Page 180 - RAPTC Year of 2019

178
www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Born 1932, died 2019, proud member of the RAPTC. Growing up on First Avenue in Fazakerley, a suburb of Liverpool, he attended
grammar school, gained his school certificate and went on to study at the Liverpool College of Art, a highly respected institution, which for a working-class lad in those times was a real achievement.
After he had finished with College he decided to do
his national service, he took his artistic flare to new
levels during his basic training when on a lesson about camouflage and concealment instead of making
himself into a bush, like the other recruits, he simple
stuck 2 twigs in his helmet netting and took it easy for
a few minutes before returning back to the directing
staff with the rest of the Section. “What do you call that Glynn?” said the instructor “Winter corporal!” said a young Donald.
He described growing up in the war as an amazing experience and it went a long way into shaping him as a person. His generosity of spirit was immense. He always maintained that “if you can help someone you should” this philosophy served him well through his career.
He spent his national service with the Royal Artillery, always good at sport, particularly swimming where he represented the Army, he was offered the opportunity to join the APTC (as it was called then). For him it was an easy decision as he had come to love life as a serviceman. He attended the Probationers course and after successful completion was posted to Burniston Barracks in Scarborough where he met and married June and together they would enjoy over 30 years of Army life.
Don’s career was extensive and varied. One of the first soldiers to attempt to parachute into the jungle whilst in Singapore, a champion of the Remedial Gymnast function and the Corps as a whole. He qualified as an RG at Chester hospital attending the intensive two- year degree course, which followed the army philosophy towards training at that time; why do it in three years when we can squeeze it into two? His roles over the years were many so the ones that follow are those that had the greatest impact.
Working as part of Col Strong’s team, as an SME he used his knowledge of physiology and anatomy to design a test to measure the fitness level of a soldier. This was worked out using VO2 uptake and a level was determined so that if it was maintained, a soldier could quickly be brought up to peak fitness. The problem was how to conduct the test so it didn’t take lots of time and/ or equipment. Initial thoughts were to use resistance bikes and electronic measures but this solution was both costly and required a high level of skill. Working with Bill Tancred of Sheffield University and late APTC they came up with the idea of a running test. This was how the original Basic Fitness Test was developed.
He was interestingly a very strong advocate of changing the test to the modern form after the introduction of the Combat High Boot and the lower limb injuries it caused. There was huge debate about changing the test, and real resistance from the old guard about running in trainers. For him it was always about measuring VO2 uptake, and it therefore mattered little what footwear was worn. He pointed out in his own inimitable style that there was another test to measure combat fitness. The Combat Fitness Test.
Junior Leaders Regiment at Bovington, Berlin, and NE District. It was in NE District where on the back of the work he did advising Colonel Strong he was selected to work with Granada TV to design an assault course for the Krypton Factor. You can see him on You Tube if you search Don Glynn Kryton Factor.
Of note was the 20ft jump at the end of course, this was changed for the second series, Don told the production team it was a test of character and courage. The truth was that he had made a mistake with the plans. So crash mats were rushed in to ensure it was safe. I’m sure he would also offer a belated apology to the contestants if he were able.
The halcyon days of his career was in Hong Kong and then as a loan service officer in Brunei, where he was attached to the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment as it was then. Whilst in Hong Kong he discovered a love for sailing and took part on the South China Sea race and led an expedition to climb mount Mayon in the Philippines.
At the time refugees from Vietnam were arriving literally by the container ship, the Skyluck featured heavily in the global media. As a result, the spearhead battalion was deployed from the UK. Unfortunately, they lost a significant number of men through heat exhaustion and a lack of acclimatization. Don introduced a series of measures which he called heat stress index measures and procedures that form the basis of those used today.
In Brunei he introduced fitness testing based on his experience in Hong Kong and his work on the BFT helping to establish a branch, similar to the RAPTC, within the Royal Brunei Armed Forces that continues today.
On return to the UK he was selected as the next Senior Master At Arms and picked up the challenge of preserving the Corps. That he managed to save adventure training from the finance folk and increase RAPTC establishments, during a time of ruthless cuts, is testament to his ability to lead, persuade and influence.
This continued after his retirement where he worked hard for the Association. He also continued to paint and had many commissions most notably Field Marshall Baron Inge, Field Marshall Baron Bramall and the Sultan of Brunei.
His career wasn’t over yet though, I was attached to HQ 3 Cdo Bde during Op Herrick and managed to gain clearance for him to put his body armour and helmet back on, this time as an official war artist. He was a real hit with everyone he met. Joining a number of patrols around Lashkar Gah he even set up his easel in the market square, which delighted the locals as much as it perturbed the patrol commander. I think he was the only artist to deploy who did that. Most simply took photos and used them to produce paintings. I also think he, at 77 is probably the oldest man to deploy on an active operation. These claims need verifying though. On his return the sales of his paintings generated £45,000 for Help for Heroes. A copy of his artists’ sketch book is on loan to the RAPTC museum for viewing by old and young comrades alike.
DONALD JOHN GLYNN
Lt Col (Retd) Sean Glynn (Son)