nostalgic

The settings did remind me of one night. I was recruit for Scots Greys Catterick 1965 about March/April we did a training night guard. While Catterick Camp {Cambrai}was a relatively new complex much of what must have been the original barracks had been adapted for other uses. We were supposedly guarding some vehicles and really just learning and experiencing that unpleasant task of being on guard duty.

The wooden huts the wired perimeter within a larger perimeter, the coke/coal fire the night guard meal, the two on four of periods of patrolling and all those who do have this in the memory will see that it was done fairly well. Going to the NAFFI was never an allowed option in my real unit days. Perhaps the actors had had service as a volunteer or National service time to fall back on to assist in playing the part. I do suppose though that given the times us 'letty' on guards were actually being guarded by a [real soldiers] who may have only just had a month longer service time.

O'Rourke was a seriously intimidating character and the act was masterful. I really hated him and feared his bullying although I must say that when I watched this it made me feel that he was such that needed to be guarded against sabotaging the gun camp or suchlike. In fact that was what I thought he was ging to do. Or the script lead us to think that. Irish republicanism and activities was even in 1965 was in our little history talk from the guard commander mentioned and that in the 1950s this was one reason for guarding camps at night time. I did always harbour a distrust of Irishmen in the forces who were verbally Anti British. Saw no point in being part of that. I have however worked and trusted many Irishmen. BTW I am Belfast Born.

I am trying to record?? and view a copy that seems available to recall that period.

Viewing the cast and realising how some of them progressed career wise shows how well the cast was chosen.

Surely a piece of artistic work that requires regular outings.