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In the beginningThe life and History of Dutch senior Evacuated to Wales during the War, hence my accent and intimate knowledge of Welsh History (i.e. Battle of Hasting, Bannockburn etc). Left School (approved), And Home at 14 years of age, survived by living rough in derelict buildings, and Joined the post office in St Paul 's London as a telegram boy in 1955. Joined the Army Cadets Force, Royal Engineers, part of the Post Office infrastructure, passed part 1 and 2 and made Sgt at the tender age of 16 All packed into a frame of 4 foot 11 inches. Moved into the stock Exchange and became gilt edged with a renewed value of a couple of pounds extra in weight. Always wanted to join the Royal Marines, and at 17 went along to the recruiting office at Wanstead. There I had the medical and was told that I was to short by half and told to come back in twenty Years, or 6 inches later. With all my persuasive powers of literate experience (Basically Bullshit) I convinced the Massive 8 foot Hulk of a Drill instructor that he was missing a fantastic opportunity to employ a useful Member into the Corp. I couldn't believe it when he agreed with me, That was it, I was on my way to a part of my Life that made me the person I am today. "For good or Bad" 10 years I served the Corp and enjoyed every moment and every Port, the men and women I served with and the jobs we done, the places we went, Malta Nth Africa, Sicily, Cyprus, Aden, Singapore, Borneo, Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines. The people I met, and the experiences we enjoyed. What a superb Life on the Ocean Waves. I got started in the Business prior to coming out of the services. Needless to say I then picked the trade up from Seaton Barracks and the Argyle and Southern highlanders who had just returned from Aden with the reputation that there Commanding Office "Mad Mitch" had acquired for them. It was whilst serving the Argyle's that I Became a Golden Gloves Champion and received 2nd Dan in "you Know What", My Dogs Mobile Van was equipped to except incoming Bricks and Bottles at 50 yds and over head fire via the occasional milk crate slung off the roof at a height of 100 Feet, it was at this stage of my life that I discovered grey in my hair. Also it was total secret that I was a serving member within the Royal Marines, (Can you imagine the Flack) and as the story goes some fool let the cat out of the bag. The Argyle's always liked a punch up, even if it was 8 against one, and that I can forgive, because at that time of night they were so inebriated that they could not count the fingers on there toes. The challenge was thrown down and I stated that I would take three of them down the Gym and would take all three on singular, at whatever they wished to do. The time and date was given and I duly rolled up, to find that a SJT PTI was organizing it, which suited me, the challenge was put to me with the other three contenders listening that we were all to complete three circuits of the circuit course laid out in the Gymnasium, the other three agreed to this, I disagreed and said that it was to lame, asked what my ideas were, I said you run until you drop and the last one standing is the winner, If you are a Royal Marine Reading this, you would have been right proud, I completed 7 circuits having out run the last Argyle on the Sixth, and on completing the Seventh running past the Sarge, sticking my thumb up and saying "Bit more training and they will be as good as our Wrens". From that moment on I had no more trouble from the Lads and I loved them. Great to have on our side. Jim Holland Jim Jnr "NOT A BLOODY CHANCE!" |
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