National Service demob proceedures

Hi all,

Nearly 60 years since demob, some things have not been retained in my memory

Demob from BAOR for NS was every 2 weeks, you left on a Sunday, depending on your intake number

What has escaped me is I left Osnabruck 14 September posted to Longmoor into a Mov Control Reserve Group;
but actual demob day was Thursday 25 September. Then on 3 weeks demob leave

I remember was the only one in our unit from that intake, so travelled alone.
Not the first time I travelled alone, I went on a course at Brompton Barracks Chatum, in 1951; and was told to take all my kit including my 303 rifle [no trigger cover] Got off the BAOR train at Liverpool Street, then on the Underground, then a train to Chatham. In those days nobody gave you a second glance cattying a rifle; could not do that today!

Has anyone any idea why I spent 10 days in Longmoor; and did not leave BAOR a week later
I cant remember what we were doing

Most RE's were demobbed from Barton Stacy [from memory]

Any other "Movers" in this group?

Happy Christmas
Regards
Tony Burgess

Things had changed considerably by 1959 when I was demobbed from BAOR. All kit and equipment was handed 2 or 3 days before leaving, apart the bits of uniform I needed to wear on the journey home. On arrival at Liverpool Street Station I went straight home took off the uniform and I was then considered demobbed. I had a special railway docket to attach to my kitbag (in which I put the bits of my uniform I still had) which I then took to my local goods depot, got a receipt, and that was that. In theory, the cost of anything not handed back in would be deducted from my final pay, that arrived in the post a week of so later, but it would have been impossible for them to spot any discrepancy in such a short time. It would have taken ages for the railways to deliver the kitbag (if it had not been nicked enroute) and I doubt if anybody at the stores it was sent to would be bothered to check.

When I pensioned off in 82, they actualy asked for my 32 web belt, which was worn with the battle dress untill 69. Needless to say they didn't get it. What surprises me, is how much it has shrunk over the years. Last worn in Feb. 69.

Hi again,

In 1952, I had done 2 years NS then posted to Army Emergancy Reserve for 3 and 1/2 years, which included 3 fortnight camps

So retained all my equipment, but cant remember about my tin hat
I left behind in Osnabruck my rifle and my favourite sleeveless leather jacket; they were great; and would love to have one again. Looked on line you can still buy them, but they dont look good now, very WWI design. Still cant see a modern sleeveless leather jacket for sale

Yes those belts often shrank after a big night out with a lot to eat as well as drink; but officially too much blanco would shrink them.

Happy days, and all the best for 2011, where have the years gone

Cheers
Tony

The NS blokes I knew all had their "Chuff Charts" and would run around telling everybody how many days to do they had left.

I recall the high point for them was when they got their TA posting. I allways thought they got home and had their final documentation when they reported there. How did that work ?

Tony, the leather jacket you mentioned was an excellent piece of kit. We called it a leather jerkin and wore it all the time when working in camp. Stick your hands in the armholes and the cold never seemed to bother you. Looking at WW2 pictures ,the squaddies then were wearing them too, often with their webbing over the top. The ones I've seen advertised come at ridiculous prices, I wish I'd snapped one up in the 60s when they were going for peanuts.

Hi Brum and all,

I seem to have got my AER [Reserve] posting before I left BAOR; as I went direct to Longmoor whereas most RE's went to Barton Stacy. New unit stamp applied when I got to Longmoor

Yes leather jerkin, I was not sure if the word started with a J or a G !!!; yes hands in armholes until you saw a WO approaching. Really warm on night exercises
Bit cumbersome with webbing over the top, but easier to move than wearing a greatcoat which must have slowed you up when under fire?

Cheers
Tony

brum wrote:

The NS blokes I knew all had their "Chuff Charts" and would run around telling everybody how many days to do they had left.

I recall the high point for them was when they got their TA posting. I allways thought they got home and had their final documentation when they reported there. How did that work ?

Tony, the leather jacket you mentioned was an excellent piece of kit. We called it a leather jerkin and wore it all the time when working in camp. Stick your hands in the armholes and the cold never seemed to bother you. Looking at WW2 pictures ,the squaddies then were wearing them too, often with their webbing over the top. The ones I've seen advertised come at ridiculous prices, I wish I'd snapped one up in the 60s when they were going for peanuts.

If one were allocated to the AER, most documentation came through before demob from the unit. A couple of weeks after arrivng home a booklet was received in which instructions of what to do in the event of recall in an emergency. It included a blank rail warrant, a blank pay docket which had to be taken to the post office to be actioned, and a form for claiming marriage allowance. Also, there was a prepaid registered card that had to be sent off to army records in the event of change of address. Most people I know ignored that and some even 'claimed' they never received the booklet. anyway!

I managed to keep both my leather jerkin and driving gauntlets (almost new). The jerkin is still hanging up in the garage but in a very sorry state after 50 years. The gauntlets are stiil in good condition as they have had very little use and the WD stamp is still clearly visible .

I don't know if Rank had any bearing on leaving routines but I just handed in all my kit in Hong Kong and then went home on 6 months gardening leave. I know Junior ranks on posting had to walk around all sorts of departments with a clearance chit, I didn't.

In 1964 I received 28 days detention I also lost 28 days pay by Royal Warrant which probably worked out at around £60. I was demobbed in 1986 but I had to do my "Nick Time" - 28 days for which I was paid, this worked out at around £1000 - I wish now that I got 56 days!! I handed all my kit in before I left Germany (less my Boot brushes, which I still have) and moved to Scotland but I had to go to Woolwich to get demobbed, if everyone went to their Depots to be demobbed it must have cost a fortune, I suppose it kept Civil Servants employed.

Called up for NS Dec 4th Dec 1958 intake 23/58 to Oswestry,park hall camp,then two weeks later up to Rhyl for driver training,then down to Woolwich for two weeks,then last week of march out to 47GW Regt RA ,in Napier Barracks Dortmund. By about Sept 1960 they began Air trooping NS men home on demob.
I was dekitted of all my army kit on the 28 Nov and had my civilian clothes to wear for journey home on the 30 NOV 1960.Left camp 11 am ,train from Dortmund to Dusseldorf airport left there at 1555pm to Manston Kent,was back home to SUFFOLK where i live by 1030 enjoying a good cup of tea made with fresh milk which you never got in Germany. SO THAT WAS MY DEMOB PROCEEDURE.
REGARDS MICK.

suffolk lad wrote:

Called up for NS Dec 4th Dec 1958 intake 23/58 to Oswestry,park hall camp,then two weeks later up to Rhyl for driver training,then down to Woolwich for two weeks,then last week of march out to 47GW Regt RA ,in Napier Barracks Dortmund. By about Sept 1960 they began Air trooping NS men home on demob.
I was dekitted of all my army kit on the 28 Nov and had my civilian clothes to wear for journey home on  the 30 NOV 1960.Left camp 11 am ,train from Dortmund to Dusseldorf airport left there at 1555pm to Manston Kent,was back home to SUFFOLK where i live by 1030 enjoying a good cup of tea made with fresh milk which you never got in Germany. SO THAT WAS MY DEMOB PROCEEDURE.
                                                                             REGARDS MICK.

That's a coincidence Mick, I was at Kinmel the same time as you.

While you were in 31 Regt I was next door in 38, (Signals training).

arrived oswestry 27th oct55,55/20squad,kitted out,then on to 38th at rhyl.as an regt sigs,played f/ball for regt and could have stayed there.working in the cookhouse till a post came up in the sports stores,NO THANKS,got posted with the rest of my pals to the 12th l.a.a regt had the best time of my life,then on demob to Woolwichthe only thing that they let me keep was 2pairs of john ls,forby oswestry and Woolwich,it was a great time happy days

i was a regular we had a bigger laugh on demob, we were offered a civvie kit out, or 4 quid , every bugger took the money , the suits were brown pinstripes , old fashioned raincoat , or overcoat , trilby . shirt, tie pair of brogues , all well dosed wiv mothballs , and all circa 1920 -30s. wiv my 4 quid i purchased a decent suit at the 50 bob tailors for 50 bob i allready had the rest of my gear from civvie street so had a good few bevvies with the 30 bob that was left , ginger

Shelldrake wrote:

..........   I handed all my kit in before I left Germany (less my Boot brushes, which I still have) and moved to Scotland but I  had to go to Woolwich to get demobbed, if everyone went to their Depots to be demobbed it must have cost a fortune, I suppose it kept Civil Servants employed.  

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Different times, different procedure.......  When we were in Krautland, every two weeks a happy demob group was sent to Woolwich.  Came my turn, 16 LAA RA had been posted back to UK two weeks before my release date, so I was demobbed from Carter Bks., Bulford.  A pity, in a way, for I was looking forward to meeting up with old mates from training  days and especially with one who borrowed ten bob from me before I was separated from the group 20 months before.  If you read this Gnr. Luker ( aka "Filthy ") drop me a PM !

Rail travel north was in BD.  Apart from clothing, webbing etc & greatcoat stayed in Bulford, everything remaining was stuffed in the kitbag..  And yes, Shelldrake, I still have my brushes, too.  Two for boots, one for clothing and, as required before '56  pattern webbing, a blanco brush and somewhere a button stick !  (No staybrites either !).  The kit bag was toted along to the local TA unit with whom I had to make contact . There was  no commitment to attend drills or annual camp, just be on the books for call out in an emergency.

At the interview I scorned the adjutant's plea to join them but 18 months later, now with a wife and  mortgage,  I signed up expecting that my sharply tailored BD and shrunken beret would be dragged out of stores.  No such luck!  It was back to basic kit prep again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91V-ajGz5sE

just a bit of light-heartedness for you guys who got de-mobed 

Returned to Borden Depot late August 1954 from Duisburg via the Hook - most of the guys
I'd done my trade training with in Aldershot 2 years previously seemed to be on the train on the way back from Bad Oyenhausen - pen pushers all!!
Spent about a week in the depot bullshitting and then went home with all our kit . All div etc flashes had to be removed before we left BAOR. Some were transferred to the TA reserve and others to the Army Emergency Reserve - I think it depended on the proximity of your home to a TA drill hall. I was called for two weeks AER camp in Crowborough, Sussex, the following February. Two years to the day after being demobbed, I was recalled for Suez on 4 sept 1956 and got back late February 57
Arrived at the depot late one night, collected some pay the following morning and left by midday still with all my kit. Gave my BDs and greatcoat to the milkman, kept my bush hats, shirts and socks for fellwalking and chucked the rest in the bin.

john boy wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91V-ajGz5sE

just a bit of light-heartedness for you guys who got de-mobed 

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Light hearted ? Brings a tear to the eye ! Spent two years marking off the days, then initial delight on release was tempered down somewhat when the banter of a male society was missing............ Don't know how you regs went on when, for some, Army was a way of life, not just a brief interlude, one not of our choosing.

We lost touch with each other, but later on, years after, I picked up the threads and found twenty or so of BHQ Troop. Half a dozen are still in touch, some have turned in BD for harps & wings, the six left have met up occasionally, Christmas cards keep us on net.... To date, ' Filthy' Luker and my ten bob is still unaccounted for.

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Don't know how you regs went on when, for some, Army was a way of life, not just a brief interlude, one not of our choosing.




Took a little while Cartav, fortunately after a year on the Dole, (£50 per week), I managed to get a Barracky Bill job in Deepcut so I was (Almost) back in the fold again!

Have you searched .192 for Gnr Luker?

it was just like that in the bar of brookwood station , ginger

Shelldrake wrote:

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Have you searched .192 for Gnr Luker?

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Er....... No ! Filthy was really a casual acquaintance, one from tech trg early days and with me in Woolwich for about two weeks when we were with Draft Pool, waiting for a posting. I got one, he was still waiting. The memory gives me chance for a moan, something I'm told I do well ......

I did pick up the lads from 16 LAA by remembering where they came from & checking out the phone books. Can imagine I'd get short change from all the Lukers listed if I phoned any and said " Are you the Filthy Luker to whom I pointed the two fingers of scorn as I marched out of Woolwich in July 1954 and you stood at the gate, grinning & waving my ten bob note ?"

Worth a try, you never know.................   

Cliffo wrote:

Returned to Borden Depot late August 1954 from Duisburg  via the Hook  - most of the guys
I'd done my trade training with in Aldershot 2 years previously seemed to be on the train on the way back from Bad Oyenhausen -  pen pushers all!!
Spent about a week in the depot bullshitting and then  went home with all our kit . All div etc flashes had to be removed before we left BAOR. Some were transferred to the TA reserve and others to the Army Emergency Reserve - I think it depended on the proximity of your home to a TA drill hall. I was called for two weeks AER camp in Crowborough, Sussex, the following February.  Two years to the day after being demobbed, I was recalled for Suez on 4 sept 1956 and got back late February 57
Arrived at the depot late one night, collected some pay the following morning and left by midday still with all my kit.  Gave my BDs and greatcoat to the milkman, kept my bush hats, shirts and socks for fellwalking and chucked the rest in the bin.

Many different experiences with demob; depending on regiment etc; those going on to reserve kept almost all kit, as I did , then kept it after that; my bd top lasted about 40 years [without flashes] gardenig

Talking of kit; do they still issue mess tins with k/f/s, and "housewife" pull through for rifle etc
What about the old Army form numbers 252, G1098, paybook etc etc; maybe some clever bugger has changed all that just to confuse old soldier

Nearly Christmas, in the army if you could not get home is was a boring time
Cheers Tony

burgess720 wrote:

Nearly Christmas, in the army if you could not get home is was a boring time
Cheers  Tony

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Could be !   Usual traditions though,  Early morning "Gunfire" distributed by SNCOs & Offs,  Christmas meal served by Offs.and normal routine went on.  I'd landed Boxing Day guard duty, my mate , Jock, had been warned he was down for New Year's Eve. Language was dire, even for a Scot.  No sweat to me, we swapped . Upshot was that when the Regt armourer, a lonely soul by all accounts, topped himself during the Christmas break, Jock was on hand to cut him down . More strange Scots oaths came out, but he had Hogmanay to look forward to..

And young Joe was a Glaswegian. He knew all the tricks  those of the Jewish faith could work to make things more  comfortable........  special meals if what was on offer didn't appeal,  off-camp residential courses at a Jewish centre etc. In general. the lads didn't mind, just envied his good fortune.  Having been confused by Joe's pleas to be excused  an arduous duty because of some religious reason, I could get even at Christmas & Easter by picking him for duty when the rest had a break to celebrate a Christian festival and we swore New Year's Eve was one, too.

We had a Jewish bloke in our battery in Paderborn.

We were parading for work one Saturday morning, amid much disgruntled mumbling, under our A I Sigs when Jewish chappie pipes up and says "'ere sarge, I shouldn't be on this parade, I ain't spose'd to work on the Sabbaf !"
To which George Thompson replies "Right, ye can parade in the morning and work on yer 'kin own !"
The matter never arose again.

(Yes, Shelldrake, you knew him !).

tony you forgot the 1157, ginger