R M P memorabilia

Ian, like you, I was National Service entrant in November 1952 and started my army ‘career’ at Oswestry for just two weeks, then on to Woking ‘Inkerman Barracks. As you are aware, it was a particularly bad winter, the “smogs” of London finally instigating the clean air act we have today.

As you may probably gather, myself and most of the Squad were not overly keen on National Service, being either deferred apprentices or deferred University students who having been on low money for sometime whilst training, or studying, only to be put into the Army at 10 shillings a week under conditions that were less than basic.

During the four weeks MT training at Aldershot we were put on standby to cover the East Coast floods but not called on.

My experiences during training were similar to yours but didn’t leave so many lasting impressions.

Prior to passing out, we were asked to give a preference for postings from a list of available ones. Being naive and without much knowledge of the political and world news, most of us elected for the ‘Malaya, Korea and Japan’ posting as we thought at that time we would never get another chance to see the Far East. We were then given a blood test in each wrist, no reason or details given, but someone mentioned at a later date that he though it was a Schick test(spelling may be wrong).

We were kitted out with tropical kit and dispatched to Gooch Street underground station in London, by train and instructed to find our own way there, to find that it was now a dispersal point for the services.

After three days, four of us were located in the warren and told that our posting had been changed to S H A P E in France as we were designated suitable to Artic and European areas only, not tropical. We were given a rail pass for the ‘Golden Arrow’ boat train to Paris from Victoria (find your own way there). When the Question of kit was asked, the answer was re-kit at S H A P E.

On arrival at the ‘Gare de Nord’ we were met with a 15cwt truck and things started to become more organised.

The accommodations were only a few months old and first class. NAAFI club onsite, a new mess for each of the three main contingents (American, French and British). The camp was about 1.5 Km from the H Q and access was over the Autoroute. The Camp Commandant was a British Col. All other services appeared to be run by the Americans, except our Provost Coy. who were responsible for all camp discipline and security; which when I think about it now, the duties were numerable. The main duty was one third of a shared nationality, covering the first layer of security for the HQ. Escort duty as required for VIP’s visiting, mainly by air either via Orly or Fontainebleau, all this was done from what was small unit. Practically all duties were shift work.

I am surprised that there are so few instances in your records regarding S H A P E as General Eisenower was the Supreme Head and Field Marshall Montgomery was his deputy.Gen Eisenower contested the election for President of the USA and won. When he left to take up office the Provost Coy were quite involved in the celebrations.

I returned to the UK to London District in April 1954, back to Victorian accommodation in Kensington Palace Barracks, in Church Street, Kennsington. I was on general duties covering main line railway stations. Horse Guards Parade, the War Office and a rotating detachment at the Royal Artillery barracks at Woolwich which meant street patrols both sides of the Thames using the ferry and this was interesting.

I also spent a short period attached to the Hemel Hempstead TA provost with WO Sid Barr.

I was finally discharged in November 1954 into six years on the reserve list with the Lincoln Provost Coy.

During the chaos during the Egyptian crisis, a local policeman called at my home and insisted I was contacted to go directly to the Police HQ as I had been recalled to the colours. On arrival was kept for about three hours and was then told I was not on the list and I could go home. This was the end of my Army career.

I hope that this diatribe may be of some use, but these are reflections from fifty-four years ago whenthe world was a different place or that’s how it appears to me now.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel I may be useful.

Dennis Bellamy,

15th December 2008