My first real Rollocking

In answering Rogers thread about the Beret/badge wearing, I got to thinking about my first run in for a "dress code violation" and rather than hijack his post (heaven forbid) I thought it might be interesting (for some-not all) to share our first recollections.

Londonderry 1972. Barely 18 years old and a member of the CO's escort crew (92a). I remember it like yesterday, we were called out and rushed as ever to Bn headquarters to pick up weapons flack jackets etc to go out with the boss. As i entered the building and started upstairs I was met by CSM Jackson who was acting RSM that day. He noticed that a small piece if red PT vest collar was showing above the combat jacket....he went ballistic! His face glowed red, he held his fist in the air and made it clear in no uncertain terms that me and him were going to "fallout" unless I sorted myself out PDQ. I had never witnessed anything like it and I was still shaking half an hour later and more worried about going back to Ebrington Bks, than being a coconut on a mobile shy driving around the patch. Had my share of rollockings over the years afterwards but nothing to match "Jacko". He never had to repeat himself, I got the message first time of telling, valuable lesson - no charge!

I would like to mention however, that Dave Jackson is a lovely man for whom I have a fond regard and the utmost respect.

Capt Roy Blewitt(OC Rear Party + Families Officer). Me!...Sprog on Rear Party 1978. .....I can still remember WO2 Barry Smith saying to me, "Your going to get the bollocking of your life sonny".....tut, yeah whatever!!!

As he wheeled me into Roy's office, I saw him for the first time and thought "Jeez he's old....pushover...spends all his time looking after family's like some sort of army social worker or a padre". Before I'd even halted he exploded like a small nuclear bomb. Never in my 17yrs and 3 months of non-productive life had I been so scared, god he was horrible. He was in my face, snarling like some sort of rabid dog. My legs were absolute jelly, I felt faint....get me out of here!!!.....I swear Barry Smith had to literally hold me up on my feet. Shocking.....and a big, big lesson in life.

Good job he wasn't with C company in derry 78/79 those of us that went on attachment to the german army in 78 came back with the german army shirts having swopped then for our KF shirts for some reason they really liked them and the german shirts were great

I and 7 others (the whole intake) got dropped off at the main gate of Depot Crickhowell on the 7th Jan 75, I immediately walked in to the Guardroom, within seconds I was physically man handled out of the door by a screaming RP swearing like maniac & pointing to the sign stating no recruits in the guardroom, man was it a Rollocking, That RP I believe if it serves me right was L/cpl Dunne of The Royal Welch, he had Tattoo's on his ears. got to be close to the record for a first one.

My first rollocking was as a recruit at the Depot Crickhowell by our very own Shaun McCormack, we doing rifle drill on the square and he kept shouting at us to 'smack' the rifle not tickle it. He bought us to a halt and showed us again how to 'slap' the rifle, saying it was soldier proof, at that point he lifted the SLR over his head and threw it onto the parade ground and shouting 'see soldier proof', he then very graciously told us to fall oout and go behind the shed and have a smoke

I re-enacted what Sgt McCormack had shown us by throwing the rifle onto the grass, at that point he came round the corner and saw the SLR hit the grass, well that rifle was going to every which oriffice you could think off, i was threatened with jail, OC's, PT drill, you name it i was going to get it, then he took a deep breathe and said 'everyone fall back in', big sigh from me, i can tell you