... or to put it another way, a weekend at "59".

WITH THE current defence cutbacks "G" Coy had to make do with the weekend of 21.11.80 in the Drill Hall rather than going out and causing panic and mayhem with and against the general public.

Pro formas went out weeks earlier setting out the pattern for the weekend and people started to arrive at the Drill Hall early on in the evening. With the author not arriving till late (no, the pubs were still open) the organisation and method dept. of the Coy had done their work well and everyone walking into the Drill Hall was documented in record time.

The Dargai Club did brisk business until 00.30 hrs, when, apart from the guard, everyone got their heads down. Reveille was at.06.30 hrs and by 06.45 hrs.  The London Scottish Olympic Trial Squad were doing their paces past the Palace and into the park for limbering up exercises thanks to Messrs Granger and Hirlehey.

By 08.30 hrs the Coy had washed, shaved, breakfasted and were on parade looking just a little bit like soldiers. There the Coy's misfortunes took a deep dive as our gallant SPSI W02 Malcolm tried to teach us double sentry drill.  Members of this elite squad proceeded to look at each other in amazement with each thinking: "He's been in London too long and the pressure has made him light-headed."  But all to no avail as our gallant squad marched up and down the Drill Hall bearing the occasional shriek of laughter as yet another new recruit ran down Victoria High Road pulling his hair out by the roots. Our first attempt at this new drill was not considered to have been a great success and we were promised more on Sunday.

Training now started to get underway with personnel allocated to different cadres, i.e. Anti-Tank, Signals, GPMG-SF, 84mm and 66mrn. Lt Pearson started the ball rolling with a very interesting lecture on NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) warfare helped by his smurfs who consisted of Sgt Hirlehey and L/Cpls Hills, Fay and Skilling.  After this, the various cadres started and bodies could be seen disappearing into every nook and cranny of the building. While this was going on the new recruits, some 12 to 1 5 in number, went with Lt Wells, C/Sgt Norton and L/Cpl Groombridge to the Army Museum which I understand everyone enjoyed.

Lunch was quickly consumed and then it was back to work.

Every cadre had its own separate training programme which by and by was very varied and interesting. Towards the end of the day some fun films, shot by L/Cpl Skilling, were shown to everyone and Lt/Col Sim (CO 1/51 HV), who was in the Drill Hall all day, must have thought what peculiar people we are in "G" Coy. The training was then rounded off by a film about the Army's adventures in Central America.  Again very interesting.

The main meal of the day was now to be served and many thanks to our catering division which consisted of at times: C/Sgt Norton, real type, C/Sgt Ormiston, plastic type, Sgt Byrne, L/Cpls Tomlins and Moirs and Pts Sparks, Dyer and Kellet.

The Coy were then given the evening off, except of course the guard, again, on the stipulation that everyone was back by 23.59 hrs or else. Happily "or else" never came about. One of the new recruits, John Coyne, became the Coy's champion at Spoons 5 times, but he took his punishment like a man. Anyone interested in playing this jovial, witty and sometimes painful game should contact Mr. Coyne who will be only too willing to share his new found knowledge with you.

Sunday morning came and again we struggled through the morning run, washing, breakfast and a slightly better attempt at our drill. The Sgt Major has hope for us yet. The cadres got under way again and the recruits went to the .22 range where the shooting went from bad to excellent. Lunch came upon us yet again and here the recruits were introduced into that ancient but still popular art of dish-washing. With the recruits doing their bit in the kitchen the remainder of the Coy, less Anti-Tanks who were still training, proceeded down to the armoury to give the rifles a quick clean and oil up.  A final dismissal parade then took place and we were civilians again.  A few pints in the Dargai club and everyone made his way home already chiselling into his mind the dates for the next weekend.

A very interesting and varied weekend with many thanks to everyone who organised cadres, training schedules, etc. I think W02 Malcolm should know that any time the Guards want a break from the Palace, the sturdy, if somewhat shorter, men of "G" Coy will be only too pleased to look after Her Majesty's corgies.

Alpha Foxtrot