Joining Memories?

[Charlie]

Always remember the burger van at CTC. I was on my HW2(mor) course and, after the obligatory run ashore in the costa-del-exmouth, a burger and cup of soup felt just the job.

Burger (Cheese, troops, for the use of) was fine and dandy.

Soup? Warning. Do not try to drink the soup when semi reclined in bed - the temperature is akin to that of molten lava. The whole f*&^%$*g cup went over my chest, causing a degree of sympathy from ther other guys aligned with the degree of burns.

Thanks to the guys who threw me in the cold shower and got the duty medic.

Never did that again, believe me.

[Andy O'Pray]

The reason that Dutchy Holland made such good burgers was that he was HW whilst serving, therefore, he had lots of practice.

Andy.

[mervyn(ianto)jones]

I remember especially the New Intake block ,having joined at the end of April 58 feeling quite miserable,when to compound it the band started rehearsing in the Band Room next door ready for the Cup Final,and every time Ihear Abide with me,the memories painfully return.also iremember with nostalgia dyeing our webbing black in a F------- great tub

[Sea Soldier]

Hi Merv,

I assume we're talking Deal here & the New Intake block being the one incorporating the Pressing Shop,next door to the "old" Chapel (Deconsecrated),in which the Band held Concerts ? ... Black Webbing,had that as a Marine Cadet,in Leeds,prior to joining up ... 'cept we got away with "Kiwi" !

[mervyn(ianto)jones]

Yes Yorkie it was Deal,we had to apply the Kiwi polish afterwards,get it alll nice and shiny,then we went to Kingsdown ranges,and rolled about in the bits of nice white chalk which had fallen off those lovely white cliffs,a just about made you weep,also Iremember calling the trained soldier in charge of our room, in the intakeblock,"sir",he didnt correct me ,but a corporal did in no certain terms,also I remember the lads who joined with their Teddyboy style haircuts ,after they were shorn of their lovely locks,they looked lost and pretty pathetic

[Wully]

My first taste of the Corps was CTCRM Lympstone and I was joining 611 Squad, the first CS squad to begin basic training there. Our instructor was Sergeant Edwards, tall, bristling moustache and not much fatter than his pace stick!! When he marched he always had one shoulder higher than the other - it was the way he carried his pace stick. But all during training I never heard him scream and shout or use foul language. During the first weeks he would come into camp in the evenings to show us how to do our dhoby and how to iron. He was a good bloke. A bit different from the screaming maniacs that some of you guys were lumbered with.

[Mike]

Wully.............Watchout for Incoming!
Aye

[El Prez]

I must have been really lucky, all the squad instructors were all the more impressive because of their approach to cock-ups. None of the inyerface sreaming, instead they talked quietly and with authority about your future, or lack of it, and where their boots would ream a new orifice to fit in your breeks.

[Sea Soldier]

I believe thats what makes the difference between Corps Instructors & Army Instructors ... the lack of falsetto screaming,the ability to analyse a problem,show the correct method by explanation,demonstration,then follow up with imitation.

Besides, the "quiet" men were always more scary than the ones who tried to be "mock" hardmen ! ... the ones like Jack French,for example,didn't have to try to "prove" anything.

[Sea Soldier]

Another thing which always made a point with me,was the sense of humour ... like the DL hurling his Pace Stick away,in complete frustration with the words "f+*k my old sea boots" ! or similar,the humour was generally "barbed" but rarely vicious.

I remember a lad from N.Ireland in my Squad,who just having been issued with '58 Webbing,asked the PW Cpl,if the holder on top of the Cape Carrier,was for his "Commando Dagger" ... you can well imagine the mirth that little gem produced.Within 24 hrs every DL,PW & PTI we met & who spotted the lad,made the actions of putting a "Dagger" between their teeth !

In actual fact,it probably "knitted" us together as a Squad very quickly.

[Artist]

After Deal we ended up at CTC as per the norm. After a few weeks my DL approached me with a request. 'Would I babysit for the first drill'. Being as this was so out of the ordinary & the fact that I was only 17, said yes corporal. That first drill (can't remember his name but yorkie malone will know him) Was one of the nicest people I had ever met, Food in abundance, cans of beer the lot. 'help yourself Evans he said. It was a little bit of normality. After that put all thoughts of wrapping after 12 weeks from my mind. And he paid me!
aye steve evans

[jos]

Andy,
Dutchy Holland was indeed in HW branch in 40 Cdo, as I last saw him as a
Cpl. Burma Camp and in Borneo.
If I remember right, it was Dutchy who zapped an Indo sentry during a Claret Op, whilst with sections of A & B companies in 1965, using his sterling.

I hope his civy business went well.
JOS