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From the Corps Journal 1962 Soon the last of the National Servicemen (NSM) will have left us and it is fitting at this moment to look back over the last 14 years and to attempt to assess the part they have played in the RAPC. Nearly 40,000 NSM have served the Corps between the first intake arriving at the Training Centre on 3rd March 1948, and the last one who joined on 17th November 1960. They have served all over the world in every station that the British Army had troops. In 1950 NSM were in Korea with the 27 British Infantry Brigade which was cited by the President of the Republic of Korea for outstandingly heroic performance on the field of battle. Two NSM received the commendation of the G.O.C-in-Chief Rhine Army in 1949 for rescuing a child from the sea, while another rescue in 1951 gave rise to a commendation for gallantry by the G.O.C-in-Chief Western Command. In Singapore many of them were employed on duties in aid of the civil power at the time of the racial riots. In the Malayan Jungles, at least one NSM was killed by Communist Terrorists, while many others saw service both in the Mau Mau forests of Kenya and at Suez. Everywhere they have been they have upheld and enhanced the reputation of the British soldier. Many of our NSM were qualified accountants prior to call-up or had had considerable training in the field of accountancy. This factor proved of tremendous value both out in Units and at the Training Centre where they gave great assistance in the planning and running of courses in preparation for professional examinations. Many, both qualified accountants and others gained commissions and a few of those have since become Regular Officers. Others decided to make life in the ranks their career and the first NSM signed on as a regular in 1949. The RAPC NSM's military bearing, standard of drill and his conduct as a soldier has always been favourably commented upon. In this connection the Corps had the honour to provide a Guard of Honour on the occasion of the official visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Reading in 1957, and on that parade over 90% were NSM. They took part in the Coronation parade for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, both in the procession and also lining the route. Their achievements in the field of sport almost demands an issue of the journal itself and of necessity only the highlights of the successes can be mentioned. In boxing there was the Army Imperial Services and A.B.A. Heavyweight Champion who also represented England against Italy. In table-tennis the Corps had the 1950 Junior Champion. The Army record for the 440yds was held by one of our NSM. In tennis, a NSM was the 1951 Army Singles Champion, in 1952 he went on to the U.S.A. with the British team, and in 1955 two of our NSM won the Inter-Regimental Doubles. Not only was this the first time this latter cup had been won by the Corps but it was the first time ever by two Other Ranks. The cup was again won in 1957. In swimming the 1950 Army and Imperial Services backstroke champion was one of our NSM and he and others were prominent in the teams which won the Army Inter-Unit team swimming championships in 1955/56 and the water polo in 1955. The Army Hockey Cup was won twice in 1955 and 1956. In rugby we had representatives playing for Combined Services. The Army Cross Country Cup was ours in 1956 and 1957. Pride of place must, however, go to those who played in the soccer sides which reached the final of the Army Cup four years running, 1955 - 1958. The cup eluded them each time but it was a proud occasion in the last year when the final was honoured by the presence of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. (Click here for photos). Finally in this cavalcade of sport the year 1956/57 must be placed on record as the peak of the Corps' achievement. NSM helped us to win eight District Cups, eight Command Cups, four Army Cups and runners up in another Army Cup. What have the NSM taken with them to civilian life? I think this article cannot be better concluded than by quoting what one of them some years ago in this journal: 'Two years in the Army encourages citizenship and is quite definitely moulding this country of ours into a more disciplined Nation." Good luck to you all wherever you may be and thank you.
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