Bramcote Barracks started life as an RAF base. I was there 1977-1978, straight from school. All of my family worked at Fieldings and Johnsons factory in Attleborough. One day I decided to skive off school, and it was a choice of either going into the factory with the rest of the family, or doing something else. So I skived off school, happened to pass the Army career’s office, the next thing I knew I had a great big army bloke behind who said ‘you coming in lad?’ and the next thing I knew, I’d joined!
To begin with I thought, what the hell had I let myself in for? Bramcote was a training regiment, you carried on your education there and learned how to be a soldier as well, and learned a trade there, which would be oriented round the artillery. I learned how to be a computer operator, we learned how to direct the big guns to point in the right direction, hit their targets. The computers had big ticker tape. We’d have to put the weather data into the computers, to take into consideration for the distance.
Different to what I was used to
It was very different to what I was used to. Straight from school to army, the discipline, the fitness. We’d have to run regularly daily, and the first six weeks they really drilled the discipline into you, that either made or broke you. You were given the chance to leave if at that point you thought it wasn’t for you, quite a few did. We also had a few medically discharged, due to sports injuries.
The Juniper restaurant, we just used to call it the cookhouse, and was run by the army catering corp. It was three meals a day, you’d form as a troupe outside your accommodation block, marched down there, and would have about two minutes to eat your food before you were marched out again. It was always good food, better than what they get now.
I started looking into the history of it when I joined facebook and found the junior leaders facebook page. I took over the group a couple of years ago, and started to dig into the history of it. It was a naval base and RAF base originally, the runways aren’t there any more. It was the naval base that was furthest away from the sea!
Still in contact, and came back to Nuneaton
I’m still in contact with a couple of people, the discipline brought us together, and there were competitions with other troops, and you’d have to bond together, to win the competitions. When I left Bramcote, I went to Germany, straight into training for Northern Ireland. I knew someone who was also a junior leader at Bramcote who also went to Northern Ireland, and he got killed. I go to the National Memorial Arboretum each year to remember him.
After three years of the army I came out, came back to Nuneaton, met a girl and got married. Bramcote was still junior leaders until 1993. I’d see them around town and think I used to be one of them. I first went back about three years ago. I go to the reunions held by the junior leaders association in Coventry every year, that keeps me interested in the history of Bramcote.
Comments
I was there in 1969-1971
Hello Steve Collins – Henry Pavey here. We were in Mercer Troop together in 77 / 78. Would you believe that on 13 September 2017 it is exactly 40 years to the day that we arrived at Bramcote to start training. As for me, I did 12 years regular service and left in 1991 as a Sergeant.
Great article Steve. I served at Bramcote between September 1971 and April 1973 in Milne Troop. I made some great mates such as Paul Jepson, Jock Campbell, Barny from Boston, Fawcett and many more. I found the discipline tough but loved the sport particularly the football. The comradeship was great and the experience was a grounding for life. What memories.
Great article indeed Kev, thank you! I was there in 82 and got posted to Germany 83′ The guy who got killed ini NI wasn’t Tim Utteridge was he? I remember him every year, he was in the same unit in Germany as I and I remember him often, especially November 11th
I was in alanbrooke troop 1964 – 1966 then went to the 40th regiment in Bulford.
Thanks Kev. Jones D C 563 Ironside Troop 76/77.
I would love to visit the old place, any info?
I was in shrapnel troop, 1975 – 1976 I would like to go back and have a look round, I have some great memories
Henry pavey you did year after me then served in 22 bty if I’m right . How are you?
I was there also in 1972 went to Germany in January 1975 served in Northern Ireland in 75 , 77
My husband was at Bramcote 1983-87, he was a R.E.M.E armourer . We lived on site in married quarters. When our daughter was about 20 months she had an imaginary friend who she said was always there to play with. Years later when we had left, she told us her imaginary friend was real and was a little boy dressed in an old fashioned sailor suit. Was I interested to hear it used to be a naval base.
I was there on my first posting as a Chef 1971-72
I was there 1968 to 1970 Alanbrooke troop with Mike Parry,Roy Buckley,Melvin Meads,Dave Chase,
Bond, Langton, Baker, Watson, Evan’s, winstanly Mackenzie bell, Oneil, Thorn
Junior sergeant Hill
Junior Bombadier Cockeran
Junior lance Bonbadier How
Troop Commander Lt Miller
Senior sergeant Kimber
We were champion troop
I was known as Ski H 24167079
Hi this is Ian kershaw I was there 13th September 1976 to 77 Stirling troop.
My claim to fame was xcountry champ and did Welsh 3000 and got my regimental colours.
Any one remember me at all.
Hi, my name is Tommy Humphries, there were 5 of us who came across to bramcote from Northern Ireland. I hated it at first and then when you met new friends it was great. I was in Milne Troop. 41 Baker Battery. I had good mates who were Steve Pike, Brian Cunningham, Jock Brunton,Dale Cook, to o many to mention. I served 25yrs in various Reginents and locations. Happy days. Bubble.Bubble line bubble line bubble. All you gunners will know what I’m talking about.
Add a comment about this page