Great video, joined the Guards Depot 41 years ago today, 10th January. Only seems like the other day. Good and tough times, but always there in my memories. Was in No.8 platoon, under Lt. Darrel and Sgt Maddison both Cold Gds. After passing out (one of the proudest days of my life!) I joined the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Hong Kong. Only did three and a half. But they will live with me forever.
I was a Junior Leader at nearby Blackdown (1961-1963) and had to visit the dentist at Pirbright. I wasn't familiar with the layout of the camp and went into one of the huts (in uniform SD so pre-No2 dress and the same age as the Junior Guardsmen who occcupied the hut) and too my astonishment the whole room shot up off their beds and stood to attention while one of them marched up to me and asked me if I needed help and addressing me as "Trained Soldier". I got over myself..... and followed the lads directions to the dentist. However, on leaving I was walking to the bus stop and I spotted a Guards Officer Approaching on the other side of the road (he was turned out in his black frocked uniform coat) but at the same time a bus was leaving the stop so I used this as "cover" to avoid the officer and a salute. The bus passed and so, I assumed had the officer. I was in for a shock, standing across the road facing me was the officer, waiting for his salute which I did manage to perfection and without any comment from the officer.
Love it .... That brought back so many memories. This place produced the finest soldiers in the world. 58 pat webbing, SLRs, Sandies, Queen Mary, Black Alec Thetford, Froghill ... I could go on and on. I´d do it all again
this place made me the man i am today - once a coldstreamer, always a coldstreamer. Guards were the mutts nuts. amazing soldiers and trained with so much discipline it made us the best.
I was never in the Guards. I served in Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion, Park Hall Camp Oswestry. There were 5 companies, Guards, B Coy (Light Div and Prince of Wales Div,) C Coy (Kings Div and Scottish Div) and D Coy (Queens Div and Para Regt.) Z Company was the basic training company. The huts were the old wooden "Spider" huts. If you did 7 terms as I did, it meant bedblocks for two and a half years, every day except Sundays. I went in in 1970 and completed my Colour service in 1995. Wonderful video, brought back some memories. Many thanks.
My father was a Grenadier up to 1960 - 3rd Bn. He had to leave as my Mother died when we returned from Cyprus 1958 Growing up in his little platoon with my 2 brothers wasn't easy, but it prepared me for the Army later on. The last time I visited Pirbright was for a Guards Para re-union in 1987. I was invited by Keith Thomas RIP and Chris (Nobby) Stiles RIP who were both former members and ex Coldstreamers...
The Guards did ceremonial and were the best, but they also did operational pretty darned well too, like The Falklands and Afghanistan. God Save The King 🇬🇧👑
Many memories of the Guards Depot, Pirbright, I was there in 1963 in the Coldstream Guards. Drilling, marching, assault course, weapons training, running, gymnasium, we were as fit as could be, there were no fatties in those days. Often wish I could go back and do it all over again, never did me any harm, some great lads, the Band of Brothers.
A good mate of mine recently finished 44 years in the Grenadiers. I did 3 years attached to the Scots Guards. A great bunch of lads, but not my best posting.
@@stevekay5486 in the early 70s i was in 2CG 1coy 3platoon i knew a Sid Kay lance sgt although i was only a guardsman i llked Sid and called him Sid and we did N Ireland and cypriot war in 74 plus all the usual duties etc are you related
I used t go to Pirbright a lot as a member of a grammer school CCF: drill courses and Cart A tests, things like that. Great fun. What fascinated me was how little work was done and how many NAAFI breaks there were. And we never once saw an officer.
Well Done Ivan Great Video was down the Depot 2 weeks ago and at brookwood train stn i cant believe i walked that far carry my suitcase from the train stn to the Depot 37 years ago last week April 6th 1981 was great to see the old guardroom again i took a load of photos will put them up on the facebook page.
So many happy relaxing memories of Brigade Squad, that thing they got rid of because it was too brutal. That said, L. Sgt MacGuire our PTI was hilarious. "I was going to break you pieces of sh*te into pools of sweat. Except I've just decided I can't be bothered so now you have to do it for me". Genius.
Scraped through the 26 week Cat Coy training 1979/80 with out any PTSD - Just a group of mates still in contact with today. Made a Man out of an opinionated feral youth .
My father was in the coldstream guards before ww2. Joined underage and was sent back before dunkirk after they found out he was underage. Wounded in normandy in 1944, august 5th. Took him nearly a year to recover from his wounds. He would go to any reunion that was going and remember him going to wellington barracks for one reunion. I asked what time did the bar shut and he said they were still supping at breakfast! How do I go about getting his regimental history?
the one of going through the large pipes must have replaced the one that was in use 1957,it was an UNDERGROUND maze of tine sheeting withe Pirbright sand dropping in,before going into the maze we were checked that we did not have matches or lighters in our pockets
Was not a guard but was r.l.c did my phase 1 here 28 years ago and lived in D lines...not long after that the accommodation got condemned it was rotting
those lucky bastards who got to do a water crossing at 3.13 in the summer . remember the barber who made you buff those squares.a part of me still misses PirBright
The old man 1951.brother 74. Me 78..tough tough..brookwood station seen lads weeping it shitting it.but smiling later..dead men risen. North Wales .cymru am both.....to my port Talbot bretheren
53 year ago I joined. 1 week before my 18th birthday and I'm still wishing I could do it all again. Once a Guardsman always a Guardsman.
Oh my God, the memories that brought back. Probably the best days of our lives for a lot of us. Wish I was as fit as I was in those days.
Great video, joined the Guards Depot 41 years ago today, 10th January. Only seems like the other day. Good and tough times, but always there in my memories.
Was in No.8 platoon, under Lt. Darrel and Sgt Maddison both Cold Gds.
After passing out (one of the proudest days of my life!) I joined the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Hong Kong.
Only did three and a half. But they will live with me forever.
I was a Junior Leader at nearby Blackdown (1961-1963) and had to visit the dentist at Pirbright. I wasn't familiar with the layout of the camp and went into one of the huts (in uniform SD so pre-No2 dress and the same age as the Junior Guardsmen who occcupied the hut) and too my astonishment the whole room shot up off their beds and stood to attention while one of them marched up to me and asked me if I needed help and addressing me as "Trained Soldier". I got over myself..... and followed the lads directions to the dentist. However, on leaving I was walking to the bus stop and I spotted a Guards Officer Approaching on the other side of the road (he was turned out in his black frocked uniform coat) but at the same time a bus was leaving the stop so I used this as "cover" to avoid the officer and a salute. The bus passed and so, I assumed had the officer. I was in for a shock, standing across the road facing me was the officer, waiting for his salute which I did manage to perfection and without any comment from the officer.
Love it .... That brought back so many memories. This place produced the finest soldiers in the world. 58 pat webbing, SLRs, Sandies, Queen Mary, Black Alec Thetford, Froghill ... I could go on and on. I´d do it all again
this was a good watch, I was there 4th Jan 1978 Alamein platoon, 12 months later Windsor with the micks for 6 years.
this place made me the man i am today - once a coldstreamer, always a coldstreamer. Guards were the mutts nuts. amazing soldiers and trained with so much discipline it made us the best.
Oh shut up 😂
I was never in the Guards. I served in Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion, Park Hall Camp Oswestry. There were 5 companies, Guards, B Coy (Light Div and Prince of Wales Div,) C Coy (Kings Div and Scottish Div) and D Coy (Queens Div and Para Regt.) Z Company was the basic training company. The huts were the old wooden "Spider" huts. If you did 7 terms as I did, it meant bedblocks for two and a half years, every day except Sundays. I went in in 1970 and completed my Colour service in 1995. Wonderful video, brought back some memories. Many thanks.
Fantastic video, so many memories. Was there in 1983. Hated it at the time but the best years of my life!
I know that feeling
My father was a Grenadier up to 1960 - 3rd Bn. He had to leave as my Mother died when we returned from Cyprus 1958 Growing up in his little platoon with my 2 brothers wasn't easy, but it prepared me for the Army later on. The last time I visited Pirbright was for a Guards Para re-union in 1987. I was invited by Keith Thomas RIP and Chris (Nobby) Stiles RIP who were both former members and ex Coldstreamers...
Thanks Ivan for the share of photos of all the places We remember from training at Pirbright. I was there 79/80 H/cav
What away to start army life. 15 years of age welcome to the GUARDS DEPOT 1972 . Just getting over the shock 46 years on.
Was boy soldier in 72 inkerman plt happy memories
Was boy soldier in 72 happy memories
Where are you hiding Stephen? time for a few beers at the reunion. A few people have passed on though since your last one.
The Guards did ceremonial and were the best, but they also did operational pretty darned well too, like The Falklands and Afghanistan.
God Save The King 🇬🇧👑
Many memories of the Guards Depot, Pirbright, I was there in 1963 in the Coldstream Guards. Drilling, marching, assault course, weapons training, running, gymnasium, we were as fit as could be, there were no fatties in those days. Often wish I could go back and do it all over again, never did me any harm, some great lads, the Band of Brothers.
A good mate of mine recently finished 44 years in the Grenadiers. I did 3 years attached to the Scots Guards. A great bunch of lads, but not my best posting.
yep 1969 as i steppeped out of Brookwood station little did i know how many times i had to run round those roads 2nd to none, but a life that made me
NULLI SECUNDAS
@@stevekay5486 in the early 70s i was in 2CG 1coy 3platoon i knew a Sid Kay lance sgt although i was only a guardsman i llked Sid and called him Sid and we did N Ireland and cypriot war in 74 plus all the usual duties etc are you related
@@davidgaston738 No , not related dave, sorry.
I used t go to Pirbright a lot as a member of a grammer school CCF: drill courses and Cart A tests, things like that. Great fun. What fascinated me was how little work was done and how many NAAFI breaks there were. And we never once saw an officer.
* grammar school. See me.
Well Done Ivan Great Video was down the Depot 2 weeks ago and at brookwood train stn i cant believe i walked that far carry my suitcase from the train stn to the Depot 37 years ago last week April 6th 1981 was great to see the old guardroom again i took a load of photos will put them up on the facebook page.
Thanks Gary, yes time goes so quick, you was there about the same time as me. For me it was Nov 1980 to May 1981
Yes your right i was in D Lines then
They wont let you walk along the road to Sandys anymore
Yep same here, I was 12 platoon with instructors Pickering, Murray, Lee, and Bowden as platoon bloke
Well done, Gary
Permission to enter the room trained soldier
I was smiling until I saw the bumper!
Brought back so many memories , thanks
God , so glad to see this , was there in 1984 , brought so many memories back .
Spider huts. Can still feel the itchy blankets lol. Best time of my life
The Guards Depot winter 71, great place for 18 weeks of rest and relaxation for a 17 year old me!😂
Was there in 1991. Windsor 21 platoon. Charlie Haynes was our section commander. Very harsh and tough but a top bloke
Wow I remember Sgt Haynes, grenadier guards ,I was one of the last to go through pirbright before it changed , brilliant memories thanks for video.
🏴 Brought back memories of a long time ago 🏴
So many happy relaxing memories of Brigade Squad, that thing they got rid of because it was too brutal. That said, L. Sgt MacGuire our PTI was hilarious. "I was going to break you pieces of sh*te into pools of sweat. Except I've just decided I can't be bothered so now you have to do it for me". Genius.
Scraped through the 26 week Cat Coy training 1979/80 with out any PTSD - Just a group of mates still in contact with today. Made a Man out of an opinionated feral youth .
My father was in the coldstream guards before ww2. Joined underage and was sent back before dunkirk after they found out he was underage. Wounded in normandy in 1944, august 5th. Took him nearly a year to recover from his wounds. He would go to any reunion that was going and remember him going to wellington barracks for one reunion. I asked what time did the bar shut and he said they were still supping at breakfast! How do I go about getting his regimental history?
the one of going through the large pipes must have replaced the one that was in use 1957,it was an UNDERGROUND maze of tine sheeting withe Pirbright sand dropping in,before going into the maze we were checked that we did not have matches or lighters in our pockets
Senior drum major guards division Stan Jackson coldstream guards 💂🇬🇧
Was that the sand hill i spotted? Made my spine tingle.
Where have the years gone. Great friends, great memories.
One used to say,Theres a fairy at the bottom of my Guardsman.
Was there in 87 to 88....the memories will always be with me of Pirbright!
Was there 88 4 platoon under Sgt Pete Brennan Irish Guards
Great vid, great memories (even for a donkey walloper) Arras 7, 1976
wow. i only done guards depot at catterick. interesting pics
Was not a guard but was r.l.c did my phase 1 here 28 years ago and lived in D lines...not long after that the accommodation got condemned it was rotting
Nice video cool stuff 🇬🇧💂
Motty at the end there, smart bastard was he, always gleaming ! He used to be my drill sergeant at the Depot in 1986, 11 platoon...
Good days !
Well done Ivan, that's superb sir, put a massive smile on my fizzhog : )
Mick Bet it didn’t in Training.. lol
I must be mad .............. I´d do it all again !!!
Great video. The only thing missing was Polly Perks Van on the ranges lol QS
Was there in April 1997, Banner Platoon. Just around the corner from Sandes.
I still remember the pain
I didn't realise you did this Ivan, great memories, somehow with a touch of sadness, things we left behind, great video though
I was there 1975 Scots guards 💂♂️ 🤣 😎
those lucky bastards who got to do a water crossing at 3.13 in the summer . remember the barber who made you buff those squares.a part of me still misses PirBright
And the civi barbers that grassed people up to the instructors for grubby necks.
Outstanding
I liked it a lot! Cheers
Ah the Kremlin and sand hill, both places visited frequently by me in the 80’s 🤣
Well doe Ivan , great video
Been there. Done that. 1977.
Takes me back , I was there in 86. Never been so fit .
The pictures are not left on long enough
Superb..!!
Amazing video,many thanks, and this is from someone who did not unfortunately serve.
Thank you
The guard room orderly with the civvies in tow is the proper depot CATERHAM
Yes I’m aware, I just needed a intro to fit the sequence. It’s just a small video to remember .. Best Wishes
The old man 1951.brother 74. Me 78..tough tough..brookwood station seen lads weeping it shitting it.but smiling later..dead men risen. North Wales .cymru am both.....to my port Talbot bretheren
Not sure if i saw the sand hill , we were beasted up and down it for failing the ten week inspection ,lol , Drill SGT was livid to say the least ,lol
my dad called those black trainers tarmac slappers
The Factory!
Heartbreak. If you know, you know.
Was there in 88 as a Junior Leader Coldstream.
Well done ,
I worked at this horrible place, if you survived there war was going to be a doddle
4.26 i was in l/sgt mcdonalds squad April 76
Memories
Couldn't stand it there, luckily was fit so got transferred to 3 para- different gear.......
September 1977.
Ypres Platoon.
Junior Guardsmen's Company
Great memories.
Pickfords....