| Members Memories |
856 Squad & Aden in 1966
written by Paul Loseby
 Would love to hear from ex-856 Squad members.
We joined in October 1966 and began training at Deal. That came as a shock but the thing that really stood out was the RSM telling me that he could tell that I wanted to become an officer as I "was all brains and no common sense". He was right. Squad Cpl at Deal was 'George' Mechen obviously from Durham. Whilst I might have disliked him at times, he was a great instructor and had time for all of us. He was a really nice bloke.
In the next bed was John Wright from Peterborough and he used to talk in his sleep and almost always about motor racing.
Another member of the Squad was Eric Watson. He finished his training at Lympstone with a broken ankle. I next saw him on tv when he was in the Falklands. He was on a stretcher with his leg blown off. Hope he's ok now.
At Deal, met and got engaged to Denise Webber who was in the WRNS. She was from Minehead and as I wanted a commission (which I never got), they moved her to HMS Raleigh. She was a lovely girl and I would love to know how she is. I went to Aden where I was with Jock Griffiths - Dave (Brick) Wall - Paul Almond - Dave Kerr - Clint DeFrietas - T.S Cooke (can't remember his first name but face emblazened in memory)-Johnny Bingham. I like to think that I was friends with all of them. I certainly appreciated their friendship and company. Clint from St. Vincent (I think) could swim lengths under water without coming up for air. Would love to hear how they all are getting on espcially ........well all of them.
Returned from Aden to Lympstone where joined X troop for a time. Frank Beck (later got 5 life sentences and is dead now) was the Sgt, Fred Harris, Knocker White and Chopper Young were the other instructors. All, including Frank, were great, expecially my mate Fred Harris who still lives in Exmouth. Later served at DPRORM (at the back of RMB Eastney) and special mates there were Nigel Hickman from the Isle of White and beautiful WRNS Frankie McCaffrey from Liverpool. Again I would love to hear from both. I have searched for Nigel but have never been able to find him. |
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