The Regular Force Cadet Association

Jim Twist  Mead Coy   jimbar@paradise.net.nz

Days that still seem but yesterday in memory

It was so early in the am in January 1949 when John Murphy, Baldy Trueman, Phil Burt, Don Campbell, myself and a few others reported to Buckle Street Wellington and were attested, then loaded into the back of an army truck and chauffeured in style to Trentham Camp. We were taken to a row of huts and told which huts we were allocated to and being first in had the choice of which bed we were to occupy.  Of course it was lunch time so we were escorted to the Cadet Mess and sheepishly shuffled along beside the wall to the servery aware as we did so of the crowd of apparent convicts in khaki dress who were watching us and as a man stood and yelled at us “You’ll be sorry” (Miles Coy of course) We didn’t know how to react to that.  At the counter in response to the question what choice of meal is there.  The answer was simple, and stood for the rest of our time in the school, "Eat it! or go without".

I spent 2 years in the School being joined in the 2nd year by Allen Class.  It was the beginning of the greatest period of my life.  The transition from family based schoolboy to adulthood and a soldier was well balanced by the training educational, gymnasium and sporting instructors and directors that each intake was to emerge as efficient servicemen on the parade ground and in the execution of our career skills.  We were also instilled with leadership and a self confidence that was to stand to our advantage throughout our lives.  A rivalry was developed with other classes but an esprit de corps existed and lifetime friendships were established which continue today.  

Thank you for my time in the RF Cadets,  I know we had something special being one of the favoured few.