The ARMY APPRENTICE ... remember with pride
Association Pages
Inscriptions on the Memorial
Above the 1952/1969 cap badge:
The Army Apprentice
Below the badge:
This memorial is dedicated to all Army Apprentices
who trained as soldier-tradesmen
and served worldwide in peace and war
At the base of the monolith:
Remember with Pride
In the centre circle:
“They will always be here, laughing, young and full of fun,
With all their pals around them, true friends every one.
The things we’ve done together bind us closer still,
Friendships from our youth endure, and they always will.
But when country called, some paid the highest price,
Let this memorial stand proud, to honour their sacrifice.
Remembered in this haven far from the sounds of war,
They are foremost in our hearts, companions evermore”.
On the rim of the centre circle:
Army Apprentice training was conducted at various locations including
Aldershot, Arborfield, Ashvale, Bramley, Carlisle, Catterick, Chatham, Chepstow, Church Crookham, Deepcut, Harrogate, Hilsea, Jersey, Taunton, Woolwich and Worthy Down.
On a new explanatory lecturn to be erected Spring 2012:
The Army Apprentice
During the twentieth century over 70,000 boys aged fourteen to seventeen years enlisted into the army as apprentice tradesmen. They were taught a wide range of trades based on civilian practice, except that military apprentices were also trained as soldiers.
Throughout their apprenticeship boys received military and physical training, education in academic and technical subjects, and were given plenty of opportunity for sport.
Trade training was conducted at various locations across the country. Initially apprentices were taught the basic principles of their selected trade with training becoming increasingly complex as they built up their trade skills.
Army apprentice training presented the young men with physical, mental and moral challenges and encouraged leadership qualities.
The Army Apprentice evolved into a well-educated, highly motivated and skilled soldier-tradesman. On graduation, ex-apprentices filled specialist appointments in Regiments and Corps in the Regular Army. Many pursued further academic and technical studies to professional or degree level and went on to achieve highly successful careers in the army, public service and commerce.
The Old Boys’ Associations of Arborfield, Carlisle, Chepstow and Harrogate Army Apprentice Schools sponsored this memorial.
You are viewing the text version of this site.
To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.
Need help? check the requirements page.
