Back in those days it was what we did, no questions asked. Much the same for me RAF PADGATE July 1956, posted to RAF Hospital Medical Branch, Wegberg in Germany for two years then back to RAF-Hospital Ely for the rest of my 5. Best days of my life. Turned boys into men at an early age, we were better off for it too. Knocked all the late teen crap out of us and we learnt about respect and consequences of our actions! 👍🇬🇧
I was at Padgate in 1956 for basic training then on to RAF Credenhill br Hereford finally posted to RAF Stanmore Park in Middlesex satellite camp for RAF Bentley Priory fighter command headquarters. Loved every minute of my service. Ex Corporal Mike Gates.
My husband was one of the last to do national service, he joined the RAF, he enjoyed it and signed on for another 2 years. He was sent to RAF Butterworth in Malaya. When he was on leave he visited several places including Singapore, Hong Kong etc. He loved it and made a lot of friends. Conscription should have been kept it would have been especially good for the generations since.
@gailcrowe727 it's better than to waste a couple of years of my miserable life getting abused and forced to do stuff, and in the case of war, be sacrificed as cannon fodder for the elites
@@trevdestroyer8209 That’s a very cynical attitude. My husband loved his 4 years in the RAF. He made a lot of friends and they all had a lot of good times together and stayed friends afterwards. He was stationed for two of those in Malaysia and visited Hong Kong, Singapore and Penang to name a few places. He certainly wasn’t abused.
Those were the days when little things meant a lot. Young men from all walks of life shared an experience that made them stronger but never weaker. My time was 1956-1959 Royal Artillery. Oswestry--Kimmel Park-Woolwich, then off to Malta for nearly three years with schemes in Libya so we could understand what "Fly Ridden" really meant. The British Army was a family that looked after its men providing the men made the effort to look after themselves.
For the British Army, the Malayan Emergency was fought primarily by National Servicemen. The most successful jungle bashers were the Suffolks and Hampshires. It was my honour to work with a former officer of the South Wales Borderers who stayed on in Malaya as a planter. I believe he was also a national serviceman who was commissioned.
I did my training in Oswestry in 1955 we boarded the Empire Ken at Southampton in 56 ready for the Suez Canal. We finished up in Malta, also did a 4 week stint in North Africa. I remember two great guys Len Trangmar and geordie Roberts
My Grandfather missed National Service as it ended in 1963 but he joined territorial army in same year and was in 131 Parachute Engineer Regiment 131 LAD REME and went out to Cyprus for annual camp he had a blast he did bless him.
Thank you, very evocotive. As an army cadet in the mid-60s wore a battle dress just like yours and carry a no. 4 rifle, sleep in barrack blocks and block our blankets just like in your photograph. Went to a weekend camp at Parkhall it seemed huge with huge drill squares.
That brought back memories. I was in the R.A., went to Oswestry, Woolwich AND on the Asturias out to peacetime Korea. Had a stopover in Hong Kong and Japan. Dare I say I learnt a lot.
Lord, we’re we ever so young, seems like a different planet. Good old Park Hall camp Oswestry Saturday night dances at the Garrison Theatre,the little post office for letters to mum. loading guns on to trains for run to Tonfanau for practice shoots. Another world .
I will never forget that winter exercise at Sennybridge probably the coldest I have ever been. The only time we were given a rum ration which we drank from our mess tin.
Dear Brian, Welcome to Hong Kong and thanks for your sharing!! One of my uncle also served the British Army during this period. Thanks for letting us know your history. Also the background mucis is perfect!! Best regards, Hong Kong youngster.
My Old Man trooped back from Hong Kong in May-June 1956. He had been in Korea with his Regiment, before it redeployed to HK. Nice to see a picture of the ship. There is too little mention is made of National service. Love it or hate it (my Old Man HATED the Army), it is a part of our history that is being lost. Thank you for this, brought a smile to my face.
I joined the REME January 1954 Blandford. Got posted to Germany and was attached to the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery at Celle. Got demobbed in 1957. Served 3 happy years as a Vehicle Mechanic
A very historic vid. and must bring back many memories. As N. S. ended l joined the REME in May 1960 ,and met many conscripts serving their time . Blandford, Taunton , Bordon and at 7 Armd BAOR. In 1962 l joined the Para. Bgde until discharge in 1977. Best wishes to all .
I just missed national service it stopped about the same time I left school but your national service days coincide with the time of an uncle of mine who spent his national service days in Suez. No doubt yourself and service mates are all now in their early 80's. Sadly my uncle is now no longer with us having passed away a few years ago. From your few photos no doubt you all enjoyed your service at a plump posting.
You and me both. But my older brother, 18 at the time, ended up in Suez, Royal Scots, he told us the older professional soldiers looked after them, just boys when I look back now. Sadly, no longer with us now.
My father was RAF based at Sek Kong. We joined him in Oct 56, I was 10 years old and went to the school inside Gunclub Barracks. Your photo's bring back memories, thanks for that.
Nice to know James, I'll bet you were a regular at The Chantecler across the road from Whitfield, for one of their gorgeous ham rolls, especially late at night before the 1.00am curfew.
@Alexander Challis Who would like to sign on from being a NS man and putting up with the shite in the UK . Thank God i got posted to Episkopi Garrison in 59 . big difference being overseas than stationed in the UK.
@Alexander Challis I know of a Welsh man who signed up in 1957, stayed on after compulsory service and retired as a Company Sergeant Major in the late 1970s
My grandfather was at Port Said in the Suez with the Royal Artillery using howitzers. He was in due to National Service and said he new some people who went off the Hong Kong
Irritated my wife when I mentioned my NS in HongKong was the best time of my life - it was! Ended as Adjutant of District Workshop REME 1955. Brilliant time but working flat-out all the time - 150 ORs and 150 Chinese civilians in workshop adjacent HMS Tamar (Naval dockyard). Ahh! Those were the days! Bill Bailey
HI BRIAN yes l joined the Battalion at the Queens Hill camp in 1956 sailing from Southampton on theASTURIOUS, the Battalion was posted to Germany around that time 1957, l had already been posted to 27 infantry Brigade I n Singapore Once again BRIAN many thanks for the keepsakes/MEMORIES. D.H.
I just missed out on National Service. My dad was in the R. Sigs. {a 25 year Regular]; I saw plenty of 'virgin soldiers' in Catterick, Singapore/Malaya, Hong Kong, and (West) Germany. Oh, I notice the Asturias was on an embarkation card - it was the troopship 'we' {the family] went out to Hong Kong on in 1955. I also remember that Chinese [Westernised] song.
I was attached to the RA up at Benbecula between July 1960 & June 1962, served a period on St Kilda the furthest home station west. Worst thing that happened to me was I only got to see two of Spurs home matches the season they won the double. I have never forgiven the State for that one.
Royal Signals 1955-57 ! Looking at these photos, the thing that strikes me immediately is that there isn't a single bloke who is overweight, let alone obese as so many are now.
Hi Brian, Thank you very much for sharing this. My father was in the Gunners for, I believe, 11 years. Like you, he did training at Oswestry amongst other places. He served in Korea, but after hostiles had ended. He was then in Hong Kong until he left the Army as a Captain in about 1957 or 1958 I think. His name was Ian Brooke Vergin (known as Vergin). He would have been serving in HK around the time you were. I know it is a very long shot, but I don't suppose you knew of him did you? Thanks once again. James
Hi Franki, Thank you for your kind comments. As you say, Hong Kong was a wonderful place in the 1950's, and I'm sure it is just as exiting these days. I really enjoyed my army service while I was there, as you probably did in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment. My best wishes to you, Brian Clift.
Great photos I never served in HK place is all concrete and steel now. I certainly remember my basic training at Park Hall Camp Oswestry the place is all farm land now happy memories Bernie Swaine RA 1967-1993
Brian, I just watched this after seeing the Facebook link. It is a nice nostalgic piece. Loved your choice of music. And how great that you had all of those photos to record your time there. Thanks, I enjoyed it.
Hi Rick, nice to hear from you. At the end of training at Rhyl we were split up and sent all over the world. I did not want a posting close to home as it would have meant thinking about getting leave and trying to get home all the time. My first choice was Hong Kong so I was lucky to get it. Hope your dad enjoyed his service as much as I did.
Brings back Memories, I served in Singapore, Malaya, Aden, and a few other places as a Regular with the Royal Marines. Troopship Nevasa took me to Aden, but we also had Dunera, and Oxfordshire as Troopers. This was a world that has now changed forever, but at least we did see it as it was.
Greetings.My late father served in Egypt with the Royal corps of signals at this time,in Cairo,Tel el kebir,and Ismailia,trained at Catterick garrison in North Yorkshire,and sailed on the Empress of Australia out there.I believe the 2nd army group Royal Artillery (2 agra) was there at that time also.They were there doing their bit when king Farouk was overthrown/deposed,never knew which really.mostly under canvas in the desert.my father wore his signals blazer with immense pride.
Excellent Video I've never been in forces or to HK but with many who had been posted HK and they retained fondness for it for many years and would be very glad at long last UK has honoured it promise and let those wit overseas passport come to Britain if they wish !!
My neighbour was in this and he told everybody he said this time in the army he did 2 years because he had to full stop but he still tells everybody he was in the army
Brian Clift he wore his beret every day after his national service. He was even burried with one. He joined a gun club when he returned home too, and went every week. I went with him a couple of times. He was married in ‘53 and left for Hong Kong a few weeks later. The barracks in your video look exactly the same as my grandads photos
Older guys that I worked with said it was the best time of their lives. My cousin, however, hated it. My ex-wife's uncle was at Kai tak. One of my favourite books was 'Virgin Soldiers'.
Hi Fred, it was the same in my regiment, some hated it but I loved it. It was my first choice for a posting and I was so pleased that I got it. My camp was near to Kai Tak and we went that way quite often, several times each week, that was before they built the new runway.
HI BRIAN.GREAT VID MY NAITIONAL SERVICE WAS SIMILAR TO YOURS,ONLY,I WENT INTO THE ROYAL SIGNALS 18TH OCTOBER 1955. NO 23186498 [NOT TO FAR APART FROM YOURS] DONE MY BASIC TRAINING AT CATTERICK AND RIPON .SAILED FROM SOUTHHAMTON TO SINGAPORE APRIL 1956 ON THE EMPIRE ORWELL.SERVED THERE AND IN MALAYA.ALL YOUR PHOTOS ARE SO LIKE MINE ;COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THE SAME PLACES AND WITH THE SAME BUNCH OF BLOKES ,THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.JUST THE SAME AS OURS,THERE WAS ALSO A BOTANICAL GARDENS IN SINGAPORE [WITH BAD TEMPERED MONKEYS] WE ALSO WERE INVOLVED IN THE 1956 STUDENTS RIOTS IN SINGAPORE I ALSO SAILED BACK ON THE EMPIRE FOWEY AUGUST 1957 .IT MUST HAVE PICKED YOU UP FIRST .GREAT TRIP BACK ,DO YOU REMEMBER WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST SHIPS TO GO THROUGH THE REOPENED ZUES CANAL .I PLAYED ON THE BROOM HANDLE AND TEA CHEST,WITH ONE OF THE MANY SKIFFLE GROUPS ON BOARED.WHO KNOWS WE MAY HAVE EVEN MET.ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR POSTING THE PICS. HAPPY MEMORIES KEN
Hi Ken, nice to hear from you. I remember that trip back on the Empire Fowey. They confiscated all our cameras when we came through the Suez, to prevent us from photographing all the damage, I suppose. Good luck to you, Brian Clift.
Great stuff found this when googled Gunclub barracks ,thirty two days on a ship bit differant than 24 hours on a VC 10 in 71,looked it up as we used the range at Gunclub when I was there with the RAF regiment,good to see High Island as well also spent a week on there.
Thank you for your comments. Regarding the riots, it was a sad time for Hong Kong and all of us who were caught up in it. But, I enjoyed every minute of my time in Kowloon, Fan Ling and Lowu. Did you find my other slide show named Hong Kong 1956 and 1957?
Hi Dennis, nice to hear from you, glad you enjoyed the old photographs. Were you at Queens Hill Camp in Fanling? I only ask because we went up there to guard the empty camp in 1957, and I think one of the Staffordshire Regiments were the last ones to be stationed there prior to its temporary closure. Brian Clift.
My two brothers did national service 1950-54, 1st & 2nd KRRC. They always referred to their time as 'being in the cate', not cake. They never stopped harking back to it. I missed it by a year.
Brian - I went out on the Asturias in 1955 and came back on the Nevasa in 1958 - I remember the 27th HAA and it's 3.7s. My dad being a regular senior NCO [R. Sigs], we were spared the 'delights' of the Asturias 'virgin soldier' accommodation. Do you remember the visit by HMS Bulwark {the old aircraft carrier], and the 6in. gunned cruisers HMS Newcastle and HMS Newfoundland? I went on board the Newcastle when it was moored alongside HMS Tamar, the shore station. I also remember the matelots and 'virgin soldiers' enjoying the delights of Wanchai, and the China Fleet Club that was down by the harbour side at that time.
Hello Thanks for that, cant have been my dad, his name is Harold Skidmore and not sure how many national servicement went out to Hongkong during the period. Will still show him your clip though, because im sure he will enjoy it.
Hi Jim, nice to hear from you, not many of us left. I've had a look a the photo's you mentioned and I will send you my comments by e mail. I've also forwarded your message to Ron Bradley who was with us in Hong Kong. Brian Clift.
NIce to read your comments. I have not been back to Hong Kong, but I often wish I had gone back before so many changes had taken place. Probably would not be able to recognise Kowloon, and the small villages we visited on border patrol, have probably vanished.
There would be far too many going AWOL, we had suicides during the first 16 weeks of basic training in the early 1950s. Also the small army of today,would not be able to cope with huge numbers of recruits.
Great photos.. I was born in Hong Kong in 1957, and my dad Derek Waters was stationed there from 56 to 58 in the Royal Artillery, and maried my mum who was a local. I am trying to find outfit more as he never spoke about his army days, as he was regular soldier and after HK we went to Germany them Malay, and returned to the UK in 63'..!! Do you want other RA regiment was serving at the same time as you in Hong Kong.. Love those old photos.
NIce to hear from you Rick. I was with 15 Medium Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Gun Club Hill Barracks, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, HK. There were many different RA regiments stationed in the Colony at that time and they were based at lots of different locations all over Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. If you knew the name of your dads regiment, you could possibly find the location where he was stationed. I keep up to date with the old Hong Kong on this Facebook site, ... facebook.com/groups/HK60s/
Mmany thanks for the FB link.. When he left the army in 65' he was in the 26th RA and I believe in this regiment in Malay after w moved from Hong Kong.. Anyway, many thnaks..
Hi Brian - I spent some time in MQs not far from Gun Club, at Stanley Fort; 27th HAA were there with 3.7s at the time most of us young lads fancied the half-Colonel's daughter! My dad commuted to Victoria Barracks until an MQ was available there in Paget Block {close to the China Fleet Club, HMS Tamar, and Wanchai.
Ha Ha ! I remember the RA at Woolwich -- I was across the road in No. 12 Co RAMC Royal Herbert Hospital -- nearly got sent on the Suez Invasion I did a video about MY Life in British Army on my Channel -- there will be 3 parts --
Thanks for this. I've often looked for something similar for my dad, Bob Howard, who did the exact same national service with the Royal Artillery. He trained at Oswestry and then was in Hong Kong at a similar time. I would ask him what years but I'm hoping to capture and burn this to DVD for him as a surprise.
I have just returned from holiday in Crete a lovely friendly island where greet young and old and laws are obeyed Police respected the are respected Guess they have conscription for two years in Greece it serves them and means young people get exposed to real people and end up better adults.. Perhaps we should try it again...
Don't knock the youth of today too hard. Due to modern pressures many feel they have lost all idea of boundaries or parameters. I used to train N.Service recruits. In those days it was a mix of Teddy Boys and trainee lawyers. When they arrived at the gate in their civies we used to wonder what we were taking on. Many of them I joined later with the Battalion. The best lads ever. I still miss them all these years later.
Back in those days it was what we did, no questions asked. Much the same for me RAF PADGATE July 1956, posted to RAF Hospital Medical Branch, Wegberg in Germany for two years then back to RAF-Hospital Ely for the rest of my 5. Best days of my life. Turned boys into men at an early age, we were better off for it too. Knocked all the late teen crap out of us and we learnt about respect and consequences of our actions! 👍🇬🇧
I was at Padgate in 1956 for basic training then on to RAF Credenhill br Hereford finally posted to RAF Stanmore Park in Middlesex satellite camp for RAF Bentley Priory fighter command headquarters. Loved every minute of my service. Ex Corporal Mike Gates.
Wonderful memories of my national service .1956/58.learnt to drive heavy lorries.
Passed the para course, got attached to 23rd para field ambulance.
Instilled discipline and respect which is all missing in this Country
My husband was one of the last to do national service, he joined the RAF, he enjoyed it and signed on for
another 2 years. He was sent to RAF Butterworth in Malaya. When he was on leave he visited several places
including Singapore, Hong Kong etc. He loved it and made a lot of friends. Conscription should have been kept
it would have been especially good for the generations since.
Yes my husband too from Nov 1960 to May1963 in sennelager in Germany in dog training unit
I would rather die
@@trevdestroyer8209 Why?
@gailcrowe727 it's better than to waste a couple of years of my miserable life getting abused and forced to do stuff, and in the case of war, be sacrificed as cannon fodder for the elites
@@trevdestroyer8209 That’s a very cynical attitude. My husband loved his 4 years in the RAF. He made a
lot of friends and they all had a lot of good times together and stayed friends afterwards. He was stationed
for two of those in Malaysia and visited Hong Kong, Singapore and Penang to name a few places. He
certainly wasn’t abused.
Those were the days when little things meant a lot. Young men from all walks of life shared an experience that made them stronger but never weaker. My time was 1956-1959 Royal Artillery. Oswestry--Kimmel Park-Woolwich, then off to Malta for nearly three years with schemes in Libya so we could understand what "Fly Ridden" really meant. The British Army was a family that looked after its men providing the men made the effort to look after themselves.
My Dad did his national service in Malaya from 1955 - 1957 and it has been lovely to see your photos from the same era.
For the British Army, the Malayan Emergency was fought primarily by National Servicemen. The most successful jungle bashers were the Suffolks and Hampshires. It was my honour to work with a former officer of the South Wales Borderers who stayed on in Malaya as a planter. I believe he was also a national serviceman who was commissioned.
Our kids went to school in Gun club hill barracks, early 1990’s. They loved it. Great video..😀
Brings back good memories Royal Engineers 1958 to 1961 mainly in Germany BFPO 34
Royal Engineers 1953 to 1959 - those were the days; some memories good, some bad!
Royal Engineers. 1952 to 1954,Osnabruck,BAOR 10.
I did my training in Oswestry in 1955 we boarded the Empire Ken at Southampton in 56 ready for the Suez Canal. We finished up in Malta, also did a 4 week stint in North Africa. I remember two great guys Len Trangmar and geordie Roberts
My Grandfather missed National Service as it ended in 1963 but he joined territorial army in same year and was in 131 Parachute Engineer Regiment 131 LAD REME and went out to Cyprus for annual camp he had a blast he did bless him.
Thank you, very evocotive. As an army cadet in the mid-60s wore a battle dress just like yours and carry a no. 4 rifle, sleep in barrack blocks and block our blankets just like in your photograph. Went to a weekend camp at Parkhall it seemed huge with huge drill squares.
That brought back memories.
I was in the R.A., went to Oswestry, Woolwich AND on the Asturias out to peacetime Korea.
Had a stopover in Hong Kong and Japan.
Dare I say I learnt a lot.
Lord, we’re we ever so young, seems like a different planet. Good old Park Hall camp Oswestry Saturday night dances at the Garrison Theatre,the little post office for letters to mum. loading guns on to trains for run to Tonfanau for practice shoots. Another world .
I will never forget that winter exercise at Sennybridge probably the coldest I have ever been. The only time we were given a rum ration which we drank from our mess tin.
Housing estate now ?
Yhos has brought back so many memories Brian.
Thanks for sharing. Just how good it would be for todays young people.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Brian,
Welcome to Hong Kong and thanks for your sharing!!
One of my uncle also served the British Army during this period.
Thanks for letting us know your history.
Also the background mucis is perfect!!
Best regards,
Hong Kong youngster.
My Old Man trooped back from Hong Kong in May-June 1956. He had been in Korea with his Regiment, before it redeployed to HK. Nice to see a picture of the ship.
There is too little mention is made of National service. Love it or hate it (my Old Man HATED the Army), it is a part of our history that is being lost.
Thank you for this, brought a smile to my face.
Bring back my memory, the 50' in Hong Kong 🇨🇦❤🇭🇰❤🇬🇧
I joined the REME January 1954 Blandford. Got posted to Germany and was attached to the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery at Celle. Got demobbed in 1957. Served 3 happy years as a Vehicle Mechanic
I come across your channel while researching on the erased Hong Kong riots 1956. Thanks for sharing these lovely photo. Stay well.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Smart, even off duty!
I was born in 1957 so sadly missed N.S. In 1976 I joined the TAVR (101 Fd Regt. LAD REME) 8 wonderful years.
stationed in gunclub and Erskine 1967 wonderful memories thanks for reviving them
You're welcome Eli.
A very historic vid. and must bring back many memories. As N. S. ended l joined the REME in May 1960 ,and met many conscripts serving their time . Blandford, Taunton , Bordon and at 7 Armd BAOR. In 1962 l joined the Para. Bgde until discharge in 1977. Best wishes to all .
Nice to hear from you William.
I just missed national service it stopped about the same time I left school but your national service days coincide with the time of an uncle of mine who spent his national service days in Suez. No doubt yourself and service mates are all now in their early 80's. Sadly my uncle is now no longer with us having passed away a few years ago. From your few photos no doubt you all enjoyed your service at a plump posting.
You and me both. But my older brother, 18 at the time, ended up in Suez, Royal Scots, he told us the older professional soldiers looked after them, just boys when I look back now. Sadly, no longer with us now.
Very appropriate musical background, Brian Clift.
My father was RAF based at Sek Kong. We joined him in Oct 56, I was 10 years old and went to the school inside Gunclub Barracks. Your photo's bring back memories, thanks for that.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching it
Have this bookmarked. Watch it often. Did national service mostly Hong Kong R.E.M.E. Whitfield Barracks 1955 to 1956 Kowloon.
Nice to know James, I'll bet you were a regular at The Chantecler across the road from Whitfield, for one of their gorgeous ham rolls, especially late at night before the 1.00am curfew.
My God...All the boys look exactly like the lads in "Bad Lads" Army :)
The difference was ,that Bad lads could leave if they wanted to. We could not
and any serious offences were added to our 2 years .
They should of never stopped National Service the British government today is bad.
slickRick
Qwrtj
as a current national service man of the republic of Singapore i agree
They never should HAVE stopped*
@Alexander Challis Who would like to sign on from being a NS man and putting up with the shite in the UK . Thank God i got posted to Episkopi Garrison in 59 . big difference being overseas than stationed in the UK.
@Alexander Challis I know of a Welsh man who signed up in 1957, stayed on after compulsory service and retired as a Company Sergeant Major in the late 1970s
Best posting had in hongkong 1972-74 with 1/Kings regiment at stanley fort hongkong ĺsland
My grandfather was at Port Said in the Suez with the Royal Artillery using howitzers. He was in due to National Service and said he new some people who went off the Hong Kong
Irritated my wife when I mentioned my NS in HongKong was the best time of my life - it was! Ended as Adjutant of District Workshop REME 1955. Brilliant time but working flat-out all the time - 150 ORs and 150 Chinese civilians in workshop adjacent HMS Tamar (Naval dockyard). Ahh! Those were the days! Bill Bailey
Thanks for your comments janied1007, glad you enjoyed it.
HI BRIAN yes l joined the Battalion at the Queens Hill camp in 1956 sailing from Southampton on theASTURIOUS, the Battalion was posted to Germany around that time 1957, l had already been posted to
27 infantry Brigade I n Singapore Once again BRIAN many thanks for the keepsakes/MEMORIES. D.H.
Great memories of Hong Kong with the Queen's Own Highlanders 1980-81. Will
love with me until I drop.
Thanks for the sharing. Remarkable and memorable places in Hong Kong. Thanks a lot.
I just missed out on National Service. My dad was in the R. Sigs. {a 25 year Regular]; I saw plenty of 'virgin soldiers' in Catterick, Singapore/Malaya, Hong Kong, and (West) Germany. Oh, I notice the Asturias was on an embarkation card - it was the troopship 'we' {the family] went out to Hong Kong on in 1955. I also remember that Chinese [Westernised] song.
I was attached to the RA up at Benbecula between July 1960 & June 1962, served a period on St Kilda the furthest home station west. Worst thing that happened to me was I only got to see two of Spurs home matches the season they won the double. I have never forgiven the State for that one.
Royal Signals 1955-57 ! Looking at these photos, the thing that strikes me immediately is that there isn't a single bloke who is overweight, let alone obese as so many are now.
My grandpa was in Singapore in the RAMC in 56-58
Glad you enjoyed it Bob.
i was in maripoor and aden at the same time. i enjoyed national service in the RAF.
Hi Brian,
Thank you very much for sharing this.
My father was in the Gunners for, I believe, 11 years.
Like you, he did training at Oswestry amongst other places. He served in Korea, but after hostiles had ended. He was then in Hong Kong until he left the Army as a Captain in about 1957 or 1958 I think.
His name was Ian Brooke Vergin (known as Vergin). He would have been serving in HK around the time you were. I know it is a very long shot, but I don't suppose you knew of him did you?
Thanks once again.
James
they all look happy carnt have done them any harm .
My Dad did his time in Hong Kong
Hi Franki,
Thank you for your kind comments.
As you say, Hong Kong was a wonderful place in the 1950's, and I'm sure it is just as exiting these days.
I really enjoyed my army service while I was there, as you probably did in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment.
My best wishes to you,
Brian Clift.
Oh happy days. I did my national service in Gun Club Hill barracks from Nov 1953 to April 1955. This certainly brings back some happy memories
Happy that you enjoyed it Brian, I don't suppose it could have changed much in that 12 months. Which unit were you with?
@@brianac37 I was with 25th. Field regiment RA. When I left the regiment moved to Malaya. What I would give to go swimming loft repulse bay
Great photos I never served in HK place is all concrete and steel now. I certainly remember my basic training at Park Hall Camp Oswestry the place is all farm land now happy memories Bernie Swaine RA 1967-1993
Not all farm land. Show ground / Huge BT complex / Industrial Buildings / Rugby Club / Football and entertainment centre / Gypsy camp / Housing.
Brian, I just watched this after seeing the Facebook link. It is a nice nostalgic piece. Loved your choice of music. And how great that you had all of those photos to record your time there. Thanks, I enjoyed it.
Thank you for your message.
my Dad did national service at same time as you Brian, trained at same place but he was stationed in Germany
Hi Rick, nice to hear from you. At the end of training at Rhyl we were split up and sent all over the world. I did not want a posting close to home as it would have meant thinking about getting leave and trying to get home all the time. My first choice was Hong Kong so I was lucky to get it. Hope your dad enjoyed his service as much as I did.
Brings back Memories, I served in Singapore, Malaya, Aden, and a few other places as a Regular with the Royal Marines. Troopship Nevasa took me to Aden, but we also had Dunera, and Oxfordshire as Troopers. This was a world that has now changed forever, but at least we did see it as it was.
Greetings.My late father served in Egypt with the Royal corps of signals at this time,in Cairo,Tel el kebir,and Ismailia,trained at Catterick garrison in North Yorkshire,and sailed on the Empress of Australia out there.I believe the 2nd army group Royal Artillery (2 agra) was there at that time also.They were there doing their bit when king Farouk was overthrown/deposed,never knew which really.mostly under canvas in the desert.my father wore his signals blazer with immense pride.
Excellent Video I've never been in forces or to HK but with many who had been posted HK and they retained fondness for it for many years and would be very glad at long last UK has honoured it promise and let those wit overseas passport come to Britain if they wish !!
a nice slide with all the relevant reference. thanks for sharing
I was in Oswestry 1955 to 1957 and then served in Malta and England. Never did me any harm!
Looking at the video I can't believe we looked that young.
my pop was in cattrick 52-55 god bless him
A bit before, I was in 11 infantry workshops Sek Kong new territories 1952 REME,. A three year regular.£2-00 instead of conscripts £1-00
My neighbour was in this and he told everybody he said this time in the army he did 2 years because he had to full stop but he still tells everybody he was in the army
Two thirds of the soldiers that fought in the Korean War were National service,and almost 400 were killed in action.
Hello Brian, my grandad was in Hong Kong in the 50’s. From the photos that I’ve seen, it looks like he was at the same place as you. Great photos!
His name is Angus McLeod
Thank you Mark, I'm sure your grandad enjoyed himself, just as I did.
Brian Clift he wore his beret every day after his national service. He was even burried with one. He joined a gun club when he returned home too, and went every week. I went with him a couple of times. He was married in ‘53 and left for Hong Kong a few weeks later. The barracks in your video look exactly the same as my grandads photos
Great photos my dad was in Hong Kong in the 50s. Thomas Findlay
Older guys that I worked with said it was the best time of their lives. My cousin, however, hated it. My ex-wife's uncle was at Kai tak. One of my favourite books was 'Virgin Soldiers'.
Hi Fred, it was the same in my regiment, some hated it but I loved it. It was my first choice for a posting and I was so pleased that I got it. My camp was near to Kai Tak and we went that way quite often, several times each week, that was before they built the new runway.
HI BRIAN.GREAT VID MY NAITIONAL SERVICE WAS SIMILAR TO YOURS,ONLY,I WENT INTO THE ROYAL SIGNALS 18TH OCTOBER 1955. NO 23186498 [NOT TO FAR APART FROM YOURS] DONE MY BASIC TRAINING AT CATTERICK AND RIPON .SAILED FROM SOUTHHAMTON TO SINGAPORE APRIL 1956 ON THE EMPIRE ORWELL.SERVED THERE AND IN MALAYA.ALL YOUR PHOTOS ARE SO LIKE MINE ;COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THE SAME PLACES AND WITH THE SAME BUNCH OF BLOKES ,THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.JUST THE SAME AS OURS,THERE WAS ALSO A BOTANICAL GARDENS IN SINGAPORE [WITH BAD TEMPERED MONKEYS] WE ALSO WERE INVOLVED IN THE 1956 STUDENTS RIOTS IN SINGAPORE I ALSO SAILED BACK ON THE EMPIRE FOWEY AUGUST 1957 .IT MUST HAVE PICKED YOU UP FIRST .GREAT TRIP BACK ,DO YOU REMEMBER WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST SHIPS TO GO THROUGH THE REOPENED ZUES CANAL .I PLAYED ON THE BROOM HANDLE AND TEA CHEST,WITH ONE OF THE MANY SKIFFLE GROUPS ON BOARED.WHO KNOWS WE MAY HAVE EVEN MET.ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR POSTING THE PICS. HAPPY MEMORIES KEN
Hi Ken, nice to hear from you. I remember that trip back on the Empire Fowey. They confiscated all our cameras when we came through the Suez, to prevent us from photographing all the damage, I suppose. Good luck to you, Brian Clift.
was on leave in Singapore during riots got held in the britania club till wagons took back to royal naval club where we are stopping.
I was in the RA from 1968/71. I trained in Woolwich and then a posting to North Wales followed by Germany
Great stuff found this when googled Gunclub barracks ,thirty two days on a ship bit differant than 24 hours on a VC 10 in 71,looked it up as we used the range at Gunclub when I was there with the RAF regiment,good to see High Island as well also spent a week on there.
Great vid Brian mate.
Thanks Stephen.
Thank you for your comments.
Regarding the riots, it was a sad time for Hong Kong and all of us who were caught up in it.
But, I enjoyed every minute of my time in Kowloon, Fan Ling and Lowu.
Did you find my other slide show named Hong Kong 1956 and 1957?
HI BRIAN Bought back, Happy Memories for me served with first Battalion The North Staffords in the NEW TERRORTIES. NATIONAL SERVICE D.H.
Hi Dennis, nice to hear from you, glad you enjoyed the old photographs. Were you at Queens Hill Camp in Fanling? I only ask because we went up there to guard the empty camp in 1957, and I think one of the Staffordshire Regiments were the last ones to be stationed there prior to its temporary closure. Brian Clift.
20 years in the cake .. most in germany ..loved every min ...
My two brothers did national service 1950-54, 1st & 2nd KRRC.
They always referred to their time as 'being in the cate', not cake.
They never stopped harking back to it. I missed it by a year.
From the 'soft South'. So beaten up by lads from Liverpool and Glasgow. Good times , bad times. Great , sorted me out. C. RAMC.
Hello that is my grandad is in the second row 3 from the left haha wow can’t believe I have found this picture
Bring it back in uk
You are a moron.
@@mgtowchampion7961 bring national service back
@@memegod4433 why ? The idea is horseshit.
Unlike yourself I am against national service (aka kissing the queens arse)
Brian - I went out on the Asturias in 1955 and came back on the Nevasa in 1958 - I remember the 27th HAA and it's 3.7s. My dad being a regular senior NCO [R. Sigs], we were spared the 'delights' of the Asturias 'virgin soldier' accommodation. Do you remember the visit by HMS Bulwark {the old aircraft carrier], and the 6in. gunned cruisers HMS Newcastle and HMS Newfoundland? I went on board the Newcastle when it was moored alongside HMS Tamar, the shore station. I also remember the matelots and 'virgin soldiers' enjoying the delights of Wanchai, and the China Fleet Club that was down by the harbour side at that time.
I want my mummy , where's my phone , where's the games etc this would be the youth of today none have any grit !
Hello Thanks for that, cant have been my dad, his name is Harold Skidmore and not sure how many national servicement went out to Hongkong during the period. Will still show him your clip though, because im sure he will enjoy it.
Thanks for your comments Eric, glad you enjoyed the video.
Brian Clift.
hi Brian Clift you have your unifrom when you serve in National Service i want to reeanact a Brit soldier in 1950s
@@johnraptis8953 I'm afraid not, it would now be 66 years old.
Hi Jim, nice to hear from you, not many of us left.
I've had a look a the photo's you mentioned and I will send you my comments by e mail.
I've also forwarded your message to Ron Bradley who was with us in Hong Kong.
Brian Clift.
I travelled to Singapore on that troopship in January 1956.
I did my national service at tomphaniu. Woolich. Osnabrook in 1954.Any body remember me?
NIce to read your comments.
I have not been back to Hong Kong, but I often wish I had gone back before so many changes had taken place.
Probably would not be able to recognise Kowloon, and the small villages we visited on border patrol, have probably vanished.
Bring it Back !
There would be far too many going AWOL, we had suicides during the first 16 weeks of basic training in the early 1950s.
Also the small army of today,would not be able to cope with huge numbers of recruits.
Thank you for your service sir
Thank you, I am very proud to have served in Hong Kong.
Great photos.. I was born in Hong Kong in 1957, and my dad Derek Waters was stationed there from 56 to 58 in the Royal Artillery, and maried my mum who was a local. I am trying to find outfit more as he never spoke about his army days, as he was regular soldier and after HK we went to Germany them Malay, and returned to the UK in 63'..!! Do you want other RA regiment was serving at the same time as you in Hong Kong.. Love those old photos.
NIce to hear from you Rick. I was with 15 Medium Regiment Royal Artillery, based at Gun Club Hill Barracks, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, HK. There were many different RA regiments stationed in the Colony at that time and they were based at lots of different locations all over Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. If you knew the name of your dads regiment, you could possibly find the location where he was stationed. I keep up to date with the old Hong Kong on this Facebook site, ... facebook.com/groups/HK60s/
Mmany thanks for the FB link.. When he left the army in 65' he was in the 26th RA and I believe in this regiment in Malay after w moved from Hong Kong.. Anyway, many thnaks..
Hi Brian - I spent some time in MQs not far from Gun Club, at Stanley Fort; 27th HAA were there with 3.7s at the time most of us young lads fancied the half-Colonel's daughter! My dad commuted to Victoria Barracks until an MQ was available there in Paget Block {close to the China Fleet Club, HMS Tamar, and Wanchai.
my dad was stationed in woolwich ,lived in Woolwich and ran away !
Thank you for your comments, I am happy that you enjoyed it.
Best REgards,
Brian Clift.
I missed this
I served Queens Royal West surrey Regiment I 1952 to 1954.Great Regiment.Went as a boy came out as a man.served my time in Germany
Brought back memory's their in 69 With 25 Regt Ra 93 Bty had some times 19 Years old we had some times Tiger tops and and a visit to mama San
IWAS WITH The 1st Battalion The North Stafforshire Regt Sailed on the Asturias Great to see Happy Memories
Brianac, Thanks for you comments.
@thecubanism Nice to know that you are soldiering on, I agree with your sentiments.
Best Wishes,
Brianac.
Oh my! We went to HK on the SS Asturius and came back on the Empire Fowey seen in the film. Father Royal Artilliary SM
Barbara Pearce Hi Barbara nice to hear from you.
My eldest brother Ian Pitkeathly came back tothe UK in1955 from Hong Kong .
Ha Ha ! I remember the RA at Woolwich -- I was across the road in No. 12 Co RAMC Royal Herbert Hospital -- nearly got sent on the Suez Invasion I did a video about MY Life in British Army on my Channel -- there will be 3 parts --
Thanks for this. I've often looked for something similar for my dad, Bob Howard, who did the exact same national service with the Royal Artillery. He trained at Oswestry and then was in Hong Kong at a similar time. I would ask him what years but I'm hoping to capture and burn this to DVD for him as a surprise.
Hi DJH72 thanks for your comments. I hope you manage to get it captured for your dad.
Intetesting. All countries should have national svc
I have just returned from holiday in Crete a lovely friendly island where greet young and old and laws are obeyed Police respected the are respected
Guess they have conscription for two years in Greece it serves them and means young people get exposed to real people and end up better adults..
Perhaps we should try it again...
@soniabullock73I'm happy you enjoyed it Sonia.
Best Wishes,
Brianac.
Can you imagine today's snowflakes having to go through this, half of them are still wetting the bed.
Don't knock the youth of today too hard. Due to modern pressures many feel they have lost all idea of boundaries or parameters. I used to train N.Service recruits. In those days it was a mix of Teddy Boys and trainee lawyers. When they arrived at the gate in their civies we used to wonder what we were taking on. Many of them I joined later with the Battalion. The best lads ever. I still miss them all these years later.