RSM JJ Black, Recognised Goldie Goldstraw 2nd Field Regiment, I went through with COLENSO troop St Pats day 85, had a great woolwich cup, another win for Leipzig Troop, great memories, Still serving St Pats day 2021
I took part in this cup comp in 1980 and I was in Arnhem troop and seeing these sweat tops with the troop names on brings back memories but on our sweat tops we had ROYAL ARTILLERY on the backs, and if when we went home on weekend leave and we took our tops home just to show them off, but the downfall with that is I was sent home on a weeks sick leave after an operation and I went to my dads in Newtown Powys and the royal Artillery was on tour and they were at the high school and I went to see them but I had my sweat top on, and because I had it on I had kids coming up asking if I was in the army and I said yes but im not with these lads as I was on sick leave, and the kids said so your still in the army so I ended up doing autographs, and going to the GPMG stand the sergeant turned to me and said I know who you are what are you doing here so I told him and he turned round and said to me in front of about 30+ kids dont start stripping the GPMG down, even at the SLR & SSMG a bombardier said the same thing, and I said dont worry im still in basic training he replied phew great, but I ended up stripping it, cleaning it, and rebuilding it all because the kids were waiting for a demo, but the lad that was going to do the demo felt sick and there was no one else so I was asked to step, and I said I dont think I can do it so I was given a practice and completed it so I went out and done the demo, and on my arrival back to barracks I was summons to go before the CO as he was told about it I didn't get punished as I was praised for helping out under pressure
I was in Arnhem troop in 1980, I think April or may intake as I was back squaded after having 2 ingrowing toe nails removed, I wasn't sent home as I was put on light duties , I was back squaded from Leipzig I think quite cant remember all I remember about it is ARNHEM TROOP block was on the main barracks Road just up from the armoury and guard room and the row of offices, and the troop building directly behind Arnhem, the first block at the end of this video with the big gun outside isn't that Arnhem, I remember we had to clean that every morning, and when our first weekend leave came up on the Friday afternoon we was made to clean that gun , but in 1980 that gun wasn't where it is in this video, as it was at the end of the right hand side of the building as we use to have to fall in where the gun is now, and sweep up around the block and we had to pass the inspection before we was given our travel warrants and pay, and as soon as we received them we were allowed to leave straight away, but our home leave didn't start until 3pmso by the time I got home to Warrington it was about 7.30pm and we had to be back in barracks by 10pm on the sunday
