40s and 50s Memories
in May 1945.
After further training in signals and driving, I
was promoted Lance Corporal and became
commander of a two-man crew Dingo Scout
Armoured Car, in the Reconnaissance Troop.
Shortly after that my application to attend WOSB
(War Office Selection Board) was granted.
Maj Braisby and Dur Steel on avenue leading up to
Stormont, April 1971
I went back to the UK and attended the Board.
I passed the tests and in due course was sent
to Mons Officer Cadet School at Aldershot.
Whilst there I decided to try for Sandhurst and a
regular commission. I made my application and
soon after that I was sent to Westbury, to attend
the Regular Commissions Board. Clearing the
last hurdle, I duly arrived at the Royal Military
Academy, Sandhurst, just in time to join Intake
6, August 1949.
The course at Sandhurst was then 18 months.
Whatever way we had joined the Army we
arrived at Sandhurst as trained soldiers, having
completed basic infantry training and a fair
amount of special to arm. Here we had the
advantage over foreign cadets.
The junior term training concentrated
particularly on military matters and physical
training, in all aspects. The intermediate term's
training concentrated more on academic
matters that included military writing; maths,
where a high pass mark was required for
those aspiring to join the Gunners, Sappers or
Signals; a foreign language - I chose French;
British Commonwealth history, economics,
current affairs and military history. The senior
term cadets advanced on all aspects of the
RMA Sandhurst course. They had the added responsibility of discipline within their respective
companies. Seniors acted as the School and
House Prefects of a public school. No warrant
officer or senior NCO of the permanent staff
entered the company lines. The senior intake
reported to the company instructor officers and
so to the company commander.
I found this time at Sandhurst passed all too
quickly and our Pass Out Parade, unfortunately
on a rather damp day in February 1951, saw us
march up the steps of Old College to begin our
military careers as regular army officers.
I passed out high enough in order of merit to
be able to join the Royal Artillery. I went to the
School of Artillery, Larkhill, along with our group
of 50 young officers, to be trained in both the
Field and Anti-Aircraft Artillery disciplines of
the Regiment. There was much to learn on our
gunnery course. We were allowed to sort out
amongst ourselves which vacancies we would
bid for in postings. We all knew each other's
merits so sorted out postings in an amicable
fashion. I and two friends chose Gibraltar and
were fortunate enough to obtain this posting.
Exercise arctic Express, February 1978. From left, Maj
Braisby, Public Information Officer' Maj Gen Weyand
US Army, Commander Allied Command Europe Mobile
Force; Capt Molineux, ADC; Gen Sir Harry Fuzo,
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe
I went to 164 Light Anti Aircraft Battery RA. We
were equipped with Bofors Light AA guns. We
fired those weapons quite frequently from the
southern end of the Rock. A veteran squadron
leader, who looked like the former RAF pilot
(and comedian) Jimmy Edwards DFC, flew
the aircraft which towed our target sleeve.
He survived our shooting and we admired his
'coolness under fire'!
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