The JLRRA assemble in Riversley Park
L. Barnsley Collection
JLRRA Guard Detachment
L. Barnsley Collection
JLRRA Guard Of Honour outside Nuneaton Museum
L. Barnsley Collection
Nuneaton Mayor Jimmy James inspects the assembled parade
L. Barnsley Collection
The Nuneaton Mayor Jimmy James inspects the assembled parade
L. Barnsley Collection
JLRRA Field Artillery positioned outside Nuneaton Town Hall
L. Barnsley Collection
The Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Artillery came to occupy Gamecock Barracks near the village of Bramcote, Nuneaton in April 1959 and were disbanded in 1993. The regiment was the army training establishment for the future non-commissioned officers of the Royal Artillery.
Parades through the borough
They were granted the Freedom of the Borough on 8th December 1971, but the Freedom of the Borough parade was delayed until 21st May 1972, this was so that new recruits had time to train for the parade.
The Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Artillery was also granted the ‘Right to Bear Arms’, this allowed them to march through the town with bayonets attached to their rifles, and this actually occurred in a parade through the centre of Nuneaton in October 1987
Comments
This place turned a very rough edged kid into a respectable young man. I done my junior leaders training here June 87 – June 88. Bogard troop. Great memories indeed.
Based here 1992, one of the last to pass out before closed. There was both infantry and artillery, I still remember everything I learned just which I stayed in be honest. But thanks for all you learned me, its saved my life many many times.
My intake here was in October 1990 and did my Passing Out Parade with Ironside Troop the following year October 1991. Have to say it wasn’t the best idea joining the army in winter but it soon separated the men from the boys. This is one of my best experiences and taught me alot about growing up as a young man. Loved the place,loved the lads and loved my Troop Sergeant. I’d do it all again.
My intake here was 1991 – 1992 I was in the Mercer Troup and I am desperate to retrieve a copy of my passing out parade on 20 June 1992. Please could someone help me as to how I could do this? Many thanks.
My intake here was 1991 – 1992 I was in the Dickson Troop and I would love to hear from any of the intake Parker, Hicks, Big Marshall the cheeky one from Burnley, Sharman, Jedburgh Miller, Big Barbour, Murray, Cummings, Clark ski Italy 1991, It would be great to hear how you guys got on any pictures or footage from back then, I was the Scott who fell on the confidence course at RAF Honington fracturing my spine which ended the journey Many thanks. Sgt Parks Sgt Whitbread and Captain Bonnel. Those name may jog a memory or 2. Thanks Spence.
Did my training here in 1985, and passed out in 1986 as Champion Troop (Milne). Great memories for me as I was acting Troop Sergeant and took my troop around the parade ground. Excellent training staff apart from my troop commander!
Robert Spencer now there’s a blast from the past i was the guy behind you on the confidence course hope your well mate been a long time
My intake was 2 July 91 passed out 20 June 92 hard at the time but looking back without doubt the best time off my life made good friends and learned things that have both saved my life and helped me get to where I am today I was in Dickson troop the last band off JLRRA
I joined the JLRRA in June 1984. To be honest, I came off the streets as a yob, and left the Regiment as a young man and soldier who took pride in himself, and his Regiment.
I was there when we moved from Hereford to Bramcote in 1959. My troop was Ramsay our officer was Capt Ryan, we had Bdr Barlow can’t remember the Sgt. I was Gunner Nigel GUNN. I passed out in 1961. Does anyone have a picture of Ramsay troop during that time?
I passed out in July from mercer troop part of the gymnastic display team would love to get a copy of parade to show my son can any one help email me at [email protected]
Hi lads Iwas in dickson trp from 69 to71 like some of you at school I was a bit of a handful but it certainly made me a better person. I also got married in boy service and we are still together, love her to bits, ended up as junior sgt. Best wishes to all
I served at Bramcote with Milne Troop between September 1971 and April 1973. Made some great friends such as Paul Jepson, Jock Campbell, Fawcett, Clipston and Barny from Boston plus many more. I loved the sport particularly the football and we won the inter troop competition in 1972. I found the discipline tough but the comradeship was second to none. Sgt Breaker was our Troop Sgt. The training was often tough but was a grounding for life. What memories!
Joined up winter 1988 was cold going for runs early doors with shirts and t shirts.
Crickhowell was a testing assault cause.
Sgt Gardner top bloke
Lieutentant Steele
Rip Major Lee Dillon
Hi Nigel. I also moved from Hereford to Nuneaton about 1959. I think that the Sgt. you are referring to could have been Sgt. Wells. I don’t remember his first name. If I remember, we all had a coloured flash on our shoulder to denote the troop we were in. If I recall correctly their were 4 troops.
I was in Wingate in 1979 and would like to know if I could get my hands on one of the original drums from the band.
Hi Nigel, we were together in Ramsey troop – the sergeant was Wally Bryant as I remember. I found a few troop photos, outward bound and sport if you would like to get in touch, Dave Richards
A message to all ex-Junior Leaders, I am the Secretary of the Royal Artillery Boys and Junior Leaders Association. We have a large membership and there are two Facebook groups with which you can get back in touch with your comrades
Mick (hobo) hobson I did my training here 1971 to 1973 shrapnel troop tough but great memories still live by some of the values learnt here
I was also in Ramsay troop during 1959 to 1961. I have a group Photo with Nigel Gunn on. Dave .Richards mustered earlier on( I have athe Outward bound photo also) and settled in .Nuneaton as I did and still do.
I was there in 1970 to 1972. Jim Wilkinson was my recruit battery Sergeant and SGT Holderness was my troop Sergeant Lt Lewis was my Troop Commander I owe a lot to these three.
Dave Richards and Nigel Gunn, I was also RAMSAY Troop on the move from Hereford to Bramcote in April 1959 . I can remember Dave .
I was Junior Troop,Sgt , David Williams , then J/ BSM and finally J/RSM and took the first Goschen Parade at Bramcote in August 1959 – Happy Days
( Dave , you will recall Maureen , my wife of 54 years )
There are 2 facebook groups dedicated to keeping the History of Junior Leaders alive.
Ex JLRRA and Ex Boys Royal Artillery
https://www.facebook.com/groups/100845539774/
and
Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Artillery
https://www.facebook.com/groups/9300407013/
Hello there, I served with the JLRRA as a chef, I was WPTE DEARNLEY. Being in the armed forces was some of the best years of my life, made me grow up a lot. I remember being duty cook and when the young soldiers had been out on field exercise I’d have a hot meal waiting for them. I only did just over 3 years in the armed forces and remember on my last day leaving Bramcote Barracks, I shed tears thinking to myself what have I done. It did take me a while to settle back into civilian life after I left but if I could go back tomorrow and redo it all over again I would without any hesitation.
My passing out parade was 1976. I would love to be able to get a copy of the group photo. Mine was lost or destroyed when moving.
I was in Ramsay Troop 1958 to 1961, Fox Troop Larkhill ’61 – also in the Rugby and x country team, also in the Nimagen marches. Any one who remember me please ring on 01482 507321.
Was in Shrapnel Troop 71/72 and had honour of displaying the colours on the guns outside the town hall when the regiment was granted the freedom of the borough
It has been great reading all these comments from the lads who served in the JLRRA at Hereford and Bramcote. I did time from Nov 58 to Jun 61 (Ramsay Troop) in the JLRRA and enjoyed every minute of it with such great chaps. Don’t regret a minute of it.
1990 intake, Mercer Troop. Some fantastic memories and some real good blokes. Sgt (Pablo) Mills and Sgt Artis were our troop Sgts with WO2 England our Troop Commander (emergency fiver in the wallet). They showed us how to be men – loved it.
I was there between 80/81 trying get hold of ex Sergeant Leslie, Ramsey troupe – anyone can help me please? Allan Chant. 07505619275
Ex Ironside Troop71/72 like most things it only seems like yesterday and virtually every moment is still fresh in my mind. Did sabre in the regimental fencing team when we won 1972 junior army championship at Aldershot, not so nimble on my feet these days but the training I got there put me in good stead for future skirmishes!
1990-1991 summer intake, passed out as champion troop (Gunn Troop), great memories, i have a video cassette of our pass out parade and still have a great big picture of my troop and all there names and junior ranks..dispanded soon after i left for Germany. Was a Great place for young men to learn valuable life skills, should bring it back as a form of national service. Thank you.. junior gunner walker..417
I was a member of the Band and a fanfare trumpeter at the Freedom of the Borough parade in 1972.
I joined the JLRRA in May 1971 and Mustered in 1973. I was a member of Gunn Troop. I went on to serve a further 9 years in the Army. lots of memories, but my time at Bramcote moulded me into the adult I became.
I joined juniors as a fresh faced young boy in june 1978 they turned me into a man. I had the pleasure of finishing my time as a member of permanent staff and leaving my military career by exiting through the very same gates in 1990 that i entered at the start 12 years before in 1978
Lee j Sylvester left a comment about his passing out parade, I have the full video of that day, as i was also part of the same parade
Great memories I was in Gunn Troop 63-65 loved every minute. Troop Sergeant was Chalky White (great bloke) was also in the band and performed at 1964 Edinburgh Tattoo.
I was at bramcote 1967 then to Detmold germany BFPO41 with !RHA now live in Australia
Great to read about ex jnr leaders. i was in Gunn troop. Captain of regimental cross country team and performed at Edinburgh tattoo. Joined 7th Para when i mustered from Bramcote. great days. just retired. was manager of Blackpooll Tower many years. like to hear from any one from that era.
I haven’t seen anyone mention Baker Troop yet…I was junior Lance Bombardier Shorts’ Browne joined up June 1979. Sgt Trebinski and Sgt Bonham were our inspirations! Had a fab time at Bramcote followed by many years in 50 Missile Regt. in Menden, Germany.
My name’s Denis Law and I arrived at Bramcote very early one September morning in Sept ‘71 after getting a number of overnight trains down from Aberdeen.
I spent 2 years in Dickson Troop before mustering to 94 Loc Regt in Celle and even though I only left as a J/Gnr, I won the Meteorology and Skill at Arms prizes and also played for the Regt Hockey and Table Tennis teams.
I always described Boys‘ Service to my civvy friends and family as something like Borstal, with wages.
Joined Bogard trp sept 75, mustered around Dec 76. Troop sergeants Moore(alias the Beast)Fred Wilson & Chandler spent a further 10yrs 49Fld regt RA. Good memories. were around 600 on our intake.
My brother, David Dawson did his training here with the junior leaders in the late ’80s and after his passing out parade he was sent to attend the Edinburgh Tattoo. He joined the Royal Artillery and served in the Gulf War and later in Bosnia as a peace keeper.
If anybody remembers him I would love to hear from them, he was from Hartlepool in the North East.
I was a member of Borgard Troop from 1964 – 1967 finishing my time as J Sgt. Bramcote was an incredible experience and prepared me not only for the army but for life afterwards.
Dad was a Sergeant PTI at Bramcote in the late 50s and early 60’s.
Sergeant Bryan Plows. He still talks fondly of his time spent at the Barracks
I worked here 90-92 at the stables. I met so many great lads, especially those who did hobby night with me. I drove past not so long ago and it was in a very poor state of disrepair which was very sad to see
Joined Milne Troop 2 Baker battery 1975 with Sgt Leslie ( Lovely Bloke and Bombardier Foster)before amalgamating and becoming Baker Troop under Sgt Dickson mustered 1976 I had a hard time but got through it ending up doing 14 years. Good and bad times, best wishes to you all
Great to reminisce about the great days of youth. Absolutely correct about joining as boys and leaving as men. Bramcote definitely moulded you and was apparent when you joined your regiment meeting your fellow Woolwich trained 18 week wonders. Served my full 9yrs, enjoyed every day. I always say that in the army, I never worked a single day, but had days of fun. This is missing in the youth of today. (I sound like my Dad)
I joined Milne Troop in June 1985 and we passed out as Champion Troop in 1986. Nothing but great memories of my time at Bramcote, albeit our Troop Commander, who shall remain nameless, definitely lacked people skills!
I was in Borgard troop 84-85 & probably the best time of my life, we were was hammered by Sgt Cranston 3Rd RHA for 6 months but now I think it made us grow up.
Sgt’s Hendry & Stretch took over after 6-8 months & seen how good we were as a troop.
Went to 16 & left in 1989, Would I do it again ?
You better believe it once a GUNNER always a GUNNER.
I use to go to the the social evening there. Good nights we were picked up from Hinckley and dropped back off good old memories 1967 to 1969
I was in Nicholson Troop, 40 Battery.
Joined in 1978 left a year later but rejoined the RAPTC two years later. my trrop Sgt was Sgt Peel, a great guy. Strict but very fair. Learnt a lot from him. Troop Cmdr was Lt Brown, total waste of space TBH. his Sgts were of more use to us than him.
I was in Junior leaders regiment RA
Wingate troop 68 to 70 my troop sergeant was Peter Prince great guy
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