Letter: Memories of Copthorne Barracks
Having been in the second to last intake of National Service in 1959, it seems that part of our town's heritage is again being lost.
I spent 12 weeks training at Copthorne Barracks before joining the battalion in Colchester. It was an experience that changed my life into understanding values, discipline, respect for yourself and others.
In addition to learning how to mix with all types of people and doing things you do not want to do, in other words getting out of your comfort zone.
It will be a sad day to see the barracks go having spent so many hours marching up and down that square being shouted at by some ignorant NCO – who was loving it!
I joined the KSLI – but this was changed to the Light Infantry Brigade Group – this opened the doors to the Somerset light Infantry, The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, the Duke of
Cornwall's Light Infantry and the Durham Light Infantry to name a few.
We mixed with these guys and learnt a lot about their different cultures – all counties have different accents and values – It did broaden our outlook.
I must say when I first went in, it was like going into the Dana Prison – may that place rest in peace.
Bob Bolland
Shrewsbury
