From Sheffield to Sandhurst: A Cold War Territorial Soldier's Memories (364)

Chris is a former member of the Yorkshire Volunteers, part of Cold War Britain’s Territorial reserve Army. This episode is a treasure trove of personal anecdotes, historical insights, and reflections on military life, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in military history and the Cold War era.
Chris’s journey into the military began with his interest in military subjects and history. He joined the Army Cadet Force before university and later, the Officer Training Corps at Sheffield University. As a reserve unit, training included handling World War II vintage weapons including the venerable Bren gun.
Chris’s training involved long days and nights of exercises and lectures. He recalls an incident at the School of Infantry in Warminster where he inadvertently came under live fire. Despite his initial lack of physical prowess, Chris’s perseverance and dedication saw him through, eventually leading to his decision to pursue a commission as an officer.
After training and assessment at Sandhurst, Chris was commissioned as a second lieutenant. The transition from private soldier to officer was challenging, particularly as he had to command men who previously outranked him. However, Chris’s determination and growing confidence helped him establish himself as a capable leader.
Looking back, Chris reflects on the camaraderie, the challenges, and the humorous moments that defined his military service. He also discusses the reality of PTSD, sharing insights from a friend who served in Iraq.
Related episodes
• Britain's 1980s Cold War Dads Army/Home Guard - The Home Service Force pod.fo/e/14aea3
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[@nicholasgoulding7110]

Not really very representative of the TA experience in the Late 70s and 80s. Some units were as he described 3 Yorks, however most were rather more professional than he describes, and some really were very good and would with some limitations been ready to deploy to the front line. Considering that the person interviewed gained a commission he seems very unaware of the wider TA. Also his desire to join the HSF cannot have been that strong given that they were in existence from (from memory) from around 1982 to 1993 ie over a decade.