Being a Boy Soldier

[Clive Rees (08)]

I was reading the Thread about Shorncliff Barracks and I understand that it was a Junior Soldiers Barracks.

I was a Boy Soldier from 1971 - 1974 in Fulwood Barracks, (QLR HQ)Preston. There were a few RWF there, Tom 51 was one and we joined the Battalion together.

I had just turned 15!! a boy from the south Wales Valleys being shown how to shave the bum fluff off my face. I was in a room on the second floor and during locker/best boot inspection the window was always open. If your boots had even a speck of dust they were out through the window, aaahhh they were the good times!!!..........memories.....what!!


I was wondering how many Junior Regiments there were, and is there anyone out there that was at Fulwood Barracks with me and Tom 51, even though it was only opened for a short while.

Were there many Junior Soldiers that joined the Regiment?


Thanks


Clive

[Paul Davies 701]

I was at Shorncliffe as a Junior Leader in 1978, it was the home of the Infantry Junior Leaders and at the time it had EVERY infantry battalion inc. Guards and PARA's that was in the British Army at that time.

[Clive Rees (08)]

I do not recollect the Guards Division or the Paras being at Fulwood Barracks, but all the rest were there.

[neil(george)wilson]

Clive. I was an infantry junior leader at Park Hall Camp in Oswestry 67 to 69 and we had a club there called 'The 54 Club. It represented the 54 regiments of the line and, as Paul says about Shorncliffe, those 54 included the guards and the paras. Park Hall burnt down in 74 and the ijlb then were relocated to Shorncliffe. I drive through Park Hall every day taking my misus to work and it's all fields now but for three large gyms
(of the wooden spider block type) and the old officers mess now a thriving rugby club. I'm in touch with three other ex juniors on the forum and I bet there are many more who served in the battalion, maybe we should set up a junior soldiers page..? Anyway, I know there is also an IJLB and IJB comrades association on line and that there is a big parade planned here in Oswestry on the 7th June where a plaque will be unvailed in the town park. Oswestry rugby club have kindly donated a corner of their land for me to create a memorial garden to all who served as junior leaders and I'm hoping to have it ready for the 7th June. When we have our comrades reunion this September maybe anyone who was a junior soldier might like to venture down and have a look (14 miles from Wrexham) or pay their respects to all those junior soldiers who have fallen, I know of several who fell in N. Ireland. Anyway, if you or anyone wants to have a look at the junior leaders/junior boys site just get on line and type in IJLB
You'll have to register but it is open to all ex boys.

All the best.

Neil Wilson.

[Thom15]

Myself and Bennytheball we junior soldiers at Sir John Moore Bks in Shorncliffe. !968 (yes Nick I was 2 at the time) It was the Junior Infantryman Battalion in them days. Perky was our platoon commander. Fun times in Folkstone.

[Rog Ball 01]

I was at two camps, AAJLR Tonfanu from Jun 62 to Aug 63 and JTR Aug 63 to Jan 65.

Both units were all arms, but JTR Rhyl did not take in any Scottish or Northern Regts andany Juniors from Scotland.

[Jones 80]

I was a junior leader in Shorncliffe from 1990-1991 ,there were two divisions there , the Prince of wales Div & the Queens Div plus pioneers.

[Rog Ball 01]

80

Were you at JIB from Aug/Sep 90?

Reason I ask is that my son was in JIB from Aug/Sep 90 till Nov 90 (got med discharge).

[ROURKEY]

I was also at JIB Shorncliffe 91-92, I can remember Eds 90 was a Section Commander there and he had broken his leg. A load of us juniors saw him hobbling down the road one Wednesday afternoon and let the abuse fly; it was very funny watching Paul hobbling up the road with language that cant be repeated on here foaming from his mouth. Credit to him he caught us and we received one of the best beasting ever, courtesy of the provost Sgt.

[jeffdj]

Also at shorncliff along with mark adams and ?? vickery. Mel 57 term ahead of us
good times

[Jones 80]

Hi Rog (Ball 401)

Yes i was there then, i started on June the 2nd 1990 and was in 11 Plt Casino company.There was a few of us RWF in training then , myself,Greg plimley, Jenks 16,Jones 69(RIP) Owen ? plus one more that i can't remember.

The only RWF instructors i can remember there at the time were, Legs & Scottie Blair who was later to be my Drum Major.

[mick carnell 53]

i was at ijlb oswestry from sept 68, until i joined the bn in hong kong. really enjoyed it. i am told that at one time ( after i had left) that there were upwards of 1700 juniors serving there.

[BennytheBall]

Yes Mick I remember going to Hong Kong with you.
BennytheBall

[BennytheBall]

Dilwyn
Still have fond memories.
BennytheBall

[Guvs]

Did my junior service in Cwrt-Y-Gollen Crickhowell with loads of forum members, From Sept 14th 1971 (Wednesday) to sometime in 1974, they called it the Welsh Brigade Depot, Was only RWF, SWB, and the Welsh Regiment, but by the time I got there it was only the RWF and RRW, later to become the Prince of Wales Divisional Depot, then we had all the POWD Regiments then all 7 of them, not sure of the dates they changed around, didn't do dates in them days!!! (the only one the day I joined)

[Rog Ball 01]

Good memory Steve. Eric Haraper (RRW) was the RSM, Rich Irvine was a JS, and I was the MT Cpl; I was there from Jul 69 to Jan 72.

A few names to remember who were also at the depot that the time, Bob Doak, Arthur Ellingham, Snouty Roberts, Danny Donovan, Rowly Jenkins, Sean McCormack and Jerry King but to name a few.

Who was the Drum Major in your time? I think he was RRW.

[Rog Ball 01]

Hi Rog (Ball 401)

Yes i was there then, i started on June the 2nd 1990 and was in 11 Plt Casino company.There was a few of us RWF in training then , myself,Greg plimley, Jenks 16,Jones 69(RIP) Owen ? plus one more that i can't remember.

The only RWF instructors i can remember there at the time were, Legs & Scottie Blair who was later to be my Drum Major.

80,

Was Mutlow an instructer and Dave Curtiss a Coy 2IC when u were there.

[johnnye63]

I was "marched" in to the Depot Cwrt-Y-Gollen Crickhowell "Band School" on the 10th September 1962, we lived in the brick buildings but all other work was carried out in the cold wooden huts, but they where building the "new" depot and I was there when The Queen came and opened the new depot, I did my Boy Soldier bit as a DRUMMER for three years and then my 12 weeks Man service training there before going to the Bn and on to the QM's Staff, instructer's Sgt Evans 36 ex boxer, Toby Kenyon (Maj RWF) was OC, Piggy Reed BSM (SWB) sorry its an age thing I have forgotten the rest for now.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Myself and Bennytheball we junior soldiers at Sir John Moore Bks in Shorncliffe. !968 (yes Nick I was 2 at the time) It was the Junior Infantryman Battalion in them days. Perky was our platoon commander. Fun times in Folkstone.

Yes Dilwyn, I arrived some 20 years after you and Benny
(1970) it was still the Junior Infantry Battalion. Not sure when they decided to train "Leaders" there.LOL

[Braz]

Good memory Steve. Eric Haraper (RRW) was the RSM, Rich Irvine was a JS, and I was the MT Cpl; I was there from Jul 69 to Jan 72.

A few names to remember who were also at the depot that the time, Bob Doak, Arthur Ellingham, Snouty Roberts, Danny Donovan, Rowly Jenkins, Sean McCormack and Jerry King but to name a few.

Who was the Drum Major in your time? I think he was RRW.

Drum Major may have been Mel Blake. During your time Roger it was Cpl Jones 06 (Mess Tins) RIP. Harold Bounds was QM McCarthy was Provo Sgt, RRW, Jones 33 RRW Prvo LCpl. Jock McGee was also there, but God knows what his job was. He always seemed to be in the NAAFI. Tony Miles RRW, CSM Ken Gill RRW, CSM JS Coy RRW, can't remember his name, but his wife had the Cafe accross the road from RHQ Brecon, Pegs Cafe. Many great people there at that time. Braz

[Jones 80]

Ball 401

Sorry those names don't ring any bells, but they might of been there but with another intake. It was split between the junior and senior division that were six months apart in the training.

When did your son start there ?

[nasher546]

Drum Major may have been Mel Blake. During your time Roger it was Cpl Jones 06 (Mess Tins) RIP. Harold Bounds was QM McCarthy was Provo Sgt, RRW, Jones 33 RRW Prvo LCpl. Jock McGee was also there, but God knows what his job was. He always seemed to be in the NAAFI. Tony Miles RRW, CSM Ken Gill RRW, CSM JS Coy RRW, can't remember his name, but his wife had the Cafe accross the road from RHQ Brecon, Pegs Cafe. Many great people there at that time. Braz

Braz,

You are right the Drum Major at the time was Mel Blake. I think Shagger Smith 19 took over from Mess Tins, but I am not sure. Also remember the CSM J/S Coy he was RRW but like you his name does not ring a bell at the moment. Do the PTIs down the gym ring a bell. I seem to remeber a guy who was RRW, Kelly I think his name was. The other one I think I remeber was RWF and I think his name was Smith but cannot tremeber his last 2.

[Braz]

I remember Kelly comIng there. The CSM JS Coy was Kenny Carter RRW, Coy Clerk, Murison, RWF, Coy Storeman, Harry Ashbrook, RWF, Band Master, WO1 T A Kenny, RRW, our PTI at the time was Cpl Harris RRW, and the RWf PTI, can't remember his proper name, but they called him Wally. I got the names of an Old Open Day Programme that I had. Hope this helps you mate. All the best Braz.

[daibeer]

Was it Cpl Coughlin, the RWF PTI?

[Guvs]

What was the store man's name all I can remember calling him was "Diffy Diffy Diffy" do you remember him Dai ? he took most of my credits at the end of term just before leave, also remember getting Confirmed at the church so we could go to church early and be on the road thumbing home to the Rhondda by at least 10.30
:wacko:

[BennytheBall]

Steve
Ging (Ginger) Civvy storeman used to do haircuts as well I think?
BennytheBall

[Braz]

What was the store man's name all I can remember calling him was "Diffy Diffy Diffy" do you remember him Dai ? he took most of my credits at the end of term just before leave, also remember getting Confirmed at the church so we could go to church early and be on the road thumbing home to the Rhondda by at least 10.30
:wacko:

I used to tell them I was Catholic, as they used to go up to Crickhowell at 0730hrs on Sun Morning and as you know the day was your own after. Then I never used to go at all, when someone used to come around checking I used to say I've been. God we used to get away with murder. Our CQMS was CSgtmStoneman RRW, the bloke in the Clothing Stores, can't remember his name, Ginger wa Accm Stores, I think. Anyway I'm certain the same bloke was workimng in the clothing stores when I got Posted to the Depot in 777/80. Does anyone remember them bloomin Wild Cats behind the Cookhouse? A Lot of the Recruits used to Brick it going behind there at night.

[nasher546]

I used to tell them I was Catholic, as they used to go up to Crickhowell at 0730hrs on Sun Morning and as you know the day was your own after. Then I never used to go at all, when someone used to come around checking I used to say I've been. God we used to get away with murder. Our CQMS was CSgtmStoneman RRW, the bloke in the Clothing Stores, can't remember his name, Ginger wa Accm Stores, I think. Anyway I'm certain the same bloke was workimng in the clothing stores when I got Posted to the Depot in 777/80. Does anyone remember them bloomin Wild Cats behind the Cookhouse? A Lot of the Recruits used to Brick it going behind there at night.

Yes,

I used to go to Holly Communion on a Sunday Morning so me and Leighton Talbot (RIP) could go up to Ebbw Vale for the day. Guvs, Cannot remember what the storeman was called but Harold Bound was always lurking around there with his dogs. Ginger Farr was the name of the Barber Benny. What a nice bloke he was. Ginger died back in the Eighties. Guvs, was the Coughlan you are talking about was Ray Coughlan? If it was I wonder if he was the Coughlan that got killed in the Ballykinler Bomb.

[Rog Ball 01]

The PTI was Wally Glynn (Jones 02) got shot in chest on a NI Tour.

Others I can remember were Eddy Gunstone, Will 79 (COs Driver), Dia The Pay (who is a member of the LOF) was pay WO, Ray Jones 99, Brian Cooper.

This is taxing the old brain and it hurts LOL.

[Paul Hinge]

I remember Kelly comIng there. The CSM JS Coy was Kenny Carter RRW, Coy Clerk, Murison, RWF, Coy Storeman, Harry Ashbrook, RWF, Band Master, WO1 T A Kenny, RRW, our PTI at the time was Cpl Harris RRW, and the RWf PTI, can't remember his proper name, but they called him Wally. I got the names of an Old Open Day Programme that I had. Hope this helps you mate. All the best Braz.

WO1 (BM) Terry Kenny went onto become Director of Music Welsh Guards.
When Guvs, Nasher, Dai Beer, and myself were there as Juniors, the BM was Don Price who went onto become DOM RE Staff Band. Ken Fennesy was one of our instructors and a cornet player from the RRW whose name escapes me, although I remember he found God some time later!
Danny Donovan was my Sargent in training with Cpl Lewis 06 RRW (I think that was his last 2) The other guy's name slips my mind but he was RRW as well.

Hingey

[davidrmac]

Dougie Baker was the clothing storeman . He stayed there for years after the Depot closed . To my knowledge he is still alive and well and living in Crickhowell . He has had quite a sad life really , he lost his wife and two daughters to some inherent desease . But , like someone said earlier , he is a very nice bloke and a true gentleman . Hope that helps guys .

[Braz]

Good Lord yes, our ex Provost Sgt for a few Years, RRW, and he finished off in the Depot as Provost Sgt. Very dedicated to the Job. A Great Bloke though. Braz

[Braz]

I sent the last post before I'd fInished it due to the phone ringing. Doug and his Wife and Dau'ghter were working in the Depot when I was Posted there in 1977. I remember his daughter well, she was a Very Pretty Girl. His Wife was a lovely woman too, can't remember the other daughter though. It's as Dave says though a Great, Great Shame, and what an Awful thing to happen to such a lovely man. I hope I manage to see him in Crickhowell when I pop down to Brecon in July. Braz

[Rog Ball 01]

I agree Braz, Doug and family were brilliant. It is a great shame.

[davidrmac]

You got it Braz . In your time he was Provost Sgt . In my time there he was the clothing storeman . His daughter Anne worked in the education centre with Major Havard whose daughter Phillipa married Derek Adams . Dougie lost his wife to some kind of syndrome that attacks females . He lost his first daughter in about 1990 of the same illness and has just recently lost his second daughter Anne to the same thing . Sad , but that's how things go sometimes .

[rikoshea]

I Started in Crickhowell in June 81, started off in Salamanca Plt, then Dai beer asked me to join the Drums Which I did. We had a number of Fusiliers in the Drums intake, 6 in all and all of us passed out, Derick Adams 1RWF was our Platoon Sgt. Lt Sims RWF Plt Commd, infantry instructors Geoff Gouch RRW Geoff Kirby Glousters Drums Instructors Spike Quinn D&Ds Ted Tarrent RWF took over from Dai Beer, and my Drum major was George Bostock (SDM) RWF, cant remember the name of the Drum Major he took over, Dai Beer would remember. The Fusiliers I was in the Drums with was Eryl Price (sid) Steve Jones 93 (Slim) Selwyn Thomas 02 Steve Blything (Led) and the late David Curtis. RIP

[davidrmac]

I was there then mate , got posted in about August 81-83 . RWF staff over that period of time were ;
Ken LLoyd
Gary Blewitt
Yoko Davies
Jacko Jackson
Mick Donelly
Ned Huntley
Brian Dando
Lance Edmunds
Robin Sim
and me .
I remember Jeff Kirby well , and Micky Prictor both 1 Glos .
I've tried a couple of times to post some pictures on the forum but due to the lack of technical know how have failed each time .

[rikoshea]

Robin Sim was my plt comd, I remember Lance edmounds being there Mick McCarthy was also there he received Lorel leaves on his NI Medal at the time, Brian Dando was there also Charlie Fenton was the PTI instructor and has mad as F- -k in rugby matches with his white head band.

Peter Bray D&Ds later SAS and who rowed across the atlantic was also there he trained us in the cambrian marches.

[davidrmac]

I obviousley made a good impression ! Mick Mccarthy was me , Mac Mccarthy . Yes , I did get presented with my MID at the Depot . Forgot about Charlie .

[Braz]

Mac, Doug was a hell of a Provo Sgt in the Bn, I dread to think what terror he put into the Recruits in the Depot during his spell at it there haha. When I was there we had a Sgt McCarthy, RRW as Provo Sgt, now he was a right bas#ard, yet in Bn he went back to Pioneer Sgt, you couldn't wish for a nicer bloke. I remember when he wanted some Corrugated Sheets to build sangars for NI Trg, noone would tell him how to speel it. Mac puts his Order into the QMs for 6 x Shets of Riggly (Wriggly) Tin, God we were Howling when we saw it. Good Times mate. Braz

[Scouse75]

I was in Shornecliffe, Junior Leaders 1988-89, with Paul Campbell, Neil Jones14, Tom Parry, Wyn Parry amongst others. Our Platoon Sgt was Richie64, and our platoon Commander was Toby Ward, he was then replaced by Shaun Price. Kev Dillon was one of the Corporals.

Guvs was there too, I seem to recall he was having plaster on his leg, the same day I was having a cast on my arm! I think Murphy was there for a bit in the Drums Pl. Also snake Howells was on the RP staff.

Mark Harry was also there, we represented the army at Judo when we were there.I think Barry cunniffe may well have been there too? Bean was also there as a junior soldier, as he couldnt get in the Junior Leaders!!(only mesing mucker, don't bite!!)

[Clive Rees (08)]

Did any one have a hard time in juniors, did you do the old bedblocks, changing parades etc? Like we did in JIW Preston?

Like I said best boots went out the window if they were not up to scratch!! Lockers were just emptied.

[Jones 80]

My training in juniors was tough but i loved every minute of it. we did bed blocks and had our lockers trashed by the section commanders and by each other at times. My bed was nearest the window so most of my bedding and the contents of my locker went out of it during a inspection, plus i had to throw out bits of kit from the other lads lockers that the section commander threw to me. One time we had to re-create our room on the square at night and had a room inspection out there.

[rikoshea]

Hi Mick I was not sure if that was you mate, obviously never made a good impression on me then LOL. did not know your first name only knew you as Mick so presummed it was michael. I do appologise anyway hows tricks.

[davidrmac]

Rik , there's some confusion here mate , are you getting old or something ?
My name is Mac McCarthy not Mick . I was the one presented with the oak leaf . I'll let you off the fact that you only knew me as Mick ????? as I was permanent staff in training company not in JS company .
If this keeps on much longer I'll be confused as well . Take care mucker .

[rikoshea]

its an age thing mate, to much stella over the weekend, hows things Mac.

[Rog Ball 01]

I was in Shornecliffe, Junior Leaders 1988-89, with Paul Campbell, Neil Jones14, Tom Parry, Wyn Parry amongst others. Our Platoon Sgt was Richie64, and our platoon Commander was Toby Ward, he was then replaced by Shaun Price. Kev Dillon was one of the Corporals.

Guvs was there too, I seem to recall he was having plaster on his leg, the same day I was having a cast on my arm! I think Murphy was there for a bit in the Drums Pl. Also snake Howells was on the RP staff.

Mark Harry was also there, we represented the army at Judo when we were there.I think Barry cunniffe may well have been there too? Bean was also there as a junior soldier, as he couldnt get in the Junior Leaders!!(only mesing mucker, don't bite!!)

Does anyone have a clue where Dillon is now. Last time I heard of him, which was years ago, he was in REME in Bordon.

[Scouse75]

Yeah, thats the last I heard too.