RMA SANDHURST

In Sep 1960 I departed from Glasgow Central Station with two suitcases , my grandfather's bible , my father's wedding ring and £18 to become 23835042 Officer Cadet A E Thompson .

I was taking " The High Road to England " the first pupil from Hillhead High School for probably two decades .

About twelve hours later I was at Camberly Station . There was Sergeant Butcher , Grenadier Guards , on the platform resplendent with red sash and peaked cap. "Anyone for Sandhurst get on the truck ."

Outside Old College were assembled  250 cadets of Intake 29 . Some arrived by truck like me others were delivered by parents in Jaguars & even a Rolls Royce .

In those days there were about 1,000 cadets at RMA Sandhurst divided into three Colleges : Old , New and Victory . There were four companies in each College . The Army at that time was approx 250,000. It is now about to be reduced to 82,000

We waited for our names to be called out . I was to go to Gaza Company , New College. There were 21 of us in my platoon . The make up was varied : Public Schools (7) ,Grammer Schools (4) , Welbeck Coll ( Army 6th Form Coll for those going into technical arms or services ) (6) & three from overseas ( Jamaica , Nigeria & Iraq ) And of course me .

Having been allocated rooms we were quickly assembled (still in our civilian clothes ) to be given a tour of the Academy by our platoon Sgt Jack Hall of the Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment).

On a hot day we were marched round the Academy at a fast pace " Halt look right that is the library--If you can read you will find books in there. "

After two hours , dripping in sweat , we were meant to be familiar with our new home for the next two years . There were a total of six terms , the first and last being purely military. It was in the first term that they put their stamp on you so you could become a worthy "Son of Sandhurst ". Hell was about to commence .