Steve as a young Irish Guardsman

It was a lovely summer's evening when i had just finished cleaning the old Morris lorry in the front garden when a familiar face passed by my gate, except on this ocassion i heard " What year is the lorry? " " Nineteen fifty-two " I replied. We passed the time and had a chat. Incredibly our paths had crossed in the past, Steve had lived in areas of Surrey which i was familiar with as i had lived in Surrey myself. During the course of the conversation he aslo mentioned that he had lived in Ireland and served in the forces. My ears suddenly pricked up as i heard mention of the Guards, and in suspense asked him which regiment of Guards he had served in " Irish Guards " he replied. Well, i was smiling all over the place, here was a guy, who had lived in Surrey, had the same name as me, had lived in Ireland, served in the Irish Guards and was now living in the same street as me. How fate can be a strange thing. Before another word could be spoken, i had told him all about my interests and had recruited him into the group, and ever since he has been a good friend. We have even had him out sleeping under the stars! which brought back lots of memories for him. Anyway let steve tell you the rest:

" Having moved to Ireland when i was three and a half, all of my school days were in Co Cork. My first schools were in Macroom, mid way between Cork and Killarney. The Convent was first, then the Christian Brothers. From there i went to a boarding school in Cork city ( Buckingham House School ) and then to Christchurch National School. Having finished school, i fancied going into the forces. which mum was ok with. I braved the journey to Belfast, and eventually found my way to the army recruiting office. This was my first taste of the army!! " You boy.
Irish Guards !! " was the greeting from the first person i saw - an Irish Guards Full Sergeant. Education test, followed by medical ( cough! ) I was hooked. Irish Guards here i come !!
Being the age i was i went into the Junior Guards at Pirbright. The training was the same as the adult entrants plus we did extra education and music. I joined the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Caterham in 1960 and went into the Corps of Pipes and Drums as a drummer, fully fledged 23495854 drummer Leyland. S.
There were lots of ceremonial duties, including the Tower of London, and i spent some time posted in Germany (what could be better than a six week driving course in the Mosel Valley in mid summer ) Then there were quite a few private jobs which the Corps of Drums did, carnivals, cruises on the Rhine etc. In all really great stuff. I was then eventually posted back to the UK where i got attached to the Medical Reception Station at Pirbright, and became an ambulance-staff car driver. It was then back to Chelsea Barracks before my demob in 1966.
I have often thought fondly of my time in the Irish Guards - Good Times - Great Buddies. . .
Well Done " The Micks "

Steve, having a well earned pint having slept under canvas at the Ramsey 1940s weekend

Steve is now an official honourary member of our group, and like Ron and Tom he is a terrific bloke. He has often put himself in the face of danger and volunteered to light the WW2 petrol stove. He is also a dab hand at loading the lorry so that everything is in its place . .where would we be without him? even though he has threatened me with legal action about the above photograph!!