Milton Barracks
I did my two years National Service with 75th HAA Regt.RA ,reporting for duty August 1950 after passing out from MONS OCS. Aldershot. Served with 288 Bty in a Troop commanded by Capt. Pinfold. I have lived in Canada for 54 years and quite recently renewed my interest in early AA gunlaying radar, recalling my days participating in Air Defence exercises and attending Practice Camps around the UK coastline. Logged onto this website hoping to find a photo of Milton Barracks as it was in the 1950's and would like to hear from anyone who has a photo. UBIQUE B.M.
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RE: RE: Milton Barracks
Hi Brian, I did my 2 years National Service in 1951 to 1953 and was stationed at Milton Street barracks from 1951 to 1952 then got a posting to the School of Artillery on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, I was on permenant staff there until my demob in 1953. My initial 2 weeks training was done at Oswestry training camp in Shropshire, after passing out parade I was posted to the 75th H.A.A. in Gravesend, my first view of Gravesend was when we arrived at the railway station in the town. I enjoyed my stay in Gravesend and look back on it with affection, we were sent across the Thames to Tilbury Docks at one time to guard thousands of pieces of military equipment destined for the conflict in the Korean War. My one regret is that I never had any photos of the Milton Street barracks but I have a vivid photographic memory of it in my head. I would love to come across some photos of the barracks. I remember vividly the main gate to the barracks when I was on main gate guard on occasions with the rifle. I always remember our officer in charge of us, his name was Lieutenant Donald Bradbeer, he was a very decent bloke. Myself and my mates used to spend a lot of time down on the waterfront in Gravesend on a weekend, it was loveley down there. GENTLEMAN OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY, that's what we were known as when on the parade ground. J.P.
Comment from Jack Palmer on Friday, 28th May 2010.
RE: RE: Milton Barracks
I was one of the advance party to re-open Milton barracks in 1947. We arrived to a desolate muck heap and had a lot of work to do. It was worse than the camp in Wales where we had trained on Bofors Guns. As I remember we were always hungry (The cooks put us on rations of little or nothing (we all thought they had a market in the Town). When the rest of the Battery moved in, we were back to Square bashing and all that is involved in being with a main unit. I was promoted and busted in about 10 weeks (a record). I was then posted to the School of Artillery at Bulford Camp. My Wife and I often visit Gravesend. I married a lass from there in 1948 and lived in the town for around 25 years. We find the town has changed - and not for the better, although I have many fond memories of the town. I worked on the Tilbery Ferry in the Steam days, then went bus driving for Maidstone & District , but I must admit my best memories are of my time at Milton Barracks. I have lost touch with all who served there during my time.
Comment from Verdun Lowe on Monday, 12th March 2012.