Leading up to D.Day most Naval personel were shipped to the south coast. At this time I was a sea cadet in Ashington, Northumberland. Most of the taller, older cadets were used as sentries at the harbour gates at the nearby Naval Base in Blyth, and patrolling the nearby sand dunes. We all really enjoyed it, making new friends and getting a sample of the comradeship engendered by service life. It was a very sad day for all when we had to disperse. This feeling of close, family-type friendship and well being was again to be mine during my stint of National Service and again within the TA. I never quite found it again in civilian life.
Keith, I know what you mean having experienced the same thing when I left my fire brigade in 2004. You just miss that sense of belonging and utter happiness. I've often thought along these lines when reading aircrew memoirs. After years of potentially serving with the same guys in adverse conditions, they gradually disperse to thier respective homes and/or countries. It must have been hard bieng happy about going home but regretting having to part company with those who you shared so much with.
Great photos Keith. Now, how is it that a sailor boy ended up in the army? Sea sickness? And as a naval cadet (is that the right term?) during the war what did you do?
Boyish Charm!!! Hi Kyt, Glad you picked up on the photograph, I was going to post it to you direct in case you missed it!!!! I should have known better! The war ended in late 1945, I was then to young too have seen any war service apart from filling in for quard duty as mentioned. After the war I returned to London and through my school became a member of the Army Cadet Force, wearing the badge of The Princess Marie Louise's Kensington Rifles. I am still looking for some more snaps of my later stint of National Service up to my retirement in 1986 from the TA, after which I took over as an Area Commander in the Cheshire Army Cadet Force, for a couple of years before mothballing my uniforms. Cheers Keith
It's an incredible history, Keith. I think I speak for everyone here when I say thank you for your service. And for sharing your photos. I look forward to seeing more when you get a chance. Did you get to see the world? Exotic places?
Yes ! I agree with K .... thank you Keith ! Funnily enough I was reading about the Lancashire TA yesterday and feeling very proud of being a Lanky !! ( of course you were in Cheshire .... and thats a bit different !! :becky: ) Did you know that the Territorial Army Barracks on Aigburth Road in Liverpool was renamed The Brigadier Phillip Toosey Barracks ?? .... he was quite a man too !! Philip Toosey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Annie
Hi Annie, Yes I did know but I thought most people outside the TA might not be aware of the change Here is a picture that you may like which was taken at a regimental do in the "Old Aighbirth Road Mess" I was still a member of the unit dining club even though due to the re-org and cut-backs, I had transferred to the Medics. However as it is forever said "Once a Gunner, always a Gunner". The Photographed are:- Flt.Lt.John Trafford, Mrs Amie Trafford, Mrs Linda Banett and Capt K.Barnett. I believe this was taken about Oct 1969.
For a minute there - I thought we were going to see a picture of you in a monkey suit !!!!!!! Then you would have come full circle !! :becky:
On D Day! Standing in the garden at Cherry Gardens Hill near Groombridge watching the many planes flying past towing gliders that were wobbling all over the place. Our mouths were wide open in surprise and continued to be so for what seemed hours as they streamed past. Brave men set to defend our country and eventually doing so. Jimidriver.
I have posted a few pages on my web site about my own father's preparations for D-Day on the south coast of england. It's army but still captures the wonderful flavour of the atmosphere of camaraderie brewing amongst all the armed forces. Click to Fighting Through - From Dunkirk to Hamburg - War Diary and autobiography of Bill Cheall - WW2, Dunkirk, D-Day memoir and war diary Paul
