Following on from Cllr John Whittock’s National Service story, inviting fellow servicemen to share their memories of their time in the army during National Service, many individuals got in touch with The Journal to share their memories of the era – from life in the barracks to travelling the world, with some experiences being much more pleasant than others. Thank you to all of those who also sent letters and visited our office.Malcolm Robbins, from Frome, started his National Service in March 1957, serving in North Wales. He saw several promotions during his time (and many football matches), finally giving up the chance to stay on in a more senior position to return to his job. Even so, he says that “1957–1958 were without doubt the happiest days of my life. What wonderful memories have been recalled by John Whittock in your publication.”
Gerald Cains, from Clandown, also got in touch to share his experiences, having been called up in 1955. His training took place in Yorkshire, with his army trade being draughtsman. He was posted to Egypt for eighteen months and many of the sketches he made during his time in the army are now on display at the Royal Corps of Signals Museum in Dorset.
One reader who wishes to remain anonymous, started National Service in 1954, serving two years in the Royal Air Force. He remembers days spent learning how to handle grenades, disassemble and reassemble firearms and was trained in unarmed combat. Another skill he picked up was distinguishing aircraft from other objects on a radar and came across some unexplained readings during his time over the English Channel – the men on duty referred to them as angels, but no-one was really sure what they were. They could have been flocks of small birds.
He said: “National Service made men out of boys and we learned discipline and the value of teamwork. We always had to work as a team to accomplish the various activities and tasks we were set. I am firmly of the opinion that National Service should be brought back and would be a great benefit to the youth of today. What we learned stood us in good stead for the rest of our lives.”
Not everyone had such fond memories of their time during National Service. One reader shared their memories of bullying and mismanagement of the troops, so that most would spend their fixed time with one view – to do the absolute minimum until they could go back home. However, he did say: “What I took away with me from my period of National Service was a growing sense of value of those things the Army denied me and my soldier mates, the importance of self-reliance and the value of a sense of independence, even when working and cooperating with others.”