East Kent Branch

I was born in Garston, Hertfordshire, England on 2nd November 1954, but it was not until 1976, at the age of 21 years, that I decided that a military career was for me whereupon I enlisted into the Grenadier Guards as an adult soldier at the Army Careers Office, St. Albans on 27 September 1976 and, having been awarded Best Recruit, completed training at the Guards Depot, Pirbright in March 1977.

I was posted to the 2nd Battalion, stationed in Chelsea Barracks and served in the Mortar Platoon as a Mortar Number, Assistant Command Post Operator (ACPO) and Mortar Fire Controller until August 1983. During this time I served with the Battalion in London, Kenya and twice in Northern Ireland.

From August 1983 to November 1984 I served initially as a Recruit Instructor and then, having been promoted in post, as a Superintending Sergeant at the Guards Depot, Pirbright.

From November 1984 I served with the 1st Battalion at Hounslow as a Platoon Sergeant in Number 2 Coy. I was then cross posted back to the Mortar Platoon to serve as a Command Post Operator (CPO) in Münster, Germany. During 1986 I served with the Battalion in Armagh on another Northern Ireland tour.

In August 1988 I was posted to the NCOs Tactical Wing at the School of Infantry, Brecon as a Colour Sergeant Instructor, a job I enjoyed immensely and at the end of my tour of my initial tour there I was priviledged to be able to serve an extra 6 months in post. In December 1990 I returned to the 1st Battalion who were once again stationed in Münster, but serving in the Gulf.

Unable to join the Battalion, I was instead sent to Sennelager to train troops for Operation Granby. The Battalion eventually regrouped after the Gulf War and I took on the role of the Battalion Ration Accountant and put my IT skills to use delving into the computer world of CATPAC. I returned with the Battalion to Wellington Barracks in October 1991 to perform Public Duties.

On promotion to WO2 on 29 June 1994, I was posted to the Cinque Ports Training Area to serve as a Range Management Warrant Officer on the Ranges in Kent. In December 1996 I took on the post of the Training Area and Ranges Warrant Officer within the Headquarters of the Cinque Ports Training Area.

Ever eager to remain a serving Grenadier I transferred onto the Long Service List in May 1999 remaining at Cinque Ports Training Area (CPTA) where I co-ordinated unit training requirements for units deploying on Operational Tours, TA and Cadet Annual Camps and even Scout Camps. Around this I administered a computer network of 30+ computers, maintenaned of a further 50+ stand-alone PCs plus conducted trouble shooting PC problems (providing solutions I prefer to term it) and advising on any matter of other things. It kept me very busy and a job I revelled in. I left CPTA on discharge in April 2002.

During my service I was awarded the General Service Medal 1962 with clasp Northern Ireland, the United Nations Medal (Cyprus), the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. I saw service in Kenya, Canada, British Army of the Rhine (three tours), Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

I left HM Forces in April 2002 after 25 ½ years adult Colour Service, but am able to continue my links with the Regiment by serving the East Kent Branch as Hon. Secretary, a post I took over on 15 March 2009, as Treasurer, a post I took over in August 1998 and as the Webmaster of this website. On Saturday 2 September 2017 I was awarded Life Vice Presidency of the Branch.

I am married to Sue (on 24 Feb 79) and have two children (Gary (born 8 Sep 80) and Natalie (born 3 Jun 82)).

My hobbies are all things computer related, gardening, skiing, fishing, holidaying in Goa and increasing my portfolio in preparation for my retirement.

I am a qualified Hardware and Software Technician and a Microsoft Certified Professional. I now work as a Client Technology Engineer for a company in Ashford, Kent; now amongst the largest software companies in the world.