On the fourth day we were taken to the Quarter Masters store to get kited out with all the uniform we would need to look like an Argyle. This included.

Balmoral Hat 2 Drill Shirts Kilt, Stockings Ammunition Boots

Once kited out we were ready to start drilling. Our Drill Sgt. was called Sgt. Andrews from Sterling. He was very strict when trying to tell us our lefts and rights. I'm sure we made him wonder if England ever had a chance. When he was giving us squad drill on the parade ground heaven help anybody he caught fooling around. If he did the offender was made to double around the parade ground while the rest of the squad stood and watched. The drilling went on for 3 weeks. Then we went onto weapons training which included, 303 rifle the standard infantry weapon for the British Army, Bren gun, hand grenades and even mortars. The Barracks did not have their own rifle range so we had to use Troon Golf course which had part of the course put aside for our live firing range.

The army was going to make sure we where going to be in top shape for battle, so sports was a big part in our training. Every morning we got up at 6.00am for a three mile run before breakfast and I really enjoyed these as the country side in that part of Scotland was really beautiful and I'd never felt as fit as I did then.

I was picked for the squad boxing team as a middle weight and on the big night of the boxing finals I was matched in the ring to a bloke called Gilroy from Leeds. It was a three round match and in the second round the match was halted and we were both called to the ring side by the judge and Gilroy was told to defend himself or leave the ring. In the third round I caught him a beauty on the noise, and down he went and stayed down. The ref counted him and I was declared the winner. Gilroy and I remained good friends despite me giving him a good thumping.

On Saturday nights we were allowed out from 4 in the afternoon till 11 at night so me and the lads would go to a place called Irvine. We would get there at 5.00pm, have our tea and then head for the pub or should I say PUBS. All pubs in Scotland closed at 9.00pm in those days so after the pub closed we made our way to the local dance hall to chat the girls up and have a dance, then catch the last bus back to the barracks to be there before 11.00pm if possible, otherwise you were put on a charge and made to do JANKERS ( scrubbing pans in the kitten).