Jul 20, 2019Being a boy in JLRRA — Being a boy in 94 RegimentMy first gigantic cock-up A NEW MACHINE-GUN It is December 1974. I’m 18 years old and I am working in the Technical Quartermaster’s office. I love my new job. The attention to fine detail appeals to me very much. …Boys3 min read
Jul 4, 2019Being a Boy in JLRRA. Wot I did next.This is a confession of one of my greatest shaming moments. I don’t care. It is an event that being a boy in the Junior Leaders’ Regiment, RA prepared me for 24 years earlier. The scenario unfolds like this: By 1997 I had been out of the Army for 16…Life4 min read
Nov 2, 2018Being a Boy in JLRRA, Swinging the lead part 4“Beer! Beer! Beer!” said the Gunner, come and have a drink on me! There’s none so fair as can compare with the Royal Artillery.” When I was a kid I didn’t drink, by which I mean I didn’t drink beer or other alcoholic beverages. I knew lots of lads at…Alcohol7 min read
Oct 27, 2018Being a Boy in JLRRA, Swinging the lead part 3Depression Torments My Heart Previously in this blog: I am a ‘Junior-Leader’. At the age of 16 I joined the Junior Leaders’ Regiment, Royal Artillery. That meant I was a Junior Leader. When you think about it, when you analyse the phrase, it’s a bit depressing. “Junior Leader”. Wasn’t that…Army7 min read
Oct 23, 2018Being a Boy in JLRRA — RETCONSWINGING THE LEAD — PART 2 The ‘clench-cheeked-mince’ Previously in this blog: At the age of 15, it had become my life ambition to join the British Army. In my mind, there was nothing more I wanted in the whole world. I did my basic army training at the Junior…This Happened To Me6 min read
Oct 4, 2018Being a Boy in JLRRA — RETCONSWINGING THE LEAD — PART 1 Previously in this blog: In earlier accounts I have tried to explain what it was like for me to be a young teenager in the Junior Leaders’ Regiment, Royal Artillery, I have talked about about being in the band, trade training, drill & turnout…This Happened To Me5 min read
Sep 9, 2018Being a young-adult in JLRRAPart 11. Being a space-cadet. “Gunner Lamb!” “Yes Corporal?” “Why haven’t you opened a German bank account?” “What?” “You need a German bank account if you want to get paid.” “No-one told me that. How do I open a German bank account?” “Holy Jesus!” Previously in this blog: I have…Army6 min read
Sep 5, 2018Being a young-adult in JLRRAPart 10. Being a Boy in 94 Locating Regiment. “Gunner Lamb!” “Sergeant!” “Stop giggling and sort your fucking-self out!” “Yes Sergeant!” Previously in this blog: Following my training as a junior leader at Bramcote, I have been posted to 94 Locating Regiment in Germany. I arrived on the afternoon of…Humor6 min read
Aug 28, 2018Being a young-adult in JLRRAPart 9. Taking the piss. Previously in this blog: I am working as an assistant with the recruits’ battery at junior leaders. I’d had a bit of a knock-back, but managed to suppress my emotions and move on with things. That definitely wasn’t building up problems for the future. Now…Army7 min read
Aug 25, 2018Being a young-adult in JLRRAPart 8. Time to grow-up. Previously in this blog: I had received a letter. And, if you want to know the truth, I don’t remember ever having been so upset in my whole life. Now read on… I suppose everybody must have an event in their lives when they have…This Happened To Me6 min read
