Memories of A Veteran Part The First

Good Evening, Kia Ora,

I Have been inspired by a couple of Blogs I have read recently on WA, to share a part of my story today, and maybe some more later.

A Boy Soldier

I became a soldier at the age of 16 in 1975. I attended what was called an Army Apprentices College in Harrogate North Yorkshire in the North of England in the UK. (Though I was born and brought up for the most part in Scotland). You can see me in the rear rank second from the right.

Apprentice

As an Apprentice Tradesman I spent a lot of my time in a classroom learning physics, maths and electronics theory as I was serving an Apprenticeship as a Telecommunications Technician (later to be known as a Systems Engineer) We also suffered other academic training in English, communications skills contemporary world affairs. There was of course a lot of workshop practice including learning how to fabricate tools and parts on lathes and jigs, basic circuit building and being taught how to dismantle, repair and reassemble, teleprinters, telephones, telephone exchanges and multi channel radios and multiplexer equipment.

A Broad Curriculum

When I was not doing that I was a representative swimmer, water polo player, a sword fencer in all 3

weapons; sabre epee and foil and I was a prize winning public speaker. I was also the Drum Major of the College Pipes and Drums and I was a keen war gamer and figure painter. There was just so much to do and there were no Personal Electronic Devices, no mobile phones, no internet just face to face contact with people and stuff LoL.

Some of my many past times over the years have stayed with me and 45 years later I am still a collector of rare metal toy soldiers, just some of which are in the picture to the right. These sit in the centre display cabinet of my floor to ceiling library which is shown here below. These were actually two and a half years of the happiest and most fulfilling times in my life, I was having adventures, learning, doing physical activity and sport everyday and I had money in my pocket for the privilege!

Pride of a Father

As you can imagine my Father was very proud and it made me feel really good that he was proud and that I was doing something worthwhile for a few years before getting a job and settling down in 'civvie street' somewhere with a 'good wife' LoL.

Little did I know that the nine years I had intended to do, following that two and a half year apprenticeship, would stretch to 45 years, between two commonwealth armies, and that I would live in 10 different countries, as well as travelling to many more, over the course of that time. Or that I would go on to marry a Kiwi, and that we would bring up children born in England, Cyprus, Belgium and New Zealand!

Where To From Here?

What you are seeing here is that when it comes to exploiting a rich life for niche material for Blogging I have no shortage of inspiration or ideas to choose from, and I have only taken you to 1977 so far in the story LoL.

More to follow if this start gets a favourable reaction in the comments that it invites. I have a few adventures to share for those interested.

For tonight my friends it is the end of day 4 on NZ lock down and I will bid you goodnight.

KIA KOA

KIA KAHA

Hamish🧐

CLICK HERE FOR PART THE 2nd