Memories of Service Part I: Dr R M Callender
We are delighted to share with you some memories of National Service, provided by Dr R M Callender. Ron’s military years persuaded him to find a challenging job on return to Civvy Street and he retired as a contented scientist. Ron shares his memories in a three part series, the first of which, titled ‘Dreghorn’, is reproduced below.
Part 1: Dreghorn
The Cameronian ‘sprog’
With a job secured, I left Motherwell’s Dalziel High School looking forward to working near London, which was then hosting the Festival of Britain on the banks of the River Thames.
Ten enjoyable months flitted away and then the envelope arrived. The message was simple – “Please attend the Army Medical Centre in Kingston-on-Thames.” A day of poking, prodding, measuring and questioning followed. “You’re from Lanarkshire ?” the doctor asked, while sticking a thermometer in my mouth. “Put him down for the Cameronians !” Decision made.
Days dragged past. Then the second letter arrived … “Report to Dreghorn Barracks on 6th September.” I think I received a postal order that represented the King’s shilling. If I did, I wish I had kept it as a souvenir.
I took a train to Edinburgh, a tram-car to Colington and a saunter in ‘civvies’ to Dreghorn followed. Soon, I became 22584435 for the next four years.
The first day was a nightmare of an issue of denims, a china mug, a ‘KFS set’, complex webbing and heavy boots. A severe haircut followed, in spite of having attended a hairdresser the previous day. When a small group had accumulated we tramped to our ‘billet’, found ‘bed-space’ and hurried into removing all traces of civilian life to the cry of “Outside in five minutes!” In no time at all, we were soldiers in denims, albeit recruits belonging to ‘Auchinleck One’ squad.
It was no surprise to be ridiculed when we stumbled into the mess-hall. Daily we marched to commands on the parade ground, we cleaned our webbing with ‘Blanco’, we stripped down rifles to clean them, and stood to attention when the Last Post was played. Time and again we polished our boots, we walked through the gas chamber, we fired on the range, we had bayonet practice and tackled long marches fully kitted out. Better uniforms evolved one day … and along with my regimental trews, I received the attractive Lowland bonnet and an extra Cameronian badge. Six weeks ended with the passing-out parade and a weekend pass.
Monday morning saw the beginning of ten weeks of special training. As Cameronians, we all knew we were going to Malaya but some mates were destined for Korea, and some for Germany. Just as the jungle training came to an end, I was posted to Chichester Barracks in Sussex for training on how to run a regimental office. After Dreghorn, this was a bit of fun and provided an opportunity to bond and mix with soldiers from other regiments … even although Malaya was seldom out of mind.
By then, I had a ‘mucker’ in Grahame – who became my close friend for 62 years. But a surprise was waiting for Grahame and me on our return to Dreghorn … we were both going to Egypt without delay!
To be continued…
RMC : 7th April 2024
Copyright © 2024 Dr R. M. Callender
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