I got through the course and was promoted to Lance Corporal. Shortly after my promotion I was sent to Cyprus with No 2 Company as the M.T Detachment Commander.Whilst in Cyprus we did our programmed training then managed to get some well earned R&R in. I went on a boat trip to Egypt then up to the Troodas Mountains to brush up on my ski-ing skills. Never since have I experienced two such different climates within a week!!
Our next stop as a Battalion was America!!! We flew out to Seattle and set up base at Fort Lewis camp which was more like a town, it is certainly true what they say about everything being bigger in America!!(Including the planes, but John Hodson still managed to crash into one at Seattle Airpot!) After we had all been to the various training locations such as Yakima we managed to get in some R&R (again) where I had another chance to brush up on my ski-ing skills once again!!
The two Battalions were then amalgamated in 1994 so I ended up were I had started in the 1st Battalion in Wellington Barracks, London.
Wellington Barracks was a good posting but I ended up doing something that I had avoided for 8 years (Public Duties), However I must be one of the only Grenadier Guardsmen that never did a Buckingham Palace Guard in his career. I only did one Tower of London and one Windsor Castle and Street Lining twice!!!
We went to Kenya in 1995 for another 6 week training session which was very hot but it was a good experience for everbody who went. Our driving skills in the M.T were tested to the limit as the roads out there are more like dirt tracks but where else are you going to get a chance to go on a Safari and get paid for the pleasure??
On our return from Kenya the battalion started to prepare themselves for another tour in N.Ireland and although I would have liked to have soldiered on I decided to put my new family first and submitted my termination from the colours.
I still keep in touch with a few comrades especially my best mate Neil Hatton ("H") who was kidnapped by the Adjutant's General Corp's and has is now a Sergeant and I have recently got back in touch with an old friend Steve Gorin (Herman) through 'The List' which is run by Chalky White (ex Signals Plt) through the Grenadier Association Website, which you can find a link to through this website.
As you can see from my somewhat short description of my career I have travelled to parts of the world that I probably would otherwise never have seen, so if there are any potential Grenadier Guardsmen out there reading this I would definately recommend a career in 'The Grenadier Guards'
I now live in Portland, Dorset, but am only there for 3 months of the year because of my current job working in Iraq as a Security Manager. Crazy I know but I enjoy it and certainly can't complain about the money ! I actually work for an ex Scots Guards Commanding Officer called Tim Spicer who has quite a reputation and my immediate boss is Paul Gabb (gleaming) so at least I am not working for any chippies.
I am married to Christine and have two great children (Ryan,9 & Jessica,7)
I hope people will find this website interesting and if you think you know me then please feel free to get in touch by clicking on the E-Mail button.
The next couple of pages contain a few photos from my career etc and a list of people whom I served with and would love to hear from if they ever come accross this website.
I also organise an MT Reunion being held once a year, usually in various locations around the country. If you are an ex Member then please feel free to get in touch with me for more details.
