| SUMMER 1965. |
| RECRUIT COMPANY NOTES. |
| Intake 26 arrived in September '64 and at a strength of 177, were the biggest intake ever to the Regiment. We formed five strong platoons and because of this there was a particularly keen and competitive spirit about the many competitions held for the Champion Platoon Trophy. Platoon Notes which follow pick out some of the high-lights of a memorable term. |
| Intake 27 arrived on a typical Tonfanau January day in far smaller numbers than Intake 26. 4 and 5 Platoons were regretfully disbanded and the remaining platoons were only two-thirds the strength of the term before. Though small in numbers, they still made their mark and the term was not without enthusiastic competition and amusing incident. |
| Intake 28 is still with us, so perhaps the less said the better! However it is noteworthy that at the time of writing, half-term, we have not lost a single recruit for any reason whatsoever. It is usual to expect 10% any arrivals of any intake to waste out during the Junior Term for a variety of reasons. |
| This term is the first when we have had a supplemental intake at half-term. Called Intake 28A they form a new No. 4 Platoon and they are widely regarded as supermen since they are setting out to achieve in six weeks what everyone else does in twelve. This confidence is not shared by quite all members of the permanent staff, but it is hoped they will turn out every bit as super as the normal intake by the end of term! |
| One notable change in the Company's sporting life this year has been to allow Recruits and Permanent Staff to represent the Regiment or other bigger organisations in sports which range from Rugger, gymnastics, ju-jitsu, boxing and similar rugged pursuits to highland dancing. On the day of writing it has been confirmed that eight of of our number are to be included in the Regimental Athletics Team which is nearly as good a record as when half the boxing team were drawn from R. Company in the Christmas Term. |
| There have been many changes in Permanent Staff this year. Platoon notes cover those who have come and gone in Platoons. Company Headquarters are the poorer by the loss to us of our erstwhile 2 I/C, Captain Bill Stitt whose never failing sense of humour bouyed us all up. When Sergeant Major Hollingworth left, it really felt like the end of R Company, so much had he become a part of the spirit of the place. We did however survive, and we now find ourselves as well-disciplined as ever under the jealous eye of Sergeant Major Mandel. Captain Stitt's successor never arrived, duty called him elsewhere, and it must be admitted that we have managed quite well without him during the Easter term thanks to Lieutenant Smith and this term thanks to Lieutenant Stormer. |
| Next term we have been told to expect an intake of 240, so it should be a big company again and since Recruit Company close's down for good at the end of next term, it will go down with all guns firing and we hope in a blaze of glory! |
| D.G.B. |
| 1 PLATOON |
| The last year has seen a complete turnover in the permanent staff of 1 Platoon, Staff Sergeant Pearson joining the platoon at the beginning of the winter term and Lieutenant Smith and Sergeant Ballard at the beginning of the summer term. |
| The winter was packed with activity, there being five platoons in the company to cope with the largest intake ever. Wilkin excelled throughout the term ad was awarded the Best Recruit Trophy, and Fowler won the Map-reading Prize. Congratulations to B. Derwent and Beaver who both won regimental boxing colours. The term was excellently rounded off with a Company party in the Social Centre, ac which the platoon laid on a very amusing sketch staring Tyson, Derwent, Beaver, Lewis, Wilkin and Bishop. It is rumoured that they have since turned down repeated attractive offers from Jack Parnell. |
| The spring term did not bring outstanding success in the platoon competitions. We did however acquit ourselves nobly in some fields winning the hockey and running up in the basketball. Davies was company best shot and Sandford won the English prize. Well done! |
| The summer term has so far resulted in a great victory in the athletics for the platoon. We hope to go on to equally great achievements in all other fields. Congratulations to C. Derwent, brother of the above, who boxed at the Royal Albert Hall in the A.B.A. junior semi-finals and was narrowly beaten. A fine achievement to get so far. |
| In all it has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding year! |
| 2 PLATOON |
| The young recruit is silly - 'e thinks o' suicide; |
| 'E's lost 'is gutter-devil; 'e 'asn't got 'is pride: |
| But day by day they kicks 'im, which 'elps 'im on a bit, |
| Till 'e finds 'isself one morning with a full an' proper kit. |
| RUDYARD KIPLING |
| The past year has seen the usual rapid change over in permanent Staff; but in spite of this, 2 Platoon has always been well to the fore in all activities. The winter term was in some ways a frustrating one as we managed to come second in most of the competitions, without ever achieving a first. However this showed a consistently high standard in all subjects. The most notable individual efforts of the term were those of J/Gnr Kettle, who was considered the best recruit in the Platoon, and J/Gnr Johnson and J/Pte Lawrence, who came second equal in the Company Individual Weapon Training Competition. |
| The Easter term was a very successful one, when as a result of hard work and good Platoon spirit we managed to win the Inter Platoon Competition. Although it is slightly unfair to mention individuals when nearly everyone tried hard, a few deserve particular mention. J/Gnr Bailey won the Company Weapon Training prize while J/Gnr Luff led the Platoon Football team to an easy victory in the Company competition, and J/Pte Moger came second in the Eastern Counties Junior Gymnastics Championships. |
| The summer term has been so far, a good one, but as yet it is not possibly to say what the final results will be. In the only competition we have had to date, the best individual effort has been that of J/Pte Dolan in winning the 440 in a good time. |
| During the course of the year we have said good-bye to Sergeant Gracie, Sergeant Dessey and Sergeant Smith, all of whom have gone to Germany. Thanks are due to them for their hard work and the good results they have achieved. We wish them, and all others who have passed through the Platoon, the best of good fortune in the future. |
| 3 PLATOON |
| Intake 26 was the largest intake ever in Recruit Company and there was plenty of natural ability in the boys of 3 platoon. We ended the term as Champion Platoon having won the trophy twice in the past three terms. We won the Inter Platoon Sports Competition; our Rugby Team under the leadership of J/Pte Thomas being unbeaten. J/Gnr Nicholls was 13th in the Regimental Cross Country event and J/Gnr Pollard and Nash boxed for the Regiment, Pollard being awarded his colours. J/Pte Bradley caused some amusement when he announced that he had spent all night "smoothing his trousers". |
| Intake 27 did did very well thoughout the Spring term and were rewarded by winning the Drill Shield and being runner up in the Inter Platoon Competition. We won the Inter Platoon Sports Competition, in particular the Rugby, Basketball and Hockey teams finished first in their leagues. J/Pte Hughes was awarded the Best Recruit Trophy and J/Pte Kelly won the mathematics and Map Reading Prizes. Lt Thomson left us half way through the term for BAOR and we were joined by Lt Fleming. |
| Intake 28 seem to be setting down well Army life. There was plenty of talent in the 3 Platoon athletics team in particular J/Ptes Leach, Thomas and Wass winning 4 out of 5 field events. |
| 4 AND 5 PLATOONS |
| In the Winter term a fifth platoon was formed for one intake only to help deal with the high numbers, and when Intake 26 passed on to Training Companies, 4 platoon was also disbanded as Intake 27 was small numerically. |
| Four platoon finished its time in the company with a tremendous bang, by achieving resounding success in the inter platoon competition, winning the drill shield and running up in the champion platoon competition. Booth won the weapon training prize, coming top in shooting and weapon training. Well done! The term was pleasantly rounded off with a platoon dinner party, and the company party, both of which were a great success. This was an excellent term all round for the platoon, and everyone departed on leave for a well deserved 3 week rest. |
| Five platoon was formed and closed down in one term. A lot of work was done in the Isolation Wing to make it habitable and pleasant to live in, with great success. All credit to those who worked so hard to achieve it. The platoon did not meet with great success in the competitions, but this is probably because they were just about to get into their stride the following term, had they been allowed a longer existence. Hayley won the maths prize - well done! |
| It was sad to see the company depleted by two such good platoons at the beginning of the Spring term. |
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