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Stories Page 7 |
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Back |
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Forward |
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Home |
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Index
Stories |
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Alan's Story |
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Alan (Dinger) Bell Enlisted 1959 Boys
Service. Joined REME 1962. Fields of service BAOR, Borneo, Malaysia, Libya, Aden and Cyprus. Medical discharge 1969. |
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I enlisted into the Boys Service in September 1959 as a young lad of 15. I spent 3 years at Arborfield until I was old enough for Regular Service. In 1962 I joined the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers ( REME) taking my Armoured Vehicle Course at Borden in Hants.
One of the first thing I learnt was the common motto of our cap badge. I still smile today when I think of it. |
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This is the crown you serve under
This is the chain you are tied with
This is the horse you'll work like
This is the lightening you will go like
This is the bollock you will drop if you dont.
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Art et Marte |
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The REME Motto Arte et Marte, is translate to 'By skill and fighting'.
The Patron Saint being 'Saint Eligius'. |
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My first posting abroad was Paderborn, Germany. Where I joined the REME Workshop. We served several tank units with the main tank being the Centurion.
Later I joined HQ 7th Armoured Brigade at Soltau. |
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My story comes from an episode when I was stationed in the Sultanate of Brunei, Borneo. At that time Brunei was ruled by Sultan Omar'Ali Saif ud-den.
One day a puppy dog (brown and white mongrel) was found in the Paint Shop covered in paint. We adopted it and made it the REME's Mascot. It was well fed and was bedded down in the workshop. |
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Centurion |
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On a specific day the MP's decided to have a wild dog cull in the camp. Although our pup was collared and fettered they shot it.
Within one week all the MP vehicles were VOR ( Vehicle of Road), including bycycles, were in for repair.
This lasted for about 2 months, we receiving threats from all quarters. Eventually we were ordered by the General to repair and supply the MP's with their vehicles.
For us justice had been achieved for the Puppy. |
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| I have many other stories I could tell , from Aden Cyprus, Libya and BAOR. I think most serving sqauddies would have the same. I chose this one as it is a lighter side of nature. |
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REME War Memorial
Arborfield Hants Sculptor James Butler |
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