Peacetime British army a load of windup mechanical monkeys

19/09/2007

I'm writing in response to a letter in praise of National Service by C.J. Sparks (see link below). I did National Service from May 1950 to June 1952, serving in the Army Fire Service. I didn't like the peacetime British army - and the British army didn't like me.

For two years I studied the regular peacetime British army, and at the end of it my conclusion was that they were the next best thing to windup mechanical monkeys. They were also arrogant, mindless bullies, with filthy habits. So good, in fact, were my two years in the peacetime British army that I found myself with the muzzle of my rifle in my mouth and my big toe on the trigger. I also found out that I was too big a coward to shoot myself.

And, Mr Sparks, what about the Freedom Fighters who wanted the British army out of their countries - and rightly so. Bringing back National Service is NOT a good idea. In my view it's one of the reasons we have the troubles we have, with Margaret Thatcher's "every man for himself" being the other reason.

It's only  good laws, and good law officers to enforce them that stops people being the filth that they really are. I went into the army a nice, tolerant young man. I'm still trying to find out what came out ...

B Russell