Remembrance Day

Hello Everybody
Having been born just before the War in 1938 Remembrance Day has always been a truly main event in the calendar. Both civilian, ex and present servicemen appreciate the ultimate sacrifice the men and women did in the service of their country in both World Wars. We cannot forget the many conflicts around the world we have been involved in. Also, not to forget the sacrifice the people of our great country who died in the blitz during World War Two?
I watched the parade in Whitehall on the television and every year it brings a tear to my eye. The ex-servicemen still march in step after all those years. The eyes left at the cenotaph was done in unison. I am not alone in saying how proud they all were in paying their respects to their fallen comrades, for some it will be the last time. You all did your country proud both then and now.
I have only been on one Remembrance Day parade. It was on the 11thNovember 1960 while serving in the Cameroons. We formed up that Sunday with the two Companies who were serving at Bamenda. We had about forty ex King’s African rifles who had served in various fields of battle during World War Two including Burma. We marched along the red dusty tack until we came to a large clearing where the service was held. What I can never forget was a bugler from our regiment The King’s Own Royal Border appearing on a cliff edge overlooking the clearing .The bugler played the last post to perfection, with the sound echoing down the valley. A truly memorable day I will never forget.
What I am disillusioned with, is the attitude of an Irish born Sunderland footballer who chose not to wear a poppy on his shirt. It wasn’t a lot to ask for, this to me was total disrespect for the many Irishmen from both sides of the border, who lost their lives during both world Wars. Not forgetting the Sunderland citizens who died in the bombing of Sunderland. He should be taken to the Sunderland cenotaph and shown the names of the men who died so that he can live in a free country and play football. I do not know what the people of Sunderland think of it all, but I have got a good Idea!
Long may Remembrance Day be observed for the brave men and women who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of our country?
Alan

Get In Get Out and Get Away – Memoirs of a National Serviceman

My book has been on sale for over a year now and sales are far in excess of where I expected.

For any new readers to the blog, a link can be found here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Out-Away-National-Serviceman/dp/B0050I6A2E or check out my other website http://www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk/

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February Sales Update for Get In ‘Get Out and Get Away’ – my National Service Story

Another great month, just missing out on the record month by a couple of books. Thanks to all who purchased my National Service book, for more details click the picture above to take you to Amazon or try my other website www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk

The details of the book are:

Get In Get Out and Get Away. This may sound strange but not for your uncles, brothers, fathers or grandads. They knew from an early age that one day they would be called up to do their two years National Service.
I am sure the countless millions of ex-National Servicemen will have many things in common in these memoirs, hopefully they are happy ones. I was born in a small terraced house on Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, England in 1938. In that era, the toilet was outside and the bath which was made of tin was kept in the backyard and brought into the house when needed.
Whilst growing up, the cloud above one’s head of having to do National Service got closer and closer. I knew older lads who were getting called up on a regular basis. I was twenty one years old and had just finished my apprenticeship in 1960 when it was my turn. This was the last year of National Servicemen being called up for the services.
I served my two years National Service in the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment reporting to Fulwood Barracks, Preston. For ten weeks, the drill instructors shaped the platoon from a rag tag outfit to smart soldiers. From Fulwood the platoon was sent to Barnard Castle, County Durham and later to the British Cameroons, West Africa for ten months. The regiment was chosen to keep the peace and oversee a vote on the Cameroons future. There was a terrorist organisation on the French border that was intent on disrupting the process and the memoirs include numerous encounters and an eventful raid on a terrorist camp.
This true story is mixed with amusing anecdotes of growing up in post War Britain through the swinging sixties. I was given an eye opener in life then and I am sure when you read my detailed account, you will agree, and also see the parallels to the modern day operations undertaken by the American, British and United Nations military.
It is all history now but it has been a privilege on behalf of my fellow countrymen to put it all down on paper.
We all had one thing in common, that was to Get In Get Out and Get Away.

Record Month for my National Service Book

Well January turned out to be the best month since launching the book Get In Get Out and Get Away – Memoirs of a National Serviceman. I think the sales of ebook readers are increasing massively so allowing book’s like me a chance to compete with the established publishers. The book has frequently been in the top 50 military history books.

More details can be found here

link www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk or from this Amazon link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Out-Away-National-Serviceman/dp/B0050I6A2E

Blog now listed on www.milblogging.com

Delighted today that the blog is now featured on Milblogging.com the best and largest listing for military blogs. The listing is here http://milblogging.com/listingDetail.php?id=5437 and the site general is here http://milblogging.com

For new readers to the blog I am featuring the history of National Service (send in your own stories as well please) and have also published a book on the subject:

The book Get In Get Out and Get Away can be found on Amazon or from this link http://www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk or from this Amazon link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Out-Away-National-Serviceman/dp/B0050I6A2E or for US readers  here http://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Away-Serviceman-ebook/dp/B0050I6A2E.

The website www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk  contains pictures to accompany the story and the description of the book is here:

Get In Get Out and Get Away. This may sound strange but not for your uncles, brothers, fathers or grandads. They knew from an early age that one day they would be called up to do their two years National Service. I am sure the countless millions of ex-National Servicemen will have many things in common in these memoirs, hopefully they are happy ones. I was born in a small terraced house on Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, England in 1938. In that era, the toilet was outside and the bath which was made of tin was kept in the backyard and brought into the house when needed. Whilst growing up, the cloud above one’s head of having to do National Service got closer and closer. I knew older lads who were getting called up on a regular basis. I was twenty one years old and had just finished my apprenticeship in 1960 when it was my turn. This was the last year of National Servicemen being called up for the services. I served my two years National Service in the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment reporting to Fulwood Barracks, Preston. For ten weeks, the drill instructors shaped the platoon from a rag tag outfit to smart soldiers. From Fulwood the platoon was sent to Barnard Castle, County Durham and later to the British Cameroons, West Africa for ten months. The regiment was chosen to keep the peace and oversee a vote on the Cameroons future. There was a terrorist organisation on the French border that was intent on disrupting the process and the memoirs include numerous encounters and an eventful raid on a terrorist camp. This true story is mixed with amusing anecdotes of growing up in post War Britain through the swinging sixties. I was given an eye opener in life then and I am sure when you read my detailed account, you will agree, and also see the parallels to the modern day operations undertaken by the American, British and United Nations military. It is all history now but it has been a privilege on behalf of my fellow countrymen to put it all down on paper. We all had one thing in common, that was to Get In Get Out and Get Away.

Record Sales Week and Month for Get In Get Out and Get Away – Memoirs of a National Serviceman

Christmas delivered a massive boost to sales of the book Get In Get Out and Get Away – Memoirs of a National Serviceman with the record week and month both being smashed in Decemeber. For more detail on my National Service Memoirs check out Amazon or http://www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk

Christmas

with Xmas coming up I am expecting a boost to sales of the book Get In Get Out and Get Away – Memoirs of a National Serviceman as people receive their new Kindles for Xmas. I note the Kindle is the bestselling item on Amaxon, for more details check out Amazon or http://www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk

Other Stories From Ex-Kings Own Royal Border Regiment – Paul Maxwell

STORY FROM PAUL MAXWELL EX-DRUM MAJOR

Well Alan what great memories, I enclose a few lines about my time serving in the Army
My name is Paul Maxwell and with being a Lancaster lad it was not surprising I joined the local regiment the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment. I enlisted on the 17th August 1963 on my 17th birthday and like you went to Fulwood Barracks Preston for my training.
Whilst at Fulwood I also remember the provost sergeant named Aristademo and I do agree he was probably the smartest soldier in the British Army. I am not sure how his name was spelt, but I think he was from Greece or Cyprus.

At this time the regiment had moved from Barnard Castle to Wupertal in Germany. On joining the regiment in Germany, I was posted to C Company to continue my infantry training. After completing this training I was posted to A Company.
The first man I met was CSM Driver who was the A Company Sergeant major. I am sure this is the same CSM Driver you spoke of in your memoirs. He had a nickname throughout the regiment. The name he was called behind his back of course was Bobby the Bastard and a right so and so he was! I recall doing 4-24 hour consecutive Sunday guard duties. I went to CSM Driver to complain, he replied right son you can do Saturday instead. Of course we all know Saturday is a 24 hour guard the same as Sunday, what a so and so.

Shortly after this episode I transferred over to the Corps of Drums. Having played the bugle in the church lads brigade prior to enlisting, I was soon doing duty Drummer.
It was doing these duties that brought me into close contact with RSM Garner. I agree with you, RSM Garner was gentleman of the highest order and a man who I personally had enormous respect for. I think the RSM also had a fondness for the Corps of Drums, because he got to know the duty drummers so well and we with him.
At the time there was a Corporal in the Motor Section of the regiment named Stewart, I think he was the same Stewart you referred to. He eventually became Provost Sergeant in Cyprus for a short time. I do not know what became of him, but I did hear that he had died, if this is true or not I do not know.

When I first arrived in the Drum Corps, I was only a young lad and most of the other lads were a lot older and had been to the Cameroons. Some of the names that spring to my mind are Spud Murphy, George Cain and Walter Raven they were all from Barrow, also Smudge Smith and George Garrity. There were a few more, but I am sorry I cannot remember their names.

I remained with the Corps of Drums throughout my Army career and eventually finished as the Drum Major at the Depot the Kings Division, but that is another story.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my ex-comrades both serving and retired, best wishes and good luck for the future

Paul

GET IN GET OUT AND GET AWAY

Sales of the book have hit a record week and month last week. Thanks for all who have bought.  The book details are here:

Get In Get Out and Get Away. This may sound strange but not for your uncles, brothers, fathers or grandads. They knew from an early age that one day they would be called up to do their two years National Service.
I am sure the countless millions of ex-National Servicemen will have many things in common in these memoirs, hopefully they are happy ones. I was born in a small terraced house on Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, England in 1938. In that era, the toilet was outside and the bath which was made of tin was kept in the backyard and brought into the house when needed.
Whilst growing up, the cloud above one’s head of having to do National Service got closer and closer. I knew older lads who were getting called up on a regular basis. I was twenty one years old and had just finished my apprenticeship in 1960 when it was my turn. This was the last year of National Servicemen being called up for the services.
I served my two years National Service in the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment reporting to Fulwood Barracks, Preston. For ten weeks, the drill instructors shaped the platoon from a rag tag outfit to smart soldiers. From Fulwood the platoon was sent to Barnard Castle, County Durham and later to the British Cameroons, West Africa for ten months. The regiment was chosen to keep the peace and oversee a vote on the Cameroons future. There was a terrorist organisation on the French border that was intent on disrupting the process and the memoirs include numerous encounters and an eventful raid on a terrorist camp.
This true story is mixed with amusing anecdotes of growing up in post War Britain through the swinging sixties. I was given an eye opener in life then and I am sure when you read my detailed account, you will agree, and also see the parallels to the modern day operations undertaken by the American, British and United Nations military.
It is all history now but it has been a privilege on behalf of my fellow countrymen to put it all down on paper. We all had one thing in common, that was to Get In Get Out and Get Away.

Click this link to view or buy Get in Get Out and Get Away on Amazon or buy the US Version click here

Details on www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk or it can be purchased on Amazon

Should we bring back National Service in the UK

Do you think national service should be brought back? Bring back National Service. Should we bring back National Service.
This question is asked quite frequently these last few years and no doubt there are arguments for and against this question. It has also been the subject of many debates following the riots in the UK in August 2011. Many millions of British of the older generation of men have done national service and served their country with distinction. They served throughout World War 2, Korea, Malaya, Palestine, Kenya, Cyprus, Germany, and Africa etc. For instance over 300 British servicemen lost their lives in Cyprus in the fifties and early sixties most of these were national servicemen. The national servicemen of yesteryear were certainly a different breed of men, than the present day men. The men who had to do national service all those years ago were originally called up at the outbreak of World War 2 when Great Britain was in grave danger. National service continued for another fifteen years after the end of World War 2, when each man called up had to do firstly eighteen months service. The length of service was raised to two years due to the Korean War. You may ask what you mean by a different breed of man, they are all the same. Well I assure you they are not. The lads of yesteryear mostly came from poor homes where their father went to work for poor wages and their mother cooked, cleaned the house and looked after the children. Over 80% of the people didn’t have a bathroom just a tin bath brought in usually on Friday night. The brick toilet was outside in the backyard the paper used was the day before newspaper. The bedroom for the children was shared with two in a bed for brothers and sisters depending on the size of the family. The only wardrobe was in your parent’s room, the children’s wardrobe was a hook screwed to the back of the bedroom door. The heating in the house was just one-coal fire, which was usually lit before the children got up. Family life was quite loving, with no television to distract conversation, but most houses had a radio. One was made to respect elders, neighbours etc, it was always Mr and Mrs when talking to neighbours; it was no Jim, Tom and Maggie. When your time came to be called up for National Service whether you were eighteen or twenty one, you knew it had to be done. No one was looking forward to doing two years in the forces while just entering the prime of ones life. All the frightening tales told to by the abundance of ex-servicemen didn’t help. The day came when you reluctantly left your tight knitted community and left to join your allotted service, be it Army, Navy or Air Force. Although it was a shock to the system there was plenty of food and for the first time in their lives there were showers. Young men at that time had so much in common, coming from similar backgrounds, camaraderie and lifelong friendships soon formed. The discipline and overall smartness instilled into each national serviceman during those two years made boys into men. No doubt they became better men indeed who kept the Great in Great Britain.
The lads of today have the better of two worlds, money in the back pockets, cars and a certainly more permissive society. Their homes have all the mod cons. The downside of their family life has been dampened by television. I am sorry to say now; there are a small minority who have not much respect for elders, neighbours and the law, which of course should certainly be addressed. Parents and school teachers should play their part in this and stop passing the problem onto others. Discipline when one is young plays a big part in future life The overwhelming majority of young people are intelligent, dress well and courteous and should not be tarred by a few yobs. The politicians, media and sections of the public who have never been in the forces themselves keep bringing this national service question up. Do it to them not to us attitude. These same young men who keep getting picked on, will I am sure be the first in line to join up if the country was threatened, like it was many years ago. No one wants to see lads who were forced to do national service being brought home after losing their life in conflicts. It is sorrowful enough seeing our brave service men and women being brought home from Afghanistan. National Service should not be introduced, because of our country being involved in conflicts in far off places or any other feeble excuse. Do you honestly think the armed forces want to start training lads who are not making the services their career? I am sure they will agree that it would be a complete waste of time for everyone concerned. Politicians should sort our own country out, making it a peaceful and happy place to live, with no such thing as dole queues, poverty and racism. As I said earlier, my generation were a different breed.

To contact me visit my website www.getingetoutandgetaway.co.uk or my book is available on Amazon – Get in Get Out and Get Away https://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Out-Away-National-Serviceman/dp/B0050I6A2E or in the USA at http://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Away-Serviceman-ebook/dp/B0050I6A2E