Norman Richard Holland, R.E.M.E.
My posting whilst on
National Service
to
Governor's Cottage Camp. Gibraltar.
1953/54.
Hi George,
O'boy what happy memories Gibraltar in the 50's. I was
stationed up at Europa Point in the REME barracks there.
I was a metal worker in Garrison Workshops
just opposite Alameda Gardens close to the Town arch entrance.
One of my main projects was to replace the Ventilating system in the Rock
workshops, though mainly repair and maintenance of the Garrison Cars and
Motorbikes.Here are a few pictures of the many happy times spent in Gibraltar
A
Potted History.
I was
serving my apprenticeship as a coppersmith with ‘Vickers Armstrong’, Naval
Yard, Walker on Tyne, I Joined up at Newcastle upon Tyne with REME at 17 ½
years of age for 3 years. At the time I felt this was best for me to do the
extra year and have the benefits of an increased pay packet, and so it proved
and I would not change any of it for the world.
Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, Dorset.
I
reported to Blandford Camp on 25th Feb 1952, for 6 weeks Basic
Training. I don’t seem to remember
a great deal about my experiences here other than boot black, Blanco, drill,
cleaning, drill and more cleaning, we were however allowed out of camp after a
couple of weeks when we went into town to a dance and a few drinks I did enjoy
these fleeting nights out, the trouble was that they inevitably ended with a
long walk back to Camp.
14 Command Workshops, Ashford in Kent,
Being
fairly proficient at most sports and games I was appointed Physical
Training/Sports Instructor, between training sessions I was ‘A’
Company Clerk, this was a great job and always popular with the lads in camp,
though I have a feeling that this was mainly due to the fact that I prepared the
Guard Duty roster, prepared the 252’s for those on charge and generally had
the ear of the C.O.
I
represented Eastern Command in1952, Throwing the Discus and Javelin, though
never reached any great levels, I suppose that would be due to the fact that
being 5ft 9ins tall, it is difficult to compete with 6ft + and 16stone giants.
I
represented ‘14 Command Workshops’ at Boxing 10 stone 7lb Light
Welterweight; I had 2 bouts won 1 lost 1.
Ashford
is a great town where I had many enjoyable experiences with local boys and girls
and very special army friends namely ‘Geordie Gladstone’ and ‘Bill
St Georges Barrack, Gosport.
Completed
training as a sheet metal worker. These were the days of the Teddy boys and we
made some great friends and were well entertained in Pompy.
We
also had some wonderful nights on board HMS ‘Victory’ where we were well
entertained by the boys whose job was the security of the ship.
Governors Cottage Camp, Gibraltar.
I probably hit the jackpot twice here, first
getting the Gib Posting and secondly working in ‘Station Workshops’ in the
town, my responsibilities here were to maintain the fabric of the garrison cars,
motorbikes and Jeeps, we were ably assisted by a small number of civilian
mechanics,
I was Billeted in ‘Governors Cottage Camp’, our
hut was right in the middle of the complex, the hut door faced the entrance to
the cookhouse/canteen and both cooks (Fatty Ball and A N Other) were billeted
with us (very convenient don’t you think) and if I may say so the food was
pretty good too.
Some of the highlights of my time in Gibraltar
include, trips into town some of my
pals (especially Pete Cleminson [ if you are still around Pete look me up])
visiting the local honky tonk bars like the Trocodero or if we were short on the
Ackers the first stop would be the Geek shop were you could drink the most
potent brew at the cheapest price to start the night, the evening would
either start or end in Smokey Joes Café where the best Tortilla (Spanish
Omelette) in town was served.
Dances on a Saturday at the Catholic club (open to
all religions) where most or a lot of the local nurses would turn up, we had
some super nights out there (again, ask
Pete).
A number of the lads from camp and the workshops
set up a weeks camping holiday in
Tangier. Transport being supplied by the RAF’s Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB). We
set up tents outside the town in a field by an old Moorish Building where we
could retreat if the weather got bad, fortunately we did not need to use
it. It was a great experience seeing the sights, markets, traders with
their camels and the veiled ladies.
The children chasing us down the wide palm lined
promenade making lots of noise to encourage us to buy the 3 week old English
Papers they were selling at inflated prices and handing out visiting cards for
local ladies or their establishments, a great time was had by one and all.
Trips to Algeceiras and La Linea were a regular
weekend outing where we would eat and drink like lords taking care to hang on to
your wallet on the way back to the border
through La Linea as the children were experts at relieving you of any
un-protected monies.
If 1953/54 were wines, I would say they were a
sure great vintage.
Back
to Civvy Street.
I returned to Newcastle in February 1955, returning
to Vickers Armstrong where I finished my apprenticeship as a Coppersmith.
I
decided in 1961 that I should like to see the world so I signed up with
‘Hunting & Son’ as a Junior Engineer, working up to 3rd
Engineer in 1965. During my time with ‘Hunting & Son’ I sailed on the
‘Tynefield’, Wheatfield, Dalhanna and the Eskfield, during which time I
visited places like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, up the Baltic to Gdansk in
Poland. Most countries in Europe were visited. Then on to San Francisco and up
the Mississippi to Baton Rouge in the USA. Rio-de-Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos
Aires, Villa Constitution and Rosario in Argentina to name a few.
I
returned to dry land to continue my career in engineering, I moved into training
with a local top class Engineering training centre where I moved on to Training
Manager and finally retiring as Business Development Manager.
I now
live happily in ‘Jarrow’ with my dear wife and family around me.
(Below)
Norman R. Holland R.E.M.E.
GIBRALTAR
Below Christmas:1953 REME Governor's Cottage Camp.
Below: Sports Day Europa Point.1954
Fish Market Gibraltar 1954( below)
Lottery being drawn in Gibraltar 1954
Norman Holland is now Jarrow Bowling Club. Secretary
Cowdenbeath touring club are preparing their annual tour to the North East of England for May 2007, 'Jarrow Bowling Club' have been approached by their secretary for assistance in possibly setting up a team from Jarrow/Hebburn area to host a game/games for Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May.
It is important that, should we offer support we do this as soon as possible as they need to have everything in place and booked well before the event. I will be delighted to hear from any member or Secretary of local clubs who can assist or offer positive suggestions.
Contact:- Norman Holland:- http://jarrowbc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
Below: Durham EBA Rink Winners 1991.
Left to right: Colin Davidson,Billy Conner,Norman R Holland,Arthur Harrison.
Jarrow Borough Bowling Club.2002
Doug Noble, Norman Holland, Gillian Rowell
Jarrow Borough Bowling Club
English Bowling Federation
English Bowls Team Champions
2002
Back Left to Right: Billy Fuller, Scat Malone, Mac McCluskey, Norman Holland,
Bede McElwee, Alex Byden, Doug Noble, Arthur Harrison.
Front Left to Right: Alan Lawton, Maurice Dunlop, Alan Jobling, Gill Rowell,
Sec. Jack Lawton, John English, Colin Davidson.