😂 😂 we would get and end up flying cargo planes full of rubber dog sh---t out of Hong king .got that from too gun brill film
august 77 sat in my bed in bassingbourne looking at my watch every hour thinking thats 1 2 3 4 hours gone bye😂😂😂 24 years later still employed .at school.career interview guy said you can go down the mine i said are you having a laugh 😂😂😂😂 look at the.size of me 6 stone soaking wet😂😂 told me to go away with my job centre signing on number on the rock and roll.for 8 weeks then off to Bassingbourn my dad was RAF AND R SIGNALS my mum.was WRAC no rude comments please my great great grandad fought in the boar war and my grandad laid mines on the north sea beaches 😢😢😢😢 .straight forward process to join.up needed them not feeded them
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd 💯 m8 my uncle was at arnhem with glider Bourne and in Palestine 1947 has a chief clerk he had some stories to tell he was their when king David hotel was blown up.never got over his experiences
Coool coool 😂😂😊😊 i was a jr'paras in take! My oldman was csm paras!! Hes younger brother was RSM IN PARAS THEN S.A.S! N 15YRS in 2nd'rep in the French legion!! Me 2 grandads was in ww1 an ww2. 😊😊 like me Keith lad ur FROM a army's family like me!! 😊😊 iknow were u r talking about m8ty gd old days m8t lol'lmao gd times mucker lots of memories 😊😊😊 AB ALL THE WAY BROTHER!! Green on mucker!! Depo RA' WOOLWICH JUST AT END OF ME RD! got 2'PWRR in there atm 😊😊!! Bedblocks Lol'lmao remember them!! Gd old-school days mucker lots of memories lol'lmao 😊😂😂❤❤ an me uncle reg was 1 of the 1st sgt's in the reg! I.e. S.A.S with jock, paddy, an David sterling!! In ww2! Then me cousin Johnny mac'MM went in the reg!! Who we all c on tv bk in 1980' 4 us who's old-school!! Would have seen it on the box bk then on the BBC news etc! Doing the blowing out on the balcony and Windows n jumping over again 2getting the building WITH the lads !! So yeah that's what I've come 4rom all army navy and air force in the family Keith lad like ya self!! 😊mucker 😊😊 green on mucker lots of memories lol'lmao winks lol 😊😊
at 19 i walked into the recruiting office in wolves two burly para sgts were there i told them i wanted to join the staffords. they said you don't want to join the staffords. we need you for the paras...i filled with pride and said great why do you think i'd make a good para......sgt said you be a smaller target coming down. i'm 5ft 3...... i joined the staffords
Joined in Oct 76. Went to the careers office in Fife Scotland, tartan everywhere full Blackwatch. Did the tests and said I want the REME thanks, the recruiting Sgt busted a gut. 22 years later loved it. Btw Grandfather was a BSM artillery WW1, Dad was RN WW2, Step father was RAF. Arte et Marte 🇹🇩
Remember Sutton Coldfield well . I was there in 1975 Belfast Block . Then 17 Training Regiment Depot Royal Artillery . Inkerman Troop C Section with Sgt Joe Fury . On completion I joined 49 Inkerman Battery , 42 Heavy Regiment Fallingbostel BFPO 38 . Happy Days
Good old Belfast Block. I think Woolwich changed its title from, 17 Training Regiment RA, to Depot Regiment RA, just before I got there however, memories fade and I could well be wrong. Thank you for commenting mate and all the best.
It was 100% 17 Training Depot when I was there Keith . I never returned to Woolwich once I finished training , Where the name change is concerned , you will know about that mate as you were a year after me . I only have Happy memories of Depot . The cleaner and your bed space is priceless 😂😂
Walked into the careers office above the Bull ring in Brum , a week later to Sutton coldfieild . Then off to the depot at Royston herts . It all happened so quickly.
Manchester Peter street AFCO Thats where it all began for me 2005 did my selection at glencoe selection centre . Basic at pirbright . Phase 2 at bovi . Ex RAC . Signed off in 2012
I joined same year and had been in the TA before so knew the score after getting off the transport we were formed up in 3 ranks and the WO2 marched us about a bit on the square then halted us and quietly said anyone who wants to leave put your hands up about 6 did I had to work hard to stop myself from falling about laughing.
I remember the first day I was in as a recruit and previous to that I was in the army cadets in Sturry Road next to the old Argos. I was a Pull then as a crew I decided to salute an RSM…….. I never thought A pace Stick could go up that far with the old saying don’t salute me I’ll work for a living but as he left the room all I heard was nice thought though lol
Strange , I can remember most of my army times , but my time in pre- selection is a complete blank ! All I know it was in deepcut , camberley and it was around 2-3 days , the rest is a complete void , I was 16 at the time as I went to juniors initially
1972 Sutton Coldfield then of to 17 Trg Regt RA. That is where I discovered I had two middle names. Bellend and nob head. Loved every minute of it. Red On, Go!!
Its RED light on, then Green on, the jump master then shouts "Go". I hope you had a good time in Poole Dorset with 148 Bty. Nice one David, 👍 up to you.
I will never forget trying to buff those effing floors with a hand buffer..... polish was scooped out of a metal bucket & schlumped into a splodge on the wooden floor & then we had to buff the living shite out of it for hours!
junior leaders still exsisted when i was 15, and you could walk into the army careers office with no apointment (90) my background is pretty much simular to yours, just a different time and a different place. my great grandads served in the boer and ww1, my dads grandad was boer war aswell as ww1 (his medals live in the british legion across the road from where he lived, ive never seen them but beleive he was highly decorated.), my uncles served in ww2 one being a desert rat, got a ruck of uncles on one side who all ended up in the para`s, to be fair their all a bit mental on that side. my great uncle who my grandmother was named after was in the royal marines in ww1 he was killed at athies france and was mentiond in dispatches. was surrounded by tales and stories when the inevitable drinking sessions would start at some family gathering from a very young age. very lucky family out of all the wars and conflicts their has only been in only one who died, which is quite the feat when you think of the meat grinder ww1 was, my mums grandad was in the kings liverpool reg, he never talked about it, my grandad told me when he arrived home the first thing he did was bury his uniform, walked naked into the barn and doused himself in dip before he would go near the family,
Thats a great family history you have there. You must record it all down somehow, to help keep it alive for generations of your family to come. Thank you for sharing that, I found it a great read, very interesting to hear. Thank you.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd theirs family legends going way back, a few heirlooms about too, i have a sword that was given to one of my great great great grandads, he was teaching arabs out in the middle east how to fight and it was give to him as a thankyou, the blade is about 900 years old but the hand guard and such is a lot newer, but still 150+- year old. when my mum did the family tree some parts of it go back a fair way, what did stand out was professions were either soldiers, priests, missionarys or explorers... i intend to write everything down all in one place and together, wether there will be any family interest idk, but when i go the storys i remember will go if i dont get them wrote down. my grandfather inlaw was a interesting bloke, just short of 100 when he passed 2 years ago, i was the first person he spoke to about his ww2 experiences, the rest of the family just sat their in shock as they had never heard any of it. he was in the navy did artic convoys, was on hms kenya when it did the gold run, he was a torpedo man, did some minesweeping, few torpedo boat stints and out burma, guy was even more of a epic hoarder than my side, he had every piece of paperwork from signing up to demob, it was all scanned copied and donated to a museum along with his medal rack. also you remind me of one of my uncles, you look and sound like him, i know your not but you could be, which is how i found your channel a few weeks back, i was like why is uncle brian on youtube :P
@mrElpacas so glad you are keeping a record of your family history, I'm sure that in time your descendants will be very interested and grateful. All the best...uncle Brian 😆
Very similar, mate - joined the regs in 76 and off to Sutton Coldfield - ironically, my last posting was to a TA unit in Sutton Coldfield in the 1990s. I was seen as an old boy - just 20, lol.
sounded like you said "uncle second world war vet , grandfather 1st world war , great grandfather second world war vet" ? Intrigued if so because must have been senior during WWII? Unless you said something else and I misheard. Myself have family that were desert rats, RAF and a tank driver. My granddad actually got chased through Plymouth by a German pilot taking pot shots at him.. in the end he jumped into a pub to avoid the hail of bullets going down the street on the barican in plymouth. Dangerous time indeed. He was jumping from shop doorway to shop doorway.
nice one my selection was 79 bridge of don known as BOD Aberdeen accepted done my training juniors north sea fucking cold what ever season scots div done 12 yrs love the the story's the history 👍
This one made me laugh Keith. I remember mounting Queens guard at wellington barracks.. with a table knife in my scabbard. some git thought that would be a laugh when we fixed bayonets. Show again in best kit on day off . Keep them coming mate, really enjoying. Garry x2CG
If I was one of the other guys in the room when you told the Sergeant about the bedding making woman, I would've been very hard pressed to keep a straight face. No forces service here, just the Cadets, but where else can a 13 year old get to shoot an automatic weapon legally and safely? The ex-forces guys who ran it all were similar "characters", and you always feared the PT instructor in that bloody white vest and red piping, even as a kid. Can highly recommend the Cadets to anyone, adult or child, best of times doing stuff you just wouldn't normally get to do.
Did my boys service in the junior leader regt Nuneaton game cock barracks in 66. Joined 47 Regt RA in 68 never forgot my pay it was 3 Guineas a week 2 pounds 16 shillings and 8 pence after tax. In boy service. If 16 I go in again.
Like you, my dad was 1KDG/1QDG followed by RAF and Australian Army, he joined at 16. His father was in the DLI as a boy before WW1 and his father was also ex-Army. Mum's side Opa was in the German Army in WW1, then the S.A. Uncle was in the East German Navy, cousin in the East German Army. As a kid I thought a civy was someone waiting for their uniform to come back from the cleaners. I joined the Army reserve at 15 (lied about my age) then the regular army as an Apprentice (no Junior Leaders in the Aussie army and going back in 1978 given the economic situation in the UK was not on) qt 16, transferring to RAE as soon as I was old enough because I wasn't a tradesman's armpit. On the aptitude test they asked 'what are ball bearings packed in? I answered boxes (grease) and still got in! Even though I got out over 30 years ago, I still think I'm a soldier and everyone else is a civy. BTW, what happened to the bloke who told you about the woman who does the beds? We had a digger we called Mumbles. On exercise one night we told him there was a pizza place at Giles Junction (cross roads in the middle of the range). We all gave him money and our orders and sent him off after stand to was over. About 2am a Land rover pulls up and out comes Mumbles with cold pizza! He walked/hitched all the way into Liverpool (10km) and back! Thick as the preverbial two short ones but what a legend!
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Would have been funny if you ran into him as a WO1 and he was still a cpl or sgt. Hello, remember me? As an MP I ran into two of my tormenting senior classmen from Appy School and I could sense their fear when they recognised me. On both occasions I let my partner handle the interaction purely to show them I was better treating them than they had been to me as a 16 year old digger. He knew our history but I insisted he do it strictly by the book. My dad had taught me well.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd When I transferred from Appys to Engineers I was in the mess line one day when five of my senior class, now also at the School of Military Engineering doing their 3rd Year, came in. They saw me at the end of the line and all pushed in front, calling out 'sprog' and such like. Then the five blokes on my IET course in front of them turned around and the biggest one, Fletch, told them to get to the back of the line and show some respect to real sappers, you appy boys. They all meekly went and joined the back of the line, now a few more people longer. That felt so good!
Whent to Sutton Coldfield 1978, they tried to push me towards household calvary, and MP,s I was set on RA, which ended up doing 30+ years Great times all from that sales pitch at Sutton Coldfield, love the Army Dits 👍
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd easy answer to that guys learnt it in the cadets my csm taught us every thing especially if you were joining up also spent some time with borstal guys while in the cadets they went on a trip to Scotland sort of adventure training stayed in Stirling so 2 of us went along with our sgt very strict environment never forget it that's how I learnt bed blocks that's true
