Page 65 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

63

Head of British Military Contingent Brig J E Richardson MBE and Party
Nijmegen Finish Line

Although the civilian participants are following year. Since then the numbers for souvenirs and autographs. Many
now in the majority, the military presence of British Military teams and individual teams have stickers printed to cater for

is still a traditional and welcome sight. entrants have increased, being drawn the demand, or hand out unit badges or
The International Military contingents are mainly from the Regular Army and the buttons. Autographs are compared or
now limited to some eight thousand, of Royal Air Force, their associated Volunteer swapped like train numbers and marchers
which the British send by far the largest, Reserves and the various Service afiliated are encouraged to add their country of

representing approximately 20 per cent youth organizations.
origin when signing. Very small children
of the total oficial military entry. This will also approach a team, take the hand
is signiicant in that there is a ceiling on The area around Nijmegen is full of World of a marcher and then walk along the road
oficial military team entries and the fact War Two history and the March routes with him or her for a short distance before

that the British are allowed such a large cross the famous Nijmegen (James running back and repeating the process
percentage is to some extent, a relection Gavin) Bridge and also pass a number of with the next team. Newcomers to the
of our national standing with the KNBLO.
war cemeteries. Throughout the Marches Marches can ind this a little strange and
spectators present lowers to teams or embarrassing at irst. However, it arouses

It is believed that some pre-war British individuals who impress them with their much hostility from spectators if the hand
entries may have been servicemen on performance. By doing so they are that is proffered is rejected.
leave, but the irst recorded team entry was paying a compliment to the recipient and
from Royal Air Force (Germany) in 1950. will feel insulted if the lowers are rejected So there we have it a brief insight into this
The 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and or discarded. The local children also like demanding and diverse Headquarters,

37 (HAA) Battery Royal Artillery were the to play their part in the Marches and will located in an area which offers great
irst recorded British Army team entries the
often approach teams and individuals
opportunity for adventure.

16 SIGNAL REGIMENT

WO2 (QMSI) S Blakemore RAPTC

When this goes to press I’ll be on the new chapter in my life..Civi Street, so here goes, my story:
O
n a sunny day back in Aug 1989 I passed Fortunately for me, I stuck to my guns and after

out of JLR RAC into the 16/5th The what proved to be an eventful Class one Cse with
Queen’s Royal Lancers, it was then onto
foot and mouth impacting on the Cse more than
a few months learning to drive CVR(T) and out anybody thought possible at the time, I passed into
to Germany to sunny Herford. The Regt moved the APTC in 2001.
back to Tidworth in Dec 1992 to complete all of

the re-role courses to convert to Challenger and 1st Bn Grenadier Guards was my irst post and
then to be amalgamated with the 17/21L in 1993. having been promised on probs that they were
After a swift move back to Germany (Osnabruck) it ceremonial and would not be going anywhere soon,
was then I decided that tanks weren’t for me and it all proved fruitless and I ended up in Belfast for

I did my PTI class 3 Cse in Sennelager 1994 with the Holy Cross disputes as winter set in and stood
the likes of Spud Magill and Jase Wilson. For me many a wet and windy day in the Ardoyne area for
there was no looking back at what I had left but quite a few months to come, what a welcome to a
the realisation that the PT Corps was an option new Sgt in the Corps.

providing I received a recommendation on my PTI
Class 2 Cse.
After an eventful 2 years with the Guards and a
quick change in posting orders, 1RHA was the next
move. For those that have had the pleasure, it was 1996 soon came along and off to Aldershot we
Tpr Blakemore day one week one

the best move that I could have made as on my
all went to complete the Cse. It was often said
that the Cse would either make or break the decision as it was irst day with the Regt, I was on a plane to Canada, the meetings
often commented on the fact that it was endless work parades effectively took place on the transport and at Brize Norton and I
and cleaning parades and it had broken many a good soldier who was welcomed with open arms. Meeting the remainder of the
unfortunately made the decision that the Corps was not for them.