WALKING BACKWARDS… British Army Northern Ireland 1977.................................

They began the process of knocking me into shape right from the off. On my first patrol I had to walk backwards for four fucking hours! Well, someone had to do it and as I was the new boy, that was my job. It was no good complaining, if my Commander had caught me not doing it, I’d get a stiff kick up the arse. I walked backwards for the rest of the tour and after a few weeks I was an expert at it. If ever there should be an Olympic event for running and walking backwards, I’d bet my house that a British squaddie would win gold every time. In the end I just did it without thinking about it...until the day I fell down a quarry. I fell about fifty feet down and all I could hear from my comrades was, ‘where’s that fucking idiot gone now?’ I broke two teeth, twisted my ankle and bust a finger. They thought it was hilarious and looking back I guess it must have been, but I didn’t find it funny at the time. On the up side, it got me off patrols for a few days.

When I returned from Ireland I often demonstrated my walking backward skills around town whilst out with my girlfriend. Unsurprisingly, she walked the other way, thinking I was some sort of nutter.

 

From my book “The Unnamed Soldiers”

Kindle price £3.33 or free on Kindle Unlimited Paperback £6.56 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unnamed-Soldiers-Names-Pack-Drill-ebook/dp/B00SABLGKE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

US Kindle price $4.35 Paperback $8.45 or free on Kindle Unlimited http://www.amazon.com/Unnamed-Soldiers-Names-Pack-Drill-ebook/dp/B00SABLGKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447853586&sr=8

 

AU kindle price $5.45 Paperback  $13.21

https://www.amazon.com.au/Unnamed-Soldiers-Names-Pack-Drill-ebook/dp/B00SABLGKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468435000&sr=8-1&keywords=the+unnamed+soldiers

US Kindle price $4.35 Paperback $8.45 or free on Kindle Unlimited http://www.amazon.com/Unnamed-Soldiers-Names-Pack-Drill-ebook/dp/B00SABLGKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447853586&sr=8

 

 

21 comments

  • DXtvqcefYCJaBnx

    vTlOxoAU
  • WBGleMcXihPawZ

    yiCQbWswVkS
  • JcSOsIUiefPGzuFW

    PXZeCwNlKG
  • rnFMYkolXvWGS

    ceCRitNuHlM
  • aLBAYnPHuUJy

    KZOkPGgR

Leave a comment