Royal Corps of Signals
National Service
1955 to 1957
.Where are they now?
With the exception of five
of my former comrades, I have no idea what has happened to the rest
of them. Probably no different to my life. Got a job, got married, got a couple
of kids and then got
retired with subtle variations in between.
Of the five, John Mollett, whom I worked with for many years, in fact
we started in
P.O. Telephones together in 1953, went on to complete our National
Service commitments, for part of the 2 year stint, together. John was posted
to the Far East while I
stayed in Catterick and Lincoln. And we are still in touch with each other.
Other comrades that I served
with, and am in touch with are
Brian Coelho (Catterick
& Lincoln)Arthur Jones (Catterick)Barry Macgregor (Catterick
& Lincoln)&
Brian Richardson (Lincoln)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barry Macgregor, Alan Hogkinson,
Jimmy Melia and Brian Houghton pursued their careers and
went on to become celebrities in their own right.
Jimmy Melia was in charge of the GD squad in 3TR Lincoln, which was
one of the cushiest jobs you could get.
I think that during this time (1956/7) he was playing for Nottingham Forest,
then various clubs and Liverpool. Also gained two England caps.
Brian Haughton continued with his professional football career
(click the link below for further information)
Brian
Houghton(1936
- 1994)
(see Old Soldiers)
________________________________________
Sheffield United and England goalkeeper
Alan Hodgkinson. Ex Cpl. Royal Signals.
Played for Worksop Town and signed for
Sheffield United in 1953. From 1953 to 1971 he appeared 675 times, the first
being against Clyde FC in April 1954.
Made his league debut in Division One against Newcastle United.
He won Under 23 English caps, and his first full England cap was against Scotland
in 1957. There were also other caps to follow against Denmark and Eire in
World cup qualifying games.
________________________________________
Jimmy Melia
Ex L/Cpl Royal Signals 1955/7
Played for Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers,
Southampton, Aldershot, Crewe Alexandra
Managed Aldershot, Crewe Alexandra, Southport, Cleveland Cobras, Brighton
& Hove Albion, C.F. Os Belenenses, Stockport County
One of Liverpool's favorite sons,
Jimmy Melia, is once again wearing the famed Reds of Liverpool.
One of the legends of Anfield has now assumed the role of Technical Director
of Liverpool FC America Youth Soccer.
Jimmy will take an important leadership role as Liverpool FC America heads
into the 2008-2009 soccer years.
____________________
Barry MacGregor
Shakespearean actor, director, and teacher,
Barry Macgregor. Ex Cpl Royal Signals.
With more than 50 years of theatrical experience, MacGregor first appeared
at Stratford as Jack Point in The Yeoman of the Guard in 1964.
His appearances since then include Fluellen in Henry V; Richmond in Richard
III; Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Maggie Smith as Titania/Hippolyta;
Edmund in King Lear;
and Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, to name but a few appearances. MacGregor
began his career in 1949, working in repertory theatre, TV, radio and film
in the U.K. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1961 to
1964, and has, since 1981, been a member of the Shaw Festival as a leading
actor and management associate. MacGregor also worked for several years with
William Ball at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and with
Peter Hall at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London.
Appeared as Apprentice James Gibson on the bridge of the Californian in "A
Night to Remember" & in "Sink the Bismark" as Midshipman
on the Prince of Wales
See also photo 3 and 4 on
Catterick page & various on Brian Richardson's
page
