Demobilisation at the end of the Second World War or national service was often a rather low key affair, frequently accompanied by much bureaucracy and the issue of strange new clothes. The discharged soldier had then to reconstruct his life, reconnect with his family and attempt to put the experiences and close comradeship of his service with the regiment behind him. However a soldier had come to join the regiment, whether by accident or design, it was almost certainly the case that he would have forged incredibly strong ties with his companions and would develop great pride in the unit to which he belonged. Soldiers who served through World War II had shared extraordinary and often terrible experiences which people at home could not hope to fully comprehend. Such ties might bind men together for life and the Regimental Association allowed them to keep in touch, celebrate their service and remember those who had been lost.
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Soldiers at Stoughton Barracks, Guildford, the Depot of the Queen's Royal (West Surrey) Regiment, share a drink. |
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| Video Duration 4:19 |
Private Stan Blay
Stan Blay, 2/6th and 2/7th Battalions, the Queen's Royal Regiment recalls a rather low key end to six years service in World War II.
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| Video Duration 0:34 |
Private Cyril Dwight
Cyril Dwight, 1st Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, and The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment remembers flying for the first time and eating goldfish on his way home from the East.
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| Video Duration 2:17 |
Regimental Sergeant Major H 'Tommy' Atkins
'Tommy' Atkins, 2nd Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, remembers the comradeship of life in the army.
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| Video Duration 3:27 |
Sergeant Jim Jeffery
Jim Jeffery, 2/5th Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regimemt, remembers his old commanding officer.
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| Video Duration 0:31 |
Sergeant Sidney Barker
Sidney Barker, 2nd Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, wears his pride in the regiment on his arm.
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| Video Duration 2:38 |
Major Toby Taylor
Toby Taylor, 1st Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, recalls the loss of friends and companions.
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| Video Duration 1:09 |
Private George Crook
George Crook, 1st Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, advocates the reintroduction of national service.
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| Video Duration 1:18 |
Band Sergeant Major Brian Matlock
Brian Matlock, 1st Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, laments the erosion of military traditions and values by government cutbacks.
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