Regimental Stories: Soldiering is Fun

A collection of stories about life in the British Army, King's African Rifles and Malaysia Rangers from 1944 to 1993 by Major Bob Smith

Wednesday, 12 October 2011

FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA

Huw and Ifor grew up together in Mumbles, West Wales. They went to the same school and when they were called up for national service, they ...

BEST FOOT FORWARD

It would be difficult to find any place in Africa with a more pleasant climate than Nanyuki. This small garrison town, 6,250 feet above se...

Monday, 10 October 2011

TORPEDOED IN THE ATLANTIC

The word ‘torpedoed’ is usually associated with members of the Senior Service, but David Lloyd-Thomas of the Welch Regiment was one of thos...

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

TROOPS’ ENTERTAINMENT

The sight of Geri Halliwell (one time member of ‘Spice Girls’) frolicking on the beach in Oman, did wonders for my circulation and presumabl...

Thursday, 12 June 2008

Wotcha Cock!

Kipleli arap (son of) Kindurwa was my Kipsigis orderly throughout the time I was in Malaya, including the journey out from Mombasa on the tr...

Monday, 9 June 2008

What Goes Up Must Come down

Helicopters were new tools in the fight against terrorism when the 3rd (Kenya) Battalion King’s African Rifles arrived in Kuantan on the eas...

Saturday, 7 June 2008

The Man Behind the Medals: Brigadier R.P. Gottwaltz MC (late South Wales Borderers)

Philip Gottwaltz died on 3rd April 1980. Even though I did not become Assistant Regimental Secretary Royal Regiment of Wales (Brecon) and C...

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About Me

Major Bob Smith: These stories cover the 49 years I spent with The Welch Regiment (later to become part of The Royal Regiment of Wales), The South Wales Borderers, King’s African Rifles and Malaysia Rangers. In 1980, I became Assistant Secretary of my Regiment, Curator of the Royal Regiment of Wales Museum (South Wales Borderers and Monmouthshire Regiment) and editor of the regimental magazine, ‘Men of Harlech’. The stories are all true but I have concealed most identities. While light-hearted, others have a tinge of pathos and some might bring a tear to the eye. In the words of my old friend and brother officer Major General Lennox Napier (late of the South Wales Borderers and Royal Regiment of Wales) who wrote a foreword for an earlier compilation of my stories: ‘Read this book for a good laugh as well as for an insight into the sort of life in the British Army which no longer exists’. Major Bob Smith died on 18th November 2012, leaving his wonderful stories everywhere, from this blog to his book, 'Khaki Shorts' and in the hearts of his fellow officers, family and friends. If you need any information on him, please contact his daughter at gilly@gillysmith.com

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