After a few words from the RSM, three of us were escorted to 'B' Squadron's HQ where, following a brief welcome, it was off to the huts housing 2 and 3 Troops and, in my case, the one where HQF (Headquarters Fighting Troop) was domiciled under the watchful eye of Sgt H M (Roy) Burns. Delivered in various Irish brogues, the warmth of the greeting I received will always be remembered.

The following morning we assembled in front of Squadron HQ. Coming to attention, we were first introduced to SSM W. Docksey who, in turn, introduced Major J. Rew. The Officer Commanding's warm welcome, delivered in the "booming" voice soon to become most familiar, was more akin to that of a friendly uncle than that of a Major to a group of newly arrived Troopers. After informing us that the Regiment had only been in England for a few weeks, the Major went on to explain we had been posted the NIH to make up for the shortfall of 10 crew members of the necessary 116 to fully man the Churchill tanks with which the Regiment had been re-equipped to replace the Valentine tanks left behind in Northern Irelansd - the former having a crew of five, the latter three. Another reason given was that we had volunteered for service, a basic requirement of a Regiment made up, apart from Regular Army personnel, entirely of volunteers.

Upon dismissal, we were marched over to the Squadron Quartermaster's office where we were issued Cap Badges (this writer's third) and a pair of Shoulder Tabs. Now, properly dressed, commenced what was to be four years and four months with a group of the finest men to serve in the British Army.

Next it was off to the Tank Park to become acquainted with Bangor>, commanded by Sgt Roy Burns, of which I was now a crew member. (All of 'B' Squadrons tanks were named after towns in Ireland beginning with a 'B'. RHQ tanks with a 'D', the other two Squadrons with an 'A' and 'C'), compared with the tanks at Warminster the were huge.

Bushmills - Bangor's Mark I Sister

A few days later, on Thursday, 26th February, we were whisked away to the range at Castle Martin, South Wales, for several days of live firing. What an exciting beginning to life with the NIH!