Being a Boy Soldier

**Clive Rees (08)** · 13-02-2009, 10:13

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** · 13-02-2009, 10:50

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)** · 13-02-2009, 10:57

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

neil(george)wilson · 13-02-2009, 12:54

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** · 13-02-2009, 20:51

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** · 13-02-2009, 20:54

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** · 14-02-2009, 02:01

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** · 14-02-2009, 09:02

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 · 14-02-2009, 10:39

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.