What was your best and worst British military posting?

**Bob Bacon** · 18-05-2023, 10:54

Share with us your best and worst British military postings. Whether it was the camaraderie, the location, or the mission, we want to know what made it special or challenging for you.
To get the conversation started, I'll share mine. My best posting was in Hong Kong back in 1969, which was a premium posting, one of the best in the British Army.

The vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and the unique blend of Eastern and Western influences made it an unforgettable experience. The standard of living was far beyond anything we ever had in the UK. There were plenty of sporting opportunities, the pay was good, electronic goods were cheap, weather was great, cheap tailoring and boot boys to 'bull' your boots!

And of course, the nightlife! Wan Chai was a bustling nightlife district, particularly known for its bar scene. It had a wide selection of pubs, sports bars, and live music venues.

Share your best and worst postings and tell us what made them stand out.

**Keith Jones 989** · 18-05-2023, 22:06

Cannot fault you there, Bob. Fully agree!

**MrsSpider** · 19-05-2023, 00:16

As a wife I can say for sure that the worst place I have lived during 19 years with the Royal Welch was Ballykinlar. Even though I was able to see my parents often, the constant knocks on our door at all hours, the noise of the Chinooks, the inability to plan anything, the threat of danger and having to sign out every day to go to work (and get permission to actually go to work in Downpatrick), drove me crazy. Not to mention the awful house we were allocated.

The best was Berlin. Loved that place and had a fabulous three years. Unsurprising that we bought an apartment there after visiting regularly for many years.

**John Turner** · 22-05-2023, 22:56

What was your worst, Bob?

My worst was Derry 73. I passed out of IJLB Park Hall, Oswestry too young to join the Bn there, so spent 6 months or so attached to the RRW in Osnabruck.

The powers that be had decided, that year, that junior leaders/soldiers, who had spent up to two and a half years training and also teaching, to an absurdly high level, did not need another 3 months or whatever, re-doing stuff they could do with their eyes closed. They were correct, but the thing was, those ex juniors were denied the opportunity to share and to bond with a group that they would join their regiment with. It was a bad decision.

I arrived in Osnabruck along with one other RWF guy I'd been in Park Hall with and an RRW guy ditto, plus a couple more from each regiment from Shorncliffe.
I went to the same company as the RRW guy I'd just trained with for two and a half years, we shared a room - and all was fine, everyone got on well. We went on OC's interview together and the OC, I wish I could remember his name, was such a nice bloke. I'd not exactly shone at park hall - he had our reports in front of him - he said anyone who had passed out of Park Hall, regardless, was more than welcome in his company and shook our hands.

I arrived in Derry late Jan 73 alone - well, alone in my company - it was a case of who the **** is this with a number almost three years senior to the last intake?? OH - an ex junior leader smartarse know-it-all. I was treated with contempt and resentment not to mention jealousy. I went on OCs interview in front of a miserable pinch faced dwarf who after reading my report from IJLB told me I was a failure, basically! Derry was my worst posting because of the people I had to share oxygen with, not the place or the theatre.

So, Bob, tell us your worst posting and I'll tell you my best!

**Bob Bacon** · 23-05-2023, 11:33

I don't think I have had a bad posting in my military career, but one posting stands out as particularly challenging.

It was in 1973 that I found myself stationed in Catterick after re-joining and being posted to the Royal Hampshire Regiment. Although my previous experiences had been relatively smooth, this new posting proved to be a test of resilience and adaptability.

Catterick, with its multitude of regiments and bustling garrison life, offered a dynamic environment for military personnel. However, as a newcomer from a different regiment, it took time for me to find my place and be accepted. The camaraderie and trust that naturally developed among soldiers in the Royal Welch were not immediately extended to me in R HAMPS.

Assigned to support company, I initially hoped to contribute my skills and expertise to the unit's specialist platoon. Unfortunately, a clash of personalities ensued between the OC and me.

Expressing his reservations about me in my AF B2066, and I still have it, (remember them?), the OC labelled me as unreliable and expressed his reluctance to employ me in a specialised platoon. This judgement undoubtedly impacted my prospects within the unit. Nonetheless, rather perplexingly, he appeared content to utilise my abilities in representing the company in football and rugby matches. It was a confusing situation, as I seemed to possess the necessary skills for athletic endeavours but was deemed unsuitable for more specialised roles.

As fate would have it, the OC quickly decided to transfer me to a rifle company. This shift in roles further highlighted the disconnect between my capabilities and the perception of my reliability. It was an adjustment that required me to embrace new responsibilities and adapt to a different set of expectations.

While this posting wasn't plagued by extreme hardships or dangerous missions, it left an indelible mark on me. The struggle to find acceptance, the clash with authority, and the seemingly contradictory assessments of my abilities all made this posting my most challenging military experience.

**John Turner** · 23-05-2023, 23:05

I'm with Debra - Berlin, and it would have been at any other time but at that time in history it was something else.

I explored the place in detail with the kids - could almost have been a taxi driver - both sides of the wall! Half way through though, just as I was about to be trained as a families guide by the AEC - I got posted to 11 UDR in Portadown, which came a very close second to Berlin.