With hindsight, speaking as a single soldier, l would say 'Freedom' !
l mean we always had food provided and a place to sleep. Our taxes were deducted at source and so we never had to fill in a tax return. Essentially we were free to do whatever we wanted in our time off and the army offered us lots of sporting and other hobby opportunities. What more could a wild kid want ?
As Civi you always need a job that paid enough to cover the cost of living. You have to find affordable digs, buy and prepare food, buy your own clothes and pay your own taxes. These are quite awesome tasks for a teenager on his/ her own !
OK there were some fanatical arseholes who made life awkward to unbearable at times, but even on fatigues and when locked up in the guardroom you had a bed and food ... even if you had to march at the double to the cookhouse ... there was always plenty to eat and drink. And when you left the service there were years of National Insurance contributions in your pension fund !
lf you took advantage of some of the freetime opportunities it was a great life and free of the burdens of burocracy.
l joined at just 15 and struggled at first to accept the rigid authority of service life, but the PS at JLR Bovy were great and guided me along the right path, sometimes with a highly polished size 11 helping me along. l wouldn't want to have missed my time in the army, and you ?
What was it that was great about service life ?
-
Bill Bentley
- Posts: 385
- Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:40 pm
- Location: Spain / Germany
- Service details: 1970 - JLR RAC, 14/20KH, Para Sqn RAC, 14/20KH, Hereford, 14/20KH, 2 Para, DLOY - 1990.
- Real name: Martin William Lester Bentley (Bill) (Basha !)
- x 1
- x 29
-
Arnie
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:42 pm
- Location: Western Australia
- Service details: Enlisted in 14th/20th King's Hussars on 2 Feb 1959.
Served Hohne and Rheindahlen 1959 - 1962
Libya 1962 Cyprus with C Sqn Dec 1963 - Feb 1964. Returned to Benghazi
then to Tripoli with B Sqn until Sep 1964. Left for Courses in NBC then to 7 Armoured Brigade till 1967.
Transferred to Intelligence Corps 67. First posting to Northern Ireland 67 - 70.
Singapore 70 - 71, Hong Kong 71 - 72. NI 72 - 74. NITAT (Northern Ireland Training and Advisory Team) 74 - 76. Berlin 76 - 79. Final Posting, Preston Int and Security Section. Stupidly Retired on 1 Feb 81, and emigrated to Australia. - Real name:
- x 19
Re: What was it that was great about service life ?
Hi Bill,
you hit it right on the nose FREEDOM! Compared to what I 'suffered' before joining the Army it was a doddle. The camaraderie and lifestyle suited me down to the ground. Also all the things you mentioned several times about food and accommodation, taxes, etc., boy do you miss them when not provided.
Although I did miss them in my early years because of the organisation of the Regiment, when I finally got there. Who remembers May 1959 in Germany?
The Regiment was really taxi drivers for several Infantry Battalions, A Sqn was in Detmold, carrying the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in Saracens, as were C Sqn in Celle carrying the Gordon Highlanders in Celle. B Sqn got the plum posting of Berlin in Smuts Bks with Conquerors. I was posted to RHQ in Hohne, about 16 men, incl the CO, 2i/c, Adjutant, and the RSM, several Clks and Several Dvrs. Most of the Clks and Dvrs were Nashies (National Servicemen) so any friendships were very temporary.
After the MOD finally realised they were missing a highly trained Armoured Regiment, they trained some Infantrymen as Drivers and made some already NCOs and Officers to command these essentially heavy taxis and drive themselves.
When the Regiment came together again in Hohne in 1960 not much had changed for me. I did my limited best and made several good friends all from all Sqns.
Travel became my 'pastime', Hamburg, Hannover, Sennelager (on Courses), and got to Berlin for 4 memorable days in 1960.
Funnily enough my sometimes lonely existence persisted in Beghazi. I had been Clothing Storeman in the QMs Dept for some time in Hohne so still was, in Benghazi, but with a difference. My store was in one whole Twynham (them days a modern equivalent of the old Quonset Hut) and I also lived in this same Twynham that was situated at the far end of Wavell Bks next to the AAC Landing strip.
Of course in my duties as a Clothing Storeman, I did get to meet and I hope became friends with all of the men in the Regiment.
Don't get me wrong I loved the Regiment then and still do.
Though I must confess the exciting part of my time in the Army started when I was posted to 7 Armd Bde in Soltou, as a member of the NBC/Int Section. This put me in working as well socialising in a team. This was something I had missed virtually all my life.
It was at this time that I made the decision to transfer into the Intelligence Corps
Now my travelling started in earnest! Northern Ireland, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, back for another 2 years in NI, followed by 2 years in UK with NITAT(UK) then on to the exciting city of Berlin. This is where I was appointed CSM. Your reference about fanatical arseholes I think does not apply to me. When I was promoted WO2 the OC collected the whole Company in our Bar to ceremoniously present the Crown rank badge to me. After this, a shout went up, 'Speech, Speech'.
We all must surely have heard some horrendous stories about people changing character at these points in their lives. They have their next rank insignia already on most of their uniforms and immediately change into 'fanatical arseholes'. Me, I stepped forward and began by saying "I am going to get this company on its toes". Their faces reflected the universal message of "Oh! No not one of those". After a suitable comedic pause, I continued, "Yes I am going to have the Urinals raised 6 inches". Almost an audible sigh was released from all but Major Lyons, the OC.
You will see from my profile to the right, that I say 'Stupidly' retired from the Army in Feb 81. I could have taken a Commission and stayed on but stupidly did not. You will surmise from my frequent submissions that I did, and still do miss the Army, and the Regiment.
Stay well, safe, and secure in the knowledge that the members on this site also love and surely most have fond memories of their time in the Army.
you hit it right on the nose FREEDOM! Compared to what I 'suffered' before joining the Army it was a doddle. The camaraderie and lifestyle suited me down to the ground. Also all the things you mentioned several times about food and accommodation, taxes, etc., boy do you miss them when not provided.
Although I did miss them in my early years because of the organisation of the Regiment, when I finally got there. Who remembers May 1959 in Germany?
The Regiment was really taxi drivers for several Infantry Battalions, A Sqn was in Detmold, carrying the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in Saracens, as were C Sqn in Celle carrying the Gordon Highlanders in Celle. B Sqn got the plum posting of Berlin in Smuts Bks with Conquerors. I was posted to RHQ in Hohne, about 16 men, incl the CO, 2i/c, Adjutant, and the RSM, several Clks and Several Dvrs. Most of the Clks and Dvrs were Nashies (National Servicemen) so any friendships were very temporary.
After the MOD finally realised they were missing a highly trained Armoured Regiment, they trained some Infantrymen as Drivers and made some already NCOs and Officers to command these essentially heavy taxis and drive themselves.
When the Regiment came together again in Hohne in 1960 not much had changed for me. I did my limited best and made several good friends all from all Sqns.
Travel became my 'pastime', Hamburg, Hannover, Sennelager (on Courses), and got to Berlin for 4 memorable days in 1960.
Funnily enough my sometimes lonely existence persisted in Beghazi. I had been Clothing Storeman in the QMs Dept for some time in Hohne so still was, in Benghazi, but with a difference. My store was in one whole Twynham (them days a modern equivalent of the old Quonset Hut) and I also lived in this same Twynham that was situated at the far end of Wavell Bks next to the AAC Landing strip.
Of course in my duties as a Clothing Storeman, I did get to meet and I hope became friends with all of the men in the Regiment.
Don't get me wrong I loved the Regiment then and still do.
Though I must confess the exciting part of my time in the Army started when I was posted to 7 Armd Bde in Soltou, as a member of the NBC/Int Section. This put me in working as well socialising in a team. This was something I had missed virtually all my life.
It was at this time that I made the decision to transfer into the Intelligence Corps
Now my travelling started in earnest! Northern Ireland, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, back for another 2 years in NI, followed by 2 years in UK with NITAT(UK) then on to the exciting city of Berlin. This is where I was appointed CSM. Your reference about fanatical arseholes I think does not apply to me. When I was promoted WO2 the OC collected the whole Company in our Bar to ceremoniously present the Crown rank badge to me. After this, a shout went up, 'Speech, Speech'.
We all must surely have heard some horrendous stories about people changing character at these points in their lives. They have their next rank insignia already on most of their uniforms and immediately change into 'fanatical arseholes'. Me, I stepped forward and began by saying "I am going to get this company on its toes". Their faces reflected the universal message of "Oh! No not one of those". After a suitable comedic pause, I continued, "Yes I am going to have the Urinals raised 6 inches". Almost an audible sigh was released from all but Major Lyons, the OC.
You will see from my profile to the right, that I say 'Stupidly' retired from the Army in Feb 81. I could have taken a Commission and stayed on but stupidly did not. You will surmise from my frequent submissions that I did, and still do miss the Army, and the Regiment.
Stay well, safe, and secure in the knowledge that the members on this site also love and surely most have fond memories of their time in the Army.
-
Pinky
- Posts: 432
- Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2019 11:31 am
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Service details: 1979 JLR RAC. 14/20H then that other regiment. 1979-2003
- Real name:
- x 22
- x 36
Re: What was it that was great about service life ?
Howdy,
Joined JLR RAC in 1979, not really liking the first few weeks I nearly left. Glad I didn't. Onto Hohne, Berlin, Munster, Tidworth and finally BATUS. Definitely had the time of my life, loved Hohne the best......single, great mates, camaraderie, freedom to tour northern Germany on days off and drive Chieftains around on days 'on'. Still in touch with great mates from those days. Amalgamation was for me a missed opportunity to impress because I just wasn't motivated to compete for promotion etc. On here lots and on 1420H Facebook daily. Miss my mates around the world every day.
HUSSAR
Pinky
Joined JLR RAC in 1979, not really liking the first few weeks I nearly left. Glad I didn't. Onto Hohne, Berlin, Munster, Tidworth and finally BATUS. Definitely had the time of my life, loved Hohne the best......single, great mates, camaraderie, freedom to tour northern Germany on days off and drive Chieftains around on days 'on'. Still in touch with great mates from those days. Amalgamation was for me a missed opportunity to impress because I just wasn't motivated to compete for promotion etc. On here lots and on 1420H Facebook daily. Miss my mates around the world every day.
HUSSAR
Pinky