Wigan Album

Defiantly not duke street sorry

Bit obvious this question -- which one is he Jack ?? they all look like a very tidy lot, good photo oh, and what year was this taken ?.

Three RTR Tankies in their coveralls.

Which one is your dad Jack?

This is what some of the youth of today should be turned into, some discipline instilled in them would do them a world of good. These three lads look a nice bunch... I don't care how scruffy they look in their working attire - they do look good in uniform...especially with those jaunty berets!

Could that be your Dad in the centre?, Jack, ... I like the 'mermaid on the arm'. A good photo.

You're certainly on the premises Veronica. And perhaps those 'certain few' be first dragged-off to see 'the value of life' show, i.e., Six weeks of hands-on, life-saving techniques. Guns, knives, folk getting their brains bashed-in on our streets, ... when will it all end! And just this morning a … .

that lad on left looks like a jack forshaw i worked with on the buses

Thing is, Veronica, unlike my generation who had respect for the law and authority, many of today's youth would just refuse to accept conscription. I wonder how they would cope with having two years of their youth stolen by the state and in return be paid buttons, housed in terrible conditions, fed for the most part dreadful food, and be yelled at by borderline psychopaths. Apart from the camaraderie which made it bearable, I resented and loathed every second of it, but it was the law and had to be endured.

I still think it would do them good especially so if it was the law Derek. They are made to in Greece if my memory serves me right, as soon as they turn 18. I remember once in Crete I took a photo of a number of recruits and they were telling us they had no choice but to serve 2 years. A more handsome bunch would have been hard to find, and well mannered. That was in the mid eighties.

Veronica, as far as I am aware they still have two years conscription on Cyprus for males from the age of 18, followed by two weeks every year reservist service.

Going around at this time was a saying " Why should England Tremble". No offence, they look a happy bunch.

My dad is on the left he did work on the buses

I must say I enjoyed my time as a national serviceman.

64 Countries worldwide including seven in Europe still have conscription. Thirteen including Germany have conscription in place ready to be used in an emergency.