9. JEFF - ARMY (Military Photo's)

Unfortunately not a lot of photographs of me to reflect my 23 years in the army. I tended to be photographing other people!
I joined the Royal Engineers as a boy soldier aged 16 arriving at my first unit on 10 January 1961, retiring in 1984.

Group 61A - January 1961 - Jeff is front row 3rd from left

Group 61B - I transferred to this group at the end of 1961 - front row 3rd from right.

Next 3 photographs - on my first exercise and camping in 1961 (I think).

On watermanship training at Hawley Lake near Aldershot in 1963. I am in there somewhere, getting very wet.

Gibraltar - my first posting abroad where I spent three happy years.
Initially we lived in Buena Vista Barracks but later moved to Governor's Cottage Camp (shown below).

Jeff as the organist in Kings Chapel, Gibraltar
(no organists gown so wearing choir robes)

Jeff typing in the office of 1st Fortress Sqn RE, Gibraltar.
Our super, lovely typist (Carmen) was on holiday so I stood in for her.

Jeff standing in for the Chief Clerk (probably on leave) - note the shorts & hairy knees! I had got my first stripe by now.

On duty in the office (must have been an important occasion because I am wearing full No 2 Dress).

Standing outside the main entrance to 1st Fortress Sqn RE when it moved to Governor's Cottage Camp, Gibraltar
(from the old Buena Vista Barracks)

Jeff talking to the WRVS lady in Gibraltar (this was part of a PR exercise)
Note the starched pressed uniform (the shorts creased up immediately one sat down) and the old fashioned 'puttees'.

Taking part in a PR photograph with the WRVS Lady in Gibraltar including Navy, Army & RAF.
Note my highly starched and pressed uniform and the big Dress Hat (2nd left).

Taking part in the annual sports day in Gibraltar. Jeff wearing white shorts.
Some blighter put a canon ball in his bucket so he nearly left his arm behind!!

Our Sqn cook sgt, SQMS (Sid Pym?), Chief Clerk (Sgt Gordon Collins), SSM's Clerk, Typist (Miss Carmen Scaniglia of Gibraltar) (sorry, cannot recall all the names)

Sapper Geordie ?, L Cpl Dougie Gall, Sapper Willie Squires
we all shared a room (with others) and my alarm clock that they hated!!! Life was simple - all we had each was a suitcase, bed, metal locker, bedside locker and all was contained within that.

L Cpl Dougie Gall a room-mate who introduced me to the delights of Spain

Spr ?, Spr Battersley (two good decent blokes) and myself in HQ 25 Engr Regt as clerks.

Jeff in the office wagon taking part in Ex Quick Train with HQ 35 Engineer Regiment, Hameln Germany. Now a Cpl.

Jeff when Chief Clerk 12 Engineer Brigade at Barton Stacey, Hampshire. Now a S Sgt. Back row 3rd from left.
The unit disbanded and became the Military Works Force.

Jeff remained as Chief Clerk of that unit until posted to HQ Scotland in Edinburgh.

When HQ 12 Engineer Brigade disbanded to be replaced by the Military Works Force the staff held a brief ceremony, lowering the Brigade Flag. Jeff is second from the left in the back row.

Lynne and Jeff attending a Mess Ball in Edinburgh (1983)