I was visiting my mum a couple of days ago when my brother had brought over a load of stuff that was still over at the house she used to live in. Amongst all of the nick-knacks, books and other bits were some old photos.
They were taken back in 1984 when I joined the Army just after my 18th birthday. Most of them were of my passing out parade.
How the hell I ever learned to march in time is beyond me as my co-ordination is pretty rubbish. Mind you I had my fair share of tellings of by the NCOs and found myself doing extra duties when I cocked up, or turning up to ‘show parade’ when I had ‘failed to turn my iron on’ (in other words I had a miniscule crease across the back of my skirt, which the sergeant had noticed)!
Still, I made it. I got through the basic training, I managed to pass the fitness test (which I hated) and I could invite 2 people to my passing out parade. Now was you may know, I come from a large family; Mum and Dad had divorced and re-married, and I have 5 siblings. As you can see from the pic, both parents and spouses came, 2 or my 3 brother and my older sister and her daughter, How they all got in I don’t know especially as my eldest brother was on crutches after breaking something!
Still it was a magical moment for me when I marched past and saw them all there, as I didn’t know they were all coming.
Aw Judy!! Great memories and great pics!!!!
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Thanks Ritu. It was really nice seeing those pics again. 🙂
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Great story, and great pictures! Can you still march? 😉
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Probably not!!! 😁
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Lol you never know 😉
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Perfect throwback, Ma’am yes ma’am right away ma’am 😉
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Ha ha. 😊
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😜
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Nice pic. It is always nice to take a trip down memory lane
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Thanks. Yes I enjoyed it 😊
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I love a woman in uniform! 😀 Great photos and memories, Judy!
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Ha! Saucy! Yes they bring back some great memories 🙂
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Looking through old pictures brings back so many memories. That is a wonderful one 🙂
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Thanks Aimer 🙂
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Wow, Judy! You went to the army! How long did you join them?
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I was there 2 years, left to work as a civilian for another year same place, then moved back home.
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Sounds exciting, was it?
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It was a very good life at the time. yes 🙂
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What a great decision you did it!!! Nobody can take away this memory and you can be proud of yourself in such a young age.
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Thank Erika. Yes I am glad that I did that when I was young.
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😊
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You are just full of surprises!
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Ha! I thought I had mentioned the Army before, It is where I originally met Mr Grump 🙂
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I had no idea you were in the army, that’s so neat! Great photos too!
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Thanks, yes it was a good time in my life 🙂
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Judy, I so enjoyed your post. Wonderful photos! 🙂
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Thanks so much Tonya, I am thrilled to have discovered them 🙂
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Wow! And you’ve been in the Army? Edwina, you are just too cool for words! Rhythm or not, you look great in these pix!
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I knew you were awesome the moment I read you, but I didn’t know you were THAT kinda awesome! 🙂
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Ha! Thanks Joey. 🙂
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Such an innocent girlish face in that army uniform…sweet pic. Nice memory. ☺
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Oh how appearances can be deceptive! Thanks Van 🙂
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Oh I’m well impressed Edwina
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It was lovely to look back at the photos and remember those days 🙂
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Oh, I love this,but why did they let a baby in the army. Pull out some more old pics please!
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Ha! I looked so young and innocent then 🙂 I have had a nightmare trying to find my old photos that is why I was so pleased my mum had these 🙂
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Why did you jchoosthe armed forces ? Post -Falklands War fervour?
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This is me!
Judy E Martin
Hello, and thanks for stopping by. I am Judy, in my (very) early fifties and decided that life definitely gets more interesting as it goes on! I am a wife and a mum and have just finished University as a Registered Nurse, after having worked as an Associate Practitioner in the NHS. I am also a poet and the author of my debut book, 'Rhymes of the Times.' I love to laugh, and I love rhyming words too, so I joined the two together, and my book was born. I am currently working on another book in the series also. I am a prolific blogger and enjoy writing funny stories, anecdotes, and anything really that takes my fancy.
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