04/09/2024
40 years ago today I joined the Army as an apprentice in Harrogate.
For those of us at school in Germany they came around the year before, tested us and signed us up when we were 15 years old.
On the day of joining, my Dad was driving me down to Harrogate.
Long before sat-nav’s, Dad had looked at the AA roadmap of Great Britain and knew the best way to get there.
When we turned off the A1 we were only a couple of miles along the road and there was a tree down blocking the entire road.
Dad not being happy at having to re-route (and probably the extra time it would take) asked me if I wanted to just go home - he could be a bit superstitious at times, perhaps this was a sign?
I said no, I wanted to continue.
I met lots of people in the Army, had good times. (I think it was a Tuesday? Yeah, hang on, maybe there was only one good time?)
But when you’re playing some of the fun games like
Dig a trench > wrong place, fill it in and move it 4ft > repeat this process -
Whilst in full NBC gear, in the middle of a hot German summer, you learn to entertain yourself … I seem to remember we were singing “if you’re happy and you know it (in your NBC over-gloves) clap your hands”
And several other modified verses too.
😊
Most people that have served would do it all again, the good and the bad.
All I would say is that if I was to do it all again, on the way if there is a tree blocking the road I’m turning back!
Oh no! I’ve become my Dad! 🤔