Roll of Honour

John commenced his military career as an apprentice tradesman (carpenter & joiner) at the Army Technical School, Beachley Camp, Chepstow in 1945.

Upon completion of this training, he entered into his colour service and attended a Primary Training Course, a basic Fields Engineering Course, followed by a trade upgrading course to B2, at Chatham.

He joined 9 Independent Airborne Squadron RE at Malta Barracks, Aldershot in 1950 as a member of 2 Troop. He remained with the Sqn until 1958 when he joined the 121 Clerk of Works Construction Course at Brompton Barracks, unaccompanied by his wife Marie, who remained in the North of England with their 3 boys.

On completion of his course, he drew a long straw and off he went in 1960 to Singapore on the troopship, the SS Nevasa, where he was later joined by his wife and their 4 sons. In Singapore he was responsible for the maintenance of a very large estate of married quarters for the Malay Military at Clementi; a quite demanding job. He then had the responsibility of supervising the building of a mosque, however, it was only after he got the footings in that it came to light, when the Iman came along, that everything would have to be changed so as to ensure the mosque faced in the right direction!