Joining the British Army 30 Years Ago

30 years ago on this very day I took the Queen's shilling and joined the Royal Corps of Signals. Here are the diary entries leading up to that day...

11 August 1987

Went to the army careers thing at Ayr harbour and was talking to a major. I will definitely get in.

^{Those shirts were the worst! KF, or knitted fibre shirts. They rubbed your oxters red raw when marching.}

13 October

I went to Irvine with my mum to the army careers office. I got an application form. The guy there recommends a trade.

12 November

Went to Irvine for a selection test for the army. It was quite easy. I passed and I am trying to get into the Royal Corps of Signals as a Radio Telegraphist. We watched two videos and I've got an interview on the 25th at 9:30.

25 November

Went to Irvine for my interview. I passed it. He asked me just what I expected him to ask. I have to go for a medical in two weeks. It's in Glasgow. I got a travel warrant for the train. I came home and my mum sent away for a pair of trousers and two white shirts for me.

9 December

Done the milk then went for an interview and medical in Glasgow. First I got weighed etc. Then I had to piss in a glass. Then I sat in a room in my scants and went in to see the doctor. I failed cos of the rash on my legs.

16 December

I went to the doctor's about my rash and he gave me some cream.

7 January 1988

I went to the skin clinic in the morning and I've got stuff to put in a bath, and pills.

22 January

I got a phone call from the army careers office to ask me how I was. The next enlistment for the Royal Signals is June. I don't want to go that early. Anyway, he said he would phone back, but he didn't.

8 February

I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I got a letter stating that my rash has cleared up. I have an appointment for my medical on Friday 19 Feb at 9am.

18 February

I suppose this is the day it all starts. I went for Samantha today to watch a video and Diane asked me out. Well, she didn't really, but everyone seems to think she did. We watched Evil Dead then me and Lizanne kind of haven't been talking and I phoned her and…

… I have now decided to stop writing my diary as it could cause too much trouble.

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So that's where the diary entries stop, all because of adolescent love drama. Hmph. I did go out with Diane for a while and have some photos of me in my uniform with Diane on my first leave after six weeks of basic training at Harrogate.

I know at some point I went to Redford Barracks in Edinburgh for a physical and fitness test. It was an overnight stay and my first taste of what living in barracks was going to be like. We did running and some pull-ups in the gym, amongst other things. I was pretty fit then so it was no bother.

There was also a swearing in at the careers office, but I don't recall exactly where that was. I remember there was a few of us and we swore an oath to the Queen.

I don't really recall that much about packing to leave or actually leaving, other than the fact that my mum, dad and brother came with me to Glasgow Central. Whether we drove there or caught the train from Prestwick I really don't remember.

^{On leave in August - this is Diane}

And so began my time at the Army Apprentices' College in Harrogate: 6 weeks' basic training, then 4 weeks' leave, another 6 weeks' training then the passing out parade on my 17th birthday.