Mine was 1955 - 57 RAF. Unlike John, I went straight from school. Was still a two year stint then. Different procedure as we went to Cardington for kitting out and the tough stuff started when the train along with the DI's arrived to take us to RAF Padgate for the ten weeks "Square Bashing." Down to Wiltshire for Radar training for three months and a posting to a Radar Station on the coast of Norfolk moving on six months later to an experimental Radar Unit on the coast of Yorkshire. Should still be a part of life for every 18 year old. Still in touch with some of the boys. I have all my pay sheets from the two "permanent" stations.
That’s right about the DIs that took us on post the Butlin’s like atmosphere of one week at Cardington kitting out! What a shock indeed - like a pair of Gestapo for first effects!
Great Adventure. I was an Air Cadet in the Air Training Corp prior to tree year’s National Service in the Royal Air Force. It landed me up at RAF Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya, in 1953 for two and half years. A fantastic oversea’s posting. Kenya, was designated a war zone due to the so called Mau Mau Rebellion. The country was rugged, the scenery out of this world and loaded with wild game. As far as I was concerned, this was like a dream come true and I felt extremely lucky to experience this part of the world at Government expense. I was in the MT Section and classified as a Motor Cyclist simply because I had a Motorbike License in UK. It was too dangerous due to the Military Situation at the time to ride a Motorcycle around Nairobi and they gave me a Land Rover in order to deliver and received classified messages. Being young and virtually free of supervision it made my working life in the RAF a breeze. I elected to stay in Kenya after demobilization and left after 10:years when Independence came along. My civilian work experience landed me a good job in the Caribbean and a highly successful Overseas Business Career. I never returned to live in the UK after The RAF sent me overseas age 20.
Saw John give a talk at Reepham,my local branch British Legion this week.He gave a talk on being a school boy in Norfolk during the war years.This was a brilliant entertaining talk given by John,full of energy and very infomative without being boring,nobody fell asleep and he has been asked back to charm us all agin at a later date.If you are looking for a speaker,John's your man!!
![[SFM] Risky Recital](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RzNkY1_Nk3o/mqdefault.jpg)
I did my square bashing in Padgate in 1951
What month were you? I was called up on Fourth of July at Kingston-upon Thames - ´last day of independence ´ I liked to quip at the time! …
Mine was 1955 - 57 RAF. Unlike John, I went straight from school. Was still a two year stint then. Different procedure as we went to Cardington for kitting out and the tough stuff started when the train along with the DI's arrived to take us to RAF Padgate for the ten weeks "Square Bashing." Down to Wiltshire for Radar training for three months and a posting to a Radar Station on the coast of Norfolk moving on six months later to an experimental Radar Unit on the coast of Yorkshire. Should still be a part of life for every 18 year old. Still in touch with some of the boys. I have all my pay sheets from the two "permanent" stations.
That’s right about the DIs that took us on post the Butlin’s like atmosphere of one week at Cardington kitting out! What a shock indeed - like a pair of Gestapo for first effects!
Great Adventure. I was an Air Cadet in the Air Training Corp prior to tree year’s National Service in the Royal Air Force. It landed me up at RAF Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya, in 1953 for two and half years. A fantastic oversea’s posting. Kenya, was designated a war zone due to the so called Mau Mau Rebellion. The country was rugged, the scenery out of this world and loaded with wild game. As far as I was concerned, this was like a dream come true and I felt extremely lucky to experience this part of the world at Government expense. I was in the MT Section and classified as a Motor Cyclist simply because I had a Motorbike License in UK. It was too dangerous due to the Military Situation at the time to ride a Motorcycle around Nairobi and they gave me a Land Rover in order to deliver and received classified messages. Being young and virtually free of supervision it made my working life in the RAF a breeze. I elected to stay in Kenya after demobilization and left after 10:years when Independence came along. My civilian work experience landed me a good job in the Caribbean and a highly successful Overseas Business Career. I never returned to live in the UK after The RAF sent me overseas age 20.
my father did his national service as an ac marshaller at raf padgate 1952-53 number 1 squadron - something he fondly remembers
Saw John give a talk at Reepham,my local branch British Legion this week.He gave a talk on being a school boy in Norfolk during the war years.This was a brilliant entertaining talk given by John,full of energy and very infomative without being boring,nobody fell asleep and he has been asked back to charm us all agin at a later date.If you are looking for a speaker,John's your man!!
John certainly knows his stuff. Very well done.
My Grandfather did National Service he was in Royal Air Force and went out to Korea and fought in Korean War.
We thank him for his service.
What about the haunted Squash court at RAF Bircham Newton?
When my Dad was doing his national service 1952 to 1954, he was based in Devizes in Wiltshire and was in the pay corp of the REME
When I was 18 I received my call up papers Addressed to 588743 AA Shore Hut 329 RAF Locking Somerset
I did my square bashing there in 1951
very interesting i worked at RAF Swanton Morley
Am an associate member of the rafa
Good old John