1 Training Regiment Royal Engineers September 1964 to March 1965
Southwood Camp Cove Farnborough
How it all started
As a young lad I wanted travel and adventure, The army had reduced it's recruiting age to 17. I was 17 and 7 months, so I decided to join the army and see the world. My first adventure was to get on a bus and go to the nearest Army recuiting office, which was 7 Ridley Place, Newcastle. At first they tried to get me to join the Household Cavalry, they showed me brochures of toopers in ceremonial uniform, but I didn't like the idea of cleaning and polishing all that kit. They suggested the Royal Engineers and I thought that sounded good, and eventually, after an entrance test and medical, I joined up for 6 years. This was July 1964, I was given a reporting date to 1 training Regiment RE for the 15 September. Every year I remember this anniversary date.
The brochure given to me at the recruiting office when I joined up in 1964
Room 2, Spider 6, 95 Trg Pty
Names I remember:
Back row L-R
?Rose,John Crouch, Sean Doyle,??
Centre row
??,? Dick,??,??,Paddy Coyle, Ray Emsworthy
Front row
Ted Cox,??,Me, Trg NCO,??, Mick Delaney,??
First Warie photo
We were issued Union Jack Cards on arrival at Trg Regt. I stayed in there once and I thought it was a bit grubby
A weekend pass Trg Regt 1964
Leave Pass Embarkation leave prior to going to BAOR Germany
Room 1
95 trg party 1964
Training Regiment
Do you remember these BR rail tickets ?
Training memories in brief
On the 15 the September 1964 I remember walking to Southwood camp with my suitcase in my hand to start my military career. On approaching the camp a 3 tonner came past full of paras. Soldiers I thought, and like a naive raw recruit I gave them a wave. I was lucky, I didn’t get any response. Later I was to learn what we used to do to entertain ourselves traveling in the back of 3 tonners. If we were not singing, shouting out sarcasm and abuse was common. I still have a little chuckle over my naivety. I walked into the camp through the Para gate and I remember walking up to H&D and seeing loads of squads of recruits doing drill and rifle drill. The place seemed to be swarming with recruits. I stayed in H&D for 2 weeks until the training party started. In this period there was trips to museums in London, including Madam Tausaurds.
Paddy Haslett was the senior drill instructor. We had a lecture from him and remember him telling us we were training to be killers, ‘you are going to be trained killers’ he said. When the lecture finished he marched out of the room in a very soldier like fashion. I will always remember that. Everybody including the training corporals tried to keep out of his way.
Once in the early hours we were woken for a fire drill. A hut on the training ground had caught fire so as SOPs dictate, the whole camp was paraded, most were wearing pyjamas and rain coats.
Our end of training p--- up was to the Strand theatre to see; ‘A funny thing happened on the way to the forum’ starring Frankie Howard.
Most memorable moment at Training Regiment
Whilst I was at Training Regiment, Sir Winston Churchill died. His funeral was televised across the world. A sad day for the nation and the free world.
For the end of party training celebration
the party went to the West End to see
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM starring Frankie Howard
Training Staff
Party officer. Capt Cooper / Lt ?
Party Sergeant. Sgt Crick
Party NCOs.
Cpl N Bridgett
Lcpl S Childs
Lcpl Pascal
Lcpl Wilson
Lcpl
Lcpl
95 Training Party 1964/65
27 TRG SQN RE
Bob Blakey
Henry Auckinson
Bob Blakey
Henry Auckinson
Typical room from training days at Training Regiment