Paul 'Pugsy' Harryman

"It was a bit of an anti-climax really. Getting the "blue-card" for the last time in Sep 1998.

The normal chasing around. The only advantage was that I had managed to clear the day before the Leuchars International Air Day, so I didn't have a uniform. No uniform, no car-parking duties. I really missed that !!! So it was that L8009438 Sgt Harryman P became Mr for the second time in his life.

What prompted the decision to leave the RAF was the lack of promotion. A victim of "Options for Change", "Front Line First" etc. The introduction of the 4 centralised telephone centres put the final nail in the coffin. Where was TG 11 going. (It struck me that those "in the know" didn't really have a clue. It was a case of stuff the troops where can we save money??).

I had tested the job waters by visiting an employment agency in Dundee and it was warm enough for me to take the plunge, so to speak, and so requested PVR. I was due for discharge in Sep 1999 anyway and this was something I had never thought of before. So in August 98 I put in my application - why stick around only to fail on another promotion board), I was told a minimum 6 months but was released after 3. Officially 1 Dec 98. As I cleared the gates for the last time, sticking two mental fingers up as I went, I wondered where had 30 years gone.

I was inducted at RAF Cosford on 01 May 1969, along with the rest of the 315th Entry, but my quest to join the RAF had started way back in 1967, after joining the Air Training Corps at the tender age of 14 1/2. That certainly instilled some discipline (not that my parents didn't), got me used to wearing a uniform and gave me a taste for the life style. All that flying and free meals.

I visited the CIO in Southampton, my home town, having requested to become a PTI (I know better now), but that trade was closed and I was asked to consider Telegraphist (something in later life I was to find out that the CIO were good at !!). An aptitude test at RAF Stafford followed to see if I could tell the difference between a dot and a dash. I remember it so vividly.

Sit here Mr Harryman and place these headphones over your ears. You will hear two sets of dots and dashes, one after the other. Please tick to let us know if you think they are different or the same. It went on for ages.

I failed!! Much gloom. However, my score was close enough to the pass mark to allow me another go. I passed!! Deep joy. All that way for a few tests that were to change my life forever.

…..I took my aptitude test at Stafford in 1968 and had to wait nearly 6 months before being summoned to attend RAF Cosford in May 1969. I took casual work in a supermarket, keeping quiet about my impending incarceration. Rumours abounded that I had been caught in a delicate situation with a young lady in the store-room, but I was just an innocent lad who didn't really understand what "trousers round ankles and skirt round neck" was all about, having only turned 16 in September '68.

Being away from home didn't hold any fears for me. Not that I came from an unhappy home, but I was always adventurous and had spent summer camps with the ATC at Colerne and Coltishall as well as various weekends camping in the wilds of Hampshire !!

So, there I was on, or about, May 01, 1969 dis-embarking at Cosford halt railway station looking forward to 12 months training as a Telegraphist.

Who can forget instructors like Tommy Tickle ??

As I recall the year had its ups and downs. Billet raids, watching the first man to walk on the moon, Brian Challoner coughing his guts up after lighting a fag UNDER the bedclothes.
Myself and Paul Edge trying to fool Cpl Dave Russell into thinking we had moustaches by blackening what passed for hair under our noses with mascara !!!.

I still share a fondness for TD Browns taste in music and have almost the complete collection of Moody Blues LPs. (CDs).

Although somewhat hazy I remember lining up in the corridor - L8009438 Craft Apprentice Harryman - Sir, then signing for my £1 10 shillings, then trogging off down to the NAAFI shop for boot polish and a donut !! Oh heady days.

The year ended with the successful completion of the training, 18 wpm morse and 1125 depressions in 5 minutes (45 wpm) keyboard.

However, I missed the actual pass-out parade with a broken elbow, which is how I arrived at my first posting - Pitreavie Castle (now closed).
Stu Sinclair had asked for Scotland and I southern England. In their infinite wisdom Stu got posted to Rudloe Manor and I got Pitreavie. This wasn't to be the last of PMC playing games with our lives.

I travelled extensively during my 30 years: Muharraq 1971, Digby 1972/73, St Mawgan 73, RAFDet Salalah 73/74, Lyneham 74/75, RAF St Athan MRT 75/79, Boulmer 79/80, 81 SU Bampton Castle 80/85 (Prom Cpl), RAF Cosford (Inst) 85/88 (Prom Sgt), 12 SU Episkopi 88/91, Shawbury 91/93, 11 SUDet Rheidahlen 93/96, Boulmer 96/98 and finally Leuchars for 3 months in 98. As well as a detachment to the North Western corner of Iran (Rezaiyah) in 1977.

I look back and, although not proud of all I did, but certainly most, wouldn't have changed anything for quids. The people I have known and still keep in contact (some regularly for 20 years), the things I have seen (RAFDet Salaalah was an eye opener !!) have all added to building my character and philosophy on life.

A new door has now opened. As the Telephone System Administrator at the prestigious University of St Andrews I have found a niche in life that should take me through to retirement (in 15 years). The job is much the same as my role in the RAF, I am still married to the girl I met 30 years ago and have 3 grown up sons who I am proud of. Who could ask for more ??

Later I will elaborate on some of the postings I have had (within the official secrets act of course)

All the best for now

Paul "Pugsey" Harryman