1946...back to top

27 INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE (27 ITC)
Winchester/Barton Stacey
GREEN JACKET PRIMARY TRAINING CENTRE
Winchester

In spring 1946 the Training Companies moved from Bushfield Camp Winchester to Barton Stacey Camp, Nr Andover to be followed later in the year by their HQ, HQ Company and the Holding Company from the Rifle Depot Barracks.

                         
27 INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE, THE PRIMARY TRAINING CENTRE, THE DEPOT AND THE 7th PARACHUTE BATTALION

As a result of the Infantry re-organisation, announced by the Secretary of State for War on 24 October 1946, and in order to preserve the Regimental system as far as possible, the Infantry was divided into 15 Groups or Corps. Each Group had an ITC composed of an HQ and HQ Company, a Regimental Training Company for each Battalion in the Group, and a strong Training and Holding Company.  The ITC of the Green Jacket Group was located at Barton Stacey, Nr Winchester and later moved to Bushfield Camp, immediately West of Winchester. Although the ITC took on the major responsibilities of the original Depot, small Regimental Depots, accommodating up to 100 all ranks were retained.  Their duties were to look after Regimental matters, the museums, keep in touch with the TA, receive men for demobilisation and leave, etc.  This Depot remained in the old Barracks at Winchester. Primary training for recruits was carried out at County Primary Training Centres (PTC) located at the original depots - this training took 6 weeks.  As recruits for the entire Army attended these County Centres, they contained a proportion of permanent staff from Arms other than Infantry. The Green Jacket PTC was linked with the County of Hampshire PTC and together with the Depot occupied part of the Lower Barracks at Winchester, whilst the rest of the County PTC occupied the Upper Barracks, i.e. the old Rifle Depot. At PTCs men were selected for a Corps or Regiment according to their attributes, but as far as possible men were sent to the Regiments of their choice.  Ex-Army Cadets, who had passed both parts of Certificate A had the right of choice, as also had Regular Volunteers as opposed to conscripts. Those likely to show powers of leadership were sent direct from recruiting stations, where an organisation for selection existed, to the special 27th and 28th Training Battalions for Leaders.  On arrival such men were badged to the Regiment of their choice.  Those who did not become officers were created NCOs. At the conclusion of their 6 week primary training the volunteers for the Regiment and those selected for posting to the motor battalions were then drafted to the Green Jackets ITC, where the first time they commenced their training as Riflemen and completed 10 weeks' Corps training - a similar type of training to that carried out at the Rifle Depot prior to 1939, but 10 weeks instead of 20, which allowed no time to teach other subjects essential to the Motor Battalion.  When the Corps training was finished the Rifleman remained at the ITC as part of the Holding and Training Company until such time as he was required for drafting to either of the two Regular Battalions. The organisation of the ITC consists of one Rifle Brigade and one 60th Training Company, and one composite Holding and Training Company.

7th PARACHUTE BATTALION

To each Infantry Group, or in some cases, to two combined Groups, a Parachute Battalion was affiliated.  The 7th Battalion was affiliated to the Light Infantry and Green Jacket Groups.  Personnel were provided by secondment of officers and attachment of other ranks.  Periods of duty would normally not exceed 3 years.  Some 35 officers and 771 other ranks were needed, these numbers being divided between the eight Light Infantry and Green Jacket Regiments of that period.  A high proportion of these were trained at the Green Jacket ITC.
  
   
1947...back to top

THE GREEN JACKET INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE
Barton Stacey, Bushfield Camp

27 ITC became the Green Jacket ITC on 10 January 1947 at Barton Stacey Camp prior to moving to Bushfield Camp.  On the formation of the Infantry Brigade Groups, the name of the Training Centre became the Green Jacket Brigade Training Centre. In addition to the usual Infantry training, D & M Courses, Clerks' Courses, Bugle Classes and NCOs Cadres were held. By this time the training had been reduced to 6 weeks, during which time recruits fired the Rifle and LMG courses but went to the Battalions with little or no knowledge of other Infantry weapons.

  
                      
1948...back to top

THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE TRAINING CENTRE
Barton Stacey/ Winchester
1st BATTALION KRRC GREEN JACKET BRIGADE TRAINING BATTALION
Barton Stacey/ Bushfield Camp/Winchester

The 1st Battalion KRRC, which had recently returned from Italy, and which had been employed on "work of national importance" at Bramley, Borden and Aldershot, absorbed the Green Jacket Brigade Training Centre at Barton Stacey during the latter half of February 1948 and with a permanent staff of 24 officers and 295 other ranks was soon ready to assume the duties of the Green Jackets Brigade Training Battalion.  The task of the Battalion was in the main the training of the National Service men for both the KRRC and RB but it also included a varying number of RAOC and REME personnel.  This training now lasted 10 weeks and was intended to "turn out a man fully trained as an individual and fit to take his place in a Rifle Section".  All the usual subjects were covered, including a high proportion of weapon training and fieldcraft.  The average man was taught only the Rifle, Bren, Sword and 36 Grenade.  Specially selected men were, in addition, taught the Sten, 2 inch Mortar and PIAT.  An element of potential officer and NCO selecting and training was also carried out.  Likely candidates were graded after a fortnight's training and taken out of their original platoons and put into special advanced training platoons. Here they completed their next 8 weeks training and in addition to the ordinary subjects done by all NS men, they did map reading, night training, elementary wireless procedure and minor tactics. Potential Officers were then called forward to a War Office Selection Board (WOSB) where they underwent a 3 day test.  If successful they went to the Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) at Eaton Hall, Chester for a 16 week course before joining a Green Jacket Regiment as an Emergency Commissioned Officer. Thus a National Service Officer did about 8 months Commissioned Service after Passing Out. The potential NCO, after completing 10 weeks initial training, was sent to the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards or the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards at Aldershot.  These two "Leader" Battalions put the potential NCOs through an intensive course for 6 weeks covering mainly drill, weapon training and section leading.  On completion the NCOs either went to the KRRC from the Coldstream Guards or the RB from the Grenadier Guards. A supplementary but equally important role was giving assistance to the affiliated TA Battalions and Army Cadet Force Units. On 12 October 1948 the Green Jacket Training Battalion moved from Barton Stacey to Bushfield Camp (Bn HQ, HQ Coy, 2 x Trg Coys) and Upper Barracks, Winchester (Holding and Drafting Coy).

 
                                     
1949...back to top

1st BATTALION KRRC GREEN JACKETS TRAINING BATTALION Bushfield/Winchester

The role of the Regiment of training National Service men did not change fundamentally since it began in February/March 1948 except that two-thirds of most intakes were earmarked for the RAEC, some of whom already arrived with a University Degree. Another additional commitment was to train drafts of surplus men, not required by the RB in Germany, for the Far East where they were to be attached to a Light Infantry Regiment. During the year the Battalion had some notable Rifle Shooting achievements. Considering the Battalion was primarily concerned with training recruits these achievements were even more notable. In the ARA Central and Non Central Meeting and the Aldershot District Rifle Meeting the Battalion won 19 Musketry Trophies which included the RB Cup, Prince of Wales Cup, Britannia Trophy, Queen Victoria Trophy, Young Soldiers Cup, Small Arms Cup and the Royal Irish cup. The Battalion also had 5 team members in the Army 100 and the Army 50.
During this period boxing was also put on a sound footing in the Battalion, which was to stand the whole Regiment in credit in due course.

1950...back to top

1st BATTALION KRRC GREEN JACKET TRAINING BATTALION Bushfield/Winchester
THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE TRAINING BATTALION
Winchester

After 2 ½  years 1 KRRC resumed active duty as part of BAOR and handed over its Green Jacket training role, on 5 October 1950, to a newly created Training Battalion formed on the two Depots of the KRRC and RB at Winchester. The staffs were found from elements of 1 KRRC at Bushfield and 1 RB in Germany. During its 2 ½ years as the Training Battalion 1 KRRC trained some 3.400 recruits and about 300 personnel passed on to Eaton Hall OCS to become officers.

1951...back to top

THE GREEN JACKET DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

The combined Green Jacket Depot came into being on 9 August 1951.  This meant only a change of name rather than change of role and organisation. It was not until November 1951 that the Medical Services and WRAC Records moved from Upper Barracks to Bushfield and we finally had the Depot to ourselves. On formation of the Green Jacket Depot the recruit intake system was changed from fortnightly intakes to an intake every 6 weeks.  During the year the Depot was very successfully represented at the District, Command and Bisley meeting. Lt Adam Butler (60th), later to be Minister of Defence Procurement (1985), did particularly well to win the Worcestershire Cup.

1952...back to top
THE GREEN JACKET DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

At last the archaic interior of the Barrack Blocks received official recognition and a modernisation scheme was set in progress which in due course brought such un-thought-of amenities as hot water, baths and interior sanitation. The training of Regular recruits and National Service men continued with intakes every 6 weeks throughout the year.  The National Service intakes varied in number from 65 to 124.  About 40% of each intake consisted of potential officers of whom only a small number eventually received a Green Jacket commission.  Thus ultimately only about 50% of an intake was finally available for drafting to the Battalions. The actual training period for both Regulars and National Service men was extended from 6 weeks to 10 weeks during this time.  Strenuous internal recruiting campaigns were conducted at the Depot to obtain Regulars both direct from civilian life and by conversion from National Service engagements.  Much was made of the 3 Shillings a day (just over £50 a year) pay differential between a 17 year old three year Regular and an 18 year old National Serviceman. In the autumn of 1952 the Depot was entrusted, under Capt D B Alexander-Sinclair, RB, with putting a squad of recruits through initial training trials on the EM2 (.280 in) Rifle.  (This Rifle looked suspiciously like the SA80 (5.56 mm) Rifle about (1985)to be introduced into the British Army and with which, at the time of writing, the Depot was doing Green Jacket Rifle Drill Trials with a view to writing a new Light Division drill pamphlet.  The Depot also sent a team of recruits to validate the SA80 weapon training and range pamphlet).  For the first time since WWII Reservist Officers came to the Depot for two weeks training in 1952.  As most of them had done no soldiering since 1946 they viewed their call-up with much apprehension as did those who were destined to train them.  (To this day, as Dec 1985, Reservist Training is carried out at the Depot although only two long weekends a year are devoted to this.  The Reservists get a kit and document check, see a NBC film, do a bit of weapon training, fire 10 rounds, get £100, a travel warrant and are sent home all in the space of about 2 hours).

1953...back to top

THE GREEN JACKETS DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

The 6-weekly intakes often exceeded 100 by this year making accommodation scarce at times so that the Gym and the Drill Shed had to be used.  The recruiting of Regulars had improved largely due to the introduction of Regimental Recruiting Sergeants.  Most of the Barrack rooms had been modernised by this time as had the Cookhouse and there was talk of making the NAAFI and the "Cpls' Room" more habitable.  The Officers' Mess which stood where the present day (1985) Sgts' Mess stands was finally condemned as unsafe, in fact the Subalterns' Ball was not allowed to be held due to the unsafe condition of the building. A party of 2 officers and 15 other ranks represented the Depot at the Coronation.  Under command of Col D R C BOILEAU DSO they lined the route between Grosvenor Gate and Park Lane.

1954...back to top
THE GREEN JACKETS DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

The main preoccupation of the Depot in 1954 was the building up of 1 RB for Korea and arranging for their reinforcements and then having to re-plan when their destination was changed to Kenya.  The National Servicemen came in every 4 weeks for 10 weeks of basic training.  In 1954 the Depot excelled themselves in shooting events, both in the Aldershot District Meeting and at Bisley.  Some of the more outstanding results were winning the Training Unit Rifle and LMG match, the Company Shield Match, the Aggregate LMG Trophy (Roberts Cup) and Aggregate Rifle Trophy, all at the Aldershot meeting.  At Bisley the Depot won the Britannia Trophy, the Small Arms Cup and Cpl Gridley and Harper KRRC the Worcester Cup.

1955...back to top

THE GREEN JACKET DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

This year was notable for 2 Royal visits to the Depot.  On 8 June Field-Marshal HRH Duke of Gloucester, Colonel in Chief The Rifle Brigade, with the Colonel Commandant inspected the Depot on a ceremonial parade. On 25 July, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Winchester and took the salute at the Bicentenary Parade of the 60th Rifles. Recruits continued to arrive and pass out at 6-weekly intervals, the Officers' Mess continued to subside and there was talk of an expensive rebuild of the whole Depot in the offing. Five major trophies were won at the Aldershot Rifle Meeting and the Depot came 4th in the KRRC Cup at Bisley.

1956...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

The triumphs of the Depot Shooting Team under Capt P M Welsh were the highlight of the year. It is stated in the 1956 RB Chronicle that, "in spite of having 2 very large intakes of recruits, the selection of NCOs for the Aldershot meeting was simplified by the fact that OC Training Company, Major E N W BRAMALL (60th) was on leave, which left the Training Officer (Capt P M WELSH) with only his conscience with which to argue".  The Depot won 11 Cups and £198.  The individual rifle was a Green Jacket affair with Peter Welsh (60th) 1st and Sgt Young (RB) 2nd.  At the Bisley/ NRA meetings the Depot won the KRRC Cup and the Worcester and Small Arms Cup besides winning many individual matches. Peter Welsh was selected to shoot for the Army with the Rifle and Sgt Young with the Sten Gun.  Col The Hon DOUGLAS-PENNANT captained the Army team which won the Burdwan Cup for the first time since 1936.  During 1956 1,000 recruits, half of them regulars, were put through training with as many as 400 in training at any one time.

1957...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

This was the year of amalgamations, when many regiments learnt they were to cease to exist as individual regiments and were to be formed into Brigades.  The Green Jacket Depot was relieved to learn that neither its name nor its location was to change but that the regiment as a whole were to welcome the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (43rd & 52nd) into the fold in 1959.  This would enlarge the scope of the Depot by the arrival of a third Regiment.  Paradoxically the establishment of Officers and NCOs on the permanent staff was to be reduced.  Recruiting throughout the Army was bad in 1957 owing to the uncertainty as to the future.  However in a year of ups and downs they did manage to recruit over 300 Riflemen for both the 60th and RB. Much of this was due to the various recruiting drives instigated in the main by the Depot. These activities were so successful that in 1957 we were able to do without National Servicemen under training.  Although there was a reduction in size of the platoons under training the training cycle was increased from 10 to 12 weeks.  As in previous years the Depot continued to assist affiliated TA and Cadet organisations.  On the range the Depot again achieved good results, the greatest triumph being the winning of the Royal Ulster Rifle Cup and coming third in the KRRC Cup which was won in 1957 by 2 KRRC.

1958...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

This year saw the forming of the new Brigade Depot by taking on elements of the
43rd & 52nd.  The highlight of the year was a parade for the Colonel in Chief. Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Gloucester on 6 November to mark the inauguration of the new Brigade cap badge and the assumption of the new Regimental Titles.  During July 1958 the Depot celebrated the centenary of its establishment at Winchester; this was marked by a cricket match at St Cross and a parade in front of the Guildhall.  In the recruiting field the Green Jackets had been fairly successful.  The year's target of 500 regular recruits was just missed by 24.  Losses, due to recruits not reaching the required standard, ran between 20% and 30%.  The Depot shooting team again had good results with Training Company winning the Inter-Company match at Aldershot where the Depot came third in the Major Units Match. At Bisley the Depot won the Northampton Cup and the Royal Ulster Rifles Cup for the second year running.  In the KRRC Cup the Depot came second, only 3 points behind the winners. Recruit training had now settled into a 12 week cycle with Drill and Weapon training in Barracks, Firing at Chilcomb, manoeuvres at Farley Mount and live firing during Battle Camp at Browndown, near Gosport.

1959...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

The new Green Jacket Brigade Depot came into being officially on 1st January 1959, with its main task being to train approximately 250 Regular recruits and 700 National Servicemen for all three Regiments of the Brigade during a year. This entailed increasing the number of training platoons in Training Company to a total of 8.  Ironically, the War Office also selected 1st January to cut the Depot Permanent Staff to that necessary to train 3 platoons!!  Then, as they do now with similar cuts, the Battalions responded nobly to the call for additional instructors.  In 1959 the plans for reconstruction of the Barracks were signed and sealed with work due to begin mid-1961 and lasting about 2 years.  During this rebuild the Depot was due to move out to Bushfield Camp only 2 miles outside Winchester.  Eleven Passing Out Parades were held during this year, on one occasion as many as 120 guests of one Rifleman passing out arrived by special coaches from London. The Depot Shooting Team again had a successful time at both Aldershot and Bisley.  At Aldershot they won the Recruits Match, the Company Shield, the Corporals LMG Match and the Coronation Cup.  At Bisley they won the Worcestershire Cup.  Under the energetic and enthusiastic direction of Lt Robin Alers-Hankey (RB) (died of wounds received in Londonderry, Northern Ireland as OC C Coy with 2RGJ, 30 Jan 1972) and Lt Christopher Haines (RB) an increased interest in boxing was taken with recruits taking part in regular boxing competitions. A large number of changes in the staff took place throughout 1959 due to reorganisation and the need to draw the staff equally from all 3 Regiments.

1960...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE DEPOT
Upper Barracks, Winchester

This year was memorable for it saw an avalanche of National Servicemen pour in, filling the Barracks until they were bulging. The year built up to a crescendo of activity until in December the last National Serviceman reported for duty, on his own and 3 weeks late!  A great emphasis was again put on recruiting with special weekends at Winchester for civilians to see the Army for themselves. The Depot Shooting Team again enjoyed considerable success during the year especially at Aldershot where they tied for the Coronation Cup and won the WOs' and Sgts' LMG Match, the LMG Championship, the Pistol Match, the Individual Revolver Championship and the Minor Unit Championship and the Recruits Rifle Match.

1961...back to top


THE GREEN JACKETS BRIGADE DEPOT
Bushfield Camp, Winchester

The main event of the year was the move of the Depot to Bushfield Camp in August.  With the passing of the last National Serviceman it had been expected that the accommodation crisis would ease and the tempo of training would slacken.  Due to the efforts of the Green Jackets recruiting organisation this was not to be so and Bushfield bulged at the seams. A Junior Soldiers Wing was officially established under Captain David Ramsbotham (RB).  The Depot recruiting efforts continued unabated with displays far and wide, at fetes, shows and exhibitions. At the Depot there were weekends for potential recruits, cadets, scouts, the TA, and schoolboy visits.  The Shooting Team was again successful at the Aldershot and Bisley meetings, winning the Minor Units Championships and the Roberts Cup at Aldershot.  The Depot Parachute Club came into being with 5 recruits completing static line jumps for the first time in March 1961.

1962...back to top


THE GREEN JACKETS BRIGADE DEPOT
Bushfield Camp, Winchester

The flow of recruits to Bushfield steadily decreased during the year mainly due to cut backs imposed by the War Office.  Nevertheless, efforts to keep up the flow of recruits and to raise the quality continued unabated.  Green Jacket exhibitions were held in stores from Liverpool to Southampton.  A satisfied soldier’s scheme was introduced and the Parachute Club helped the recruiting effort by putting on "displays.  The Depot again had a successful shooting season.  At Aldershot they swept the board by winning 15 trophies including the Recruit Rifle Match, the Roberts Cup, the Company Cup and the Pairs Championship.  At Bisley they won the Minor Unit Championship for the 2nd year running.

1963...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE DEPOT
Bushfield Camp, Winchester

The memorable feature of 1963 was the success of the Depot in the Shooting world.  Cpl Notley (RB) won the Queen's Medal at Bisley and went on to represent Great Britain in the 1964 Olympics Biathlon, other members of the Depot were also well placed at Bisley achieving 3rd, 9th,14th, 34th and 40th place. At the Aldershot meeting the team "cleaned up" winning 19 major trophies and 3 individual firsts. The recruit intakes fluctuated a great deal but always improved when the weather got better.  In spite of this many continually failed to make the grade for medical reasons or straightforward unsuitability.  Capt M FESTING (RB) took over from Capt J FOLEY (RB) as Training Officer, both having carried out a mammoth reorganisation of the training programme which would have taxed the resources of the Worthy Down, RAPC Computer!

    
1964...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE DEPOT
Bushfield Camp/Peninsula Barracks

The main feature of the year was the move on 21 April of the Depot from Bushfield Camp into Peninsula Barracks as the old Upper Barracks was now called.  Recruiting was good and at times it was difficult to know where to accommodate the recruits. On average there were generally about 180 recruits under training.  As the Depot was only scaled to accommodate 75 recruits at a time this presented a problem. The Shooting Team, although good, was not able to maintain the same level of success as in previous years.  However, at the   Aldershot meeting the Team won the Unit Championship and a total of 10 team and individual trophies.  A combined Depot/ 60th team won the KRRC Cup and REME Trophy the first time since 1936.

1965...back to top


THE GREEN JACKET BRIGADE DEPOT
Peninsula Barracks/Winchester

Field Marshal HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Colonel in Chief 3rd Green Jackets. The Rifle Brigade officially re-opened the Depot on Friday 28 May.  This was marked by a simple parade executed by the Senior Platoon from Training Company and commanded by James Simmons.  Throughout the year a large number of members of the Associations of the 3 Regiments visited the Depot.  Throughout 1965 recruiting went from strength to strength.  By the end of the year over 550 recruits had joined.  Platoons formed up with an average of 45 recruits.  The stringent selection procedure and comprehensive testing in the 5th and 10th week of training often resulted in an over 25% wastage rate.  The training programme was lengthened and included a week's Battle Camp in the Welsh Mountains.The Battle Camp, introduced mainly by James Simmons eventually became a feature of every Basic Training Establishment's training programme and is now an obligatory part of recruit training.  On the range, the Depot was not as successful as in past years but still led the field as far as the minor units were concerned.  At Aldershot the Depot won the Unit Championship and at Bisley they won the Minor Units Championship and the Minor Units Small Arms Cup.

1966 ...back to top


FORMATION OF THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS 1 JANUARY 1966

THE RIFLE DEPOT
Peninsula Barracks

During the year the new look 14 week syllabus for adult recruits went from strength to strength under the professional touch of James Simmons.  The Rifle Depot battle camp at the Sennybridge Training Area in Wales was now firmly established and shared with the Light Infantry Brigade Depot at Shrewsbury. During the year James Simmons was able to introduce the recruits to helicopter training by arranging one day a month with the Wessex helicopter student pilot course at Odiham.  It was only the recruit platoon instructors who had qualms about being flown by learner pilots; to the riflemen ignorance was bliss. During the year two distinguished Hampshire men, namely Admiral of The Fleet Lord Mountbatten and Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery took the salute at passing out parades at the Depot.  At Bisley the Rifle Depot won the Minor Units Championship, the Minor Units Rifle Team Match and came second in the Falling Plates Match.

1967...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT
Peninsula Barracks

The two main events of the year were the announcement, on 11th May 1967, of the formation of The Light Division and the Review of the Royal Green Jackets by Her Majesty The Queen, Colonel in Chief, at St Cross, Winchester on 25th July 1967.

The number of adult recruits arriving at Training Company each month were slightly lower in 1967 than in the previous years although we emerged far better from the overall decline in Army recruiting than many other Depots.  In spite of this the wastage rate continued to be high and the numbers on the passing out parade averaged around 20. A drill display, devised by W01 (RSM) Bill Williams, consisting of seven minutes of marching with only bugle calls as commands became, and still is to this day (1985), the main feature of the passing out parades. The advent of The Light Division drew both the Winchester and Shrewsbury adult training companies closer together with combined exercises and marching and shooting competitions. The Depot Shooting Team, although acquitting themselves satisfactorily at the Aldershot meeting fell rather below their best form at Bisley. The 1967Chronicle mentions one Cpl R Stanger (Maj R Stanger) as being a particularly fine GPMG shot.

1968...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT
Peninsula Barracks

The dominating factor of 1968 was the continued decline in the number of adult recruits joining the Army.  Recruiting reached an all time low in April 1968 and for about five months after that the intake figures averaged about 20 adult recruits a month.  Unfortunately this fall off in the number of recruits was accompanied by a decline in the average standard of the individuals who did join.  Training Company instructors were placed in the difficult position of having to work in such a way as to ensure that the maximum number of recruits subsequently reached the battalions. The severe foot and mouth outbreak prevented Training Company from going to Battle Camp in Sennybridge and in general restricted field training for all recruits. Several platoons from the Light Infantry Depot at Shrewsbury came to Winchester as their local training was almost completed stopped by the foot and mouth attack.  Little did they know they were the forerunners of the eventual amalgamated Light Division Adult Recruit Training Company.

1969...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT
Peninsula Barracks

During the year there was a marginal increase in recruiting and platoons formed up with 30-35 adult recruits.  The exchange between the Rifle Depot and the Light Infantry Depot at Shrewsbury of a Platoon Commander and a Platoon Sergeant was by now a well established practice.  Lt The Hon Phillip Smith and Lt David Innes had both represented us at Shrewsbury by this time and Lt's Geoffrey Hotblack and Andrew Penny were the first of a long line of Light Infantry Officers to be Platoon Commanders at Winchester.  During the year the training programme was adjusted slightly so that 2 platoons could fly to Canada with 1 RGJ for an exercise two days after completing their recruit training. On the shooting front the Depot team, which included Sgt Notley and Cpl Bissett won the Minor Units Rifle and GPMG team match besides a number of other trophies.  At Bisley, under the stewardship of Capt Richard Hill and with some help from Sgts Notley, Hollowday and Robb the Depot team won back the Minor Unit Championship.  The team also won amongst other things the Royal Ulster Rifle Cup and all team members were in the Army 100.

1970...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT
Winchester

As the year progressed there was a steady rise in the number of adult recruits joining Training Company. Adult platoons were 30 to 40 strong by the end of the year.  With a strong influx of Juniors the Depot was completely full and finding accommodation for everyone became a real headache. During the year two main changes took place in the Training Company.  Section Commanders were re-introduced into training platoons.  Previously a wing system was employed with only one corporal in each platoon and all the remainder grouped into a training pool.  Although both systems had their merits and disadvantages the closer personal contact of the platoon system has to this day (1985) prevailed.  The adult training programme was also re-written to include a greater preparation of field training and shooting.  The effect was to inject a greater amount of tactical training with a stronger emphasis on living in the field tactically for extended periods of time.  On the weapon training side, the Energa anti-tank grenade was replaced by the 66 mm anti-tank rocket. The Depot shooting team under QMSI Patterson and with Sgt Notley achieved a string of successes.  The team swept the board at the District meeting where the QMSI won the Individual Rifle Championship.  At Bisley the Depot won the Minor Units Championship with maximum points and thereby hauling in all subsidiary prizes.  The Royal Ulster Rifles Cup, the Falling Plate Competition was won against the Army in record time. During 1970 it was first indicated that the Depots of The Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets were to merge at Winchester in 1974 to form The Light Division Depot.

1971...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT
Peninsula Barracks

Recruiting improved steadily and Training Company exceeded 260 men. This meant that when including the Juniors, the Depot swelled to its maximum capacity of over 600 all ranks as opposed to 350 in the previous year.  Double bunking in the already overcrowded accommodation became the norm. A move to adopt a 16 week adult training programme was held in abeyance due to the large numbers of recruits.  The year was marked by efforts to improve all forms of instructions from lectures to exercises.  A sand model room was introduced and improvements were made to the cinema and lecture room.  The second week of the Recruit Battle Camp in Wales was made much more arduous with recruits gaining their first experience of being short of sleep and living out for extended periods.  Exercise "Unholy War", taking place in the barracks, introduced recruits to the basic drills of urban insurrection. Those instructors with Northern Ireland experience found the dawn scene with broken windows, petrol bomb stains and litter quite reminiscent of Belfast.

1972...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

During the year changes continued to be made to the adult training syllabus, with the accent very much on training for Northern Ireland.  Much use was made of the Urban Close Quarter Battle Range at Hythe and 'C' Camp at Barton Stacey was turned into an Urban Battle Training Area.  The training programme also included a higher shooting content in an effort to improve individual marksmanship.

1973...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

Three factors influenced much change throughout the Depot and Training Company in particular. These were a change in the length of a Depot posting from 24 to 18 months for permanent staff, the lengthening of the adult recruit training programme from 14 to 18 weeks and the raising of the school-leaving age to 16 years - a change mainly affecting Junior Rfn Coy but influencing adult training. It was felt that with shorter postings the permanent staff would be much fresher throughout their term of office. The programme change was in the main influenced by the introduction of the "Shoot to Kill" policy which required a more controlled coaching system with plenty of shooting. The raising of the school-leaving age created a minor slump in junior entries but as their ages were now nearer the age when they could go through adult training a new concept was required.

1974...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

Adult recruits now spent almost six months at the Depot on the enlarged training programme much of which was devoted to shooting.  The time spent on shooting allowed Training Company to maintain a consistent pass rate of 95%, but only at the expense of thousands of rounds of ammunition for practice. Eight or so marksmen in a platoon of fifty was not unusual even if the standards were regarded as impossibly high when the "Shoot to Kill" programme was first introduced.  Amongst the more memorable visits of the year was that of the Committee of CENTO Military Deputies, which included Generals from Turkey, the USA and Iran.  For this visit Training Company laid on a demonstration of Northern Ireland tactics at Barton Stacey.

The promised merger of The Light Infantry and Royal Green Jacket Depots did not take place in 1974 due to financial and real-estate restraints.

1975...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

Early in the year it became apparent that, despite a recruiting boom, the Depot was receiving fewer adult recruits than before.  Enquiries produced no satisfactory explanation, however many men our recruiters enlisted, the numbers reaching the Depot did not increase.  Eventually after more forceful enquiries it was admitted that a policy had been introduced at the Recruit Selection Centre whereby only the unshakably committed men was allocated to the RGJ.  All other enlistments from our traditional recruiting areas were being allocated to those regiments whose manning position when compared with ours was indifferent. This policy, whilst regimentally disappointing did make sense, as the new Bn establishment of 650 other ranks that was to be implemented by 1980, would have resulted in redundancies if our eventual numbers were high. The effect of this policy meant that the 5 weekly form up consisted of between only 20-25 recruits.  This was bolstered 3 times a year by our own Junior Rfn who on maturing were 'finished off in Trg Coy prior to being posted to a Bn. During the year various 'Work Study Teams' came to evaluate the jobs of the permanent staff with a view of achieving savings in manpower, consistent with the declared intentions of the previous year's Defence Review to cut the 'tail' and not the 'teeth'.  It is worth noting that the Work Study Team was itself cut before submitting its report. Training Company did not participate in any shooting competitions but the Depot was ably represented by the Junior Riflemen's Company who won just about every prize available to Juniors at the Aldershot Meeting.

1976...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

The MOD policy of only sending committed Green Jackets continued in an effort to correct the imbalance between ourselves and the rest in the Infantry.  This almost completely cut the intakes in January 1976 and in the end a Platoon was cancelled.  Thus it was difficult to maintain 5 training teams on a 5 week cycle which repeated itself every 25 weeks.  The notable visit of the year to the Depot was by Colonel General Coman, Minister of National Defence, Romania who paid an extensive visit to the Adult Training Coy.  The 1976 Depot Shooting Team was again largely based on the recruits and staff of the Junior Rfn's Coy.  They managed to achieve second place at Junior Bisley.

1977...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

THE YEAR OF THE FIREMEN'S STRIKE

HQ Light Division's policy of sending to the Depot all uncommitted recruits from the Divisional recruiting areas resulted in over 300 recruits doing the 18 week recruits course at Winchester.  This meant that 1977 was a hectic year for Training Company compared to the previous year.  The highlight of the year was the South East District Patrol Competition in which all Training Establishments participated and the Depot won easily.  In October the whole of Training Company stopped training in order to participate in Ex Tiger's Teeth for a weekend of 'Home Defending'.  The Depot shooting team, taken from both Adult Training Company and the Juniors, won both the Junior Units and the Junior Minor Units Cups at Bisley.  In August 1977 Lt Col Charles Simmons handed over command to Col Clinton Henshaw - thus bringing to an end 5 years of 'Simmons Rule' by first James and then Charles.

1978...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

Every 5 weeks yet another platoon of trained soldiers doubled past the Inspecting Officer and admiring parents, on their way to the Bns.  Behind them were 18 weeks of training which to most of them had been the most demanding weeks of their lives.  Indeed fieldcraft and marksmanship were given great emphasis and in 1978 a recruit spends 32 days in the field and 30 days on various ranges.  During the year a new Demonstration Section was formed, a new training store and library, a signals training room and 2 skill at arms sheds were set up.  Improvements to Chilcombe Range and the Miniature Range took place and everyone was eagerly anticipating the arrival of video equipment for use in training.  The year brought another innovation for Training Company in the form of 2 week TA recruit courses which began to be run for 6 LI and 4 RGJ.  The Depot Team again won the Minor Units Championship at Bisley.  Notable members of the team were CSM - WO2 Stanger and CSgt Notley who was awarded the BEM in the summer of 1978.  On 23 September the Regiment exercised its right of entry into Winchester as Freemen and marched through the City. Training Company provided one of the 2 guards commanded by OC Training Company with the CO as the Parade Commander.

1979...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

The training cycle of 18 weeks of recruit training by which a platoon passed out every 5 weeks with 4 platoons under training at all times continued except that the content was changed to bring it more into line with the requirements of the Director of Infantry's Directive for Recruit Training.  The extreme weather conditions of the early part of the year affected training and a platoon had to be taken off the Barton Stacey Training Area when their trenches continually filled up with snow and some riflemen suffered from frostbite with one subsequently losing a toe.  The platoons training in Wales fared no better and a halt to training had to be called when arctic snow drifts started appearing.  In May 79 the long awaited video equipment arrived and was fully integrated as a training aid. The shooting team again won the South East District Minor Unit Championship and came second at Bisley.

1980...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

For Training Company 1980 was a year of steady expansion with the Company being about 120 strong in the early part of the year to having over 300 recruits towards the end of the year.  On the training side much stayed the same except that there was an increased emphasis in NBC during tactical exercises.  The shooting results were especially gratifying; the first 6 platoons of the year securing a 97% pass mark in the Annual Personal Weapon Test.  Everyone was beginning to learn to live a much more frugal lifestyle as various economy measures started to bite.  Restrictions on motor mileage, petrol, diesel, pyrotechnics and blank ammunition for training become all too common elements in the daily life of recruit training.  Reputedly for years the Depot had been the only training establishment in England without its own washing machines, this deficiency was rectified early in the year by the arrival of 4 commercial washers and 2 driers which to this day still wash not only the Rfns clothing, but their boots, webbing, steel helmets, SLR magazines, mess tins and other military paraphernalia - who would be a commercial washing machine owner in a recruit depot?

On the shooting front the Depot won the GOC's Match at the South East District meeting but did not distinguish itself in any other matches.

1981...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

Due to the lessening numbers in the adult recruit intakes in this year members of the training staff were able to attend educational and external career courses throughout the year.  The Depot was also able to assist other units with their training.  During the summer they managed to assist 4 RGJ with training 60 recruits during the annual camp at Rheinsehlen near Soltau, Germany and 6 LI on the Isle of Man.  Help was also given to 42 Survey Engineer Regiment, No 33 Squadron RAF and the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop – little did they know that the latter would be a new requirement at the new Depot at Flowerdown some years later. The Depot did not feature in any major shooting competitions during 1981.

1982...back to top


THE RIFLE DEPOT

For Training Company 1982 was a year of considerable change.  Due to Army wide
enforced cutbacks in recruits, platoons were run down and by the middle of the year there was only one small platoon under training and for a period of 4 days no recruits in training whatsoever.  These diminishing numbers allowed much needed maintenance to be done.  By the end of the year recruiting had again picked up and 3 platoons were under training with one of them over 57 strong. Despite reduced numbers training went on unabated.  It was again a chance to send the staff on various educational and career courses. Staff was also loaned to the TA for their annual camp and to some of the regular Bns to run courses and assist with training.  During the year the organisation of Training Company also changed.  In an attempt to pre-empt the formation of the Light Division Depot the company was reformed onto a 3 platoon basis to work on an 8 week cycle.  As a result of an I of E recommendation this was then further rationalised to a 4 platoon basis working a 6 week cycle. In this the year in which there was the Falklands War, the Depot shooting team had an excellent year.  At the South East District meeting the team won the Minor Unit Championship in addition to winning the Section Match, the Rifle Championship and the SMG Team Events.  At Bisley the team came fifth with Sgt Lloyd and Cpl Wilkinson making it into the Army Hundred.

1983...back to top


THE LIGHT DIVISION DEPOT (WINCHESTER)

The advent of the Light Division Depot (W) meant that Training Company now trained all the adult recruits for both the LI and RGJ at Winchester. This resulted in the 4 recruit Platoons being full to capacity.  At its peak some 290 recruits were under training at one time during the year.  The Platoons were named after LI and RGJ Battle honours, Cassino, Tobruk, Kohima and Pegasus, each with a staff split equally between the 2 Regiments.  An additional team was also formed to train TA recruits on a 2 week basic course and prepare both JNCOs from the Regular Bns for the JNCOs Tactics Course at the School of Infantry. With the main emphasis of recruit training on developing physical maturity and team spirit the competitive element was fuelled with inter section and platoon competitions.  Novices boxing was resurrected after many years and over the year developed into an excellent evening's boxing once every 6 weeks with all the recruits giving strong vocal support to their champions.  The recruits went into the ring twice during their 20 weeks of training, first in week 8 and then in week 14.  Theoretically, the senior platoon should be the fitter and stronger but surprisingly they did not necessarily always win.

1984...back to top


THE LIGHT DIVISION DEPOT (WINCHESTER)

Throughout the year the number of recruits received into Training Company ran at a very high level.  Platoons formed up every 6 weeks with well over 80 recruits each and one with 91.  Although the high numbers looked good on paper it nevertheless put a considerable strain on the NCO instructors and the overall infrastructure of the Depot.  As the year progressed a number of additional JNCOs arrived to boost the training platoons from 4 to 6 section commanders each. The highest number on muster parade during the year was 420 men. This consisted of adult recruits, TA recruits, TA JNCOs, continuation cadres of Juniors and Junior Leaders and Regular JNCOs preparing for School of Infantry courses. These numbers, differing backgrounds of standards and requirements to an extent reflect the diversity of talent required by members of the Training Company staff to cope with the many different requirements. In 1984 a total of 642 adult recruits commenced training of these 256 failed to pass out.

1985...back to top


THE LIGHT DIVISION DEPOT (WINCHESTER)

The last year at Peninsula Barracks was marked in particular by continually high recruit intakes. Since the beginning of the year the 6 weekly intakes reached treble figures on several occasions.  The largest platoon on form up was with 113 recruits.  The Company ration roll on several occasions exceeded 450 men, this is more than the other rank manpower of a UK based Armoured Recce Regiment.  These high numbers resulted in Section Commanders having 18-20 recruits in their sections. This in itself brought a number of inherent problems with it which often put the Junior NCO under considerable pressure.  It is to their credit that they coped very well with these pressures. Sadly, the infrastructure and especially the plumbing had some time ago given up the unequal struggle against the overwhelming odds of in excess of 400 recruits under the same roof.  In spite of the efforts of the Quartermaster and his staff, blocked drains, cold showers, leaking taps, rotting window frames, collapsing beds and lockers, leaking roofs and ceilings were part of the daily life of a recruit and were hardly noticed and seldom reported by them. In spite of their shortcomings as accommodation both Long Block and Short Block will remain intact after our departure.  Although their final use has not been determined it is very likely that some parts may be used as a Museum. As a result of an extensive Army-wide review of recruit training in 1984, our training programme undertook a number of changes.  Luckily for us they were mainly changes of nomenclature rather than content as most of our previous recommendations on recruit training had been included in a new Ministry of Defence Master Recruit Training Programme.

In 1985 a recruit did 20 weeks of training which included amongst others 147 PT lessons, 273 fieldcraft lessons, 204 periods of rifle training and shooting, 56 periods of GPMG and 38 periods of anti-tank training.  Over 25 days were spent living in the field, mainly in Wales.  During training the recruit was allocated 717 rounds for the rifle, 267 rounds for the GPMG and an average of 1.6 hand grenades.  A recruit platoon got 20 trip flares, 170 thunderflashes and 8 smoke grenades with which to carry out instruction and use to add realism to field training. During field training a recruit used, prepared and cooked for himself nineteen 24 hour ration-packs to various degrees of perfection.  Whilst at Winchester a recruit's training took him to our local ranges at Chilcomb and Moody Down.  He did low level tactics and fieldcraft at Barton Stacey, runs on the shingle and sand at Browndown near Gosport or at Penhale in Cornwall, dug in and patrolled on the Aldershot Training Area, at Minley Manor and in Brecon.  He did his live firing and Final Exercise, finishing with a 27 mile march/run in 5-7 hours, at Sennybridge ranges in Wales. He did all this for about £95 a week. A recruit's training culminated in a full Ceremonial Passing Out Parade on the last day of his twentieth week at the Depot for this we were always ably supported by one of the UK resident Light Division Bands and especially the Junior Band from the Light Division Depot (Shrewsbury).  Often the spectators exceed 300 family members and friends of the Passing Out Platoon at these Parades. Besides Regular Army recruits we nevertheless were chartered to train some 1,168 TA recruits per year.  These recruits did a 2-week "TA Recruit Cadre" which took place in the Ashdown Forest and at Winchester. Almost unnoticed we ran 4 TA Junior NCO/Section Commander courses a year and 5 Junior NCO Tactics Courses a year for the regular battalions of the Division. Although in 1985 we reduced our overall wastage figures these still continued to be relatively high.  During 1985 a total of 720 recruits joined the Depot, of these 300 failed to pass out. Weak knees, a disciplined environment and lack of commitment were the major reasons for failure. On the sporting side Boxing remained the major competitive event between the Platoons with a Boxing Evening every 6 weeks were high standards were achieved.  In 1985 we also sent a Depot Shooting Team to the South East District Rifle Meeting.  Although they did not qualify for Bisley they put up a credible performance winning several cups and individual places and a somewhat large GOC's trophy.  The team consisted of recruits and members of the permanent staff. W01 N Winkworth (ex 2 RGJ) was even persuaded to pick up his musket again despite protestations! Training Company commenced leaving the "Old Depot" on 9 December 1985 some 127 years after it was formed, in 1858, as the Home and Training Centre for the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (60th Rifles) and the Rifle Brigade and was called the Rifle Depot.  Green Jackets however have been associated with Winchester prior to that, namely since 1794. During World War II the training functions were vested with other organisations and units of the American Army were quartered in the Barracks. After World War II Green Jacket Recruit training initially was commenced by 27 Infantry Training Centre.  This unit was formed on 29 November 1945 at the Rifle Depot and Bushfield Camp. In 1951 the name of the Depot was changed to The Green Jacket Depot and in 1958 to the Green Jacket Brigade Depot.  After a major rebuild from 1962-64, when the Depot was housed in Bushfield Camp outside Winchester, the old and rather dull name of 'Upper Barracks' was changed to Peninsula Barracks. Since World War II the Green Jacket Recruit Training organisation underwent no less than 10 name changes.  In this time it ranged in size from a Battalion to a small company depending on the fluctuations of recruiting. On arrival at the New Depot at Flowerdown (Sir John Moore Barracks) the old Training Company split into 2 Companies with 4 platoons in each company.  A platoon consisting of Army Air Corps and Army Pay Corps recruits also became part of the Orbat of the Depot as we took on the responsibility of their training.

 

Sources: 
KRRC Chronicles 1945-1965
RB Chronicles 1945-1965
RGJ Chronicles 1966-1985

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