TA - 74 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers)

This is a holding page for the regt at the moment until someone can give me some background info and other details to put on here, but in the meantime you can use it to complete your service history and then find other squadron members using the link above.  REgards

Gordon

Comments

I was in 114 field squadron from 1977-80
Thought I'd look up some old friends.
John Mahood Spr

Hi John,

I was I in 272 Field Support Squadron 1977-80 and did the recruit course at Halton Camp in early (Feb?) 1978. Were you on that course? I remember that there were a few NI lads on it but with it being 39 years ago can't recall their names! I've posted a photo of the recruit course under the 74 Engineer Regiment section so you might recognise a few faces.

I also saw your other post about Flensburg in '78, which brought back some memories as I was on that exercise too.

Regards,

Steve Smith.

Hi Steve just to say Hi. I was at Halton Camp in early Feb 1978 with 114 Field Squadron From Antrim and Belfast their also where lads their from Bradford, that was a long time ago I do remember it was bloody cold. Keith

Staying in the field camp 1978 Flensburg with 114 squadron
From Belfast. John Mahood

Hi John I was their as well with 114 from Antrim along with my Brother In law Stanley Kerr and his mate Harper. Cheap booze and cigars LOL.. Keith

During my time (78-81) the Regiment was organised as follows: RHQ and REME workshop Girdwood Park. 112 Fd Sqn HQ plus one Fd Tp Girdwood Park. 114 Fd Sqn HQ plus one Fd Tp Girdwood Park. 112 also had a troop at Bangor and a troop at Carrickfergus. 114 Also had a troop at Antrim and a Troop plus plant section at Ballymena. 272 Support Sqn was at Bradford. 74 Regiments war role was to be second line engineer support to troops operating in Norway/Sweden.
The regiment was very well supported and trained at Antrim Magilligan,Ballykinler RAF Bishops Court, and West Freugh Scotland, at least twice a month. A lot of ex regulars attended including one Vietnam vet. Regulart staff during my time were : CO Lt Col Dennison, Lt Col Barry Sanderson. RSM Harry Wright/Geoff Baron/ Bob Styche. Adjutant: Jim Mackenzie. QM: Bernard Wady, SQMS
Steve Ewing, Signals: Jedd Lattka, PSI's Tom Downie, Keith Riley, Bob Fullilove, John Hadaway, Norman Barras, Chief Clerk Mick Ransom. One of the best jobs I did in the army, I was left alone to get on with it my way. Trying to run TA in NI during the troubles was not easy. I always felt we did not get the recognition we deserved. If we went anywhere in uniform it was a flak jacket job and I could not get to Girdwood without going through an out of bounds area. (In my blue landrover!)Nevertheless very happy days with a great bunch of guys (And girls, we had a WRAC troop as well!)

I remember Bob Fullilove espeially as a SSgt on my JNCOs Cadre. He took about 40 of us for drill. During a practice pass off we had to turn right, left wheel and left turn to march past in review order. Unfortunately we obeyed an about turn command and Bob marched on unaware we were marching in the opposite direction. The order came from LCpl Ernie Hanna who was upstairs in RHQ , on the balcony of the JRC. He may have got away with it except LCpl Jock Fisher, RP staff, was standing beside him.

Bob

Just to let you know that Harry Wright is alive & well.

Hi I was at Girdwood 112 Sqnas a WOll PSI from 1972 to 1974. John Bond was the RSM.
Harry Harrison

Hi all, I joined 114 field squadron in 1978. After 3 years I transferred to REME and became the regimental armourer until 1992 when I left due to work commitments. During my time, myself and 11 other members done a tour with 9 Para sqn in Kenya. We had some great times and craic and I remember the incident mentioned in the earlier post with Ernie Hanna well.