7 Signal Regient, Herford

Hi Barry,

I was in 7 Sigs 1963-66 most of the time commanded by Lt Col Clarkson. Met up with him out in Singapore when he was a Brigadier.

I was Troop SSgt of 'S' Radio Relay Troop from 1965-66 and had as my 2nd Sgt Mo Crabtree. His brother took over from Jack Gerrard as RSM. The former was a great man.

Didn't have much time for the latter. Understand he made Capt and has since passed away 1st part of my time with 7 was in the QM stores assisting RQMS Kennedy. The line SQMS SSgt Ron Knight was in the next hut, he retired as a Lt Col QM he has just sadly passed away.

What Squadron was you with ?

Jimsigs1

Quote :

SSgt Ron Knight

Another good bloke gone. RIP.

On my MPC 1 He was doing methods of instruction with us, and as usual there was a "know it all" on the course.He was his first victim.Try explaining how to knot a tie without using your hands.A rather subdued young Cpl returned to his seat,and we didn`t hear a peep out of him for the rest of the course....Oh joy

I last met Ron when he came to Changi on R&R from Gan.He was good enough to bring my MFO box with him,which had been lying there for about 2 years.

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

SSgt Ron Knight

Another good bloke gone. RIP.

On my MPC 1 He was doing methods of instruction with us, and as usual there was a "know it all" on the course.He was his first victim.Try explaining how to knot a tie without using your hands.A rather subdued young Cpl returned to his seat,and we didn`t hear a peep out of him for the rest of the course....Oh joy

I last met Ron when he came to Changi on R&R from Gan.He was good enough to bring my MFO box with him,which had been lying there for about 2 years.

I was in Tango Tp 1 Sqn from March '64 for a couple of years, Sgt Foster was our Tp Sgt and Lt Lenthal was our Tp OC with 2nd Lt Graystock. then moved to HQ as a RP for 2 years. Then worked in the Central Servicing Bay for a year with S/Sgt Slaugther, Cpl Lear and Cpl Kirkman. Then, became a Lineman Driver North Camp till Oct '70. Then posted to 30th Sigs.

Barry, greetings !

I must ask, in a world when I need reminding what I did yesterday, I must ask, how do you blokes REMEMBER all this stuff ?

Barry.Central servicing bay came under 5 Sqdn when i was there 62-65

.

Quote :

I must ask, in a world when I need reminding what I did yesterday, I must ask, how do you blokes REMEMBER all this stuff ?

The answer is in the question Brum.
Dementia affects the short term memory first,so i was told many years ago

Gordon. wrote:

Barry.Central servicing bay came under 5 Sqdn when i was there 62-65

.

The Servicing bay may have done but us guys were under HQ and lived in South Camp near South Camp Guard Room.
We didnt bother to attend morning parade coz we were always in scruffy boiler suits and a adjustable spanner sticking out of our breast pocket

Gordon. wrote:

Quote :

SSgt Ron Knight

Another good bloke gone. RIP.

On my MPC 1 He was doing methods of instruction with us, and as usual there was a "know it all" on the course.He was his first victim.Try explaining how to knot a tie without using your hands.A rather subdued young Cpl returned to his seat,and we didn`t hear a peep out of him for the rest of the course....Oh joy

I last met Ron when he came to Changi on R&R from Gan.He was good enough to bring my MFO box with him,which had been lying there for about 2 years.

I was in Tango Tp 1 Sqn from March '64 for a couple of years, Sgt Foster was our Tp Sgt and Lt Lenthal was our Tp OC with 2nd Lt Graystock. then moved to HQ as a RP for 2 years. Then worked in the Central Servicing Bay for a year with S/Sgt Slaugther, Cpl Lear and Cpl Kirkman. Then, became a Lineman Driver North Camp till Oct '70. Then posted to 30th Sigs.

Hi Barry,

Mo Foster was my next door neighbor in married quarters Birken Strasse.
I was in Sierra Troop as troop SSgt. Had Mo Crabtree as my assistant and troop officer were 2Lt Bill Backhouse (retired as a Brig) and then a Lt took over but cannot remember his name.
Got a couple of photos of some members of my troop somewhere. Will dig them out.
Had one great character in my troop. His name was Sam Parker. An orderly Officer came around my married quarter one evening saying Sam would not leave the NAAFI. He was surrounded by members of the guard and would only move if I came to the NAAFI. He offered me a pint which I drank in one then he went quietly to the guard room to be charged the next day. Up and down from Cpl to Sigmn and back to Cpl again.

Jimsigs1

Sam is still around Jim,still laughing about those days.

He came on summer camp with 5 Sqdn in 64.We had to take a R/R det with us,On the afternoon before we left and drivers were supposed to be sleeping.Sam appeared a tad the worse for wear.Promptly put under close arrest and and spent the night in an open champ.travelling back to Herford from Eckernförde.Bust to Siggy.

This is an extract from a guest book on my site.By Goldie Peters

Quote :

met up with big Sam Parker in the Herforder reunion in March this year at Stirling. i reminded him of the days when he used to pick up the juke box and throw it out the window in 7 sigs Naafi.we had a good laugh reliving old times.

This is an extract from a guest book on my site.By Goldie Peters

Quote :

met up with big Sam Parker in the Herforder reunion in March this year at Stirling. i reminded him of the days when he used to pick up the juke box and throw it out the window in 7 sigs Naafi.we had a good laugh reliving old times.

[/quote]



Yeah, the music was s****e in those days!

All that ever got played was "Happy days are here again"as another nashy got his demob papers.

Shelldrake,

Don't suppose you can put me in touch with Sam parker or at least let him know I am alive and kicking.

Jimsigs1

Can but try Jim!!

If he is still in the Herforder Association it should be quite easy..

Sam became a RSM I believe? Think his son Ian, lives in Vlotho tel 0049 573310214

Baz

Barry,

Thanks for that clue. I had a look up in the German telephone directory for a Parker living in Herford and have come up with a Malcolm Parker living in Bad Salzuflan. (with address & Tel No.
Could be Sam's son.

Jimsigs1

Hi Shelldrake. Sam Parker and I were together in Catterick for demob in 1971. He was a corpora thenl but had previously reached the rank of sergeant, but I wasn't aware that he had gone any higher. We were drinking parners at the time and spent most nights out together. Have ust phoned Jim Sloan, founder chairman of the Herforder Association and ex 7 Signal Regt. He tells me that Sam is still a member of the Association but hasn't benn seen for a while. I last saw him at a reunion at Stirling a few years agao. Jim Sloan has tried to get in touch with him but without any luck. He was last heard of living in sheltered accomodation somewhere in Scotland and is thought to have moved from there to live with his sister, but please don't take that as gospel. I will br going to the next reunion in March at Bathgate, Scotland and will make further enquiries. Sorry I can't be of more help. Kdeith.

Re Ron Samson.
Hi Bary and a Happy New Year to you. First met Ron Sampson at Catterick in 1962 when he was my drill sergeant. Might still have a photograph somewhere. What a character. Keith Hind

Keith,Where in Bathgate and when in March?...I may pay a visit.

Hope Sam Parker is currently OK and if anyone gets in touch with him eventually, please remember me to him - a great soldier but wasted through the old tipple.

Jimsigs1

jimsigs1 wrote:

Hope Sam Parker is currently OK and if anyone gets in touch with him eventually, please remember me to him - a great soldier but wasted through the old tipple.

Jimsigs1

Hi Jim!
You might like to call Andy Hutton who up to 3 years ago lived in Vlotho and if I remember, he knew where Sam Parkers son Ian Parker lives, either in Vlotho or Herford?
0049 5733 22 43

Baz

Thanks for that Barry,

Will let you know when I have been in contact with Andy.

Jimsigs1

hi Gordon, Cairns Hotel, Bathgate, Fri 2nd-Mon 5th March. Are you a member? look forward to seeing you, Keith

No not a member Keith,but i know many who are..Long time since i was in the Cairn,think it was called The Golden Circle then..it`s only 5 mins from me,might just pop in for lunch and have a look around...
Just as a matter of interest,will "Goldie" Peters be there or will he have left for Oz by then?

Just had a word with Jim Sloan, Gordon, who tells me that Goldie will be there in March. Jim also asked me to pass his number on. If you give him a ring he can arrange for you to come along and share our evening meal on the Saturday night. If not, give him a ring anyway and he will answer any questions you may have regarding the Asscoiation - 01324626173. Keith